A special day…
I’ve been very spoilt this week. On Wednesday I took the day off from working in Auckland to ride ferries, trains and buses with Master Four.
Although I always knew he was turning five this year, it rudely and abruptly struck me about a month ago that he would be heading off to school in just four months time! Once I’d recovered from the shock, I realised that a lot of the things I’d taken foregranted until now would come to an end - mainly the fact that I can currently pull him out of daycare whenever I want to go biking, or riding the gondolas or to McDonalds because I want an excuse to get a burger!
I also had the horrible realisation that my baby is growing up and is very quickly becoming a big little boy.
So I’ve made the conscious decision to make the most of the four months I have left with him at daycare and before I start getting into trouble for making him a truant everytime I want to go and do something fun!
Our action plan started in the pouring rain last Friday when the two of us went up to Hamilton to go to Mystery Creek Fieldays. Unfortunately the incessant rain and knee-high mud limited our participation in some of the tractor action, but he still got to get up close and personal with every kind of farm animal imagineable. Which reminds me - does anyone know what sound an alpaca makes??!
The next phase in the plan took place on Sunday when the two of us packed up my car and headed up to Auckland (after my 50km bike ride - have I mentioned my 50km bike ride??!). I was due in a full day of meetings on Monday while Master 4 had quality time with his Granma, but Tuesday was going to be dedicated to us. I got through the few hours work I needed to do as quickly as I could, and then we got out the door.
First step, ferry from Devonport to Auckland. Second step, heading for Britomart to get on a train. Such excitement - for Master 4 too. We got off at Ellerslie and had some lunch, and then back on again to head back into the city. Next we got on the free red bus which did a bit of a tiki tour around Auckland before dropping us at the Sky Tower. The tallest building in Auckland - and some of Australasia too I think - it’s apparently a must-see tourist attraction, but one I had always seemed to miss. We spent more than an hour at the top checking out different landmarks, spotting ferries and buses, and trying to work out which house was his Uncles on North Head.
Eventually we headed down and back onto the free bus and ferry, before heading for home.
I still get such a kick from the enjoyment he gets from something as simple as a ferry or train ride - activities I’ve been taking foregranted for years. But seen through his eyes, its a whole new adventure.
I should have been working, but I got more out of Tuesday than I would have out of the most lucrative contract. It was a very special day, with my very special big little boy.