Ok, so it has dawned on me that I am finally getting all caught up and that the date on all of these says it is the 31st. So I can say I got caught up in 2009. However, I also realize that the blog thinks I am writing these while sitting in front of the fire in Michigan. It's really the first but we don't need to let anyone in on this little secret. Yeah, I just told you, but really, who reads this anyway?
[Hello, Emily, she is reading as I'm writing because I'm chatting with her at the same time. Multitasking.]
Anyway, our New Year's Eve we ran to Costco. I know exciting stuff.
For real, we went to a friend's house. This is the French family we know (I've mentioned Chloe before, her dad is the one that got hit with the stick). It has been over a hundred degrees the last couple of days and apparently Lilly's body just couldn't take it any more. We walked in the door and Lilly puked in the foyer. We made it to the bathroom but she still puked all over the floor in there as well. We had her relax in the air conditioned room and after 20 minutes she was fine.
We had dinner and then decided on some family fireworks to go see (family fireworks are on at 9:15). We all hopped on the tram and by the time we got into the city, there was a thunder storm brewing. While we stood there trying to figure out which tram to get on next the rain started. Lilly doesn't like thunder too much and we called it a day. We got back on a tram to take us back home. I can't even post a picture because our camera is with our friends. I'll see what we got when we get the camera back.
We did one sparkler and put Lilly to bed. Seth and I played our Mario game and then watched the movie 9. That was it for us!
Hope everyone else had a great New Year's Celebration (at least a bit more exciting)!
And with that, consider me caught up with my blog. Let's see what I can do in 2010!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
December 25 - Happy Christmas
Christmas day - temp ~ 75 F = trip to the beach
We wanted to see these cute beach houses Seth had seen in a picture somewhere. (Seth didn't call them cute, I did!) Anyway, turns out they were one beach north of the beach we went to last Christmas. So, we basically followed the same plan, although this year, Lilly wasn't sick so that made traveling just a little bit easier.
(FYI on the beach shacks - they are just little storage type sheds and are privately owned. Rumor has it that each costs a couple hundred thousand. Chump change . . .)
No one changed into bathing suits but at the end of the day we did have to change Lilly's clothes because she was soaked. We had fun making our sand melted snow man. We chased the waves and played in the sand. It was a fun family day.
Once we got back home we headed over to our friends' house and had dinner with their family. Such a great day!
We wanted to see these cute beach houses Seth had seen in a picture somewhere. (Seth didn't call them cute, I did!) Anyway, turns out they were one beach north of the beach we went to last Christmas. So, we basically followed the same plan, although this year, Lilly wasn't sick so that made traveling just a little bit easier.
(FYI on the beach shacks - they are just little storage type sheds and are privately owned. Rumor has it that each costs a couple hundred thousand. Chump change . . .)
No one changed into bathing suits but at the end of the day we did have to change Lilly's clothes because she was soaked. We had fun making our sand melted snow man. We chased the waves and played in the sand. It was a fun family day.
Once we got back home we headed over to our friends' house and had dinner with their family. Such a great day!
December 21 - The Nutcracker
I surprised Lilly by taking her to the ballet. We saw a production of The Nutcracker. We have been reading A Very Young Dancer (a book from my childhood about a little girl in New York who gets the lead in The Nutcracker) over and over again. We only read several pages a night but each time we finish it, we start right back over.
Anyway, I couldn't take pictures of the actual performance but I did get pictures of us going into the city and then a picture from our seats.
After the show Seth met us and we walked to the 'fancy' department store to look at the windows. They have five or six windows decorated with the story of Olivia Helps With Chrismas. There was sound and moving things. It was pretty cool. The pictures don't show the entire story but it was neat just the same.
Our goal was to get dessert afterward but Lilly fell asleep on the tram ride. So we just went back home and Seth went and got some ice cream.
Anyway, I couldn't take pictures of the actual performance but I did get pictures of us going into the city and then a picture from our seats.
After the show Seth met us and we walked to the 'fancy' department store to look at the windows. They have five or six windows decorated with the story of Olivia Helps With Chrismas. There was sound and moving things. It was pretty cool. The pictures don't show the entire story but it was neat just the same.
Our goal was to get dessert afterward but Lilly fell asleep on the tram ride. So we just went back home and Seth went and got some ice cream.
