Update after week 8 of school...

Hello!
We heard through the grapevine that WI had one of those "surprise" late winter/early
spring blizzards...over 14 inches???   That is crazy.    Please have that melted by the
time we get home, as we are used to sunny skies and 70's or 80's everyday.  It can
rain a bit, but we would prefer no snow.   Thanks for getting the weather set for us.  ;o)

(OK, we'll share that it HAS rained the past 3 days---from Friday thru today.  It still is in the 70's so it is not too bad.)


OK, what happened this week?
Monday the 21st  we just went to the library after school, and watched Amazing Race.  One of the few shows we like to catch.  There are a lot of American shows on, but I think quite a few of them are from 'last season'...as if they run them one season after us.   There are a few original
NZ or Aussie shows as well.  

Tuesday the 22nd, we had volleyball practice after school, and I finally found what motivates them a bit...M&M's!  I offer M&M's for the 'teams' which win the challenges/skills.   They seem to like that!

Wednesday the 23rd, Gillie and I went to a cool large park called McClaren Falls, which is about 20 minutes from the school.   We did a short tramp to see the waterfall, and then spent some time having ducks follow us around, and Gillie enjoyed jumping around and climbing on big rocks in the river. 

Thursday the 24th Gillie had Young Mariners.  Here is Gillie's description of the meeting.

We ragged and de-ragged sailboats on shore, which means that we had a competition on how fast we could put a sailboat together with sails, ropes, etc.  I would rather have been out on the water, but it was WAY too windy for us to go out.

Friday the 25th we had a late volleyball game, and we did win pretty easily, 71 to 34 against Tauranga Intermediate.  The team would have liked a bit more competition.  Seems like we either get trampled over, or win pretty easily.  We had one game that was close and that one was the most fun.

We were supposed to have a cookout to go to yesterday (Saturday) at Abigail's house, but her parents Mike & Whitney had to postpone it till next weekend due to the rain.  That worked out for us, as Gillie has been fighting off a cold since Friday after school.  A lot of kids in her school have been out with a cough, and she got a bit of that plus a low-grade fever.  She is feeling better now. (Sunday 6pm).   All we did yesterday was go and look at a yarn shop (did I mention I have learned to knit??) and then just walk around a bit to get out of the house.  Today, more just quiet time, and when the rain let off this afternoon we went to the beach and threw a frisbee around.  The waves were huge, and they are having a fishing contest this weekend so there were fishermen everywhere.  It was just nice to going out of the house!

We are getting excited to come home and see all of you!   Sorry that more pics have not been posted on Shutterfly but once again, the broadband connection has been cruddy the past few days. 

Here are some pics from this week...
(sorry, they won't post now, will add them tomorrow!)

(Added today, 28th March :o)

These are all at McClaren Falls, Wednesday, 23rd March.

See you soon!
Tracy and Gillie :o)