The weekend that had the KWT

Hi,

Just how much can you jam into a weekend?  What a crazy weekend of absolute fun.  Caught up with a bunch of people for lunch and found an iced coffee.  But I was underwhelmed.

Friday lunch time - iced coffee was a bit average though

Back home and we watched an episode of X Files before bed.  Saturday was busy.  In the morning I went to the induction meeting at the archery club and then grabbed some lunch with Ange.  I got so cold in the wind that I couldn't even have an iced coffee.

Grabbed my helmet and gloves and jacket from work and Ange dropped me home.  I got my bike ready and headed to register at Raumati for the race the next day.  Mike and Toby went to Jaana and Stephen's place for lunch and to play.  Toby loved being with Luca and wee Finn.

At Raumati I collected our team pack and then jumped on my bike to ride the course.  It was a fierce head wind but I did ok.  Glad to get on the road bike for the first time in a year.

Toby plays with Luca

Then I got to Jaana's house and collected the boys after a wee play myself.  Gorgeous kids.  And we grabbed Nanados on the way home.  Mmmm.

Off to bed early and Philippa arrived just after midnight so it made it easier the next morning.

We're branded with our team number

Mike drove us up there.  We left home at 6.55am and we were at Raumati in good time.  Easily got a car park close by.  Found space in our rack.  Relaxed before the race kicked off.

The briefing was at 8.30 but Philippa wasn't in the water until 9.45am.   We had to wait for the Sprint race to get well underway and that delayed things.

And wave F is the final wave.  I'm not getting any younger (they start in order of age groups) so Philippa was in the last wave to start the swim.  She had some trouble with swallowing sea water which put her off her swimming game for a few minutes.  But as her Nepal trip showed, she reached deep and continued and nailed it.  Ran out of the water and up the beach and tagged me.  I was off on my cycle leg.

The sky over Kapiti looks impressive

I fuel up as Philippa gets ready to start her swim

Waiting for Philippa to tag me

Coming back from my ride - I think I look happy but it might just be a grimace as I suck in breaths!

In the cycle leg, I overtook loads and no one overtook me.  It might have helped that I was in wave F and most of the gun cyclists were ahead of me.  But I was chuffed to overtake a car on the way back.  Hahah.  Not sure if that is frowned upon or not, but I overtook on the right, so I figure it was fine.  The car driver was obviously unsure about passing cyclists on their left and they were going quite slow.  Slower than me, anyway!

Changing over to the run leg was tough work and I found running the 4 km really hard.  Especially as I find the cycle leg so easy in comparison.  But Mike and Philippa seem to think I did it in under an hour.

Whatever it was, I had a ball.  I love this race.  I hope Philippa did too.  It's an excuse to get out and have some goal.  And the people are so friendly.  Ari and Emma chatted to me as we waited for our swimmers to arrive.  They made my morning a lot more fun.

We drove back into town once I had recovered enough and went around to Chocolate Fish for a well deserved iced coffee and lunch.

Sprawled on a bean bag after the race at Chocolate Fish

Amazing view - and the harbour also looks ok.

I spent the afternoon relaxing.  Grocery shopping and ironing (that wasn't the relaxing part, by the way).  And slept really well.

One more weekend of craziness coming.  Dragon boat final this Saturday.  Oohhhhh.  Then summer madness quietens down.

But what a hoot.  And Vivienne looks like she had a great time on the Tongariro Crossing.  Awesome weekend all round.

Have a great week ahead.

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with dragon boating training

Hi,

Well, work was work.  Busy.  Ever so slightly feeling a little out of control.  But nothing like the dragon boating after work.  That was a feeling of being on a roller coaster - but way wetter.

So, Celia drove me to the car park where we all park.  We warmed up and reshuffled the boat due to people not showing up.  Hopped in and mucked around in the lagoon for a while.  We weren't allowed out straight away as the rescue boat was checking conditions.  Then, the rescue boat wouldn't start.

