taking advantage of the fine weather

Yesterday was such a fun family day...the Botanic Gardens for most of the day, followed by a quick rest, dinner at the local pub, and chocolate from the dairy. From start to finish Quincy was nothing but pleasant. Just a real good day.

It was the tail end of the Spring Festival at the Botanic Gardens and they were holding the national tree climbing competition. Never knew there was such a thing. There were several different events based on speed, strength, and agility.

Those climbers were seriously skilled and pretty cool to watch.

They had tree climbing for kids too. Initially Quincy observed carefully, but then at the end of the day as we were leaving the park, he surprised us by giving it a go.

Mt. Everest, here he comes.

Earlier in the week, Quincy and I went with some friends and saw the tulips. Glad we did, because they were a bit sad by yesterday. I don't think they appreciated the 160 mm of rain the other day.

Naturally, Quincy had to introduce Papa to the ducklings we discovered last time.

We paid a visit to the conservatory too, where the tapoles and lily pads were a big hit. Actually, I'm not really sure if they were tadpoles, but we'll just say they were.

Jeremy was keen to head to the top and have a look at the weather station and the planetarium, so up we climbed. And climbed.

The boy couldn't get enough of "the big gun," which incidentally is pointed pretty much straight at our house.

Then a picnic lunch, a long play on the very cool and very crowded playground, and a quick stop to feed the overfed ducks.

As we headed down, our animal lover took us on safari through Africa, Australia, and South America where we came across crocodiles, leopard tortoises, black mamba snakes, monitor lizards, wombats, platypuses, echidnas, tiger snakes, and emerald tree snakes.

What an adventure.

We're getting the job done.

Quincy said that a lot this weekend. The garage is clean. Well, mostly. And so is the craft room. Again, mostly. All the random tools scattered around the house are now tucked away in the closet. There is no longer a kite, a cane, and a xylophone on top of the fridge. And to top it off, the Christmas lights are down.

Even though this was a "sorting, putting stuff in its rightful place, and trying to find places for things without a home" kind of weekend, we still managed to squeeze in some fun. Baking pancakes together. Making farm animals and then cooking up a huge feast with playdough. Bubbles in the rain. Enjoying some arty time in the craft room (once the floor became visible, that is). And some digital scrapping time too.

You sure can get a lot done if you stay in your pajamas all weekend.

snippets of a sunday.

Papa: Quincy, tomorrow morning I'll make pancakes or waffles. You choose.
Quincy: Ummmmmm, pancakes. Pancakes sound good. We don't have waffle spray. Waffle spray. (thinking a moment and recalling that Jeremy ran out to get some last time he made waffles) Actually, waffles sound good.

Quincy: They're good. They're really really good. I love waffles. I love Papa. And Papa loves me.

Quincy: I just need to drive for a liiiiittle bit.

Wearing a hat and sunglasses just like Papa and waiting in the car while Jeremy gets chips to enjoy during our walk. Slightly counter productive, don't ya think?

Quincy pedaled for our entire dog walk. It was so fun. A new door has definitely been opened.

Quincy: The dogs are fast and I'm prrrretty fast too.

Pausing for tricycle ice cream. There were plenty of ingredients on the beach for the five dollar (gasp!) ice creams. Jeremy's flavor: anchovy. (You did this as a kid, right? Jeremy thought I was a bit odd.)

Another stop. This time at the playground, where Jeremy gave Q lessons to improve his pumping.

Me: Quincy, you are not the boss of the playground.
Quincy: The biggest chimp of the troop is the boss of the playground.

He always has the last word.

pizza night

We don't get "cheap" pizza often. In fact, last night was Quincy's first time having it. We often make pizzas at home and occasionally splurge on the good stuff from Days Bay. We were beginning to worry that we were turning the boy into a pizza snob, so it was about time...

To say he was excited about it is an understatement. We were all cavemen, a tribute to his Dinotrucks book and Jeremy's Fire Eater pizza. He held his hand on Jeremy's knee pretty much throughout the meal. He clapped, chatted, and smiled his way through dinner, eating two pieces of his Simply Cheese.

The following are some of the many gems that passed his lips...

"This pizza is good. It's really really good."

"When I'm a Papa, I'm gonna loooove jalapenos."

"I have to-mah-toes just like you, Papa!" (said in his best Kiwi accent)

"Papa, you are so nice."

"Papa, I can help you pour your wine."

"Cheers!" (with pizza slices)

"Berkley and Kai are jealous dogs. They want pizza."

"Quincy Caveman is gobbling up his Fire Eater pizza."

"Kai, how was your good morning, little Kai?"

It ended with an unsolicited hug, before the two of them were off to fix the water heater, and Caveman Quincy magically transformed into Plumber Quincy.

Last night, Q was so sweet, I could have eaten him up.

memories etched forever on the brain. i hope.

Tonight was one of those perfect Sunday evenings. One that is extraordinary only to those that lived it, and ordinary to everyone else. One worth remembering. Forever. And I will try to tuck the memories of tonight into my pocket and pull them out on those less-than-perfect days.

