Miss Andrews was particularly interested in hearing personal voice when selecting these 'newsletter/blog worthy' pieces.

Now and then, but not that often, when the sun is high in the sky and it's too hot to do anything, we visit the waterhole. The smell of zinc and spray-on sunscreen, clouds in the air, my face is red with excitement. Mum and Nana always take too long to get in so after I've been pushed in, I jump on them to push their heads under. All the cousins are wearing hand-me-down togs and have bright towels, some of them are wearing big goggles and floaties around their arms. Nana always packs a huge picnic and Aunty Cory brings lollies. I love to dive down deep when the adults are looking for me, but I get hunted down anyway. Mum gets in after ages then wants to get out after a minute! I stay in for at least 30. When it's far into the afternoon, we pack up and head to Nana's. Everyone stays the night. Ahhhh... it's the most fun weekend in quite some time!

Hollie Ormsby

Now and then, but not that often, when we have enough jars, we visit Grandma. We don't visit Grandma too often, only during the school holidays (the best days) or on Christmas Eve. I'm always scared to visit Grandma because I feel homesick when I'm away from home. But I have my family with me and that makes me happy. Grandma is in her early 80s and she's quite small I'm probably a few inches taller than her but it's okay. Grandma lives in Hastings which is a 4/5 hour drive (depending on if you have an annoying little brother or not).

Pianika Ririnui

Now and then, but not that often, when Mum is feeling the energy, we go to my uncle's farm. My mum and my sister and I always see lots of horse poop and mum runs it over on purpose.

Mangu Schuster

Now and then, but not that often, when Dad wants to get out of the house, we go camping for a night or two. We love it. Daring each other to jump in the ice-cold river, smoke from the fire burning our eyes, and we never have an ideal sleep.

Benjamin Baardsen

Now and then, but not that often, when we have a big event in the family and we get sent some money, we go to Scotland. I wish it happened all the time, but sadly money doesn't grow on trees. The last time I went to Scotland, I went because my mum's sister had a wedding, my little sister was the flower girl, and my mum's brother had a birthday. My mum's brother's birthday is the same day as Mum's. Meeting up with the Moats is always a good time, however, you don't get much sleep because everyone is super energetic and the sun stays up at night.

William Brown

Now and then, but not that often, on a Friday afternoon when Dad finishes work, my dad and I play Gran Turismo on Playstation. I look forward to it all week. It's even better because the girls go out.

Liam Rood

Now and then, but not that often, when it's the school holidays and the forecast is good, we go to Hahei. I live for these days and never want to come back. It doesn't matter how rough the sea is, we always go out fishing. Once we get to Hahei, no matter what, we walk along the beach every day. Last time we went with Nana, Poppa, Mum, Nicole, Ben and Dad.

Logan Robertson