Dawes Family in New Zealand

One Week On

Can you believe it? One week has passed by already since Grandma arrived!

Its been an amazing week, filled with so much happiness and joy. Who would have thought that we would see Grandma again after only 5 months – brilliant!

So of course the arrival went well, Bethany was completely beside herself with excitement waiting for Grandma at the airport. We chose to tell Bethany this time when Grandma was coming, we have always kept it a secret and then made a countdown chart at the last minute to add to the excitement, but to be honest we just haven’t had time! Lynn told us literally 4 weeks ago – ‘see you soon’.

Armed with goodies from the UK we took pleasure in accepting some of our old favourites. I’m sure my Kiwi friends roll their eyes when I talk about certain things I miss from the UK, and its not that they don’t have anything nice here, its just what you get used to. For instance they have some very nice chocolate here, but Cadbury’s is different…it just doesn’t taste the same.

Bethany was of course very spoilt too!

At the weekend after Lynn had taken some time to recover from her jet-lag we ventured off to Kaitoke for a walk with the boys. It was raining, standard for this time of the year, but still very enjoyable.

On our way back we stopped off at a place we have passed many many times – called Stonestead where they offer Devonshire Teas – how very English! We hadn’t been here before but have meant to. As we entered we were greeted by the nicest man who offered us our choice of not only many different teas but scones too! Bliss!

We had a lovely time, drying off under the heater and enjoying our scones, which I must add is worth a try if not only for the fact they are truly amazing, but complete value for money a million times over!!

Michael and I have had to work this last week, its been hard saying goodbye to Bethany, Grandma and the boys each morning and to be honest we have felt guilty in doing so. But Grandma has been so amazing, she planned to come at this time so we wouldn’t struggle with childcare over the school holidays – how very thoughtful! Grandma flew across the world to be with us in our hour of need – you cant ask for anything better can you?

They have entertained themselves at home most days, walking the dogs, going to the playground, baking and playing. Of course Bethany cannot get enough. So much so she has been having naps through the day!

On Tuesday they took the train into town and went to Te Papa, somewhere that Bethany knows so well – giving Grandma the grand tour over and over again. After work I picked them up and then Michael and we headed into my work place so they could see where I am every day now. It was lovely for Bethany to be able to visualise where I sit each day thinking of her!

After work we went and had dinner at the Southern Cross which was really lovely, each of us enjoying one of their famous stonegrills.

In between going to work we have managed to fit in a few other cool things like walking at the river and showing Grandma round Bethany’s school – which was really lovely. Bethany can say Grandma has been to her school and Grandma can visualise where we are and what we do each day.

Friday night was a big night for Bethany as Grandma treated her to a night away in a hotel! They headed off to The Copthorne in Wellington Friday afternoon and enjoyed a night of playing games, swimming and enjoying some one on one time together – one very lucky little princess indeed!

Then here we are already, one week on, so we graced the day with a football match!  Grandma was brave and stood watching the whole first half in the cold before retreating back to the car with us to get warm. Michael enjoyed the match despite his team losing!

A lovely week and an even better one to come – we have some amazing plans for the week ahead!