one sleep til christmas

twas the night before christmas, and all round the bach  (holiday home, usually simple beach house)

not a possum was stirring; not one we could watch

we'd left on the table a meat pie and beer

in hopes that st.nicholas (ahem, yes Zoe, FATHER CHRISTMAS) soon would be here.

the children were snuggled up in their "bonk" beds,

while dreams of pavlova danced through their heads;

and mum in her nightie, and dad in his shorts,

had just settled down to watch TV sports....


(from A KIWI NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Yvonne Morrison and Deborah Hinde).  kraais and milstein/carrs, your part kiwi little monkies will enjoy their own copies, courtesy of zoe and téa, next year.

And on and on it goes, in classic Kiwi fashion.   Santa shows up on a tractor wearing an All Blacks 'wife beater', boxers and 'wellies' (rain boots).  and, being from new zealand, he is, OF COURSE, pulled by his trusty sheep.  Now, Flossy, now Fluffy, now, Shaun and Shane!  On Bossy, on Buffy, on Jason and Wayne!  Clearly i'm not a Christmas purist.   But, how could you NOT love this?

Anyway, here on Fyffe st., as Father Christmas' elves turn in for the night, with two little monkies snuggled up in bed, we seem to have managed to put together something from nothing in a far off land this year.

Ornaments have been made:

And hung on the tree:

Carols have been sung.  Ok, so it may not have been so cheery walking up and down the hospital wards with electric candles, walmart santa hats, and a gaggle of staff and kids.  but, the spirit was right.

Gingerbread creation has been slathered with frosting and a stray piece of candy (that wasn't pirated into a pocket under the table) by Nannie, standing in for Dusty, and the girls:

Christmas morning treats have been baked:

cranberry lemon mini panettones and raspberry friands

 Christmas dinner has been savored:

Lemon risotto with grilled Halloumi or local bay scallops

Stockings have been hung:

Sims family traditions honored (press play).   Hard to hear the sleigh bells over the cacophony, but they're there!

 And letters to Santa have been written (carrot for Rudolph).

Sorry Kiwi Santa.  No pavlovas to be had in this house.  You'll have to settle for biscochitos this year!

Merry Christmas everybody!

Happy Hanukkah

Not many Jews in New Zealand.

OK, I looked it up.  About 7,000 in a population of 4.2 million.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews_in_New_Zealand

Though summer is in full swing here, every store is filled with Christmas paraphernalia.  Santa Claus peeks from every window, inflatable snowmen wilt in many a yard, wreaths on every door, and Christmas carols float through the air.

Not a menorah in sight.  No gelt, no token blue and silver roll of wrapping paper amidst the green and red.

Though I don't consider myself religious by any definition of the word, I do think it is important to provide my children with the most basic education of their cultural heritage.  So, in our house, this includes a brief story or explanation and celebration of Christian and Jewish holidays.

Given the current dirth of Judaica, we had to get creative.  Desperation breeds inspiration, right?

yup.  that's an egg carton.  straight from the recycling bin.   here are the proud artists.

A little candle lighting tradition.... preceded, by the way, by a kid friendly explanation of the story of Hanukkah, as told by Veronica Monica.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VfChLAADS8

Like I said, no Hanukkah gelt to be had.  Gelt schmelt.  How about some Pirate's Treasure?

Not sure what denomination gelt usually comes it.  Pretty sure it's not euros.

Happy first night of Hanukkah!  Homespun Christmas up next.

Calling all linguists

Rules of the game:  NO GOOGLE

Check out this letter sent home from school in Zoe's backpack today.

Kiwi respect (or maybe this isnt even a Kiwi word?) for anyone with the definition of the word MUFTI in the dialogue box at bottom right.  And, MY respect for the most creative guess.

And for some extra fun; SULTANA bran with extra fiBRE anyone?

Téa's First Day of Kindy

"Just pack her togs, towel, and jandals, and something for morning tea and send her on in"

And so it was, Téa Jane was enrolled in Wiherlea Kindy.

Right off the bat lets clear this up.  'Kindy' is preschool and 'Primary', where Zoe goes, is Kindergarten for all us gringos.

Anyway, much like her sister, Téa jumped right in without looking back.







Today was her first day.  Here she is with her proud (ok, jealous) big sister, who insists on being all buttoned up.











And here, showing off her backpack.  All filled up with required items for tramping through the 'kapai' (famous kiwi childrens book whale - thanks auntie joanie!) sprinkler and brimming with apple slices, cucumbers and carrots (no processed foods, please. school rules!) for morning tea.


                                                        
                          Proud as could be!

Luckily, Witherlea Kindy is about 3 minutes drive or 15 minute walk from the house.  And, it's right down the street from Zoe's school.  Perfect!

    They were all ready for us when we arrived.










 Zoe was happy to help Téa get her bearings...

A look at the lovely school courtyard.

And the big garden planted and tended to by the children.















And the requisite sandbox and play structure.

 And inside we go.

 


                   Big sister leading the way

Bee-line to the 'babies', complete with beds, strollers, clothes, kitchen and all.   Everything a baby mamma could dream of.












 phew.  there IS a bit of smart looking 'educational' paraphernalia as well.  and plenty of art supplies and projects in all directions.

 Not a familiar face in sight, or even a teacher whose name she can remember, she let us leave without protest.  Pretty brave for a little girl in a strange land!  And, at 12:15, she emerged BAREFOOT, happy, ravenous, and triumphant, and raving about the 'kapai' sprinkler.

And on home we skipped for lunch.  Um, note the green stuff.  Yup, TOTAL cliche.

End Note:

Kiwi-speak dictionary:
togs:  bathing suit
jandals: flip flops

Addendum:

Ok, for all you newly minted Haka buffs, don't worry.  The well hasn't run dry this Monday.  Zoe's flag raise ceremony this morning had a surprise visit from the Bohally Intermediate School Kapahaka group.  Check this out:

https://plus.google.com/photos/113119300685290899097/albums/5817691655923660001?authkey=CIHQ_s-rsNqzWA

please try the video link a few times if it doesn't work initially.  it may or may not work.  blogger site is currently blocking direct upload of video for some reason.  will keep working on this.  here's a photo just in case.