Masterton

When I found out I was actually going to my brothers wedding, I was so excited.  And then I attempted to save for the trip of a lifetime....but with a family of 5 to look after and not working fulltime...well, let's just say every time I saved a few dollars, it seemed to be soaked up somewhere else.  I tried, I really did.  The week before I was due to leave, Marty and I had a big money meltdown.  Our oven died, and Marty had kept telling me money was tight, and I was freaking out, in tears that I shouldn't be going on this trip..it was going to use up so much of our family money that was needed elsewhere, not on a luxury trip for mum.  

In the end, Marty confessed that he had found out weeks ago that actually, my grandmother had gifted me the money I needed for my holiday.   He hadn't wanted to tell me this news because he wanted me to save as much as I could myself so I could have even more.  Wow.  I was speechless when Marty broke this news to me.  GumGum (my grandma) had decided to bless each of her grandchildren with a sum of money...and I was so grateful for this precious gift.  It allowed me to not only have food and entry fee money, but also some fun shopping money too on my holiday.  I could really enjoy myself without that big burden on my shoulders of dipping into our (non existent) savings.  I knew I needed to go and see GumGum in person when I got home and thank her for her gift.  

With my other grandmother passing away just weeks after I got home, this became even more of a priority for me, so with a long weekend presenting the perfect opportunity for an overnight trip to Masterton, we packed the family in the car and headed for 'home'.  I say home because I was actually born in Masterton, and lived there for the first couple of years of my life.  I spent many a summer holiday in the hot Wairarapa, bunking down with my cousins at Aunty Di and Uncle John's place - in fact, in the same bedroom that we slept in on Friday night!  Living in Auckland, I kept in touch mostly by writing to my cousins and GumGum, and letters flew back and forward between us often.  When we did see each other, we had a blast, riding the silly bikes Uncle John made up and down the street, waving to strangers on Christmas Day and walking into town together or hanging out at the park.  So when I drive into the city with the big Golden Shears on the sign and round the corner into Oxford Street, where GumGum lives at the top and my Aunty & Uncle live at the bottom....well, it feels like coming home a little bit.  

 And my kids were just as excited about a trip to Masterton, jumping up and down as they recalled the fun bikes and argued over who would sleep on the mattress.  When we pulled into the retirement village where GumGum's flat is, Kate was full of questions as she recalled our recent stay in Auckland at a motel.  "Does GumGum live in a motel?" she asked! When we walked in the door  Luke strolled past her like he visited all the time and said with a wave at her "Hi GumGum!!".  She was quite surprised by him I think!  We had a lovely long visit, sharing lots of photos of my trip and telling her all the stories.  We took the laptop, so were able to show her the family tree I am working on (she loved seeing all the old photos of her family and told me lots of stories) and she even watched some home video footage of the kids.

Then it was off down to Aunty Di and Uncle John's for the night.  Big cycling addicts, Marty gets along like a house on fire with my Aunt and Uncle, who often do events with him and share stories.  Marty had also cunningly made sure we were coming down on a Friday night - the night that my Aunty always plays card games with her friends, and Marty LOVES to go and join the fun when we stay.  So off they went together, and Uncle John and I settled down in front of the telly (well, when the kids FINALLY settled!!).  My cousin Blair showed up at about 10pm with some freshly caught crayfish and paua...yum yum, lunch the next day sorted!  The kids were fascinated with the crayfish in the morning- Jaimee refused to touch it saying "EEWWW" but Kate and Luke weren't afraid to have a closer look.   It was awesome having that chance to catch up with Blair, who is my age but who I don't see that often now.  We agreed that it would be cool to get his girls together with our girls, and so I think a trip down at New Years is now in the cards to see the wider Masterton whanau...yay!


The next morning Marty headed out with Aunty Di for a 40km bike ride.  He loved it but he said he lost sight of her after about 2 km...she was so far ahead!  He felt quite stink I think that she was so much faster then him, but I did try and console him with the fact that he just doesnt do a fraction of the training she puts in!  The kids spent their early morning riding Uncle John's funky bikes - although Kate couldn't quite master the clown bike!

When Marty got back, we popped over to GumGum's for the rest of the morning where the girls took great delight in attempting to teach her all about their tablet computer.  She had lots of questions, and when I told her about the educational games and that some schoools had them she remarked "well, that must make school much more interesting!".




