Bring on the summer weather …

Its a sure thing that Summer is in the air when our family changes to sandwiches and cold cuts for dinner.

Ieremia topped off the cold cuts with potato chips and pies. Our family seldom eats takeaways, so the pies were a welcome treat for the kids.

After dinner I contemplated the meaning of life over the next few weeks, while HoRoymana, Sivai and Ieremia hit the streets to deliver newspapers.

Since the beginning of this year our tweens had been harping to get part time jobs to earn a little more cash and to add to their savings and so we told them that if we could find a paper run, they’d be the first to know.

It took quite a while, 6 months of a while, before we were able to get a run. But before long Fanatanu Ieremia (9) and HoRoymana (12) were doing a local run, just down the road from our house, which took about 30 minutes. We figured that the paper run would encourage 2 things, exercise and a feeling of accomplishment through earning your own funds. It seems to have done the job in both areas and so now our girls are keen to join in with their brothers.

A few weeks ago we took on a couple more runs as motivation for Ieremia and I to exercise but our daughters Kaneihana (11) and Sivai (8) have somewhat taken a shine to doing this run. After going over the run, we felt safe to have our girls deliver to our own street and occassionally they team up with their older brother or Ieremia to complete the run. And me, well, I havent even attempted to try a run … so much for the incentive to exercise!!

I have lots more on my plate like ummm making up excuses to not exercise!!

A reality check is what I need, and if I reflect on this time last year I was training to eventually do a triathlon. That is the complete truth. I lost around 20kg and decided that I would push myself even more by aiming for a triathlon but somehow I lost my way and I have gained almost every single one of those lost kilos. Now that Summer has come im dusting off my bicycle again and clearing the cobwebs from my sandshoes and i’ll see what comes of it.

But for now ive got my sights set on more change in my life and new experiences for our children, to take them out of their comfort zones once again. I welcome change and its something I hope to instil in my children.