Day 32 | Steve was back to work today, and it was a well needed 'home day' for the rest of us! I think we were all ready for a bit of a quieter day hanging out. The boys have enjoyed playing with their lego and toys, watching a little TV, and playing soccer in the reserve with Alfie. Then I even had two very keen helpers putting stickers on my new 2017 Norwex Catalogues, all ready for my first Party back in a couple of days : )

Day 31 | He's looking a lot better today, and is pretty proud of his "plaster cast" and sling! And it's definitely not going to slow him down. Fingers crossed for a water proof sling when we go back for his check up and cast change on Thursday!!

It has been 2 years, but we've finally made it back to Hanmer Springs! We decided to come up for a couple of days as a fun way to spend our last days of Steve being on holiday. However, it did turn out to be a little more of an adventure than first planned! But more about that at the end! I've decided to make our 'weekend' into one big post, so lots of photos to come!

Day 28 | We arrived about lunch time on Thursday, and of course we headed straight to the Thermal Pools! We had our picnic lunch, and then the rest of the afternoon was spent in the pools - and the hydro slides for Hayden and Steve! Austin also had lots of fun in the kids' AquaPlay area! The kids are at a great age now too. Hayden likes his little bit of independence as he can go and do the slides or play in the pool. And Austin is so confident in the water, so it's more a case of following him around now, and watching him play on the 'Lizard Slide'!

Our first day was perfectly finished with fish and chips and ice cream for dinner!!

Lots of photos today as I took my camera to the pools. So I've chose a few to share with you : )

Day 29 | It was a cooler start to the morning, quite typical of a lot of days this summer! But we had a wander through town, picking up more supplies for another pool picnic lunch! Then it was back to the pools!

We discovered yesterday that Austin could actually go on the Super Bowl ride on the double raft with an adult. He was so, so excited to get one of the paper bands on his wrist to say he was allowed on the slide! So our first stop of the day was the Super Bowl for the four of us! Between the Hydro Slides, Kids' Pool and the Hot Pools, the afternoon was again lots of fun!

We had an early 'birthday' dinner out this evening, and ended up catching up with friends from home, so it turned out to be a really fun night with great company! It was well after 9pm by the time we got home, so a 'big' day for everyone!

A photo of the boys in Hanmer this morning before we went to the Pools : )







Day 30 | Well, this is the day the didn't turn out quite as planned!! We checked out of our motel this morning and wandered up town for a game of mini golf since it was our last morning away. We headed to Alpine Crazy Putt, a brand new course since we were last in Hanmer.

All was going well until we were on the 17th Hole, and Austin decided to trip over one of the obstacles as he was trying to get from the start to the end of the green! He came down on his arm, kind of head first down a little drop. You could tell he was in a lot of pain, and even lots of cuddles weren't helping very much!!

When it wasn't starting to improve after a while, we decided to head to the Medical Centre, which was closed as it was Saturday morning. We rang the After Hours number, and spoke to a nurse who reassured us that they doubted it would be broken, and since there was no on-call doctor in the town, we'd be best to ice, take Pamol, and then head back to Christchurch and then just seek medical advice within 12 hours.

Poor wee Austin was so, so brave! We headed home and seeing Austin had calmed down, we put it down more to just a sprain as was suspected. But the more we thought about it, the more I couldn't leave him all night, and although there was no visible swelling, there was a slight 'lump' on his arm. And more than anything, I had broken my arm at a very similar age and there had been no swelling or bruising to it either!

So off to After Hours we headed! We were straight into see the Nurse, who sent us straight down to X-Ray. Within seconds of the first X-Ray, coming through, we knew his wrist was broken :( Austin wasn't phased at all, and was actually quite excited to think he was going to get a "plaster cast", and even more excited when he got a sling too!!

Thankfully, as soon as his arm was in the cast, he was in a lot less pain, and couldn't wait to get home and show Dad and Hayden! As kids are, he's pretty pleased with it all, lol! So I guess we can't complain too much! Now just to keep him out of water and three very hot days ahead forecasted!

So, some photos today from 'Before' the event, and I've added a couple below too just taken on my phone tonight of Austin getting his cast.



Before:



And After :(

Day 27 | Some days you just want to have a bit of a lie in : ) Austin often hops into our bed for a cuddle in the morning (or the middle of the night!) And since it's the holidays, sometimes a mid-week sleep in is the best of all!! Of course, an iPad is required for full enjoyment when you're 5!

Day 26 | One exciting thing about coming home from our holidays was that a box of brand new, just released, Norwex products was waiting for me! And the boys were the first to try out the extra fluffy kids' microfibre towels in the new colours! The feedback was great and they've already put their requests in, so I think their bathroom might be getting a little makeover in the next couple of weeks!

Day 25 | A quick, fun photo tonight! Especially considering most of the day for me was spent in the garden! I'm sure all the weeds get together the minute we go away and decide it's time to grow!!

For Christmas this year, the boys got a "Crazy Catch" from Granma and Dea, and it has been the best present! They boys (Steve and Alfie included) have had so much fun with it! In fact, as soon as the ball comes out, Alfie is there to play! Although I think he must have been getting a bit tired by this point as he's given up jumping and has all four paws on the ground!

Hayden thought this was such a funny photo, so he picked this one to be our photo today. Oh, and for the record, this one was a catch to Hayden!

Day 24 | And the time for us has come to return home! So this morning was the last morning to find the boys curled up on the couch with Granma's blankets first thing in the morning watching TV. This has definitely been the 'usual' routine every morning that we've been here! Of course, I'm not complaining as it has also meant a few little extra "lie-ins" for Mum and Dad ;) So nice not to be getting up at 6am every morning!

And now we've made the long drive back home, and I'm pleased to say that the bags are unpacked, washing is done, and the boys are in bed (although typically Austin is still wide awake at 9.30pm!) Gardening and lawns tomorrow, then time to enjoy another last few days before Steve goes back to work. Austin was most upset at bedtime though as he thought he was going back to school tomorrow, lol! Poor wee thing!