April sunshine saw us well through the autumn school holidays

What a blessing the weather has been for us this year. We’ve had glorious days of sunshine and warmer than average temperatures, hanging on well into Autumn, here in New Zealand. The only signs of the coming winter are the shortened days and the turning of the leaves to golden hues.

The silver birch, in our garden, at the start of the April school holidays, just starting to show a hint of autumnal colour.

It was, with little wind and dry days, that we enjoyed the two week school holidays at the end of April. The children were so ready for down time to play freely and creatively. The doors to the house were left open most days, with the children flitting between the garden, the home, and friends’ houses in our lovely neighbourhood, with nothing more than t-shirts, leggings and bare-feet.

Autumnal days still warm enough for barefooted paddles in the sea.

My 42nd Birthday fell on the holidays too and it was an amazing day of sunshine. My husband had to work but, before heading into the office, he joined the girls and I for a Birthday breakfast (my oldest daughter took this photograph, of hubby and I with our two younger daughters), at the wonderful Maranui Cafe on Lyall Bay beach.

After bidding hubby farewell, we enjoyed a beautiful morning at a new playground in Seatoun and a paddle in the sea.

The new playground in Seatoun on the foreshore.

Having fun on the beach on my Birthday with my two youngest daughters and dog!

We headed to Scorch-O-Rama for refreshments by the Scorching Bay Beach, before heading back home for a relaxing afternoon.

Scorch-O-Rama Cafe, overlooking Scorching Bay, Wellington.

Other highlights of the school holidays…

P-jay yoga with the wonderful ‘Cosmic Kids‘

Late nights under the warmth of the gas burner, with the outdoor speakers sending out some tunes and the children entertaining us with circus acts on the yoga trapezes!

Young Alice with our neighbour's son, wearing their Minecraft hoodies! — Young Alice with our neighbour’s son, wearing their Minecraft hoodies!

Starlit soaks in the spa pool and new Doc Martins for my Birthday!

Childhood pleasures of collecting acorns, like a squirrel, and marvelling over the colourful array of autumn leaves covering the grass.

Alice happy in the hammock, in Martinborough, counting her hoard of acorns!

Walks between the autumn vineyards in Martinborough and time to linger over long lunches.

Alice and Sophie at Margrain Vineyard, Martinborough.

Time to run on the beach and jump with shadows in the sinking light of shorter days…

Jumping with her shadow on the beach at Worser Bay.

Rolling in the sand-dunes, hiding ‘treasure’ and having friendly races barefoot on the sand, whilst autumn sunshine still lingers on…

Playing in the sand dunes in the late autumn sunlight, that sits lower in the sky.

Time to have fun with science in the garden…

And find out everyone’s secrets…

Taking time to catch up with old friends and meet their baby boy (who was surrounded by adoring young ladies!).

Spending time by the river, clambering over rocks and exploring with Cocoa our dog.

Being entertained at home with music compositions and performances, from our daughters and their friend (on guitar).

Enjoying the beauty of a full moon over the waters of Lyall Bay.

Enjoying a family visit to the local cinema to watch ‘The Jungle Book’ (we also saw Zootopia over the holidays and loved it!).

And when the wind did blow – as it’s famous for in Wellington – we took a walk on the wild side to enjoy the Meridian Energy Wind Sculpture Walkway…

'Tower of Light' by Andrew Drummond — ‘Tower of Light’ by Andrew Drummond

And time for creating and inventing too (always adore the mind of a six year old!).

It always takes me a few days to get into the rhythm of the school holidays, but once I do it’s wonderful. I let go on the holidays and embrace the mess and chaos that comes with childhood creativity, play and discovering. I laugh more (and also feel more exhausted!), but overall feel so blessed to have a house filled with happiness, curious minds and active bodies. I’m also so, so grateful to live in a very friendly neighbourhood, where the children feel safe to drift in and out of each other’s homes.

I was very sad to see the start of Term 2 (but quickly got over that when my daughters came out of school with smiling faces after their first day back – and I’d had a good walk with the dog!).

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