Term one flew by and suddenly it was Easter and the school holidays. Our original plan to spend the two weeks in Waitetoko was foiled by the need for Josie to attend the Sound of Music auditions and Katie to attend extra hip-hop rehearsals before heading to Nationals. However we did make it up for the long Easter weekend with a stop in Palmerston North on the way so we still managed a bit of family time.
 |
| Josie and Ellie in their Chapel Choir robes at the last chapel of the term. |
I love Waitetoko because life slows down a bit and we have time for games and reading and walks and all the things I love with the people I love best.
And I especially love the tiny Anglican church on the marae that we've been to for the past three Easters - it's so beautiful and relaxed and happy.
 |
| We sing in Maori too - I do my best with pronunciation! |
 |
| Happy Dog. |
 |
| Easter dinner on the outside table that we dragged inside because the bees liked our mint sauce a little too much for the girls' comfort. |
Our big adventure was taking the girls to bungee jump. Josie didn't weigh enough to do the actual bungee so she and Meggie decided to do a tandem bungee swing. Ellie was too small all around and Katie wasn't interested so it was just the two of them - and they loved it!
 |
| Wild children still on a bit of a high. |
On the way home we stopped at the National Army Museum in Waiouru - we've passed it so many times and the girls have always been keen to have a look so we made sure to leave Waitetoko early enough to give us time. It was really well done and the girls enjoyed it and possibly learned a thing or two. The little two girls participated in a scavenger hunt that kept them intrigued and the big girls listened intently to Daddy as he taught them a bit of history.
There was also an interactive memorial to all the New Zealanders who had died in battle and we were able to look up Hugh's brothers Lloyd and Bobs.
