Auckland Anniversary Weekend 2016

You know that it's a long weekend and you know that most Aucklanders are probably leaving town. Because we're probably not up for a long drive and we do like sleeping in, we've decided to revisit the harbour and check out the SeePort event. I remember how the kids enjoyed those free rides last year. From then on, it was a "let's see how it goes" weekend. As with any weekend, we do check the forecast before we leave the house and hubby makes sure that he's able to take enough photos as he experiments with his camera equipment. Somehow, we always realise that we to forget an item or two as soon as we're on the road.

SeePort
What's different this year is that they have food stalls, lots of it! My kids successfully climbed the wall and rang the bell (Rose did it twice!). Both were eager to try all the rides, inflatables, the mini golf, face painting and the navy display. It was a sunny day and I did get a bit dizzy while waiting in line for the tug boat tour. It was hot! Lots of ice cream and cold drinks consumed that day.

There were more in store the next two two days and what i think we should check out next time is the Symphony orchestra playing during sunset ending with a fireworks display later in the evening.

Music in Parks
Hubby usually does the weekend shopping for us but this time around, I wanted to join him so I can choose the bread and see other items in the store that we'll be consuming for the week. I wanted to try some new recipes.

I prepared sandwiches for our picnic lunch at the Domain. I now know that my kids don't like the bread (Quinoa and Flaxseed) that I got for them unless you've got a good spread on it to mask the flavour. We bought sushi and sausages from the nearby stores as well for our picnic. We found a spot that's across the road from the band stand. Live Jazz music played. I've covered a few pages from Bo Sanchez's My Conspiracy Theory. It was cloudy and the kids enjoyed their space as they clashed their light sabers around. Later on, hubby took out the RC for the kids to play with until it ran out of battery. Then it felt like rain was about to fall so we headed back to the car. (False alarm!). We were parked near the Wintergarden so we brought the kids inside as it's been a while since they last visited the place.

Summer Picnics
It felt like a Sunday morning (Monday holiday). The kids were hooked up on morning tv shows. I was trying out the Chickpea, carrot and feta fritters recipe. I thought i'd make corn muffin too but realised that i don't have corn in the pantry. There were some morning showers so it felt right to have prepared nilaga for lunch.

We headed to Cornwall Park in the afternoon, setup our picnic in one of the shaded areas near Pohutukawa Drive, close to a fenced area where a flock of sheep was resting under a shade. As soon as we've unpacked, Rose declared that she's hungry and started opening a container full of WanWan rice snacks with his Papa. Max took out his cricket set and asked me to play with him. Max is actually getting better with hitting the ball. Rose played frisbee with hubby, then with Max. The football wasn't played much but those trees surrounding us sure had lots of fun as the kids played hide and seek among them.

We had a stroll across the field, up to the cottage when Max said he needed to go to the toilet. On our way was the Creamery and Rose said she wanted ice cream. On our way back, I told her that we'll have ice cream at home as we still have some in the freezer.

So three days went past. There were enough lull moments for me, and even enjoyed two afternoon naps. Can't help but think of the luxury that we have here in Auckland. We've got time to be with our kids. We have lots of open spaces and many free family-friendly events that are meant for us to enjoy. I told my husband how it's noticeable to see parents or a parent walking their kids or a pram along a footpath. And this is almost everywhere we go, even in commercial areas. Hubby said that it's a good sign.

Air New Zealand's 75th Anniversary Exhibit and Fun at the Parks

Next to the War Memorial Museum at the Auckland Domain sits the cockpit part of an Air New Zealand plane. There's a staircase leading up on both sides of the plane's doors. The first time we were there, the gates just closed which made my kids very upset as we were already there. We managed to come early the next time and had to fall in line. It was windy that day and a bit cloudy. I was pretty pleased with how they accommodated the guests. They did not rush you while you're inside and they actually wanted you to try all the gadgets and switches that are found on board. My kids said they were flying to the Philippines. The captain sits on the left side with the co-pilot on the right. It's a commercial plane but my kids preferred using it like a battleship. We were there for about 10 minutes I think, or maybe less as we had to give the others a chance to experience the plane as well. 

