All good things have to come to an end :0(

After our visit to the zoo we had my friend Trina and her 2 daughters and her friend Mark over for dinner. Fridays have gained a new found meaning for us. It is quite the kiwi tradition here that at the end of the working week you have "Friday Drinks" with your colleagues. Although Trina and I both work on Friday's in Wellington we of course do not have the luxury of heading out after work for a few wines because we have to get back to Whitby for our girls. We decided then that we would make our own version of Friday Night Drinks. We take it in turns to go to eachothers house, get the girls settled in bed then crack open a bottle of bubbles or wine or basically anything alcoholic that we have in the cupboard!

Good Friday was no exception so once we had all finished dinner and the girls were tucked up in bed so commenced the Friday Night Drinks. Usually Rich is at the gym on a Friday evening but this week he was able to join in too. So Natalie, Rich, Trina, Mark and I sat at my dining room table putting the world to rights and debating over various subjects. 

Jessyka, Daisy, Ellarhys and Misty

After the bubbles and beers were finished we went onto the banana daiquiris. The recipe goes like this:

1 1/2oz light rum

1 tbsp Triple sec (orange liquor)

1 banana

1 1/2oz lime juice

1 tsp sugar

Combine all ingredients with 1 cup crushed ice in a blender. Blend at low speed for 5 seconds then at high speed until firm. Pour into a glass and top with a cherry.

Trina and I have had this cocktail a few times already, so much so that Trina came armed with the lime juice and banana on this occassion! It is a lovely drink, very light and refreshing. The combination of this lovely drink and the vodka and coke that Natalie and Rich had been drinking beforehand unfortunately ended with my sister and I swapping roles. I became the big responsible one looking after the "I can drink all this easily" one. I will allow my sisters dignity to remain and will not reveal the details of exactly what happened but to say Natalie you made us laugh and Friday Night Drinks will not be the same without you!! You certainly gave it your own unique twist!

Sleepy Sis

Another reason that I wanted to stay fairly sober was because I had planned a girls night out on the Saturday with my friends. I wanted them to meet my gorgeous big sis and I wanted to show her the sights and sounds of Wellington.

Sadly, my plan did not quite come together as I had hoped. I still had a great night out with my girls but Natalie was not able to join us :0(

The little girls stayed home with Rich and made pizzas and watched films.

Easter Sunday started with an easter egg hunt. The day before I had boiled some eggs for the girls to paint and decorate. We then hid them around the garden and they were given a chocolate bunny as a reward afterwards yummy!!

Sunday afternoon we decided to take the girls to the pool in Porirua. We let them go in by themselves which they absolutely loved!! They had a great time in the waves and going down the water slide.

On Monday we had a day at home and were joined by a house full of our friends and their children. We put on some afternoon tea and played host. I wanted as many of our friends to meet Natalie and Misty as possible.

The next couple of days I had to work and then all of a sudden Thursday was here. Time to say goodbye :0(

They were not flying out until the afternoon so we spent the morning at home and then went into the city for some sushi lunch and then took the girls for an ice cream.

Wellington airport is so laid back and relaxed. It is not like a lot of the other bigger airports in that once you have checked in you can hang around in departures until you board your flight. This meant we had time for a bit of a look around the shops and a nice hot chocolate before Natalie and Misty needed to go to the gate. As much as we wanted it to go on forever the time had to come. I will never forget the spot at the bottom of the stairs where we said our goodbyes. As soon as my arms went around Misty I cried, the harsh reality of knowing that next time we physically see each other again she will nearly be a teenager suddenly present. The girls had a cuddle too and I got to cuddle my beautiful big sister for the last time for a very long time. I love my sister so much and she is so special to me. We only have a small family but no matter what happens to either of us she will always be the most special person in my life. She has been by my side all the way through my life, from holding my hand as a baby, taking me to school each day, congratulating me on my wedding day and then at the birth of Daisy.  I have to say though that it was not as heart wrenching as the day in Heathrow airport where we said goodbye nearly three years ago. We both admitted that you get used to living without one another so close by but of course we are always in each others hearts.

I told her how thankful I was for them both to have come here. I know it is a huge journey not only in distance but also in monetary value too. I hope that now she has seen our life here, a new life that we love, she will understand the reasons why we choose to stay.

Until next time big sis...............xxxxxxx