We had a lovely afternoon together and in a small way was our way of just saying thank you mum for the time you've spent with us over the past 8 months. I can't believe how fast it's come. Mum arrived 3 weeks before Darian was due so she got to see me in all my pregnant glory and was there when he was born, helped me through the hard first weeks of motherhood and was my saving grace when sleep eluded me. I don't know how we would have managed without her. She was a real blessing and I am definitely going to miss her. Yes we had our times of disagreement as we do, but nothing can ever express the gratitude I have for her leaving home for so long to come and help me & Cameron with Darian. We are forever grateful.
Thanks mum.
Thursday proved a very long day for me. Mum's flight was at 6am so she had to be at the airport at 4am, so we left Darian & Cameron sleeping and headed off to the airport about 3:30am. We then got her checked in and as she had to still go through passport control and through the international terminal, she said a quick goodbye and headed off. We both didn't want to prolong it and knew it would be easier and less messy if we had a quick goodbye. One thing I love about Auckland International Airport, there are no window panels where you can sneak a last peak and wave goodbye to family still hanging around for one last glimpse of you, it's in through the gate and gone. So I quickly headed to the car and once I was alone, it hit me... my mother was leaving! It was a bot hard to get through but thankfully when I got home I had big strong arms to comfort me. And a cute little button that was ever so loving when he woke up, which made things so much better.
We then had to get Darian off to school. I had taken the day off because I knew it would be an early morning but also because it was Darian's school outing to Ambury Animal farm in Mangere, South Auckland (http://regionalparks.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/ambury). As it was his first excursion with the school I couldn't miss it. It was still a bit cold and overcast but we still went ahead. One thing about us Aucklanders, rain never stops your plans!! At school they got all the kids ready and we headed off in the hired bus, which I may add was Darian's first trip in a bus, ever. He was uber-excited and couldn't stop looking at everything and taking it all in.
When we got to the Farm, we were the one of 3 parties that were there so we pretty much had it all to ourselves. We got to see the cows being milked, they chose a cow called Clover, we also went round and saw the pigs, turkeys, chickens, sheep, goats, and other farm animals. Ambury is a working farm that is owned by Auckland Council, so although its open to the public you can actually see exactly how the farm works, it's not just animals in enclosures. Darian wasn't too interested in the animals, he just wanted to get on the grass and crawl around. But it had been raining so the grass was wet so he wasn't happy that I wasn't letting him down. And I think he was more interested in the other kids than he was in the animals. There were a few parents with their kids so it was really interactive for both parents and kids.
But, crazy Auckland weather, we had a downpour just as we were finishing up and had to find shelter while we waited for the bus. It was getting quite late and the bus hadn't arrived so the centre manager (Charmaine) rang the bus company only to find out that the driver had parked about 2km's away, he was parked in Ambury Road and not at the entrance to Ambury Farm. It was frustrating at the time because you think how dumb can one person be, you're picking up a whole bunch of kids can you not put together that they would be at Amburty Farm and not at some random road? So all the poor littlies were crammed into this little shelter that was the information centre. Thankfully they weren't too interested cos being kids, they enjoyed singing and the entertainment they each provided. The teachers there are wonderful and really know how to keep the kids going, even when a curve ball is thrown at them. Darian fell asleep and as I had forgotten his pram in the car I had no where to lay him down so carrying my little man proved quite the arm workout for me. Needless to say by the time we got on the bus it was pure relief to sit down!
When we got back to the school we got him changed and headed home. I was so tired so I was planning on having an afternoon nap with him. But he had other plans, he was full of energy and just wanted to play. By the time he was tired out, it was time to get dinner ready... no rest for mummy! .
So it started off as a sad day but ended on a good note cos I got to experience a lot of "firsts" for my boy.
