New Years Day

Was fortunate to enough to "time" my RDO with New Years day so we headed out to Arron & Mami's (and 2 boys Jake and Sean) beach house.
Mami prepared a "srummie" lunch which she served on the deck with a amazing view of Piha stretched out in front of us.

After the usual "try and get the kids to sit down and eat" me Arron and the kids,wandered down to the local camping ground where they had a sports day,basically it was running races with prizes donated by the local community surf club.
Mana (also known as "The fast girl in pink") won 1st a second followed by a 2nd and then another 2nd.

In total she now had 4 prizes......and I said "WOW you have won so many prizes" and I could see a mix of sheer joy and a little sadness....."Why do I have so many prizes?.....and why are their some children that don't?"

"Daddy can I give a prize to the white girl (nothing raciest in that she was actually wearing white) Mana wanted to give a prize to one of the other girls as she didn't win anything and Mana had 4........please pause here for maximum effect and insert...Proud Dad moment here.

With kids in tow we made our way down to the beach and hung out at by a small stream where the kids could play safely with no waves.

I went out for a surf and on my return Mana surprised me by actually asking if she could have a go on my surfboard which she promptly jumped on and started to paddle.

Another big moment for me (Wow what a year so far).....its only Mana's 2nd time on a surfboard (the first time doesn't really count as she was 1 and a bit and she more or less crawled over it and I took a photo)

But let the records show that today was the day that launched her surfing career.....hahaha

After playing all together in the stream and covered in black sand we wandered back to the house just to "graze" again before our evening stroll on the beach feeling content (with full tummy's) and watching the kids play in the evening glow of the sunset sun setting I would have to say "This was a good day!".......bring on 2008.

(About 2 minutes after we left Mana was asleep)