I want candy!

It's been even busier than usual for the Aussies in Auckland.
First, Husband's Mum arrived for a visit from sunny Queensland. The kids got an early mark off school so they could pick her up from the airport, much to their pleasure.
We spent a very pleasant weekend, eating and drinking far too much! The kids have also enjoyed showing off their swimming, reading, and gymnastics skills.
Of course, Saturday night was Halloween, and after experiencing their first in Auckland last year, our own little monsters were raring to go!
Later, we ended up at our local pub, The Drake, for dinner. It's a relaxed kind of place, and best of all, it's within walking distance (although poor Nana regretted not wearing a jacket!)
Finally, Miss 6 and I were greeted like minor celebrities when we arrived at school on Monday.
Why? I'd been featured in a story about Mummy Bloggers in the New Zealand Herald's Canvas magazine over the weekend, and H. was in the photo with me. (Mr 8 could have been too, but the publicity-shy one declined).
As a journalist, it's not a big deal for me to feature in the media (after all, if I expect other people to do it, I have to be prepared to join in too). But it was cute to see how impressed H.'s little friends were.
Look out! There's another media diva in the making!

Missy eating chips and aioli at The Drake

My pan seared salmon with asparagus and capers

C. happy with his adult portion of gunard and chips - no kids' meals for him!

Husband's cottage pie and chips - the ultimate in comfort food!

A platter of yummies to share

Nana gets some kiddie love!

The kids knocked high and low in their search for Halloween lollies.

Miss 6 was a princess, and Mr 8 was a monster

Miss 6: You don't have to be evil on Halloween

Mr 8: What's the point if you can't be evil?

Halloween mayhem!

H. with her haul ... She was a dinosaur witch for trick or treat night.

Our first Halloween was definitely a success.
Following the kids' dress-up day at school, we went trick or treating with a few of the neighbourhood kids that evening.
For once, Husband’s plane was early rather than late (Qantas, I may have misjudged you). The Friday night traffic was kind too, and so he arrived home, to squeals of delight, just in time to join us.
Never having celebrated Halloween before, I really wasn’t sure how many of the neighbours would participate and kept reminding the kids not to get their hopes up.
But the kids ended up with a huge haul of lollies, lollipops, soft-drink, muffins, biscuits and even money! Yes, a couple of people who had forgotten insisted on giving our little horrors money for their troubles. I was amazed at their generosity!
Wanting to do our part, Kyle quickly doubled back to ensure there were no disappointed ghouls and ghosts on our doorstep this year, while I continued on with the kids.
We were careful to ration how much sugar they ate, but even so, they bounced off the walls for a good hour after bedtime.
The next day we went to a Halloween party in the park at Essex Reserve. A pity they didn’t notice that some wag had removed an E and an S before the hoardes of kids arrived!

Sunday loomed warm and sunny, in time for the Auckland Marathon, which I ran in a personal best time of 2 hours, 45 minutes.
Oh, okay, I didn’t!

But I did take the kids across to the park to see the finish line and all the associated after-partying.

Finally, in the interests of keeping you all informed, you understand, and not because I particularly enjoy imbibing, I tried another New Zealand wine this week.

This one was K’s choice, and a cheeky little number it was too – just like him come to think of it!

(Crikey - it looks like I had a couple when I took this. I didn't - it was days later I swear!)

Happy Halloween!

This morning, my two little monsters turned into a little witch, and a not-so-little Count Dracula.

The reason? It’s Halloween! And the 685-millionth thing I didn’t know about Kiwis, is that they celebrate Halloween here.
The kids have been beside themselves for weeks now, counting down the days.

With American cartoons being a regular part of their TV diet for so long, I guess it’s only natural that they couldn’t wait for their chance to dress up and go trick or treating.

Their school kicked things off by announcing a Halloween costume dress-up day. Yes, my sewing skills are limited but somehow I managed to cobble together a couple of costumes with the help of the dress-up box, face paint, and a couple of bargains from the $2 shop. Even more surprisingly, my efforts were given the nod (okay, squeals) of approval from two very excited children.

C. chose to go as Count Dracula, and quickly set about painting fake blood on his teeth and axe. (And yes, I know Count Dracula didn’t have an axe, but who is going to let facts get in the way of a small dude’s fun?) H. made a late minute scratching of her Dorothy the Dinosaur idea, and became a wicked witch instead, complete with warty nose.

We walked to school, as we do whenever we can, and of course, the kids attracted smiles, waves and toots from passersby. Their excitement was infectious, particularly when we reached the school and saw dozens of witches, warlocks, counts, ghosts and monsters chasing each other around the playground. Even the teachers joined in the fun, in their own scary (and funny) costumes.

Tonight, we’re supposed to go trick or treating around our neighbourhood (that’s if the costumes survive the day). We’ve also laid in supplies of lollies and treats in case any ghosts or ghouls want to pay us a visit.

H. wants me to dress up too, but since I can be pretty scary at times, I suppose I can just go as myself!