Does this count?

I don't think this really counts, but annoying none the less. We purchased a hard drive whatsit for the TV a few months before the big move as our old DVD player died. Matt checked this would be OK for NZ region and was assured it was suitable. Would you believe that the darned thing won't play NZ DVDs!!? A stern letter to SONY will be required.
Meanwhile:
- We have had the boxes collected from the garage - hooray! room for our stuff now.
- NZ Van lines have located our missing box - located down south at another delivery address - should be with us soon!
- We've exchanged contracts on Wood House and should complete on 20 March!
Still outstanding issues with the damage to the shipment, with lots of photos and descriptions sent - what did they do before email?
We are looking forward to a couple of days off over Easter. Matt gets the stat 2 days and Joe has 3. End of term is some time in April. We are not sure what we are going to be doing, but it is sure to involve the assembly of the boy's trampoline which was delivered today!

2 down - 1 to go?

As predicted another electrical whatsit gives up the ghost. This time the fridge (so carefully transported across the Pacific) - the door has fallen off. Luckily today is Friday so we may be able to go in search of a replacement tomorrow! What's next??????

Tekapo, Lanterns & settling in!

We HAVE unpacked all the boxes, but many things still need to be found a home. This last weekend was a bit of a chance to do some sorting and the weather helped us along by being pretty awful! Autumn has arrived and accordingly the temperature has dropped and the rain has begun. We are hoping that the shipping company will come and collect all the empty boxes as they are filling the garage, taking up room that should rightly be filled with our junk. We also have had to put in a complaint about the packing as so many bits were broken/damaged. An insurance claim will hopefully cover the bigger items.
Enough! and on to brighter things. We spent a weekend visiting Lake Tekapo (SW of Chch) and it was as stunningly beautiful as the guide books describe. A fantastic turquoise, that the photo really doesn't do justice.The brave and foolhardy braved the cold, snow fed water.
Thankfully we all warmed up in the hot springs that overlook the lake that afternoon. We also went up Mount John to the observatory, making do with a spectacular daytime view of the Southern Alps, Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook. The boys paddled at Lake Alexandrina and thoroughly enjoyed being outside all weekend. Luckily the sun shone so we saw it at its best. Joe can't wait to revisit the area in winter, he is excited about being able to sledge and learn to ski!
We've (hopefully only temporarily) lost recent photos including Tekapo as our PC has decided to give up the ghost and take all our files with it. Hopefully we can recover some and they'll be included in the next viewable album. We did our first tentative off-roading in 'Ed - the beast' and of course the boys loved it. It handled the bumps beautifully and we didn't get wet crossing the river at Rakaia Gorge. - Just when it will get a proper wash now is anyones guess!

While Matt sorted the study, Mum and I took Joe and Ben into the city for the Chinese Lantern Festival. The bus was late so we were wet when we arrived and then it just got worse! We ate in the rain and watched the show in the rain - however it was fantastic.
The lanterns were beautiful, the food delicious and the show was great! Joe watched a Kung Fu demonstration and came over to tell us that it was 'totally awesome!', how Kiwi is that? We all loved the 'mask changer' so I've included a clip.
Not sure what is next on the agenda. We are busy with everyday life. Matt is busy at work. Joe attends Kindy everyday and is starting to have play dates with his friends. Ben is now a 'Jumping Bean' (kiddy gym class) and has developed an obsession with trampolines. He also goes to toddler group once a week and I've joined the committee. We also swim every week and are trying to get out on our bikes as much as possible (luckily it is very flat and the pavements are wide - although the gutters are huge as Joe will tell you after landing in them on a couple of occasions). Ben is increasing his vocabulary, albeit reluctantly. He is a stubborn little soul and refuses to perform for us, let alone the camera. Some secret recording may be necessary soon!
Love to all, from all of us!

Another keen cyclist!

Joe insisted that his bike was reassembled yesterday after it had sat in bits on the garage floor for a few days. He spent the afternoon tearing about and then announced that he didn't want the stabilisers any more! 10 minutes later and he was off. Today he has mastered setting off solo and stopping without using a fence. Who knows where next? He is terrribly proud of himself and has been telling everyone we meet. So here's a clip for all you too.

Beach Babe

Only 20 months old and he'll put up with this indignity! In fact he laid still for so long that we thought he would nod off!

Kindy, Kites and Buskers

Joe has now started at a local Kindergarten. Almost as highly anticipated as Christmas! He is thrilled to be making friends and has a chance to play with loads of new toys. He is particularly impressed with the "real saws, real wood, real hammers and real nails!!". No problems in the morning, Ben and I are usually dismissed with a "you can go now". He was a little upset first day when he described how some of the boys had told him that he had a 'silly voice', but I'm sure he'll be talking Kiwi before we know it.
The World Buskers Festival has just finished and we took in as many shows as we could. Joe and Ben loved the 'Amazing Drumming Monkeys' and we are now subjected to the soundtrack every time we get in the car. Ben and I were targeted by the 'Blackstreet Boyz' at one show when Ben decided to shout and blow raspberries! - very embarrassing - especially when he was lunging toward them and they said 'look she can't wait to get away'. Must be time for that first haircut!
Last weekend was the Tip Top Kite Festival taking place on the beach at the end of our road. A really impressive turnout of all sorts of kites, big and small. Ben and Joe took turns flying their kite and we were amazed to still have it by the end of the afternoon!
We are now into our last few days in the retro house. Everyone is looking forward to our furniture etc arriving on the 11th. Keys are handed over on the 8th so we have a couple of days to get organised and transfer our ever growing pile of stuff. There is no way its going to fit into the suitcases we arrived with!

Summer Fun

January has been busy and a real novelty too. Matt celebrated his birthday with a scorching hot day, boogie boarding, sandcastle building and barbeque! We attended the local 'beach blast' and Joe and Matt got some serious boarding done. Then came the sandcastle competition with a Wincott inspired F1 racing car - we came second !!!! (out of 28) ably assisted by Nana, Kate, Ash and Indy. We won a frisbee and a voucher for the flumes at the local pool. The nor-wester brought with it a really hot afternoon and we all retreated into the shade for a barbeque at Annie's.
Everyone back at work so the weekends have become busier. We went to a second beach blast and this time blew away the competition in the sandcastle stakes. This time we beat 41 other entries with 'The Black Pearl'. The kids dressed up as pirates and collected a prize from 'Alvin and The Chipmunks'! - this time a frisbee, 2 cinema passes and an electronic mat keyboard (to be kept at Nana's so they can share????).
The World Buskers Festival is in full swing and we have enjoyed some great entertainment. Joe joined in enthusistically with the drumming monkeys and can't wait to see them (and others) again when they come to Brighton next weekend.
We have visited the Antarctic Centre and experienced icy blasts at -18 deg C in their storm room. Ben was not keen and hunkered down inside his coat and in my arms until it was all over. Joe, Ash and Indy loved it and enjoyed sliding down a real ice slide! I liked the penguins!
More soon - and a pic of the Wincott racing car once I'm sorted, meanwhile frequency advertising have some on their website (pics 101-105)- Indy was even pictured in it in the local paper!
We've also visited a local wildlife centre and seen some real live kiwis! - of the feathered variety! It was really dark and the kids had to be quiet - bribed with chocolate. Also saw Tuatara and other native wildlife.