A slow lazy morning with the family. We went to the town of Shannon to see what my cousin Rochelle had done with her shop. She has a large retail space that she rents out in small lots to local craftspeople and small businesses, and has her own secondhand babygear and babies shop on the premise. The town has had some unique clothes designers and homewares shops established and they are attracting the weekend daytripping crowd from Wellington and Palmerston north. I bought a dress - did my bit to support local industry.
Three o'clock and it was time to go to grandmas 90th birthday party at the retirement home - she lives in a tidy retirement home with her own apartment so she can be self sufficient but still have support and company. We were 5 minutes late and all the residents were waiting, cups of tea ready, waiting to attack the ribbon sandwiches and sausage rolls and pikelets. Grandma was having a good day and looked beautiful. Her fellow residents are a lovely bunch, and she has made some great friends. Only some of the family came as this was really a party for her friends, but as it was her actual birthday we did not want to miss it.
Afterwards we all gathered at Stephen and julies new rental house at otaki for a BBQ dinner. Their kids have grown up lots since I last saw them. Max is a blonde version of stephen and still obsessed with bikes. Mia is almost three but still has her baby ringlets and favourite stuffed toy froggie. She is also into barbies and sitting on laps and chippies. We had a great night just catching up with the cuzzie bros. Chris got a late phone call from a mate asking him to go on a roadtrip to Auckland, so he took Rhys for some boy time. Shelly is staying with Stephen for 2 days so it was just Rochelle Nikita and I left!