December 5 - Oh Snap
I thought I was being careful, but I missed a camera, and so I missed a day of family fun. So let's go back to that cold December day. Ok, it wasn't really cold but it was a bit windy.
We headed out to Phillip Island where six months ago we saw the little penguins. We had purchased a three park pass and it expires after six months so we had this one day left to go. We needed to hit up the other two parks. One was a Koala Conservation Centre and the other was Churchill Island (a heritage farm).
The Koala Conservation Centre had a few little walks that amounted to one giant loop. A couple of the paths were board walks so you could be a little higher in the trees. Very cool (not as cool as seeing the koalas in the wild). We saw two koalas arguing over a tree. An angry koala sounds like a pig. We took a few pictures of the koalas but more pictures of some of the birds we saw.
We then headed off to a part of the island to just find a small walk. This turned out to be more exciting than I had thought because we saw and enchinda. These are sort of porcupine-ish creatures. For some reason I want want to stand still so I can use it to get the mud off the bottom of my shoe. I really don't know why. We also saw huge ants but I wasn't about to stick my hand beside one so you could get the idea of the size.
Finally the Heritage Farm. This was probably pretty neat earlier in the day. By the time we got in there weren't any more talks or demonstrations. That was a bummer. But we went into the petting farm area and Lilly got to pet a rabbit and a guinea pig.
We headed out to Phillip Island where six months ago we saw the little penguins. We had purchased a three park pass and it expires after six months so we had this one day left to go. We needed to hit up the other two parks. One was a Koala Conservation Centre and the other was Churchill Island (a heritage farm).
The Koala Conservation Centre had a few little walks that amounted to one giant loop. A couple of the paths were board walks so you could be a little higher in the trees. Very cool (not as cool as seeing the koalas in the wild). We saw two koalas arguing over a tree. An angry koala sounds like a pig. We took a few pictures of the koalas but more pictures of some of the birds we saw.
We then headed off to a part of the island to just find a small walk. This turned out to be more exciting than I had thought because we saw and enchinda. These are sort of porcupine-ish creatures. For some reason I want want to stand still so I can use it to get the mud off the bottom of my shoe. I really don't know why. We also saw huge ants but I wasn't about to stick my hand beside one so you could get the idea of the size.
Finally the Heritage Farm. This was probably pretty neat earlier in the day. By the time we got in there weren't any more talks or demonstrations. That was a bummer. But we went into the petting farm area and Lilly got to pet a rabbit and a guinea pig.
December 17 - More Visitors
The 16th was very hot. And then the 17th it rained. And rained and rained. Lilly spent a couple of hours watching this little guy work his way through the 'garden', up a flower pot and up the side of our house.
December 15 - Thomas the Train
Lilly and I went along with our Australian friends Heather and Alex (Alex is one year younger than Lilly) to the Docklands to see Thomas the Train. We didn't have any expectations as the show was free and based on past experience, the more things are advertised here, the more disappointing they seem to be.
The day was very nice, maybe a little warm but I couldn't complain about that. We took the tram into the city and did a little walking when our second tram turned a different way than expected. We arrived at the stage as the crowd was being warmed up. The guy kept mentioning that pictures could be taken afterward with Thomas for those people who got a special ticket before the show. Apparently you had to be there 30 minutes beforehand to get the special ticket. Poor Lilly kept asking if we had the special ticket. Seeing as how we were only 7 minutes early, we didn't get a ticket.
I was very surprised at the show. It was cheesy but cute. There was singing and a little dancing. Lilly even got involved although she usually sits with her hands in her lap.
After the show was over I was gathering our belongs and trying to avoid Lilly asking if she could get in the line for the pictures. A very nice lady walked up to me and asked if we had a ticket for the pictures and of course I told her no. She handed me their ticket! I didn't ask why but showed it to Lilly and she just got so excited. We found Alex Lilly even told me that she would go up with Alex without me (she is usually petrified of being around dressed up characters). It worked out great and we got a fabulous picture.
When that was done we ran to Costco and then home. I left Lilly with Heather and ran off to do my last day of tutoring at the Primary School. I also discussed more details about me working a few hours a week at the school next year. Nothing major but sticking my foot in the door for more work.
