Sadly he has not been getting medals so he realised he had to work a little harder.
At the last one he did just that.....and walked away with a gold medal.
Well done Ben very proud of you.
Showing posts with label Ben. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ben. Show all posts
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Tournament Time
There have been quite a few judo tournaments lately and Ben has been attending them all.
Sadly he has not been getting medals so he realised he had to work a little harder.
At the last one he did just that.....and walked away with a gold medal.
Well done Ben very proud of you.
Sadly he has not been getting medals so he realised he had to work a little harder.
At the last one he did just that.....and walked away with a gold medal.
Well done Ben very proud of you.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
5 Boys and A Wall
For Ben's Birthday this year he again wanted to take some friends to the Climbing Wall and then out to Burger King for dinner.
So we had the pleasure of watching 5 little boys climb like mad up every wall possible in the place
Everyone had a great time and it was just perfect for a group of 9 year olds.
Thanks to all for coming and having such a great time.
So we had the pleasure of watching 5 little boys climb like mad up every wall possible in the place
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| On your marks, get set, Go! |
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| Look mummy, I can reach the top! |
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| Birthday boy just hanging around |
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| Wow, you mean the walls this end go over the ceiling! |
Thanks to all for coming and having such a great time.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Weetbix TRYathlon
This weekend Ben once again completed the Weetbix Tryathlon.
Once again it was an awesome fun event that everyone enjoyed and got behind.
And like the name suggests it is a Tryathlon, yes there are 3 events to complete, swimming, biking and running (or walking if that is what you do) but the main focus is on TRY athlon as in "give it a go, try it out."
And yesterday that is just what 1500 kids did at Waikato University and they were awesome, every single last one of them ( and I know a little something about the last one too)
The first event, the swimming, is done in age groups, so you enter the pool when your group is called. Due to the distances that are swum (7yrs - 50m, 8-11yrs - 100m and the rest 200m) this will decide on when your age group swims. Yesterday Ben's age group (8yr yellow caps) were the very last group to swim, in fact by the time they had even entered the water most of the older bigger kids had finished their whole tryathlon! But at the end of the day it is not a competition it is a 'fun give it a go day'.
However, for some reason Ben hit the water and stopped. He got given a float board to use but he didn't seem to go very fast with it, consequently the 2 or 3 little groups of boys left to swim all passed him and he was one of the very last people to leave the pool area and transition onto the bikes.
When he was at his bike he seemed to take forever. He had a little trouble with his helmet and we assisted over the fence. However whilst he was getting ready to go on his bike an official came up and asked him if he was alright for his run? Ben told him he was just going out on his bike and you saw the official whisper something into his little mic, obviously letting someone know they still had one left to go out on the bike!
My heart sank!! In fact my heart is sinking writing this (but only a mother will understand where I am coming from)
I am not sure whether I wanted to cry or scream, a few profanities came out of my mouth but then I realised we had to make the best of the whole situation. So I raced back to the school tent and found all his mates and their siblings and quickly explained that Ben was the very very last person. It sank in with them very quickly and then we sprung into action.
We all waited at the bike arrival area and cheered like mad for him when he came in on his own, we cheered for him while he parked his bike and set out on his run, the kids ran with him for about 200m and then they raced to the finish area. I ran with him about half of the run, but the thing that amazed me was him, he just jogged along and over took 6 people, I then realised that he wasn't going to come in dead last, he was going to be one of the last ones home but not THE last.
Half way round the course all his mates were on the side again with Steve and Alex and another parent and they all cheered him on again. We cut through the trees to where he was going to come out after going round the lake and we cheered him on again.
The last bend and some of the straight and everyone was running with him, then they all stopped and cheered as he ran the last bit himself straight across the finish.
Because it was the end of the day, and 1493 other kids had already come home, the finish straight was empty, there was hardly anyone standing along it cheering the kids. Of course not, because everyone else had their kids home so they had already moved over to the prize giving area which was happening about 10 mins after the last kid got home!
So after cheering like mad for Ben I stayed on the finish line and cheered like mad for the last few kids to come in. Really supported them, made them feel like someone was still there for them.
Ben is still totally oblivious to where he was in the race, doesn't understand what I saw but then why should he, he did the swim, he did the bike and he did the run. He knows his age group were the last to do everything and next year his age group will be before this group. And the year after his age group will be earlier again.
Although I know that in 2 years time we will go through it all again with someone at the end as Alex will be 8 by then and he will be in that dreaded group that has to go at the very end of the day.
Once again it was an awesome fun event that everyone enjoyed and got behind.
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| 1500 bikes in transition area |
If you have never had the pleasure then now is the time to take note and look out for next years events for your kids.
The kids have to be 7 yrs old to participate and they can do it every year until they are 15.
