Blue Man Group

I figured I should probably try and get caught up on our Australian pictures, and keep more current in my posts. Our car is in getting repaired (from my little mis-hap in March) and we're trapped at home for a few days. My sister and her kids get here Tuesday, so I'm making the most of being home to get cleaned up and organized before they arrive - hopefully that will include blogging too.

By far, my favorite thing we did in Australia was going to the Great Barrier Reef. We tried to find a very kid friendly company, and were really thrilled with Quicksilver (they even gave me a free new T-shirt when Jane got sea sick and puked all over me on the way out there.) They have a pontoon moored at the outer reef, so you go out to that. There's a glass bottom boat that took us from there out around the reef. We saw 3 sea turtles, TONS of fish, coral, sea cucumbers - but no sharks (Emily was bummed.) Then they also have an underwater viewing area from the pontoon (which was perfect for Jacob & Jane) and then you can also snorkel or go diving from the pontoon. Emily has loved the oceans and ocean life since she was super small (about 18 months old,) she's the reason we went on a whale watch in Maine, and why we make so many trips to aquariums. I was really excited for her to see it (perhaps she'll be a great conservationist one day.)

It was perfect. We had a buffet lunch when we arrived, then went down to the viewing area, after that we went out on the glass bottom boat, then I stayed with the kids while R & R snorkeled. When they came back in Emily & I went out. Australians are pretty environmentally conscious, and REALLY protective of the reef. They give you these blue suits to wear, partly to protect from jellyfish, but also so you won't go in the water with sunscreen on that could pollute the water & damage the reef. We looked ridiculous, but so did everyone there, so who cares. I also put life jackets on Emily and I. She's a great little swimmer, but the water was a little choppy, and I was unsure of how well she'd do in the ocean. She did great, I bet we didn't even need the vests, but it was nice not to be anxious about her. Out we went, swimming along, holding hands with arms outstretched (I didn't want to lose her).

It was AMAZING. The best analogy I have is the difference between eating a store bought tomato over one you grew in your own garden - the one you grew is just so much more intense. That's what it was like to see the fish in their own habitat; not bred, not captive, or in a documentary, or a tank but free and everywhere. The colors were amazing, the coral gorgeous. It was such a wonderful experience. I kept tapping Emy on the shoulder and asking her if she was OK, she'd grin that great smile she has and say she was fine. We swam right through a big school of fish, they were SO CLOSE.

It was really the best thing we did, and made all the better by having my little ocean loving Emy swimming alongside me.

Rebekah Smurf.
Jacob testing the equipment for us!

Confession - these pictures are actually from when we were at the Sydney Aquarium (after me saying it was so much better than an aquarium.) The one's I took at the reef aren't great (I need a red filter for the camera) - but this is really what it was like; only even better.

Next time we make it there we'll either be without the kids, or they'll be a lot bigger, so I'm definitely diving then.

Super-Cowboy

Oh how I love this boy! His antics are exhausting, and usually involve a whole lot of clean-up for me - but every now and then he just makes me laugh.

I guess this is how you dress-up when you have 3 sisters. He came upstairs in Emily's swimming rash guard, and the pants and hat from her dance recital last year (to Singing in the Rain), with a big sticker on his forehead.

I think he must have thought the rain hat looked like a 10 gallon one, because when I asked him who he was he said "Super-Cowboy." I especially love the shirt sticking out of the sides of the lycra pants! I doubt there are too many guys out on the range in this get-up.

Jacob, you're the best.

New Addition

We babysat Nibbles back in February, and it was a positive experience for us. The kids have been dying for a pet, and I was feeling like we could manage one after Jane turned a year old. We had planned to get one at the end of summer. Since then we've been "visiting" the hamsters at the pet store, looking for the one we might like and also checking with the humane society.

Two weeks ago, we went for a visit - and saw this little cutie. I wanted one with a white stripe around it's tummy, and a girl. We fell in love with her, and it took very little begging for me to decide to bring her home with us.

She was just a baby, and really a bit too little for her to be sold, so we've had to be very careful with her for the 1st two weeks (changing her every day, and no holding.) Everyone wants her in their room. So far she's been in the office (where her running in her squeaky wheel keeps me company at night), but she'll probably take "vacations" to each of the kids rooms.

