September 4 - Family Movie Night

We've been having trouble with Lilly and sleeping. She sleeps, just not always straight through the night. So, reward and bribery. That's our solution and sometimes it works. Just not always well.

Anyway, she earned a family movie night. We popped popcorn, turned on the heater and watched in our favorite television viewing spot. Our movie - 101 Dalmatians (the original version). We won't be watching it again for several years. Lilly can find something scary in every movie we watch but doesn't always tell us until it is over.

Lilly also got to sleep in our bed that night. Not sure we'll be doing that again either.

August 23 - A 'Little' Play

The place where I play soccer is this huge park. In March, the Australian Grand Prix race is held there. The track is around a lake. The Melbourne Swimming and Aquatic Center is located in the park as well as a Tennis Club and Gulf Club (although I am pretty sure there isn't a full course). Throughout the park there are play structures for children, picnic areas, and walking tracks. Seth finally took Lilly to one of the play structures during one of my games. He said it was so big they didn't even play on the entire thing!

Day 9 - Say Goodbye

It always sucks to say goodbye to people! I would like to think this one was easier. In theory we will be in the states for a while next year. I just don't know when or for how long.

Seth had to send in his X-box for a little love and care. He had mom take it back with her to send it from the states.

Love you, mom!

Day 8 - Trip to Healsville

For our last full day with mom with headed to the Healsville in search for the kangaroo. Mom wanted to see one and this was the best place to guarantee a spotting.

We saw all the Australian animals and checked out the kangaroos. We checked out the "Meet the Keepers" for the koalas and the Tasmanian devils.

On the way home we tried to find some dinner. We finally found a place that was open and when we went in they asked if we had a booking. Of course we didn't but the place was empty! They took their time trying to figure out where we would sit and finally found space for us in a corner. I couldn't even tell you the name of the restaurant let alone where it was.

Day 7 - Late Start

We aren't the most productive people somedays. This Friday was one of those days. We had big plans but we just couldn't get moving. Don't know what was wrong but it happens.

We drove out to Ballarat and checked out the town. Had a bite to eat and then moved on to our destination.

There was apparently a Gold Rush in Australia. The town of Ballarat must have been front and center in the rush because Sovereign Hill was dedicated to the era. This was sort of like Greenfield Village. Everyone was dressed for the times, only instead of random buildings, this was a replica of what Ballarat would have looked like.

We walked around for a few hours, saw them pour a block of gold, checked out all the stores and headed home.

Day 6 - Just a Regular Day

We decided we would take an easy day and just be normal for once. It wasn't exactly all normal but it was close.

Seth went to work. (Normal)

Lilly had a birthday party. (Not normal) It was at an indoor play center pretty close to our house. The birthday girl was from Lilly's ballet class so she didn't know too many of the children, but she didn't care. I think her favorite part was the trampoline.

Next we had some shopping to do. (Normal, sort of) I had a coupon for the craft store (as close to JoAnns as I'm gonna get!) so we headed to the closest one and used the coupon.

Ballet for Lilly. (Normal) Mom and I went down to the cafe and got some hot chocolate. Then we went back upstairs and tried to sneak a peak at the dancers. Lilly saw us and couldn't focus on anything else. So, Mrs. Anna let us come in and watch. Mom was pleased as punch.

Rest time back at home and then dinner and bedtime for Lilly. (Normal) At this rate I should have been taking a nap!

Soccer game at 10:00. (More normal than I would like) Everyone gets into a final game for the games. There is a winners bracket (first through fourth place) and a losers bracket (fifth through eighth place). We were in the losers bracket and somehow we won. There was a big debate about not even playing because we didn't have enough people and it was late. But I said my mom was coming and the team rallied. In case I forget to mention later, we did go on to win the Grand Finale for the losers the next week. I should post a picture of the trophy we got.

Day 5 - It's all a bit foggy

We woke up to rain, no surprise. Packed up our car and headed to our first stop. This was called Mait's Rest after some guy who used to rest his horse here way back when. This was a boardwalk sort of walk but it was lower to the ground. We were definitely in the rain forest and Lilly was sure that we were going to have to try to find a sun forest by the end of the walk. The rain was pretty heavy so we walked pretty quickly.

We then drove to the 12 Apostles which is close to Port Campbell. There were tons of tourists out there including a couple of buses. We ate our lunch in the car as there were many places to sit outside (and again, the weather wasn't very cooperative). We had a sea gull sitting right outside our car just waiting for something to eat. He left disappointed.

The 12 Apostles are these giant rocks that stick up out the water. They are always changing as the waves beat them down (limestone wears away at a pretty steady pace). In fact, another of the apostles has fallen since we were there. Which brings the number left standing to six or seven. I wonder if they'll change the name when there is only one left. Apparently this place is supposed to be wonderful for sunrises and sunsets. We were there in the middle of the day and it was cloudy.

Finally we drove into Port Campbell. We stopped at a little craft shop but that turned out to be more museum than crafts. We tried to get ice cream but the place was closed so we just got a little treat and headed home.

We went by the highway home so it didn't take nearly as long. It wasn't as scenic and by mom's watch, we didn't pass any kangaroos.