waimangu volcanic valley

Rotorua is known for volcanoes and geothermal activity with a number of different geothermal areas to visit in the vicinity. Having a geologist in the family, we couldn't pass up an opportunity to enjoy the scenery. Following the recommendation of another geologist we met in the public park, we decided to take a trip out to Waimangu Volcanic Valley, which is a geothermal area that formed as a result of the eruption of the Tarawera volcano in 1886. The Waimangu geothermal area includes a series of geysers, hot springs, and lakes located in craters that formed during and following the 1886 eruption.

The kids spent most of the time in the backpacks pointing and telling their slaves where to go, but they also did a bit of walking on their own.

Lonnie and the kids surrounded by mist from Frying Pan Lake.

ambury park

We spent the morning at Ambury Park, about a 40 min drive from our home. I had heard about the park from a couple different people. When then sun was shining this morning and we didn't have any plans we decided to go check it out.The kids were thrilled when we told them we were going to a real farm. They wereeven more excited when they found out they would be able to actually touch the animals. We saw sheep, cows, pigs, horses, chickens, turkeys, goats and rabbits. The grounds were beautiful and the kids loved being able to run around. Thankfully we wore our gum boots.

We were able to go inside some of the paddocks and get up close to the animals. This photo of Max pretty much sums up what the kids thought of the farm. He kept saying "Ohhh....wow!!!".

We caught the 10:30am cow milking. Max and Maya were able to pet the heads of the milking cows.

The baby lambs ate grass right out of Max and Maya's hands. Maya curled up her fingers at one point and the baby lamb gave her a little scare when he nibbled on her finger.

Oh....and of course, because this is New Zealand...the park was right next to an amazingly beautiful bay. There was even a rainbow when we first arrived.

pacifier drama

We finally did it. After months, perhaps years, of talking about it, asking for advice and retreating, we finally decided to rid our home of pacifiers. A week ago last Wednesday night Lonnie and I realize we didn't really have anything planned for the weekend so we knew we could deal with grouchy children. This was going to be the weekend we cut off yet another tie to Max and Maya's infancy. It was time to say good-bye to the pacifier.

We talked to the kids for several days about how pacifiers are not for big kids but for babies. We told Max and Maya that we needed to take their pacifiers and give them to some babies. They were actually pretty excited about the idea. On Friday we went through the house and collected all the pacifiers we could find. We put them into a bag.

Maya thought it would be a good idea to also put them into a box. (Since receiving a package from Auntie Aimee, playing "Package from Aimee" has become one of their favorite games).

We are luck enough to have twins in our ward who were willing to be the recipients of the pacifiers.

Max was more interested in playing with Jamin and Jesse's toys than in anything else.

After the hand-off we took the kids out to McDonald's for dinner as a treat for being such big kids and leaving the pacifiers. We kept talking about how they would not longer have pacifiers to use when they went to sleep. That night when they laid down for sleep they didn't ask for their pacifiers but it took them a while to settle down. Maya cried for about an hour and a half. When I would go into check on her she never asked for her pacifier, but she asked for other things like water, toys or books. Once when I went in Max was also still awake but siting quietly in bed. After I Maya settled down Max asked for his pacifier but seemed to understand when I told him that we didn't have them anymore because we gave them to the babies. Maya woke up again later that night but then made it through the rest of the night.

It has now been six days since we cut the kids off from their pacis. They are sleeping better at night, but still taking longer to go to sleep than they used to. They also are requiring more interventions. They are also waking up about an hour earlier than they before. Nap times have seriously suffered. Before we took away the pacifiers they were napping for at least 2 hours a day. Now I am luck to get them down for an hour and a half and they require a lot of help to get settled down. I usually have to go in and check on them several times before they will finally go to sleep. When they were using their pacifiers I could just put them in their beds and leave the room. The kids aren't asking for their pacifiers but they are defiantly still having a hard time going to sleep and staying asleep with out them.

I assumed the transition would take less time than this. We have given it a good go, but it is taking a toll on all of us to have the kids sleeping less. So....should I go back to the pacifiers?

jumping, bikes, view...

Maya has been trying for weeks to jump with two feet. This week she finally did it and she was thrilled.

The kids are perfecting their bike riding skills. Max wasn't very interested in the bikes until we got the new one, now he is almost as fast as Maya.

Maya has started dragging her foot behind her to slow herself down and keep stable.

Thankfully because they are so small falls don't seem to hurt too much. I'm glad they like to wear their helmets.

The weather lately has been odd. There has been a lot of rain, but then small sunny breaks. We are glad it is finally starting to get warm again. Max and Maya were excited to eat lunch outside a couple times this week.

Did I mention that just three houses down the street from our place is a stairway down to a pretty little bay? Can we convince anyone to come and visit? Air New Zealand has some great flights.....http://www.airnewzealand.com/72-hour-sale-economy-to-new-zealand

angels

Max and Maya like to pretend like they are butterflies. They run around the room flapping their arm. I love it. We were given one pair of angel wings and I found another pair at a charity shop, which is a good thing because they have been thrilled to use them.

Of course my kids aren't always angels. Somedays are really hard. Sometimes they drive me nuts with making messes and whinning. But there are moments when I sit back and stop worrying about the mess, of things that need to be done...and I realize that I am in the presence of angels, straight from heaven.