Maks Update May 28th 2007

Well the little one and I only had a short time together this weekend where I picked her up from her new daycare where she the look on her face said it all, "Let's get out of here". So it was into the car and off to do something that has lapsed my memory. I do know that at some point we either went directly straight home or did the groceries on the way through, which I think we did.
Once home we ran around the park for a while then got dinner ready as Stef was coming around to babysit while I met up with some friends for an hour or so.
Stef came over about 7pm and her and Maks started straight into their fun playing games with Maks showing her what's what.
When I got back an hour or so later, they were reading story books and Maks was having some laid back fun but enough to still leave me a nice mess to clean up before bed. She went down at about 2030hrs and I crashed not too long after that.
Woken up at again 6am with the duvet pulled off the bed so I was huddled in the fetal position before being dragged out of the bed to fix her breakfast.
Got her brekkie ready and then jumped into the shower only when I got out I was greeted with maks having white cream all over her face, legs and arms. Only after cleaning her down, giving her a good bath to get it all off did I realise how that had come about. She'd tried to change Dolly's nappy !! her dolly had a nappy half on and cream all over her bum. Such a funny sight to have found. But at least she didn't eat any of the cream thankfully.
Later in the morning we had some visitors for just under an hour before we decided to have our midday nap on the couch. When we woke up i gave her a healthy snack and drink before we chilled out and watched penguins on the TV (she loves penguin's).
Before I knew it we were in the car on the way back to Donne's to drop her off.
Would normally have her Saturday night but had Kylies birthday party and her Uncle Jase had organised a round of Golf with a very early start (maybe that had something to do with the poor performing round).
xoxox Maks

Two Year Anniversary

I've just realised by tracking back through my blog that I've been running this site for two years to the month. Something I never thought I'd do and would've given up long by now however I've kept in mind that I'd like to keep an open forum of my Maks Updates so I have a record of things I did with Makayla when she's young for her to go over when she's older but also to post personal comments on other items, politics, sports and other info blah blah blah.

So here's too two years

Maks Update 23rd May 2007

Maks and I had a fun weekend as always although her terrible two status is ever so slightly wearing. As I had to work Saturday I logged off at 5pm and raced home, grabbed my car keys and was out the door and arrived at Donne's with a little one running out to greet me, you gotta love that. Then it was off home to wait for Simon and Yoni to arrive so we could watch season 6 of 24 and of course get some dinner on for us all.
Maks went to bed with little fuss falling asleep in my arms catching flies as we nestled back to enjoy an evening of TV viewing.
I made the mistake of staying up till 3am watching the America's Cup with Maks fast asleep in her bed only to be woken at 6am with duvet dragged off the bed and tugging on my hand as she demanded her breakfast which I prepared in a half dozy state of mind.
Since we were up early we went to do the groceries before rushing off to the Boat show as Simon had given us a free pass as he was working at the event.
Took maks around to see all the boats and of course the Holden's that were also on show before taking a quick look through all the other area'sThere were some remote controlled boats she had fund with and always wanting to go back to see them, we entered into a colouring in competition as she coloured in the picture (albeit with coloured circles but a solid effort nonetheless) and checked out a few boats including the coast guards which she got to sit behind the wheel and see the first aid area.
She fell asleep at the show so I put her back in the car and we came home where we took a nice nap together as we were both a little knackered.
After that I started her dinner, gave her bath and we were off to Jason's where Donne was helping him with his house. Maks even tried to help clean up the house before she got tired and we tried to put her down to rest as it was a very long day.

Valencia 2007

Lunsa Rosa go through to the final where Emirates Team New Zealand were unable to follow suite loosing for a second time against the Spaniards. This means the Luna Rosa get a break while ETNZ have atleast two further races before they look at proceeding to the Finals.

