just doing it

A few months back I joined the local YMCA and am loving the classes there, and the fact that it's usually filled with school mummies and oldies when I go.  But with the school holidays I needed to find some other way to get my exercise in... so I'm on week five of a "first day to 5k" running programme.  I haven't actually signed up for any sort of 5k race/fun run but I would like to... maybe.  Maybe I need to Just Do It Simoney?

On Thursday the boys scooted and I jogged the 3km to our local mall.  They were so cute and encouraging (most of the time).  It was a pretty hot day and all three of us were disgustingly sweaty by the time we got there.  Thank goodness we only ran into one person we knew (Hi Hannah!).  We bought popsicles and relaxed in the bar by the cinema.  I love the sour tongue twister ones, yum!


Yesterday I thought we could go a bit further a field.  So on the recommendation of another Auckland blogger (thanks Stacia), we headed to Pakuranga, to this place.  It was lovely.

B dropped the boys and I (with their bikes) at the start of the walkway and drove the 5km to the other end.  Then he hopped on his bike and rode to meet us.  Being right by the water most of the way was lovely, although the kids had to be really careful not to ride into the sea once or twice!  So perhaps not the best ride for kids just starting out, or for nervous parents.  I was running most of the way and so no photos of the coastal track bits sorry.  Got these photos on my phone camera afterwards.

There is a really cool snakes and ladders playground with slides, ladders and numbered steps.  A massive game board really.  The boys made a wee friend and they played for a while before we settled down for a picnic lunch on the grassy area right by the playground.

 You can't see it but there was a wee shelly beach behind us.  We'll be going back there again with togs next time, and towels.  It looked very shallow and maybe not really great for swimming but perhaps a bit of a paddle.
 I think the best part though was all being out and active together.  I'm loving the boys at this age.  So able and independent, and yet still so sweet and cuddly too.