Update # 2 - Field trip to MOTAT

Yesterday we went to the MOTAT (Museum of Transport and Technology).  It was Jett's first time but the rest of us our second time.  It was pretty interesting, and the kids enjoyed all the hands on stuff (VERY important for my youngest two).  We also got to ride on the Tram to the second building which holds the aviation exhibits. 

Playing music... :)

This is probably the second greatest thing at MOTAT...the earthquake simulator!  A you can see they enjoyed it maybe I bit too much?  Wouldn't want to feel are real earthquake!

Thy had two cars...or half of them for littlies to climb in an pretend to drive. 

Our next car maybe? Just kidding. 

The first thing that greats you in the aviation wing is this massive bomber plane from WW2.  I think it was a Lancaster Bomber.  

Costumes to try on. Notice the *very* American bomber jacket.  :)

Look it's Amelia Earhart, no I mean Amelia Smith! Just happens to be they both were born on July 24th.  We didn't know that though, we just liked the name. 

 Captain Owen! :)

Update #1 - Clip n Climb, Piha, Sickness, Oranges and the like.

It seems like ages since I posted last or maybe it's just that I have more to post since last time?  Hmm...maybe the latter.  For one of the Campbell boys (I think it was John) a large group went to Clip n Climb for his birthday.  Daddy and Aaron went along.

Bryce, Peter, Aaron, and John

He obviously enjoyed himself very much!!

 

We went to Piha one Monday ago. Gorgeous, however it was cold, and windy.

 

 

Lion Rock in the background

A little wind swept I guess!

 Our orange tree produced a lot of fruit this year, which reminds me I need to juice some more.  Below is just a quarter of what I picked off the tree and there is still a small bag full yet to pick!

I haven't started on my lemon tree yet, it is (thankfully) smaller...and there is the mandarin tree too!  But it is so nice to be able to eat your own organic fruit!  :)

The oranges and lemons have come in handy since we've all caught some form of a flu.  All of the children have had fevers, earaches, sore throats, coughing, chills, and they are still trying to get over it.  Jett had it a week ago and is finally getting over it.   It was several days of checking temps, dispensing meds and trying to keep everybody somewhat comfortable.  Unfortunately, it happened to be the week Jett took off so yes not nice, but all a part of life.

Owen still wanted to be dressed when he was sick, but spent most of the time like this in bed!

Jett did however take some time when he wasn't feeling too poorly, to teach Aaron, and Amelia how to ride  their bikes without training wheels.  I was sceptical...but my kids always seem to surprise me.  They did really well.

 

Keith walked in one day with klompen on (probably misspelled but oh well).  They aren't for walking in so they were promptly removed, after a photo that is.He looked cute. None of the other children has tried to walk in them, so I was pleasantly surprised that he knew what they were used for.

Hurrah!  Mystery of History has arrived!  So excited to start this with the children, actually so are they!  I took a lot longer in choosing this curriculum partly because it is my favourite subject and also because I wanted something (hopefully) that would fit well with my children. 

 

Wow, this post is long and I haven't put up the MOTAT pictures...perhaps in another update. :)