Valencia Report

ETNZ are holding strong with a second win over ESP 97 and Orcale and Luna Rosa both even with one win each. This means that if ETNZ hold straight consecutive wins over Esp97 and Orcale and Luna R battle it out in their semi-final races then I will leave ETNZ with a good break and rest to prepare for the Louis Vuiton Cup final against the winner, a huge advantage to the New Zealand Team.
The winds seem to be back on track after the previous days shifty breezes and with their summer weather approaching, all is looking good for the New Zealanders.
NZL 92 is already a fast boat but it has been accorded that its better in higher knot winds increasing the favour in the hand of the kiwi's bringing the cup home.

The expectation on people's mind is that Luna Rosa will go through to match off against ETNZ with James Spitall being a hard nosed competetive match racer and has a good afterguard & team on board. Keep an eye on BMW Oracle and Luna Rosa as there will be some heavy sailing to come from both teams.

Maks Update may 14th 2007

Was woken up very early on Saturday morning with maks firstly wanting to watch tv as she sat next to me happily watching the tv in my room as I tried on various attempts to get a little more shut eye yet she'd have none of that as I must've antagonised her laying there as she then promptly set about pulling the duvet completely off my bed and dragging me from bed to floor. Then pulling me over to get her breakfast ready which I don't normally have an issue with but not at 6am on a saturday morning.
So since we were up, might as well get the day started so I got her and myself ready and we headed out to start the day at about 10am where we went for a drive as she fell asleep so took a tiki tour so she could rest. Then an idea cam up as I had some time to kill before our afternoon schedule kicked in so I took her to Kelly Talton's underwater world which she absolutely loved. As we walked in I popped her up on the wide window sill so she could see the penguins to which she smooshed her face up against the glass looking back and me to make sure I saw what she did. I didn't mind that we spent 5-10 minutes there as we had plenty of time spare before going anywhere and she was happy so why not. From there we basically raced through the antartic museum as maks was desperate to see the penguins up close so we jumped on the snowcat and went around the track so we could see the penguins swimming and doing there thing. Afterwards we relaxed and watched the stingray's and other fish swimming in a big tank as Maks would point and chase the fish from one end to the other before taking me by the hand wanting to go see the penguin's once again so it was back to the snowcat.
After the second ride we went to see the sharks and other big fish as Maks was looking everywhich way with a cheeky grin and smile saying "eweee yucky..." "look daddy, fish!!, yucky" On leaving she got into one of her moods not wanting to leave even after better half of three hours so I ended up buying her a penguin so we could get out.
From there we stopped by to see Yoni quickly then a very quick hi to simon at his work on our way through for a playdate with Sean in Westmere.
Makayla was fast asleep leaving Simon's work until we walked in the front door and expecting her to take a while to warm up was a complete surprise as she hit the ground running.
We spent a few hours with Sean and his mom Janeen with Maks full of beans and the two getting up to their usual mischief they at least entertained each other allowing us to relax a little.
Got Maks home where after a very long day we both ended up falling asleep together on the couch before waking up and putting her into bed until the next morning when I once again had the Duvet pulled off my bed so wasn't getting any sleepin's this weekend.
Later that day I dropped her off to Donne so we could give her the Mothers Day present we brought last week.
Right now she should be settled into her new kindy.

Maks Update May 11th 2007

End of yet another era...

Today was Makayla's lastday at Kindercare with all her teachers upset to see her go as she munched on her biscuit. I had dropped her down earlier this morning knowing that it'll be a while till I go back to either see Danika or my Godson Jaren and there was almost a out of sort moment. After dropping Maks off I went I to work to make up my hours but got halfway there and just didn't have it in me to go any further and came home to rest before getting straight to the cleaning only knowing fairwell that the wee one would only pull everything out again.

Going off on a tangent here but here's a funny story...
Lastnight I was having trouble cooking her dinner so distracted her by calling mom's cell phone in Hong Kong so she could talk to PohPoh but ended up having a good old chat to Danika which was great as I finished the dinner and dished up. After dinner I was cleaning up and Maks opened the top draw to the cutlery and pulled out a hand full of chopsticks and happily played them like drum sticks when all of a sudden the noise stopped. I finished what I was doing at the time and turned round a moment later to view the mess, but there wasn't any?, I started to worry thinking she'd stuck them under the fridge or dish washer. I casually asked where they where and with the most innocent look on her face she looked up to me with her gorgeous big eyes, lifted her hand and pointed to the kitchen floor drain and said "Gone?!!". Oh Bugger she'd stuck them through the grate and getting closer could only make out about 5 or more.

