2 fine days

This week we had these two, very out of season, warm(er), fine days, and after a week of rain, and all 3 kids being sick, we were DETERMINED to spend every minute of them out of the house.  The boys rode bikes and played tennis, Tui cleaned the car, I started running again (more on that later), Lani soaked up some rays (on her face, while bundled tightly).  And we went on a few outings.

The first was to Bridal Veil Falls, near Raglan.  This was partly chosen because it was a loooong drive getting there (aka, all 3 kids (and Mummy) took naps there and back).  It was so good for kids, because you get there, and you only have to walk horizontally for 5 minutes to see the falls.  Then you can choose to walk vertically for a better view; the more stairs you climbed the better the view.  We opted for just the middle view, not the bottom one, as we were not prepared for that many stairs.  Next time we will syke ourselves up and go the whole way down.  But the boys thought that the waterfall was "soooooooo cooooooooooool". Vili wanted to touch the water, and Malachi wanted to know how waterfalls were made. Typical. Vili wants the action, Malachi wants the knowledge.  And just as we got to where we could take a good picture AND there were other people there who could take the picture.....my battery died.  Boo.

What would we do without self-timers?

The next day we visited the Lake Karapiro Dam.  And Malachi wanted to know all about what a Dam was and how they made it and how it works.  I love that he wants to know stuff, that he asks questions.  It makes me realise how much I don't know.  And then we have fun together finding out the answers.  We took a picnic this time and just sat and enjoyed the sunshine.  And of course, Vili wanted to touch the water.


At the top of the dam.






The weather was so amazing, the water looked like blue marble.

 



Winter time + a new baby = me feeling like I'm trapped in my house sometimes.  So it's so nice to get out and do stuff, stuff outside of these 4 walls. :)

Adios trainer wheels!

This post is a big fat brag about my awesome little 4 year old.  Today Tui took the trainer wheels off Malachi's bike, just to see how he would do.  Well. That kid hoped on, pushed off, and pedaled himself down the driveway.  First pop!  I'm sure I didn't learn to ride without training wheels til I was 6 or 7. I am constantly amazed by this kid, at what he can do and how hard he tries.  When he got off he said "Mum, are you so proud of me? I'm so proud of me.  I tried my very best and I can do it!!"  It makes me think that sometimes we hold our kids back, by not giving them the oppportunity to try,because we are worried about the mess or wasting our time.  The other day Malachi asked to help me crack the eggs while we were baking.  I never have let him before coz I didn't wanna waste the eggs.  But I must have been in a generous mood coz I let him, and he totally could!  Clever duck. 

 

I love his little tounge sticking out to help him concentrate.

You're so awesome Malachi!!!

"Happy America Day!"

I was asked a number of times while living in the states "Do you guys celebrate Indepence day?" (You mean do we, in New Zealand, celebrate the day American became an independant state......??).  Obviously the answer is no.  Not usually.

However.....

In an effort to keep Malachi in touch with his American heritage we decided we would.  And so every July 5th (that's the day it's July 4th in the states) we celebrate Independence day.   We eat what I consider to be typical American foods - hot dogs, corn on the cob, apple pie (homemade btw, my first ever, which I was extremely proud of), lemonade and root beer.  We ate on a picnic mat to make it feel more authentic. We even did fireworks this year, to keep in the spirit of things. This is the first  year Malachi had any idea of what was going on.  And he was most excited to tell everyone "Happy American Day!!"  He invited his cousins to come and celebrate the day with him.

Super excited to watch the fireworks.

This was the first time Vili was brave enough to hold a sparkler on his own.

Happy Independence Day y'all!!!

Leilani's Blessing

We had Lani's blessing here at home, to accomodate my Dad's family who aren't members and don't feel comfortable in our Chapels. My brother's family came up from Wellington, and my Nana came down from Auckland with my Dad's brother and his daughter, along with my parents from Auckland, and the rest of my family that lives here in Hamilton .  Our little house was bursting at the seams but it was so nice to have everyone here (almost everyone.  My 2 little brothers weren't able to make it which was sad and they were truely missed).  It was short and sweet, we sang Families can be together forever (well, everyone else sang it, I managed the first line before my eyes started sweating), had the blessing, given by Tui, and then had some food.  Having it in our home I think made it more intimate and personal.  The spirit was really strong and I hope that my non-member family felt how special it was.

