Our Book of Life

Before I begin my entry I need to explain how important it is for our children to catch the school buses in the mornings. We live 12kms from the Primary school and 35kms from the High school where our children attend. (NB:the schools are in the opposite direction to each other). We are very blessed to have free school buses that take our children to and from school. If one of our children misses the bus, then they either miss school or I have to take them. My car is not the most economical car – ok she is a thirsty girl- and on a budget, so driving for an hour and a half all up to get all my children to school is the absolute last resort. We drive 5 minutes north to ‘the old fire station’ where both buses turn around. This Year also, we have a family goal to have 100% attendance for school. My children are loving school, especially my Big Boy Teancum. So in simple terms catching the bus could be described as “imperative”. Now for the story….. I am sure everyone is used to the morni...

Once our drama was over and we were on our way to drop off the primary kid to school (which they were even in time for) I mused over the conversations in the back seat of the car. Hikawera and Renata were singing “Baby” by Justin Beiber. I enjoy hearing the kids sing and tent to pay more attention to them being able to sing the song in tune, and am often impressed how well they do. This morning I laughed as Renata would exclaim to his brother, “No, that’s not how it goes”, refering to the words he was singing. Hikawera was not sure of the words so he sang some sounds that sounded something like what the words could be…   Renata then said, “it goes like this”, and began to sing his version of what he thought the words were – which was another version of sounds that sounded something like what the words could be – Hikawera then defended his verison by quoting his brother, “No, that’s not how it goes”. I am grateful the were able to agree on some of the words. They are: “Baby, Baby...

My baby never fails to have a “such a cutie” moment every day. I don’t know what it is about him, perhaps knowing he is the baby, or simply that he was such a good baby, that I have noticed these little moment s more.   I have to share this one with you. It has happened twice this last week. We are sitting in the car and Rakaipaka calls out and asks for something. Usually it is a lolly or chocolate or something I don’t have at that time. Anyway I call out ‘no’, and the response comes back, “Oooh, Ill be your best friend”!!! Ha How cute is that!! He is all of what 2 years old and is already trying that line on his mother!!! Now the question is posed…. Which one of his siblings did he hear that from!!!!

It was so good to have our aussie family over in January. Here are some shots of the early days when we braved the cool swimming pool for a dip. Peter Bombing competition All the cousins We have some great memories of times together.

I was so blessed to have my big sister Eliza, come to visit with her family in January this year. She is awesome a nd it was great to be able to spend some time with her. I have many stories and photos of their visit, so here is the intro to that... this is my Big (little) sister.. We did not even realize that we were wearing the same color tops until we looked at these photo's taken.

This year I take all the children to a new bus stop. Teancum goes to Mahurangi College one way and the other kids go to Kaukapakapa Primary school. In the morning the primary kids get picked up 10 minutes before Arama's and in the afternoon the primary kids get dropped off 1/2 hour earlier than T. As the bus stop is next to a milking farm, the kids are used to seeing and smelling the cows. Mark, is the farmer there. He is a lovely person, and great with the kids. He lets them jump on the quad bike and go down to muster up the cows. Our boys are getting good at bringing the cows up for milking. I am so proud of them, watching them walk behind these big cows and following the instructions to muster up the cows. Hikawera has even been in the milking shed helping spray the cows down and watched the machines hooked up to collect the milk.. They Love it!

At school Hikawera's class was able to bottle pears.  They all enjoyed pealing cutting and boiling pears, then putting them into a jar. I was lucky enough to be there to help them. Here is the end result. Hikawera was selling them for $500 if anyone is interested!!! mmmm

We have been blessed to be able to travel to the temple today. Well actually we arrived about 1am into Hamilton this morning, had a rest at Karleen and Ashleys home and then made our way to the temple today. It was wonderful being in there, and I really felt the spirit there, teaching me and feeling the love of my Heavenly Father. I was able to see some dear friends there too which was such a treat. The kids were able to spend time with their cousins and Aunty. They love coming to see them. At the park, it was great to see them having fun, and daddy jumped right on the swing with his baby girl... had to snap this shot...look at the smiles.

I am sure it is every parents nightmare to not be able to find their child.... My heart was beating pretty quickly this day, I had the boys home with me. Now I think I was hanging out the washing again (i now take paka with me to pass me the pegs when I hang out the washing) when I came in and called out to the boys. Both Hikawera and Renata was accounted for, but where was Rakai? We searched everywhere, inside and outside. I climbed to the top of the driveway, no luck. Hikawera and Renata ran down to the vege garden, no luck... When I was about to give up and make that horrid call that I could not find my son, (and a prayer later) I felt to look on Nauvoo's bed. She sleeps on the top bunk.  Rakai had climbed up there with a book (right of photo) and read himself to sleep. He had a great sleep on there with Nauvoo's many pillows and stuffed toys.....and my heart stopped racing for another day.....

My baby, Rakaipaka is a wonderful boy. He is such a cutie. Here are a few times though where his cuteness has helped him get out of a spot of trouble. The first time I am sharing with you, is I went out to hang the washing out and came back to this: This is what Jiff and Dishwashing liquid look like together. Hmmm. Needless to say my floors smelt wonderfully clean and sparkly - once I was able to get it all off the floor... Thank you!! The next experience we were at a good friend of mine. She has 7 children, and is a wonderful lady. I was talking with her, when I turned around and found Rakaipaka happily drawing all over her lovely wooden varnished floor with a vivid marker pen. Now her living room is quite large - as large families need- and he had not just scribbled in a small corner of the room it was ALL over the floor spanning about 4 meters in length in large circular swirls. Here is a small portion of the 'artists' work. Now ask yourself what would you do if ...

In our house everyone helps. On a good day, or week, you can find a schedule for who is responsible for what job/chore around the house. With 8 people in the house it works out at 2 jobs each and everything is covered. This photo it was Kawea's turn to wash the dishes. As you can see true to 'kawea' form,  he found the joy and fun out of it.