We just got back from a weekend in Taupo, we stayed at the same place we did when Granny and Bilby were here a few months back. We headed up on Friday night and arrived about 5:30 pm or so, and checked into our room. Once settled in we all headed up to the pools to go for a swim. Sarah had bought the kids $3 biscuits, which they totally loved. They spend the whole weekend cruising around the pools in them. I thought Theo might have a bit of trouble, but he was in it first go and just loved cruising around the place. "Paddle Paddle Kick Kick" he'd call out as he tried to motor around the place. Beth's really good with getting around, she spend a lot of time on Saturday night jumping in and out, swimming out and swimming back. She's a better swimming now than I am.
The only problem with the pools of course is how cold it was once you got out, super extra freezing. We'd go from 27c water to 12c windy icy coldness. The first time on Friday night it was very hard for the kids to understand, but after that they got used to fact they had to get out and get dry as quickly as possible, getting clothes on etc.
Saturday we did pretty much the same thing, went into town, did a bit of shopping and had breakfast. I took the kids to the playground while Sarah visted the shops, but what a failure that was. FOUR visits to the toilet. First Beth needed a wee, then Theo needed a wee. Then when we got back to the playground Theo needed a poo. Then finally once back at the playground Beth needed another wee. By that time I snapped and dragged them back to the car!!! We went back and everyone had a sleep, then we had another swim etc. We went into town for dinner, tried to go the McDonalds plane but it was closed.
Sunday morning we had to checkout, the place is very strict with the 10am checkout time, no further access to the pools etc. So we packed up and left, then went into town and had breakfast at McDonalds, this time we got to go up into the plane to have some food. Beth and Theo thought it was pretty neat. Then we went and did a bit more shopping, Sarah took Beth around to look at various schoolbags. But Beth didn't like anything until they walked into one shop and Beth fell in love. With a bag that cost about 5 times as much as all the other ones. But it's a good, sturdy back for school, which she's really looking forward to! Theo got a headtorch to keep him happy.
Then we drove back home, which was a bit of a mission, Beth got really car sick. She didn't actually throw up but it was a long and grizzly ride home, that's for sure! Once home, Theo and I cleaned up the rest of the wood I'd cut from the Feijoa tree 3-4 weeks ago. "I like helping you Daddy" he kept saying, such a good little helper. Once Beth woke up the two of them helped me stack the rest of the new pile of wood we had delivered on Thursday night. They had a good time helping, stacking the wood up terribly in piles. When they'd be out getting more I'd quickly have to adjust their stacking so it didn't fall down and crunch them. Finally it was all done, thanks team!
What else... As mentioned got a bunch more wood last week. $250 for a cord of mixed pine and Macrocarpa. The gum we got a couple of months ago is still wet and it just doesn't burn well, to hard to get the fire started/going with it. This new stuff is much better.
My home automation is going well! We set the Alarm when we left on Friday and it didn't do anything (good!) the whole time we were away. I left it armed when we arrived home on Sunday night and as soon as I went in the front door the siren went off and my phone got messages "Front door opened, motion in lounge" etc. So I'm happy with how it's working. The kids have Thermostats in their rooms now, based on the temp sensor and the plug that turns their heater on/off as required. There's a sensor in the Garage that knows if the car is in the garage or not etc. It's all very nerdy. It's been quite fun to setup.
Beth's reading is going great, she can read sight words now very well. When I got home today Sarah has made her a bunch of invitations for her 5th birthday. She can pretty much read the names of all her friends on the back, I didn't have to ask her which invitation was which, she could read who's was whos. Sarah said she pretty much read all of slinky maliky herself tonight.
Theo's language/words are also progressing amazingly, he can say such complex things now and ask detailed questions etc.
Right well I think that's enough, gotta go unstack the dishwasher, put another load of washing on and then go to bed!
Tim
Add new comment