And yesterday that is just what 1500 kids did at Waikato University and they were awesome, every single last one of them ( and I know a little something about the last one too)
The first event, the swimming, is done in age groups, so you enter the pool when your group is called. Due to the distances that are swum (7yrs - 50m, 8-11yrs - 100m and the rest 200m) this will decide on when your age group swims. Yesterday Ben's age group (8yr yellow caps) were the very last group to swim, in fact by the time they had even entered the water most of the older bigger kids had finished their whole tryathlon! But at the end of the day it is not a competition it is a 'fun give it a go day'.
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| Waiting with mates from school |
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| Waiting to get in the water |
My heart sank!! In fact my heart is sinking writing this (but only a mother will understand where I am coming from)
I soon realised that Ben was the very very last person on the biking field. The very last contestant of all 1500 kids! (Ben however knew absolutely nothing of this and just kept going with a huge smile on his face)
I also knew that from last year he didn't like the running part and walked, so my heart and brain very quickly put 2 & 2 together and yes I got that horrible answer of "oh my gosh he is going to be the very last kid to cross the finish line! |
| Sole rider getting sorted for the ride |
I raced round to where he came out of the bike area and told him where to go, however I could see the 'tailend charlie official' ahead of Ben, so I ran like mad next to Ben telling him he had to catch up with the 2 men in the yellow jackets ahead of him. About 100m later a marshall saw Ben and stopped the officals and they waited for him. So there I stood on the large University field watch my lone 8yr old cycle round the path with not another person insight!
I am not sure whether I wanted to cry or scream, a few profanities came out of my mouth but then I realised we had to make the best of the whole situation. So I raced back to the school tent and found all his mates and their siblings and quickly explained that Ben was the very very last person. It sank in with them very quickly and then we sprung into action.
We all waited at the bike arrival area and cheered like mad for him when he came in on his own, we cheered for him while he parked his bike and set out on his run, the kids ran with him for about 200m and then they raced to the finish area. I ran with him about half of the run, but the thing that amazed me was him, he just jogged along and over took 6 people, I then realised that he wasn't going to come in dead last, he was going to be one of the last ones home but not THE last.
Half way round the course all his mates were on the side again with Steve and Alex and another parent and they all cheered him on again. We cut through the trees to where he was going to come out after going round the lake and we cheered him on again.
The last bend and some of the straight and everyone was running with him, then they all stopped and cheered as he ran the last bit himself straight across the finish.
Because it was the end of the day, and 1493 other kids had already come home, the finish straight was empty, there was hardly anyone standing along it cheering the kids. Of course not, because everyone else had their kids home so they had already moved over to the prize giving area which was happening about 10 mins after the last kid got home!
So after cheering like mad for Ben I stayed on the finish line and cheered like mad for the last few kids to come in. Really supported them, made them feel like someone was still there for them.
Ben is still totally oblivious to where he was in the race, doesn't understand what I saw but then why should he, he did the swim, he did the bike and he did the run. He knows his age group were the last to do everything and next year his age group will be before this group. And the year after his age group will be earlier again.
Although I know that in 2 years time we will go through it all again with someone at the end as Alex will be 8 by then and he will be in that dreaded group that has to go at the very end of the day.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Ben's Baby
This post is something I have been meaning to write for a long time, but it is only after I went searching for the link to it that I realised just how long I have been planning it!
Heidi over here at Homemade by Heidi once told the story about her then 6 yr old son, who I guess is now 8, and how when he was little he had a baby doll. Apparently, sadly, the doll and himself parted company rather dramatically at the time of her post that I have linked to above. (I sometimes wonder what had happened at the time for the sudden and dramatic exit, maybe some kids had said something at school?)
However this made me immediately think of my son, who is exactly the same age. He too has a baby doll, although unlike Heidi's son, our baby doll is still around on the scene.
Our baby doll is simply known as "Baby".
I am not sure if people (friends) know about Baby? He has her with us at the caravan and I must admit that when one or 2 of the little girls have started playing with her, the boys have mentioned that that is Ben's Baby and it just seems to have been accepted in everyones stride, like it is common place for little boys to have baby dolls (Alex does have one too, although he has baby bear and a Barney who are more important to him, although he is likely to give anyone a home, including a giraffe on a keyring who is now called Tessa and who has even managed a solo trip through the New Zealand postal service after she got left at Grandma's house!)
So luckily for us, our Baby is still alive and well, still living in their room. I hope we don't have a bad break up like Heidi did, although I think I would be inclined to do exactly what Heidi did and rescue her and give her a home until that magic time to reveal her back to her beloved owner when he leasts expects it!
Heidi over here at Homemade by Heidi once told the story about her then 6 yr old son, who I guess is now 8, and how when he was little he had a baby doll. Apparently, sadly, the doll and himself parted company rather dramatically at the time of her post that I have linked to above. (I sometimes wonder what had happened at the time for the sudden and dramatic exit, maybe some kids had said something at school?)
However this made me immediately think of my son, who is exactly the same age. He too has a baby doll, although unlike Heidi's son, our baby doll is still around on the scene.
Our baby doll is simply known as "Baby".
