LIFE is GOOD at the BEACH: All Black Mania

Oh what a week we had!!! The All Blacks were in town this week and we fully embraced the experience! Max and I headed to the signing on Friday. Well that began the craziest two days ever for my little rugby lover. Max was quite the hit and had the general manager of the store, all the papers and tv stations taking pictures of him. He got us in the priority line and he even got a picture with his favourite All Black, Ma'a Nonu. They stopped the line after Max and I waited fifteen minutes to take the picture below. My boy is so sweet because he took his All Black chocolates that he loved to share with them. He gave one to each player that signed his ball. They were unbelievably gracious and so sweet to him. As we finished and were just standing in the shop Max looks up at me and says, "They liked my chocolate mommy?" Yes buddy they did. I love my boys generous gift giving heart. They were his special candies but he wanted to give what he had and what was special to him away. Max didn't end up in the paper but did end up on the website. We bought the pictures below but I put them on for you to see. They are two of his favourite All Blacks ever. Two he constantly pretends to be.

We were on cloud nine coming home to tell Sam who was unfortunately taking his first final. If that wasn't enough the next day while in the store exchanging shorts for Sam the general manager came up to us and asked us if we were given tickets to the game would we go? Um YES!!!!!

Evidently our brilliant friend Hayley posted on the stores Facebook page under the picture they took of Max and me a very sweet comment and said we should get tickets. Well the general manager decided that was a great idea and gave us free tickets. Which are VERY expensive. It was such a cool blessing. Poor Sam lost a night of crucial study but came home and studied until one.

It was an incredible night and an amazing first All Black game experience. I had my first moment of feeling very Kiwi. They sang the anthem but had the words up on the big screen so I sang my heart out because I could read the words. I LOVE America's national anthem and miss it greatly. They Olympics is my only shot at it, if they show Americans getting first. But last night I had goose bumps like when I sing the American Anthem. There is just something about anthems for me. I always tell Sam that it's a unifying song and full of emotion which is why I miss singing the American one at Baseball games and the like. So last night I finally felt connected. I have heard the song for four years but I was one of them last night. And loved it! Great seats, great weather, great game, and a great night all around.