I'm Dreaming Of A Green Christmas

Friday

Yesterday morning, Ronan's class harvested their "pizza garden" and made pizzas with spinach, zucchini, onions, "tom-ah-toes", "ore-gah-no", "bah-zil", etc... Ronan ate half of his and brought the other half home for us, but after 26 pairs of children's hands had been in the dough, and the finished product got squished in his backpack, Sherry discretely banished the other half to the rubbish.

Ms Carr's class showing off the fruits of their labour

What IS it with this guy?

Just before dinnertime, the whole school celebrated Christmas On The Field, basically a school picnic on their athletic field. There was entertainment from the junior and senior haka groups and the school glee club, as well as an appearance from Santa. Ro spent most of the time on the playground or tossing a rugby ball with his mates. Sherry lounged on the blanket, chatting and drinking a glass of wine with the other mums. Yes, alcohol was allowed on a primary school's campus. It's pretty laid-back around here.

Senior kapa haka group performing

Barrel of Ronans

Santa inciting a lollie frenzy

This morning Sherry ran errands, then joined Ro's class for a field trip to classmate Ruby's farm in Katikati, about 30 minutes north of Tauranga. Yes, Ruby's mother drives her all the way to school in Mt Maunganui every day, but her mom works here so it works out nicely. The kids spent plenty of time playing on the farm, rolling down the hill, climbing trees, wrestling, and generally just enjoying the picturesque lawn. There were animals everywhere! Chickens, rabbits, goats, sheep, cows, pigs, cats, dogs, and turtles. Classmate Bella found some wool on the ground, and Ruby told her it was from when her dad killed a sheep earlier this week. Ruby's brother Sean piped up, "Yeah, the tender kind that mom makes, the ones that are real tender." Sherry figured the dad might not have told them it was their pet lamb they were eating.

Ruby and her goat. Note all the bare feet

Why does a boy climb a tree? Because it's there

Hugh, Ro, & Gareth showing off their muscles

Relaxing at Ruby's farm, the Kaimais visible in the distance

After school, Ronan's friends Jack and Fox (with their mums and Fox's little sister Gabriella) came over for a swim. Jack had to leave early, but we were soon joined by Craig, Barnaby, Paulette and her daughter Caitlyn. The girls played quietly, while the boys marched around the house with masks and swords, looking for monsters to slay.