This next picture is blurry, but shows her coloring a little better. We had pre-decided to call our hamster Pumpkin, because we wanted one with orange, and because Jacob loves pumpkins. Then, when the girls saw her they wanted to name her creamsicle, because she's orange (blond really) with white in the middle - cute, but harder to say. Much harder for Jacob actually, who really couldn't say it at all. I want him to feel like she's his pet too, and saying her name is a big part of that. So I vetoed it, and Pumpkin she became. The girls protested for a day, and then adjusted.

So far, they've been really responsible with her and she is getting excellent care. They've learned that she likes blueberries, and carrots, and is not such a fan of apples. She falls out of her wheel when she gets going fast, and startles easily.

We like her. Even Rick, who is not really a pet person, let alone a rodent person said "It's kind of cute" - so here she is. We plan to take good care of her, and hope she's a part of our family for a long time, and enjoys a full and happy life.

Children of Heaven

Summer is here, and school will be over on Friday.

Summer also means the end of regular TV programming. I'm not a really big TV watcher, but I do have my favorites (I DVR Oprah daily & rarely miss a Grey's.) I do laundry and ironing & projects at night when the kids are in bed, and it's nice to have the distraction.

My summer solution is to watch movies. Last night I watched the most delightful one called Children of Heaven, and just had to recommend it. It's available on netflix. It backfired on my get-something-done-while-watching plan, since it has subtitles, but was well worth it.

It's a darling story about a brother and sister from a poor family who share a pair of shoes. Watching them, I couldn't help think of Jacob and Jane & their developing relationship.

Seriously- rent this, you won't be sorry.

Crocs

A must on Rick's vacation "to do" list was to see crocodiles, so off we headed to "Hartley's Crocodile Adventures" to see Estuarine (or saltwater) Crocs.

The very helpful Queensland Government posted this sign. Seriously, may cause injury???

We piled into a small (and very low to the water) boat, where we received a stern lecture about staying still and under no circumstances, standing up. The guide assured us that if even one person stood, he'd turn the boat and we'd go right back. I admit, my grip on Jacob and Jane tightened considerably, then we were off. It wasn't long before we spotted a few crocs.

The guide hung chicken heads on a rope over the edge of the boat, and the crocodiles shot out of the water to get them. I was amazed at how high the could come out of the water, and how fast they moved.
The most surprising thing for me though, was the LOUD clapping sound as their jaws clamped shut. Such power. I never, ever want to be in the water with one of these guys.

Tjapukai

My kids were amazing on the plane over - much better than I expected. The part that was harder than I expected was having them adjust to Australian time. I had 10 days there without Rick or Rebekah to see my friends and do some shopping, and all the things they would have found boring. However, I spent a lot of that time just trying to survive the sleep deprivation inflicted by my little one's adjusting.

In my planning I had imagined popping them into bed at 7pm, and spending the evenings hanging out with my sisters, knitting and scrap booking. In reality, I went to bed about 10 minutes after they did each night! They were exhausted during the day, and woke up at 3am for several nights telling me they were starving, and wanting to play. I crept around the house getting them food, and trying desperately not to wake up Liesa, Andrew or their kids.

It took 6 days to have them fully adjust!

After Rick & Rebekah arrived, we flew to Cairns for a stay in Port Douglas. I have never been to Far North Queensland before, and it was great. It reminded Rick and I a lot of Hawaii - that thick tropical air, the beaches and the lush mountainous landscape. It was raining the day we arrived, but the weather the rest of our stay couldn't have been better.

We visited Tjapukai, an Aboriginal cultural center.
Jane really enjoyed the dancing, and clapped along the whole time. See her aboriginal painting T-shirt? That's because she had a GIANT blow-out as we arrived. Of course, I didn't have a spare outfit in the diaper bag ...

Then we learned how to throw boomerangs.

I was able to impress my family, but it was kind of cheating, since I've done it so much before.Jacob's didn't go very far, but he sure threw it with gusto, and was really proud of himself for the effort. We brought a few home to practice throwing in the park (the one with the big open field, and only when no-one else is there!)
Rick was awesome at the spear throwing.

