Selwyn Times: November 13, 2019

14
Wednesday November 13 2019
News
Spooktacular sleepyhead
HOW MANY people out there
did anything for Halloween last
week?
Last year we didn’t do anything,
but as Vittoria is a bit
bigger now I wanted to at least
try take her door-to-door in
costume.
You know, to get lollies for me.
Got to keep her health in mind.
I formulated a plan with my
cousin – we would take her
along the other flats on the
property before heading over to
a kids’ Halloween party at the
Phillipstown Community Hub.
On Wednesday night Vittoria
and I had stayed in Waikuku
Beach. Normally, I would have
spent the next day out there,
taking Vittoria to the beach or
playground, before heading
home after her noon nap.
However, this time after a
morning beach walk, I’d got a
real bee in my bonnet on the idea
of getting her home before her
nap. Why? No idea. To see if I
could, I guess?
Even though I knew I would
be cutting it fine, I raced about
gathering up our things – forgetting
a bunch in the process – and
rushed out the door with a pretty
lively, smiley toddler.
As we made our way along
State Highway 1, Vittoria babbled
on about the things going by,
sang along to some songs and
•Former Star Media journalist Matt Salmons has become a
stay-at-home dad. We follow his journey weekly
TRICK OR TREAT: The wee
pumpkin collecting lollies
along a block of flats.
made positive noises that my
flimsy plan was going to work.
Midway along Marshland Rd
the wheels fell off (figuratively)
when she yawned, got comfy and
promptly fell asleep.
No toddler ever has had a normal
nap after a 20min car nap, so
by the time my cousin arrived a
few hours later, Vittoria had had
about enough of the day.
In spite of some whining and
grumping as I got her costume
together, she graciously let me
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
VITTORIA
& Matt
put the massively cute pumpkin
petticoat on. She seemed to
get a positivity boost when she
realised the point of the costume
was to go outside and doorknock
for lollies.
While she was happy, she was
still bone tired by the time we
arrived at the community hub.
She managed to be excited to see
all the other kids, stare in amazement
at some of great costumes
on display, listen to some of the
classic kids’ Halloween anthems
(Ghostbusters of course) and
enjoy some popcorn.
But it didn’t last long. Less
then 10 minutes after arriving
she’d burst into tears after briefly
losing sight of me,was not at
all interested in joining in any
games and had attempted to just
kind of walk home twice.
Honestly, nothing is cuter than
a tiny pumpkin-person boldy
just strolling off. But the hint was
dropped and I decided to throw
in the towel when she started
almost nodding off in my arms.
I think I’ll avoid any racing
against nap times in future.
Sports stars receive
• By Jacob Page
PARA-SWIMMER Ella Benn’s
national age-group record in the
pool earned her senior sports
achievement of the year at the
Year 11 Rolleston College Sports
Awards.
Rolleston College acknowledged
their top sports stars at an
awards night last week.
Benn broke the New Zealand
women’s S9 100m butterfly
record during the national
short-course championships
at Auckland last month with a
time of 1.27.80.
Benn was also named female
para-swimmer of the year at the
SELWYN TIMES
Canterbury West Coast swimming
awards three weeks ago,
Avelima Loua won male senior
sport achievement of the year
for his efforts with the Rolleston
College under-16 rugby team
where he was named player of
the year.
The Rolleston College boys
A basketball team won team
of the year after they finished
second at their first ever South
Island under-17 tournament in
September.
The team beat Christ’s College
on their way to finishing
runners-up, eventually going
down to Wakatipu High School
73-54.
RECORD BREAKER: Ella Benn’s national record at the New
Zealand short-course championships at Auckland earned her
female senior sports achievement of the year at the Rolleston
College year 11 sports awards. ​
Seven retirement villages
in Canterbury
Hon Amy Adams
MP for Selwyn
Working hard for our communities
Check my website if you would
like to sign up for my newsletter
and for details of when I will be
in your area: amyadams.co.nz
Contact me
03 344 0418
selwynoffice@parliament.govt.nz
Authorised by Amy Adams
MP, 829 Main South Road,
Templeton, Christchurch.
NUMBER ONE SUPPLIER
TO THE NZ JET BOATING
COMMUNITY FOR OVER
50 YEARS
• Halswell • • Rangiora •
• Mairehau •
• Beckenham • • Riccarton • • Papanui • • Hornby •
www.rymanhealthcare.co.nz • 0800 000 290
Easy Parking • Laybuy Welcome
17 Lillian Street, Halswell
03 322 4548
Open Mon-Fri 9.30am - 5.00pm
Saturday 10.00am - 1.00pm
• Part Boats & Hulls
• Turn Key Packages
• New Jet Units
• Custom Fabrication
• Expert Advice
SERVICING
John Connelly
03 962 0505
john.connelly@hamjet.co.nz
• Spare Parts Retailer
• Jet Unit Refurbishment
• Engine Tune-Ups
• Insurance Repairs
• Impellor Reconditioning