Grandma Mele (Daddy's Mother) and Great- Grandma Park (Mummy's Mother's Mother)


4 Generations


Nana Brunton (Mummy's Father's Mother) and Grandma & Grandad Brunton (Mummy's Parents)


Those who participated in the blessing circle - Great Grandpa Park, Uncle John, Daddy, Uncle Nick, Uncle Matt, Grandad Brunton

Lani with her Mother, Grandmother's, and 2 of her 3 living Great Grandmothers.

As I looked at this tiny little girl, a beautiful girl sent for me to raise, wearing this beautiful white dress, I thought of this poem.  I thought of the blessing her Daddy had just given her, thought of the white dresses we as her parents hoped for her to wear one day and I became overwhelmed with the responsibility and blessing it was to be her mother.  I didn't think I would feel differently about Lani, I thought that the feeling of love I have for my children would be the same for all of them, despite their gender.  But it's different for my little girl.    My boys I feel like I need to prepare them, strengthen them, arm them.  With Leilani I feel like I need to protect her more, keep her closer.  So that this isn't the last white dress I see her wear.

Tongan Prayers - take 2

So saying prayers with our children and their bilingal-ish language can be a laugh.  Tongan prayers are usually the funniest. Lately, blessing the food with Vili turns into a laugh fest, especially when he prays in Tongan.

(Note: Vili calls Malachi "baya", which means brother)

Tui - "Tamai hevani..."

Vili - "mai vane..."

Tui - "...tapuaki'i..."

Vili - "...puaki'i.."

Tui - "...me'akai..."

Vili - "...baya..." 

Tui - "...ME'AKAI..."

Vili - "...BAYA!!!"

It's too funny.

I love my kids.

Roller Skating

It must be birthday season because Malachi has been invited to a ton of birthday parties lately.  Today we went to one that the whole family was invited to, at a Roller Rink.  It was so much fun!!!!!  I haven't skated since I was 12 and I don't know if Tui has ever skated in his life, Malachi hadn't, but we had such a good time wobbling and falling over.  We left Lani with my sister so that we didn't have to have one of us sitting out with the baby the whole time (thanks Jessie!!).  It was so nice to do something different, some good ol' fashioned wholesome entertainment.  We totally sucked, Tui sucked a little less then me, we fell over tons, once I fell over on top of Malachi and totally squashed him, but it was a blast.  Vili prefered sitting next to the food table and stuffing his face.  But everyone enjoyed themselves.

Kersplat!

Malachi and one of his friends from preschool, Zaria.

Such a fun day.

Little Lani

(Written 2 weeks ago.)
This girl is such a sweetheart (except for the screaming at me when she's hungry, which is pretty much every second she's awake).  She's 3 weeks old now, which is insane, but at the same time, it feels like she's always been with us.  The boys just adoooooooooooooore her, and she loooooooooooves watching them play.  I'm pretty sure Malachi is her favourite person.  She will sit and look at him and listen to him singing to her or reading her books or telling her stories about his cars for ages, longer then she's entertained by me that's for sure.  She is a tummy sleeper, just like Malachi was, but only in the day.  At night she wants to sleep on her back or side.  (Hey, whatever works!)  She already takes a bottle, halelujah.  And just like both her brothers, no spit up, ever, double halelujah!!  She makes the funniest faces, gives us the stink eye all the time, and makes an ooooooo shape with her mouth just like her Daddy did as a baby.  I think she looks the most like Tui out of the 3 of them.  Most people say its the other way round and she looks the most like me.  Her hair is darker then the boys was, and her eyes are lighter.  She's a champ feeder, a real Tongan.  And last week she weighed 9lb 6oz, Vili's birth weight.  She's still got a while to go before she reaches Malachi's birth weight.  Maybe by 7 or 8 weeks I reckon.  Her cheeks are losing their chub which makes me sad.  But she's so precious, I just love her to pieces.

Having 3 kids hasn't turned out to be so hard. (Touch wood.)  Going from 1 to 2 was a struggle, I didn't go out on my own with them til Vili was about 5 months old.  But this time it doesn't feel like such a big deal.  (That's probably due to the fact that Malachi is such a big help and takes care of himself and Vili so really I'm just looking after Lani.)  I don't feel as tired as the last 2 times.  But I feel way fatter and getting dressed the worst part of my day.  But she was worth it, and I'd do it all over again.....in 2+ years. :)

Her first bath. She loved it, little water baby.

Loves with her brothers.

 

Her ooooooo face.

A full tummy = a happy, sleepy baby.

Gorgeous hat made by aunty Amy.

Pretty dress from Aunty Nana and headband made by Aunty jessie - such a spoilt girl!

Reading books with malachi

Blue steele

#3 failed attempt at a photo shoot of our beautiful little girl