Busy Busy Busy.....

We have been so busy and I am going to have to do a brief summary or I may be here all week.

1. Matt has suffered no after effects following that scary weekend. He is not allowed to drive for at least 6 months, but we finally have a date to see a neurologist! End of May!!!? He is back on his bike, so is able to get to work without resorting to the bus.

2. Matt and I went to see Richard Dawkins talk last month. It was a very interesting evening and was funny to see the protestors outside. Check out the Banana Creationist on youtube.

3. Easter was spent with the Jacobs at their place. The kids made the cutest Easter baskets and then tore around the garden to look for eggs - what a haul!

4. Joe is seriously back into the rugby season. He officially has the all clear from the 'bone doctor' after his last set of X-Rays. A very impressive set of scars remain, but he almost has a full range of movement.

5. I turned 40 last week and was treated to a 'surprise' party on the Saturday afternoon. Our fabulous boys burst into our room at 7.05 am shouting "Happy Birthday Mummy!" I said "but it's not my birthday until Monday". "We know" they replied "but you have to open these and then get ready for your surprise party this afternoon" Bless them. Actually it was great, I had enough time to tidy up the Chinese Laundry in the lounge and clean up before people arrived. Best of all I didn't have to prep any food! Big thanks to all the friends and family who provided scrummy food and to Anna who decorated a beautiful cake.

6. On Sunday 11th the boys and I headed off for a little holiday. My friend Luanne lives over the road and her son Jordan is in Joe's class. She also has 2 other boys - Daniel aged 5 and Callum aged 3.

The 7 of us had booked a cottage at the Farmyard Holiday Camp in Geraldine. We had a fantastic time!!!! The boys hurtled around on their bicycles for 3 solid days. There were also donkey rides each morning, quad bikes each afternoon, playgrounds, rabbits and guinea pigs to hug.....a never ending supply of entertainment. It was a great few days away and such fun to go with friends.

7. Matt also surprised me with a weekend away without the boys. Nana moved in here and took the reins while we headed off to a luxury hotel and spa in Hanmer - just Bliss!

Mum handled a very busy weekend brilliantly and we can't thank her enough! Joe played Rugby on Saturday morning, scored 2 and the team drew. Then he went to a party at the airforce museum. Time for a quick shower and a reunion with Ben before he was off out again......to the AMI stadium (see 8).

8. Joe's team had been selected to play the curtain raiser at AMI stadium prior to the Crusaders vs Cheetahs Super 14s match. Joe was so excited and couldn't wait to touch the hallowed turf! He led his team onto the field, carrying the ball. He scored another 2 tries and they drew 4/4. They then had seats in the stands and were able to watch the match. Hopefully someone from the club was taking photos and video so we will be able to link to some soon. We spent much of the evening texting Nana to get updates on how our star was doing!

9. Ben had his last days at both preschool and playcentre.

He was centre of attention and enjoyed the special kai and cakes at his celebrations.

He also attended his last playgroup session, but we didn't know it was his last session until we received the phonecall from Kindy. He has done his first 2 days at Kindy now and seems to be enjoying it. He is able to wave to Joe at playtime and feels like a really 'big boy' now.

I'll just finish with one of Ben's latest photographs. How we laughed!!!!!!!! Love it!

Drama!

It's all been happening here over the last couple of weeks!

We have found an architect that we like and have started discussions about our build. It will be a long process, but hopefully exciting as we have never done this before. We went out for a site visit last weekend and Ben was desperate to take his tent so that he could sleep in it overnight and move into the house the next day. Not sure he has the idea about how long things will take. He has one thing right though - 'Mummy and Daddy can't build a house as they aren't clever like builders!'.

We had a trip up to the Waipara wine and food festival. Friends had organised for us all to stay nearby. The boys were thrilled about sleeping in a converted railway carriage.

After a nice barbecue tea on Friday night they headed to bed in their sleeping bags. Not a great night for Matt and I, the bunks were narrow, the mattresses noisy and the boys restless! The Saturday dawned wet and rainy but the kids enjoyed a walk to the local cafe for hot chocolates. We decided to try out the festival as we had already bought tickets online and hope the day brightened. Luckily it did, we had a picnic,

sampled the wine and watched the kids run around all afternoon.

