#Spotted On Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand: A tiny human (2?) is sitting on Dad's shoulders while eating an ice cream. But what is this?! A BIG drip onto Dad's bald head? Oh no! Oh well, he'll just lick it off. (Dad's expression running a whole gamut of emotions.) A couple (50s?) are standing next to a coffee cart, stirring sugars into their coffees. He says: "Remember we've got Mum's dinner tonight. Did I tell ya, she's got hemorrhoids?" She replies wryly: "For that medicine to go down, I'm gonna need TWO spoonful's of sugar," She stirs a second one in. A woman (30s?) is giving her niece (1?) a huge snuggle, smooshing kisses against Tiny's Human's chubby cheek to the sound of happy gurgles and snorts. This is Aunty Time at its best. A hefty teen (16?) is running along with his mum over his shoulder in a fireman's hold, bellowing: "Make way for a national emergency! Mum left the house without doing the dishes!" Meanwhile Mum is flopped over his shoulders, laughing: "I didn't mean it like that! PUT ME DOWN YOU DOOFA!" Three women (30s to 60s) are cackling while demonstrating what their partner's "Naked man pose" is. One is standing legs akimbo, arms crossed. One is pulling a Superman flying pose. The is mimicking a willy waggle dance. Passersby grinning when they realise what's going on. (Continued Below)

#Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: In a cafe: A small human (4?) is playing with a doll house. But she does not truck with the dolls on offer. Oh no. She's populating this house with chess pieces. The queen runs the show and has some VERY stern opinions about the rook's manners. Two men (40s?) meet up outside of a bar on a quiet night and furtively exchange bags full of green stuff, speaking quietly, heads bowed together. One then pulls the contents of his bag out. But what is this?! Flax leaves?! Ah. Weavers doing secret weaving business. A small human (5?) has been given a sausage roll to eat at an art show opening night. Small Human has been cautioned not to touch anything and to stay still, so he's doing a very complex and demonstrative "I have a sausage roll and you don't" dance to his glaring young cousin across the room. Three women (50s?) meet in front of a cafe and begin excitedly talking. One hasn't seen the others for ages. The others have much news to tell. They pull each other in for a BIG three-way bear hug. Belly laughing together. The vibe is pure joy. At the opening night of an art show, the artist is talking quietly with family, friends and new acquaintances with people approaching to greet him with a hongi, noses and foreheads touching. Smiles. Respect. Laughter. And a side trip to the buffet table for one of those yummy sausage rolls. (Continued Below)

#Spotted During a Massive Power Outage in Aotearoa New Zealand: A couple (20s?) taking a leisurely river walk. Passing a brand-new tiny human between them, enjoying the sunshine. They might be slow moving and a bit sleepy, but they're enjoying the moment. Birdsong in the trees overhead. A man (80s?) is wandering along, wearing a straw homburg, a neat cream bowling shirt, jeans and polished brown leather shoes. He's carrying two steaming mugs of coffee and says to passersby: "Taking these to my mate, Pete. I whacked the kettle on the barbie! Can't go without your coffee eh!" A young human (9?) is playing in a park while Mum and Dad chill on a picnic blanket. He calls out: "Power's not on yet so I don't have to go to to school do I?" Dad says: "Dunno, bud. You might have to after lunch." Young Human is horrified. "NO! It's NOT going to come on until AFTER school!" A man (30s?) is running along a country track while pushing his tiny human (1?) in a pram. As he's running, Dad is singing nursery rhymes. Ba Ba Black Sheep echoing around nearby hills while Tiny Human joins in with mighty bellows whenever she feels like it. Nearby cows completely unfazed. Many Kiwis living in the top of the South Island waking to no power and deciding they can't go to school or work (oh noooo), then deciding to go for a swim, walk, mountain bike, to catch up with friends or to play an impromptu game of rugby in the local park instead. It's a sunny day after all. (Continued Below)

#Spotted While Cafe Writing and Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A sleepy man (30s?) is sitting in on a very dull business meeting. But what is this?! He's ordered a GIANT piece of cake? Ah, that's more like it. The meeting drones on but he has a cake shield. The boredom shall not defeat him! A big man (30s?) is pushing his twin tiny humans (1?) in a pram along a quiet street. Or maybe... not so quiet. A chorus of "DA DA DA DA DA" suddenly bursts from the pram and he laughs, saying: "Oi. You two are having OPINIONS today eh." A woman (20s?) has just gotten a new tattoo and she's showing Dad. Suddenly the woman at the next table is asking to see it, saying she wants to get one for her 75th birthday. Now enthusiastic tattoo conversation is happening. Details being shared! Plans being made! A small human (3?) is insisting on keeping the water fountain on so that any bugs that need water can get a drink. Mum says: "I think they've got enough," and he looks at her with a scowl. "I have to be SURE." For Junior Bug Scientists, bug hydration is a very serious business. A shy small human (4?) is getting a pep talk from Grandad who is saying: "Why don't you come up and get a muffin with me? All you have to do is ask nicely. It'll take a bit of practice but you'll be alright." Shy Small Human looks a little doubtful but decides he'll give it a go. Any typos spotted in this post think they might have to get the cake. If spotted, don't mind the crumbs. Typos are messy beasts.

