Interview in Queenstown

Still shocked that I got an interview, I travelled down with more realistic eyes. Fran came on the last visit and we were just blown away by the beauty etc and came back dreaming about skiing and its physical location of being surrounded by mountains. It suddenly dawned on us that QT is a bit of a mini Vancouver, which is where we wanted to originally emigrate, very mini but...you get the picture!
Returning meant that I could put that all to the side and focus on the reality of living there. Hence the pictures are not all pretty scenic shots...
But the school looked amazing, not even two years old with amazing architecture and next to the lake. A two hour interview but the Principle was lovely and it seemed to go well. I checked the events centre which has an Aqualand which will be popular with the boys. I meant an estate agent who took me on a three hour tour and the house are about $150,000 - $200,000 and there is good choice which is a bonus. The weather wasn't great on the last day but that didn't stop me taking in the sights one last time just in case it is my last. Fingers crossed.

Boys Day Out!

Mummy refused to come so it was time to dress! Armageddon is a video games expo where people dress up as their heroes and Tom felt completely at ease strolling around the show. They were pleased that they got to play all the games they wanted. The bonus was a stall on Nerf where they tried Laser tag and big guns. Four hours was the limit though and some of the costumes were starting to get a bit dodgy!

Trip to the City

Fran and I collected our Marathon numbers and shirts in the city. It was a beautiful night so we stayed out and visited the play area on the wharf. We later went to a fantastic Indian called the Urban Turban, awesome nan bread selection and mini curries for the boys.

Preparing for Queenstown

The boys have accepted the idea of moving to Queenstown really well. After a discussion about what they were really looking forward to they have been really positive. Alex is looking forward to a road trip in the new truck, Oli is looking forward to hitting the slopes and Tom is...chickens?! Whatever it takes! We have been looking at possible 4x4's, hence the boys trying out backseats, and we have found one already! Trading in the Peugeot for a Kia Sportage, very exciting and cool. Now we need a ski rack!

Tauranga Atrium Apartments 2012 Pt 2

In the town there was a lovely but expensive yogurt shop with lots of toppings to choose from, the boys were delighted as they miss Munchies from our US trip.
We had a great walk around the base of the mount, it was a beautiful day and it was mostly flat!
On our way back from Tauranga there was a great cafe, set in an old train station, full of home made cooking.

Tauranga Atrium Apartments 2012

Fran bought a deal off 'Grabone' website which was a few nights in The Atrium Apartments by Mount Maunghaui (forgive the spelling!) in Tauranga. The apartments were two bedroom with kitchen etc and literally one minute away from the mount. Amazing views with great access to the shops and beach. There was a great park nearby with lots to climb and things to burn energy! There was a surprising amount of shops for a small town and, as always in NZ, some great cafes!

Beauty and the Beast, Spider-Man and Madness

We had a lovely day in Mission Bay were Oli got to jump around being Spider-Man a lot. Alex had a starring role in Beauty and the Beast, he was brilliant as The Baker! The baguettes!
Tom is mad.

Books, authors and madness

Alex continues to read a ridiculous amount of books, he is up to one a night - it's an expensive habit. We now visit the library regularly.
Alex was desperate to meet Derek Landy, author of Skulduggery Pleasant. A wait of an hour and half proved worth it as he was very funny.
We continue to visit many cafes, our latest was a French one at Lake Pupeke in Takapuna - it was excellent.
Tom is mad.

Chipmunks Birthday Party for Tom and Oli

Bit of a Bailey favourite as they always have it here. Tom and Oli love the idea of running freely around with their mates and shooting them with foam balls! They provide food and they entertain themselves so we are not complaining! Alex brought his mate Sam along who is a great friend to him, chilled and a Pokemon fan.
Mummy's birthday cake was a big success, they loved smashing them in and getting lots of lollies i.e. sweets.

Ear infections, high board diving and gingerbread decorating!

Tom had a shocking ear infection which we missed and sent him to school! Told off by the doctor. I got to spend a day with him and spoilt him in Mairangi bay with a smoothie.
Tom is very studious and always completes his homework, likes to impress his teacher- Oli not so much!
The boys get on really well at the moment but Tom and Alex have a bit of a love/hate relationship. One minute they are together drawing pictures and the second they are screaming at each other. Oli keeps well out of it - wise decision, especially when Tom goes green!
Tom has particular love for gingerbread men and was excited by this book - should we be worried?
The boys still live swimming and the high boards at Glenfield pools are still highlight, that's Alex jumping.