Back from the Snow
We came back from the Snow yesterday. We packed up the Snowy house nice and early, got everyone fed and into the car. We said goodbye to our lovely host Sandy and Beth said goodbye to Sandy's daughter Snow. Beth said she was quite sad to say goodbye to Snow, so I said that we might write her a little letter when we're back home. We'll see if Beth still wants to do that next week, after the excitment of the coming weekend has worn off.
Edit: Here's a collection of photos and videos from the weekend.
Once we left Snowy House we returned our toboggans to the hire place, Sarah returned her jacket that she'd rented (I put she'd bought it in the previous post, I got it wrong, it was only rented) and then we went to see the Giant Carrot again. It wasn't quite as exciting this time around, we'd seen it before. But the park where the Giant Carrot is has been added to, now there's other vegetable figures and things to do, so we had a play there before the rain really kicked in. We visited the toilet-of-the-future, one of those ones that talks to you and closes the door automatically etc. For something that's amazing and the future, it's really bizzare that the only thing you have to press is a button to get toilet paper.
ANYWAY we left there and drove to Chateau Tongariro for High Tea, something recommended by Sandy. It was lovely, but it was one of those places that I feel really uncomfortable having 4 loud children when people are trying to relax and have a nice time. High Tea was great though, 3 little shelves of small food parcels, all very tasty and edible. When they arrived I thought "I can eat all this myself" but after 20 minutes I realised I was full and we'd only eaten three Quarters of the food. Certainly a nice experience.
From there it was time to wave goodbye to Ben & Di as they set off in their uber AWD rental. We drove on to Taupo, stopping for a subway and a quick rest (We forgot to do a dance) and then all the way home. It was a tough drive for the kids, they got very ants-in-pants for the last hour, as expected. It was also wet and miserable which doesn't make for great driving. Next time I have to figure out a way to get the iPad in the back seat so they can just watch TV and not fight, grizzle and cry about all and everything possible to think about.
Overall we had a lovely weekend! The snow on Saturday was perfect, just such a nice day compared to all the others, we really picked the right day to go. It was lovely to see Ben and Di, plus Jacob and Abbey. The lodge we stayed at was lovely, very welcoming, comfortable and warm. It all went too quickly really.
Once we got home we found the house safe and sound (alarm system seemed to work!) and a few parcels waiting for Beth on the front door. Some postcards from Dad, some T-Shirts and a lovely little purse and dress from Auntie Maggie. We spent the afternoon unpacking and Sarah started on the mountain of washing, man so much stuff from 4 days away!! Then dinner and bed. Just as Beth was getting into bed she pulled her bookshelf over on herself, not her fault though mostly ours because we knew it was a bit dicky but hadn't anchored it to the wall. So there was a "bit of bleed!!!!" but a cuddle and a few bandaids and it was all sorted out.
Then it was bedtime until 5am today when Theo woke up because Big Bae had fallen off and he needed it "Nice and Flat" so he could go back to sleep.
It's Beth's last week of Kindy! THE LAST WEEK OF KINDY!!! How time has flown. She's grown up so much. Last week of Kindy... School starts next week!
We've heard that Jill from Jillyfish has been diagnosed with bowel cancer. She's away for the rest of the lessons. I hope she's OK, she's such a lovely person and she's so caring and considerate with the kids she teaches. Get well Jilly!
Tim