The making of a pinata

Thanks to Dora the explorer Noel knows what a pinata is. So here i am making one. pardon my non-coordination of my pj pants and tee shirts!

 
Noel wanted me to take picture of him and all the lollies. All the moms are going to 'hate' me for these lollies:P

I couldn't believe I allowed myself to buy so many lollies at once!!!

I googled to find some ideas how to make pinata ..Tada, here's my version using mushroom box and lots of crepe paper ..and I cut out number 2 and then covered it all up with the crepe paper.

Mason's birthday..

 

 

 

Mason was noel's classmate at CB kindy. The party was held at thte practice pool at the lyold elsmore recreation centre.  Nicola M's mom invited quite a number of the school friends. Noel was a little shy at first because I didn't bring the float with me.  but after about 20mins he warms up and decided to go into the water. Luckily he only stays in the shallow part.. he had a ball and enjoyed the transformer chocolate mudcake :)

Shamrock cottage

Noel was playing in the sandpit in Shamrock cottage.
It is the 2nd oldest building in Howick. Now it is a cafe.
and I would recommend people to go there.. it has plenty of seats outdoor and some seating indoor.

chomp chomp chomp

I don't know why I am craving for Vietnamese food a lot these days.
maybe because it is a lot 'lighter' and there's more 'greens' in the bowl.

Sprinting...

 

Trip to Museum

Noel wanted to draw dinosaur bones so here he is, trying to capture the vast creature onto a piece of paper.

Abel with Emperor penguin...

Egg!!!!

 

 

Creatures from the aquarium. So pretty and colourful.

 

 

After the museum, the boys polished their tree climbing skills. 

CNY 2012

We were dressed up in our chinese costumes for church during Sunday service to celebrate CNY.
The unit won best dressed and we received two boxes of goodies.

p/s: it is so hard to get two kids to stay still for a photograph.

Monkeying around

 

Pigging out..

 

Waipu

 

 

 

On our way back to Auckland, we past by a small town called Waipu with Scottish Heritage.  We stopped by for fish and chips and went to the Waipu cove.  Weather was clear and wasn't too cold.  The boys changed into their togs and start digging in the sandy beach. It was so much fun getting dirty.  (not so much fun for me trying to get the sand out of their togs and clothings afterwards)

Whangarei Falls

We visited two waterfalls in Whangarei. One which I couldn't remember the name was reachable via one of the many tracks at AH Reed Memorial park.  As I was carrying Abel, I stayed on the top of the waterfall while Jake and Noel went to the foot of the waterfall.

 

I never knew there was a real "silver fern". 

Here going to the Whangarei falls.

We decided to let Abel walk by himself, and here's what happen.. he was covered in mud!

 

 

Here's the magnificent Whangarei falls :)  

whagarei pt 2

 

 

 

After the Marina in 'downtown' Whangarei, we went to the AH Reed Kauri Park. The park features a canopy walkway giving a birds eye view of the forest, including two 500 year old Kauri trees. The walkway has been designed to provide access for wheel chairs.

 

 

 

This is one of the gigantic Kauri tree that's in the Park.

Noel looking at the pics of the Kauri tree.