pipped at the posts

It was a sad day for Mick's rugby team in Auckland on Friday. His team played themselves into the final of the national under 15 colts tournament. They played a series of hard close games. But in the final when we thought it was going to be ours - Palmerston North Boy's High School scored a try in the final minute and took the trophy!!!!

Quelle Horrer!

Man, were they disappointed.

Here are some pictures of Napier Boys High School team at the tournament in Pukekohe.

Mick is getting his medal, and the boys performed an awesome haka for the opposing side.

Vicki's 40th

On the weekend we celebrated my friend Vicki Butterworth's 40th birthday. She hired a mustang convertible and we took it driving and then to Brookfields Winery for lunch with 36 of her most closest friends. We had a great time at the winery taking photos, eating and drinking. Every one had dressed up in the 60's style so there were lots of laughs as well. After that we went to her house and had birthday cake. Madison Hurworth made a 60's protest against the use of "p", I wore my best mini dress. Mick had rugby so he didnt make it to lunch ( they won). However he did call into the party at the house.

mum and ms madi on the segway

"You're so cool mum! ! I did a little rap dance just for you! "love madi xxxxxx

Sore legs

Just had a few days in Taupo with some awesome friends. We had lots of experiences like fishing, going out for dinner, and swimming at the hot pools. We had a turn on some ride-ons with two wheels called segways. That was kinda strange cause you had to lean forward to get it moving, so when you go uphill, it feels awkward. We had lots of laughs when Niamh and Madi had races. They only go 8 kms an hour, so it was a slow race.

Kirsty and I took our bikes, and cycled every day, round the lake, and some of the mountain bike tracks on Powerline Road. The best was the ride from spa park to Huka falls. An exciting ride that took us over hills, into forests, down cliff tracks, across bridges, and up steep goat tracks. Hard work but worth the effort. The views were outstanding, and we got to see the Huka Falls as a treat in the middle of the ride. As the saying goes - the ride home is always ( or seems) quicker. Next time we go over we will ride from Huka Falls to the Aratiatia Dam.

doing the Tourist Trap

A clear, beautiful, blue sky day. Vicki, Dom and I went to Taupo on Sunday. We parked at the helicopter cafe, had an egg sandwich, got the bikes ready, and began our two hour bike ride. All the tracks were new for me, and I learnt how to get out of the way of oncoming bikes, and how to pull over and let others pass! The tracks were wet from rain the day before, so there were lots of puddles and slippery tree roots. What fun! Each puddle I went through, I could hear Dom behind me laugh. It was our aim to go through as many as possible. I became the Goddess of Dead Ends when twice I led the group to no where. Then a quick stop at the lakefront where we made our own hot pool, a dip in the lake ( brrrr), and into town for makkers and a drink at a cafe. You will see the dirt on the bike - at last evidence that I do get dirty.

wonder-full day at Lucknow

Today- Saturday- I spent the morning at Lucknow Kindergarten with a group of teachers at a regional hui on ICT. Teachers travelled from Palmy and Napier and Hastings to be there. We had a presentation from the teachers at Lucknow on how they use ICT as tools for learning and Jill Fitzsimmon gave a presentation on her research with school children and making resources for learning using ICT. It was inspiring, and exciting to see what skills our children under the age of 6 already have. Thank you to the community of Lucknow who provided the hospitality and food so our stomachs were fed as well as our minds and spirits.
Good learning for all.

downhill riding

This is a club day for the HB mountain biking club. We went on the Yeomans Track in Onga onga. This was my first ride and I had to carry my bike over a river and then nearly died as I biked for 20 km ( there and back). Thanks Vicki for being my support. She saw an aweful lot of my back view!!!! Lucky her. We had lunch as the Murderers Hut. I enjoyed the down hill ride the most.

mick's birthday

an exciting weekend for Michael when he turned 15. The scary thing is he can now drive a car. Must put the loser plates on !!!!!!!!!!

nine ece teachers in a room with laptops

today I am in a room with eight other teachers and we are creating our own blogs so we can be techno savvy!!! What i really like is the instant result of following instructions, and ker pow I have a blog site. this is exciting stuff for a baby boomer. Eileen is questioning my age when I call myself a baby boomer. I am a young baby boomer!!!!! Every day when I use my lap top I am grateful that I failed Latin at school years ago, and I was sent as punishment to typing and became a touch typist instead. Definitely a good move.