City Museum

Just a quick post to let you all know that we're okay and getting on with the boring bits of life. As a result it can be a bit tricky posting messages where we have nothing significant to say. A brief trip to the War museum was both educational and fun. We'll be updating the site in a couple of days so stay tuned!



Yasmin attempts to teach Theo his ACBs. He was took more interest in his hot chocolate - who can blame him.



Making faces from blocks of cut wood proved a winner - for ten minutes at least.



Then, there's dressing up like a Viking - could be a future wedding dress design.



Finally, where would we be without the NZ 'sliver' fern. Yasmin is beginning to adapt to Kiwi life, but still has a long way to go before she can call Nz her home.

Crystal Mountain

Okay, the week in summary. George started work with a fantastic traditional Maori welcome. George gets a chest infection. Theo completes a full week at pre-school and loves it. Yasmin receives two invitations to visit new school friends Anna and Jacqueline, but is still taking time to adjust. Roger gets a heavy cold. Still have to shop, cook, clean, wash, iron and eat. Theo enjoys a full nights' sleep - the first in two weeks. George and Roger join a gym- look forward to those pictures! Yasmin gets to grips with homework. We meet Jo and Craig (Anna's parents). We're still looking for that elusive house to buy. Spurs win away in Europe. The kids have their assessments for ongoing swimming lessons in a warm pool! Roger still complains about being cold. George continues to rave about how fresh & tasty the food is. Talking and seeing our old friends on the web-cam is fantastic, joyful but also evokes feelings of homesickness for our friends and family around the world.

Besides all that, we are getting into the spirit of the quality lifestyle here and we had another wonderful afternoon at Crystal Mountain, with Paul and Sue and their children Tuan and Yen. Suffice to say the smiling pictures below tell their own story.



Theo may not look excited about his first ride, but he rode like a true urban cowboy.



This is also Yasmin's first time on a pony.



Paul keeps his hands well out of the way having just been bitten by the farm pig. Fortunately he didn't cry, but his pride was little wounded. Tuan had no fear of the llama.



You can't beat a train ride to keep the children happy. Paul is a big kid at heart.



Theo aka 'Spiderman' about to learn what it takes to be a superhero on the bungy jump.



Yasmin makes the spin look so easy.



Yen in the middle of a double sommersult.



Tuan has a delicate touch.



Spiderman checks out the competition for Theo's loving attention.



Yasmin has her heart set on owning her own rabbit and as you can see she has the touch.



Happy bunnies with cuddles all around.



Theo backing up the 'train' for another bundle at the end of a slide.



Yen and Yasmin show no fear in reaching new heights on the top of the climbing frame.



These children are happy to make their own entertainment and live the Kiwi life outdoors. They even managed to get the little static wooden train (behind the climbing frame) moving, with a great team effort from the fab four.

Never gets cold - Yeh Right!

There's this myth that it never gets cold in Auckland. Well, having experienced the winds from the south we can say without a doubt that is does get cold. It also isn't helped by the lack of insulation in Kiwi homes, damp room and the odd bit of mould growing in corners of south facing rooms. Consequently, we've been forced to light the wood burner. Needless to say Roger is not a happy bunny. Instead of applying factor 50 he's having to zip up his fleece.



George goes to work on the burner, shame there isn't a back bolier for the central heating (what's that then, a luxury item perhaps?). Well it beats having to wear socks in bed!

First days at school

Yasmin began the week going to hospital and ending the week at her new school. She's recovered from the croup & has new inhalers which really help her asthma. St. Thomas's school is a lovely school with a friendly feel and very good reputation. Yasmin is slowly making friends and getting to grips with entering the school system towards the end of Year 2. Can you believe she will start Year 3 in February after the summer break? Theo will join her in St. Thomas's on his fifth birthday and has already met his teacher and seen his classroom.

For the moment Theo is attending pre-school four afternoons a week. He had his first two afternoons meeting his new friends (who will also go on to the same primary school) and he wasted no time encouraging other children to play some games with him. Such amazing new found confidence - let's hope it lasts.



Yasmin in her uniform complete with brimmed hat and bare feet (unseen).



The school has an outdoor swimming pool which gets plenty of use in the summer term. Is that a shark lurking...?



Yasmin inside class 19. Her teacher Miss Harrison has done a great job in getting the kids to make the room colourful and welcoming.Apparently she's the best Art teacher in the school.



Theo proudly shows off his medal that he won at pre-school for 'best effort' during the sports day. A new preschool teacher, recently arrived from Australia was astounded by the level of sports training at such a young age and said, "No wonder the All Blacks are the best in the world if this is what they learn at pre-school!".



The playground and fields has a fantastic view of the sea and Rangitoto in the distance. Very inspiring. Priceless piece of real estate with that sea view.

We've moved again...

We've moved again to a four bedroom home near to St Thomas' primary school. It's a lovely home where we will be based for at least six months. We're hoping Yasmin can start school on Monday and Theo shortly afterwards. Now we have the chance to be a settled again and get back to doing 'normal' things like washing, cleaning and cooking.



George trying out the kitchen with the aid of some new and borrrowed utensils.



The kids in front of the new TV - where else whould they be?



This is where the blog get's updated. Note the cardboard box being used as a makeshift table.



So here is the pool. Everyone is excited, even Roger is thinking of stripping off and learning to swim properly.



George showing us the extraordinary length of her tail.