ANZAC DAY 2012

The 25th April 2012.  We all got up early and went for a family Bike ride early around Shepards park.  I biked from home and met the family down at the park,  I nearly bet them there,  I am so fast!  Nah they just muck around so much LOL.  Then after Keith took the kids to the Local Anzac Parade in Birkenhead. 

I always remember my Grandfather on this special day, Owen Mahon who fought in WW2,  I will post some photos of him soon on this post also for the kids to remember and learn about him.  He would often get emotional talking about the war,  I am sure we don't have any idea what he and others went through.  He had been deafened by the war and wore hearing aids because of this.  He died in 1996 peacefully in his sleep but to this day I still have very fond memories of him and remember him as a cool grandfather.  He would always play tricks on us and I remember him as very funny.  He reminds me so much of the way his son, My dad is with our kids.  He would do anything for his grandkids and family.  Moe mai e koro moe mai.  xxxxx

Here are some photos of the Parade below.

When we got home we continued our garage clean up.  We are thinking of either moving or renovating our home so we are doing a big de-clutter.  I worked on the art room that day (our sleepout) and here are some photos of Terina doing some art work in there that night.  She has been down there nearly every day since.  Funny how tidying up can make a difference.  On Friday night her and Niwa went down there into the room and had a blast.  They came back up with about 3 paintings each,  I hope we can help to foster their love for art and creating (something all our kids have in their blood)!

Here are some photos of Terina creating on ANZAC day in our art room.

Below - One of the 'master pieces' she created

 that day. 

 (A lovely Pukeko)  CUTE!

ARAMA GETS HIS NEW I PAD 3!!!

A few weeks ago on the day of the New I Pad release date,  Arama got 

on-line and ordered a 'New I Pad' (IPAD 3).  Poppa's credit card

paid for it because his poppa loves him so much!  

These photos are of the I pad arriving and him unwrapping it etc.

Keith collected it from the Courier depot because we weren't home

when it got delivered and so it went back to their depot.

This is Arama greeting his dad when he arrived home, but 

not really interested in him (LOL) more interested in what 

is in his van ha ha!

Below Arama opening the door to get the special box!

Below, There it is, the long awaited box!

Below, Arama getting all silly now he is SOOO excited!

Arama then waited for his Poppa to arrive as he told him he would have an

'Opening ceremony' when it arrived.  It arrived at the worst time, it was a

Friday night so Poppa was at the Bowling club having a few beers, so

Arama waited patiently for him to finish his duties before he journeyed to our house.

When Poppa arrived all the formalities of the 'Opening Ceremony' began.

They shook hands and a few speeches were given before the box was opened.

Poppa said in his speech that he was very impressed that Arama had been

so patient in waiting for him until he opened it.  Arama thanked his Poppa and said how

grateful he was that he had bought this for him.

Arama has Dyslexia and his teacher/school/Poppa all thought that this piece of technology might assist  him to learn via his preferred Visual learning style.  There are some amazing apps that work wonders,

I want to tell the world of Dyslexics that this New I Pad has an amazing dictation facility as well as a talk to dictionary (you speak the word and it gives you the spelling and meaning)  WOW!

I think technology is the thing that is going to save people who have such learning needs.  

Below, getting closer the scissors are out and the box is nearly open!

Below, You can see it!

Below, the official box!

Arama so proud of his sparking new I pad,  it won't be shinny and sparkly for long!

Poor I Pad, it doesn't know what is in for coming to live in our home!

Below, and on it goes!

All in all it has been exciting tutuing around on the I Pad.  Funny how

quickly a million games were down loaded onto it though.  So I am 

having to monitor it closely and set time limits.  

I want my very own one now, it excites me what it can do!

LUCKY ARAMA

NO

BLESSED ARAMA

YOU DESERVE IT MY BOY AND YOUR POPPA LOVES YOU!

Funny I have just been sitting here keeping to myself when an email or two came through I opened them up and Arama has been creating things on his I pad. Funny!

  You can do so many fun things on it.  Here are some of the crazy things he has been creating below........

Now all the other kids have caught on to what he is doing.  Here are some more....

  

MORE PHOTOS OF UP NORTH

We did lots of things when we were up north so I will just include a few photos below. 

Daddy and Niwa at the Park at Badleys Beach.

The kids on the swings at Badleys.

Below was our family trip to Goat Island.  I 

was a bit bummed because as soon as I had taken this photo my camera

went flat so this is the only photo of us there that day.

It was such an amazing day (Easter Monday)

Terina and Niwa ended up swimming in the rock pools in their

clothes and we saw some amazing snapper swimming 

in between the rocks.  I love Goat Island,  I often think that

If I were a tourist overseas and discovered this place,  I would

remember it forever,  it really is a little bit of Paradise right

here on our back door step!

The kids having a sausage on a stick.  Poppa was tired of waiting for the dinner and more

tired of the kids moaning etc, so he quickly hopped up and made them hot dogs etc so they

would perhaps go to bed early but his plan didn't work and they thought this was just an entree 

and then had a second course when dinner was ready  LOL!

AUNTY NIKKI ARRIVES!

On Tuesday Keith went back to Auckland to work and 

Nix, Carl, Ash and Nikau came up to join us for a few days.

Nix and I couldn't believe how fast and efficient life

can be when you have two women in the house.  

Both nights we had the kids fed, bathed and in Bed by 

7pm no problem and then we got to hang and have a 

good Koorero for the rest of the night together.  What a treat!

These 3 photos below are of Aunty Nix reading Hairy

Maclary to the kids,  I love their faces as they watch and 

listen to the story together.

He he,  we went to Goat Island for a little picnic this day. Nix stopped at the shop and bought 

these cashew nuts for a lot of money so her and I could hold out on them. Then a seagull came and 

grabbed the packet in his beak and took off with them.  Nix chased the Seagull and grabbed the packet

but it was too late he had bitten a huge hole in the packet. I guess our intentions got the better of us.
 We were not happy foodies!

The next few photos are of the kids playing at Matakana Country Park.

I have a confession to make!

Every time we go up North, we have to make regular

stops to 'BLUE'.   'BLUE' is an ice cream shop in Matakana

which has the most yummy Berry blend ice creams as well

as organic ice creams and many other amazing treats.

Below, Ash and Terina enjoying their icecream.

TOTALLY IN HEAVEN!

 Not a bad photo this one considering 

Nix stretched out her hand in front of us both

and took it herself.

THE COOLEST WEEK IN AGES!