Matariki nights, floating paper stars on the steel partition — our own small tradition. Blanket-wrapped evenings on the couch, popcorn in hand, watching a film as the light fades outside. Mornings of sleeping in far too late, then sitting down to brunch with sleepy, unbrushed faces. Afternoons lit up with paint, shells and gem stickers, everyone lost in their own small burst of creativity.

And weaving through these quiet little days — small guests arrive for sleepovers, padding around in their prettiest pyjamas. The trampoline, finally free of the midday heat, gets crowded again and again. The birds scatter at the sound of the children, and the neighbour's cat, who'd come round for an afternoon nap, shakes off its paws and leaves.

A holiday that drifted along with no plan at all — and for once, we properly rested. These few days of catching our breath will carry us through.

Happy holidays, everyone.

YussiThe MHJ

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Mum's Note

Yussi

Matariki in the House

Matariki marks the return of the Matariki star cluster
to the night sky after months hidden away.
It's the Māori New Year, the start of winter.

Every year, we fold paper stars and hang them up.
An unfamiliar day, but a meaningful one.
A small tradition of our own, born in a new home.

HyunThe MHJ

Article

Matariki in the House

Hyun

Review: Toy Story 5

Toy Story 5 is about a shift from a time when kids played with toys and used their imagination, to a time when tablets and devices became the toys themselves.

The movie shows this shift in scene after scene. Bonnie's neighbours are so busy with their pads that they barely notice her, until they laugh at her for still playing with toys, since she's the only one who doesn't have one. Her parents debate whether they should buy her a pad of her own. Even at a sleepover, where kids are supposed to spend time together, everyone ends up staring at their own screen instead.

I didn't agree with Bonnie's parents' decision, or with her going to that sleepover. As soon as she got her own pad, she stopped playing and just stared at the screen instead. And at the sleepover, it was the same thing — everyone was looking at their screens rather than each other.

The movie was telling us that everyone today is just staring at their devices and doesn't care about their toys anymore. I felt like we should care about our toys too, not just our screens.

MinThe MHJ

Feature

Review: Toy Story 5

Min

Little Notes

"I am a bubble princess!!" Royals bouncing to the melody, the golden magic drapes over the clouds.

— Jin

The MHJ

Article

Little Notes

Jin