Santa Obsessed

Last weekend didn't end with the Koala Park.  We kept the animal theme going and ventured to the Taronga Zoo in Sydney. It's a gorgeous zoo situated on the top of a big hill overlooking the harbour bridge.  All Isla wanted to see were the Alligators.  Well, as handicapped and stroller friendly this country is, I couldn't get down to the Alligators with the boys.  So, Devon and Isla went down to see the gators alone.  That's ok.  The boys and I are good at chillin'.  We saw the seal show, some giraffes, spiders, snakes, more Koalas and Kangaroos, and some elephants.  We missed a large part of the zoo since it's so big.  No worries, we'll get back there again, I bought an annual pass so can go whenever I want!

Everyone was super tired when we got home.  Since the kids took nice long naps, we decided to go out and about again that evening to Darling Harbour.  Darling Harbour is sort of a tourist's dream.  Tons of restaurants and entertainment.  It's also where most of the Harbour boat cruises depart from.  It's a really fun and happening place.  We arrived there and noticed a whole bunch of people wearing santa hats, and reindeer antlers.  Must be a lot of corporate Christmas parties?  To our surprise, the night we decided to go to Darling Harbour on a whim was the night of the big Santa parade extravaganza!  HOW FUN!

The short santa on the left was on a unicyle.  Looked like he was floating.

Darling Harbour before the parade

Isla now believes all santa's arms flap around like these blow up ones
It was actually a little freaky looking!

Fireworks!  

**Not pictured - the jet skiing santa clauses.  You know how Santa always arrives on a float in a parade, or on his sleigh with reindeer in tow?  Well, not in Australia.  He comes on a jet ski!

Isla and Devon on the ferry going home

What a fun day!  Isla is now Santa obsessed.  She wants to hang out with him on a daily basis.  :)

I am thankful for Koalas and Kangaroos!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!  Today I am thankful for so many things.  I am blessed to be in this gorgeous country, experiencing new things with my family.  I am encouraged by the things my daughter is learning just by doing and seeing.  I am thankful for such a loving and wonderful husband and my vivacious and sometimes challenging children.  I am thankful for the wonders of technology making my friends and family that are so far away, feel so close by.

Missing family and friends very much now that the holiday season is approaching.  No snow, no freezing temperatures, no Christmas lights on houses.  Yes, there's the occasional decorated tree in the shopping center, and commercials on tv.  But it's just not festive.  HOWEVER... we are in Australia.  So I will stop complaining.  ;)

Today we ventured off to The Koala Park Sanctuary in a suburb called West Pennant Hills - not far from where Devon works.  It's about a 40 minute train ride, then a 3K walk.  Now, they call it Pennant HILLS for a reason.  Yikes, that was a work out!  But very well worth it!  The place looked pretty run down unfortunately, but it was still a great experience.  Did a little research on the place last night and according to their website, quite a few celebrities have visited this sanctuary.  Among them are none other than Liberace, Johnny Depp, and Paul Hogan - all pictures definitely taken in the '80's or before.  Apparently nobody important since then... well except the Giffords!

Here are a bunch of fun shots from our morning at the park:

bought a box of cheerios to feed the kangaroos

The only Wombat we saw, sleeping in a barrel

So cute and cuddly

Wallaroos!

  

Isla had a blast petting the kangaroos.  She was a little scared at first, but after a while it was hard to tear her away.  They are very docile and friendly animals.  I'm sure they are that way from being born and raised at the sanctuary.

Christmas card anyone??

Even Ian was getting into it!

Petting the Koalas 

I want to bring him home with me!

Isla so tired on our walk back to the station

Such a fun day!  But for some reason Isla kept asking to see Alligators.  Hmmm, maybe a trip to the zoo tomorrow?  Oh, and I pretty much had the Raffi song 'Williby Woughloby Woo" in my head all morning.  Guess tomorrow it will be "We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo"  Ahh, love Raffi.


