Wander & Nest

We had a pretty quiet week and weekend in Christchurch, which felt nice after after a packed few weeks and before lots of adventures pick up again next week.

Our new friends leave NZ soon so we’ve been trying to soak up as much time with them as possible. We got to have another adults night out – thanks to Maggie for babysitting Mara. It was such a treat for everyone! We’re so excited to reconnect with them in a few months in Toulouse.

We had what felt like a rare morning of great weather in Christchurch last Saturday, sunny, not too chilly, and most importantly, not windy! So we took advantage and went to the Christchurch Farmers Market at the Riccarton Bush for a nice walk. So much green!

I ran into 3 people I knew or recognized because of Mara at the market – one of her teachers, a mom I met at the park by our house, and a mom I met at the pool. It’s amazing how much we feel part of the community after only a few months.

Since we had a quiet week without a ton of photos, here are some snapshots and teacher comments of what Mara’s been up to at daycare. I think it goes without saying that we just love this daycare so much. (Click and scroll on the pics below to see the whole picture, otherwise the cropping could be weird depending on the device)

Looking at these happy photos, I feel so incredibly grateful for every moment with the little human that is Mara. Even when we’re not with her, to know that she is learning and growing into this confident little person is everything. I feel this so profoundly now as the we watch the horrors unfold in the world. I don’t know how to put into words the feeling of heartache and break knowing that there are so many mothers who have had their children, their hearts, ripped away from them. It’s unfathomable and horrific. I wish for justice and peace, but I also feel so utterly powerless and honestly hopeless at times. I recognize I have nothing profound to say, but I wanted to acknowledge my privilege to be where we are and to have my daughter by my side.