Hunua Falls

It was a long journey to Hunua Falls, about an hour, from home was worth it although the actual walk was a little short.  We were hoping for about an hour walk as the boys had been confined to the car for the last hour but it was a very short 20 mins.  We stretched the walk out to about 45 mins as we explored the falls and a short looped walk.  It is a beautiful location and there is a three hour walk which, with better preparation, we will attempt another time.

Alex's 10th Birthday Week

Alex's celebrations started on his birthday when we went to Serengeti as he was passionate about going and it was a great evening with fantastic food especially the ribs.  Then Nanna's parcel arrived with the ultimate gift, spot Ollie's face as he realised what it was and notice Alex's frown as he reads Nanna's card word for word.  Loves his Nanna. We followed that up with a Bailey breakfast at Rhythm Cafe which Alex also adores, hence the kissing of our special number.  Then came the party of a couple of hours at our house with lots of unhealthy food and Playstation move, which was extremely popular.  Alex was particularly impressed with his kiwi wrapping paper.  He loved The Lorax, although it was the funniest movie ever, he loved the story and the message it had to say.  We loved the fact that all of his friends embraced Tom and Ollie as their friends too, wonderful.

Nerf Wars

Alex had a wonderful day today.  Even though he was absolutely knackered as he was up all night with his friend he enjoyed a session of Nerf Wars and a birthday party.

Blake kindly bought him a Nerf gun and so Alex was desperate to give it a go so we took them out to a reserve at Botany Bay, will explain why Botany Bay another time!  The reserve a simple path amongst some houses but perfect to hide in and ambush each other regularly.  The war ended up a gym session for half an hour as they tried the different things and still shooting each other?!  There wasn't too much tears although they lost a few bullets.

On our return we had a half an hour break before the onslaught of his 'high-spirited' friends.  More birthday pics to follow.

Birthday Breakfast Walk 2

The walk was great and we even had to climb a wall at the end as the tide was too high.  The boys enjoyed their cooked breakfast and smoothies.  They didn't even complain on the way back, a Bailey first!  Oli was keen to get back so he could finish watching Harry Potter and Tom was keen to get back so he could wear his PJ's!

Birthday Breakfast Walk

The sun has finally come out!  Perfect day for a walk to Rhythm Cafe and have a cooked breakfast.  The boys are becoming much easier to walk with over long distances and Alex had his friend Sam with him which helped.  Its amazing what they talk about, the topic of the moment is Minecraft a videogame where you can build whatever you like and then survive attacks from zombies!  Wonderful.  As you can see by the deep puddles we have had loads of rain and it was persistent which is unusual so it was a huge relief to be able to go out especially on my birthday.  It was simply nice to have an extended chat with each of the boys.

Poppy and Nanna snaps 2

The moment Alex got his wand - look at that smile!  Fran and Oli enjoying Paris, Florida?! Poppy and the boys also enjoying the wonders of the world in Epcot. The Harry Potter ride is worth just walking around as the attention to detail is outrageous.  The Rainforest Cafe maybe a little more expensive but it is very unique and wonderful.

Extra Florida snaps from Nanna and Poppy

Aquatica was amazing, a little colder than needed but that didn't stop us having a great time.  There was so much to do that you can't fit it all in on one day although it was very quiet.  All the malls have huge food courts and Chicken-filla was a favourite so much so that Tom wore the bag as a hat?!  Whilst at the house Tom was keen to build lego and Poppy fortunately helped lots. Bush Gardens was quite different to everything else and had a lot more for the boys to explore and do, they loved the log flume. The boys look strangely right to be with the chimp statue - what do you think?