Into the Groove...

Week four at school is coming to an end - this is rather mind blowing.  Time is going too fast.  Without a doubt, we've easily managed to fit into life amongst the Kiwis!  People are relaxed, friendly and there are so many opportunities within 10 minutes of home, something that seems the norm here (but a drastic change from life back in Memphis).  Jake and Sofia are both getting opportunities on the sea (Jake in Sea Cubs and Sofia in Mariners' "Ratpak").  In fact, Jake spent last Monday night in the water at Bucklands Beach practicing 'water safety'.  Essentially they had to paddle in kayaks, fall in, practice getting back into the kayaks, flip the kayaks, turn them back over... etc...  All that we could really hear was plain old laughter -- the boys had a blast!  Even Jake admitted it was "OK"!!

Bucklands Beach - Sea Cubs

Jake was very reluctant to fall in initially, but wait for it...

Jake & partner Rohan getting back in the boat...

OK... TRYING to get back in the boat...

Can't forget the paddle!

Is this a shark???

PHEW!  It's only Sofia!

Sofia's group is obviously much younger and because the Sea Mariners don't allow girls under 8 into the club, they started a pre-Mariners group.  She will be participating by learning about sail boats, their parts, what they do.  They'll go out on the boats with the older girls.  Because the group is so friendly, they've said I can go out too and learn a bit with Sofia!! 

The "Ratpak" of three learning to rig the little Optimist boat!

The girls showed great team work...

The Big Girls (Mariners) rigging their boat...

There is also tennis club about two minutes from our house (by foot) so Jake and Sofia are taking some lessons on Tuesdays after school.  We also found indoor soccer for Jake on Friday nights and cricket on Saturday mornings! It's busy but completely manageable.

Practicing with Dad -- doesn't get better than this!

Jakey's first game...

First game from another angle...

Spending time at the beach has been a real treat for us.  Last Saturday we met our friends David, Katerina and their three children at their home, then decided to pack up all the boogie boards, kayaks, etc... and hit Eastern Beach.  It was a GREAT day.

Eastern Beach

All five kids (Paul, Mark, Anna, Jake & Sofia) out enjoying the water...

John & Jake in the kayak...

Beautiful end to the afternoon...

A local group hosted a Scottish "Military Tatoo" celebration near Howick Historical Park on Sunday.  We went down to enjoy marching bands (bag pipes and kilts in full display!).  There were bouncy type castles and slides for the children.  After watching the Highland Games, where very large men lifted and threw very heavy items, we went to Howick Historical Park.  There was a live day going on where people dressed in costume and interacted with visitors to share history.  The children and I learned two things in the 'General Store': (a) butter used to be available in large blocks and would be stamped on top with a special design based on which dairy it came from; the store would wrap it in cabbage leaves for the customer to take home as they kept the butter cool and (b) sugar was sold in big chunks - it was the children's job to crush it with a mortar & pestle into finer granules, more like what we are used to buying today.

We now have my mom and dad with us!  We are meeting them in Rotorua tomorrow after cricket.  They've gone to Tauranga to visit some friends of theirs (the Kings)!  Hope everyone is well!! XX