So, we practised our starts up and down the lagoon.  Might have been a good thing.  We did get a lot in compared to usual.

Anyhow, eventually, with all the boats milling about in the lagoon, they approached us and asked us to be the first boat out.  We'd check conditions and they'd make the assessment.  I guess if we sank, the bright yellow singlets would assist in scooping us out of the water.  Hahah.

Anyhow, we went out into the harbour and immediately hooked into the large swell.  We paddled up to the sheltered start line outside Fergs and then did a start.  Turned around and then Pete asked if people were happy to stay out.  I let out a huge woot, because I was totally happy with the roller coaster effect.  You pay good money for this on the Gold Coast!

But then Pete asked if anyone was unhappy to be out there, and I heard at least one wee voice.  So I felt sorry for them.  Maybe that crazy gene of mine that likes being slightly scared was taking over.  Oops.  But we stayed out, and they called the other boats out.  No one got swamped, although we did take on a lot of water.

Had a ball!  I was sad when the hooter went and we came back to the lagoon.  Oh well.  We have two more sessions on the water next week and then the big race next Saturday.

This weekend is more fun!  BBQs and the Kapiti Womens Triathlon.  I am in a team with Philippa from our Nepal trip.  She is doing the swim leg, and I am cycling and running.  I want to go under an hour for my two legs.  I need to hammer the bike leg in order to give me some leeway with the running leg.  Running isn't really my strong point.  55 minutes would be super nice.  Let's see, eh?  I am hoping Mike will come to watch me (and Toby) and time my splits.  The official timings don't show splits.  Just the final time for the team.

Right.  Time to start the day.  Have a great weekend.

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday of hecticness

Hi,

Yep - I have invented a word.  Hecticness.  Maybe it's not as cool a word as Christine would invent.  She is the queen of portmanteaus.  She would combine hectic with stress (or something) and come up with hectress.  The Wednesday of hectress.  Or stresstic.

Gasoline's iced coffee

Give it a good poke to test consistency

First taste happiness

Oh yeah - it's a good un!

I did meet Mike for lunch.  Well, we'd both eaten our lunch already.  So we met for coffee.  At Gasoline.  They do a good iced coffee.  The sign behind me that Mike has so carefully edited out is not declaring love to anyone.  It's actually a message of grumpiness.  It could say "love you, love you, very much".  Or it could even say "thank you, thank you very much".  But it doesn't.  It does have a word that ends in "k" though.  Someone must have had a hard time when they stood in front of that blank canvas.

Anyway - I had two presentations to give in the space of a few hours yesterday.  One had 65 invitees.  But I rather think perhaps only 40 or so were there.  That was a shortish one.  And then later I had a longer presentation to around 20 people.

It all went ok.  Really, it did.  In fact, from this end of it, I am wondering why I was dreading it.  Oh well.  Out of practise speaking in front of people, I guess.

When the last session finished at around 1900, I met Mike outside Microsoft, and I dropped him at his function and then took Serge home.  Serge actually went to the session and watched me present.  He was very kind.

Back home, with my bike from work, and wee Toby is still sick.  He has another day off school.  Hoping he comes right today.

It's another sticky warm day here in Wellington.  I am melting in my work clothes here at work.  Must be time for a huge drink of water.

Dragon boat training tonight.  Woot!  And Lulu looks like she is coming to stay on Sunday night for a few days.  Awesome.

Right.  Time to start the day.  Enjoy it, wherever you are.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with my parents leaving

Hi,

Yep - the house is a different place without Mum and Dad around.  It was so nice to see them and Wellington really did turn on some decent weather.  The South Island trip was fun.  And the party.  I hope they enjoyed their own house and bed last night.  Mike and I did.

Went to dragon boating training last night and it was hard work as we enter the later stages of training.  Oossshh!  Well, I found it tough.

Rode home afterwards and found that I had no energy for the hill.  Better sort that out for Thursday night's training session.  Maybe a banana just before training.

