Settling In

From August 2008

I have to post pictures of our house because we really lucked out (and because we’re trying to recruit visitors)! This house was on the market for a lot of NZ $ but the owners took it off and the rent is reasonable. The crown prosecutor of Wanganui lived here so everyone knows where we live when we tell them our address. It’s an old house but much of it has been re-done. It has 6 bedrooms plus a study, 2 living rooms, and, most importantly, good gas heaters. We also have a pool, which I wasn’t excited about for safety reasons with the kids, but it is gated off just fine. But the best part is that we are in walking distance to almost everything in town.

Lazlo has started kindy (preschool) 5 mornings/week and loves it. His favorite part is the woodworking station with real saws and hammers and nails. People don’t sue much here so the facilities and activities for kids are a lot of fun, but perhaps not the safest. Here’s a photo of his kindy, notice how the doors are open to the back. They stay this way all day, every day, despite the fact that it is rainy and in the 40’s. There isn’t central heat here so homes, schools, stores and restaurants aren’t much warmer than outside.

Lazlo at kindy

Here is Liska on her first day. She goes to a Baptist creche (preschool for younger kids?), which is pretty nice and is a block from our house. I’m sure Brad will curse my name when she asks him to sing the bible songs they learn at school with her.

Liska's first day of school

Finally, I have to include a picture of Liska with her first hair cut. We were remiss about combing her hair and didn’t realize until it was too late that she was growing dreadlocks. So we had to cut them out. I think this cut suits her personality better, anyhow.