DAY TRIPPING

I found out yesterday afternoon that the kids finish school today at 12.30 pm .... wonderful notice THAT was!

*sigh* I had plans.

Sooooooo... as they don't START school today till 10 am, I'm taking them out of school for the day.  It seems ridiculous to send them for 2 hours.

And now... they are coming with me and Stew to Hamilton for the day!

I was going with Stew and spending the day browsing fabric shops, wandering the mall etc, and having lunch with Stew.

Now it will be me AND the kids.  I don't mind.  It will be nice to spend today with the family instead of on my own I suppose. (It's me Birthday)

Kelly has bought me a little quilt kit from Grandmother's Garden in Gordonton, so I shall pick that up.  Yaaa, a nice little project to occupy me for a while.

I will also have a good look around there, and another fabric shop I've found in Frankton.
There doesn't seem to be any others in Hamilton though!

Shame that, it means I will have to come up to Auckland periodically to shop, ONCE we move to Hamilton.  

ABOVE:  Dante dressing himself.  I don't think he's expert at it yet... but at least he's trying.  Cute little bugger.  Looks like I won't get to see him or his baby brother today.  *sniff*

Right, we better go and head off to Hamilton!  

ONWARD...

Would you believe I'm having just the most lovely day! The kids and I have been to the 2 patchwork shops here and I've bought a bag kit from one and some anchor fabric from the other.

I've also booked myself into a saturday workshop at the end of November too.

The one shop I'd not been to before... Donna's Studio, is just my sort of 
Fabric shop! Lots of lovely brights.

We are having lunch with Stew shortly..

4.17 pm:  My bloody feet hurt! I think I've done over 8,000 steps so far today. Nice one. The kids and I are done walking around shops... and are now waiting for Stew to finish work so we can head home. 
Dinner tonight will be something quick and simple

... 

7.17 pm:  and we are finally home.  It's been a fab day!  Walked my socks off!  My Fitbit's battery ran out when we got home.  So I don't know just how many steps I did, but heaps.

Photos of our day:

ABOVE: Our first stop was at Grandmother's Garden in Gordonton, where the kids had fun with the two resident boxer dogs.  The darker one was only 2 years old and took a fancy to Brylee!
He has his front paw on her chest holding her down!  He was adorable.  
I got a little bag kit there.

ABOVE: The little bag kit and some anchor fabric I got frm Donna's...

 ABOVE:  We spent quite a long time at Donna's.  The owner, I presume her name is Donna, was just lovely.

I have booked my place in her fabric basket class at the end of November.  It's going to be so nice going there for classes once we move to Hamilton.

She said the Tuesday morning class ladies all go out to lunch together after class, so I am keen to join THAT class.  *smiles*  

The kids and I also checked out all the malls, several gift shops, and we found a small Hospice shop on River Road too.  I managed to find two nice summer tops for myself there.

We also drove out to Horsham Downs to drive past a rural property I have on my 'possible' list... but it's on a long, windy, narrow road and I didn't like that.  So it's getting crossed of the list.

I saw a neat garden sculpture in a gift shop in Gordonton, it's something I would like to make myself... maybe at that pottery class?

So... We are having sausages with chips for dinner, so I shall go and get me some!

Well... it really has been an awesome day.  For the first time in many, many years I heard from ALL my kids!  And thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes, they are much appreciated.  ♥

End of Day:  going to be happy, VERY happy.
nite nite