Slide, Ride and Stride

Bodie completed his first ever triathlon!  The Slide, Ride and Stride event is held in Dunedin each year.  It is for 2-6 year olds.  A 50 m dash, 150 m ride and then a water slide.  We got there early so that Bodie could see what he was supposed to do.  It was adorable seeing a whole bunch of 3 yr olds running through a field to get to their little plastic bikes.  I then laughed at the parents who worked WAY harder than the kids bending over to push the kids on their bikes for 150 m!

We briefed Bodie on what to do... run to the bikes and look for Dad, who will have your bike.  I went with him to the start line.  A man explained the rules and made the mistake of asking if there were any questions.  4 year olds like to talk... so after a few minutes of questions/statements from the kids the whistle blew and they were off!  Lots of parents were running with the kids, but I told Bodie I would see him when he was on his bike.  I was little concerned he'd stop running, b/c it was crowded.. but he was running!

The bike ride was a struggle b/c it was on wet grass.  But he persevered and didn't give up!  He zoomed down the soap covered water slide and ran through the finish line.  He was a very proud boy.

This event is awesome for promoting healthy lifestyles.  Being healthy starts young, so I was very happy to see such a cool event for toddlers.  And it was only a $2 entry fee!

 Before the race

 

Run, Bodie!

 

On the bike!

 

 

Finished!

 

 

Finished!

 

 

 

Getting his certificate!

Lark in the Park

One of my favourite things about Dunedin is that there is all kinds of free family friendly events happening.  But the best part is that due to the size of Dunedin, the events are not overly crowded.  This particular event, I can't give you much background on.  We were on our way home from our visit to Auckland and I saw a sign on the Botanical Gardens that said "Lark in the Park".  I googled it and couldn't find much out, but decided since it's our local playground to mosey on down and check it out.

I am really glad I did this.  It was an event sponsored by the Lions Club, this year they were raising money for heart disease (I think).  The entertainment was made up of everything from high school orchestra, some kids Irish dancing, a few singers and the cool thing was about an hour of interactive entertainment for the kids.  This included all the kids getting an instrument and playing it, getting a ribbon and twirling it and getting a fox mask and dancing around to 'What does the fox say", a parachute.  It was so awesome.

There was also this g-force ride, that looked like what astronauts ride in.  The age limit was 4 and luckly Bodie was four... He loved it!  The train that normally runs through the Botanical Gardens was running and they also got in a vintage fire truck that kids rode. 

The sun came out and this was a real fun day. 

Vintage Car Race

A few weeks back the 60th annual vintage car race was held in Dunedin.  This is basically when old cars from the early 1900s come together and race from the Octagon to Brighton Beach.  We went and had a look, and wow, it was so cool!  There were about 60 cars/trucks/vans and even motorcycles.  And the cool thing was that the majority of the car owners dressed up in the early 1900s clothes!  The cars and costumes coupled with the old vintage buildings in the Octagon I thought I was living in the early 1900s. 

Down at Brighton there is a big carnival at the finish line.  I'm talking, rides, games, stunt men, and stalls selling stuff.  All the cars also are lined up and put on display with their hoods up and what not. 

It was a very cool day and something I highly recommend!

Here is a link that tells you a bit more and photos/videos below.

Here is a video of the oldest car being crank started and the engine.  Sorry about the people, lots of interest.

 

 

 

St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool

If it's a warm day with the right wind direction (or no wind preferably) then taking the family to the St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool is a great (half) day out!  The Pool is located down at the infamous St Clair Beach.  The pool is actually built on the edge of the ocean and when it is high tide the pool is surrounded by the sea, crashing waves, surfers and all.

There are several awesome things about this pool.  The first is the price.  They have great rates for parents with toddlers on the weekends.  I think for the two adults and one child it was like $10 to swim.  And that wasn't a weekend.  Weekends I think it is like $3.50 for 1 adult and 1 child.  The next awesome thing is the free swim accessories they have.  There are floats, kick boards, flippers, goggles, snorkels etc.  Third, the pool is HEATED!  Fourth, there is a shallow bench on the side of the pool that parents can sit on or kids can play on if they don't want to get all the way in (and kids are old enough to be in the pool w/ out them.  Fifth, there is a café w/ yummy toasty sandwiches and hot chocolate.

The secret to living and enjoying outdoor time in Dunedin is to understand the effects of the wind direction.  So, if there is a southerly, DO NOT GO TO THIS POOL.  When we went it was a north easterly, the sun was shining and it was so warm/hot at our house we just craved some water to swim in.  We got to the pool got out of the car.... oh my, that was a cold wind (I obviously don't understand the weather patterns b/c why a southerly was coming off the ocean in a north easterly is beyond me).  Since Bodie was dying to go to the pool, we went anyways and to be honest, we froze.  I have NEVER liked kiddie pools, but I found myself just laying in that on my back trying to keep as much of me as I could under the warm water and out of the cold wind.  We finally got smart and set up camp next to the south wall.  Then, the wind was blocked, the sun shined... and the day was great!

This is a place that on a nice hot sunny day I can imagine would be a very fun-filled day with a lot of enjoyment.  I can't wait to go back!

 

 The wall where we found shelter from the wind.

