South Beach

We took the kids to South Beach for the afternoon. It was a spectacular day. The sun was sparkling on the water and the kids found an enormous sand dune which they zipped around, jumped into and rolled down.

As she stood at the top of the dune, ready to jump into the pit, Liska said "This is the place I used to dream of before we came to New Zealand".

Mt Doom

We had a great day hike at Mt Ngauruhoe this weekend. It is next to Mt Ruapehu and was featured as Mt Doom in the Lord of the Rings. It was pretty relaxing because the trail was well maintained without steep drop offs (or ladders, or high up one sided bridges, or narrow ledges that have crumbled away...) so the kids could run ahead. The hike took two hours and towards the end Brad and I were discussing how well the kids had done and maybe we should think about backpacking with them soon. As if on cue, Lazlo had a complete meltdown. Seems as if we should hold off on the backpacking idea a little longer.

Lazlo's Easter Note

When Brad and I got into bed Easter night we found candy sprinkled on our pillows and this note from Lazlo:




I have to admit I fell asleep feeling like I was the luckiest mom in the world.

Easter

Brad had to work Easter, so it wasn't our best. Thankfully all of the wonderful grandparents sent packages to keep the kids busy. They got books, clothes, Easter decorations, Easter egg coloring kits (they don't sell them here), videos, toys and, of course, candy! Despite Brad working and the day being a little lonely for me, the kids seemed to have fun, and that was most important!

St. Patrick's Day

Like most things in New Zealand, St. Patrick's Day is very laid back. I noticed a few people wearing green, but that was it, and there definitely aren't decorations sold anywhere in town. Thankfully, Boppa and Grandma Molly sent a sweet St. Patrick's Day package to help us celebrate. I had to post this picture because Lazlo (try to imagine him dancing around) really looks like a leprechaun when he wears the hat they sent.

Kindy House Field Trip

Liska's kindy, along with several others, took a field trip to St. Mary's primary school. We took a bus there and they had games set up for the kids outside. Liska loved hanging out with the older school girls, she kept asking them for help doing things she could do herself (like reach the monkey bars) to get more attention from them. The highlight of the morning was when they had a magic show. The magician asked for a volunteer and chose Liska. She was his assistant for almost the whole show and was a good sport. I could tell she felt a little shy but she did everything he asked, giggling through much of it.

Lazlo's Kilt

Lazlo goes to a public school, but the kids wear uniforms (which I love). Every once in awhile they have a "mufti" day where they can wear what they want. This past mufti day Lazlo got himself dressed in his kilt. Actually it is just a girl's plaid skirt I found at the 2nd hand store, but we like to call it a kilt.

I tried to subtly suggest another outfit, but he wasn't having it, so I gently warned him that some people at school might tease him for wearing a skirt. He has worn it plenty of other times, but only when he has been out with me around town, so no one has said anything although I'm sure some were wondering. He wasn't dissuaded so we went off to school, Lazlo in his kilt.

The moment we arrived there was giggling and whispers all around the school grounds. Some of the kids pointed and laughed, others asked "Why are you wearing a skirt?!" Lazlo got pretty flustered but managed to keep his cool. I had forgotten a pair of back-up shorts in case he changed his mind so I told him I would put some in his backpack later in the morning. When I returned I peeked into his class was relieved to see him happily working with his classmates.

After school he was still wearing it. He said that kids continued to tease him but that he didn't care. He was riding his scooter and wiped out pretty badly on the way out of school. Some older kids saw it happen and ran over to see if he was ok. They looked at him a little strangely, but helped him up.

I thought perhaps he was determined to wear his kilt only to spite the school kids, but he wore it all day Saturday and Sunday, as well.