Well, us girls survived without tearing any limbs off one another. The house looks surprisingly together (can’t say the same for the garage – where I’ve shifted half the toys to, in an attempt to regain a sense of a home, rather than a creche!). Still, the children think the garage is a rocking play space (even though hubbie’s posh car will have to stay out on the drive!). We actually have a hallway again (previously you would have been greeted to a rocking horse, mini-trampoline, circus tent, easel and mini-school set up! Ha! Welcome!).
It was a weekend I felt well prepared for – after having done an 8.03 km run in 45 minutes on Friday and enjoyed the company of a friend stopping over-night to support me with my crazy girls (Frances, thank you – I shall go INSANE without you in Santa Barbara come September!!).
Saturday morning was spent out at the museum, the afternoon at home and the evening very chilled – after a quick drop off of Miss 9 to Wellington Zoo for a party sleep-over – with a Skype call to with my lovely folks in the UK and watching the All Blacks beat the French! YAH!
After the game there was a late Skype call with hubbie in Santa Barbara. Miss 7 decided talking to Daddy from the comfort of a laundry basket was the way to go…! Poor fella, it was 2am in California. He’d spent the day working hard, as well as securing a rental property for us a few minutes walk from an amazing school and lovely beach. His whole week had been about working hard days and spending the evenings driving around to get a feel for the neighbourhoods, socialising with a few folk that knew the low-down on ‘what’s hot and what’s not’ in Santa Barbara (mostly it’s hot – with little rain), and checking out everything from sports clubs to eateries.
Anyway, he was excited to share his news (even though Miss 7 was only partially interested – because her mind was more occupied as to what ‘Monster High Dolls’ her Daddy could secure in the US – including asking me to send him a photo from a website of a few choice dolls – gah!!). Miss 3 was fast asleep in the land of nod at this point.
When sleep time finally called for me I couldn’t sleep for thinking of a plethora of things to do with moving, renting out our New Zealand home and an assortment of thoughts on settling into our new home – which found me on Google searching for everything from Montecito dance and circus clubs to local swimming pools and doctors!
Thankfully, Sunday avo gave me a chance to catch up on some sleep, with young Alice taking a nap (after having picked up Miss 9 at the Zoo and spent a couple of hours running around there!).
After her nap, which she woke from at 4pm, it was getting close to dusk and I knew we needed to burn off some energy before the evening really set in. I took Miss 3 and Miss 7 to the local pool for a splash around, leaving Miss 9 to enjoy some one-on-one with her best friend and neighbour. It was just what they all needed – and me.
I’m now sat feeling very relaxed, glass of Pinot Noir in hand, hot chocolates served to the children and about ready to wind down with a few stories before sleep. In the morning we plan to be at the airport to pick up the man of the house – he lands at 8.30am! If we’re not there… he’ll just catch a cab (it’s only a ten minute ride!).
Hope you had a great weekend too and the week to come is very kind to you indeed.
Sarah x
P.S. The house we’re renting in Santa Barbara has a pool, a spa and room for guests – so mark it in your diary as a possible holiday destination – we plan on staying for at least a year – and more, so long as we’re all happy x