Ben wanted a baby doll after several education baby dolls had been delivered to our house for an Antenatal class that I was facilitating. They were in our house for about a week and when they left he informed us that he wanted them back because they were now his babies. We asked if he wanted a baby and he said yes, so we went to the store and he choose the one, (think it cost all of $7.99) he must have been about 2 or 3yrs old at the time.
This baby doll has been around for at least the last 5-6 yrs.
Ben is not into teddy bears or fluffy toys he just has baby.
Unlike his little brother, who sometimes has to clear a space to just be able to lie down in his own bed, because he has so many other people in his bed! Ben does not sleep with anything. Never has. In fact neither of my boys were blanket / snuggly baby's, neither had anything that had to be taken with them wherever they went, we never had major panics because we had lost 'xyz', or bedtimes wouldn't work because 'xyz' was in the washing or lost!
All soft squiggy toys tended to stay at home during the day and found for nighttime.
Alex has had his moments of wanting to take someone with him, but it has never been a major effort or caused major hassle. At the time of leaving then we have to make sure we have everyone with us, but sometimes they have gone to bed in the foreign place without said toy and only found them the next morning when looking for something else.
However after reading Heidi's post I realised just how lucky we have been.
Baby is in our house, sometimes she can go missing for 3-4 weeks and not a word is said, but then suddenly Ben will be under his bed for some reason, will discover her and there are big crys of joy and hugs etc and she gets pride of place back in his bed and hugged to death when he goes to bed.
If we go away, then we always ask if Baby is coming too, she always does but if she is not in the bed at bedtime, there are no tantrums etc.
So luckily for us, our Baby is still alive and well, still living in their room. I hope we don't have a bad break up like Heidi did, although I think I would be inclined to do exactly what Heidi did and rescue her and give her a home until that magic time to reveal her back to her beloved owner when he leasts expects it!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
New Rules
Ok, who changed the rules...?
It was instilled in me when I was little that you brushed your teeth with toothpaste and then you spat it out and rinsed.
This is what I have instilled in my children and this is what Grandma still reminds them as well.
Well, hey guys, we need to move with the times....apparently!
It has changed.....you now encourage children to spit only and no rinsing.
The reasoning behind this......that the toothpaste they are using has flouride in it and if they spit only then residuel toothpaste with flouride will stay on their teeth during the night and help strengthen them further.
How do I know this update...by taking my kids to the school dental nurse. Unfortunately I thought I was being a good mother in taking Ben for an appointment outside of his normal school dental appointment schedule when I discovered some plaque build up on his new big teeth, I didn't want him to wait another 5 months until his next scheduled appointment at school, unfortunately what I wasn't prepared for was the Dental Therapist kindly telling me that 3, yes you read right, 3 of his back teeth are showing signs of bugs playing there and that they need to be filled.
I felt disappointed with myself, I thought I had been doing so well with them, they brush for 2 minutes (we have a timer) ever morning and evening, ok we are not fab at flossing, like not at all really and I suppose we have been a little slack in supervising their brushing this year, so even though they may have been brushing for 2 minutes I can't ensure the quality of the brushing. But I have been keeping a small eye on them and they have always had good check ups at the dental nurse who has always been impressed with their cute little purly white nuggets.
My boys do not sit all day long eating sweets and lollies, yes they drink cordial, but do not sit there supping it for hours on end, they drink their drink and then have a break before drinking again, so they are not having sugary food and liquid constantly sitting in their mouth.
So I was a little shocked actually today for her to ask if we were happy for her to fix up 1 of his teeth and to come back another time for the other 2.
I was suddenly having flash backs to my younger days of sitting in the dental chair having the same teeth filled.
However he was a fabulous little soldier sitting in that dental chair, he was giggling most of the time, the therapist had the best rapor with him that made everyone feel right at ease.
So this Wednesday coming he is having another little injection and filling done and then another 1 the following Wednesday.
I feel bad that he has to have it done, but at the same time very grateful that I took him today and we didn't find it all out in 5 months time (when it probably would have been a lot worse) at his next scheduled school appointment.
So maybe brushing time has just gone back on our schedule of things to watch over in the evenings when getting bedtimes sorted, no more just sending them to the bathroom, we need to pay a little bit more attention to what they are doing because now we have good practices instilled in them about brushing twice a day we now need to work on how/what exactly they are brushing.
P.S - when we collected Ben from school for his appointment today he proudly informed me that whilst eating his raw carrot at morning tea time he now had another wobbly tooth. (takes the current total to 2!)
Guess I better warn the tooth fairy this time round so she doesn't miss him out!
It was instilled in me when I was little that you brushed your teeth with toothpaste and then you spat it out and rinsed.
This is what I have instilled in my children and this is what Grandma still reminds them as well.
Well, hey guys, we need to move with the times....apparently!
It has changed.....you now encourage children to spit only and no rinsing.
