Saturday

Saturday is our favorite day of the week! We always try to do some type of exploring or do something new. Two young men from our ward are on a rugby team at a local college (high school) and they were playing an away game in Warkworth. We haven't yet been to a rugby match so we decided to go and cheer them on. It was tough to watch! These are just teenagers and I cringed each time they were tackled or hit! I can't imagine how much more intense it will be when we get around to going to an All Blacks game. But it was fun to watch, even though we are still completely lost as to how they play the game…we're still trying to figure out the rules! I thought the coolest thing about the game was how respectful the players were. After the game, both teams lined up, linked arm in arm, to thank the spectators. Also, we were invited to the team snacks afterwards and it was so neat to see how mature and respectful the teams were to each other. They had a team leader speak for each team in gratitude for the good game played and for the support of the parents and coaches. The coaches also spoke and a prayer was said over the food. I just loved how non-contentious the teams were and how kind they were. It was a neat experience. 

Since we had driven a ways away from home, we decided to explore the area before heading back to the Hibiscus Coast. We found a quaint little area in Warkworth right on the wharf. We parked the car and strolled along the boardwalk and had a picnic lunch right in front of some really cool sail boats. It was so serene and peaceful. Heading out of Warkworth, we drove passed a chocolate store and turned right back around to see what yumminess they had inside. We all shared a dark chocolate bar and all agreed that it was delish! 

We drove further on and stopped at a local honey center. The kids loved seeing the busy bees at work and spying the queen bee of the hive. We bought a large jar of creamed clover honey to enjoy at home. Speaking of honey, apparently it's weird to have peanut butter & honey sandwiches here. Our family loves peanut butter & jelly, peanut butter & honey, or peanut butter & nutella sandwiches but kiwi only like peanut butter & jam (jelly is considered jello here ). We've gotten some pretty funny reactions from coworkers and friends =) 

We also stopped at many antique stores along our route in search of a chess set. It's our mission to find a New Zealand chess set to bring back with us….what a great souvenir, right?! Hopefully we can find one in the next few years…. I also really want a Nativity scene from New Zealand.

Our last stop was at the Puhoi Valley Cheese Co. We picked up some yummy feta, brie, and camembert cheeses to taste at home. 

We stopped in at Bunnings (similar to Home Depot) for a few things for our home and Pak n Save (the super market) for some produce before heading home to mow the lawn. We did a few chores, showered the kids, fed them dinner and got them settled in for the night and then Cody and I went on a date with some friends to a local Italian restaurant. It was such a fun day mixed with productivity, fun, exploring, and yummy eats. We sure love our Saturdays!