PS - Did I mention that there is a jumbotron screen at the Docklands? It was right beside the stage for the Thomas show. They were showing the Army/Navy football game. I might have watched a few plays. And taken a picture . . .
The day was very nice, maybe a little warm but I couldn't complain about that. We took the tram into the city and did a little walking when our second tram turned a different way than expected. We arrived at the stage as the crowd was being warmed up. The guy kept mentioning that pictures could be taken afterward with Thomas for those people who got a special ticket before the show. Apparently you had to be there 30 minutes beforehand to get the special ticket. Poor Lilly kept asking if we had the special ticket. Seeing as how we were only 7 minutes early, we didn't get a ticket.
I was very surprised at the show. It was cheesy but cute. There was singing and a little dancing. Lilly even got involved although she usually sits with her hands in her lap. 
After the show was over I was gathering our belongs and trying to avoid Lilly asking if she could get in the line for the pictures. A very nice lady walked up to me and asked if we had a ticket for the pictures and of course I told her no. She handed me their ticket! I didn't ask why but showed it to Lilly and she just got so excited. We found Alex Lilly even told me that she would go up with Alex without me (she is usually petrified of being around dressed up characters). It worked out great and we got a fabulous picture.When that was done we ran to Costco and then home. I left Lilly with Heather and ran off to do my last day of tutoring at the Primary School. I also discussed more details about me working a few hours a week at the school next year. Nothing major but sticking my foot in the door for more work.
PS - Did I mention that there is a jumbotron screen at the Docklands? It was right beside the stage for the Thomas show. They were showing the Army/Navy football game. I might have watched a few plays. And taken a picture . . .
December 13 - Olivia
One of the book stores was going to have Olivia make a visit. Well, Olivia got held up in the states and couldn't make it but they still read stories and did some activities. There was a coloring contest and a treasure hunt. The winners of the coloring contest were funny. I have never seen a child under the age of two color in the lines with perfect color choices for appropriate objects (pink for a pig with red and white clothing where as Lilly would choose some shade of blue for the pig with a rainbow colored shirt). But the under two who won her division should really be an artist cause she's got skills.
As for the treasure hunt, they laminated a couple of pictures of Olivia and put them around the store. The person in charge counted to three and 50 children ran out of the cafe screaming. Lilly wanted to join them but she's not keen on the crowds so we went a different direction and found one of the laminated Olivia's right away. Lilly won the Olivia Christmas book and a couple of posters. It was a good day!
December 6 - Lilly Ballet Concert
It was adorable. I don't have the dvd yet but hopefully I can show off her little dance. It wasn't perfect, but no one would know. All four of the girls went onstage and really, that was the important part.
The pictures were taken in the dressing room. The last two Lilly was trying to pose like a ballerina (I know, next to the trash can) but really she just looks like she is throwing out gang signs.
The pictures were taken in the dressing room. The last two Lilly was trying to pose like a ballerina (I know, next to the trash can) but really she just looks like she is throwing out gang signs.
November 28 - Jelly
The picture doesn't look like jelly but this is Australian jelly. Because jelly is jam. Anyway, Lilly has been working on the letter 'j' so we made jello. She took the pictures.
November 23 - A jump rope
I finally opened my jump rope. Only to find that it is too light and isn't very easy to use for the purpose of getting an actual workout. Anyway, Lilly wanted to try it so I shortened it a bit and let her have a go. She's starting to get the hang of it. Just. very. slowly.
November 15 - Spiders
If you don't like spiders, don't look at the pictures. I know it's not much of a warning, but I figured I would throw it out there.
We have a little tiny 'garden' out back and our grill takes up a good chunk. Seth grilled burgers on and put the grill cover on the ground. As he was getting ready to put it back on he noticed the one spider. He didn't tell me that there were two. Note: These were OUTSIDE, I did not completely panic.
We have a little tiny 'garden' out back and our grill takes up a good chunk. Seth grilled burgers on and put the grill cover on the ground. As he was getting ready to put it back on he noticed the one spider. He didn't tell me that there were two. Note: These were OUTSIDE, I did not completely panic.
November 13 - Melbourne Museum
Another trip to the museum. I love getting yearly passes and then we can just hang out for a couple of hours and not feel like we need to see the entire museum.
