Trick or Treat

Our costumes were a huge success and the Tazling was on form tonight.  Where ever she went people asked if she was wearing a wig or not.  We only went trick or treating up the one side and down the other of our street, but that was enough for me.  Every house we went to, Taz gave them a commentary at the top of her voice and without a pause at all, that went something like, "Hi, my names Tamsine but I'm Merida for halloween its just a costume and my dad gave me a green glowstick and my little sister Heidi is one of the naked triplets, thanks for the candy, have a spooky halloween."  It was fantastic.  

Little Miss H was a little trepidatious at first, until she realized that people were putting candy in her bucket.  After the first house she came running up to me with this shocked expression on her face showing me her bucket and said, "Mommy.  Candy."  That was all it took for her to get into the spirit of things.  She was so excited that she was getting candy that she exclaimed "CANDY!" every time she walked past someone.  I had a good laugh.       

Happy Halloween

As a non-native to the USA and growing up in a country that didn't celebrate Halloween, its one of those kinda, little bit, strange but also kind of awesome traditions in this country.  I've never really gotten as into it as my friends here, but this year I'm trying to make a little more effort.  Two reasons for the extra effort: 1st, the munchkins (especially the Tazling) are very excited about the prospect of Trick or Treating and getting (as my child put it this morning) other kids to give me a whole bunch of delicious candy. 2nd, this is the first year I've actually had a house that will get Trick or Treaters, so in an attempt to not get my house egged I am getting a little more into the spirit.

Here is my attempt at decorating my front porch.  I'm assuming I'll get better at this....or not.       

New Zealand Day Nine: Part One

Thursday 16th August:
 
NZ is the home to the Lord of the Rings films, and now the new Hobbit film.  I was so excited that we might get the opportunity to tour the WETA workshop, but alas it was not to be.  Actually, I wasn't prepared to drive from Auckland to Wellington for eight hours with two little kids.  But, happiness and delight, the set of Hobbiton was only a couple of hours away and they did tours there, so we kept Jen's kids out of school for the day and completely got our geek on.  It was so much fun, and made me want to get back onto a film set again.

 Setting out at 8:30am

 Arriving at Matamata Farm and saying "Hi" to the sheep

 Cool old truck the kids enjoyed playing on

On the set

 

 

 

 Bagend with the completely fake Oak tree above it

 

Dancing at the party tree

 

 After the tour Taz got to feed a bottle to the lambs - she was in heaven

Leaving Matamata

We had a quick picnic lunch in the car on the way to our next stop.  Apparently being a geek took its toll on a few of our party.  Good times!

New Zealand Day Eight

Wednesday, 15th August:

We took a drive to North Head Reserve.  It was a system of old military bunkers used up until 1996 when it was turned into a reserve for tourists etc.  It was really cool and had some amazing views of the city of Auckland across the bay.  It reminded me so much of Cape Town.