Happy Birthday Ellie

Ellie is 11 years old!  Hard to imagine our big girl beyond 10, but today she turned 11 and had a sunny birthday!  We tried to do everything that she wouldn't do in Canada that she could do in NZ- so we had lunch outdoors at a cafe, went to a berry farm and had ice cream, swam in the ocean and walked on the beach.   Ellie is still waiting for the proper Canadian time to be officially 11- so I guess when she wakes up in the morning we can say we have an 11 year old.  Pretty special to celebrate in NZ.  We'll hopefully get to Skype some grand parents and family before the week is out.

The NZ adventure continues every week.  Now that we are past the half way mark we are trying to make sure we don't miss out while we are here.  Last week we went back to Rotorua- yes it still smelled like rotten eggs- and visited Rainbow Springs.  It is a beautiful place for native NZ birds and animals.  There were also plenty of huge  Rainbow Trout- Luke announced loudly that he wished he had his fishing rod and that his Uncle Jeff would sure love to catch one of these.  We had to hush him up- the fish are protected there- not for food!!!  The kids had fun feeding the swans and ducks until Luke got in between a mother duck and her babies- she tried to scare him off by flapping on his back- what a funny sight- Luke kept his distance from the ducks after that one!  The highlight of the trip (for Luke) was seeing a Wallaby- he once again came through and impressed us with his ability to tell the boys from the girls-  with his barnyard voice of course.

The fishing also continues to be successful for the men!  Last lot was 23 fish and some big ones too!  The kids like the smoked fish now- our good neighbour looks after us quite well!  Luke still won't hold a fish and I have no immediate plans to gut a fish.  

Last weekend Uncle Brad and Aunty Megan came to visit for 2 nights.  The kids were thrilled to play with their Uncle Brad- flying paper airplanes, playing tag on the beach and helping pick berries (and eat berries)!  We are blessed with friends who are like family!   

We are still working hard at the home schooling and Greek (for Keith).  We get to the library for a fresh round of books every Monday.  The kids are hooked on Asterix and Oblix books!  I have tried to do some Christmas shopping, but it is hard to think that Christmas is coming.  It just doesn't seem like Christmas without snow etc.  It is funny to see all the NZ christmas cards with snow!  Where is the Santa on a surf board?  I did find some Christmas wrap with kiwis- that will have to do!

We made it to the Whakatane Santa parade- it was a lot like the Blossom Festival Parade- we even needed our hats- it was hot!  Poor old Santa looked pretty toasty!  

The kids are in the church Christmas play in Whakatane.  Luke is a shepherd.  Megan an Angel. Ellie- has a speaking part for the play!  It is fun to have something like home and for the kids to be involved in!  I'm not too sure how I'll get these costumes figured out- I will have to be creative!  

That's all for now!  Enjoy the snow in Canada!  The first snowfall is always so pretty- if you're not driving in it!  Take care.....