Andy and Emma Grant with daughters Nicolette, 4, and Emma, 6, at Devonport. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Juggling family schedules is always tricky when both partners have jobs, but for Andy and Emma Grant it's even more difficult than it is for most families.
For three months, Andy has been father and mother to Ella, 6, and Nicolette, 4, while Emma was away in Malaysia,
Singapore and Australia, on the Navy's frigate HMNZS Te Kaha.
Yesterday the Grants were reunited when Te Kaha berthed at the Devonport Naval Base.
Mr Grant said there were a few challenges having to look after Ella and Nicolette, but he enjoyed every minute of it.
"For me, getting the girls' hair done was one of the hardest things. And Ella ... being in ballet, she needed her hair in a bun and her make-up done.
"It's things like that, and also the fact that you don't have someone with you to help with those things.
"It was a good challenge. Emma being away though ... it was long enough."
There were cheerful shouts, big hugs and a few tears as friends and relatives fought the sweltering heat to welcome back loved ones.
Commander Grant - who was the commanding officer on the frigate from January 2006 until January 16 this year - has been swapping parental duties with his wife for three years.
On January 17 - a day after he returned from his tour of duty - Lieutenant Commander Grant boarded the ship.
She has been its weapons engineering officer and lieutenant commander for the past year. Switching between home on the ship and home with her husband and their daughters in Auckland has been difficult, she said.
"It was a great trip, but I missed the family. It hasn't been as bad as it seems - in the scheme of things, three months is quite short. But it was time to come home."
Ella, who had styled her own hair especially for Mum's homecoming, said she had missed her mother.
"I missed giving mummy hugs," she said.
Lieutenant Commander Grant will spend the Christmas holidays with her family, but then go back to work on January 19, when she will rejoin Te Kaha for a trip to subantarctic waters.