A new exhibit opened on the day we went. I didn't know they were opening it on this day. It's called WILD. It's a room with a bunch of stuffed animals. Sure they are realistic (as they are dead and stuffed), but there wasn't too much for the kids to see.
There is also an outside area with different activities for the children. Lilly tried to jump rope but she spent more time just looking at the rope than moving it.
A new exhibit opened on the day we went. I didn't know they were opening it on this day. It's called WILD. It's a room with a bunch of stuffed animals. Sure they are realistic (as they are dead and stuffed), but there wasn't too much for the kids to see.
There is also an outside area with different activities for the children. Lilly tried to jump rope but she spent more time just looking at the rope than moving it.
November 7 - On my way
Now that I have Alan and Pennie's trip done, I'm gonna try to get all caught up. While I'm sure I have exciting stories every day, I probably won't have something for every day. I'll stick to days that I took pictures. I just don't write enough things down to tell you what we've been doing.
On this Saturday, Seth and I split up. Not literally, I just went off to a baby shower for another American and he took Lilly to a birthday party. Chloe is the daughter of one of Seth's co-workers. She is less than three months older than Lilly and they make great playmates. Chloe had an Elmo pinata and Seth took a classic video of Chloe hitting her dad with the bat.
On this Saturday, Seth and I split up. Not literally, I just went off to a baby shower for another American and he took Lilly to a birthday party. Chloe is the daughter of one of Seth's co-workers. She is less than three months older than Lilly and they make great playmates. Chloe had an Elmo pinata and Seth took a classic video of Chloe hitting her dad with the bat.
November 1 - Harbour Bridge Walk
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the one you can climb up to the top and get an amazing view. You walk around the top a bit and then come back down. I really want to do it while I'm here. BUT . . . you can't take pictures, I'm guessing the company that runs the tours takes lots of pictures and then you can buy them. AND it costs almost $200. So, I'll have to settle for the next thing. They built in a pedestrian side walk along the side of the bridge (on one side is pedestrian and the other side is for bicyclists).
So Seth and I left Lilly with the Grandparents (we didn't have too much time and she is a slow walker) to go swimming and we took off for the bridge. We did the water ferry again so we got lots of pictures of the harbor. Then we walked across the bridge and on our way back to the ferry, we stopped at a really cute Sunday market but I don't know that we got any pictures. I'll just put a few pictures and again, I'll try to have Seth put in the folder of all our pictures.
We had lunch with Alan and Pennie and then it was time to head back to the hotel so we could get a shuttle to the airport. Alan and Pennie stuck around Sydney for a few more days. Thanks for coming to visit!!
So Seth and I left Lilly with the Grandparents (we didn't have too much time and she is a slow walker) to go swimming and we took off for the bridge. We did the water ferry again so we got lots of pictures of the harbor. Then we walked across the bridge and on our way back to the ferry, we stopped at a really cute Sunday market but I don't know that we got any pictures. I'll just put a few pictures and again, I'll try to have Seth put in the folder of all our pictures.
We had lunch with Alan and Pennie and then it was time to head back to the hotel so we could get a shuttle to the airport. Alan and Pennie stuck around Sydney for a few more days. Thanks for coming to visit!!
Monday, December 28, 2009
October 31 - A Very Relaxed Day
Alan (my father-in-law) has a business associate who lives outside of Sydney. He came and picked us up in the morning and took us out on their boat for several hours. We went cruising around their 'neighborhood'. His parents live in a house on the lake but their house is built into the cliff (some of the rooms in basement have the exposed cliff wall as a wall). In order to get to the dock, you have to go down some very steep stairs or a little electric elevator/escalator. Our hosts were amazing with the day on the water and lunch/drinks. It was a little chilly but in the sun it was easy to forget about that.
Once we were dropped off at the train station, we made our way back to the city. We headed for Sydney's sky tower type building. I don't think I mentioned that in Melbourne, everything was labeled and you received a map so at each station, there was a number and your map told you exactly what you were looking at. Since we live and travel around Melbourne, we were aware of the buildings and sights. Sydney was a whole new ball game. There were no maps and no numbers. We really didn't know what we were looking at. There was also a newer building that obstructed our great view of the Opera House.
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