I have confidence we wouldn't have starved if we were aboriginal. Jacob had the time of his life during some of the less-interactive demonstrations catching baby cane toads. I don't think you'll be able to tell, but there were lots of the tiny little babies all over the place, and lots of rocks to dig in - a little boys dreams come true!

Fiona's & The Echidna

While waiting to get my photo issues resolved, I thought I'd start getting some of our pictures & tales of our trip home posted.

One of my best friends in the world, is Fiona. I'm not sure exactly how long we've been friends, but I think it's somewhere around 22 or 23 years. (I remember her being pregnant with Bethany, who just turned 21.) Fiona is on of those darling friends who you can not see or keep up with for ages, but when you do talk or are together again, it's as if no time has passed.

Fiona also lives in one of the most beautiful regions of NSW, beach and forest within minutes of each other, and all very green and lush. There are dairy farms, and cute towns, surrounded by amazing scenery it's great. I don't think I'll ever find myself permanently in Australia again - but if I do, that's where I want to live. My kids had a great time running in all that space.

She's about a 3 hours drive south of where I grew up, and was staying with my sister. I'd planned to go early on a Monday, stay overnight and come home late Tuesday. Sunday night Jacob starting hacking with a croup-y cough and having trouble breathing. We made it through the night, but spent most of the next day getting medical help. So, I decided to go Sth on Tuesday, just for the day.

Brad (Fiona's husband) and all their kids are real nature fans. Coming home from church that Sunday, they had seen an Echidna (pronounced e - kid - na) at the side of the road. They caught it and saved it until we got there to show the kids. I think Echidna's are one of the funniest of the native Australian animals. They are mammals, but lay eggs, then nurse their young (called puggles.) The kids got a huge kick out of seeing it, and touching it's soft paws (the only touchable part.)

This picture is so Fiona. She has the greatest smile, and is always happy. She seems to get great joy out of life. She has 1 daughter followed by 6 sons, is patient beyond belief & such a loving Mum. I think of her when the kids are diving me crazy, and try to be more like her.

Brad & Fiona's son, Jacob, letting the Echidna go (where they had found it.)

I have been in love with Jacob H. since the day he was born! He was always such a cute looking boy, but also had the most delightful personality. I always said if I ever had a son, I'd name him after Jacob. The great news is, that the big Jacob is just as darling as he ever was.

Here's my Jacob with Fiona's Jacob.

They put out seeds on the back steps, and King Parrots come down to eat them. Gorgeous!
This is Harry, the Galah. He lives at a nursery just down the road from Fiona's. He talks, and kept saying "Good Morning Everybody" The kids liked him a lot, but Emily really got a kick out of him.

Patrick played the guitar & sang for us.

I realized I didn't get pictures of Reid, Noah or Abel - who the kids had fun playing with. I'm kind of hoping to set something up between Emily & Abel in about 20 years ....

We stayed until late that night. I bathed the kids & put them in their pj's and then drove home while they slept. It was a great day. I hope Fiona (& Brad, and any of the kids) can come here one day. I also hope it's not quite so long before I get down there again.

Thanks Fiona for a wonderful day!

Benevolent Builder

My sister, Emma, did this personality test - so I thought I'd try it too. The results are pretty close to how I view myself. However, they give you a section at the end "if you want to be different" - which I thought was spot on, for the things I need to work on in my own life.

Here's what it told me -
You spend a lot of time taking care of others, but don't forget to take care of yourself!

Sometimes you can get overcommitted, and when you sacrifice spending time with those close to you, it can make them feel unimportant.

Think more abstractly about things without abandoning your valuable sensibility.

If you'd like to try it yourself, go here.

Coming Soon ...

I have news.

I have cute pictures.

I also have issues with uploading my pics - mmmm, not sure why. I've also been paying a babysitter to play with my kids while I clean my office (only 2 more weeks until the kids are out of school), so feel I can't justify spending that time on my blog!

As soon as I get the picture issue sorted out, I'll post again. However, fair warning, the blog may be less regularly updated while my kiddos are out for the summer. I'm sure you won't blame me, we'd all much rather be out playing, than inside blogging it.