#anettingnewzealandadventure: The Nettings Do NZ

We had a busy week this week with Poppa. On Monday, Kenz, Poppa and I headed to Sumner beach. This is my favorite beach in Christchurch so we wanted Poppa to experience it despite the grey skies. We walked the beach and enjoyed a coffee at the park while Kensley played contently. That afternoon, Kensley and I met Julia, Lucy, Hannah and Isabel for a little play date in the Botanic gardens. The girls enjoyed the swings and playing in the grass while the moms caught up. In other news, Poppa has been joking that Kensley is snow white because the birds always come around her. It turns out, that they might be after Poppa because they made their way into his bedroom wall AGAIN (previously at Kinloch). On Tuesday, Poppa wanted to finish his Christmas shopping so went strolled around the shops near our house. Wednesday we had Kensley’s Plunket appointment. Plunket is the New Zealand well-baby program. Kensley has bumped up to the 30^th percentile (from 15^th) for weight (she loves eating real food) coming in at a whopping 16lbs and remains around 10^th percentile for length.

It had been a few weeks since Kensley had seen Sarah because we were away and then she was away, so I was eager to get her over this week. Sarah spent Thursday morning with Kensley while I took Poppa for a trail run in the Port Hills. I thought he’d love it because it offers some great views and I was right! He loved it so much that he wants to do it again; despite thinking I was trying to kill him! It was a nice leisurely morning for us: running, having breakfast out and getting groceries. Kensley was happy to see Sarah again which always makes me happy! Friday morning must’ve been pretty low key because I can’t recall what we did. The afternoon was beautiful so Poppa, Kenz and I had a beer and some food on a patio while enjoying their live music. Kensley absolutely LOVES music and dancing right now so she was very entertaining to us, but also to the musician and the rest of the tables on the patio because they couldn’t resist her dance moves, smiles and screams of joy! Later that evening Caleb and I went out for a date night. The city was really pumping because of Christmas parties (I think). We enjoyed a beer at Fat Eddy’s and actually saw a group that was at the patio Poppa and Kenz and I were at earlier – they raved about her, which made Caleb and I pretty proud. The mood and scene was so fun – I felt like partying! However, after dinner and my second drink at about 930pm….we were ready for bed.

Saturday, Caleb took off towards the west coast to do a portion of the run that is part of The Coast to Coast race. It was along a riverbed and sounds technically challenging to run along; Caleb said it was barely a run, more of hike/run. He also met someone to pick up/buy….drum roll please….a kayak! Poppa, Kenz and I did some shopping. Kensley and I also tagged along to a pottery class thingy with Jacqui where I painted Kensley a cute little Christmas plate.

We mixed things up this weekend and did our morning at The Boat Shed on Sunday. Then we hopped in the car to take Poppa to Akaroa for a little day trip. We walked around the cute little town, which was MUCH busier than our first visit due to two cruise ships stopping over. We then treated Poppa to some fish and chips at this great little shop we discovered last time. Oh and I also got some Christmas baking done this weekend!

Kensley continues to try to move forward and is getting closer and closer despite being super frustrated. She absolutely loves her time with Poppa. She giggles so hard with him. He has been dancing around singing with her and she actually tries to sing along now which is SO sweet! She loves to stand up, play peek-a-boo with her dinner plate, she gives kisses while smacking her lips, continues to clap, and loves feeding the birds on our patio with Poppa – she goes crazy with excitement. This week, Kensley was also asked to be the flower girl in our friend's, Dave and Trish's, wedding in August, which she was overjoyed to accept!