The House: 7 moves & 6 houses later! August 27

Robin & Henri's after breakfast ritual

Zhang Ji's arrangement of blossoms & art

Spring Flowers from Tish's garden

Zhang Ji's canvases & daffodils on the dining table

Henri, Ben & JinJin snuggle in the evening

fabulous eggs (the earthquake proof egg container)

some awesome chickens (there are 5)

Ben & JinJin get ready for the day

This Monday morning we all felt so tired getting up and getting started with the day.  Then Henri pointed out that since July 5 we have made 7 moves and lived in 6 different houses or apartments.  Each stay was a lovely, perfect and necessary oasis filled with loved ones and adventures.  And now we are in a real home! 

Anne-Marie & Zhang-Ji's home is great!  A real bathtub!  Chickens & JinJin (the old lady cat)...a trampoline!  Toys, games, puzzles, real pots, lovely plates & flatware, decent fry pans, excellent beds, great kitchen knives...And bikes!!!! 

Anne-Marie organized a bike for Ben (from one of her students). Eric fits on Silas' bike, I ride Anne-Marie's & Henri bought his own bike at an amazing used bike store here.  Bikes & helmets are super super expensive here so we are feeling really lucky.  Books are insanely expensive (even with the exchange rate) so I am really glad the libraries are so awesome...and the University library is available for even more exploring (heheheh).

In celebration of being in the house we spent a really lazy two days just enjoying the place and relaxing in the joy of a loved home. 

We took a family bicycle afternoon to show Henri the Riccarton Bush/Kiwi sanctuary, bike around the huge bontanical gardens of Hagley Park (spring is on the way) & got our yah-yahs out at the Kirkwood School obstacle course (Ben’s Intermediate School).

Sunday was rainy Seattley-Eugueney kind of weather so we had indoor adventures with a visit to the awesome indoor pool at Jellie Park.  Eric & Robin hit the indoor waterslide & hot tub with a bit of Aqua-jogging thrown in.  Ben & Henri curled up with books & computers at home. Then we watched some of the new Dr. Who episodes (from the library).  So yes we are settling into a more regular life (much like what you might be doing on a rainy weekend).