Malachi says the funniest prayers ever. I think he uses prayer time as a soapbox, to kind of just talk about whatever he wants. So long as he puts "thank you for..." or "please bless..." in front, it's pretty much ok to say.
Take yesterday mornings as an example.
"Dear Heavenly Father.
Thank you for this day.
Thank you for our great sleep.
Thank you that I can go to school.
Thank you that rug rat and cookie are dead and their spirits go to heavenly father and jesus and so they can help and tell the prophet to go to the temple with the spire and jesus lives at the temple, behind the temple, not behind the temple, that's where the boss of the temple lives, jesus lives at the front and down the stairs and he talks and tells us to go to church, the church of jesus christ of latter day saints, and we go to church and learn about jesus and heavenly father and they tell us to go to the temple.
In the name of jesus christ, amen."
Meanwhile, I'm sitting there shaking with laughter, trying not to let him see. What a ripper.
(You kinda have to be familiar with the layout of the nz temple and visitors center and temple presidents house to understand what he's talking about, sort of. lol.)
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Tala'i
Introducing our new paycheck.
Tala'i is half samoan, half maori, tri-lingual, just turned 2, has the longest eye lashes and eye brows in the world, and is super cruisey.
He's been coming for a month or so now and we haven't had any problems. He idolises Malachi, calls Tui Uncle, and is so careful with Vili.
He's been through a lot in his 2 short years of life, with illness and custody issues, so all things considered, he really is an amazing kid, so well behaved. We love having him around.
So he'll be the new random kid in our pictures. :)
RIP Cookie
Poor cookie, he lasted a week. The same dog, THE SAME FREAKING DOG, came back, flipped the cage and cookie got out. Tui was there, chased the dog away, then chased Cookie and caught him, only to have the poor thing die of fright in his hands (I guess you really can die of fright!).
Needless to say, no more Guinea Pigs. Not that this house anyway.
I've promised Malachi that after we get back from Tonga we will get a fish.
Needless to say, no more Guinea Pigs. Not that this house anyway.
I've promised Malachi that after we get back from Tonga we will get a fish.
A very LOOOOOOOONG Saturday
Last weekend was one of the longest saturdays that I can remember. That's what I get for trying to jam so much stuff into one day.
It started out with getting up at 6am to drive to the markets in Otara (not nice after staying up til midnight to do an airport run the night before). We were in search of some Tongan T-shirts for the boys. Turns out only asians, maoris and samoans sell t-shirts, so that was an early wake up for nothing. We got one for Malachi, which he was super excited about. He's been really obsessed with Tonga lately, but that's another post.
Then it was onto my Grandfather's 80th birthday Party. Pop is on his last legs (in fact we've been up a few times to say our last goodbyes in hospital, but he always manages to pull through), so it was really nice to be able to celebrate something with him, something happy. Andrew flew up from Wellington, Dad's sister and sons flew down from up North, it was really nice. We missed a few family members, which was sad. There was great food, and of course, with any Brunton gathering, a ton of mocking and laughing.
The birthday boy himself.
1 of the 30 pictures we took of everyone. This is as good as it gets.
The Brunton grandchildren, minus 2.
Dad and his family, minus one sister.
Pop cutting his cake, closely monitored by some of his great-grandchildren.
My sweet baby brother. oxo
Me and my Nana.
Pop was a bit worn out and went to bed before I could get a picture with him.
Then we drove to the Hot pools, that turned out to be crusty as and way the heck out in the middle of the country. The boys loved it, Malachi was a trooper, going down any slide he could find. That kids a fish! And Vili is following suit, paddling around in his floaties. Afterwards we had a BBQ, while I got attacked by bugs (I counted a total of 38 bites).
The slide king.
And then after all of that we were meant to go bowling, us 6 siblings, but we were all so hammered we gave up. BUT Malachi and his elephant memory remembered that I'd promised him that we would bring the matresses into the lounge and watch and movie and eat icecream and sleep in there - are you kidding me kid?!!! So it was back off to the shops to find the exact icecream I'd promised (note to self, don't promise this kid anything!), and then watching Kung Fu Panda, and then trying to get to sleep with Malachi kicking me constantly.
What a long day.
But an awesome one. If every saturday could be filled with that much family and food, I would be one happy person. Grossly obsese, but very very happy. :)
It started out with getting up at 6am to drive to the markets in Otara (not nice after staying up til midnight to do an airport run the night before). We were in search of some Tongan T-shirts for the boys. Turns out only asians, maoris and samoans sell t-shirts, so that was an early wake up for nothing. We got one for Malachi, which he was super excited about. He's been really obsessed with Tonga lately, but that's another post.