#Spotted at a Multicultural Night Market in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (3?) has gotten a hold of a GIANT ball of fairy floss. Holding it in the air, she stares down all who approach with a glint in her eye. NONE SHALL PASS without admiring her magnificent sugary treasure. A young human (7?) has just collected a tray of delicious looking satay sticks. He's just in the process of doing the "You can't have any," gloat dance to Dad, when Dad steals two! (Gasp!) Dad claims: "Dad tax." Young Human claims grand larceny. A tiny human (2?) is being held by Grandad over a water fountain like an aeroplane. Granny turns on the water and WHOOOSH, Tiny Human Plane is swooped in to refuel. Once! Twice! Three times! Now that's done, let's see what delicious things are on offer for dinner... A small human (4?) is MOST aggrieved that Mum isn't buying her more fairy floss. She delivers her complaint at volume while rolling on the ground. BUT WHAT IS THIS? Mum isn't paying attention? This is NOT good enough. She runs ahead for a repeat performance. In drama, staging is EVERYTHING. A couple (teens?) in full gothic regalia are debating what they're going to get for dinner and then yes, they make their decision. When in doubt, always go the most gothic option. They buy their food and shimmer into the night, eating their dumplings of darkness with all signs of good cheer. (Continued below)

#Spotted on Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (3?) is MOST unhappy with Dad who has just ordered two bowls of dumplings. Going full dying swan on the ground, arm outstretched, he wails: "But I don't want MY dumplings DAD! I want YOURS!" For some reason, Dad does not seem moved by this outstanding dramatic performance. A serious small human (4?) is trotting through the markets in a My Little Pony tracksuit. Every now and then she does a little pony skip and a neigh. If one is going to get into character, one MUST commit the whole way! A small human (4?) is cradling a new bug net in his arms. He's looking around, searching with narrowed eyes. If there's a bug, he's gonna catch it. Junior Bug Scientists are always on the job. Mum asks if he's seen anything. He says: "Not yet, but there's DEFINITELY gonna be some soon." A man (30s?) holding a long baguette is talking to a small human (3?) who is asking to carry the bread. Dad says: "If I give ya this, can I trust ya?" Small Human says: "No Dad. No. But I want to!" This argument doesn't seem to be working but that doesn't matter. Small Human is VERY determined. A small human (5?) is waiting patiently for a bagel with Dad. Small Human has some very pretty, freshly done henna on her hands and she is clutching her dolly to her chest. But what is this?! Dolly's hands have henna on them too? Both ready for a special party. (But maybe a bagel first.) (Continued Below)

#Spotted on a Lunchtime Beach Walk in Aotearoa New Zealand: Two men (50s?) are reclining in deckchairs in front of a bus converted into a campervan. Baseball caps shading their eyes, hands gently clasped over generous tums as they soak up the sun and get in some serious post-lunch snoozing. Two small humans (4?) are hard at work tidying the beach with their Tonka trucks. Piling bits of seaweed and driftwood in the backs and PUSHING them up to the edge of the dunes to deposit everything in a tidy pile. Junior Beach Engineers doing the business. A teen (13?) is standing next to a picnic table making peanut butter sandwiches for his little sister (9?), Mum and his aunties. His little sister says something with a cheeky grin and he retorts with brotherly disdain: "Who even ARE you and do you EVEN know how to make a sandwich?!" A tiny human (2?) is snoozing on a towel while Mum unpacks a chilly bin* full of lunchtime snacks. Dad and her brothers are off playing at the water's edge, but Tiny Human is snuggled up in a pink fluffy rug. A little bug in a rug soaking up the sun. A fisherman is sprawled in a camper chair. His rod propped in a stand by his side. A chilly bin with a coffee cup and thermos sitting on it nearby. His head is lolling in a snooze. All is peaceful. A vigilant mob of seagulls loitering nearby, keeping a close eye on the situation. Just in case. (Continued Below)

#Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A fluffy black and white cat runs out of the garden of a narrow blue fairy-tale-like cottage, meowing a greeting at his two humans at the end of a work day. Tail held high, he leads them inside, updating them on all his feline news. A man (60s?) walks three Schnauzers past a cafe window. A tail-wagging, doggy grinning canine flotilla that appears to drift by on waves of good cheer. Noses twitching at the delicious smell of breakfast toast wafting out the door. A tiny human (1?) wearing a stripy red and white onesie is practicing using his legs as he stands on Nana's lap. First he bobs on both feet. Then he tries one. Oh no! Whoa. That's not gonna work. Okay two again. Dancing up and down. Nana keeping a firm hold. A very serious man is having a very serious conversation with another serious man. But what is this?! A server bringing a muffin? All seriousness evaporates and he grins, saying: "Just LOOK. At. That. That's happiness mate. Right there." Two small humans (3 & 5?) are sitting in the front garden of a wooden cottage. Peering over the fence, whispering to each other conspiratorially. They've somehow snaffled a tube of lipstick and they're about to create ART! An attentive Golden Retriever keeping them company. Any typos spotted in this post Are Punctuation Dancers. They might be a bit unsteady on their brackets, but they'll work it out eventually. If spotted, order them a muffin. It's happiness right there.