April Term Break

Having two weeks off has been amazing. It felt luxurious after such intensive work to just turn off and concentrate on having fun with the girls.

We never tired of exploring new and familiar places in Wellington

Like the Mars exhibit at the National Museum, Te Papa

Or taking a hike in Otari Wilton Bush to the 800 year old Rimu tree

Or going to the pool with friends. Wren, Ruby, Mara and Quinn.

Wren and Ruby tried one of the high dives. 

Wren made the leap first. 

After another 20 minutes and couple of near-attempts, Ruby made the leap.

It was cool to watch their process in building up to the jump and see them each come into their own bravery. As the only girls up on the high dive they represented well. 

Quinn and Mara were inspired by the two synchronized swimmers they saw practicing and decided to make up their own routine. 

We spent the day exploring the waterfront, with the kids on scooters. It was so beautiful to walk (or scoot) along the wharf and look down into the water to see mussels and starfish on the rocks below the surface. 

The other great thing about the wharf is that there is always something going on. 

Like a guy on a unicycle juggling machetes.

Or a pirate plank to dare yourself to walk out on.

or a full band banging out a tune- in protest of the Chinese Communist Party.

We liked the wharf so much we brought Lucas there on the weekend and took the girls climbing

They tried bouldering for the first time.

And Lucas belaying Wren. So high!

We rented a little 4 person tourist bike to tour the wharf. Without tourists in NZ (until tomorrow!) that's us. 

We let the girls drive on the way back. It gave us an indication of the nerve-racking process that we will go through when the girls are 15 and learning to drive. 

My steering wheel doesn't actually drive the bike, but I'm turning it unconsciously as if I'm driving just to feel some control!

No matter how many times we staycation on a term break, it's always fun in Wellington.