Busy with extra things today.  Presenting at work for a few minutes (hate that) and then presenting after work at the user group (hate that too).  Why do I have a job where I have to stand up in front of people and talk?  Gah!  I am all prepared now though.  Well, as prepared as I ever get when I need to talk to a whole bunch of random people.

Right. Time to get stuck in.

Have a wonderful day.

Love,
Angela

The Monday with parent teacher meetings

Hi,

Yesterday was really stunning weather.

Sunrise yesterday

After work I rode home and enjoyed my first ride home in over two weeks.  I need to get on my road bike a lot this week as I taper to the race on Sunday.  I think taper here really means practise lots!  My bike has just been serviced, so I need to shake it down for any issues too.

After I got home, I changed and jumped in the car to head to Toby's school.  I had a rather chaotic session where the teachers were slightly disorganised but I got a few hints on how the school worked.
I came home via the supermarket and Toby and I used his new Nutri Ninja bullet thing.  Ok.  I have no idea what it is called.  But it blends fruit and veges into puree for drinking.  It was yummy.  After two healthy drinks, Toby made one with chocolate thins and chocolate milk.  Hahahah!

I slept really well.  But I was sad this morning because when I get home tonight after dragon boating, Mum and Dad will be gone.  I said goodbye.  Hopefully Toby and I can see them in April school holidays.

Ok.  Time for tea.  Have a great day.

Love,
Angela

The weekend with my birthday party

Hi,

What an amazing weekend - Mike handled everything really well and my party was just perfect.  It did start on Friday after work when I went to the Wine and Food Festival with Andrew.  It was ok - but really, just an excuse to get together and drink.

And a happy birthday to Scott for Saturday.  And Richard.  And Alistair.  Feb 20 is a busy birthday.

But Saturday morning Mike got up fairly early and started the prep for the big party at Sally and Andrew's house.  I stayed in bed a bit longer and read.  As you do when it's your birthday!  Hahahah.

But soon enough we were popping into Thorndon New World to collect the platters and last minute items.  Then off to the party.  Woot!

Cake courtesy of Jo was the most amazing sight.  Sophisticated, like me!

My cake was the most amazing thing - it captured the atmosphere perfectly.  It was a shame to cut into it - but it tasted wonderful and got lots of compliments.

We mostly sat around and chatted in the shade of the marquee.  Which we surely needed - so thank you Aidan and Janne for driving it over and helping erect it.

Toby played with Jaana's baby

Marquee worked well - keeping the sun off

Mike and Sally were amazing!

Mike cooked up the food on two barbeques - what a machine he was.  Sally was the perfect hostess, keeping everything humming along like clockwork.

Food galore

More food!

I even gave a speech (of sorts) when I cut the cake.  I tried to thank everyone - but if I didn't mention you, it was not a reflection of any lack of thanks on the inside.  Merely stage fright.  Hahahah.

We left around 6.15pm and left the wee green car in the garage with the wee white car.  They looked so cute that I took a photo.

Two peas in a pod

Next morning we were up early to collect Kathleen and Duncan for a run up at Paekakariki.  We drove up and Mike and Duncan checked out coffees while Kathleen and I ran from the US Marines memorial to Paekakariki and back.  Great run!

Front Room iced coffees are good

Then we drove in the slow traffic to Waikanae breach and ate lunch at the Front Room.  Iced coffee goodness -you know it!

Back home for a shower and change and then off to see Shakespeare in the Dell.  Loves Labours Lost.  A great comedy about kings and his advisors swearing off women to study and better themselves without distraction.  And getting courtly visits by women they fall in love with.

Mike - what are you doing?

Loves Labours Lost - great fun!

Lovely 4pm session - but it did eventually feel cold in the shade.  Had a good time watching that play.  Can't wait for next year now.

Off to collect Toby, Mum and Dad from Vivienne's house, then the MX5 from Sally and Andrew's.  Then Burger Wisconsin for Toby.  Mike did some urgent grocery shopping.  All rather hectic.  But Dad ironed some shirts for me - so that made it easier than expected.