Great day! Joe and Ben both had a go on the bungy tramp and even managed to behave during the half hour wait!

That evening Matt fell ill (not due to excess alcohol we should add) and we had to call an ambulance. It took a while to find us and we are very grateful to all our friends who took care of us. Luckily there was a nurse on the site and she and some of the other guests were a great support too. Louise came with Matt and I in the ambulance while other friends looked after the boys (who all slept together with Josh, Quin and Toby in their own carriage). The ambulance met up with a road accident en-route and Matt was transferred to the paramedic's helicopter. Louise was a star and drove me to Christchurch Hospital. After some scans and tests Matt was transferred to the ED observation ward. The next morning Matt was fine, didn't remember the events of the night before and raring to go! He has been referred to a specialist for further investigations and we are waiting to hear about an appointment. It was all horribly scary, but things are so normal now that it seams totally surreal.

Joe has received the Player of the Year award for his touch rugby team. This is despite not playing this term due to his broken elbow! He is pretty pleased and champing at the bit to play ripper rugby this season. we are not sure when he will actually be able to play because he still cannot straighten his arm and the wound is still open. He also received an excellence award at school this week and was chosen to be the 'star of the week' by his teacher.

Ben has been signed up for kindy. He will be going to the centre next to Joe's school and will start some time in April or May. He will attend every morning so we are finishing up at Playcentre and playgroup this term. End of another era! and only another year until he starts school. He is enjoying having Ella around and has even named all his toy dogs Ella too. Today at playcentre he dressed up in a dog costume and played fetch! aaahhhh.

Police, Tsunami and an All Black

We've had a busy few days since Joe's last hospital visit. Christchurch Police and other emergency services held an open day in the city. The boys enjoyed climbing in all the vehicles

meeting the search and rescue dogs, setting off sirens and dressing up in uniform. We met up with Louise and Josh, then joined Gillian and Eddie for a cold drink. We hopped on the open air tram to get around the city centre

and stopped off at Victoria Square to see the topiary animals.

Then the next day we were rudely awoken by Nana informing us of a tsunami alert. We live in the evacuation zone so were supposed to be ready to leave if necessary and to listen to the media. We had a barbeque planned with friends so cancelled that 'just in case'. We decided to go out for the day rather than staying tied to the radio so headed with Nana to the Jacob's place. Matt rang the insurance company at 9am as our house insurance lapsed last week!!!! The first wave was initially expected at 9.05am, so nothing like cutting it fine! Anyway nothing huge affected our area although there has been plenty of unusual water movements over the last 24 hours. Ella has missed her walks on the beach, but did have a fantastic day rolling around and chasing Ash and Indy's dog Lucy.

Today was sign on night at Parklands Rugby Club. Joe is hoping to play ripper rugby for the under 7s this season. He may miss a couple of the first games because of that elbow! 2 Crusaders came to support so the boys went with shirts and autograph books in hand. They were thrilled when they saw that the players were Isaac Ross (All Black) and Adam Whitelock.

Giggle Guts

2 weeks ago Joe had his bright green (now very dirty) cast removed. The nurse explained what was going to happen and as she started cutting Joe erupted into giggles that didn't stop until it was over - apparently it tickles! The staff were amazed as usually kids cry?

He had a horrible oozy wound where one of the wires was poking through the skin - yuck. After an X-Ray we saw the doctor who said they wouldn't remove the wires yet and he would go back into a cast for another fortnight. This time he chose a purple cast and there was plenty of padding inside to protect against the exposed wire.

Today we returned for another appointment. Again the giggles!

The doctor pulled out the exposed wire with Joe wide awake and no pain killers - Joe wasn't too happy and did shout "ouch", but no tears! The other wire was still under the skin so it was either going to be an operation, the anaesthetic cream (which takes some time to take effect) or a local injection. I opted for the local as we know Joe is a brave boy. He winced at the injection but then a nurse coaxed him into trying the gas and air - he loved it and laughed out loud! Afterwards he told me it made him feel 'weird' and hie eyes went blurry, but he liked it!

