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?

Happy Father's Day

How was your Father's Day?
We enjoyed a weekend of gorgeous spring weather so made the most of it.
On Saturday, we took a jaunt to Piha, another of Auckland's fabulous volcanic sand beaches.
I was glad I'd only partaken of two glasses of wine the night before, because the road to Piha was windy and steep. I spent half the drive gritting my teeth and squealing, as Husband revealed his inner rally driver.
Nevertheless, we made it there safely, and the crazy drive was worth it.
"Why is the sand glittering?," asked C. "Mumma, there are diamonds in it!" exclaimed H.
Later, we enjoyed lunch at Occam, a Grey Lynn cafe we've been dying to try for ages, as it's always filled to the brim with happy campers. Er diners.
True enough, the meal was fabulous, all the better for nabbing the table closest to the fire.
I am constantly amazed at how few NZ restaurants specifically cater for kids with their own menu - though it is rarely a problem to serve up a mini-portion menu of a main, or something else altogether if you ask. In some ways, I think this is better than the standardised kids' menu, because the kids end up eating and appreciating real food as opposed to more nuggets and fries!
Most recently, the kids have enjoyed reduced sized (and priced) fish meals, pizza, pasta, and also breakfasts - just like the grown-ups, but for little tummies. And they've loved it!
The price usually needs to be worked out, but we've never felt ripped off. In fact, we'd rather pay a little more for our kids to eat specially prepared, quality food than reheated, stereotypical, frozen meals. (Hey, they can get that home. At least if I'm cooking!)
Father's Day Sunday was a relatively lazy day spent mostly at home, though we did venture up the road to our local, The Drake, for their famous two-for-one Sunday meals.
As usual, it was lovely, and as usual, the kids were mesmerised by yet another fire!


He looks so serious!













Oh, is that a fry? Don't mind if I do ...








Pan-fried snapper with wilted greens, kipfler potatoes and capers ... at Occam. Faultless!

Eel Bridge at Piha ... a tribute to the eels which live below. There are golden eel railings ...

And eels etched into the pavement!

Washing shells at Piha

Sibling love

Unspoiled beaches

Piha

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehn, goodbye....or Haere rā in Maori

All good things come to an end, and this week our friends flew back to Brisbane.
Luckily, not before we had time to do some more eating, drinking and exploring!
On Sunday night, we walked to a popular local pub called The Drake, for their two-for-one Sunday night feeds.
The Drake apparently used to be waterfront in the old days, before the area was reclaimed for Victoria Park and surrounds.
They don't serve kids' meals, but the waitress immediately offered to split two adult serves of fish and chips between the kids. They tore into their meals without delay and pronounced the food: Lovely. High praise indeed from the picky Rugrats!
The adult boys took the opportunity to sample a selection of NZ beers and ales, while the grown-up girls were far more sedate and stuck to cider.
We shared a couple of platters, which contained mouthwatering morsels like char sui pork belly, filo prawn twisters, and crab bites. All delicious! The only problem was there wasn't enough of it. (We can be greedy like that!)
The following evening, R. took the opportunity to cook a huge roast dinner. Now R. is an extremely talented chef, so this was indeed a treat. I felt guilty, watching a typical Auckland sunset, chatting, and nursing a glass of wine, as R. wielded his magic in the kitchen. And the results were delicious: Pepper and garlic roast beef, Yorkshire puddings, roasted Kumara, potato, peas, corn, and gravy made from scratch. Sigh.
Later, we shared a box of naughty goodies which L. picked up at The Bakeshop in Ponsonby.
Did I mention, L. has regularly tidied and cleaned, and R. has watched the kids while we she and I have gone shopping? I wish they could have moved in and stayed permanently.
And so do the kids.
The day the family left, the kids were miserable, especially H. "My life is boring now I only have C. to play with," she wailed.
Luckily, their distress didn't last too long. Because when it was time to drop them at school, we were met at the gate by shivering teachers. hovering under umbrellas.
Builders (our school is growing every week) had accidentally blown up a mains fuse, and the school had no electricity - meaning no heating, lights or phones.
They were sending home as many students as possible, due to the extreme cold. And because I work from home (damn!) mine could come back with me.
But I honestly couldn't have had it on my conscience to leave them there. It was a typical Auckland morning, freezing and rainy, and we were all shivering by the time we made it back to the car.
An unexpected day off school is like winning the lottery when you're a kid, so a day at home helped ease the loss of their mates - at least a little bit.
And finally, Husband and I celebrated nine years of happily wedded bliss this week. Okay, not all of it was blissful - this is real life after all, and bringing up small humans, not to mention producing them, can be extremly painful. But we are very happy together, and I struck gold the day I met him (even if he does hog the duvet.)
We don't have a babysitter at the moment, so instead of dinner, I met Husband for a delicious seafood lunch in Ponsonby while the kids were at school. (Scampi linguini, caprese salade, and a glass of Marlborough Pinot Gris. Divine.)
Tonight, we enjoyed a quiet night in, but we're hoping to do something fun as a family to celebrate on the weekend.
After all, isn't that what you do if you're a couple of old marrieds?

Beer-tasting at The Drake

Cider

Platters to share

Another Auckland sunset

R. wielding his magic in the kitchen. Even more impressive, as the Sky Tower appears to be growing out of his back!

The kids tuck in

Mmm ... Yorkshire puddings

Hungry anyone?

Dessert

Cute bikkies for the kids.