After a week of non-stop rain and shivery winter weather, we had a beautiful blue sky Sunday, albeit cold. We all were in need of a run around, so before dinner we bundled up and took Quincy and the dogs to the playground. While Jeremy headed to the village for a scoop of chips for us to share, Q and I ran, hand-in hand with the pups down the soccer field. He pretended to be lost in the woods, saying many variations of "I'm afraid I might get lost in the woods." With one of his library books in mind, we talked about the ferocious creatures that might be in the woods. I spotted Jeremy at the other end of the field and we let the dogs tear back and forth between us, enjoying a chip each at Jeremy's end. Then we finished up the chips together amidst the trees, with Jeremy passing them to Q through the branches as he was still lost. A run through the dunes and then a walk on the beach in the setting sun. We talked about cavemen, ancient fish, and the orcas that occasionally visit the Wellington Harbour. We found some Neptune's necklace, lots of bull kelp, many sponge varieties, one very small paua shell and one enormous one, and a radiate limpet. We came upon a cool bivouac that some beachgoers would have spent the better part of the beautiful day building. Q had a play and found a stick to keep. One person passed as we were out on the beach and it happened to be a friend, Mary. We had a chat, before heading to the playground. Jeremy and Q had fun on the Rocktopus and Q asked to be pushed higher on the swing for the first time. He saw Jeremy go and promptly asked to touch the sky too. With a great deal of concentration, he learned to pump. As expected, he didn't want to go home, but home we went. For dinner. Leftovers and banana muffins for dessert.

An evening I am determined to remember.

happy valentine's day

I got the heart, Jeremy the X, and Quincy had to have the O for oc-to-pus.

What would you do for a Mallowpuff?

Clearly a zerbert for a Mallowpuff is a pretty fair trade.

I'm certain Berkley wants in on this action.

A while later, Q told Jeremy that he would let him give him another zerbert in exchange for a Mallowpuff, which he couldn't say without giggling, by the way. They aren't dumb, are they?

edited to add: Thanks, Jeremy, he now thinks he can and should charge for zerberts.

telling words indeed

While reading Who's Driving to Quincy before his nap today, he pointed out that the rhinoceros on one page was a mama. I asked why, thinking he'd mention the bright-colored Hawaiian shirt. Instead he said matter-of-factly, "She's carrying a camera."

Indeed.

These photos were taken one evening in mid-December when Quincy was rediscovering "the other Kawincys" after a 7-week separation. He was full of life as he cracked himself (and me) up making silly faces, kissing the other Quincys, and singing a very animated rendition of Frosty.

I must say, I'm glad my camera is often within arm's reach.

Indeed.

All that silliness would be long forgotten otherwise.

the end of a decade

Here's how we ended the decade...

Someone learned to pedal his brand spankin' new tricycle this morning.

Then while the little guy slept, Jeremy and I busied ourselves making a delicious picnic of roast chicken, roasted potatoes, carmelized onions, strawberry salad, tomato and mozzarella salad, and a raspberry tart with whipped cream and berries for dessert. Yum. No photos but trust me, it was good.

Then we celebrated on the beach with friends.

They left early, but Quincy was in a fabulous mood, so we stayed and played.

Despite the gorgeous evening, the beach was pretty deserted. It finally got dark at around 9:30 and we enjoyed a small firework display that some other beach goers set off.

I can't think of a much better way to end this decade.

Good night.

staycation

It is so nice to have Jeremy home for the next twelve days. I love when he gets into holiday mode and is able to really relax. I would say Quincy agrees.

A lot of people here travel at this time of year, but we are all happy to just have some quiet time at home together, unwinding from a sometimes stressful year and enjoying our Christmas traditions.

I can't wait to share in Quincy's excitement tonight and tomorrow. I feel like a kid again myself!

By the way, Q was so proud to wear those plaid shorts because he said they made him look like a big boy.

missing you already

As happy as we are to be here, we already miss these three...

the tulips

A few weeks ago we headed to town for a monthly beagle walk and to enjoy the Spring Tulip Festival at the Botanic Gardens. My agenda pretty much revolved around the camera.

Quincy was more than happy to stop and smell the tulips,

but he was less than excited about the camera.

Jeremy too, for that matter. And the dogs were only interested in the smells and the other dogs.

I had to act quickly before we moved on.

The hilly playground in the Gardens is better than awesome. A flying fox, several cool slides, a great see saw, a fire engine, a swinging bridge, ladders... You name it. We spent ages there.

As for the weather, there were just a few scattered showers.

baking pikelets

Today I baked pikelets with a very feverish Quincy. You wouldn't know it by looking at the photos that he has a 102F/38.3C fever, would you?! He is the best sickie I can imagine.

He takes his responsibilities very seriously...

Notice how disgusted he is by the batter!

It's not easy choosing the perfect one. And spreading honey isn't that easy when you're two. Nor is working out how that sifter works! Oh, and what a surprise, the dogs want to join in on the fun!

I think he only took a total of two bites, saying "YUMmy" after each one,

but boy did he enjoy the process! And so did I.

I think it's amazing how the simple act of baking with your child can leave you feeling like the best mama in the world.

But if you aren't feeling especially patient, it can just as easily backfire and you wind up feeling like Cruella De Vil.

Fortunately I experienced the former today.

reliving memories

Quincy loves looking at photos. I think he enjoys it as much as I do! He sits cuddled up to me as we flip through pictures and relive memories and talk about family and friends. Ordinary everyday photos. Ones from trips, near and far. Ones of his cousins on Facebook.

And especially ones with animals. His most-requested photo the other night...

At Staglands, this very large rooster caught him offguard and he was less than impressed. But once again, he has become fascinated with that which he fears.