Our busy-non-stop life!

I haven't had time nor energy to properly update this space, although I have thought of it from time to time.  I have a couple of excuses though.  

1. Daniel hasn't been the best at sleeping...that doesn't surprise you does it? ;)  He also doesn't like to be put down for a nap awake. I'm often carrying him in my moby wrap that my sister in law gave me a long time ago when I had one of the other boys...was it Aaron or Owen?  I can't remember.  But anyways, I also found this wonderful for getting the grocery shopping done!  For some reason the trolleys (shopping carts) with a baby seat in them, or car seat on top are smaller than the ones that can fit two toddlers in.  Why?  This just doesn't make sense to me.  With a family of 7, I need all the space I can get pretty much.  

Oh, but he is such a darling...

2. Homeschooling. This is a legitimate excuse.  I've been trying to juggle schooling, babies needs, and trying to keep up with the laundry and feeding children. (Notice I didn't mention keeping the house clean, yeah it doesn't get done a whole lot.) This would be easy if I had loads of energy, and the children were always obedient and happy.  But realistically life is not like that.  I'm often trying to teach something to Aaron while directing the 4.5 year old to play with his toys, while feeding a fussy baby, as well as keeping an eye on Amelia's work, and figuring out what Owen can do next.  Busy most definitely, I'm glad I stopped swimming lessons for this term, Jett is suggesting we do it for the next term too, but I almost need something for the 4.5 year old to do and to look forward to.  He is so full on!  And has a short attention span.  Any ideas are most welcome.  The best one I've found it getting Amelia or Aaron to spend time with him while I get something else done.

3. Jett's many excursions.  He seems to be always on the move.  Whether it is Synod, pastoral visits, taking a service elsewhere (Tauranga), or now he is staying at the church while someone else is attending to some work that needs to be done there.  It just means I have to put aside some things that need to be done and help him get out the door first.

Our communion is coming up and we hope to have Rev and Mrs. Rayner here.  We look forward to it very much!  The children enjoy having company.  Aaron was hoping Mr. van Dorp was coming too.  Maybe in January, I tell him. :) They like Rev. Hutton too, with all the stories he tells them, but he isn't coming this time.  My kids (Amelia, Aaron and Keith) are social butterflies and like to talk a lot.

On another note, I am so thankful for my daughter!!  She has been a huge help in coping with Daniel's needs, or the other children's. So far she is able to change him, dress him, burp him, cuddle him and she has put him to sleep several times...and she enjoys it so much, a little mother. :)

Now I need to try to get Keith back into bed for the 11th time or so...!!  

A month already!? And Science Fair!

Where did the month go?  Baby Daniel went from this...

 

 ...to this!  He was smiling very early, but this was one of the best I was able to capture on camera (taken yesterday).  He looks so much like his siblings...what a cutie.

 And we had the Auckland Home Educator's Science Fair last week.  It was a very last minute decision to enter Amelia and Aaron and I really wondered if I was sane to be doing so...but they so badly wanted to!  So I said okay, but I'm not helping much at all!

Amelia had to do it on some of her well loved feathered creatures (all native to NZ).

 And for Aaron we opted for the easiest bugs in jars kind of method.  Sure he had no board, but he loved talking about his captured insects to anybody who wanted to listen.  :)

 David and Daniel are being cuddled.

 A friend's project.

 Another.

 And another.

 And one more. :)

 Presentation and prize giving.

 A&A's age group.

Oh yes, and I thought I should take an updated photo of my crazy kids! Aren't they just mischievous, and wild looking? ;)

We have two weeks off school and have started it with two children getting the vomiting bug (again all four caught the bug right before Daniel was born) and then I came down with it a couple of days ago...I really hope no one else gets it!  And I'm trying to get some much needed cleaning done...well, something at least. :) 

Introducing beautiful Daniel Jeremiah

Daniel Jeremiah

Born March 19th

8lbs 12ozs** (A huge jump from our 7pounders!) **I originally wrote 15oz by mistake...I am running on lack of sleep.:)

And oh so sweet... :)

This never gets old!  Babies are so precious!

Holiday Part 2

So we went to Rotorua overnight and enjoyed the park... This is a geothermal area so boiling mud pools, and hot steaming water is normal as is the smell of sulphur.

 Wouldn't want to take a swim in here.

 We found out about a place called Bibleworld.  And decided to have a wee visit.  Neat little place with some real artifacts and replicas from Old Testament/New Testament times.  The kids thought it was very interesting.

 They also had a good children's section...Keith and Aaron tried the Roman armour.

 I think it was actually pinching Aaron's skin....poor guy.

Lake Rotorua

 Or what Amelia called it, Swan lake!

 We finished off some ice cream at this lake...yum!

 I believe this is one of the most photographed buildings of NZ.  Government house in Rotorua (I think it is?)

Holiday part 1

I ws going to try and get these up a lot earlier but I suppose sometime is better than not at all.  After the communion we took a couple weeks off and did some day trips, and even stayed in Rotorua for a night.  Here we are at Omana.

 Omana Beach.

We've planned  trip to Tiri Tiri Matangi Island for Dad and the two oldest.  Mama didn't feel like traveling on a boat or walking far....so she wisely stayed home with the youngest two. 

Tiri Tiri Matangi is a bird sanctuary.  So Amelia was definitely in her element.

 Talking to the guides and asking lots of questions.

 Not sure what bird is in this picture, probably just a Tui.

We tried out Kiwi Valley Farm, nice place, but not sure if we will go back again. We were met with an annoying goat who wouldn't leave us alone for awhile....found out that this little guy is known for this.  I was hungry though and wanting to eat lunch!  You can't eat with a goat who jumps up on the table!! 

So we abandoned lunch for awhile so some of the kids could hold guinea pigs, and feed a rat... :P

 Finally we ate lunch!!  :)

 Owen liked getting on the tractors.

 But probably the highlight of the whole excursion was the pony/horse rides.  All of the children enjoyed this - especially Owen!

Aaron..

 Amelia

 Look at Keith on such a BIG horse!

 It was funny when Owen had  turn.  The horse stopped for whatever reason and Owen said, "Go! Go Fast!"  It made my day to hear him say that.