Having Fun in Rarotonga

We had a lovely 7 day vacation in the Cook Islands, attending Lagi and Tolly's wedding. Maddy enjoyed himself immensely, swimming in the pool and at the beach and spending time with his Grandparents who he hasn't seen for over two years.

The place we rented was absolutely gorgeous and the pictures online don't do it justice http://www.rentraro.com/kathys.html it's actually a lot nicer than what the pictures show, has a beautiful decked out patio with swimming pool and bbq, stunning views of the ocean and beautiful landscaping. It is also very well equipped and would definitely recommend it to anyone :)

After spending considerable time in the pool, Maddy has learnt a few skills in swimming and was able to swim around without the use of his arm floaties. He has learnt the basics of free-style swimming and is ready to take on more swimming lessons during the summertime.

We had a great family catchup and many yummy dinners together and enjoyed all the Cook Island foods available. Many pictures of the wedding were taken but I won't post them until Aunty Lagi posts hers on bebo first.

Here are a few we took :)

More pictures of the field trip

Playing Dress Up in the Education Center

More Animals to Touch and Feed

Taking a Rest and Admiring the View

Trying to Figure Out Where to go Next

Overseer's Quarters

The Greenhouse

In the Gardens somewhere lol

Mt. Vernon Field Trip

Today I went along with Maddy's Kindergarten class to Mt Vernon Estates and Gardens - The home of George Washington, and what a beautiful day it was (considering the sun hasn't come out all week).

Chaperoning isn't easy I tell ya, because not only did I have Maddy to take care of, they assigned another two kids to me, but one didn't show, so it was just Maddy and Alex T. She was very well behaved, moreso than Maddy, but you know boys, hyper and want to take the lead in everything LOL. Us parents were too busy making sure our kids where with us at all times, that we didn't really get to see too much of the Estates, let alone enjoy it lol.

Unfortunately two kids did get lost, one found quickly but the other 20 minutes later, and he was very distraught. It seemed the parent that was suppose to be looking after him wasn't all that bothered by it and had the teachers and a few mothers running around looking for him while she remained with her daughter and the rest of the class.

I know I shouldn't judge, but if that was Maddy, I would be most upset at the parent who lost my child. Sure kids run off or run ahead, but it's still your responsibility to make sure they don't go too far, or at least, don't wander off, and to know where they are at all times. I suppose it was good that the teachers only assigned two-three kids to one parent, which to me was still a lot of work but manageable.

Here are some pictures I took of Maddy and his classmates before our battery died lol.

Alex and Maddy (he needs a haircut lol)

Some of his classmates

With Mr Washington

Miniature version of George Washington's Home

George Washington's Home in the background. The lines to go into the home were so long, we skipped it and walked through the Estate gardens instead.

Sheep in the paddocks

Fun Fair and Pool Party

Maddy's school had a fun fair last week and he won a few prizes playing games like "walking the plank", "mini golf" and "bee sack bean toss". He has a very strong left hand throw and almost broke the board of one of the games lol. Here are some pictures we took of him at the fun fair.

Dino Tattoo

Walking the Plank with an eye patch

Tiger Mano'o

Yesterday he was invited to Ryo's 6th birthday Pool Party and boy did he have fun in the water with his friends. They played for two hours and then had Z-pizza in the upstairs fun room along with a yummy strawberry birthday cake too.

Ryo and Maddy

Claudia, Timmy, Ryo, Alex, Maddy, Nathan, Avery and Danny

Birthday Cake time

Maddy Listening To Music

More Beautiful Pictures of Baby Micah

Maddy and Annie

My Cousin Micah J. Taulelei

Look at all those Valentines!!

Valentines Party At School

Yes, they celebrate Valentines in Kindergarten!! It was actually kind of cute seeing all the kids get involved in creating or putting together their own valentine gifts. They ate yummy cupcakes and biscuits and fruits as well as juice. They had activites like bingo, creating valentine puzzles, arts and crafts using paper hearts and making little heart face puppets. They even had cute little paper heart plates and napkins too to go with the Valentines theme.

