Bit and pieces

We have enrolled Daniel in an intensive swimming course this week and he’s had two lessons so far. The instructor really pushes him and he’s making good progress. There were some tears today but not enough to deter him from going back. He even said to me after the lesson: “When I grow up I’m going to be a swimming teacher”. Later in the day he decided he was going to be a cook when he grows up as well as a doctor, and then in the mornings he’ll be a swimming teacher.

Meanwhile Elizabeth is making good progress with language. Here are some of the things she says:

I eat the orange.
I eat the drink of water.
Daddy, I finish orange.
I had a shower.
Mummy, I like chips.

I’m amazed she’s got her pronouns right. Most kids find this confusing at first and say things like “you like chips” when they mean “I”.

Ben took this photo of Zeki today:

Some stains on our rug

Poor Zeki is really going downhill. He has not taken to the warmer, humid climate in Auckland at all and has been on steroids almost non-stop since we got here. Whenever we take him off, he starts scratching again. We have also noticed he can’t keep up on walks with us any more. Freud with his heart problems charges ahead, while Zeki struggles behind. We always thought it would be Freud who’d go first, but now it’s not so clear.

There is some momentum gathering in Auckland to push ahead with plans for a cycleway/walkway over the harbour bridge. At present, only motorised vehicles can drive over the bridge. In order to fund the project though, a toll of $2 will need to be charged to cyclists (and presumably pedestrians) who wish to use it. Isn’t that outrageous?! Give cars free reign of the bridge and charge cyclists. Idiots. I will never like a city that chooses cars over people.