Day 324: Mini Golf!
Another precious Monday morning.
My neck is stiff and sore — slept on it wrong two nights ago then it stiffened up on me. I couldn’t really work out so I took a walk around the neighborhood.
Here’s the view from about 40 yards up our street.
It’s trash day, so each little villa in this impeccably clean community had their cans and crates of recyclables placed neatly out at the end of their driveways. It’s hard to overstate how different it is here vs most of the world, especially the developing countries in Asia and the Middle East.
There is a little parking spot just outside the front gates where the public can access a walking trail down to the lake. It was busy this weekend and there were three little pieces of trash left in the area. They were so obvious and out of place along the edge of this pristine road that I was compelled to pick them up.
We took our time making breakfast — toast, scrambled eggs, fresh pineapple and mango — and appreciated a carefree Monday morning. We’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: this is what we’ll miss most.
During school a pretty little bird flew into the big floor to ceiling window right behind where James was sitting. It died instantly and was lying on the cement two feet from where we were standing on the other side of the window. Margaret and I at first thought that the kids would be upset. But they took it ok. We were all just staring at it. So sad! He was flying around with his buddy one minute and dead the next. Our cocktail of thoughts included: This building we’re living in is right in the middle of his playground! And: Treat every day like it’s your last!
We decided we couldn’t leave it right outside the window for the kids to stare at all day. So I went out with a dustpan and some salad tongs and gently found him a better resting place in the woods.
Margaret and I decided to split up the afternoon. I would take the kids to mini golf, then she would watch them later in the day.
On the way to mini golf we stopped at the post office to mail their post cards. They actually both got the same one — a little lamb. James’s class is studying the postal system and building a post office in their classrooms. So we thought it would be fun for him to send a postcard from NZ. Willa sent one to her class too — but addressed it to James’s class so they could deliver it to 2nd grade.
The post office retail desk is in a book and stationary store. While I was waiting in line the kids were geeking out in the Harry Potter section. Willa is beyond obsessed. She’s reading the whole series a second time and is already on book #4.
Mini golf (aka Putt Putt) was a good time. Well maintained little course barely anyone there…. Monday! Willa and I both got hole-in-ones! They also loved cuddling with Maggie the staff dog.
After golf we made a quick stop by the grocery store to grab some stuff for dinner. We order groceries online in New York. For those who don’t and have the unfortunate fate of taking your kids to the grocery store, how do you STAND having them ask for everything they see. I was in the store for 8 minutes and said “no” 643 times. So annoying!
We stopped by a playground on the way home. We have seen this one from the road every time we’ve gone in and out of our hood so we finally gave them a chance to check it out. Only ones there. I’m always amazed and how those two can entertain themselves at a playground — especially if there is sand.
All you need to know about how Willa and James prefer to spend their time:
- Adult speaking at something that resembles a tour: .0032 seconds before they stop listening and start whining / picking grass.
- Any playground in any weather anywhere in the world: must drag them away after 2.5 hours.
Back at the house Margaret took them up the hill to play another game of pétanque while I chilled for a bit and did some writing.
The kids did their hot tub / pool rotation routine when they got back. Overheard in the hot tub:
Willa saying: “What did the butt fill his car with?” James: “Farts?” Willa: “Gas! I made it up myself.”
Also / separate conversation:
Willa: “Let’s play Boring Grownups.”
James: “Okay! I’ll be….Steven.”
Who the hell is Steven?
They showered up while Margaret made some pasta and heated up half a roast chicken. We had to tell them both to stop reading at the table. Yet we absolutely love it.
The kids had half an ice cream sandwich for dessert — the old school rectangular kind with the soft chocolate cake on top and bottom.
Willa, truly baffled: “What *is* this chocolate bread?”
Headed to Wellington tomorrow morning.
