Matariki and Rugby Rivalry

Matariki - The Maori New Year marks the time when the Pleiades star cluster or The Seven Sisters reappears in the morning sky and the sign that the days are getting longer. Kindy was invited to join in the celebrations at the local Marae and the children sang a song for the elders. (Joe is centre of picture in the red cap)




It was a really interesting visit and The Marae is beautiful, full of intricate carvings and decorated brightly. The children enjoyed some lovely stories and a singing and dancing session.




Then!!!!! Yesterday was the big day for rivalry in the Simmerson house. England vs the All Blacks playing in Christchurch. Joe was even more excited than is usual because we were taking along his buddy Josh to see the game. The Ralphs came too and we had a block of seats together. Now follows some footage of Josh and Joe - maybe my questions need to be a bit more specific in future!



The boys screamed during the intros, thoroughly enjoyed the Hakka and fidgeted the whole way through 80 minutes of play. A resounding triumph for the All Blacks 44-12! Joe, Josh and I were really enjoying every try, but it was an altogether more painful experience for some. Chris and Matt were very brave from the first few minutes when they went behind, stoic at half time (20-0) and magnanimous (just) by the end.

Two tired boys went to sleep pretty easily but this morning was an excruciating 5.30 wake up! And there was no way they were going back to sleep!

Boys will be Superheroes

Spiderman and the Katipo Kid taking a well earned rest!

2 seasons in one day

Saturday morning found us on the beach in shirt sleeves enjoying the sunshine and balmy temperatures. We took part in an organised planting on the dunes and were treated to a sausage sizzle by the park rangers.
Lunchtime brought torrential downpours and falling temperatures.
By tea-time it was snowing heavily! Hooray!

Sunday was fun filled as we took off to the nearby foothills to partake in a little sledging with the Jacob family. We found a lovely spot called Glentui and crept up the access road feeling grateful for the 4WD (not as grateful as on the way down!). We must have got in a good three hours of sledging as well as a walk to the waterfall and squeezing in a picnic. The sun shone and the bell birds sang all day. The videos show Joe and I on the 'nursery' slope.
Joe was fine and got up laughing!!!!
Later on and farther up the hill we found the 'black-run'. Unfortunately the camera had run out of batteries by this time and the spares didn't work. Otherwise we may have caught some even more spectacular wipe outs!

Rugby Fanatic

Joe has gone completely rugby mad. He has been collecting cards from packs of chippies (crisps) for a couple of months and now has 30 out of the 50 available. Thanks to all those who have been supplying him! They represent the players in the NZ teams of the Super 14. Matt took him to a game at the AMI stadium to see the local Crusaders play the Higlanders (based in Dunedin). Unfortunately the Crusaders lost but Joe's enthusiasm did not fade. He was desperate to go again, but missed the semi-final match because we were at Brunner.

Luckily Matt got tickets for the final - Crusaders vs Waratahs (Sydney). Match day was red and black day here in Christchurch and kindy added to the hype by having a rugby themed day. The children played with a rugby ball for the whole session and they made flags etc.
Joe was beside himself all day and couldn't eat his tea as he was so concerned about being late for the game. They headed off with Joe wearing his colours in the form of a new Crusaders cap. Crusaders won 20-12 and the pair of them returned home exhausted. Joe had very little voice left after shouting himself hoarse.

The whole set-up is lovely and child friendly. They receive a pack with chippies, drink, vouchers and a cardboard helmet to assemble. There are fireworks, flame throwers when the Crusaders score and Knights in armour circle the pitch on horseback. Joe is completely addicted - he knows the names of players from all the teams and even some of the statistics. He can't wait for the All-Blacks vs England in a couple of weeks time. Divided loyalties will be tested as Joe is convinced he will play for the All-Blacks one day and is cheering for them, Matt says 40 years of hurt supporting England have ingrained a certain loyalty!