Thursday, February 19, 2015

Pukeko Babies


Youth class (12-18 year olds) in our New Plymouth LDS branch, taught by Br. Coward

We have pukekos living in our yard.   Maybe a ruru, too.  They have similar night calls.
This isn't my photo, but this is really what they look like!
I felt lucky to see a mother pukeko with three little chicks coming out of the bush one afternoon this week.

Another friendly moment with a wild thing...

Joyce finds a friendly butterfly

Sage

Noah and Oak make doughnuts.
Danny makes no-bake cookies...2 batches this week so far....


I found a note from my secret pal on my pillow one night...


Not an unusual occurrence.  I feel very thankful to have been receiving love notes from kids fairly constantly over the last 15 years, or since the time that Noah first learned to write.  It's a happy way to live!

Book of the week:

I read this because Danny is reading it for his English class.  It's a dystopian novel with a  New Zealand connection, which seems important for school teachers here in all different disciplines. 




Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Goodbye, Opa

  
We will miss you, Opa.
Gail B. Duncan



First day of school for the boys...

Oak, year 10

Noah, year 13, received his tiger jacket on Wednesday...

and Friday/Saturday, went on the first adventure team training of the new school year.  
I love this picture!

Noah is the tall guy..."what a boss!"  

Meanwhile, Danny, year 11, hosted a big party, got braces, and he also got a lot of piano practicing done.  He's working on the Ravel Toccata and Waldstein Sonata.  

Seminary started this week.  6:30AM at the church.  Yours truly as the teacher.  6 registered students this year.  It feels like the beginning of a long trek - I'm excited for the great views along the way.


Books of the Week

Read-aloud for the girls - their favorite so far.
They cheered at the ending.
Interesting to read about a world before sunscreen and before politically correct roles for girls and boys...!

Thanks, Nana and Gramps! 
Before reading this book, I had never once considered the intersection of Mormons and Mao Tse-tung- era China.  


Monday, February 2, 2015

Mercy

Mercy's Piano Recital

 audience:  Hannah, Tiffany, Gaastras, Hockeys, Jocelyn and Judy, Meera, Sukena and sisters, Webers, Sagens, Mom and Dad on Skype, Cardalls, and our family, including Noah who fell asleep standing up (caught on video in the background during Mercy's recital) because he was dealing with 12-hour jet lag.



We had a birthday party for Mercy later in the week.
Mercy told me that the girls she invited to her birthday party would dress up unless we told them not to, and she was right.  All the Kiwi girls were dressed in darling party dresses.  The only two girls that came in casual dress both have American moms!

Oak organizes a game for girls in party dresses

Happy Birthday, Merce!