The Thursday with Waitangi Day

Hi,

It mucks with your mind to have a day off in the middle of the working week.  All day yesterday I thought it was Saturday.  Today I think it is Monday.  Hahahah.  But, at least this "Monday" is actually a Friday!  Woot!

Toby coming home on Wednesday evening looking sharp in his uniform

We got up fairly early for a day off yesterday and collected Hayley from her flat in town before heading off up to Otaki.  We called in for breakfast at McDonalds at Paraparaumu though.  Toby got two breakfasts!

We got to Otaki marae at about 9.50am, and waited outside before the powhiri kicked off and we were welcomed onto the marae.  Hayley and I, being women, were in first.  We got a great seat in the sun, under the tent and could see and hear everything.  Mike and Toby were in last and were on the grass at the back and heard nothing.

The welcoming was wonderful and I think Hayley is already making plans to take her parents to a marae for Waitangi Day next year when they are visiting.  It was a great thing to watch.

However, Mike and Toby were restless and we ended up leaving early to avoid crazy antics from Mike involving driving Toby back to Wellington and then coming back for us.  But we did see the best part of the ceremony.

Dropped Hayley off and did some housework.  Aidan and Janne arrived and Aidan got stuck into some dead trees around our house with his chainsaw while Janne laughed at me doing my laundry and covering Toby's school books with contact.  Well, mainly she laughed at the book covering exercise.  My laundry is only boring - not a laughing matter at all.

The neighbours popped around after Aidan and Janne left and Mike and Brenz had a few drinks while I took Toby and wee Connor to the park.

Toby and Connor at our park

Toby swinging Connor

Both of them in the basket swing

Fiona and Amelia joined us for some playing, and then we all went home.  A lovely time.  Mike and I watched a documentary on human origins before bed.

This morning (Friday) is the most gorgeous day.  Went for my run and there wasn't a breath of air.  Mars, Saturn and Venus are all in the sky at the moment at 5.30am.  With Jupiter looking even more amazing in the evening.  Planets galore!

This weekend we're off cycling again at Eastbourne.  Meet us around 11.30am if you want to join us.  We'll have food with us.  We'll ride for a bit, then eat.  Then come back.  I am going to cycle out there and back on my road bike.  I think Toby wants to play with Will on Sunday, so our zoo trip with Sally might be delayed a bit.

Right.  Time for a tea.  Have a wonderful weekend.
Love,
Angela