The Ostrom Family Adventures

I have been a bit hesitant to go on and on about our family’s favorite activity since being here. But, for those who know Mason well, when he gets into something, he is invariably great at it and is diligent and focused on improvement – always. Leif has been growing in that same skill and persistence so for this multi-interest, scattered-focus lady, this is inspiring and I find myself getting better with the fella’s and having a blast doing it. It has been a really fun way to see beautiful areas of NZ that we may have missed otherwise as well.

We have found areas and trails we love, especially around Rotorua, and we have sought out new stomping – or biking grounds. We have found friends in the BMX community and, oddly enough, have seen some of the coolest demonstrations of community in the skateparks of Tauranga, Melville, Hillcrest and Cambridge.

Seeing all the different abilities, skaters, scooters and BMX’ers watching and waiting patiently for each other to drop in a practice sending some awesome tricks, and then all the encouraging and teaching each other new tricks and helping if someone eats it has been really beautiful.

We went to Woodhill mountain bike park for the first time and Mason and Leif were encouraged by some really nice kids to try this huge mulch jump. Leif has grown in courage and willingness to try big tricks and went for it!

The common advice all 3 of us are given as we are learning new things is to “relax.” Apparently we are a tiny bit intense?

I’m super proud of myself also – these young men said I was the coolest mom for being out there, “You’re actually encouraging him to do this?!” (Which then made me wonder if I should be encouraging him to get really into Chess or Golf instead – something with less airtime?)

And, we ride hard, we earn the ice cream! :).