Back in the 09 and the arrival of Granny

After a brilliant few days in Hawkes Bay with the whanau we were back in Auckland for a busy week or so before I got back on the big bird and headed back to Saudi. One of my big goals for my time at home was to do a big clear out of the garage and the house and yard in preparation for the sale of the house, which will happen later in the year. So a large pink skip bin arrived on the 28th and we set about clearing things out and filling it up before we packed the girls into the car and headed into the city for the treat we had organized for them, and for ourselves too.

Over the years Joan has absolutely loved being able to get away from time to time and spend a night in what used to be The Langham, now The Cordis hotel in central Auckland. We booked a night away for all of us and were treated to a massive family room, with incredible views out over Auckland City, which blew the girls minds. We relaxed in the club lounge, ate and drank lovely food and cocktails, swam in the rooftop pool and spa and generally chilled out and enjoyed spending quality time together. It was brilliant and something we have decided we will try and do each time I am home.

The next day a very special visitor arrived off her flight from DFW via Fiji. After spending Christmas with Richie, Noreen and Chloe, Joan’s Mum was in New Zealand for 6 weeks to spend time with the girls and to help Joan out during the school holidays. After a bit of a rest we headed down to the beach for the first of many visits over the next 6 weeks I’m sure.

We all spent New Years Eve day with Deanna and Ollie at Rainbow’s End, thanks to a brilliant Xmas present for the girls from Gran and Pop. It was absolute carnage as the girls and Ollie ran themselves ragged going on all the rides including the space ships, the flying bikes, the sheer drop ride and loads of others. Frankie absolutely loved the Car Wash ride and went on it about 10 times and Scarlett couldn’t get enough of the roller coaster, which she was tall enough to be able to ride by herself, which she was very proud of.

We spent New Years Eve evening at Ruth and Jeff’s place with their awesome friends and family. After a chaotic, fun day with the girls this was the perfect place for us to be for great company, food, laughs, dancing and some questionable bilingual singing – ha ha. Scarlett stayed up until midnight which was a miracle after spending all evening doing cartwheels, so much so that she inspired a cartwheel competition amongst the adults, which could have ended very badly but the standard of which was surprisingly high.

New Years Day was my last full day at home, which we spent doing more things around the house while Linda kept and eye on the kids. Something that seems so trivial but made such a difference to Joan and myself. We had a lovely fish and chips for our dinner before turning in and getting ready to head back to work the next day.

After saying goodbye to the girls at the house Joan and I headed out to the airport and had our now traditional coffee and almond croissant before another now all too familiar farewell. It’s always so hard leaving Joan and the girls but this time was different, I knew that Joan was going to have lots of support and help with the girls while Linda was with us and that the girls were also going to have so much quality time with their Granny, which really is priceless. And then once Linda headed back to Texas it would only be another 6 weeks until I was back again in NZ. It’s never easy leaving but this was as close to being fine with going back as I have ever, and will probably ever be. Ka kite Aotearoa – see you soon.Read more