Eastertime MAGIC

After an incredibly full-on teacher only day in Christchurch last Thursday, the wonderful Nicki got me out to the airport to meet up with Katie ready for our flight home.  We ended up with quite a bit of time in a very busy, very Easter Festive koru club!  I even managed to have a chat with John Key, reflecting on his day in Christchurch and we saw Megan, Fletch and Vaughan working the crowd!

Arriving home on Easter Thursday night to a gourmet meal cooked by Jason was a wonderful surprise.  Real venison back steaks on kumara mash – worthy of any Master Chef kitchen!

Friday dawned wet and cold, but incredibly warm inside with the fire on and an amazing birthday brunch for Katie.  I love nothing more than relaxed family times! 

Mum came up for the ‘high tea’ afternoon birthday party, then a family effort saw dinner of the most amazing range of gourmet pizzas!  YUM!  I am the gift wrapping queen and love nothing more than a pile of presents to wrap and ribbon, so it was a great disappointment this year to have no presents to wrap for Katie!  However, the birthday treat was very well received indeed – a trip for Katie and I to Melbourne to celebrate her birthday in style.  So far we have booked tickets to an AFL game, tickets to the show Wicked, and organized a Mother’s Day treat to a craft and fashion market!  I am so looking forward to it – and am counting down the days!

Saturday was another relaxed day with Katie and I taking Mum to the cemetery, then to Wobbly Goat for afternoon tea.  A night Easter vigil really capped off the day for Mum.

Up early on Sunday morning we headed through to Cromwell to Highland Park for the car racing.  It was a stunning drive up through the autumn scenery and an equally stunning drive home as the daylight closed and cast the golden glow on the golden leaves.  The day of racing was fun and entertaining.  Stunning autumn sunshine made for a very pleasant, relaxed day on the bank. 

Monday was relaxed with more family time and all too soon the weekend was over and Katie flew home to Christchurch.  I am sooo incredibly grateful for  fun, family time!  I am also incredibly excited about a trip to Christchurch this week followed by another long weekend with ANZAC day this Friday.