The reasoning behind this......that the toothpaste they are using has flouride in it and if they spit only then residuel toothpaste with flouride will stay on their teeth during the night and help strengthen them further.
How do I know this update...by taking my kids to the school dental nurse. Unfortunately I thought I was being a good mother in taking Ben for an appointment outside of his normal school dental appointment schedule when I discovered some plaque build up on his new big teeth, I didn't want him to wait another 5 months until his next scheduled appointment at school, unfortunately what I wasn't prepared for was the Dental Therapist kindly telling me that 3, yes you read right, 3 of his back teeth are showing signs of bugs playing there and that they need to be filled.
I felt disappointed with myself, I thought I had been doing so well with them, they brush for 2 minutes (we have a timer) ever morning and evening, ok we are not fab at flossing, like not at all really and I suppose we have been a little slack in supervising their brushing this year, so even though they may have been brushing for 2 minutes I can't ensure the quality of the brushing. But I have been keeping a small eye on them and they have always had good check ups at the dental nurse who has always been impressed with their cute little purly white nuggets.
My boys do not sit all day long eating sweets and lollies, yes they drink cordial, but do not sit there supping it for hours on end, they drink their drink and then have a break before drinking again, so they are not having sugary food and liquid constantly sitting in their mouth.
So I was a little shocked actually today for her to ask if we were happy for her to fix up 1 of his teeth and to come back another time for the other 2.
I was suddenly having flash backs to my younger days of sitting in the dental chair having the same teeth filled.
However he was a fabulous little soldier sitting in that dental chair, he was giggling most of the time, the therapist had the best rapor with him that made everyone feel right at ease.
So this Wednesday coming he is having another little injection and filling done and then another 1 the following Wednesday.
I feel bad that he has to have it done, but at the same time very grateful that I took him today and we didn't find it all out in 5 months time (when it probably would have been a lot worse) at his next scheduled school appointment.
So maybe brushing time has just gone back on our schedule of things to watch over in the evenings when getting bedtimes sorted, no more just sending them to the bathroom, we need to pay a little bit more attention to what they are doing because now we have good practices instilled in them about brushing twice a day we now need to work on how/what exactly they are brushing.
P.S - when we collected Ben from school for his appointment today he proudly informed me that whilst eating his raw carrot at morning tea time he now had another wobbly tooth. (takes the current total to 2!)
Guess I better warn the tooth fairy this time round so she doesn't miss him out!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
English Language
The joys of sentences! Yea right.
Steve and I are suddenly having a crash course in the English language and the full use of it....mainly with regards to sentences.
Did you know there are so many different types of sentences?
Luckily for us we have the power ofbeing an English Major being a parent with the internet and Google.
We also have to remember Verbs, Nouns, Adjectives and how they work, what they do and then just to confuse things we, not Ben, start discussing over whether or not the noun we are thinking of is a proper noun or not just to confuse both of us even further!
I last did this type of English work at school and I left there in 1987!
The joys of parenting ........... may it go on for ever!
Steve and I are suddenly having a crash course in the English language and the full use of it....mainly with regards to sentences.
Did you know there are so many different types of sentences?
- Simple
- Compound
- Conjunctioned
Luckily for us we have the power of
We also have to remember Verbs, Nouns, Adjectives and how they work, what they do and then just to confuse things we, not Ben, start discussing over whether or not the noun we are thinking of is a proper noun or not just to confuse both of us even further!
I last did this type of English work at school and I left there in 1987!
The joys of parenting ........... may it go on for ever!
Saturday, November 05, 2011
Too Much Tv
Today whilst getting dressed, my 2 boys came into the bedroom.
Now they know our bedroom door is always open and I have no worries getting dressed in front of them.
However this morning the conversation with Ben went like this:
B: Mummy, why do you wear a bra?
M: Because it is what ladies wear to keep their boobies looking nice.
B: Well you should try an 'Ah Bra'!
M: Couldn't speak as I was laughing so much I just about fell over!
B: Mummy, why are you laughing?
M: Because you are so cute and adorable!
An 'Ah Bra' for those of you that don't know, is a bra that is currently advertised on tv as the next best thing! Haha, looks like crap if you ask me but I just had to laugh so much the fact that Ben had watched the ad and taken so much on board!
In normal fashion they always have deals on about 'Buy 1 get 6 Free' To me if they are so wonderful then why doesn't Littlewoods and Farmer's sell them?
Now they know our bedroom door is always open and I have no worries getting dressed in front of them.
However this morning the conversation with Ben went like this:
B: Mummy, why do you wear a bra?
M: Because it is what ladies wear to keep their boobies looking nice.
B: Well you should try an 'Ah Bra'!
M: Couldn't speak as I was laughing so much I just about fell over!
B: Mummy, why are you laughing?
M: Because you are so cute and adorable!
An 'Ah Bra' for those of you that don't know, is a bra that is currently advertised on tv as the next best thing! Haha, looks like crap if you ask me but I just had to laugh so much the fact that Ben had watched the ad and taken so much on board!
