The World's Youngest Fan

How many 2 1/2 year old's do you know wake in the morning asking for U2? "Daddy U2!" We have a 'Live in Boston' DVD, and it is well worn. It's getting to the point where i'm beginning to detest the DVD, and that's saying something. His mum of course enjoys reminding me, that I am indeed the author of my own morning destruction, as it was sadly me who unwitttingly introduced him to the lads, who he not only watches but who he of course has to imitate, particularly the drummer, sticks and tin can (or anything that will make a noise) in hand. Little does Bono know, the world's youngest U2 fan lives in Aotearoa.

Trev

Atishoo!!

Man, Ari is sick again! Poor kid! Apparently kids pick up tons of bugs in their first year of Daycare (Ari goes 2x a week at the mo'), which builds their immune system. But it feels more like being well for him is simply the temporary condition he experiences between being sick. Although, whatever it is, seems to be making it's way around us all, which doesn't usually happen thankfully, but it's a shared family experience this time around.

Trev.

Sandpit Action

Here's one of the boy and his cousin Emily ready for some of that sandpit action.

Songs for Niger

Last night was the night I'd been building up to for the last 2 months. I saw a news article on the food crisis in the west African country of Niger a few months back, and felt sick watching a mum standing there, with that absolutely helpless look, with her starving child in her arms, and I thought 'man what if that was Ari and Jo, how would I feel then?'.

It's so easy to put images like that into the 'another famine clip' compartment, but it struck me that these are real people, with real kids, really dying. It's estimated that 3.5 million people are currently facing severe malnutrition and death. These people are feeding their kids bark and grass to try and keep them alive another day. Anyway I knew Jo and I were so strapped that on our own we could do bugger all, so I figured I'd use the music contacts I had and put together a fundraiser gig for Niger.

It all came together real well. We got a line up of fantastic artists, a great lighting set up, sound and venue all donated freely. I hooked up with someone I knew from World Vision, so the money could get where it needed to go. WV were fantastic, got behind it, and the night went off. My darling wife 34 weeks pregnant and all, was awesome and came to the rescue arranging all the food for artists and set up crew. Turns out we raised around 2.5k, a drop in the bucket, but it means that 36 families in Niger will receive food programme relief packs, which will stave off the wolves of malnutrition. It would have been so easy to go with the 'ah well it's too hard, what can I do' line, as I have so often done, and those 36 families would be dead. I'm glad I got off my bum.

The Big Ouch

Well Mum is now 34 weeks and getting bigger... it would seem by the minute. She had her check up with the Specialist today and all is good, but the boy is big, in fact currently he's about the size of a 35 week baby...ouch! Ari was 9 pound 6, we're pickin this boy'll be even bigger. We asked Ari tonight if he would like to have a baby around soon, and he flat out said 'nope'. hmmm??? we'll have to continue to chisel away at that ice berg. 'Coming ready or not!!"