Stuck on a long road trip

We are stuck in the car for a five hour drive and so far doing very well. A few giggles here and there, entertaining ourselves or each other as this is not the most scenic drive.  It's flat with lots of farm fields and is raining so there is no stopping to burn off some energy at a park or two.  Those that know carter well enough to know his infectious giggle understands why we have smiles on our faces today.  He is such a ham! I thought this drive would be a good way to get some schooling started. Ha! All we can say is kudos to those parents who have made the choice to stay home to school their children.  It's a tough job:-) We are forgetting about all the ontario curriculum, including B's french until we get back and hope that what we are experiencing here will be enough to keep their minds enriched.  Derek throws out a couple of tough math questions for them to do and I try to ask them "good questions" with regards to the books they read.  Currently, Carter is comparing the penguins we see in NZ to those his teacher is teaching the class (Antarctica penguins) and is excited to send his class his hands-on research.  Braden is trying to research how he could adopt a little blue penguin and bring it back as a pet.  He says that would be so much cooler to have as a pet than a dog. Lol! 

After our funny start to our day yesterday (or not so funny start as Derek says) we have collectively nicknamed Daddy-o as Mudhead. This was thought of after the boys and I got back from a garden walk and play at the park and heard Derek had locked our only set of car keys in the trunk. We laughed at that because the day before I mentioned to be careful of such a thing. You all know Derek and how he misplaces things! To make it fair, I should share that I too lost something, my ray bans:-( actually, I'm sure I can put some blame on Derek for that one too.

Today we are heading to Hanmer Springs where we will set up shop in a cottage for a few days, and hopefully not too much driving.  We hope to go to the thermal spa and water park tomorrow and get some more hiking in.

 Our accomodations have been great so far.  The holiday park was amazing even though the bathroom facility was in its own building beside us. It was kept spotless.  We have picnics for most lunches and BBQ for dinners. So far, we have only gone out for dinner twice. We had lamb one night but still not sure I can eat kangaroo.  Btw, we have done this trip so far without a map!! That is Derek's strength, not mine.  

If there is any news from back home, we'd love to read about it. Hopefully the weather improves for you. It's been great hearing from some of my students, sounds like they are having fun with their indoor recesses. I have been searching for the GBM but no luck, close but it was the GBG instead. Soon, I hope.