Back on track now, its about 3pm or there about and Donne arrived where we had a late lunch at Gaucho's and ran into my auntie Betty so we all got chatting before we went down to pick Maks up from her lastday. On arriving we picked up all her things (actually-we possibly missed a few things but oh well) and said goodbye to all the teachers in Toddlers and then Babies as that's where she started. Donne thought it was time to get as she was getting a wee bit weapy.

Then Back to daddies in a rather grumpy mood but once upstairs she settled down and we sat together peacfully watching Mickey Mouse and Out of the box till it was time for daddy to get dinner ready. The Lil pumpkin is fast asleep as is the reason I'm now able to type this...

Sleep tight my baby, we meeting up with an old kindy friend of hers tomorrow arvo and its groceries and laundry in the morning.

ETNZ on Top in Valencia

In additional to the full report posted below.

I struggled to stay awake lastnight waiting for the match race between BMW Oracle and ETNZ Dean Barker and Chris Dickson matched up coming into the box with BMW going deep into the box with ENTZ right on their heels protecting the right. Almost pushing into the spectator fleet ETNZ held the right with no dial up by either team both crossing the line 1 second after the gun.
ETNZ tacked towards the right side of the course shortly after crossing the line, with BMW choosing to stay strong on their chosen course which would be the end of BMW. Barkers decision to take the right side of the course was a marvellous decision with their weather team being bang on the money as due to their first tack were only 10 meters behind but on their second tack they drove ahead to a lead of 200+ meters rounding the first mark with precision performance and a clean set with the big red A Sail bearing down the face of BMW as they still headed towards the first top mark. But the time BMW rounded the top mark and had their spinnaker set, ETNZ had increased their lead to 300+ meters. For BMW, it was all over at this stage and TNZ just had to sail smart and true to hold the lead.

I recall seeing them round the second mark to head up wind on the third leg noticing that BMW's boat corners just as smartly as their cars. At this point my eyes fell heavy and I dropped into wonderland, only waking this morning to rummage through the herald to confirm the win.... NOTHING. So I ran into work to check my emails for the racing updates.

With fists raised high and proud, I confirmed ETNZ secured the win and can now choose their opponents in the semi-finals. Question is now, which team will they choose? The Spanish? the Italians? or Race BMW and take the risk to put them out of the chase early?

Prior to this I saw Luna Rossa in their dial up race and just completely wipe out their opponent with some very skilled tactics and cross the line well ahead of their competition to ensure their secured win.