And just for kicks, I wanted to show you how much a coke costs here from the vending machines.  I think they are $1.50 at home right?  Yeah, they are $3.50 here.  I've been sticking with filtered tap water.   I miss diet coke!

M&Ms - $2.50 for a small bag.  Do these people know they are getting ripped off?  I wonder...

Ok, one more!  Just took this picture a few minutes ago (11:30pm)

This was on the wall of my apartment.  Ummm, ewe, gross, venomous?? I proceeded to DOUSE the thing with bug spray.  I really don't like the idea of these things crawling around my 3rd floor apartment at night.  Insomnia, here I come!!

Much love to you all!  I miss daddy long legs.

Messes, Birds, Surfing

This past week has been crazy!  Went out last Thursday night with Devon and his co-workers.  Had a wonderful time!  Kids are still sick, especially little Drew.  Poor guy is just not kicking it!

Friday, Isla decided that she didn't want to be clean - at all - all day.  First she played with her hummus:

Then she wanted to play with her apple sauce, which I do not have a picture of.  It was one thing after the next.  I was afraid give her food by the end of the day.





That same day, we had TWO birds fly into our apartment.  Not the pretty birds we actually like, but the flying rats, that we don't like.  Even Isla say's 'Mommy, I don't like that bird!'  Apparently I did not clean the crumbs off the floor after lunch time fast enough.  So, we don't have a dog, but we have BIRDS.  Seriously Australia, you need to think about using screens.  What a strange concept right?  You only have the most poisonous snakes, spiders insects etc. AND YOU DON'T USE SCREENS.  Weirdos.

This was the only shot I could get while the bird was flying around our apartment.  

Finally found the window and made his escape.  Thank goodness he didn't poop on anything.

Saturday was pretty uneventful.  We did some shopping, and walked around a bit and enjoyed the beautiful day.  It was nice to have just a low key day with the fam.  This is also what we did for kicks:

Poor Ian, but he made us laugh!

Sunday we went to church.  I have yet been able to sit through a whole service - Ian for some reason ALWAYS pukes when he's in the creche.  He's going to get a bad reputation!  Out of all 3 kids, he's the one that doesn't like to be left alone the most.. which is weird to me.  He is so independent and NEVER clingy with me at home.  I guess he DOES love me.  :P

After church, we packed up and went to the beach.  We are officially a family of beach bums.  Devon bought a surfboard (hang 10?) so along with his co-worker, they went for their inaugural ride on the waves.  Well, I would have to say that the waves rode them.  They need a bit more practice, but I'm sure their ability will increase the more they try.  The beach was crazy that day.  There was a surfing festival, so there was live music, surfing contest and celebrity surfers.  It was sorta cool.

 Entrance to Manly beach

Drew loves the beach.  He always just runs off, right for the water!

 Digging a hole in the sand

       Isla buried in the sand

Filipino friends were able to lull both boys to sleep.  Isla fell asleep in the stroller while singing twinkle twinkle little star.  

Look at that!

Devon is the one on the left

Coming in after a good run

We were all completely exhausted when we got home.  Threw everyone in the bath tub for a good rinse off and to bed we went.  Even Drew slept through the night!  Yay!

Today (Monday) I finally was able to take the kids with me to the gym.  I've had to cancel the last couple times because of their sickness.  It felt good to sweat on the treadmill for a bit.  

Got home and put the boys down for an early nap, then met Briana and her daughter Bella at the park.  The girls had a great time playing, while their mommy's had a nice chat.  The boys loved it too!  

I know what you're thinking mom, get Isla's hair out of her face!  Oh how I wish I could!!!  I have to bribe her to put a pony tail in only for her to rip it out 20 minutes later.  It's frustrating, but I'm working on it!

Tomorrow night we are having some old friend's over for dinner.  Janna and her husband Joel are here traveling for a late honeymoon.  It will be so good to see them and catch up.  It's been many years!

That's all for now!