The final farewells

Over the past few weeks we have visited with many friends. While we have not caught up with everyone, it has been really good to spend some time with those that we have seen. Craig caught up with a few of the boys, Ellen had lunches with past colleagues.

Slowly we sold off or gave away stuff we didn't need or couldn't bring (oh no the TV is gone!).  Our van sold, stickers and all.

It is amazing how time has flown and the number of great people we leave behind. Emma had her last violin lesson with her wonderful teacher (and cat).
 

Murphy the Lab went to his new home north of Hamilton. He now lives with a lovely family with 2 boys. They are dog sitting for friends so he spends his time terrorizing and being terrorized by Zoe, the 9 year old lab who refuses to act her age! I hear he is fitting in well and from the photos and conversations we've had with the family, he has found an ideal home.




Thursday Emma had her final prizegiving at Southwell. While she did not receive a prize, she has grown enormously in the time she has attended that school. It has been a fantastic learning environment for her. I know that she will miss it.

Naomi and Hannah visited their past home-based childcarer, Lalani and her daughter Nandika. Lalani and her family played an important role in caring for both girls.

On Friday, the cats went to the kennel - aka Fat-Camp for Finnegan (8.5kg now) and the Retirement-Village for Chance (15 years old). They will travel to Ontario together in the coming weeks. Hopefully Finn is a bit lighter by the time he arrives!





Friday was also Hannah's final day at Montessori. It too has been a wonderful learning environment for her. There was a music show performed by the children. Apparently Hannah chose not to attend most of the rehearsals, instead choosing to help one of the teachers clean the other room. When it came time for the performance, she knew all the words and actions as if she'd attended those rehersals. She also 'helped' those around her (man-handled them into place or showed them the actions). Choreography perhaps?!



Naomi was sad to leave her school on Friday. She gave each of her classmates a little chocolate wrapped in a Canadian flag with her email address written on the back. After school she spend time with one of her best friend's Olivia. We gave Olivia one of three necklaces. The second goes to Samantha and the third Naomi keeps. She was very sad to leave Olivia.  Again, we really hope to keep in touch.

Emma spent Friday at Waterworld and Saturday at Jump (indoor trampoline place) with some of her school friends. She has made some wonderful friends, who are world travelers like us, and intends on keeping in touch with each of them.

Saturday we spent with friends we have known since the week we arrived in New Zealand. Way back then we registered Emma in gymnastics. At that time, unbeknownst to us, another family who had just immigrated from England did the same for their son Marius. His mum and I were both standing on the side watching the kids and one day began to chat. The kids gelled like glue and have been very close ever since. We have spent holidays and Christmas with Sue, Iain, Marius and Yasmin over the years. Last evening it was our final kiwi BBQ followed by fireworks.

Overall, our 8 years in New Zealand has been filled with friends and adventures. We hope to see many of you kiwis in Canada! We have New Zealand Citizenship and maybe one day, we'll be back. I would imagine the kids will be very keen to do an OE in New Zealand at some stage.