At Granny and Granddad's - Kayaking and Beach Play

Our last day trip we went down to the river mouth and played on the beach and some of us took Granddad's kayak for a spin.  Eleanor and Granny joined us a bit later after taking a trip to the special fairy shop in town.  Once they got there we had a picnic and enjoyed the sunshine until it was time to head home for a nap.

Marshall testing out the whistle on his life jacket.

On the kayak, ready to go

Playing on the beach

Water collecting...

...to fill the bucket

Dig, dig

Maybe I'll take this out for a spin!

Fire Truck, Fire Truck

The kids learned a song at Preschool called Fire Truck" (click to listen).  For the summer we got a Fire Truck from the Toy Library.  After Daddy did some cleaning and fixing the truck works great and the kids have a great time putting out fires.  We even lit a camp fire in the back yard one evening and they got to help Daddy put it out. (Andrew had the big hose.)  Here they are in action.

Watch out!

Not sure why Edith is being transported, but one looks happy :)

Watching the heros

Gotcha!

Oh, you really just wanted  drink?

Arrowtown

 We took another family day to Central Otago at the beginning on December.  We stopped in Queenstown to buy our Christmas Tree (bonus it was 1/2 price day)!

 Then we went on to Arrowtown and had our picnic by the river.  It was a beautiful spot.  Edith ate lots of rocks, Marshall didn't feel great and had lots of cuddles.  Eleanor waded in the river and skipped threw lots of rocks in the river. 

Edith also ate real food and especially enjoyed the apricots.

 After our picnic we walked into town and got some ice cream.  Marshall rode in the stroller. :)

 In town we got a special ice cream treat.  Edith even got to have some.

"Gimme that, I'm sure shoveling in with my fingers will be faster."

"What you're going to wipe it off?!  That's great licking!"

Goodbye Lambs, Hello Weekend!

November also saw the end of all of our lambs.  Baby died and we took Ashley back to live with her lamb friends on the farm.  (She was bred for wool and not for Christmas dinner...and she was a bit lonely after Baby left. :))  Marshall gave Ashley her last feed of milk - in style, no less...

Check out the sunhat, pj top, and gumboots - this kid is all about style!

kisses

 We packed up stuff for a night away and loaded everyone in the van and put Ashely in the in trunk lined with cardboard.  Eleanor gave her pats on the way "to see her lamb friends".

Petting Ashely

 She settled down for the ride.  I think she was a bit sad to see us go as it was a cloudy/showery morning, but we put her in a paddock with "her lamb friends" and there was a dog kennel so I know she would have found a pal and shelter.  We, too, were a bit sad to see her go, but in the long runits for the best.

 After dropping off Ashley we headed into Invercargill and ran our errands.  We ended up at Queen's Park where we played in the fountain and playground.  Not feeling like the drive back to Mossburn we stayed the night at a hotel. Which was also a big adventure.  After two plays on the playground and no nap these kids were worn out!

Stripped down fountain play

Edith got in on the action too!

Paddle play pool at the playground

Marshall found it a bit cold, but wouldn't stop playing!

8:30 pm: Finally, asleep, Eleanor and Marshall had to share a bed at the hotel.  They started out with a pillow down the middle.

Edith slept on a mattress on the floor.

11:00 pm: See how well that pillow worked out...

In the morning we headed home via the grocery store and Winton Open Day.  It was a nice weekend together.

At the River

Andrew had the weekend off and when we woke up and it was a nice day we quickly packed a picnic lunch, loaded up the canoe, fed the lambs, and headed off to Te Anau and found a great place to eat, hang out, cast the fishing line, and take the kids on rides down the river.  (Note: Mommy forgot the camera - thank goodness for cell phone cameras!)  They each got to go down at least once.  We only have one kid life jacket and they did really well taking turns.  While waiting both the big kids played in the water and entertained Mommy and Edith.  It was a nice way to spend the day.  We returned home with tired, happy kids and to hungry lambs. :)

Marshall playing on the river.

Eleanor playing in the water.  Her pants got wet so she went, well, pantless.

I love Eleanor's hand on Marshall's back. They were playing while waiting on Daddy to get the canoe ready for the next rider.

Edith enjoyed playing on the cushion.

Eleanor having a snack.

Marshall on the way down the river.

Let's play "Where's Marshall"!

Here he is!

Off the cushion, into the grass.

Even Edith got a ride!  She loved going down the river, but I think she felt the same way Eleanor did when she wore it at her age - not impressed.

Groups shot

Fishing with Mommy - we didn't get one, but I don't know if that really mattered.

Marshall!

Having our picnic

I asked them to open their eyes so they closed them!

See above caption...and the tongue sticking out.

Lovin' it

Ready to go!

Off and away