First Bus Trip

We have been talking about taking the bus into town for ages. This week we did it. Max is half me half Sam. Split down the middle. He was so excited, talked about it nonstop then was pretty cautious once he got on. Hhhmmm. Talking non stop, guess who that is? Cautious risk taker, guess who that is?

We had such a fun mommy max date. We went to the toy store, the rugby store, an American candy store, Starbucks & on lots of walks. Max kept saying "we on a date mommy?" I love my quality time kiddo!

We talked about rugby and our love of the sport. Rugby season is when I feel like I was born a kiwi. I am excited every week and can't wait to see our team(s). I still am loyal to the Chiefs where we used to live but fully embracing the rugby culture of Dunedin and cheer like crazy for the Highlanders. It makes me embrace the winter approaching because with winter comes rugby and with rugby comes getting caught up in another world full of cheering and family memories. I am reading Richie McCaw's new book (Arguably the greatest NZ rugby player) and loving it!

Max has now moved from just kicking and passing to drop kicking. Who is this kid? He just picked the ball up and did a perfect drop kick. He is a crazy visual learner. Saw it. Conquered it. Love him.

Church

Our Anna that we love is Max's teacher on the Sundays I don't work. He loves Anna!! She took these pictures of him this week and last.

He made a picture frame of himself and was happy to do a cheesy smile for Anna. And last week one if his little buddies had a birthday so they were eating yummy bday cupcakes.

He still feels unsure at first when I go but he talks about Anna all week and has SO
much fun while I'm gone. I love our church!

Ridiculous

Sometimes I just can't stop looking at him because he is so ridiculously scrumptious! He is full of smiles, energy & hugs and kisses. He got some new finger paint this week. And a cute new green hoodie from my parents & I can just eat him up in it.

He also had a fun surprise and had Liam here all day. He came super early so they spent the morning cuddling on the couch
watching cartoons. We had some fun riding bikes and playing at the park. He loves playing outside. He would be outside all day, not much unlike his mama.

This week has been a new normal starting. Sam has officially begun his year. He had quite a few hiccups with registering but it's finally finished. He has a bit more paperwork to do for a very important part of this year. Pray for open doors and wisdom.

Max and I transitioned pretty easily. It hasn't been a hard week for me at all. Surprisingly easy in fact. I'm so glad for so many reasons we came down in May and Sam finished a year already. It helped us know what to expect for this hard busy year. Max cried a bit last night because Sam had a meeting and he only saw him for a few minutes. We talked about our important role when daddy is studying to be a doctor. He was very very very happy to see daddy this morning.

Rugby Season Has Begun

Chiefs vs the Highlanders. What a game! The Highlanders lost (the team from our area) but the Chiefs are from our old place. As I saw the Chiefs on the field and the colours of their jersey I found myself aching for the Mount. Sigh. I cheered for the Highlanders. They lost but I loved being in the stadium, seeing the crazy university students and being right on the field (we had great seats!).

Max had a blast and loved all of it. All week he talked about going to the rugby game. His favourite was still kicking, but he fully enjoyed every moment. I loved looking at his smiling face throughout the game.

This was a VERY long and hard week with quite a few surprises that I didn't particularly love or want. The game was such a fun release and reminder for me what we are doing in Dunedin. We sat in the "old people" part & loved it. But I as well loved seeing student life and the city full of fresh faced university students ready to change the world with a little partying on the side. I was grossly reminded that when all these new students were being born i was a fresh faced student starting my first year of college. Yikes! how did that happen?!?

Fall is falling here in Dunedin with winter close on its tail but at least we have rugby season and a great stadium and cool city to live in while Sam does school.

Sam starts the toughest year Monday morning. He has heaps of admin stuff to take care of in the midst of starting classes. Pray that all gets sorted quickly and easily for him to start this year. Max will have massive withdrawal from daddy time but hopefully between the 2 of us we can be creative as we face this year. It's not bad...The beginning of November is the finish line. We can do it!!!

Favourite Things

Valentines Date #1

Daddy's on a Break!!!

Max is SO happy having daddy on a break.