Our Humble Playa

Tuesday

After a pleasant holiday weekend in The Mount, Mark had to work Labour Day yesterday. It was easily one of the 2 or 3 busiest shifts he's had since we've been in NZ. The department was already bursting at the seams when they got word of a major car accident up in Waihi. But, the whole hospital came together to quickly move patients upstairs and out of the ED to make room for the deluge in an encouraging display of solidarity. Now, why can't they do that all the time?

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10605565

Ro had his second Ball Blitz sports fundamentals class today after school. The afternoon rain shower didn't phase the kids or the instructor, and they moved underneath a large covered area adjacent to the play yard. The instructor brought along a "Player of the Day" trophy which immediately captured Ro's attention. Ro, being the youngest in the class, asked who was going to get the trophy, to which the instructor replied, "the person who works the hardest on today's skills."

Ready for an AC/DC concert

From that moment on, Ro gave the instructor his absolute attention, and ran through the motions of each exercise with complete focus. By the end of the hour, Ro had probably said at least three different times, "I sure hope I get the trophy!" The older kids could obviously care less, although they were all having a blast! Since they have participated in Ball Blitz before, they knew that they would all have a turn each week taking home the trophy. Finally, as the instructor gathered them in a circle, she announced that it was time for the trophy. Ronan piped up, "Who's the person who's going to get it?" The instructor said, "Well, their name starts with an 'R', and they worked really hard today!"

"RONAN!" shouted Ronan.

Everyone smiled as Ro excitedly grabbed the trophy and came running to show Sherry. Ro was so proud and couldn't wait to show Daddy!

Showing off the hardware