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.

Seven

My baby boy is now SEVEN. His little face with his missing front tooth peered out at me from under the covers yesterday morning, smiling, excitedly asking, "is it really my birthday, today?". I nodded, and he was like, "SEVEN, I'm now seven!", as if it was the best age to be, ever! Then I looked at my Fitbit and told him that this time 7 years ago I was waiting for him to sleep, that his daddy had just driven us from the hospital to Birthcare, and he was lying in his cot looking at me with those enormous eyes, blinking, staring, not sleeping. The nurses checked in on us, one at a time, hour after hour, exclaiming how he should be asleep by now. Little did I realise this was going to be my life for the next few years! He giggled after I told my story, telling me it was very funny. Then he threw his arms around my neck and pulled my face close, squeezed tightly and gave me a kiss, and asked for the iPad.

He was a palaeontologist after breakfast, slowly chipping away with his hammer and chisel to dig out the bones buried in the clay brick. This kid has been interested in dinosaurs for as long as I can remember. He even wants to go London so he can visit the Natural History Museum - the one that David Attenborough's "Alive" documentary was filmed in, which uses CGI imagery to bring to life several of the extinct animal skeletons in the museum. He loves that doco.

We had his friend, Naotaka, (who shared their birthday party together a couple of weeks ago) over for the day. Both boys had such a good time. We broke out the water balloons.

After all the birthday gifts at their birthday party and Christmas presents I can safely say Kien was present-ed out, to the point where he didn't even expect/ask if we had got him something. We had, but I think I'll save that for another time.

Last night I asked him if he enjoyed his birthday. He said he did, very much. He loved the balloons, playing with his friend, and our house. He's said a few times that he loves living here, and that he doesn't miss the apartment anymore. He also told me that his favourite daddy is Daddy, I'm his favourite mummy, and Koala is his favourite best friend. And then he continued talking about all sorts of things (like he does every night) and asks me to explain why we dream, how our eyes work, why our heart is so important...and then I tell him to be quiet and go to sleep...and then he yabbers on under his breathe thinking I can't hear him until he passes out, eventually.

A merry little Christmas

I haven't been well, and if you asked Jef he would say he wore the brunt of all my frustrations over the last few days. But anyway, on Christmas eve we spent the day at home trying to enjoy some peace and quiet. Kien got into the stash of water balloons, and a lot of merriment was had with throwing them out windows and smashing them all over the place. Between Kien and Jef they blew up a heck of a lot of them too!

At nightfall we ventured up the street to see the Franklin Rd lights. After all, t'was the night before Christmas...

I was feeling so poorly by the time we got home but I had all of "Santa's" presents to wrap. I sent Jef off to put Kien to bed and got to it (after a couple more Aspirins). I've come to a conclusion that I could never be a professional parcel wrapper upperer! But finally I had everything set and done.

Christmas morning there was one very lucky, and very surprised little boy.

We try to keep reminding him of how very lucky he is. Especially after a second round of gifts at my folks place, and then a third round of gifts at Rod, Grandma Gun, and Karen's. Wow, I'm overwhelmed by how generous everyone is. I am so grateful, and feel very fortunate indeed. Merry Christmas.