It was fun taking part and helping the kids with their activities. Madison spent most of his time at the arts and crafts table and made a fish and snake out of hearts - he is very creative and loves cutting, pasting, mixing and doing all sorts of arty type activities. Watch out Picasso!!

Maddy put together a little goodie bag which had a small pkt of chocolate hershey heart kisses, a diego/dora lollipop and a valentines pink pencil for the girls and a spiderman pencil for the boys.

School Reports Are Out!

Maddy got his second school report last week and I must say he is doing quite well considering English is not his first language, and this is his first time in a real school setting. He did go to preschool in Samoa but that was more of a play time school than anything else.

There are still areas of improvement in the social-emotional development area as most of the behaviors were "demonstrated most of the time." Overall his scores are at level 3-4 (Progressing towards Mastery of Kindergarten Objectives in Oral Language and Mathematics and Mastery of Kindergarten Objectives in Reading, Writing, Science and Social Studies). He is also "consistently demonstrating" behaviors in PE, Art and Music, his favorite three classes of all.

We are so happy with his progress report considering some of the behaviors he does demonstrate at home are far from what is mentioned in his report LOL. Well done Son!

Welcome to the World Baby Micah :)

Congratulations Mommy Sachi and Daddy Mareko and welcome to the world Baby Micah, weighing in at 3.2kg and 48cm long.

Hope Mommy is recovering well and Micah is happy to be finally here!

Lots of Love from Us here in the US of A!!!

Happy Birthday Mommy!!

Maddy and I hope mommy had a wonderful birthday yesterday! We are both lucky to have her in our lives!

Certificate of Achievement Award

Madison received a "Certificate of Achievement" award today for the "Character Education Pizza Lunch."

Each student has the opportunity to earn tickets for being responsible, caring, respectful, honest, and cooperative. At the end of each month, the teachers choose a name from their ticket box to attend the Pizza Lunch with his Principal and Vice. Madison was chosen for this month :)

Congratulations Son and well done on your achievements!!!!

Good Luck Aunty Sachi

All the best for February 6th :) We will be thinking of You, Uncle Mark and bubba T :):)

Elizabeth Puni's 21st

We were invited to a 21st birthday last night for Elizabeth Puni (Sa'aga's daughter), a young girl we use to see and talk to in Lalovaea, Samoa, when we were living at Mama's house. Little did we know that she has been living here in the USA attending University. It happens that their family goes to the same church as Fati and Vai and had recognised Madison when he went with them to church last weekend. We also got to meet Erika Puni and his wife Maxine and their two year old daughter (more family on Matt's side).

Overall there was lots to eat (yummy Samoan food), items performed by Elizabeth and a few family members as well as some line dancing by the locals and families - that was fun to watch!

Happy 21st Birthday Elizabeth!

Myra's 7th Brithday

Myra, Maddy, Sina and Melody

Maddy was invited to Myra's 7th birthday at Chucky Cheese and didn't he have so much fun! They played lots and lots of games, ate pizza and a lovely nice ice cream birthday cake and then before you know it i.e. 3 hours later, we left for their home and spent the evening playing card games with their friends and families. Thanks to Vai and Fati for the lovely birthday party and for putting up with us all evening.

Mucking Around At Home

Munching on a apple

Boo

Mr Sneaky

Mommy and Maddy

Back To School

It's back to school for Maddy this week and he was very excited to see his friends again. He has grown so much over the Christmas period and is already outgrowing his clothes we bought him two months ago. His seasonal allergies have been playing up again and has had a cough for a few weeks now. Apparently the winter season brings his cough on more so the doctor says.

I have finished my temporary seasonal job and now back at home twiddling my thumbs, thinking of what to do next. I put in an application for a more permanent part time day position as well so we shall wait and see. If not, its back to household chores and sorts and taking care of Matt and Maddy.

Thanks to Daddy, I am going to Hawaii for four days to Ramona's wedding next week. It's going to be very informal, simple but sweet wedding with about 30 guests. I am looking forward to seeing her again after 5 years.

Happy New Year to all our family in New Zealand and Kangarooland, hope you're enjoying your holidays - Love Us xxox