Then it was onto my Grandfather's 80th birthday Party. Pop is on his last legs (in fact we've been up a few times to say our last goodbyes in hospital, but he always manages to pull through), so it was really nice to be able to celebrate something with him, something happy. Andrew flew up from Wellington, Dad's sister and sons flew down from up North, it was really nice. We missed a few family members, which was sad. There was great food, and of course, with any Brunton gathering, a ton of mocking and laughing.
The birthday boy himself.
1 of the 30 pictures we took of everyone. This is as good as it gets.
The Brunton grandchildren, minus 2.
Dad and his family, minus one sister.
Pop cutting his cake, closely monitored by some of his great-grandchildren.
My sweet baby brother. oxo
Me and my Nana.
Pop was a bit worn out and went to bed before I could get a picture with him.
Then we drove to the Hot pools, that turned out to be crusty as and way the heck out in the middle of the country. The boys loved it, Malachi was a trooper, going down any slide he could find. That kids a fish! And Vili is following suit, paddling around in his floaties. Afterwards we had a BBQ, while I got attacked by bugs (I counted a total of 38 bites).
The slide king.
And then after all of that we were meant to go bowling, us 6 siblings, but we were all so hammered we gave up. BUT Malachi and his elephant memory remembered that I'd promised him that we would bring the matresses into the lounge and watch and movie and eat icecream and sleep in there - are you kidding me kid?!!! So it was back off to the shops to find the exact icecream I'd promised (note to self, don't promise this kid anything!), and then watching Kung Fu Panda, and then trying to get to sleep with Malachi kicking me constantly.
What a long day.
But an awesome one. If every saturday could be filled with that much family and food, I would be one happy person. Grossly obsese, but very very happy. :)
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Guinea Pig #2
So Rugrat, sadly, was dog-napped a few weeks ago. (It was so annoying, the same dog came back 5 different time during the night, I got up and chased it away 4 times, on the 5th time I was too tired and the blasted thing flipped the cage and in the morning we found fluff all over the grass.) Malachi was pretty sad. And so this weekend we went and got another one. Only cost $12, I can live with that.
Introducing "Cookie".
He's cute. A little insane though, I'm wondering if it's a petshop thing, coz he'll like litterally run around in circles sometimes. But the boys love him. Vili even asked to hold him the other day, which he's never done before. Malachi makes sure that he's ok every time he's outside, sits and talks to him. It's so sweet.
(Malachi had his facepainted at the petshop. He ALWAYS asks to be a tiger, he's never been anything else, although this is the worst tiger i've ever seen.)
Let's hope he lasts longer then the last one....
Introducing "Cookie".
He's cute. A little insane though, I'm wondering if it's a petshop thing, coz he'll like litterally run around in circles sometimes. But the boys love him. Vili even asked to hold him the other day, which he's never done before. Malachi makes sure that he's ok every time he's outside, sits and talks to him. It's so sweet.
(Malachi had his facepainted at the petshop. He ALWAYS asks to be a tiger, he's never been anything else, although this is the worst tiger i've ever seen.)
Let's hope he lasts longer then the last one....
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Joseph
I decided I should probably blog about Joseph, seen as he's a pretty consistent part of our life at the moment. At the moment he's coming 3 days a week 9-3.30. Well, he's meant to. His mother has issues with time and he usually gets dropped off more like 10am or 10.30, and it's not uncommon for her to pick him up at 2pm, or 4pm. I think it's a cultural thing, the lack of dedication to time. But it sure makes life hard for me. I try really hard to plan stuff for Joseph, activities, outings, etc, but it gets totally thrown because of his mother's inconsistancy. And talking to her about it doesn't help as she really struggles with English, and always just pretends she understands. I cut her soooo much slack coz I feel bad that she's a single mum living in a country that's not her own, as a refugee, trying to learn english.
Anyway, she's the bad side of the whole situation.
Joseph himself is great, he really is a good little kid. So excited to learn and to do things. I've been working hard lately to teach him his numbers 1-10, and to write his name. Infact, I've been trying to make everything we do educational in some way. When we go for walks we stop and look at the numbers on the letter boxes, when we're at the park we talk about the colour and shape of everything. I guess I want to do for him what I'd want someone to do for my child, not just babysit him, but enrich him. After all, my title is "Home Educator". I also try to do things with him that I know he doesn't normally do, like baking, or swimming (he's been swimming twice his whole life - I've taken him both times), or to the museum, or gardening, or going to the library, or dancing. We have fun together. And my boys loooooove him. Vili gets super excited when he sees him, cuddles him, wants to be right next to him. And Malachi and Joseph are just buddies.
I'm glad things are working with Joseph. Without him and the income he provides Malachi wouldn't be thriving at Pre-school the way he is. So I'm glad to have him.
