When Daddy's away

am quite lucky now, as Arama does not have to travel so much for work any more. He headed off for Samoa the day before Anzac Day this year. Let me tell you about our week without Daddy.

Anzac Day.

 Anzac Day began as a relaxing morning. I spent  about an hour and a half in bed, watching a movie, and just chillin’ out. My day plans of getting a bit of work done around the farm was short lived. Distractions of cousins and fun in the sun over ruled. They made for some great photo’s and memories though. I did get the kids to watch the ANZAC ceremony on TV while we folded the washing though.

It was quite entertaining to watch the 3 younger boys playing soccer together (check out those cheeky smiles) and I managed to sneak a great photo of the two big boys doing weights. Are they really getting old enough for this!! I must be getting old…..

That night, we were preparing for school and bed,  lunches, clothes and teeth. All of a sudden  Hikawera began crying – yes the hurt kind of cry – and found that he had punctured a hole in his soft palet of his mouth. Recently Hikawera had a lovely visit at his Aunty and Uncles house in Hamilton.He had bought a bow and arrow set with the suction pads on the end of the arrows. He stuck these on his drawers and was trying to pull one off and just aimed it right – in his mouth- . As soon as I looked at it, I knew we needed to go. Arama took the lead and watched the kids, put them to bed. Hikawera and I headed off to the doctors. We reached the A&E about 8:10pm. They closed at 8pm. The receptionist glanced at me outside the door and continued on as if I wasn't there. Carma is all I can say for her.... so we drove in to the North Shore Hospital. They were fantastic. It became really hard for Him to swallow so we were asked to stay overnight.

Hikawera in Hospital

By about 1am we had managed to get him some pain killers so he slept.  Thanks to technology, and some amazing friends, and family I was able to put the sos txt out. Jacque took the older ones to school, and Looie picked up my little ones and took them to school. (so lucky thursday is the day they both go) The kids did a great job at getting everyone dressed and fed in the morning. We were able to get some antibiotics in Hik's system, and he was really good. Swallowing and talking.  We could go home. As he was chatting away he asked me a question that I found so amusing (my Fiji family you will too) He was asking what this village was called. Meaning Suburb where the hospital was. He really does see Fiji as his first home… We met 3 fijian men in the supermarket, they were surprised when heard them speaking in Fijian and I asked them if they were Fijian, and then when I saw my boys eyes light up as they greeted and replied “Bula Vinaka!”

 I must say a big thank you to my dear friend Looie, who I could txt  an SOS and she picked up my babies for school and even cooked me dinner for our family that night. Such an angel and a blessing in my life. Also thank you to Aunty Jax for taking my big ones to school. They were able to keep their 100% attendance record.

Thursday night we had to drive and pick up Teancum from Rugby practice in warkworth - a 1 hour round trip.

Friday afternoon was Nauvoo's netball practice again and then we found out late that Arama T had a seminary lesson and video night in town, so we trooped off to first pick up his new rugby boots which he paid for out of his holiday milking job, and then drop him off at his activity.

The 'mango' colored boots below are Arama's new boots.

To pass the time for the rest of us, we went to the Macdonalds close by, had a little dinner and then I let the kids loose in the playground. That was for 2 hours!! They had a ball.. Check these out!!

Once I had had enough of the noise and they were all puffed out we headed back to pick up Arama and watched a movie in the car until he was finished. by10pm we were home finally and ready for the first day of winter sports.....

Saturday.

It had to be the day that ALL the kids winter sports began. Due to logistics and a kind offer I was able to take Arama back to Warkworth to a fellow team members house so he could take him to and from the game. We left home at 6:30am. Kissed him good luck and headed home to pick up the rest of the kids for their sports. Luckily due to Hicks injury he did not play that day which was a blesssing in disguise as he was waaaay over somewhere else. It was also my first day umpiring for Netball. Kawea dutifully watched the younger ones while Nauvoo played and I umpired. Then Kawea headed up to his game. Both played fantastically.

After picking up Arama about 11am, we were able to head home and stop for what it felt like a marathon of a week.

That ended the week Daddy was away....