Tis Halloween

It's that time of the year again to dress up in a scary outfit, go trick or treating, tell frightening stories and play pranks ... and of course collect as many lollies as one can !

Seatoun, like no other suburb, truly embraces this custom and the streets are crowded with children. We normally host a Halloween Party but this year we only returned from our weekend in Auckland at 6pm which gave us time to simply dress ourselves and 'hit' the streets. We still had fun, just the 4 of us, although we need to make a mental note to put some effort into an outfit for Huddy next year - we had everyone fooled until they saw him !!

Joshua works out

We all love sport in this family and over the years Joshua has seen both Mummy & Daddy participate and compete in various events; he also sees us regularly go running, exercising Huddy and 'putting into' our fitness.

So it comes as no surprise when we go somewhere where they have a gym and Joshua is super-keen to spend hours at the gym 'working out'.

... certainly a simple way of teaching by example.

Lovely weekend - and what an achievement!

We all had a lovely weekend in Auckland. Certainly the highlight for Joshua was getting to spend time with his long-lost friend, Georgia. Even though geography seapartes these two, they still share a close 'connection'.

And then of course the 'real' reason why we were all there ... The Auckland Half-Marathon. Well we are pleased (and relieved) to report that all the runners in our group made it and Mummy managed to finish with a time of 2 hours 2 minutes (eeerrrk, shame it wasn't just under 2 hours!).

The first highlight for Mummy was taking the ferry across to Devonport for the start of the race just as the sun was coming up to welcome a most glorious day with perfect running conditions. The first 5-6 kms were rather a surprise with more uphill than anything else (and I thought Wellington was supposed to be city of hills!). Second highlight was having the opportunity to run across the Auckland Harbour Bridge and take in the view and also the architectural statement of the bridge itself (amazing!); the last 5 kms were a tad 'long' with one more VERY steep hill and by this stage the body was definitely reminding Mummy that she had torn glutes ! But the final and best highlight ... running across the finish line and joining up with Daddy & Joshua in his "go Mummy go" t-shirt.

So, all in all, a very enjoyable weekend spent with good friends and a half-marathon thrown in for good measure !

Congratulations Mummy !

Our cheering committee with their banners - how could we not keep running with this encouragement ?

Go Mummy Go !

2 more sleeps and counting .... well, we all fly up to Auckland in the morning ... Mummy is joining a few girlfriends and running the Auckland half-marathon, despite her torn glutes - eeerk !! So the training is over, it is now 'do or die' time. Mummy has decided not to dream of any finish time but her mantra is to 'simply complete it' and just knowing that Daddy & Josh will be at the finish line will give her enough of a boost to make a 'strong finish'.

And look what Daddy has organised for Josh to wear !!!!!!

Josh decided he wanted 'CHERRY' rather than 'MUMMY' - he said he was worried that all the other Mummy's would think he was cheering for them rather than just 'his' Mummy. So Aunty Jellybean came to the rescue and has laminated a large sign that says "Go Cherry, Go Go Go".

PS Mummy just wishes it was a 'flat' course - apparently there are quite a few hills/inclines in this one and I am not just talking about the Harbour Bridge. The glutes are going to love it - not !

Parent/Student/Teacher Hour

Today we joined Joshua at school at 5.00pm. Each hour from 4pm through to 8pm, four boys and their parents were invited into the classroom to take 10-minute turns at 5 different work stations - covering reading, written work, a science experiment, maths on the electronic whiteboard, and a variety of projects they had undertaken this year.

All boys had been well coached as to what was expected of them and Joshua was very excited to have us both there with him. He particularly loved the maths on the electronic whiteboard - anything that has a technology component to it !

After our 50+ minutes in the classroom, we then went outside and joined the boys in a game of cricket or tennis or some PE activity and then finished off with a visit to the art room where we sat down with Joshua and did some drawings and made a face mask.

We left to go home feeling very warm, very happy and so very grateful that we are all part of the Scots 'family'. In an idealistic world, it would be lovely to think that all children, no matter their circumstances, could experience this level of education, the caring and structured environment and the countless opportunities it gives now and also in the future - sadly it is not to be so we remind ourselves just how lucky and incredibly fortunate we are.

A 3 day weekend !

We celebrated Labour Weekend and thus a 3-day weekend - yippee says Josh ! We had Luca for the day on Monday so set off on an adventure. Mummy & Daddy decided that as we had 2 energetic boys plus Mr Hudson, we would organise a very physical day so .... it started off with a hike up into the back hills of Eastbourne and along the ridge track; back down into the village for a quick drink and snack before heading off to play mini golf; and then off to the swimming pool to climb over the inflatable obstacle course, tackle the wave pool and whizz down the water slide - and then home to have dinner with Luca's sisters !

We had a very full day and it is always good to get out in the fresh air and have some fun. Luca is a very kind boy who also loves to have fun and he and Josh are so good together - they have a lovely friendship which goes back to when both Mummy's were in the same ante-natal group and they are only 12 days apart in age. Now and again, you meet other children in your child's life that you sincerely hope will be around for a very long time ... Luca is one of those children and it would be lovely for him and Josh to remain friends throughout their teenage years and into adulthood - time will tell.

