NIWA'S TRIP TO THE AIRPORT

Today we went out to the Airport.  Des, the lady who looks after Niwa as well as the other  kids she looks after (Cody, Alex and Nicole), had been studying Different countries around the world etc.  They have been looking at culture also.  I went  and taught the kids some Waiata Maori,  the kids learnt a poi, a rakau song and a little Haka.  It was so much fun teaching the kids and seeing them respond.  Even Des was a natural.  Now you have no excuse Des for mis pronouncing Maori words  LOL. 

At the airport today we went to the ‘Lookout’ to see the planes landing and taking off.  We also went to the departure area and the arrivals area to see people leaving and arriving.  We also went to McDonalds for lunch. 

 It was so fun being able to join our amazing caregiver Des on one of her self initiated trips, she is such a rare gem,  who our whole family appreciate so so much!  WE LOVE YOU DES!

TERINA'S FIRST NETBALL GAME

Today was Terina's first netball game.  

Her team is called the

 'SUNNYBRAE SUNFLOWERS'.

The 'Sunflowers' really had no clue how

to actually catch the ball let alone play the game.

They played Westminster and Terina only touched the

ball twice and she is Goal Shoot so what does that tell you???

The score was 2 nil to Westminster. 

She left saying it was so boring!  

She just hung off the goal post at the other end most of the time.

Kyla came to cheer her on, see her below.

Terina in her famous GS bib.  Hopefully soon in

the near future she will know which end to shoot at, and

perhaps she may even learn some of the rules!   LOL

So cute.

See below:  Very bored at her end of the court.  

Good sports at the end of the game shaking hands!

HIP HIP HOORAY!

I look forward to seeing you slowly understand the game Sunnybrae Sunflowers  LOL!

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....