Kids on Tour

The first week of the school holidays we were to have two visitors - Millie and Alex. We went up to Hamilton and stayed with Jackie and Simon on Saturday. Unfortunately  Theo had a fluctuating temperature but we had a great night with Barry and Liz as they had been invited to dinner. Next morning Simon wasn't feeling too well - and ended up having the week off work. We picked the kids up from the airport and headed back to Hamilton. Theo rallied and played valiantly for a couple of hours before wanting his Mum again. Next morning we started off for Gisborne, having a great run around at Ohiwa in the winter sunlight before pushing on to Gisborne. We put the kids to work straight away cleaning out the hen house. They were very willing workers.

Alex fits in the hutch well and gives it a good thorough clean. His reward is the attention of Kath and Kim - especially when he has pellets on his hand!

Millie took a litle longer to get into the action, but a little chicken dance in their enclosure and she soon had them eating out of her hand. The first day was consumed with doing jobs to earn stars so that they could afford to buy their mother a birthday present.

On Tuesday we went up town to get presents for Jill's birthday, picked up some cable ties in Bunnings to strengthen the extended hen run that the kids had helped us build, then to the supermarket - its been a while since I spent $306 in a week! The kids were on dinner that night - leek and chicken pasta in a creamy sauce. We also made birthday cards for Jill.

Wednesday was a bit miserable which was a shame as the golf course had "Tiger" tees set up for the school kids. After a bit of indecision we set off for the museum where unfortunately they were in the last stages of packing up the interactive music display. Then we went to Carl's Junior a new Hamburger joint in town. They were OK, but I probably wont go again for a while. The we decided to do Putt-putt golf rather than proper golf. The scores ranged from a very creditable 2 per hole to a frustrating 27 per hole. We had the odd shower of rain while we played this so I decided that a bit of Ipod playing TV watching was OK. for now. Then we went to Lone Star for dinner. very nice.

Duncan had taken Thursday off and despite the squally weather we set off to Tolaga Bay  to do a bit of fishing on the wharf. I had told the kids to take their hats and coats, but of course they didn't see any need to until we were out the end of the wharf in a howling gale - then there was a bit of a to-ing and fro-ing to snuggle up with Grandma under the blanket. Duncan played a game of Monopoly with them on our return - I think I might have had a Nana nap.

Come Friday and we went to the Farmers toy sale to pick out something for being well behaved. Alex didn't take long - he wanted a proper rainbow loom - so that kept him quiet for the rest of the morning until it was time to fill in the paper work and send them back home!