NZL 92 takes emphatic win over USA 98

Valencia May 9 2007
Emirates Team New Zealand scored an emphatic 1 min 34 sec win over BMW Oracle racing today to finish top of the leaderboard in round robin 2.
And as top challengers, Emirates Team New Zealand can choose its opponent in the semi-finals that start on Monday.
It was the match everyone was waiting for. The two teams heading the leaderboard going head-to-head. The money was on Oracle to win.
NZL 92 finished the round robin 2 unbeaten. USA 98 was beaten twice – by China and New Zealand.
The start was even, with NZL 92 taking the right and holding it. A drag race ensued with NZL 92 tacking away to the right in search of an anticipated wind shift.
They got it, there was more pressure in it, and NZL 92 quickly extended. USA 98 decided to stay in the left and suffered.
NZL 92 closed on the top mark with the gap extending further and rounded a massive 54 sec ahead.
On the run NZL 92 extended by four boat lengths as USA 92 was powerless to reduce the distance. At the first leeward mark, NZL 92’s margin had increased to 1min 13 sec.
The story was the same on the second windward beat. NZL 92 extended relentlessly and USA 98 had no answer. At the top mark NZL 92 extended to 1min 27sec. And at the finish the distance between the yachts was close to 500 metres which translated to 1 min 34sec.
Grant Dalton said after the race that the team had done nothing different today than it had all regatta. “We prepared exactly as we always do. We put together a game plan that suited the conditions. We got a good call from the weather team. Then Dean and the boys performed a perfect execution.
“We expected a wind shift from the right on the first beat and it came on cue. We built a good lead quite quickly and from then, the plan was simply to keep our boat between USA 98 and the finish mark. We didn’t have an anxious moment during the entire race.
“The team has finished the rounds robin exactly as we planned so long ago… strong and sailing well. On Monday the game starts all over again. Every win to date in the Louis Vuitton Cup counts for nothing.”
Rankings after two rounds robin 1
NZL 92 Emirates Team New Zealand 38 2 USA 98 BMW ORACLE Racing 37 3 ITA 94 Luna Rossa Challenge 35 4 ESP 97 Desafio Espanol 2007 29 5 SWE 96 Victory Challenge 26 6 ITA 99 Mascalzone Latino- Capitalia Team 22 7 RSA 83 Team Shosholoza 20 8 FRA 93 Areva Challenge 17 9 ITA 85 +39 Challenge 12 10 GER 89 United Internet Team Germany 5 11 CHN 95 China Team 3
TODAY’S SAILING TEAM Skipper - Dean Barker Tactician - Terry Hutchinson Navigator - Kevin Hall Strategist - Ray Davies Traveller - Mark Mendelblatt Mainsail trimmer - Don Cowie Trimmer upwind - Grant Loretz Trimmer downwind - James Dagg Main grinder - Chris Ward Pit - Barry McKay Runner/pit - Tony Rae Grinder – Rob Waddell Grinder - Jono Macbeth Mast - Matt Mason Floater - Grant Dalton Mid-Bow – Andrew McLean Bow - Jeremy Lomas
TODAY’S RESULTS Flight 11
ITA 99 beat SWE 96 +38s ITA 94 beat ESP 97 +1.54 NZL 92 beat USA 98 +1.34 ITA 85 beat GER 89 +30s RSA 83 beat FRA 93 +14s
Bye – China Team
CHALLENGER SAIL NUMBERS Emirates Team New Zealand – NZL 92 BMW Oracle Racing – USA 98 Luna Rossa Challenge – ITA 94 +39 Challenge – ITA 85 Team Shosholoza – RSA 83 Areva Challenge – FRA 93 Victory Challenge – SWE 96 Desafio Espanol 2007 – ESP 97 Mascalzone Latino – Capitalia Team – ITA 99 United Internet Team Germany – GER 89 China Team – CHN 95 Challenger elimination series semi-finals start Monday May 14 Finals start Friday June 1.