This summer's memories centers around park visits. Instead of taking long drives, we've been taking the kids to our favourite parks and beaches, and explored new playgrounds like those with water play (Waterview) and skate park (Mount Roskill). This  usually ends with an ice cream treat, be it from Mr. Whippy, the local dairy or from our TipTop tub at home. It's great to be a kid in Auckland.  

A Relaxed Labour Weekend

It was labour weekend. Gusto namin makalabas and gusto rin namin makapahinga.

But first things firt. First birthday ng inaanak ko and the venue was moved to Glen Eden. Coz of this at dahil rin may pasok si hubby pag Sabado, the kids and I took a cab. At the party, it was good to see Max looking out for 2 year old Sophie. And it's nice for Rose to join the musical chairs game.

It was fine and sunny the next day. We ditched the idea of going far (taking the motorway) to check out other beaches. Instead, we brought the kids to Point Chevy. It was windy, perfectfor wind surfing and para-sailang. We saw a couple of them on the water. The kids love to play on the beach. The wind was too cold for hubby and Rose so we eventually moved to Cornwall Park where we had some hot noodles and coffee. We brought the mini-gas stove with us.

The next day, labour day itself, I was able to re-organise the cupboard and spent the day relaxing and cooking. Hubby took the kids out to ride their scooters. That evening, they had a quick trip at the flying fox too. They were both smiling when they got home, and actually felt tired which was perfect as it was time for bed. It's certainly a better day for us as we were able to rest, and not get caught in traffic.

Sometimes, it's the little things that makes life worthwhile.

Hold On to Your Kids - They Grow Fast!

As our kids grow, naturally our parents, our relatives, even ourselves grow old too. I met Cora last Saturday. She was holidaying with her husband here in New Zealand, visiting their son and his family. She has another son who now lives in LA. Their house in Katipunan is now empty. They now travel regularly, visitng their kids who now live in two different countries.

Cora said to enjoy our kids coz once they become teenagers, they won't be needing you anymore, except maybe when they're hungry. She said that by that age, they'll often be away with friends or doing school projects.

A week ago during drop off, my son said "Ok Mommy, you can go. That's alright. You can go to the office now." And my daughter, lately has developed the art of diplomacy by saying "Just let me do this Mommy. Don'tbe angry alright?" She's 4.

Whenever I look at their photos and videos from last year, I notice the many changes. From babies, to tots. And now I have a young boy who can't wait for his two wobbly teeth to fall off so he can be a pirate. And my very articulate baby girl can't wait to go to Primary next year.

It was early last year, I was still pushing the pram to daycare with Rose on the seat and Max standing on the back. Now Rose is the big sister at Tots.

My father died end of May 2014. A few days later, we celebrated my son's fifth birthday and I do recall Ate Riza celebrating her daughter's 6th birthday in between the wake. Life goes on and we as parents just need to deal with whatever life throws at us. It's tough.

Thoughts on Cancer

Last night's post on FB by Ate Riza "Yesterday, may nakapang lump sa left breast si ma. nakapa ko kanina, malaki- > 4cm! It looked like a benign tumor by elastography but it had features not commonly associated with benign- so baka cancer (na mas common sa ganitong edad). Plan is to admit ma friday night, excision with frozen section sat am. I pray and hope it is not cancer...."

When Dad died last year (brain cancer), I felt scared of the idea that Mom might leave us too soonafter. Her visa application is currently with immigration and we're hoping to get news by end of the week, if not next week on the results. Plan is for her and Diana to come and visit us this December, to spend Christmas here too.

Everyone's changed since I left three years ago. The family's grown, dad got sick and died, Nanay broke her femur, people got older, Tita Dory burned her hand. Everyone's aged, including my Mom. I miss them all. I realise now how strong my family ties are.

I'm just nervous i guess. I'm anxious on what the results will be for me. What will happen to us. It's scary. I don't want to go through that process again. But no matter what the future holds, I know that we are there for each other as a family. I'm just so far away from them.