Te Henga

Saturday morning we took advantage of the fine weather to head out to the west coast again. Much to Billy's delight his cousins and Uncle Sila met us out there, and because Saturday morning netball has finished Isabella was able to come too, much to the delight of all the small people.
After some running up and down the dunes





we headed down to the beach


a little morning meditation

and a found skim board

some flying through the air

and cartwheel practice

before heading through the stream


to climb rocks

and more dunes


games on the beach




and the first time these wee toes have got into the black sand




some skipping and snake games with long bits of washed up kelp


before heading home again

tired and a little sandy

In the Winter Sun

I have missed the last two days with the small people as I had to work 2x 13hrs days (thankfully back to nights next week)
Some pics of the boys enjoying outside time at playgroup and on the deck (think it must be almost time for a spring clean of the deck)

New School Bag

After seeing the messenger bag I made for Awa , Harriet asked for one, I asked if she wanted a small one like his but she wanted to know if I could make one to be her school bag. I had to double check here, 'baby you want me to make one that will replace your HSM backpack, you want a homemade schoolbag out of retro fabrics?' Indeed she did and for the last two weeks has wanted to know when it will be top of my 'to make' list. Tuesday she came with me to pick the outer fabric as I didn't have anything I thought would be sturdy enough for a school bag and Wednesday I was very happy to construct her new bag.

with the finished bag on wed afternoon

she picked this great plaid but I thought it still looked a little plain when I finished it but then thought of one of my Heartfelt patches which was perfect to finish it off especially as Harriet loves Piwakawaka

the back has a pocket for her raincoat finished with two vintage buttons

the inside is made from a vintage barkcloth curtain with ballerinas on it

on the walk to school this morning

the bag fitted all her stuff perfectly and this Mummy is more than happy to have replaced the HSM backpack with this.

The Lovely Rata

Some pics of Rata from the Grans trip north last week

Hamish and Awa

Piha Adventure

We spent the weekend at the gorgeous Piha Valley Lodge. We went with 5 other families from Billy and Arlo's Rainbow Families playgroup and hired out the entire lodge. All together there were 12 adults, 2x babies, 2x 18mth olds, 3x 3yrolds, and a 4,5,&7yr old. The lodge was plenty big enough with big decks out the front, the weather was lovely and it was the perfect spot to stay, eat amazing food, sit in front of the fire,enjoy a wine in the evening, chat with adults, drink cups of tea, and go on bush and beach adventures with the small people who loved getting to hang out together all weekend.


view from all the bedrooms

bedtime stories with Billy, Bella and Esme, Friday night

Sat morning in our room, a train track on the floor and Harriet and Esme colouring

ready for a walk, Harriet super girl, Jack and Billy

the rest of the gang

Arlo loved riding in the backpack

Rata trees to hide under

and climb up



streams to cross

feathers to find

the stream ran through the back of the garden


we enjoyed playtime on the deck

and lots of nice home baking

Saturday afternoon we headed down to the beach

to find little treasures

play in the sand


and the sea


paddling turned into swimming

Piha is a pretty amazing beach

Sunday morning was spent lazing in the sun


before another bushwalk while brunch was being prepared


some running games in the clearing


after packing up we took a final trip down to the beach









before heading home tired and happy to catch up with Isabella who had stayed home to do some Greenpeace things