TropicalSoup

Bedtime

I usually do the bedtimes around here...the kids and I figured out a system that works for us all whilst D was away travelling so much, and since we're in the groove and have a nice little rhythm going, it's usually just easier for me to do it. But sometimes I do cherish a little slice of time when someone else can be in charge, and having D do bedtime is quite a special treat for all concerned.

These three always have so much fun together that sometimes bedtime takes on a whole new life of its own...

Tonight Cole and Immy inducted their Daddy into their current favourite game, parents and babies.

D was the baby, Cole and Imogen his adoring mama and daddy. They cooed at him, showed him how to suck his thumb, gave a dance party performance, and finally, took him to bed, gleefully leading him as he walked down the hallway on his knees.

Then they tucked him in to Immy's bed, where our little Mama proceeded to read him a bedtime story.

Of course, about 30 seconds after that all manner of bedlam and mischievous mayhem broke out, and the fits of giggles could still be heard a full 45 minutes later.

I wonder how long it will take for those little parentals to get to sleep, and whether I'll find their baby asleep and them still going strong!!

Chilly

We've been busy keeping warm and eons have passed since I have been here. Oops. And to think I have several posts all ready to go (with photos too!) in my head...hmm, it's the typing out that's been tripping me up!

After an awful lot of rainyness, we are relishing the days that are - as Cole describes them - sunny and bright. It's completely doing my kids' heads in though that the day may well be sunny and bright, but it's still bloody cold!

Not long now though till warmer weather...Spring is starting to poke its head out here and there...

Bring it on!

Swings and roundabouts

The good news: we're not going to have to double handle all our worldly possessions with loading it into pesky short term storage for a fortnight before packing it all up again and transporting it to our new home and repeating the unload (but adding the unpack here for good measure!). We're not going to to need to pay for said short term storage, or the unloading into our new place, since some strapping lads will do that for us. That's a lot of good news for people who are sick of handling way too heavy furniture and boxes of stuff!

The bad news: another 2 weeks until my sewing machine and I reunite. So meanwhile, I am restricted to fondling all this gorgeous fabric that's arrived lately. Oh well, more time for playgrounds...very very good news for two particular Campbells!

Weeehaw!

(as Immy would say)
 


The house is ours!!!!

And we move in in just over 2 weeks' time!

Crazy-excited happy dances going on over here!

Home

 


We're cold and rugged up more than we've been for a very long time, Cole and Immy are getting familiar with things like long sleeves, long pants and socks (and scarves and hats and gloves and jackets and thermals!) we've just had an entire week of non stop rain...and we have colds.

But we also have frequent trips to the market (the food! the selection! the prices! the selection!), really good coffee that you don't have to always make yourself (happy happy D!), playgrounds, family, and New Zealand. And my, but if that doesn't make up for everything and then some.

I think Dave Dobbin said it best: Welcome Home.

Plane speaking

When this post goes live we’ll be boarding our first plane and catching our last glimpses of our Seychelles island home. And then, well, then it’s the mere matter of 36 hours of flying and racing around airports, and we should be back in Auckland by early afternoon their time. So wish us well, and I’ll catch you on the flipside. Betcha this is the last post I write whilst in shorts for a while, though!

 

Ps. Doubting Thomas family member…I did it – more than 31 posts since 1^st July! And hahaha, I think I’m most surprised of all!

With Gratitude

Dear Seychelles

Thank you for the gifts you’ve showered on us this past almost-year-and-a-half. The good gifts were oh so wonderful , they certainly made up for the crappy ones…and let’s be frank here – you were pretty generous with the crappy as well (though to be fair you weren’t alone!)

Thank you for allowing us all to continue our love affair with the beach, for bathing us in your gorgeous sun and letting us run and shriek and jump in your tropical downpours. Thank you for teaching me to find the joy and adventure in needing to go to upwards of 7 stores to find 3 things. And for giving me lessons in resourcefulness when even then the 3 ingredients couldn’t be found. Thank you for letting us live winter-free. Thank you for giving my children the chance to live with tortoises. Thank you for giving D the chance to wear shorts and flip flops to work instead of suits and ties. Thanks for showing us how blessed we are to be able to go back to New Zealand. Thank you for showing us what an extraordinary, beautiful, wacky, frustrating, amazing place you are!

Thank you for having us.

Love from the Campbells xxxx