All up - an incredible weekend!  Wow.  But glad they don't all get that much excitement.  Or maybe it's because I am a bit older now.  Too much to handle.  Hahahah.

Two more weekends coming up of excitement though.  I'd better get used to it.

Have fun this week!

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with no dragon boating

Hi,

Another crazy day at work.  But that seems to be the usual.  Although it wasn't bad crazy, more like good crazy, I guess.

Dragon boating training was cancelled due to the gale force winds.  So a few of us (ok, me, Celia and Serge) went to The Green Man for food and drinks.  We chatted away for ages before Mike drove by to collect me with our newly serviced bikes on the back of the car.

We got home and I found that Dad had finished the jigsaw we have had under our tablecloth for about 5 years.  I can't think what it'll be like when I pack it away into its box and it is no longer on the table.  How odd.  It does look good though.

Dad finished the jigsaw under our tablecloth for 5 years

My bike is shiny

I slept the sleep of the dead last night.  Toby was at school camp - they are staying in the marae at school.  The weather hasn't been much fun for them though.

Right.  Time to drink my tea and sort out things.

The weekend should be loads of fun.  Tonight is the Wellington Wine and Food festival.  Tomorrow is my big party at Sally and Andrew's house (thanks for that!) and Sunday I want to go up to Waikanae River for a run.  We're also thinking about going to Shakespeare in the Dell on Sunday afternoon at 4pm.  Woot!  Awesome weekend looming.

Have a great time.

Love,

Angela

The Wednesday with my birthday

Hi,

Wow - what a day!  It's been a crazy time, but lots of fun.  I hurtled out of the house like usual yesterday and met Aidan at 8am for a quick breakfast catch up.  I did have a little bit of her coffee, as she wasn't up to drinking it all.  But - it didn't taste good.  Hahah.  I got flowers from her and they now grace my desk at work.  So I can show off how loved I am to anyone that comes to see me.

Breakfast with Aidan

I got flowers - quite lovely

After a huge morning meeting, I got an iced coffee date with Jo and Rex.  They stuck to iced chocolates.  But I was happy to slurp down another iced coffee (see the one yesterday too!).

Ummm - second coffee with Jo and Rex

Looking sheepish about the amount of caffeine

My partners in crime - having iced chocolates, because they are sensible

I got to have lunch with Mike not too long after that.  He took me to Lambton Square food hall.  I had a yummy baked potato.  we were making space for dinner later.

After more work, eventually it was time for birthday dinner at Capitol.  One of my favourite places.  Mike and I took a bus from work and Mum, Dad and Toby came in with our car.  The food was up to its usual excellent standard and everyone enjoyed it.  Toby ordered the fish and his face when he ate it looked like he was in heaven.  I think this has become one of his favourite places to eat now.

Toby at birthday dinner

We all had dessert too.  Mike, Toby and I had the chocolate fondant dessert.  Mmmmm.  Toby went off to get an ice cream for second dessert and Mike and I went off to Bats to see an Improv comedy.

We saw Attack of the Killer B movie.  Funny.  Mike made himself a tinfoil hat from the tinfoil passed out at the start.  He had a cute wee bonnet with a rose in it.  We chuckled our way through that  until around 10pm.

Off to grab a few things from the supermarket and then home to enjoy the last few hours of a great birthday.  Woot!  What fun.

Today is looking fun too.  Dragon boating training (unless this galeforce wind continues, I guess) followed by dinner and karaoke.  Not too late though. I need an early night.

Have a wonderful day.  Happy un-birthday to me.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with birthdays coming

Hi,

Yes - today is my birthday!  Happy birthday to me.  Woot!  I admit to never seeing a birthday like this one before.  I got up for my run at 5am and ran in a warm, sticky wind.  It felt like Australia.  All I needed to hear was a magpie and it would have been complete.  I was grateful for the cool shower when I got back home.  As I believe my work colleagues will be glad about too.  Hahahah!