**The day after writing this, Joseph's Mum gave her 2 weeks notice, said that her friend was going to watch Joseph now. I am kinda bummed, for him. I've met the lady he's going to, and he's just gunna sit and watch TV all day, not be spoken to in English, not socialise with other children. I'm really sad for him actually, sad that all his hard work, all his learning, is going to be a waste because it won't continue to be reinforced. And he was finally starting to write his name!! Oh well. Because we still need the money, I'll be having another little boy come and replace him. I know that replacing children is like trading 2nd hand cars, you give up one set of issues for another set of issues. Watch this space for more on the newbie.**
Anyway, she's the bad side of the whole situation.
Joseph himself is great, he really is a good little kid. So excited to learn and to do things. I've been working hard lately to teach him his numbers 1-10, and to write his name. Infact, I've been trying to make everything we do educational in some way. When we go for walks we stop and look at the numbers on the letter boxes, when we're at the park we talk about the colour and shape of everything. I guess I want to do for him what I'd want someone to do for my child, not just babysit him, but enrich him. After all, my title is "Home Educator". I also try to do things with him that I know he doesn't normally do, like baking, or swimming (he's been swimming twice his whole life - I've taken him both times), or to the museum, or gardening, or going to the library, or dancing. We have fun together. And my boys loooooove him. Vili gets super excited when he sees him, cuddles him, wants to be right next to him. And Malachi and Joseph are just buddies.
I'm glad things are working with Joseph. Without him and the income he provides Malachi wouldn't be thriving at Pre-school the way he is. So I'm glad to have him.
**The day after writing this, Joseph's Mum gave her 2 weeks notice, said that her friend was going to watch Joseph now. I am kinda bummed, for him. I've met the lady he's going to, and he's just gunna sit and watch TV all day, not be spoken to in English, not socialise with other children. I'm really sad for him actually, sad that all his hard work, all his learning, is going to be a waste because it won't continue to be reinforced. And he was finally starting to write his name!! Oh well. Because we still need the money, I'll be having another little boy come and replace him. I know that replacing children is like trading 2nd hand cars, you give up one set of issues for another set of issues. Watch this space for more on the newbie.**
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Whangamata
The race was in Whangamata and we made a weekend out of it. We drove down friday afternoon and stopped on the way in Paeroa, home of L&P.
When we got to Whangamata, we could not have been happier. We were literally, across the road from the beach, in the biggest, flashest bach I've ever been in. It was awesome. Before we'd even unpacked we were at the beach. And when everyone else turned up later that day, we went back to the beach. And the next day after the race, beach again. And then after nap time, beach! It was so good. Vili finally got used to the sand, and Malachi was just in his zone!
Vili looks pretty happy about those views!!
Malachi was sooooooo excited to sleep in a sleeping bag!!
Vili getting used to sand.
Malachi would have dug to china if I let him.
We have a picture just like this from Hawaii, except with only 3 sets of footprints.
Checking out their shell collection.
So happy.
Vili spent a good amount of time covering himself in sand, and then trying to swim in it. Crazy monkey.
Babies on the beach.
We shared the house with my brother and his family, my SIL's parents and sister, my other brother, and his pre-missionary friend. My sister stayed down the road. The kids had a blast being with cousins and aunty's and uncles. It makes me so happy to see them together. I grew up living away from most of my cousins (there are about 20 1st cousins I have never met), and I always wished I was closer to them. So I love that Malachi and Vili get to see one of their cousins practially every day. It was just a really great family weekend.
When we got to Whangamata, we could not have been happier. We were literally, across the road from the beach, in the biggest, flashest bach I've ever been in. It was awesome. Before we'd even unpacked we were at the beach. And when everyone else turned up later that day, we went back to the beach. And the next day after the race, beach again. And then after nap time, beach! It was so good. Vili finally got used to the sand, and Malachi was just in his zone!
Vili looks pretty happy about those views!!
Malachi was sooooooo excited to sleep in a sleeping bag!!
Vili getting used to sand.
Malachi would have dug to china if I let him.
We have a picture just like this from Hawaii, except with only 3 sets of footprints.
Checking out their shell collection.
So happy.
Vili spent a good amount of time covering himself in sand, and then trying to swim in it. Crazy monkey.
Babies on the beach.
We shared the house with my brother and his family, my SIL's parents and sister, my other brother, and his pre-missionary friend. My sister stayed down the road. The kids had a blast being with cousins and aunty's and uncles. It makes me so happy to see them together. I grew up living away from most of my cousins (there are about 20 1st cousins I have never met), and I always wished I was closer to them. So I love that Malachi and Vili get to see one of their cousins practially every day. It was just a really great family weekend.
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