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Homework!
Ben can get himself all in a tizz over his homework very easily.
Somedays it flows nicely whilst on others it is harder than turning the tap on.
However the other day he asked us what jobs didn't have paperwork?
Turns out he doesn't want to do any!
On further investigation, it turns out that his only understanding about paperwork is homework and that is what he doesn't want to do in a job....homework!
I had just finished my last essay for my degree and he felt this was paperwork for my job (it is not, as I am doing this totally seperate from anything to do with work) so we had to explain that in fact my essays are for my school not work, that they were my homework like he has.
We did go though some jobs and discuss what paperwork would be involved, he caught on pretty quickly that, hopefully, training in a job would give you all the information and skills you would need to complete any paperwork involved.
Funny the little things that bother them somedays.
Somedays it flows nicely whilst on others it is harder than turning the tap on.
However the other day he asked us what jobs didn't have paperwork?
Turns out he doesn't want to do any!
On further investigation, it turns out that his only understanding about paperwork is homework and that is what he doesn't want to do in a job....homework!
I had just finished my last essay for my degree and he felt this was paperwork for my job (it is not, as I am doing this totally seperate from anything to do with work) so we had to explain that in fact my essays are for my school not work, that they were my homework like he has.
We did go though some jobs and discuss what paperwork would be involved, he caught on pretty quickly that, hopefully, training in a job would give you all the information and skills you would need to complete any paperwork involved.
Funny the little things that bother them somedays.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Winter Sport
This year, as mentioned before, we have had the pleasure of entertaining the new notion of winter sports for the boys.
Ben has loved soccer, there are no other words to say about it. He has grown so much in the last 12 weeks. His skills in all areas of the game have improved 10 fold and we now have an awesome little striker in our midsts.
He has learnt some awesome ball skills and foot control. I am so looking forward to when the back garden is finally finished and all flat, cause I can see he will be out there with a ball practising quite happily.
Alex, even though he didn't want to play soccer, sadly changed his mind after about week 4, unfortunately by then it was too late for him to join in! Next year for certain, as he too has gained some lovely little ball skills from joining in with Ben's team at practice each week.
Ben's team throughout the season has grown too and in fact they went on to win their division.
This last weekend the soccer season had finished, however most of the team signed themselves up for Jambo Soccer.
This is an all day of soccer games. Every team was represented by a country. To find out more about Jambo Soccer then check out their website.
Ben's team was Croatia, we even went so far as to get a Croatian flag to wave at the parade. It looked so cool, on the biggest wooden stick Steve could find in the garage.
However, it was a very long day, with lots of fast 6 a side soccer games lasting 10 mins each way with a 2 min break at half time.
Sadly the boys struggled with the pace of the games and lost every single one they played in. They never actually scored a single goal!
By the last game they had all had enough but were not quite ready to give up.
Unfortunately some bright spark decided to do the final results in an odd way.
The top 4 teams fought it out for 1st and 2nd. The winners got gold and the next team silver.
However this is where it got funny.....3rd and 4th walked away with nothing but the bottom 2 teams (5th & 6th place) got to play each other for the bowl prize?
So we had to play one more game.
We lost, no surprise there, although this time the team only beat us by 1-0 rather than the 3-0 from the previous game.
However what was ultimately surprising was the fact we walked away with a medal! Yea that is right, we got medals and certificates, bronze as they called it?! How? we are not exactly sure and do not understand why at all!
We, all the adults, logically thought that 3rd and 4th would fight it out for the bowl trophy and bronze medals and that the bottom teams would just get smiled at and told "well done for trying your best" and "better luck next time" but no.
Even now, 48 hours later, I am still trying to work out how we managed to come dead last, bottom of the bottom, with absolutely no goals to our name and still walk away with a medal etc.
If you understand all this and know why it happened this way then pray please let me know.
Ben has loved soccer, there are no other words to say about it. He has grown so much in the last 12 weeks. His skills in all areas of the game have improved 10 fold and we now have an awesome little striker in our midsts.
He has learnt some awesome ball skills and foot control. I am so looking forward to when the back garden is finally finished and all flat, cause I can see he will be out there with a ball practising quite happily.
Alex, even though he didn't want to play soccer, sadly changed his mind after about week 4, unfortunately by then it was too late for him to join in! Next year for certain, as he too has gained some lovely little ball skills from joining in with Ben's team at practice each week.
Ben's team throughout the season has grown too and in fact they went on to win their division.
This last weekend the soccer season had finished, however most of the team signed themselves up for Jambo Soccer.
This is an all day of soccer games. Every team was represented by a country. To find out more about Jambo Soccer then check out their website.
Ben's team was Croatia, we even went so far as to get a Croatian flag to wave at the parade. It looked so cool, on the biggest wooden stick Steve could find in the garage.
However, it was a very long day, with lots of fast 6 a side soccer games lasting 10 mins each way with a 2 min break at half time.