I did see Ilske for morning tea yesterday at Gasoline.  Good iced coffee there.  And great to catch up on her news.  She blogged while she was in Buenos Aires over Christmas and New Years.  I read that and enjoyed the insight into her time there.

Had an iced coffee with Ilske

Yesterday was merely the exciting day before my birthday.  It was John's birthday and by the looks of Facebook, he got cake!  It's all about you on your day.  Work was work.  I bussed home.  We ate pasta.  I read lots.  Went to bed early.  Not too shabby a countdown.

I've already had lots of birthday wishes today.

We're not going to Shakespeare in the Dell this evening because the weather forecast isn't playing nicely with my usual birthday weather patterns.  It's supposed to rain later tonight with 100km/hr winds.  Almost normal for Wellington.  But not the calm, blue day I usually get on my birthday.

As Mike says, to have an average day once every 50 years is an ok average.  Guess he's right.  Hahah.  I wonder how much I'll notice the weather on the 17th of February 2066?

Have a lovely day, wherever you are.  See ya tomorrow - when it is my un-birthday!



Love,
Angela

The Monday with Dad arriving - although technically it was today

Hi,

Happy birthday, John!

After a crazy day at work, it was nice to hop on a bus with Mike and do nothing on the way home.  Mum had already fed Toby so we just ate leftovers from that - yummy.

After helping Mum tidy up a bit I went to bed and read and then fell asleep.  Mainly because I was getting up at 2300 to drive to the airport to collect Dad.  Mum, Toby and I went, while Mike stayed up to get taxes done and then go to bed.  I think I may have had the better deal there, Mike!

Dad was fast out of customs so we were back home by 12.45am and I was probably asleep by 1am.  It was good to see him and Mum is happy too.

My bikes are all getting a service so I caught the bus in yet again this morning.  Mind you, with little sleep it is probably for the best.

Time to kick start the day.

Have a great day!

Love,
Angela

The weekend back in Wellington

Hi,

After a week down south with Mum (blog post coming soon), I had a great weekend in Wellington.  Mum and I got back into Wellington at around 5.30pm on Friday.  We had to go directly to a car wash, as the car was covered in salt spray and dust.  After that fun, I popped in to drop off a bottle of wine for Aidan from Wairau River winery.  I gave her a huge fright apparently, merely knocking on her door.  Turns out I am the first person to visit her without saying I was coming.  Oops.

Mike and Toby looked happy to see me after my week away.  They didn't seem too worse for my absence.

Off to bed early after my long driving holiday - and up early for the Dragon boating fun race day.  What a great day!  Sunny.  No wind.  Mike dropped me off and I found our tent and we settled in to our first two races (10 and 10.40am).  A bit of a break before another race.  Then we were in a combined womens team with MPI.  Had fun in that race.  Then a break before another race.  Aidan turned up for that one.  Woot!  She got some photos.

Then we had a break for lunch.  Aidan and I enjoyed a sausage sizzle and a chat under the trees.  Then off to the next race.  Mum and Mike turned up for the last one up to the fountain and back.  Oooo - that was hard work.

I also copped sunburn on my shoulders where my sunscreen didn't quite cover it.  Ouch!

Back home for a yummy bbq.  Mmmmm.

Mike cooks a mean bbq

I'm eyeing up the cheese from my vantage point

We watched a movie with Toby downstairs.  Real Steel.  I quite enjoyed it - almost as much as the first time.

Brunch with Ange

Off to bed and up early (ish) for a run and then off to archery with Ange in the wee green car to tackle the weedy bank and try and make a dent in the look of the place.  Then off to a cafe for brunch.  And back home to iron and do grocery shopping.  Mike and Toby went to see Zoolander 2.

Back home and then off for dinner at Boulcott St Bistro with Mum, Aidan and Christine.  It was so nice.  Yummy food as usual.  Nice to catch up with Christine and Aidan.