He now has a dressing on for a couple of days, to be changed until the wound heals. Now he is banned from 'risky activities' on doctor's orders. No trampoline, bike, skateboard, contact sports, swimming etc for another 6 weeks. Then we return for X-rays and a check on his range of movement. He will be monitored for a couple of years as this type of injury can sometimes effect growth of the arm/joint. Keeping him away from a rugby ball is going to be an uphill battle!, especially with club registrations starting next week!

Introducing............

Before we get on to the introduction piece we had better fill you in on the Joe saga. After his initial operation he had a temporary cast (because of the swelling) and an appointment for an X-ray and permanent cast set for two weeks later. 13 1/2 days later Joe had his friend Leo staying with us for his first ever sleepover away from family. Off to bed they trotted at 8.15pm. 2 minutes later and there is a thump and tears - no he hadn't fallen off the top bunk - Joe had actually managed to pull the cast over his elbow and almost off his arm. There was no way it was sliding back on so a trip to A&E followed, leaving a very confused Leo behind with Matt and Ben. Christchurch Hospital were amazing again - the triage nurse called the boneshop and we headed straight in there with no paperwork! Within minutes he was having a new cast fitted and we were sent home with instructions to return for our original appointment the next morning. Amazing! - we made the round trip from home in an hour! Leo was fast asleep and they even blessed us with a reasonable start time in the morning!

Joe has now been fitted with a more permanent cast because he is such an active boy, however the wires are poking through the skin, so he has been brought forward for surgery to remove them (Feb 11th). He (and Ben) are thoroughly enjoying the Wii that Matt purchased - it is easy for Joe to operate with his cast. He has of course returned to the trampoline, has been skateboarding and even sat on his bike - give him a couple of days and he'll be out on that doing wheelies!

Both boys stayed at their cousin's house last week. Well according to Ben they were not having a sleepover with Ash and Indy, but a sleepover with the new kittens! 2 adorable little things called Noodles and Lola. Ben was smitten!!!!!! They had been home for a few days so things had settled down with their dog Lucy before we arrived!

We visited our land out in Ohoka last week as we hadn't been over for several months - slightly overgrown!!! but we mowed part of the verge and have hired someone to mow the lot! BIG JOB! Next year we will have to make sure it is more adequately managed!

Last night Matt and Joe went to watch the Wellington Phoenix play Adelaide United at the AMI stadium. A first 'soccer' match for both of them since our arrival. Matt informs me that it was a great atmosphere and luckily The Phoenix won 1-0.

Now the introduction......Yesterday was a big day in our house as we took collection of our first NZ family pet. Her name is Ella and she is 3/4 Labrador and 1/4 Huntaway. She is 5 months old so is well trained (and toilet trained!), loves children and is just adorable! We have been visiting her over the last week and her previous owners came to inspect our home before handing her over (they are in the process of emigrating to Perth). We are all thrilled to bits to have her and our first 24 hours with her have been fun. She was quite excitable last night but has calmed down immensely. I think we have worn her out today with a walk in the forest and beach this morning, then a trip to the kite festival this afternoon.

Her first ever experience of the sand and the ocean was a success - she has discovered the joys of digging holes and raced around in the surf having a lovely time. The boys have been very excited and keen to help (except with the poop scooping) - Joe didn't even switch on the Wii this morning as the dog was an exciting distraction

Our Brave Boy - The Sequel

Joe had been enjoying taking part in a YMCA holiday program this week. The first 2 days were great and he went off happily for day 3. Just after lunch I had a phone call from the supervisor asking me to collect Joe as he had crash landed at the bottom of an inflatable slide. I wasn't particularly worried as he is always bumping, cutting and smashing himself and doesn't fuss about it. However when Ben and I arrived Joe was on the verge of tears (not like him) and his arm had swollen horribly. Off to A&E we dashed - he was seen quite promptly, but there is always a bit of waiting around! Eventually X-Rays came back and showed he had broken his elbow. They put on a cast, surgery was scheduled for the next day and we were moved to the children's ward.

He was second on the list in the morning so didn't have to starve for too long! He now has 2 wires holding the bones and cartilage back in place. A sleepy Joe

made it back to recovery and had an ice-block. But once back on the ward he was repeatedly sick until they gave him some meds. Unfortunately this meant that he hadn't eaten or drunk all day and necessitated another overnight stay.
Friday morning was spent hanging around waiting for paperwork. The boys discovered the playroom and the Wii so had a busy time. Ben played doctor and bandaged my arm just like Joe's!

