The Boys Finally Get a Home!
Thanks to a couple of people, I've realized that I've neglected to really talk about how Evan & Connor are adjusting to life in NZ.
Frankly, I think they're tired of being 'on the road.' It's hard to be 2 and 4 and not have many opportunities to run around like wild Indians when the urge strikes. Our house back in NH was set up so that there wasn't much they could get into and they had plenty of space to roam. They also really enjoyed their time at school (though you wouldn't know it by the way some morning drop-offs went) because they had plenty of outside time. For the past month, it's been other people's houses and hotels, which mean a new set of do's and don't's every few days, as well as limited opportunities to run around outside.
But, now things are looking up for them. After being dragged all over Christchurch for 2 days while Debi & I house hunted, they are happy that we finally found a house that was nice inside, reasonably priced, and with a big fully enclosed yard for them to run around in. Evan was particularly happy about this, though was disappointed when he discovered that we wouldn't be moving in until Friday. He really wants to have a new house--and once we realized that we have one, he began asking about the stuff in the container! I guess he just wants to have something to worry about--I wonder where he gets that from?
That said, having found a place to live means that I can devote more time to them now. Today will at least include a trip to the playground in Hagley Park and possibly even a ride on the tram in Cathedral Square.
They have enjoyed some of the new food experiences, especially the Tim Tams, (and Debi & I have both experienced the 'Tim Tam Slam'). Evan is still learning the difference between chips and crisps--he informed me yesterday that when he gets fish & chips he is going to tell them to give him 'fish and French fries.' They're both going through withdrawals over the loss of Yogos, the various gummy snacks, and Cheeze-Its that they are used to. However, I think that they're quite happy with the Rashuns, which are like cheese and bacon flavored cheese puffs, and Burger Rings, which are similar to Funyuns.
Adjusting to the new time zone has been slower for the boys than it has for us. Being cooped up can't be helping the situation, I'm sure. They've been slowly working toward staying up later and subsequently sleeping later. Last night they were both down at about 8:30 pm and this morning both slept until nearly 6:00 am. I would have thought getting them to sleep later wouldn't be as much of a problem as it is because the sun doesn't come up here until about 7:30 am! (Of course, it is the middle of the winter here!) Hopefully a good run around the park will help them straighten out their eating and sleeping habits!
Overall, I think they are going to do well here. They've been more than just a little wild at times, like when we were looking at houses, and people have been *very, very* patient with them. We were in a restaurant the other day and Connor was having none of it, running off every chance he got. No one looked twice. There we no sideways glances. I don't think anyone really cared. Evan nearly knocked down an old lady on the sidewalk in Chch yesterday, and *she* apologized! I was mortified but she was so nice about it. I think people here expect kids to act like kids, and because they are very non-judgmental, when kids get a little wild they don't seem to really mind. (Reading that, I can see the danger in that kind of attitude, too, but we'll see how it all plays out.)
On another note, I have been taking pictures, but uploading them has proven to be a bit of a challenge because our wireless internet connection here at the hotel isn't quite as reliable as it needs to be to push the pictures across. I expect that once we get settled in to our house, I'll be able to post them, so be patient!
Cheers!
Frankly, I think they're tired of being 'on the road.' It's hard to be 2 and 4 and not have many opportunities to run around like wild Indians when the urge strikes. Our house back in NH was set up so that there wasn't much they could get into and they had plenty of space to roam. They also really enjoyed their time at school (though you wouldn't know it by the way some morning drop-offs went) because they had plenty of outside time. For the past month, it's been other people's houses and hotels, which mean a new set of do's and don't's every few days, as well as limited opportunities to run around outside.
But, now things are looking up for them. After being dragged all over Christchurch for 2 days while Debi & I house hunted, they are happy that we finally found a house that was nice inside, reasonably priced, and with a big fully enclosed yard for them to run around in. Evan was particularly happy about this, though was disappointed when he discovered that we wouldn't be moving in until Friday. He really wants to have a new house--and once we realized that we have one, he began asking about the stuff in the container! I guess he just wants to have something to worry about--I wonder where he gets that from?
That said, having found a place to live means that I can devote more time to them now. Today will at least include a trip to the playground in Hagley Park and possibly even a ride on the tram in Cathedral Square.
They have enjoyed some of the new food experiences, especially the Tim Tams, (and Debi & I have both experienced the 'Tim Tam Slam'). Evan is still learning the difference between chips and crisps--he informed me yesterday that when he gets fish & chips he is going to tell them to give him 'fish and French fries.' They're both going through withdrawals over the loss of Yogos, the various gummy snacks, and Cheeze-Its that they are used to. However, I think that they're quite happy with the Rashuns, which are like cheese and bacon flavored cheese puffs, and Burger Rings, which are similar to Funyuns.
Adjusting to the new time zone has been slower for the boys than it has for us. Being cooped up can't be helping the situation, I'm sure. They've been slowly working toward staying up later and subsequently sleeping later. Last night they were both down at about 8:30 pm and this morning both slept until nearly 6:00 am. I would have thought getting them to sleep later wouldn't be as much of a problem as it is because the sun doesn't come up here until about 7:30 am! (Of course, it is the middle of the winter here!) Hopefully a good run around the park will help them straighten out their eating and sleeping habits!
Overall, I think they are going to do well here. They've been more than just a little wild at times, like when we were looking at houses, and people have been *very, very* patient with them. We were in a restaurant the other day and Connor was having none of it, running off every chance he got. No one looked twice. There we no sideways glances. I don't think anyone really cared. Evan nearly knocked down an old lady on the sidewalk in Chch yesterday, and *she* apologized! I was mortified but she was so nice about it. I think people here expect kids to act like kids, and because they are very non-judgmental, when kids get a little wild they don't seem to really mind. (Reading that, I can see the danger in that kind of attitude, too, but we'll see how it all plays out.)
On another note, I have been taking pictures, but uploading them has proven to be a bit of a challenge because our wireless internet connection here at the hotel isn't quite as reliable as it needs to be to push the pictures across. I expect that once we get settled in to our house, I'll be able to post them, so be patient!
Cheers!
posted by Jon A at
6:29 AM
2 Comments:
Hi Jon and Deb,
Since you drive on the wtrong side, do your windshield wipers come on when you use your directional signals. Jus wondering. I had a problem with that in Australia.
Joe and Pris
Sorry, but I didn't see this comment until just today!
Yes! It was quite embarrassing for me and funny for Debi. I think we're pretty much both over it now ... but I did make sure that the car I bought was an automatic--I didn't dare try learning to SHIFT with the wrong hand!
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