Sadly the boys struggled with the pace of the games and lost every single one they played in. They never actually scored a single goal!
By the last game they had all had enough but were not quite ready to give up.
Unfortunately some bright spark decided to do the final results in an odd way.
The top 4 teams fought it out for 1st and 2nd. The winners got gold and the next team silver.
However this is where it got funny.....3rd and 4th walked away with nothing but the bottom 2 teams (5th & 6th place) got to play each other for the bowl prize?
So we had to play one more game.
We lost, no surprise there, although this time the team only beat us by 1-0 rather than the 3-0 from the previous game.
However what was ultimately surprising was the fact we walked away with a medal! Yea that is right, we got medals and certificates, bronze as they called it?! How? we are not exactly sure and do not understand why at all!
We, all the adults, logically thought that 3rd and 4th would fight it out for the bowl trophy and bronze medals and that the bottom teams would just get smiled at and told "well done for trying your best" and "better luck next time" but no.
Even now, 48 hours later, I am still trying to work out how we managed to come dead last, bottom of the bottom, with absolutely no goals to our name and still walk away with a medal etc.
If you understand all this and know why it happened this way then pray please let me know.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Celine Dion
This is a 2 disc set. On one disc you have the whole show & song selection and on the other you have the back stage pass (the whole show from behind the scenes) and Show secrets.
Now everynow and then I get the whim to watch this dvd, or more to the point, put it on whilst doing something else in the house and having the volume up loud so I can sing to it whilst working.
Last week I put the disc on to listen to the show one evening, Ben got into it really well. He loved watching her dance and sing, he loved all the Cirque de Soleil dancers and even all the flying stuff up on wires.
It is his dvd of choice to put on in the evenings. On the way to school he will even ask me if we can maybe watch the disc when we get home, after doing homework of course!
He is slowly learning the songs and will happily sing along to it all.
Luckily for him she is one of my favorite singers, so he has no worries about getting to know her work as mummy has several cd's of her music.
When ever he hears people talking on the radio about concerts he now asks me who I would like to see in concert? Adele, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars? He always manages to come back to Celine and ask if I want to see her, yes I always say, he then agrees and says 'ok mummy but could I come too?'
Saturday, July 09, 2011
Crutches
Ben has had the joy of learning how to use crutches this week.
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Luckily for him, he is at Grandma's house at present, so not many steps to climb. We on the other hand have a flight of 18 to get upstairs, so guess we will be carrying him to bed each night.
Apparently he has been doing well on his crutches and his learning to keep his balance better.
After 4 weeks of this he will probably be very fast on them.
Luckily for him, he is at Grandma's house at present, so not many steps to climb. We on the other hand have a flight of 18 to get upstairs, so guess we will be carrying him to bed each night.
Apparently he has been doing well on his crutches and his learning to keep his balance better.
After 4 weeks of this he will probably be very fast on them.
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Just Perfect! The Joys of Parenting
This time last week I was ranting and raging about having time off work due to a sick child. He by the way is now fine and we really don't think he was ever that contagious, but we will not argue that point now!
So yesterday life finally got back to normal.
Everyone went to school and I got to go back to work.
However that only lasted until 5pm last night.
Ben jumped down of the stage at after school care last night (like he has everyday practically for the last 2 years) and then complained his foot hurt. Apparently he walked across the hall and then mentioned it hurt.
He could walk on it and move his toes and said it didn't hurt too much when touched. We decided that a pulled muscle was probably the best and left it at that. He had shoes on at the time so we felt his foot was supported so expected nothing sinister at all.
This morning his foot was swollen and sore, so Steve took a couple of hours off and took him for an x-ray at 9am.
I on the other hand called in the cavalry (aka Grandma)
They diagnosed a sprain and sent us home telling us to keep him home for the rest of the week. So Grandma came and did a snatch and grab and whisked him home to her house till Saturday.
Don't you just love Grandma's?
Unfortunately I wish it was all just that simple.
Turns out someone else reviewed his x-ray later in the day and they called us at 5pm to say he needed to be seen again due to actually having a broken foot.
Slight problem, he is now 1hr drive away.
So Grandma took him to local clinic and they called our clinic who advised of the diagnosis.
Now we have a back slab, non weight bearing with crutches for 3 days, then a visit to fracture clinic and then 6 weeks in a cast.
So soccer season, which he is loving has just disappeared along with Judo.
Not sure if he realises this but then seeing as he is not at home at present, still at Grandma's, then we will discuss this with him when he returns!
So here we are, 10pm and I still am not exactly sure what is happening. I never saw the doctor, we haven't really spoken to anyone proper about the phone call because no one has spoken to us yet! Grandma knows more than we do due to being told directly at her clinic what the Hamilton clinic told them, but even then because she is not in town, then they don't know who, when or where.
My day off tomorrow is obviously going to be spent getting to grips with everything and when we have to be places and what for.
The joys of Parenting.
So yesterday life finally got back to normal.