Home and off to bed.  So busy!

And it's birthday week.  Dad arrives tonight.  Toby is off to school camp on my birthday!  Yep - crazy busy.  More dragon boat training.

And my party on Saturday!  Woot!

Have fun!

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with dragon boat training

Hi,

I had a long overdue iced coffee catch up with Rex and Jo.  Good to chat to them and find out what they have been up to.

Mixed Business iced coffee

I'm smiling now!

Also had the good fortune to get lunch with Sally, Andrew, Aidan and Janne - Mike managed to join us as well.  So we sat outside and enjoyed our lunch in the sun.

In fact, yesterday was another scorcher!  I was boiling all day!  The huge fan next to my desk was pumping along, creating a hurricane in my headset microphone whenever I talked to anyone.

After work Mike had drinks - which I went to before anyone else (I chatted to Bharat).  Then I headed back to work to get changed for dragon boating.  Ian gave me a lift down there and we had a lovely session on the water.  I came back and got my gear and bike and drove home.

Right.  I am away all next week.  Going down south.  Mike and Andrew are biking the Queen Charlotte track.  Sally and Toby are assessing the cafes in the upper South Island.  Ok - maybe just in Picton.  And Mum and I are heading further south to sample the delights of the South Island.

And when we get back - the Saturday (13th) is our first race for dragon boating.  Wow!  It will be an interesting day.

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with Mum here

Hi,

What fantastic weather we're having.  Yesterday was easily the nicest day.  No wind.  Blue skies.  Mum thought she was back on the Sunshine coast.  Hahah.

Bryan (at work) took me for a coffee and a chat early on and I had an iced coffee because I thought the lack of sleep might mean I needed a jolt.  Apart from tasting nice, I'm not sure it did anything.

Mike and I were treated to lunch by Laura (at work here) and we went to a Vietnamese place on Featherston St.  Very nice.  I had the duck salad.  Mmmmm.

Iced coffee at Mixed Business

I popped into DIA with Celia to sigh the passport application - the witness page I used had chopped off the bottom where you sign it.  Shucks!  We were the only ones in the office.  So weird.

Sun starting to set on a glorious day

Looking mighty fine!

 I rode home and enjoyed the hot evening ride.  At home, I lounged around chatting to Mum before Mike got home not long after me.  We had Indian takeaways.  So I had no need to cook and I read a lot.  Then we ate and I pretty much went to bed.

It was so hot and sticky.  Tried sleeping with the doors open in the spare room, but mozzies liked that too much.

My ride in this morning was so warm.  I have a huge fan behind me at work now.  No air conditioning here.

Dragon boating training after work today.  Ooossshhh!

Have a great day!

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with lunch with Aidan and my mother arriving - technically Wednesday morning

Hi,

We're having a bit of warm to hot weather.  Yay!  It is summer after all.

I caught up with Aidan for lunch, which was good fun.  We chatted away to each other around being starving and gobbling down our respective lunches.  Lucky we both eat breakfast so early that we're both equally starving by the time 11.30am rolls around.

We sat in the sunshine on a park bench and I was melting.  In the end, Aidan had to go back to work or suffer from sunstroke.

But the good weather meant a warm office.  Ok.  A hot office.  But Celia had a brainwave to make iced coffees at work.  She had a can of cream in the fridge.  Mmmmmm.  Good.

Home made iced coffee - at work

And the good weather also meant the dragon boat training was a pleasure.  We were out on the harbour for an hour, trying to get our timing sorted.  We seem to be improving.

From there, Mike collected me and took me home and Toby had cooked tea.  So we ate butter chicken and it was very good.  He is going to cook one meal a week for us now.  He wants to practise mac cheese as he believes this is what he'll eat when he's flatting for university.

I went to bed at 9pm and fell asleep immediately and woke at 11pm.  Got dressed and found Toby scampering around the house, fully dressed.  So he came with me to the airport and we collected Mum.

