Fun in the park.

It was a lovely sunny day day even if a bit nippy. Middle daughter called to say she might bring her two North Island grandkids out later.  We decided to meet at the playground and then come back to my place for a cuppa and, as it turned out, lunch for the kids. Eldest daughter joined us at home for a drink as well.

Fun in the sun.

On the climbing ropes.

Teamwork.

Higher Granma.

Quiet time with Lego after lunch.

It was great to see the wee ones from Palmerston North, down for a big birthday celebration. One of their cousins is about to turn one and that is a big milestone in the Tongan culture and they celebrate BIG.

That's it for today, 

until next time,

Diana

A short stroll around the lake

While my little mother was in hospital recently I had the opportunity to go for a stroll around Hamilton Lake or Lake Rotoroa as it is known in Maori. Ten minutes walk from my motel I found the lane I had been directed to and walked from a busy city street to a tranquil lakeside walkway.

There  were marvellous houses backing onto the lakeside, some with low fences and others opened up to the lake vista. 

The lake was surrounded by native flora and of course

 a lot of bird life.

Quite a number of cheeky Pukeko,

a solitary Shag,

Mallard ducks,

a few Australian coots, (related to the Pukeko)

and a good flock of Canada geese.

I came across a wonderful children's playground

with this fabulous climbing fort. 

There was also a nice cafe nearby but I never went in,

 I didn't have time as I was heading back to the hospital.

Of course there were also the usual doves or pigeons, 

you don't go far without seeing them around.

The sun was getting low in the sky as I headed back

 to the entrance and I got this shot of the lake.

I enjoyed this nice peaceful walk, away from the 

hustle and bustle of the city and everything happening at the hospital, a lovely way to recharge my batteries.

Oh, their bags are packed...

...and they're well on the way. 

In fact they must almost be back in Christchurch 

to catch the flight back to Sydney tomorrow.

Then they will separate and head back to 

their homes in different parts of the country.

Yes, my youngest sister and her family have been and gone - 

doesn't time go quickly when you don't want it to?

We had a great visit, they stayed with my little mother 

so she was always invited to join them on their excursions.

Sometimes she went with them and sometimes not

coffee in the back yard

The day we all went into the Warehouse she decided

 to join us. We had a good day out and enjoyed lunch

 at Kelly's Cafe while we were there. On the way home

 I suggested we call in to my youngest daughter's home 

so the wee fellow could play with the kids for a while. 

I can do it...I think

He is only four and had been so good. 

So the boys played and we all relaxed

and had a catchup over coffee until it was

 time to head home for tea. It is so nice not to

 have deadlines or timetables to be adhering to.

sisters, cousins, aunties and grandmas

Sis and her daughter took turns at the cooking and I think 

little Mother cooked one day when she stayed home.

As on this day when we had a family gathering at the park.

As it's school holidays we decided to have lunch at the park - 

pizzas and playtime I called it. $5.00 pizzas didn't set us

 back too much and we all took some home afterwards. 

A nice easy day out for kids and adults alike.

climbing...

And of course there was lots of playing. 

The only fly in the ointment, so to speak, 

was a bee sting. And that happened as we 

were leaving. Maybe next time the child 

will keep his shoes on when he's told to :)

...and even more climbing

A couple of nights ago we went out for dinner

 with my brother and his partner and his two sons. 

We don't see a lot of them so it was good to have

 a catchup with them as well. The meals were very big, 

well worth what we paid, and I ate far too much.

 I should have stopped at the main but I didn't.

 I had dessert! It was big, decadent and too much,

 but I ate it anyway. All in all a lovely night out.

That's me on the right with my GKB beside me, then my brother and his partner,
his sons at the end and coming back up the table, little Mother,
 my great nephew, his mother and my sister across from me.

I went for a long walk the next day, with the odd bit

 of gentle jogging thrown in for good measure.

Looking back I see we gathered a lot over food, I think 

that is a good way to socialise, over the common meal.

I shall miss them for a while but look forward

 to seeing my other sister in a few weeks time - when we

 shall have a very different sort of holiday with her.

joining Martha at:

Martha's Favorites

and Stephanie at:

roses of inspiration

That's it for this week

or for a few days anyway.

Keep well until next time,

Diana

Keeping up with Danny

I hope you don't mind if I post mainly photo's today.

Yesterday I spent the morning at the playground with my youngest grandson aka Danny.

He was dropped off at my place and half an hour later we set off.

He was on his scooter and I was on my feet.

disappearing into the distance - the scooter park was in sight

After doing some jumps and whatever else little boys do on scooters it was over to all the play equipment.

Guess who ended up with the scooter.

whoops

better keep my balance

disappearing again

playing is really thirsty work

hanging on

hey look Granma, no feet

time for an ice cream before we head home.

I don't think I can make it Granmaaaa.

sucking on a plum that was hanging over the fence

Danny finally home, pooped.

It was a really hot day so when we arrived home we had lemonade and a snack before getting some lunch.

Then he told me it was my fault for making him go to the playground. Kids!

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Thinking of all you people in Aussie affected by the bush fires and now by the floods. Look after yourselves and keep safe.

blessings,

Diana