Malfunction

Yesterday proved a tad difficult, but I have experience in this type of calamity so I didn't panic... Yes, you all guessed it.  I LOCKED MYSELF OUT OF THE APARTMENT.  Seriously, I don't know what is up with me and Australian doors.  I just can't seem to get the hang of these things.  Luckily there were no kids inside and I had my purse with money.  But no phone and no keys.  I left the apartment anyway and went on my way doing what I had planned to do.  Except that I didn't have my phone to map my destination.  Doh!  Decided we'd go back to Skinners Adventure park since it was close and perhaps some nice person would let me use their smart phone to e-mail Devon for help.  I was not about to call a locksmith or the fire department again to have the door knocked down.  While the kids busied themselves on the play equipment (Isla is getting great doing tricks on the trampoline), I found a nice worker there that let me borrow his phone for a quick e-mail to Devon.  I hoped and prayed the message got to him!  I told him to meet me at the apartment at 4 (It was about 12:30 at the time.)  I would have to find things to do to occupy our time until then.  Played at Skinners for quite a while and then decided to walk around the neighborhood a bit.  I saw a sign that led to Albert park and decided to follow it - I knew there was another playground there.  SCORE!  So after walking another half mile, we got to the park.  By then it was about 2pm.  Ok, I can do this!  Play some more children!

Yay, playground fun!

Feeding the big friendly goose pretzels

It just hissed.  Didn't move from that spot

Happy Isla

I asked someone for the time and they said it was about a quarter past 2.  Decided to play for a bit more and then head for the apartment.  We could sit at a cafe and wait or Devon to get home.  Walked about 3km home (I am getting back into shape!) pushing the huge pram.  There are not as many hills, but this stroller may be more of a challenge than the previous monstrosity.  At least the old one had 4 gigantic tires.  This one has about 16 tiny ones.  Makes off-roading and hills a bit more difficult for the calves.  I have been feeling the burn! By the time we made it back to the apartment, I was hot, thirsty and sweaty.  Devon was there awaiting our arrival.  Thank you Lord!!!  He laughed at me and said that I just wanted material for my blog.  Finished our day with a family swim in the pool.  Ahh, disaster averted, but ego bruised a tiny bit.

Today - Wednesday was another fun and busy day.  I decided to pack up the kids (and my keys) and head downtown.  On the way, we stopped at the Arts Center and made a paper flower to add to their goose that will be displayed for all of Melbourne to see.

Our walk downtown

Making the flower to put on the big goose

Getting special treats downtown

Kept walking towards downtown and stopped to watch a street performer with hula hoop and contortionist talent.  Quite the combo I would say.  Isla loved it, clapped and cheered and was super into it.

Contort

4 hoops!

5 hoops!

Then off to Target where just like at home, I spent way too much money.  Got more needed supplies, i.e. a new swim ring for Ian, some water vests, and goggles.  Must be prepared for many days at the pool!

Then the long walk back to the apartment.

All McDonald's will be turning to 'Macca's' by the end of the month.  Crazy Aussies!

Melbourne city

Ian knackered at the end of the busy day!

Later that evening, we met Devon back downtown for dinner at our favorite Malaysian restaurant called Mamak.  SO GOOD!  Then we went to check out the Queen Victoria night market which was apparently for the younguns who wanted to drink alcohol and listen to the live music.  Not great for a huge pram and 3 kids.

Walking to Mamak

YUM!

Queen Victoria Market

Very Crowded

Now back at home, it's very late and I am determined to get a post out for all of you to read upon waking up.  Unfortunately my iphoto library is acting up and I can't get the pictures up for you right away.  Must work on it tomorrow as I need my beauty rest.  High of 98 tomorrow.  HEATWAVE!

Luv yas

~Mary

...Updated with pics!

Ikea, old friends, and Skinners adventure playground

Where are all the pictures!?  Looking through my camera, we have done so much but neglected to capture it on film (memory card?).  I will get better, promise.

Sunday - Trip to Ikea... Ikea is a destination.  You have to REALLY want to go there, especially with 3 kids and no car.  From our last experience in OZ, we learned that for every outing, you MUST have an open mind and lots of patience.  This time was no exception.  We hopped on a tram that took us to a train that took us to a tram that Devon thought took us right to the front door of Ikea.  Oops, google maps was wrong. Dropped us 2 miles away.  Had to take another tram, to another tram, and walked about a half mile in between.  WITH NO STROLLER.  Kids did fine enough, but I had to carry Drew a lot of the way and Isla was pretty whiny.  Finally got to Ikea and the kids were already tired and hungry.  We tried to drop them off in the play area but it was full.  Ok, they get to shop with us.  We picked up all that we needed, while chasing the kids around, checked out and got some ice cream.  They were sufficiently sugared up and acting crazy.  On our walk out, as Ian was being noisy, Isla was having a temper tantrum and Drew was being clingy, we overheard someone say 'glad their not my kids'.  Ouch.  Well lady, I'm glad their mine, tantrums and all!

