Pool at the Lake

 The urchins decided to take the pool to the lake. They deflated the pool, and once at Lake Okereka, pumped it up again.

 Tighe's friend, Christain came along too, as well as Damiana.

 I was surprised that the pool would float, and they had a great time in the water.

 The boogie board was great for towing the pool, and the urchins tried to drown the pool many times.

 There was a little body of water in a large body of water.

 Quinn thought it a good idea to put the pool at the edge of the lake, fill it with some water.  He hoped the Sun would warm the water.

 It was a little tricky to manoeuvre the heavy pool onto the sand.

 Oscar and Erik arrived, they had biked out through the forest, and were looking forward to a swim in the Lake.

 The urchins turned the pool upside down, and would "star fish" with their legs inside the air pocket.

Damiana Day took the photos.

Summer fun

 Lake Okereka is our favourite summer cooling off spot.  With Jack visiting, we enjoyed the afternoons in the refreshing water.

 The urchins played rugby in the water, and I watched the bird life.

Summer has arrived

 The only remedy for a scorching day, is to cool off at the Lake.

Mt Tarawera

 As with previous Summers, Lake Okereka is our favourite place to cool off.

Anneke with the ducks

Oscar with Boyd's Beach in the background

Tighe and Quinn

Tighe

 The urchins decided to bring the birds along.  After a paddle in the shallows, the birds decided the Pohutukawa tree was perfect for watching us.

 The Steep St reserve wasn't too busy today, but it will be for the next two weeks, during the Christmas / New Year holidays.

 As part of the tradition of spending the day at the Lake, cherries were consumed.

 Tighe was trying to tell me he hurt his hand, but it was only cherry juice.  Don't panic Mama!

Prime Minister, and Boyd's Beach

Anneke and Quinn were very excited after school.  Anneke told me that she saw the Prime Minister today.  I wasn't quite sure whether to believe her.  Then Quinn said that on the way to his Business Studies class, he got to talk to the NZ Prime Minister, John Key.  The PM was in town, he visited the School for Young Parents, opened the Health Centre at the Polytechnic, and visited JPC, to talk to the Business Studies students.

Esplanade Reserve, Steep Street Reserve, and Boyd's Beach

The Summer weather has turned the temperature up, and most afternoons we have been going to the lake fo a swim.  Even though the clouds threatened rain and thunderstorms, we decided to have a BBQ dinner at Lake Okereka.  I surprised myself by swimming all the way to Boyd's beach, following the 6 bouys from Steep Street Reserve.  Erik kept me company, for which I was grateful.  Previously, the furthest I had swum was to the 4th bouy, so a major achievement for me.

Esplanade Reserve

Later, Tighe and Quinn dragged me along to the Esplanade Reserve, which is where Gina likes to take them.  The drop-off is very close to the shore, and Tighe loves to see how deep he can go.
Erik and Oscar played cricket, and Anneke swam with another girl her age, that she just met in the Lake.

It didn't rain, and and it stayed hot.  Anneke cooked the sausages on the BBQ provided, and they were perfect with bread and tomato sauce.  Next time, the urchins suggested we make pikelets on the hot plate. 

Watermelon for dessert, and we watch the sun show off the curious domes and crevices on Mt Tararewa.

Vlad's Day Out

His smile said it all.  Vlad kept inching closer to the lake, so the urchins took him for a swim.

I think he enjoyed the races the most.

Sometimes, he just likes to float along, and catch the urchins unawares...

 Love the smile Vlad.  I hope you had an awesome day like we did.

Taste of Summer

Scorching sun, and the ciccadas are chirping.  Had to cool off at the lake on Sunday.  The boys certainly are lapping up the warmer weather, reclining on Vlad, and enjoying strawberries.

Quinn, Vlad, and Munchos

Tighe's favorite rock

Tighe and Strawberries

New Year's Day 2013

Glorious weather, so packed the car, went to Lake Okareka for the day.  Erik joined us later after going for a 2 hour mountain bike ride, training for the Trans Andes...
Watermelon, Ginger Beer, and Vlad - the crocodile!  Vlad didn't get much out an outing in 2012, as the weather last summer was useless.  This year, bring on the Sun!

Quinn and Vlad

Tighe and Quinn (and Vlad) enjoying the sun

Tighe at the drop off, gave up waiting for Gina and Oliver

Tighe and Vlad, Lake Okereka