Fresh and rearing to go at the beginning of the hike

Resting half-way up

C'mon says Huddy ... hurry up !

Very happy to be at the top !

Now at mini golf ... pose shot before the game

Daddy trying to catch Joshua on the inflatable obstacle course

... and down the other side

A wee bit of a 'boo-boo' on the water slide

3 boys in the water ... the siren has just gone off and they are awaiting the WAVE

Dinner back home at Clare & Vince with Elise & Ines

This was hilarious ... Elise gave Huddy an 'old' fluffy duck which he proceeded to immediately pull apart - Elise then went and got another duck and laid alongside Huddy and started to imitate him

Huddy has the last laugh ... c'mon Elise, roll on your back and still chew the ducky !

Oh to have that energy!

We had a wonderful afternoon today with Fionn and Ciaran. When these 3 boys get together their energy levels seem to feed off each other and today was no exception! We started off on the trampoline with a competition to see who could jump the highest over the Swiss ball; we then went to the swimming pool for a few hours of boisterous playing and then home for a game of soccer down at the park. We now pray for a good and long night's sleep as Mummy & Daddy are exhausted in trying to keep up.

Wow, that's high Josh ... no wonder you got the prize !

A little peek at Joshua's world at school

It is hard to believe that in 6 weeks time the 2010 school year will be at an end and we have already nearly finished the second week of Term 4.

We have such a happy boy at school this term ... Joshua is now very comfortable with the routine and the structured learning environment that Scots offers. He is trying so hard to do well.

However, the two biggest changes we have seen of late are firstly his confidence - Josh will now, without hesitating, put his hand up and volunteer to participate and will willingly embrace morning news-talk and speaking in front of the class; and secondly, he is asking so many questions - Josh really wants to understand things ... what, why and when.

Scots College seems to certainly be giving Josh a great learning environment, knowledge sharing and other such scholarly pursuits - but he is also having fun and making some lovely friendships.

This sticker on the collar says "Maths Magician"

Sticker on the collar today is for achievement in French

Grandparents & Special Persons' Day

Today Years 1-8 of Scots College hosted a "Grandparents & Special Person's" morning. The boys chose who they wanted to invite and formal invitations were posted out a few weeks earlier ... Joshua chose Grandma, Granney Cranney, Aunty Margaret & Uncle Apples (and also Aunty Karen & Uncle Terry who had to sadly decline because they had to work). But all the others came to celebrate the morning with Josh.

Mummy was only allowed to show them where to meet Josh - and then leave !

Joshua and Harry were the 2 boys chosen from the School to greet all the grandparents at the entrance to the Hall and what a heart-thumping sight to see Joshua with his basket of flowers walking up to all the 'elderly' ladies and saying "welcome to Scots College" and handing them a corsage ! There was a huge turnout with over 300 grandparents and special people, so Joshua was very busy "on duty" !

The boys sang a number of songs and then all 4 Houses performed a Haka before the grandparents were treated to morning tea. The boys then took their 'special' people back to their classrooms to show them their work, over to the library and to the DCM room (computer room).

From all accounts from Grandma, Granney Cranney, Uncle Apples & Aunty Margaret ... they all simply loved the morning and could not speak more highly of Scots College, the boys, the facilities, the morning .. and, of course, Joshua.

In fact, the following day, a hand-written thankyou letter arrived in the mail to Joshua from Uncle Apples & Aunty Margaret that read ...

"Dear Joshua ... what an adventure and thrill it was for us to visit you at your school, and what a school it is! We thoroughly enjoyed attending, meeting your teachers and pals, and seeing where you spend so much time.

It was very difficult for us at your age - there was a war on and bombs were falling and fires everywhere; quite exciting really for a 7 year old, but a very frightening and serious time.

Enjoy your school days Josh - they are important - but more than anything, be happy and relish the chance your Mum and Dad have given you at Scots. It was a real pleasure and honour to be with you today - thank you so much for inviting us.

Work hard, make us proud of you - we are watching your progress with great interest.

Much love from Aunty Margaret & Uncle Apples"

Joshua's 4 very special people ... Granney Cranney, Grandma, Uncle Apples & Aunty Margaret

Joshua and Harry went up to every woman, handed them a corsage and said "welcome to Scots College" (and received many compliments I might add)

Joshua has a soft spot for Uncle Apples - and vice-versa

Whatever Next ?!?!

After school Joshua filled the bath and decided to see how well his Lego creations would float; we even had a few races with some pieces until .... Daddy arrived home ! Next minute, Josh had taken his clothes off and was in the bath and he and Daddy were having a competition to see who could hold their breath the longest under water. Whatever next ?!

The innocent start ... still in school uniform getting the lego pieces lined up in the bath

Next minute ... clothes off, head down & bum up and hold your breath !