Mum did a run

Practicing and writing stories about his experiences on this trip is the assignment Kien was set by his teacher, Sally. It takes some encouragement to get him started, but once he's formulated an idea he's away.

What's been happening

March is almost over! Wow. Thought I'd drop in some pictures to let you know what's been happening.

We took Kien bowling. He's been asking and asking and we've been putting him off, so it was about time we followed through. I didn't know how he knew about bowling and thought it was something he had watched. Then when we got to Metrolanes in the city he said he was here the last time he went bowling. We thought he was making it up, but I had forgotten that he went with the folks from school holiday programme - so he wasn't just telling stories again hehehehe.

We've finished up cricket for the season - well actually we are away for the final 2 games and when we come back we are hoping to make it to prize-giving. It has been a great season. Kien has really enjoyed it (for the most part).

We've been harvesting strawberries from the garden. Season is over so we are getting stragglers, but anything is good.

It's also been raining so much! The garden enjoys the soaking, as does the Venus Fly Trap. I hope it will be alright while we are away. We've been really looking after this plant since our last one shrivelled up and died through lack of watering.

Speaking of the weather, in the weekend there was finally a break from the rain so I got Kien on his bike and down to the park for some much needed running around.

Wednesday night we took off - destination LA. Sunday is the marathon!

This is the enclosed "outside" area of the Air New Zealand Koru lounge.

Landed in LAX yesterday to relive Wednesday all over again.

We finally set sail

Its been so long since we've gone out there. I've missed it so much. Its good to go out for the long weekend when the weather is so perfect too. The wind was blowing in the right direction too, and we pretty much sailed all the way down the harbour and past Rangitoto on a single tack.

We decided to go into Mullet Bay at Motutapu since it was nice and sheltered. Its been a while since we've been here. It wasn't so crowded either which is a bonus. We were able to get good anchorage and then settled in.

I took Kien for a swim in the somewhat frigid sea. It was nice to be able to do this. I enjoy diving off the back of the boat into the deep water. It feels adventurous and wild, even though I'd freak out (and more than likely not) dive into deep blue ocean. Believe it or not that scares me to no end! The thought of it makes me shudder. But here in the calm of a beautiful dusky bay in the Hauraki Gulf its amazing.

Kien was so cold he really needed to have a bath afterwards. So a hot bath he got.

Adventures on Tuesday

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It didn't seem like I was all that productive, especially since I wasn't feeling great on Monday and so went home early and foaled into work instead. I just couldn't sit there at my desk feeling the way I did. The constant interruptions and having to look normal when all I wanted to do was crawl under my desk and moan. I was better off horizontal, which was exactly what I did when I got home.

Tuesday was much better. I had a nice time not rushing getting out of bed and a gentle ease into the day. Kien and I both slept in. I needed that; no pressure for doing anything. When I finally got up I went out to the garden and tended to my worms. Bliss! I love my worm farms. Yes, that's plural. I have 2 types - a Hungry Bin and one of those standard multi tray farms. They are doing so well.

After visiting my folks Kien really wanted to climb a volcano. Actually, he specifically wanted to climb Rangitoto. We made a compromise and I took him to Mt St John instead. This is my old stomping ground. Whenever we did cross country in PE class we'd run around this place. It's so beautiful here, especially when the sun is shining.

We found honeysuckle and sucked the nectar out of the ends. We also sniffed a lot of different types of flowers that were rambling along the footpath heading to the car. Good times.

After going home for a little rest we decided to go to the beach. I checked the tides and it was on its way in - perfect for our local beach. Off we went to Sentinel beach.

He said he didn't want to swim, but as soon as I got into the water he wanted to come too, and even after I got out he still wanted to stay in.

Quintessential must do

Like I said on my Facebook post, this is the quintessential must do when the sun is shining. Ah, yes. I am lucky for my Tuesdays off, and particularly lucky that last Tuesday we had the most fabulous weather (which so far our summer has been rather sad). I was also looking after my friend from work's kids; luckily the kids and Kien are quite fond of each other. I wanted to go somewhere different so decided to take them to Coatsville to the Troost Family Strawberry Fields. This place is amazing. The family live on the premises, and the farm is pretty spectacular, with acres of strawberry fields dripping with big, red, juicy fruit. The kids each had their own container, and away they went.

Did someone say fast?

Fast. Wow, its gone fast. Time escapes me. Thats all I can say. It really does. How. Why. When. What? We are already towards the end of January already? Over Christmas and the new year break we've all been so sick so didn't manage to go anywhere. The one thing we did do though is go to the Demolition Derby at Waikaraka Speedway at the end of last year. A school friend of mine is here with her family all the way from Galway, Ireland, and she invited us out. Being a Demolition Derby virgin I had no idea what to expect. It was fun! Fun with a capital F. Far exceeded my expectations.

They had a jet car demonstration which was really cool, and really loud.

They also did one of the most amazing fireworks extravaganza; amazing possibly because we were so close and could feel the explosions going off.

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I've searched for one since I was his age. Kien didn't even look hard to spot one on January 2nd. Well since Kien belongs to me I'm claiming it to be mine, and the good luck that's supposed to come with finding one.