Everyone went to school and I got to go back to work.
However that only lasted until 5pm last night.
Ben jumped down of the stage at after school care last night (like he has everyday practically for the last 2 years) and then complained his foot hurt. Apparently he walked across the hall and then mentioned it hurt.
He could walk on it and move his toes and said it didn't hurt too much when touched. We decided that a pulled muscle was probably the best and left it at that. He had shoes on at the time so we felt his foot was supported so expected nothing sinister at all.
This morning his foot was swollen and sore, so Steve took a couple of hours off and took him for an x-ray at 9am.
I on the other hand called in the cavalry (aka Grandma)
They diagnosed a sprain and sent us home telling us to keep him home for the rest of the week. So Grandma came and did a snatch and grab and whisked him home to her house till Saturday.
Don't you just love Grandma's?
Unfortunately I wish it was all just that simple.
Turns out someone else reviewed his x-ray later in the day and they called us at 5pm to say he needed to be seen again due to actually having a broken foot.
Slight problem, he is now 1hr drive away.
So Grandma took him to local clinic and they called our clinic who advised of the diagnosis.
Now we have a back slab, non weight bearing with crutches for 3 days, then a visit to fracture clinic and then 6 weeks in a cast.
So soccer season, which he is loving has just disappeared along with Judo.
Not sure if he realises this but then seeing as he is not at home at present, still at Grandma's, then we will discuss this with him when he returns!
So here we are, 10pm and I still am not exactly sure what is happening. I never saw the doctor, we haven't really spoken to anyone proper about the phone call because no one has spoken to us yet! Grandma knows more than we do due to being told directly at her clinic what the Hamilton clinic told them, but even then because she is not in town, then they don't know who, when or where.
My day off tomorrow is obviously going to be spent getting to grips with everything and when we have to be places and what for.
The joys of Parenting.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
The Egg
Ben's class are egg sitting or more to the point egg caring.
Yes, they have an egg each and they have to care for it during the week.
Unfortunately some eggs have already cracked under the pressure of being cared for by 7/8 yr olds.
They do not have to do anything special with these eggs, just still have them in one piece on Friday.
I learnt today that apparently they do have to look after them during lunch break but they seem to have devised a plan to get some of the girls to egg sit so nobodys egg gets broken.
Not sure what happens on Friday when all is finished but we will wait and see.
Not actually sure even what they have learnt from this but will wait with baited breath to hear what Ben has to say when it is over on Friday.
Yes, they have an egg each and they have to care for it during the week.
Unfortunately some eggs have already cracked under the pressure of being cared for by 7/8 yr olds.
They do not have to do anything special with these eggs, just still have them in one piece on Friday.
I learnt today that apparently they do have to look after them during lunch break but they seem to have devised a plan to get some of the girls to egg sit so nobodys egg gets broken.
Not sure what happens on Friday when all is finished but we will wait and see.
Not actually sure even what they have learnt from this but will wait with baited breath to hear what Ben has to say when it is over on Friday.
Sunday, May 08, 2011
Soccer
Until now, we have always been able to get away from Saturday sports, we knew that one day our day would come. However, the boys have been happy doing Judo, which just so happens to be a very nice indoor sport!
Sadly that time has now ended and we have been entered into Saturday morning sports, although we were happily welcomed with blazing sunshine and nice warm temperatures for our first morning on the sidelines!
Ben has discovered soccer and wanted to play this year, so play he is.....
This weekend saw the teams first game of the season
He had a blast and his team even won their first match 3-0.
Well done little ones, look forward to watching you next week.
Sadly that time has now ended and we have been entered into Saturday morning sports, although we were happily welcomed with blazing sunshine and nice warm temperatures for our first morning on the sidelines!
Ben has discovered soccer and wanted to play this year, so play he is.....
This weekend saw the teams first game of the season
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| Someone had to play goalie for the 1st half, sadly he never saw the ball! Due to the score! |
He had a blast and his team even won their first match 3-0.
Well done little ones, look forward to watching you next week.
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
More Teeth
My little caring soul of a big boy has finally had more teeth fall out over Easter.
You may remember in August last year that he had his first tooth fall out and he was not ready to surrender it to the Tooth Fairy. Well that tooth never made it to the fairy until October, when another tooth fell out and then he was happy to give them both over for the grand sum of $4.
Finally 6 months later he has had another 2 fall out......
When the first fell, he happily told us that the fairy would bring him $2 for it, however because he had a very wobbly 2nd tooth he decided to wait until that fell out before giving his teeth away. He did not have to wait very long, like 3 days. He even once again informed us that he would be getting $4 from the tooth fairy.
Well he will be getting $4 when he decides to give over his teeth, once again!
For now they are sitting in his little pot that Grandma gave him, on his bedside table waiting until he is either ready to give them over or when he remembers, because it has now been a week and I secretly think he has forgotten!
