We got together with some friends for a play group and shared our birthday cupcakes.
Friday, May 14, 2010
dog cupcakes
Max and Maya are quite obsessed with dogs and cats. Since there is NO chance of us getting a pet I decided I would make dog cupcakes for the babies 2nd birthday. I looked on the internet and couldn't find any examples so I just made up my own. I made them in ice cream cones so they would be easier for the kids to hold. I think they turned out pretty cute.
enjoy the photos?
Enjoying the photos of New Zealand? Why don't you come for a visit. Air New Zealand has some AMAZING deals right now $399 round trip from LA or SF.
Seriously, come visit.
Sorry, it was only a 48hour offer. The link doesn't work anymore.
Sorry, it was only a 48hour offer. The link doesn't work anymore.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
picton and waikawa
Picton is located about 30 mins from Blenhiem. It is in a beautiful location on a deep gulch at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound. (see map I added to this post)
It’s the main marine access point to the South Island. In this photo you can see the ferry leaving the port.
It has a cute village with ships and, of course, a great play ground near the water. We ran into a member of the district presidency at the playground on Sunday afternoon.
Lonnie worked for a couple days in Waikawa, just outside Picton. It has a beautiful harbor with lots of boats. The water was so clear we could see jellyfish and starfish.
Shannon- Yes we went to Kaikoura...amazing! More photos to come.
It’s the main marine access point to the South Island. In this photo you can see the ferry leaving the port.
It has a cute village with ships and, of course, a great play ground near the water. We ran into a member of the district presidency at the playground on Sunday afternoon.
Lonnie worked for a couple days in Waikawa, just outside Picton. It has a beautiful harbor with lots of boats. The water was so clear we could see jellyfish and starfish.
Shannon- Yes we went to Kaikoura...amazing! More photos to come.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
dear kids
Dearest Max and Maya,
Just because you took a VERY long nap yesterday does not mean that you get to skip your nap today. But I am glad that you are feeling better. Two weeks of pink eye followed by triple ear infections (two for Max and one for Maya), along with coughs and running noses has been hard on all of us.
Love,
Mom
aka The Sleep Drill Sargent
btw... the best photos of our trip are yet to come, so stay tuned.
Just because you took a VERY long nap yesterday does not mean that you get to skip your nap today. But I am glad that you are feeling better. Two weeks of pink eye followed by triple ear infections (two for Max and one for Maya), along with coughs and running noses has been hard on all of us.
Love,
Mom
aka The Sleep Drill Sargent
btw... the best photos of our trip are yet to come, so stay tuned.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
blenheim
On our extended trip to Blenheim we did what we always do. We went to the park. Pollard park was a short walk from where we were staying. It had nice playground and great gardens and ponds with lots of ducks.
Blenheim is known for its wine. The area has miles and miles of vineyards. While we were there the vineyards were turning from green to yellow and red. It was stunning.
Blenheim is known for its wine. The area has miles and miles of vineyards. While we were there the vineyards were turning from green to yellow and red. It was stunning.
Monday, May 10, 2010
kiwi word of the week
Ratbag: rascal or trouble maker
Example: How are those two little ratbags of yours? (All of my examples are things I have actually heard)
This one is in honor of my father-in-law, Lynne. Lynne served his mission in Australia, where they also use the term ratbag. Lynne still uses the word occasionally. I was pretty excited when I heard it used here in NZ.
**If any of my new Kiwi friends happen to read these posts and would like to correct or improve on my definitions please do so. :)
Example: How are those two little ratbags of yours? (All of my examples are things I have actually heard)
This one is in honor of my father-in-law, Lynne. Lynne served his mission in Australia, where they also use the term ratbag. Lynne still uses the word occasionally. I was pretty excited when I heard it used here in NZ.
**If any of my new Kiwi friends happen to read these posts and would like to correct or improve on my definitions please do so. :)
traveling
Lonnie was asked to go to Blenheim to work. The original plan was for him to work for four days and then we would have the weekend to enjoy as a family before heading back up to Auckland. The week long trip turned into 12 days. We were VERY glad that we decided to go with him. I'm much better at being a patient wife and mother when I get to see Lonnie at the end of the day.
As I mentioned before, there are a lot of things about New Zealand that make traveling with kids much easier.....so this is everything we brought with us (even including equipment for Lonnie's work).
The area was very beautiful....just a warning....lots of photos to come over the next several days. :)
Here is a map of the area where we were traveling....
As I mentioned before, there are a lot of things about New Zealand that make traveling with kids much easier.....so this is everything we brought with us (even including equipment for Lonnie's work).
The area was very beautiful....just a warning....lots of photos to come over the next several days. :)
Here is a map of the area where we were traveling....
Sunday, May 2, 2010
kiwi word of the week
Grizzly: whinny, fussy, grumpy.
Example: Max seems a bit grizzly, looks like he is ready for his nap.
Example: Max seems a bit grizzly, looks like he is ready for his nap.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Traveling with twin toddlers in New Zealand
Lonnie was asked to go out of town this week. He thought the trip might extend though the weekend so he suggested that the kids and I come with him. If you have ever traveled with toddlers you know all the "stuff" that they require, car seats, cribs, highchairs, just to name the large items. But thankfully, here in New Zealand, it seems people think it is quite normal to have children. If fact they do all sorts of things to make it easy to travel with children.
The airline (Air New Zealand) let Lonnie and I sit next to each other on the flight even though we each had a lap child. They also had specail seat belt atachments for lap children. (Similar to the Baby B'air). Shortly after taking our seat the airline attendent brought us several children's books, crayons and paper. Max and Maya were thrilled to have new books to read, we didn't even open our own stash. A few minutes later she brought water and cookies for the babies, later she even brough lollipops and hand wipes. The twins were thrilled.
The car rental agency had car seats waiting for us at the airport. They were even willing to help install them.
The hotel had two pack and plays (travel cots) set up with clean sheets and blankets. They also provided us with two highchairs!
Most importantly, almost all of the hotels that we have stayed in while traveling in New Zealand have at least a mini kitchen and sometimes full kitchens (called self contained units) and a seperate bedroom with a door(called a family unit). This is huge for us because it means Max and Maya are taking good naps and Lonnie and I don't have to go to sleep at 7:30pm. Hooray for the Kiwis!
Oh....and I forgot to mention that when you check into a hotel they always give you a small bottle of milk. I asume the milk is for use in coffee of tea, but it is also very very nice for giving to toddlers.
The airline (Air New Zealand) let Lonnie and I sit next to each other on the flight even though we each had a lap child. They also had specail seat belt atachments for lap children. (Similar to the Baby B'air). Shortly after taking our seat the airline attendent brought us several children's books, crayons and paper. Max and Maya were thrilled to have new books to read, we didn't even open our own stash. A few minutes later she brought water and cookies for the babies, later she even brough lollipops and hand wipes. The twins were thrilled.
The car rental agency had car seats waiting for us at the airport. They were even willing to help install them.
The hotel had two pack and plays (travel cots) set up with clean sheets and blankets. They also provided us with two highchairs!
Most importantly, almost all of the hotels that we have stayed in while traveling in New Zealand have at least a mini kitchen and sometimes full kitchens (called self contained units) and a seperate bedroom with a door(called a family unit). This is huge for us because it means Max and Maya are taking good naps and Lonnie and I don't have to go to sleep at 7:30pm. Hooray for the Kiwis!
Oh....and I forgot to mention that when you check into a hotel they always give you a small bottle of milk. I asume the milk is for use in coffee of tea, but it is also very very nice for giving to toddlers.
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