Taihape Gumboot Festival

This weekend we went to the Annual Gumboot Festival in Taihape, the gumboot capital of the world.  Gumboots are rainboots and they are a staple in every kiwi’s wardrobe, especially the farmers. Often you’ll see someone take off their gumboots, leave them by the door of a store and go in barefoot. Anyhow, the kids were happy because they jumped on a bouncy castle, participated in the national gumboot throwing contest and watched a sheep shearing demonstration. I was happy because there was live music (the Central American Indians who play the pan flutes all over the world…you know the ones I’m talking about, right? And a sheep farmer singing Tom Petty). Brad was happy because he got to eat carni food. We had typical New Zealand weather where it was sunny as it rained sideways, but that didn’t stop us or the other gumboot throwers from having a good time.

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Kindy

Lazlo goes to the coolest kindy ever.  Even I don’t want to leave when it’s drop off time.  Fortunately the teachers like parents and even siblings to stay.  Today Lazlo and Liska worked on building this “river” and “lake” for most of the morning.  It made me miss the dirt pit we had in our back yard in Chapel Hill.

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Atene Tramp

When we were moving to New Zealand we were happy to see that Wanganui is near the Whanganui National Park.  Unfortunately the park is incredibly remote and really only accessible by boat.  Darn.  However, there is a tramp (hike) that you can drive to and we finally had the weather for it.

To get there you have to drive up a very windy, one-lane/two-way traffic road that has no railings and runs parallel to a gorge far below.  Brad was trying to make me feel better by telling me that there are so few people in New Zealand that the chances of running into someone (you can’t see around the curves to see if anyone is coming) is remote.  We agreed that the chances of running into sheep was much greater and that is exactly what we did.  The tramp was beautiful and the kids did great, they hiked for a couple of hours and are still talking about how much fun they had (although they don’t look it in this picture…).

view from hike

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Liska’s Third Birthday

Liska turned 3 and had a ballerina party.  I was a little worried because she only has 1 girl friend, but Lazlo and the rest of the guys were just as enthusiastic about the theme.  It was a different experience compared to planning a party in the U.S.  There is no “Micheal’s” craft store to buy posterboard for games or pink ribbon for her gifts or pink streamers for decorating.  There is probably a bigger selection in the larger cities, but New Zealanders aren’t consumers like Americans (in general).  It was frustrating because I had ideas of how I wanted the party to be but couldn’t find the supplies to carry them out, but it was also nice to have to keep it simple. 

Anyhow, they hunted for tutus and fairy wings, decorated tiaras, played pin the ballet slipper on the ballerina, danced to Swan Lake and, of course, ate a big pink cake.   Liska had fun and seemed happy to finally be 3 (a big girl to her) and Lazlo was a good sport knowing his birthday is soon, as well.

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Napier Again

Lazlo jumping

We drove across the island to spend another weekend in Napier (it was the only place that wasn’t raining in driving distance).  Here are a couple photos from the trip.

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