summer adventures

Just a few of the photos from recent months as I try and do interesting things with the kids.

There are more but I am too hot to try and find them now.

Hot day

Summer is in full swing and it is HOT so I thought it would be nice to visit a few of the awesome swimming pools in and around Auckland.  Last week we had a great afternoon at Point Erin Pools so this week we had a look at Tepid Baths.

It was a really nice swim, the smaller pool (originally the ladies pool) was quite warm so the kids naturally decided that they had to swim in the warm pool.  I did get the boys into the larger pool (originally the males pool) but they were a lot happier in the smaller pool due to how deep the other pool was.

I was expecting a salt water pool so I had to lick my hand to confirm if it was salt water and no it isn't.

More swimming adventures to come

Family game night

Growing up we always played board games as a family when visiting my grandparents, we played all sorts Monopoly, Rummikub, Scrabble, Pictionary etc and it was always a good time so I thought I should buy some of the games for my kids and we can have some quality family time.  Since the boys are young only going to be 3 next month is the youngest I thought to get some games that aren't too hard or long.

I got Monopoly Junior Party and some caterpillar game and we have tried both.  The party game is much easier to follow and understand.  The kids often ask for the party game so I guess it was a good idea to get the games, now I'm on the look out for more suitable board games.

First time swimmer

I have not been able to take the boys swimming due to not being able to watch both at the same time so while Dylan is in school I thought it was a great time to take Scott so at least when he starts school he knows what the water is and a few basics.

Got to the pools and found that the toddler pools are closed but the wave pool is open with no waves.  Changed into our togs and then went to the shallow water, he was happy to walk around and splash but he soon got cold as it is the adults wave pool so not heated like the toddler pools are.  Had to wrap him in the towel and sit on the side until he warmed up a bit then back into the water for a bit.  Near the end he was asking to just sit with the towel around him and mummy could go and swim... I then stayed in the shallow water near where he was sitting and had a bit of a swim.

Good thing is he has asked to go again but the toddler pools are only expected to be open the end of the month so might take 2 towels.. one for him to wrap around him to warm him up and one to dry us off afterwards.

What a beautiful morning

The kids asked to go to Western Springs today as the weather was so good, so we did a picnic and made a morning of it.

With so much to do it made perfect sense, we fed the ducks and had a walk around the lake and then kids then played on the playground.

A bit of history about the springs

Here are some of the scenes around the lake

Here is the view we had while we had our picnic under the leaves of a big tree and enjoyed the shade.

Some geese and goslings came to see what we were doing

This is what amused Dylan a lot

Some more of the lake on our walk to the playground

I will try and get a better photo of the birds of the Western Springs Lakeside next time I go as there is information about each bird and it is a bit hard to read like that.

Some more of the lakeside on our way back to the car after the playground

This next one is the toilet block as I have never seen such a nice one before

Here is a map of the area

Picnic in the park

Today it was such a great day that I made some sandwhiches and drink and then went off to Tui Glen Reserve for a picnic.  I remembered my camera to do a few more of the Dare to explore challenges which was to take a photo reading in a park or on the beach and then to take a photo at an Auckland landmark.

I'm sure that would qualify as a landmark.

The kids have now asked to do more picnics in other parks around the city and since there are a large number of parks I'm sure we will be having heaps of picnics.