Today was a very exciting day! When William woke up, there were balloons and streamers hung in front of his door and in the hallway. He found more balloons and streamers in the breakfast room along with several presents. (Super party-planner Susan Irving masterminded a morning to remember!) Not having all of the wrapping supplies available that we had in the States, we had to get creative. Although William initially thought he was getting boxes of fruit bars, cereal bars, and rice bubbles, it turns out that they were camouflaging surprises inside. Even some of the balloons were hiding surprises. William received a journal, a chess game for his DS, an NZ tee-shirt, the promise of a blanket (that I’m working on whenever I get a chance to knit), and several other very thoughtful gifts. I have to say though, that his favourite gift was a globe puzzle-ball – which is, well, just like it sounds, a 500-piece spherical jigsaw puzzle of the Earth. He’s been wanting one for a very long time and is currently working on it every spare moment. This morning all of the kids were helping out.
After a French toast breakfast at home, we went to QEII Park (short for Queen Elizabeth II) for a fun filled swimming day. The aquatic centre was originally built for the Commonwealth Games several years ago, but part has now been renovated to include a wave pool, a “lazy river,” and several water slides, in addition to a 50-meter pool and a diving well with 1-, 3-, 5-, 7.5-, and 10-meter boards/platforms. The complex is now open to the public for a small entry fee. With the Irvings along, we had a wonderful time shooting down the tubes, riding the river, playing in the waves, trying out hand at aqua-jogging, and a few brave souls even jumped off of the 5- and 7.5-meter platforms. They all agreed that it was “a lot higher than it looked!”
After we were all prune-y from spending so much time in the water, we left for the Christchurch gondola – the last of the sight-seeing that we wanted Susan and Caroline to experience. We admired the gorgeous view from the inside since it was quite nippy out on the deck.
We did brave the cold for a brief moment as we snapped a photo in Redlands attire to send to the Daily Facts. Dinner at home was followed by a violin-accompanied “Happy Birthday,” and then cake and the always yummy Tip Top ice cream.
After a French toast breakfast at home, we went to QEII Park (short for Queen Elizabeth II) for a fun filled swimming day. The aquatic centre was originally built for the Commonwealth Games several years ago, but part has now been renovated to include a wave pool, a “lazy river,” and several water slides, in addition to a 50-meter pool and a diving well with 1-, 3-, 5-, 7.5-, and 10-meter boards/platforms. The complex is now open to the public for a small entry fee. With the Irvings along, we had a wonderful time shooting down the tubes, riding the river, playing in the waves, trying out hand at aqua-jogging, and a few brave souls even jumped off of the 5- and 7.5-meter platforms. They all agreed that it was “a lot higher than it looked!”
After we were all prune-y from spending so much time in the water, we left for the Christchurch gondola – the last of the sight-seeing that we wanted Susan and Caroline to experience. We admired the gorgeous view from the inside since it was quite nippy out on the deck.
We did brave the cold for a brief moment as we snapped a photo in Redlands attire to send to the Daily Facts. Dinner at home was followed by a violin-accompanied “Happy Birthday,” and then cake and the always yummy Tip Top ice cream.
No comments:
Post a Comment