A lesson learnt...

Part of my job is to help a children with their spelling; spelling rules etc. Well today I had the word 'laugh' as a difficult word to spell. I tested to see if they could spell it before seeing it.  The written response I received was: larff and larf.  So I proceeded with the lesson and we drew picture diagrams the word laugh in a mouth, under lining the tricky part, repetition of writing and spelling.  I then had the great idea to have the kids repeatedly chant... 


"There is no f in laugh, l-a-u-g-h!"  
This sounded okay in my head but as I made them yell it loudly I then heard it as the parent outside may have heard it...


"There is no f'in laugh"...
oh dear Janine, even I had to shake my head at my own teachable moment!

Oops! Will have to rethink that line... 

Go on give it a try a few times I know you are going to....

"There is no f in laugh, l-a-u-g-h!"

"There is no f in laugh, l-a-u-g-h!"

"There is no f in laugh, l-a-u-g-h!"

Much love xox

Mothers little helper...

Since we have been in Raro I have gone through almost two of Lucas Pawpaw Ointment!  This little tube has been a gift from god... We have used it for; nappy rash, boils, mosquito bites, reef cuts, spots of unknown discriptions, cracked lips and many other aliments we have collected along the way. So if you are travelling over here at all this is the one little wonder ointment that you should carry...

'No, I am not being paid to advertise ...'

On another note we are currently raising 'Diver Dan' ...

This boy LOVES to swim even at bath time! Don't know how many fishes he will be able to see?


Much love  xox

Raro road rage...

We must have been here for a while now, as I headed home I found myself behind four scooters on the way home.  With two very tired toddlers I was dying to get home and get them to bed.  I always use the back road as it is normally clearer of traffic and a faster drive home. But today behind the scooters, driven by tourists, I found myself frustrated as they pulled over and then pulled out swaying and swerving very, pulling over again and back quickly again and proceeding down the road at 20 k's. I had the feed up stance; one hand on the wheel the other hand on head elbow on the door.  Unable to overtake as the road does not allow for a clear view I ended up whispering to myself ..."bloody tourists"!  


I felt very guilty after the fact as in reality what am I!  

Strolling the Markets

Talking about driving, the other day I as I was heading home in the rain again. A local lady driving her scooter in the opposite direction, did so standing up!  It still amazes me on a daily bases what is carried on (a scooter) and now how they are driven!


Much love

A long wait finally over...

What a week...  We have been waiting on Milly's glasses and they finally arrived today!  When I first put them on it was as if I was inflicting sivere pain onto the poor wee thing.  Husband had a turn and a comlete different story, she sat there and read with dad wearing her spec's as happy as larry.  She then wore them again after bath time, so hopefully we are on our way to wearing glasses full time!

"I can see!"

Now it is a nine week wait to head back to Auckland to see the eye specialist.


Much love

A Day and the Life of a Teacher...

The morning started out 'fresh'... 

it almost looked like snow!

This week has been an environmental week; Protecting the Wetlands.  From the start of term the children have been studying the impact humans have on the wetlands and what we can do to protect them. Today was a chance for 'the experts' to show and tell the kids where, what and why!

Brightened up though...

and made for a great school trip!

I learnt a lot and it really makes you think about your own actions. I had guilt due to the glad wrap I had wrapped my sandwich in! I will endeavour to resolve that issue. 

Very sweetly named; Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Pig farming is a big environment issue there is a lot of animal waste making its way into the lagoon and killing the sea life...

On our way to the boat for a look at the lagoon... 

There was a trip out on a glass bottom boat where a marine biologist spoke about climate change and algae and their effects on the life within the lagoon.  His way of explaining to the children about what fish was okay to take was; 
You know about down syndrome? I am thinking where is this going?
Well that happens because the mother is too old...
Well in fish it is the other way round the older fish need to be left behind because they make the better babies. The young fish need to stay too, so take the medium fish! Wonder if the make a fish ruler; Large, medium, small?
Well I guess his way of explaining wasn't to bad.  

Sea erchant, similar to NZ Kina

This guy has a 'shit' job...

We were spoken to about septic tanks and this guy is very serious about his job. Which I guess is a good thing as so many of the old septic tanks are cracked and do not work as they should. Leaving the 'crap' to either sink into the ground and/or into the lagoon. Ultimately killing the lagoon! He made sure I had his number as I had asked about our 'smell' when it rains.

At the Salt Marsh...

Sadly the post we visited was the Salt Marsh. The very last stretch of Salt Marsh left on Raro.  There is a red crab that lives there and a type of grass that only grows in this one spot.  Over two generations this area has shrunk in size considerably and if it disappears so does the grass and the crab. 


All in all it was a great way to learn, the kids were engaged the whole time and I have myself learnt a thing or two! Josh is off to experience it tomorrow and I am sure he will love it!


Much love xox