We left GumGum to have her lunch, and went into town to spend the $2 she had pressed into each of the children's hands and to show the girls the booksellers that my mum used to work at.
Then it was off to the coolest attraction in Masterton - the big Queen Elizabeth Park.  Marty kept saying "they should so do this at Cornwall Park...They could so do this at home", and then finally concluded as we strolled "Right.  That's it.  We are moving to Masterton for this park!"

The kids loved the flower gardens and windy old trees, and ran all around the huge wooden playground fort with its many levels, slides and turrets.  They whizzed down the flying fox with great glee, and the minature train ride on the island was a highlight for us all.  The sign said "scream in the tunnel" so we all made sure we did as loud as we could.  The girls were so excited to go around the route THREE whole times and didn't want to get off!  As we left, waving goodbye to the friendly staff, Luke turned and said in a small loving voice "I love that one.  I love that tunnel".  Later on, every time the train passed us, the kids waved to the passengers and Luke would yell out at them across the lake as he tapped his chest with his spare arm "ME LUKE, Me LUKE!".  Nice to introduce yourself baby, but I don't think they could hear you!

We were keen to hire a pedal boat on the lake, but decided to save this for next time.  We did make sure we bounced across the swing bridge to see the deer on the other side though! Jaimee had purchased a sketch book with her money, and I caved and got her some proper pencils and a pad for Kate and I to share, so we sat in the sunshine and did some sketching together.  I am useless of course, but I wanted her to see me try so she would have a go at drawing what she sees.  And both girls did a fine job, looking like a picture as they sat on the edge of the lake drawing away.  I did a tree, Jaimee did the stones in the water, and Kate concentrated on the park bench.

Thank You Masterton for another trip of memories made, we had a lovely time with my much loved family and vowed to be back soon.  

Princess spinning

Luke came running out with one of the girls princess dress ups tonight. "Mum mum, luke princess!" He said, thrusting the dress at me. 

"No darling, that's for girls. Luke is a boy" I gently broke the gender bad news to him. With two older sisters, he was crestfallen that he couldn't join in the fun. 

"No. Luke princess. Spinning!!!" He insisted, giving me a twirl to demonstrate what he wanted to do. 

I sighed - we have this at playgroup each week too whenever he sees the dress ups, my boy just loved the feeling and sight of fabric circling around him as he spins the biggest spin he can. At playgroup we get away with it by giving him the Maori string skirt - perfect for Luke: masculine AND awesome spin factor. At home I don't have such luxuries. 

Relenting, I let him wear the dress for A few big smiled spins before insisting it was for girls. "Luke dress up." He pouted at me, the mean fun spoiler.  I suggested we go find the boys dress ups, and off we all went to take a look. Well, firemen outfits, knights and doctors are all pretty awesome - but they don't SPIN do Luke doesn't want a bar of them. I tried the superman cape, he gave it a few test spins and then tugged it off. "No spin" he said, disgusted at these dumb boy choices. 

Finally I had a brainwave. I hunted out the  Hawaiian flax skirt I brought as a joke for my friend a few years ago and tied it around Luke's waist securely. Surely that isn't too girly. 

"Spin Luke spin" I promised him. "Spin?!" Luke replied hopefully before testing it out. Swish, the yellow stuff swirled out beautifully with a lovely swishing noise that Luke fell in love with. Big grins. "See mum?! Spin, spin!" Many many spins followed.

One happy boy, spinning like a princess just like his sisters get to.... 

All the small things...

Movie night this week was "Epic"

Just a few snapshots from our kid's lives that I reallly should record before I forget or they pass...

LUKE is proving to be quite the onto it young man.  He often asks me, with his hands on his hips: "Hey!  What are you DOING?" .....or as I am backing out of the driveway he will say to me "HEY!  Where's seatbelt on?".  What an observant boy you are Luke!  
And I mustn't forget how cute it is when at meal times he bows his head, clasps hands together and says "Dear God.  Food. Amen".  Sometimes he will say it several times if we werent ready the first time! He loves "movie night" too -asking us at the end of each meal hopefully if its "movie night?" If we say no...he does his standard dissapointed Luke  reply: "oh" with a downcast look and shoulders hunched in sadness.  

THE GIRLS have this odd facination with rearranging their stuff into different containers, areas and bags.  I sort their room out, put everything in its place just right and think there.  Done.  Tidy. Organised....And then they come home from school, empty out every pencilcase, container or box they can get their hands on and switch everything around.  It drives their mother nuts.  Especially when I can't figure out their logic at all.  Why do they cram all their pens and things into one little pencilcase and then have 3 bags on their dressers with bracelets in them?  Why?!  That is just annoying for an organiser. 
OK, I know that they are just following in my footsteps.  They also love to be organised and arrange things in a certain way.  But when will they cotton on that their way is the WRONG way.  Sigh. (and a smile).

