MOTAT

Yesterday we headed out to MOTAT (the Museum of Transport and Technology).



We met up with Amanda and three of her four kids, and two of her kids' friends. Got that? There were three adults and seven kids in our group.

We had such a lovely time, there was loads to see and do and something for every age group. We took way longer there than anticipated.





Funky mirrors:













We were in stitches at the kids trying to work old rotary dial phones - they just couldn't figure it out! It made us laugh so hard. I promise to remind the boys of that next time they laugh at me for not being able to figure out some newfangled technology. They can't figure out oldfangled technology! I mean, it wasn't that hard - life the receiver, dial two digits, wait for the other phone to ring. And yet, oh so challenging to our twenty-first century children.







A tram ride at the end:

Little legs

Weekend

On Saturday I headed out op shopping with my friend R (she prefers to stay anonymous on the internet) and her friend Amanda. Op shopping is thrift store shopping and we went to a huge one called SaveMart. Click over to their site to see how huge the stores are - they are like warehouses! I only bought 4 items (I thought I should pace myself!) but will definitely return.

While I was shopping Grant went to Karioitahi beach again with Nic and her family and her friend Lucy and her family. Thanks to Nic for the photos she took:







The men were trying to catch fish but the only thing they caught were little sharks:



On Sunday my friend Taryn came to visit and we had pancakes for dinner:



After a busy weekend - actually a busy few weeks - I was exhausted and just needed to retreat a little so I stayed in all day yesterday. It was just what I needed. Today we managed to bag a barbecue on Freecycle so we went to the North Shore to visit with my aunt, uncle and cousins before collecting it, as they live near to where we we were going. Then we visited my friend Amanda and her family before heading home.

And now that I've caught up with my blog I'd better go to bed and get some sleep! Tomorrow is - you guessed it - another busy day!

Karioitahi Beach

I've been meaning to blog these photos for a while but we've been busy as usual! On Friday we drove out to Karioitahi Beach to check it out. [Note: I've added maps to the posts on our trips to see things so you can see where they are in relation to us.]









































The wind really came up while we were there, it was so strong. I loved watching the plumes of spray off the top of each wave as they broke:





We enjoyed a picnic at the car before heading home:

Our house

We have more news about our container. And it's not good. You know how I said it was docking on 26th? Well, it's not docking in Auckland. Oh no. It's docking in Tauranga. Then our goods need to get to Auckland, which takes another 2-3 days, depending on rail availability. Then clearance will take 3-5 working days before it's sent our way!! AAAAAAARRRGGGHH!!!!!!

I am not going to have another rant about how we're struggling without our stuff because seriously ... get over it. I'm boring myself.

Instead, I'm going to share photos of our house, which we love. Note all of the windows and the sunlight pouring in.

Let's start with the front entrance - this is looking in through the open front door:



And looking back towards the closed front door:



With your back to the door, turn to the right and come through to the living area (see that open door? You've just come through there):



















The area at the back will be our computer area. Note the built in cupboard - we have great storage in this house.



Okay, go back to the entryway and turn left instead. You'll be facing a corridor. On the right you will see this - bathroom to the left, loo straight ahead and airing cupboard on the right:



Nice big bathroom with a walk-in shower:



Okay in the corridor on the left you'll see two doors. The first leads to Daniel's bedroom (with built in closet):



The second leads to Noah's bedroom (also with built in closet):





Between the two bedrooms, in the corridor, is a linen cupboard. On the right, between the bathroom and our bedroom is another cupboard. Then there's our bedroom on the right:





The door on the left leads to our closet:



The one on the right leads to an ensuite with shower:



If you're back in the corridor, looking straight ahead is the garage.

View from the door to the house:



Looking back at the door to the house - note the built in cupboards:









Please note, there are NO STAIRS IN THIS HOUSE, WOOHOOO!!!

Coming soon: photos of the exterior.