NZL 92 still unbeaten in round robin 2

Valencia May 8 2007
Emirates Team New Zealand pulled off a come-from-behind win today to remain unbeaten in round robin 2 of the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger series.
Overcoming a deficit brought about by a bad start, NZL 92 beat Victory Challenge by a comfortable 34 sec.
NZL 92 retains its second place on the leaderboard with 36 points, one behind BMW Oracle. Luna Rossa is third on 33 points with Desafio Espanol fourth on 29.
With Victory’s defeat today, Spain is a confirmed semi-finalist.
“It was not one of our better starts,” Grant Dalton said of today’s race. “We have a very healthy respect for Sweden and a slow start was not part of the game plan.”
At the start NZL 92 took the right side of the course and began the business of reducing the deficit.
“We were confident that we could catch them if we applied the pressure …. from being almost three boat lengths down just after the start we were bow to bow at times.”
SWE 96 pushed NZL 92 out to the starboard layline which in effect made it impossible to get a passing lane until the run.
At the top mark NZL 92 was 10 sec adrift and as they rounded prepared for the downwind attack. The opportunity did not present itself until well down the leg, when NZL 92 nosed in front on a split gybe and rounded the first leeward leg 8 sec ahead.
NZL 92 extended on the second beat to round 21 sec in the lead and at the finish was 34 sec.
Rankings after flight 10: 1 USA 98 BMW ORACLE Racing 37 2 NZL 92 Emirates Team New Zealand 36 3 ITA 94 Luna Rossa Challenge 33 4 ESP 97 Desafio Espanol 2007 29 5 SWE 96 Victory Challenge 26 6 ITA 99 Mascalzone Latino- Capitalia Team 20 7 RSA 83 Team Shosholoza 18 8 FRA 93 Areva Challenge 17 9 ITA 85 +39 Challenge 10 10 GER 89 United Internet Team Germany 5 11 CHN 95 China Team 3
Tomorrow: NZL 92 races BMW Oracle
Tomorrow’s weather: South-east breeze 8-12 knots, 12 - 27 deg C, humidity 30%, sunny.
TODAY’S SAILING TEAM Skipper - Dean Barker Tactician - Terry Hutchinson Navigator - Kevin Hall Strategist - Ray Davies Traveller - Mark Mendelblatt Mainsail trimmer - Don Cowie Trimmer upwind - Grant Loretz Trimmer downwind - James Dagg Main grinder - Chris Ward Pit - Barry McKay Runner/pit - Tony Rae Grinder – Chris McAsey Grinder - Jono Macbeth Mast - Matt Mason Floater - Grant Dalton Mid-Bow – Andrew McLean Bow - Jeremy Lomas
TODAY’S RESULTS Flight 10 ITA 85 beat CHN 95 +1.57 FRA 93 beat GER 89 +35s ITA 94 BEAT ITA 99 +7s NZL 92 beat SWE 96 +34s USA 98 beat ESP 97 +55s RSA 83 - bye
CHALLENGER SAIL NUMBERS
Emirates Team New Zealand – NZL 92 BMW Oracle Racing – USA 98 Luna Rossa Challenge – ITA 94 +39 Challenge – ITA 85 Team Shosholoza – RSA 83 Areva Challenge – FRA 93 Victory Challenge – SWE 96 Desafio Espanol 2007 – ESP 97 Mascalzone Latino – Capitalia Team – ITA 99 United Internet Team Germany – GER 89 China Team – CHN 95 Challenger elimination series semi-finals start Monday May 14 Finals start Friday June 1.

America's Cup Update

Standings (top four)
Oracle
29pts
Luna Rossa
29
Team New Zealand
28
Desafio Espanol
23
TONIGHT'S RACESRound robin two, Flight sevenTeam New Zealand v Team Germany China Team v Mascalzone LatinoTeam Shosholoza v Desafio EspanolAreva Challenge v BMW Oracle Racing+39 Challenge v Luna RossaBye: Victory Challenge

Maks Update May 30th

Saturday April 14th 2007 we celebrated Makayla's Second Birthday.

Donne and I went to get the food about midmorning and got back to her place at about midday where I quickly set about preparing the food with Leighann helping me with the hot food.

With the party due to start at 2pm i was under a reasonable time frame, and finished with 15 minutes to spare and very exhausted after going flat tack to finish it all in time.

People started to arrive shortly there after and I made a strong effort to make it around everyone and greet them all as they arrived.

It was great that Davina came as haven't been able to catch up as often as we would like, Stef and Carl managed to make it this year after providing them with the correct date. Lana and Steve came along and many other family and friends.

Was a great day with David and Sean from Makayla's kindy coming along too with my Godson Jaren and niece Danika joining in on the fun also and they most certainly had a great time. Janeen mentioned to me that Sean couldn't stop talking about all the kids so he had a great time and David too, who seems to really like Maks but then again who doesn't.

Can you tell I'm a proud father?

After all was said and done and the crowd getting ever smaller the room started to get bigger as it became inevitably easier to cross the room without zigzagging and stepping over things.

Then we got the full impression of all maks' lovely presents big and small.

With Donne and some others off to the Rugby, Makayla came home with her dad and after a 'very' busy day dropped off to sleep basically just as we left the driveway only to wake at 7am the next morning to open more presents from Mom and myself.

Then we spent the day having a relaxing fun time.