Day outside with Oscar

Most Wednesdays Bella goes to Thames to visit her Nana; therefore, I only have Oscar. If I'm really lucky we spend most of the day outdoors! Today was one of those gorgeousdays!

I thought I'd post some pics of our walk(s), him playing (or being frustrated) and Tairua (since I haven't yet).

























We went to the beach (enjoyed playing in the sand), the harbor (where he got frustrated!), the playground (liked the slide and swing)... the pointy mountain is Paku which is oppositte us (towards the ocean), and then buildings are 'downtown', that is Tairua!

(Ok, i keep trying to post pictures in different ways, attempting to post them down the middle like my friend Ashley does... and I can't seem to figure it out!! I'm actually REALLY ANNOYED, ARGH!)

Beautiful eyes

Bella needs a hair cut.... or at least her fringe (bangs).

Sitting at dinner on Sunday talking about scheduling one... Carl decided that he could do it. 'How hard could it really be?' And that Bella shouldn't have to wait a few days to see.

Here is the trim... right before it started...in action...and the proud stylist and daughter!











Now, she's beautiful, can see, and we can see her eyes The whole thing reminded me of my when my mom used to cut my hair!

Old cars are great...

Saturday was the Beach Hop in Whangamata. It was cool and an amazingly gorgeous day out! As long as its not raining, 'cold' fall weather here is really enjoyable!!

The first thing I saw (well, after walking by a few cars) was this street performer. For some reason, I always get sucked in. He balanced this on his chin (in pretty intense winds...)

Bella enjoyed dancing with her grandpa to all the different bands.


And it was amazing.. because, for the first time since being in NZ, I saw LOADS of people. -random side note, I don't like Figs...they are gross!-




Now, for the car pics!!












And a dorky touristy American flag pics to go with all the American flags I saw...

That night, I finally celebrated my BIRTHDAY. Belinda made me homemade brownies, with hokey pokey ice cream, and chrunchie bar sprinkled on top. -the funny story is... she had made them awhile back and I looked at her and straight face and serious said 'I didn't know you could make them from scrath, I thought they just came out of a box.' Yes, my friends, I know NOTHING about cooking, and can't seem to make the ones in the box let alone home made ones.


I play scrabble online with Lena and David and Belindas mom loves it...so she challenged me...I got beat two nights in a row. I'm glad I'm a good loser. I just love board games!


That was my Saturday. Oh, and we had a very colorful vegetarian 'birthday' dinner for me too!! Yay!

(if anyone knows how to make these pictures NEXT to each other... I'd be much appreciated to learn how. Its annoying that they all line down the thing!)

If you're happy and you know it...

Clap your hands.

*clap, clap!*

Ok, so I'm finally over my cold and feel LOADS better!!

I spent Monday-Thursday in bed. My birthday was Tuesday, and that was spent throwing up!! Yup, Happy Birthday to me!! (Luckily, I was planning on celebrating this next weekend down in Wellington, my fabulously amazing present from Belinda and Carl!)

I've got the cough still but I'll take this any day compared to the feeling of the cold and utter worthlessness I was. It was a gorgeous week (minus Tuesday when it rained) and all I did was sleep away my cold!! I went and got good cough medicine from the chemist and thats helping.

I also downloading the proper form to get my IRD (tax number) for New Zealand so I'm going to get that all verified and sent in on Thursday morning in Thames (there isn't anywhere to do it here in town).

I finally sent off my transcript request as well. So now I really need to get down to sending out my applications...I just need to decipher the applications and make sense of it! Oh, and wish I had a good resume to go along. Too bad nannying and traveling doesn't count for anything!

I'm excited to feel human again! Yay me!!