The Clever Pukeko: March 2008

To celebrate Molly's fourth birthday this year, we decided to do something a little different and opted for a day at the 'Organic Blueberry Farm' just over the hill.

The blueberry farm has a lot going for it: blueberries of course; courses in making homemade preserves; artwork for sale; a swimming hole; fantastic desserts and a Mexican cafe! The latter had us convinced this was the place for a spot of birthday lunch.

The cafe is owned and run by a couple, a native American woman and her husband, a Mexican Communications Architect who works in the cafe with his mother at the weekends making authentic mexican food. His mother, Rosita travels from Mexico each year to open her cafe to the public for a limited number of hours over the weekend. The family also employ a sherpa family from Nepal to help them in the gardens.

It took some finding, but we found it the end, over the hill, down a dirt track, just off the windiest road in NZ. Well worth the find. We arranged to meet Jamie and Helen there for some coffee and blueberry muffins just for starters. We were greeted by a buxom flame-haired woman with a big warm smile and lots of chat. She gave us the run-down: take a basket and pick as many blueberries as we felt like, then get them weighed and pay for them at the desk. Simple! We were prepared: Molly had made a beautiful Easter basket at kindergarten just for the occasion, so we set off down another track to the blueberry bushes and got picking. Most of the picked berries made it to the basket but some were unlucky and made it straight into the mouths of small people. Jamie and Helen joined us just as we were starting to get laden down with our basket. Back up the cafe for the coffee and muffins and then it was time for the Easter Egg hunt! Jamie and I set off back down the track with Molly and waited at the gate with all the other youngsters and not so young. The flame-haired woman had sorted the kids out and allowed them through the gate in order of age, youngest first, etc. Jamie got ahead of the game and managed to spot some eggs for Molly before anyone else laid claim to them. Of course the interest started to wear off once Molly worked out what was inside the colourful wrapping and most of the hunt was spent trying to chew the hard chocolate eggs!

Back to the cafe for some homemade tostadas and beans and rice - delicious! Despite the wet weather, we all had a great time. Laden down with blueberries and chocolate, we made our way home on the windy road with both kids fast asleep before we got home.

Fairy dress - present from Granny (Viv)

Girls on the trampoline

Molly's new swing set

Molly waiting for her swimming lesson with Granny and Madeleine

Donna tells Molly to 'kick, kick, kick!'

Molly opening presents on her fourth birthday

Look what I've got! Beautiful fairy wings made by Gudrun!

'Dora the Explorer' birthday cake

Singing Happy Birthday

Look what I found in the garden Mum!

I thought it would be nice to show you some of the local scenery in our bay; a few shots taken on a recent walk down to our beach; some random shots of the kids and some pics taken today of Molly taking part in a 'wheelathon' at the local school. This was a fundraising event for the kindergarten and Nick (who is on the committee) was MC for the day, hence the loudspeaker! Most of the kids decorated their bikes and even dressed up for the event (wish I had known!). There was plenty of cake and coffee and a sausage sizzle to keep everyone going. Weather was great and the kids had a blast - not sure yet how much was raised but it was well attended. Molly was riding a 'runner' bike, i.e. without stabilisers, which apparently is very good for mobility and balance, although she's yet to be convinced!

Paua shell