You may remember in August last year that he had his first tooth fall out and he was not ready to surrender it to the Tooth Fairy. Well that tooth never made it to the fairy until October, when another tooth fell out and then he was happy to give them both over for the grand sum of $4.
Finally 6 months later he has had another 2 fall out......
When the first fell, he happily told us that the fairy would bring him $2 for it, however because he had a very wobbly 2nd tooth he decided to wait until that fell out before giving his teeth away. He did not have to wait very long, like 3 days. He even once again informed us that he would be getting $4 from the tooth fairy.
Well he will be getting $4 when he decides to give over his teeth, once again!
For now they are sitting in his little pot that Grandma gave him, on his bedside table waiting until he is either ready to give them over or when he remembers, because it has now been a week and I secretly think he has forgotten!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Pro Athelete
Well Ben now thinks he is a pro!
Last weekend, for the first time, he was finally the right age to enter the Weetbix Tryathlon.
The Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRY-athlon is a community event in its eighteenth year where kids aged 7-15 can swim, cycle and run for fun, plus take home a medal and a certificate for having a go - because every kid is a champion!
Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRY-athlon have a Philosophy:
They believe that inside every child there is a champion. It doesn't matter about their size or shape, it doesn't matter if they don't usually get involved in sporting activities. They want them to give it a go and feel like a champion. The emphasis is on being involved and giving their best.
Unfortunately we only found out about it happening in our area 5 days before hand, but Ben was happy to give it ago and try his best. We will train better for it next year, plus he is now registered with them, so we will gain email info months before when the dates for 2012 become available.
He had to swim 50m, cycle 4km and run 1 1/2km
He was very excited, especially as his big cousin, Ellis came over from Rotorua to partake as well.
All in all it was an awesome proud emotional day for me.
He tried his best and achieved so much for my little 7yr old.
There were over 1600 kids taking part and it was so well organised. Never once did I feel the kids were lost or confused, there were so many marshals aound in red t-shirts willing to help and direct the kids.
Even in the swimming part, which due to the size of the pool space the parent's are unable to watch, the pool was a sea of people in red t-shirts, ( I spied through the fence when able too) they were spaced out in the water, all holding float boards, I don't think any child had to go more than 2m before they were in catching distance of the next guard, just in case they got into trouble whilst doing their swimming.
There were marshals in the transition area helping them find their bike, if they forgot where they put it! People along the whole course of the cycling and running, helping them, encouraging them and making sure they knew where to go.
I even witnessed one helper see a young girl really struggling with the last 50m of the run (last activity) and he joined her on the course and helped her along so she finished with her head held high.
Everyone was so encouraging, it was an awesome atmosphere all day and a real privilige to be a part of it all.
Last weekend, for the first time, he was finally the right age to enter the Weetbix Tryathlon.
 |
| Ready to go |
The Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRY-athlon is a community event in its eighteenth year where kids aged 7-15 can swim, cycle and run for fun, plus take home a medal and a certificate for having a go - because every kid is a champion!
Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRY-athlon have a Philosophy:
They believe that inside every child there is a champion. It doesn't matter about their size or shape, it doesn't matter if they don't usually get involved in sporting activities. They want them to give it a go and feel like a champion. The emphasis is on being involved and giving their best.
Unfortunately we only found out about it happening in our area 5 days before hand, but Ben was happy to give it ago and try his best. We will train better for it next year, plus he is now registered with them, so we will gain email info months before when the dates for 2012 become available.
He had to swim 50m, cycle 4km and run 1 1/2km
He was very excited, especially as his big cousin, Ellis came over from Rotorua to partake as well.
All in all it was an awesome proud emotional day for me.
He tried his best and achieved so much for my little 7yr old.
 |
| Water, I need water....! |
 |
| "I did it mum" |
 |
| Look what I got |
Even in the swimming part, which due to the size of the pool space the parent's are unable to watch, the pool was a sea of people in red t-shirts, ( I spied through the fence when able too) they were spaced out in the water, all holding float boards, I don't think any child had to go more than 2m before they were in catching distance of the next guard, just in case they got into trouble whilst doing their swimming.
There were marshals in the transition area helping them find their bike, if they forgot where they put it! People along the whole course of the cycling and running, helping them, encouraging them and making sure they knew where to go.
 |
| Now which one will I take? |
 |
| The entrance to the bikes from the swimming area with excited parents waiting for their little ones to run by |
 |
| Keep going Ben |
 |
| Looking down towards the finish area. The kids were running the other side of the people on the right hand side of picture |
Everyone was so encouraging, it was an awesome atmosphere all day and a real privilige to be a part of it all.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Little White Boy
Ben, at the beginning of the year, came home from school and annouced that he was joining Kapa Haka.
Kapa Haka is a Traditional Maori Dance Group, usually performed by Maori.
He is loving it and is well into it, apart from one little problem.............
Spot the little white boy!
Kapa Haka is a Traditional Maori Dance Group, usually performed by Maori.
He is loving it and is well into it, apart from one little problem.............
Spot the little white boy!
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