Home at last this afternoon, Joe is doing well, but is a bit miserable. He'll perk up over the next few days and is looking forward to seeing some friends. He has to go back in 2 weeks, hopefully for a proper cast once the swelling recedes, then 6-8 weeks after that he will have another operation to remove the wires. No beach or swimming until he is all fixed! He is hoping he will be finished with the process for the start of Rugby, but it will be nip and tuck! He has been really brave - just a few tears when he saw me, Matt and Nana and when the doctor said he would need to cut his arm. Otherwise he hasn't complained at all! We'll keep you posted!

Happy Holidays

It's been a while since the last post - sorry but December was a really busy month. We never seemed to stop! There was an endless round of activities and events for the boys including Joe's carols at the Cathedral, playgroup, preschool

and playcentre parties, community events and the New Brighton Christmas Parade. The boys are in this picture with Josh and Quin.

We had a lovely barbecue at Kelly's house so that all the children could do their secret Santa. The usual suspects attended, Joe & Ben, Josh, Quin & Toby, Annissa and Lara & Sean!

Joe had a fantastic report from school, his teacher called him a 'word and number whizz'. He spent a morning in his new classroom, he'll be in room 5 with Miss Brady. He is very pleased as she is his 'favourite' teacher (nothing to do with the fact that she is 21 and some of the parents call her 'Barbie' - Matt is looking forward to parent's evening and has even suggested that he might take Joe to school on the first day next year!).

Joe finished school a week before the big day and the countdown got really serious at that point. He even wanted to go to bed early (unheard of) on Christmas Eve so that Christmas Day would come quickly. The boys managed to stay in bed until 6.50am, so not too bad. They opened stockings and then had breakfast and got dressed. Neither of these things has EVER happened so quickly in this house! They were thrilled with the gifts that Santa brought for them and were so excited!

We had lunch in the garden at Nana's house.

Turkey, roast potatoes and salad! Followed by traditional Kiwi Pavlova for pudding!

It was beautiful and warm so we headed to the beach for our now traditional Christmas Day boogie boarding in the afternoon. Ben has become a boarding star! He squeals with delight and hasn't been fazed when a wave dumps him. Joe managed to snap his board in 2 when he was dumped, so we had to hit the sales on Boxing Day to get a replacement. We have managed to get to the beach most days since Christmas so it has been a lovely break. Lots of sand everywhere in the house now!

For New Years Eve we had been invited to a 'Cool Britannia' themed barbecue at Louise, Brent and Josh's. We headed to the fancy dress hire shop with a few ideas, but both boys ended up as something completely different. Joe had planned to be Doctor Who (DT) but ended up as Peter Pan, luckily Ben decided that the furry, hot (Peter) rabbit costume was not for him and opted for a homemade pirate costume (with a few purchased accessories) to turn him into Captain Hook - A matching pair! Matt stuck with his Bond idea and I was a Beatle (Sergeant Pepper).

The evening started well, then Matt started to feel ill and headed off home. I put Ben to bed in Josh's room for his sleepover while Joe played football in the garden. I took Joe home at about 9.30pm to find Matt ill in bed. He finished being ill at about 1am - what a great way to see in the new year! Then I started until about 5.30 - oh dear. I was really worried that Ben was going to be ill at his sleepover too! Joe was fine all night, he got up at 6.30 and was sick on the sofa soon after - luckily that was all he had and he bounced back as kids do! Louise and Brent were wonderful and had Ben all New Years Day and an extra night too - There is no way we would have been in a fit state - so thanks to them! Thankfully Ben seems to have missed the whole thing. We count ourselves lucky as this is the first time we have ever had a family illness. Lets hope 2010 only gets better!

Matt is back to work on the 5th, Ben returns to preschool on the 13th and Joe starts back at school on Feb 2nd. We shall be keeping busy over the summer and will keep you posted.

Matt's birthday on the 12th - he's ordered himself a new electric guitar!

Happy New Year to all our friends near and far!