17th Dec day 63 Darth Vader and end of term

Philippa dropped Nicholas early as she had an OT assessment to do right out in the sticks over 2 hours away. He was very excited because of it being his Star Wars day on school. I got to take him which was an extra treat.

I did some shopping on the way back and managed to arrive just before Richard and Christina did, they are from a company called iDraw who are doing the drawings of the existing 904 and then the concept drawings for the extension. Simon is hoping to add a double garage at the front, change the present lounge to a media room and his bedroom to a study. He will extend all the way down the side of the house to hopefully accommodate 4 bedrooms and then have a spacious open plan lounge/diner and kitchen which lets onto the garden. When finished he should have a beautiful modern home but also maintain the look of this 130 yr old house (that's old for NZ).

When they had gone Simon and I did a Bible study and a crossword. He then helped me make his 'favourite' stuff as Carol and Phil from the house behind were coming around just after lunch. 

Phil had very kindly dug out some tree light bulbs as a couple on the tree here have blown, which meant there were very few working. Because Nicholas and I had decorated the tree together I really didn't want to pull it all to pieces to put on the other set of lights. Simon had to leave to collect Nicholas from school and do some shopping but when he got back the 3 of us were still happily chatting. 

They are delighted Simon and Nicholas are extending rather than moving as neither of them are well and Simon is always ready to help Phil with small jobs. The two properties share the drive, Simon ensures the grass on one side Is kept cut and here is a sample of Phil's contribution on the other, I know who gets the better deal!

Even though Philippa and Simon are divorced they maintain some lovely family traditions and one of them is ice cream at Rush Munroes on the last day of each term. I admire the way they have maintained a relationship which benefits Nicholas enormously, as a result he makes the transition easily between them both.

It was lovely to have him back now for this first week of the holidays and up to mid afternoon on Christmas Day. Just doing ordinary family things like meals, playing games, watching tv together is a treat for me and I am savouring every minute.