rather than 'just buy a new one'...

At the end of term, a kite that had been in lost property for a year or two, was given to Jake to bring home. It needed some serious repairs. I did what I could cutting down a tomato bamboo stake, and sewing up the holes and attaching the 'poles'. It flew but was still not quite right and more frustrating and pot luck.

the repaired and 'new life' kite!

So we decided that once Easter was finished, we would go to a kite shop and see if they could help. I rang up and explained to the fellow on the phone that while it probably was cheaper to throw it out and buy a new one, I wanted the kids to learn about fixing things, about not just 'buy a new one' and to work on something until they succeeded. You know, the kinda stuff we did as kids. I realise these days not everything than be repaired and that sometimes, replacing really is the better option but for this, I wanted the kids to have a go...

The 'Kite-shop-fellow' (Neil, I think his name was) was really very helpful and said he was sure he could round up some bits and pieces to fix the kite.



Anyway, so (their) Grandad took two of the boys to Hold The Line Kites Australia ...and fixed it is. He even sewed up the parts of the kite that had split, new 'poles' and a 'reel and string' to replace the temporary one we had. $5 to fix it. fantastic and really helpful, great service. He makes his own kites so I guess that explains some of it - it's not just a 'sell the product' shop.
So that was Jake's kite fixed... and Grandad bought Zeke a kite too.


Hooray for fixing things and finding people who specialise in that area who are willing to help! And for Grandad's for taking boys down to kite shops :)