Well, thats it.  Not much, but priceless memories.  Not so priceless is the way I currently am sneezing all over the keyboard, blowing an already sore nose for the hundredth time today.  I declared mummy was having a "day on the couch doing nothing" today.  That lasted about 4 seconds.  By the time I hung out the washing, made the bread, tidied the place up, put the slowcooker on, did the grocery order...well, it was lunchtime.  And then Marty went out.  Sigh.  I did manage to sneak in a couple of Dr Quinn episodes and update the family tree a bit though...and now the kids are in bed, and my blog is written...I am off to snuggle up with the X factor and my husband.  Except he is staying away from me.  Maybe I will snuggle up to a lemon honey drink instead!  Till next time...

Goodbye Grandma Towns

Last Wednesday, I got the phone call that my grandmother had passed away peacefully in her sleep.  It was expected, she had been heading towards heaven for the last year now, but all those years of long brisk walks and swimming daily in the ocean kept her body strong.  Still, she is the first of our 4 grandmothers to leave us, and it was with sadness we say goodbye.  

My grandma was pretty amazing - check out this fantastic photo of her and her husband Peter in their younger days! i love her bathing suit and his beret! She was a very strong woman, surviving hard times during the depression while bringing up her 5 children and soldiering on after her husband died at just 58 years old (I was 2 when Granddad died).

An artist, she had her work in many exhibitions but mainly just loved to paint.  People, landscapes, nudes - I will never be able to imagine grandma without seeing her walls crammed with painting after painting. She loved her family too - and was super proud of the fact she has 18 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren (with 2 more on the way and probably lots more to come)!   We used to get a family subscription to the National Geographic each year as our gift from Grandma, she kept giving even though the family just got larger and larger.  

We were a lot alike in some ways - we both love family, and we both love to talk and tell stories.  Mum and dad told me they used to sit me opposite grandma when we visited with her and then just sit back and watch (and giggle) as we both got frustrated as we tried to finish our stories with constant interruptions from each other! We wrote letters to each other when I was younger because she lived too far away to see a lot of.  I loved getting my mail from grandma in the letterbox, she always wrote and told me what she had been up to and shared all the family news.  You can see that we even share some looks in this photo taken at Christmas in 1994 (I was 13)- it is uncanny! 

When we visited Grandma as kids, it was good fun.  She lived in Leigh, a beach community up north from Auckland.  She had a real bach feeling to her home, with a huge deck upstairs, her artwork everywhere, homemade meusli toasting in the oven and the best bit for us kids - the downstairs bunk rooms to play pirates in!  We always went to the beach with her, she swam for miles daily even in the cooler weather when I wouldn't get in past my ankles!  I am just so glad that we got to introduce her to Luke after he was born.  This is the last photo we have with Grandma, it was taken boxing day 2011.  She loved holding Luke and cuddling the girls, commenting on how beautiful they were. 

 I asked Marty if we could all go up to the funeral.  I could have flown up, it would have been a lot cheaper for us, but I really craved Marty and the kids around me at this time for support, and I had already left them behind long enough.  They needed some time with their own grandparents, who they adore but don't see that often.  So off we went early Sunday morning for the long 6 hour trip up to West Auckland.  Luckily, our kids travel really well, and we cruised it up, listening to music together and enjoying McDonalds for breakfast in Taupo - what a treat for the kids! 

In Auckland, we settled into our motel and had Poppa and Oma over for a coffee in the sun as they watched the kids play in the motel playground.  Luke called Poppa "Doppa" with great delight the whole time we were there and the girls were excited about helping Poppa feed their birds in their walk in aviery.  It was a treat to be shouted out that night for dinner by Poppa and Oma as we celebrated their birthdays (which are a week apart) with the family too that night.  This is what Auckland is all about for us - lots of family time and fun together :)  We finished the day with a spa in the motel spa pool.  Jaimee kept saying "This is the best ever.  I can't believe I am in a MOTEL.  This is so cool".  They loved the spa, Luke screamed blue murder when our half hour was up.  

Speaking of fun together, Poppa joined us for a zoo trip on Monday morning.  Whenever we go to Auckland, we like to do something 'touristy and fun' - Auckland has so much to offer, and I do miss the fun kids attractions I grew up with  now that I am living in Hawkes Bay.  The zoo is always a huge hit with all ages, so it was back there to see the Lions, Monkeys and Elephant. 