 



This is what is on the other side of the wall in the picture above.

Allans Beach

One of my favorite things about Dunedin is the wildlife that lives right at the cities doorstep.  The Otago Peninsula is home to penguins, seals, sea lions and albatross.  There are also whales, dolphins and sharks!  I've always been a nature/wildlife lover and to just go walking along our local beach and come across sea lions sleeping in the sand and seals sunning themselves on the rocks is so very cool.

When we first visited Dunedin last year in September (2012), Simon's mom took us to a beach she had gone to with her film class called Allans Beach.  The beach has a nesting area for the yellow-eyed penguins, is dotted with sea lions and is located approximately half an hour outside of the city along the Otago Peninsula.

Driving out to the beach feels like you are driving out to no where.  You have to go along a narrow dirt road that straddles an estuary on both sides!  Eventually the road comes to an end under some big pine trees.  You then have to hop over a fence and walk through a paddock (pasture) till you reach the sandy trail that leads you to the beach.  As you follow the trail over the sand dunes keep your eyes peeled b/c sea lions are usually sleeping nearby.

Arriving at the end of the trail you see a kilometre long, white sand surf beach.  The color of the water is an amazing deep green to turquoise blue color.  And it is evidently one of the best surfing spots in NZ.  As you walk down the beach you will *normally* see sea lions basking in the sun.  Look closely b/c they blend in with the sand really well!  At the end of the beach is where the penguins live. 

When we visited this beach the first time we saw sea lions and it was amazing, but it was so freakin' cold.  The second time we went with our very good friends and first visitors from Auckland, we got the tide wrong and couldn't even get on the beach, so we saw no sea lions or penguins.  But we still had an awesome time!

So tips for visiting this beach is go at low tide and do not go during a Southerly or else you will be blown away and will freeze your tail off!  This is one place I cannot wait to visit during the peak of summer!  Bring it!

September 2012 - can you spot the sea lion?

 

September 2013

 

 

 Oh yea, and us adults got a night out w/ no kids, thanks to GiGi and Jedi!  We went to the Mexican restaurant Del Sol after kiddy hour!  Olay!  

 

 

Botanical Garden

What a fantastic Spring weekend!  It was shorts weather in *cold* little Dunedin.  Yea, you hear that, shorts!!  Bodie and I had the morning to ourselves and thought we should spend it at one of our favourite places in Dunedin, the Botanical Gardens (about 2 minutes from our house). 

There is so much to do here! Obviously there is a playground, but there is a train, duck feeding station (with free food), aviary, thousands of different plants, bridges, trails, cafe and the glorious view!!  And have I mentioned how AMAZING the weather was?!

Some info: The Dunedin Botanic Garden is New Zealand's first botanic garden and holds the status of Garden of International Significance. It has hill views from sunny lawns, more than 6,800 plant species and the song of wild native bellbirds, wood pigeons and tui.  The Garden celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2013, marking its position as New Zealand’s first botanic garden. It occupies 28 hectares in North Dunedin at an altitude of 25 – 85 metres above sea level.

The train that operates is 100% charity run and has been operating for the past 20 years!  It's affordable ($2 adult, $1 child - over 5, under free).  All the operators are volunteers and they are advertising for drivers!  http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/247794/charity-clocks-20-years-service

Bodie and I went to the park in the late morning.  He took his scooter (no bikes allowed) and when we got there and he kept wanting to race (so I was chasing after him) I thought "Dang, why didn't I bring my scooter"?!  Anyways, he rode around the entire garden and had no inclination to play on the playground.  Instead, he wanted to go for a walk along the trails and look for Dinosaurs.  I have to say it was one of the best hour walks I've ever had.  Bodie was holding my hand and we were singing songs and imagining dragons and dinosaurs swinging around in the trees.  So fun!  At one point Bodie said "Mom, there's a swing can I swing on it".  I didn't see the swing at first because it was vines out of a tree that were hanging down.  So he spent a good half an hour jumping off the bank and swinging on this vine.  It was so cool.  For some reason I kept thinking about The Giving Tree.  I must get that book!

Anyways, at lunch time we decided to go home for lunch and then come back with my scooter (and Simon).  We had such a great time.  We found ramps and we did tricks.  We were hot and tired so we got ice cream and water at the cafe.  Then Bodie found a 'friend' and the two of them played for AGES.  All in all it was once again a great day at the Botanical Gardens (or 'tanical garden as said by the Bodie)!

Here are a ton of pictures. 

 Bodie and I were racing to the bridge...

 I'm gaining on him!

 Ah, photo finish and I had to jump off due to a 1 yr old toddling out.

 So Bodie jumped off..

 

Train.

 Trying to catch some air

 

 Air man, definite air!  hoot!

 

 Bodie was so cute.  He tried to 'get air' and ended up just hopping on his scooter.  Good effort though!  One time he jumped up and pulled the scooter back and landed on his bottom.  Bruised ego and bit of tears, but he was fine.  Luckly he had on his helmet b/c his head smacked the pavement!

 

Bodie and his friend spiderman tumbling in the grass.

 

 I don't know if you can see it but this tree is crawling with children.  Probably 10+ in it, Bodie included.