Airport feet

Airport feet photo bomb - from Toby's giant foot

She must have got out of the customs area around 12.40am I guess.  We were home just before 1am and I was in bed in about 5 minutes time.  Hahah.

Up this morning after not enough sleep and today might be a bit tough.  It is going to be the hottest work day of the summer today.  All our other hot days have fallen on the weekend or holiday time.  The fans will be running hot today!

Have a great day!

Love,
Angela

The Monday with Toby's first day at school

Hi,

Well, Toby's first day at high school went really well.  He was buzzing with excitement still when I caught up with him.

He walked to Manners St from school (?) and caught a 22.  And I left work and caught the same 22 outside my work.  So we bussed home together.  He had PE and met some teachers.  Sounded like fun.  I hope it continues for quite some time!

Mike got some sushi on the way home and I went grocery shopping and met Mike at the supermarket.  We got home and had dinner and then relaxed for the evening.

I had a good run this morning.  And a great ride into work.  It is so warm and humid - I was hot and sweaty when I got to work.  And my hair is all boofy.  Hahah.

Dragon boating training after work today.  Woot!  And then the big news is that Mum is coming to visit and she gets in just after midnight.  I think somewhere in my day I'd better squeeze in a sleep.  Or I'll be pants tomorrow.

Have a wonderful day.

Love,
Angela

The weekend with great company and adventures

Hi,

Wish all my weekends were that much fun.  I guess, actually, they often are.  Makes the week days crawl by.  Maybe I need more weekend boredom in my life to even out the week days?  Hahahah!

Friday after work, Mike and Monica (and their kids, Jessica (10) and Daniel (is he 6?)) arrived to stay for a few nights on their road trip around Wellington.

We found beds for them and introduced them to Burger Wisconsin.  Hahah.  After chatting on the couch for a bit, I started to get sleepy.  I left Mike talking to Mike and went to bed.  I barely noticed when Mike came to bed, apart from Toby dropping something on my head.

Next morning we went into Te Papa after some cereal and toast.  Went to the Dreamworks exhibition - it was quite good.  Loved the cartoonists table when they projects cartoons onto the paper like they were being done as you wanted.

Toby at Dreamworks

Toby and I found the art desks with software to make cartoons.  I totally loved it.  I want to do this on my tablet now.

We made a cartoon of a dragon snorting smoke from its nostrils

Our hands on the ball

Toby's first squid - Clive

From there we had Yum Cha and then wandered back home.  Mike and Mike went to get BBQ stuff and we waited for their arrival (I did spray Round Up while I waited).

Mike and Karen also came to visit (with Adam, Rebecca and Jacob) and we all chatted away, catching up on news.

BBQ stand

Eventually it was late and we collapsed into bed.  Next day we got up early and drove Toby to Aidan's place and us to Paekakariki to have a breakfast with Mike and Monica.  Andrew joined us.  Then we said goodbye as they headed home to Auckland and Andrew, Mike and I went to Queen Elizabeth Park to start our bike ride.

Kapiti Island behind my bike

Selfie riding

Andrew and Mike discussing the awesome trail

We had such fun!  Saw the US Marines memorial.  The tram lines.  Had an iced coffee at Raumati before taking the coastal path back.  Mike tried to cycle on the sand and fell over, still clipped in and pedalling.  The family 2 m from him were entertained.

Back home and we got ready for Toby's big day today.  His first day at high school.  He was very excited.  Nervous and excited.  Normal.

We got up at 5.45am on Monday morning and heard Toby already walking around.  He was dressed, fed himself breakfast and brushed his teeth all before 6am!

We all caught the 13 bus to his school.  Took nearly an hour!  He'll have to catch the 7.30am bus.

We had a powhiri and we left him sitting in the crowd, waiting to be sorted into his class room.

Wow!  I am also very excited.  He is so big now.

First day at high school

Toby waits to be sorted into his year group

Right.  The day is glorious.  Hello birthday month!

Have a wonderful week.

Love,
Angela