Drrgh, what was I thinking?!?!?

Xterra Wellington have been holding a number of running events lately and this evening was the last one in the series - it was advertised as a twilight run through the Orongorongo's with everyone wearing head torches. Mummy thought that sounded like fun and so entered herself and Joshua.

We arrived to find about 70+ rather fit-looking athletes warming up inside the Scout Hall way out the back-of-beyond - all wearing 'serious' wet-weather gear, small emergency backpacks and quite amazing head torches. Joshua was one of only 4 children in the event. (I should possibly have headed back to the car at that stage!)

After an introduction 'chat' by the officials where they spoke of emergency blankets, thermal clothing, the mud and slush causing people to break their ankles in these running conditions, how dark it was up in the bushes, the gun quickly sounded and before I could give any more thought to what we were about to do, we were off!

We headed into the bushes at around 6.30pm in pitch darkness and we started by climbing up to the ridgeline. It was a hard climb, made only more difficult because of the mud and slush, and the track was only wide enough for one runner so that when someone called out they wanted to pass you had to literally climb up onto the bank and hold onto foliage or trees.

I lost count of the number of times Joshua lost his footing and went down into the mud but he was amazing ... he simply picked himself up and kept going. The adrenalin carried us for awhile and it was quite amazing seeing all the bobbing head torches in the dark. Joshua wore his jacket that had his name printed on the back and other runners were wonderful with their encouragement of him (as they passed us!) .

However, by the time we got to the top, the runners were starting to stretch out and Josh and I found ourselves being rather left behind. The most scary part was realising that the two of us were wearing only children's head torches that did not give very much light coverage at all - at one stage, Mummy was almost bent over using her head torch as a hand-torch desperately trying to make out the path!

At one stage, we seemed all alone up there and Mummy confesses to a mild panic attack, but then the overriding feeling to look after Josh kicked in and we carried on. Unfortunately our torch headlights were not strong enough to pick up the arrows and we missed one turning and found ourselves heading down a wrong track. Fortunately we had not gone too far and were able to re-track our movements and join back on the right track - phew!

Well, I have to say ... I have never been so relieved to see a finish line in all my life! Josh and I, covered in mud and wet from the rain, held hands as we crossed the finish line. What a little trooper he was and it was lovely to see so many people come up and pat him on the back and congratulate him.

We grabbed a quick sausage off the barbeque but didn't wait for the spot prizes. Joshua had to have his muddy clothes literally peeled off him before he could get in the car.

Let's just say that we have ticked that event off the 'bucket list' and I would certainly not contemplate another one unless (1) it was fine weather and (2) it had been good dry weather for at least a week beforehand, and (3) we invested in some serious headlight torches!

A hot shower had never felt so good!

A 'before' shot - very happy with his head-torch on, naively unaware of what was in store

And now the after-shots ... and this only shows the mud on the 'outside' of the clothes, you should have seen up his back!

Grandad

Daddy is over in the UK at the moment spending some time with Grandma and Grandad. Grandad is coping with so much ... bone cancer and now he is in hospital with pneumonia. To cheer Grandad up, we spent some time this morning working on a poster for him. Hope you can log onto this blog soon and see this Grandad. We love you very much.

The Countdown has begun

Stand up New Zealand! The eyes of the world will be on New Zealand when we host the Rugby World Cup in approximately 85 days time. Held every 4 years, RWC this year is New Zealand's chance to showcase itself on the global stage and the country is buzzing with excitement and preparation.

We are expecting around 85,000 international visitors over the 6 weeks of games and there will be 20 nations playing in the 48-game tournament. It is going to be VERY exciting and we are thrilled that Daddy has managed to get 3 x tickets to 4 of the games being hosted in Wellington - and one of them is when NZ is playing.

As much as I had to endure reasonable (and unreasonable) 'cheek' from the UK side of the family 4 years ago, we are forever hopeful that NZ doesn't choke this time and lives up to its name as being the best rugby team in the world. Go Black!

Today, the RWC Trophy was at Scots College and the boys were able to go and see it and even have their photograph taken.

Get used to it everyone ... this trophy WILL be staying in New Zealand this time!

Joshua in 'model' pose

Just before going out this afternoon, we were fooling around with the camera and doing some 'model/pose' shots. Every child is beautiful in their mother's eyes and Josh is no exception. Introducing Joshua Turnbull on the cat-walk!

Book Character Costume Parade

The day arrived ... Mummy was asked to go in early and help get the boys ready into their costumes - it was hilarious with a room full of very excited little boys all running around in their underwear giggling and laughing at each other's outfits! As you will see from these photographs, some of the boys had put in a lot of effort (most probably their parents as well!). Initially Joshua was a little disappointed that he was one of six Cats-in-the-Hat but was able to charm everyone with his face paint, umbrella and white gloves - he even had the walk down-pat!

Captain Underpants was also very popular for those boys who delighted in prancing around in their underwear and a cape; and let's not forget the boys who cross-dressed and some of them made the most 'pretty' girls! All in all it was a fantastic afternoon with a great turnout of parents and cameras and videos whirring!

Mrs 'Pirate' Bell

Mr Wright, Year 4 teacher ... this will be Joshua's teacher for next year - he has a great sense of humour and Mummy may well store these photos away for bribery next year!

The cutest Cat-in-the-Hat ... ever

Artwork

Joshua arrived home from school today with a picture that he had done in art class. I looked at it ... I wondered ... I plucked up the courage to ask Josh who was in the picture hoping desperately that the answer was not going to be either Mummy or Daddy. Oh the relief to hear his answer ... "an ugly monster Mummy". Phew!

Fruit Kebabs

The boys have been talking about healthy eating options in class. We all know that boys learn better when they get to stand up and 'do' rather than just sit and listen so Mrs Bell decided that the class would make fruit kebabs. Joshua came home tonight with a list of what he wanted to take to school and so he helped me put together a tray. Apologies in advance Mrs Bell ... oops, we know you said 'healthy' but somehow we ended up with a very yummy chocolate dipping sauce for the boys to enjoy - oh and also a healthy yoghurt dipping sauce. Josh sampled the chocolate sauce this evening and it really got the 'thumbs-up'! Bon appetit!