We had great seats and Anika was happy to sit and take in the atmosphere - she could have been up the front dancing her wee heart out - but our girl is an observer then a doer. We did get up and dance in the second half.
We got to see our Hazel developing into a wee being - loving the atmosphere and being nosy - watching the audience and their enthusiasm.
We missed seeing Charlie, Tim and Kathleen who now have all moved on from the original crew. It was an excellent show and well worth the outing. Anika, was oblivious to all of the merchandising but I have a feeling this will be the last time. She is turning into quite a wee consumer. Being on holiday and out and about lately - asking to go to cafes and have fluffies has become part of her every day vocab. What has happened to my rural child.
After Andrew had gone home, Dad, Mum, the girls and I drove up to Cromwell - stopping in Roxburgh for a playground visit and some Jimmy's pies - and their other great bakery food. It's a Southern tradition thing. The girls and I stayed with my mate Julie and her lovely poppets - Michael and Aimee. Anika and Michael play really well together.
We had a dinner out with all the family from the wedding - Pete and Lisa and his in laws and my lovely cousin Ben, whom I haven't seen for a few years. He has finally got a wee bit of hill country to farm - a goal of his of many years - fantastic - and we met his lovely girlfriend. Good work Ben !! Anika took this shot. Note Hazel bonding with Uncle Peter in the background.
Anika and Hazel were stars - they coped brilliantly with their big night out - but the evening was made really special with the birth of my first great grandnephew ... on my goodness - I have a 6 month old daughter and I'm a great Auntie !! My bro is a grandad - now that is wierd. Chase is the wee babes name - I think Kierran will make a great dad. I wish him all the best !
On the way back from Cromwell we stopped in at the bungy jumping. Anika really loved it and said she'd like a go one day. So I think she will be saving her pennies.
We managed to get to Riverton for a picnic - which is a bit of a tradition in the making - having a lunch around the rocks - paddling in the water - collecting rocks off the back beach for our doorstep - there are the most beautiful stones.
We also visited Raylene and Robert Guyton. It was inspiring to see their gardens - a real permaculture garden - fruit forest with herbs growing everywhere - Robert and his son are really in demand now for their skills and experience. Has sent me back home very keen to grow as many of our own vege as possible.
Classic digital camera failure - my batteries went and mum forgot to put her card back in - it sent us reverting back to dad's SLR. It meant I had to make sure that the shots I took were fab - no room for mistakes !! Nice to get the print today. But nothing to put on the blog !!
Great to be home for a while ..
Great to spend time with mum and dad ....
Great to see a few of my relies ....
Great to experience that Southern hospitality..... ( which I used to take for granted)
Great to be in the South Island.....
But good to be home in my lovely house .. in the Wairarapa ... and for us as a family all to be hanging out together again.
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