After the zoo, we headed back to the motel for a quick rest, and letting Luke finish his nap (he fell asleep minutes after leaving the zoo after missing a nap the day before!).   Then we decided it might be fun to go to Parakai Thermal pools, which I grew up going to but Marty had never been to.   The slides there are heaps of fun - 2 long enclosed winding water slides that you slide down on sitting on foam mats.  I have lots of memories of running up the windy cold wooden staircase to the top of the slides, freezing cold but worth it to get to the hot water slide at the top. School had gone back that day, so we had the entire hot pool complex to ourselves (ok, ok -  there were about 10 people there!) and noone was on the slides, perfect for us.  We took all the kids down and they LOVED it.  Luke kept pointing to his chest and saying "Luke, more slide".  Jaimee begged to be able to go on her own mat "again, again, again", jumping up and down with the joy of it.  Even Kate had a go all by herself down the slower slide.  I made them take a break when poor Luke started shaking with the cold air on the walk back up to the top and we hit the indoor huge hot pool for warming up.  Pretty much a giant spa pool, my kids didn't want to leave.  They had no interest in the outdoor lukewarm pool, they just wanted to soak for hours on the steps of the hot pool.  Fine by us! When we finally left for bedtime (Luke screaming blue murder at being pulled from the water), we were all relaxed and the kids crashed out. Until midnight, when Luke woke us with a terrible case of croup.  Marty rushed him out the door in search of a medical centre open, but couldn't get to one before Luke calmed himself a bit and seemed a bit better.  We had an uneasy night with Luke still crouping away and coughing, and at 9.30am we got him to the doctor for some steroids.  Thankfully they kicked in before the funeral that afternoon.  

The funeral was a real intimate family affair.  Well, as intimate as the large Towns family can be when we gather together!!!  It was so special to catch up with my Aunties, Uncles and many of my cousins again, some of whom I haven't seen in many many years.    I love this photo of us all gathered outside, smiling despite saying goodbye to the very much loved Matriach of our family dynasty.  The artistic talent runs strong in Grandma's legacy, with painters, scultors, photographers, designers, musicians and singers in the family.  Now where was my portian Grandma?  Oh, that's right - I get the story teller thing.  The family tree keeper.  The filer of memories and photos and names.  Well, I will try and do that well.  As we keep growing, I will do my best to keep the Towns family legacy alive.  We are a pretty cool bunch, if I say so myself... 

With Poppa & Oma, and my (NZ) siblings: Josh, Steph and Danielle

A glorious Spring day

What a glorious day.  With the daylight savings changeover, it's like summer appeared overnight.  I was so pleased it rained last night, because the plan today was to get my vege garden all planted out.  The earth was perfect for turning over and gettting out the last of those winter weeds.  We had Luke's wee buddy Cooper over for the morning, which Luke thought was the coolest thing ever.  The wee boys chatted away to each other in typical 2 year old and 3 year old fashion.  "Nikki, what's this ball?" asked Cooper.  Luke joined in the conversation, pointing into the bushes in the garden.  "Garden" he told Cooper.  "In there" he insisted.  I don't think Cooper understood that Luke was trying to explain that that is his favourite place to throw our balls and then hunt around for them!

The garden finally ready, we headed out to get the veges from our friend's plant shop, each girl with a boy firmly holding her hand.  They all had lots of fun putting the punnets carefully in the trolley. With my 4 little helpers and a trolley full of plants, many people commented on how busy I would be.  I laughed and explained that I only plant my garden out once a year - and then live off the produce in the winter from the freezer when they are no longer in season!  $75 later, I think I may have enough - I worked out that I have at least 150 vege plants in my over populated wee garden area this year!  I even had to venture into new territory in the garden bed on the other side of the yard.    

Turns out Kate is a wee expert planter, she knew just how to check the depth of her hole against the size of the pot, and how to wiggle the punnet off the plant and spread the roots.  She told me she learnt at school on their planting day, and I think she quite liked being the expert, showing Jaimee how to do it!  They worked hard, and begged to have the sprinkler on for a play now they had worked up a sweat.  Fair enough, it was a beautiful day after all.  Luke was delighted to wake from his nap and be put into his togs.  He was the last one to leave the water play, begging "more, more!".  I am sure there will be more coming Luke, it's only going to get warmer now!