Things I'm Loving

A short post - after all my long ramblings about in-laws this week!

I am totally loving this -

These are my cousins kiddies.  Princess "Shae" (nicknamed for protection) was born this week - a natural breach birth. 

I love the story, and how beautiful it is - you just don't hear these things now-a-days because the pressure comes on to have a c-section.  I am so proud of my cousin for standing up for herself and insisting she wanted to give it a go.  They tried everything to turn baby but it just didn't happen.  Baby was born after 6 hours, safely and at home - with MINIMAL damage to mummy.  What a star!

Am totally looking forward to snuggies!  Aside from that, it makes me feel just a wee bit closer to delivering my own little one soon!

Enjoy your weekend!
x

Festival of Lights

So, if you want a holiday in an amazing city - where over summer they run a 6 week long festival - with family friendly entertainment EVERY NIGHT, activities for kids, an amazing park, friendly people and nearly everything is FREE - FREE - I kid not.... I do recommend New Plymouth. 

[caption id="attachment_231" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="the girls danced to the excellent singers...."][/caption]

My brother and his family relocated there a year ago - and to sum it up - apart from being away from their family (her's are in Ireland, his are north NZ), they LOVE it!  I was told of free sausage sizzles, free entertainment, free parties for kids with face painting, the free zoo...... lots to do!

[caption id="attachment_232" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="the beautiful changing colours waterfall - amazing"][/caption]

Each summer from mid December to end of Jan, they host a 'Festival of Lights' - where the features of their main Pukekura park are lit up. 

[caption id="attachment_233" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="dragonflies on the bridge..."][/caption]

It means a late night, because it's only dark enough around 9.20pm, but it's definitely worth it.  Even miss 1 and miss 2 got a good time out of it.

[caption id="attachment_234" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="punga tree..."][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_235" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="this had these pirate birds, making a heck of a noise, good times..."][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_236" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="wow"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_237" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="this is the reflection in the lake of the actual feature - hanging above"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_238" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="palms and ferns..."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_239" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="and my favourite - the 3D balls and ultra violet lights"][/caption]

Holiday adventures....

We went away for a week recently, for a wedding and to catch up with family who live far away. 

[caption id="attachment_220" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="practising for her big day ;-)"][/caption]

Here are some highlights (haha) for all you mums out there......

It was a typical family holiday.... it rained with the remnants of cyclone Wilma the first weekend.  The wedding day it just poured, so it was quickly changed from a beach wedding to indoors.  There was flooding and slips and major roadworks along the road on our way to Hamilton then New Plmouth.  Lily vomited all over herself, her blankey and her carseat.  It was a beautiful day the next day, and she was sick... ALL DAY.  She was better the following day - it RAINED all day.  We left for home on Friday, got stuck in rush hour traffic which took 2 hours to get from South Auckland to Albany.  We left for Whangarei, another cyclone was making its presence well known, so we turned back.  We turned back again on Saturday morning, when thousands of others were trying to make the same trip north and the main part of State Highway 1 north was closed.  We finally got home at 9pm that night after a long detoured drive north.

Thankfully, our animals were all alive and well fed.   Our house was intact and tidy (thanks to my epic cleaning spree the day before we left) and our car made the trip!

We really did have a good time.  A sense of humour on holiday meant that we found most of the above chaotic things funny.  Here are some real highlights....

I got to play/dance/read-to and hang out with this princess....

[caption id="attachment_221" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="my beautiful niece"][/caption]

 

I met for the first time, and got cuddles and loads of grins from this handsome little man...

[caption id="attachment_223" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="gorgeous nephew!"][/caption]

watching cousins play...

[caption id="attachment_222" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="People actually thought they were both mine.... and that I was crazy! (they're 8 months apart)"][/caption]

we killed some time on Saturday at Auckland Zoo...

[caption id="attachment_224" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="the zoo! oh, the Harris' - at the zoo"][/caption]

 

We got a visual treat at New Plymouth's festival of lights...

[caption id="attachment_225" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="waterfall - it changed colours...."][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_226" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="ultra-violet lights and 3D balls!"][/caption]

 

That's all for now... stay tuned for highlights of the zoo and the lights over the next couple of days - got some awesome pics!

Hope you're all good out there!