We met a very nice family from Chicago last time we were in Sydney.  As it happens, they had JUST moved to Melbourne a few days before we got here.  What are the chances!!  They have a daughter Isla's age, and managed to have another baby while we were back in the states.  They invited us over to their place for dinner.  It was fantastic to catch up with them and for Isla to have a friend to play with again.  Looking forward to spending a lot of time with them again this time around!

Monday - Devon's first day of work and my first day on my own!  It was operation: find a play ground day and boy did I ever succeed!  About a 10 minute walk from our apartment is an awesome (but old) structure that is federally funded for inner city kids that do not have a backyard of their own.  They provide art classes, sports, music and other activities targeted for these children.  The playground is open to the general public too which is a score for us!  The kids there were a little rough around the edges but not at all intimidating.

Trampoline built into the ground!

Wee!

Digging in the sand

Ian chasing the chickens

chickens!

My new and improved triple pram

And then back home to cool off in the pool.

What a fantastic day!

Saturday - More Shopping... and a little fun too

We have spent the last two days here just stocking up the apartment with all the essentials.  Thank goodness Devon is around to help with the momentous task!

Friday - Target to buy a fan (that doesn't work by the way), and a broom and dust pan (that I later found was already in the apartment).  And some other essentials - like the water noodle discussed in my previous post.  Too bad we have to make the trek back downtown to do some returns.  It's not as easy as strapping the kids in the mini van at home so that Target can scan your card, make the return and voila! you are on your merry way.  If it hasn't changed since the last time we were here, there is this HUGE process where I must sign on many dotted lines, give them my bank account info, and promise my eldest son.  Of course I am exaggerating.  It just takes a little longer, that's all.  :)

Saturday - We signed up for car sharing last time we were in Australia and as it happens, there is a teeny tiny minuscule little Yaris that is part of the program parked right in front of our apartment.  SCORE!!  We decided to book the car for the whole day so we could do some more shopping.

Cozy in the back seat

First we ventured to Costco.  And for all of you who are curious, yes - it is exactly the same as at home.  Costco on a Saturday - very busy, kids climbing all over the cart and running around the store wanting to try all the samples.  We spent a ton of money, then had lunch - pizza, chicken wrap, bulgogi bake (yep and it was good!) a hot dog, iced coffee and Lift (fizzy lemonade).

Bulgogi Bake!

After Costco, we headed back home to unload our goods and then packed a picnic dinner and jumped back into the tiny Yaris for a trip down the coast.  We found a nice little beach to romp around.  Keep in mind it was a bit on the chilly side and very windy.  Isla was unstoppable.  She was in her element!

                                                                                                   

Ian was a little unsure..

Collection of rubber shoes

After the beach, we headed towards a playground and picnic area.  The kids loved it.  My goal tomorrow is to find a play ground in the area for the kids to play on.  It may be a lofty one.  In my recent explorations of the area, I have not come upon any.  I am up for the challenge!

Today (Sunday) we will be heading to Ikea via public transport.  I bet you are all super excited to read about that post tomorrow!  Stay tuned, it should be a good one!

G'day and See ya'll later!

Sublime!

We made it! We're here!

I have found that it helps to have very low expectations, that way when things go great, there is a bigger sense of accomplishment.  The kids did absolutely fantastic.  I can't believe it myself.  There were 2 moments of slight melt downs, but I would seriously call that a win.  I am so proud of my kiddos.  It's a long and brutal journey and they kicked airplane and airport booty!

At MSP airport waiting for our flight to LA

Drew waiting for take off!

Flying to LA!

The kids loved the airplane ride and did an excellent job!

Being goofy in LA

Hunkering down for the 5 hour layover

Devon's co-worker Shu travelled with us.  He was a fabulous help!

                                           

Kids beyond tired in the taxi going to our new home

                                       
Our apartment is in a fabulous area, right across from the botanical garden with a ton of quaint cafes around.  I have my choice of coffee shops!  Yay for Aussie flat whites!  I went for a nice jog through the gardens this morning.  The weather was perfect, the vegetation beautiful and it was fun to get out on my own to explore the area.

My run through the 'Tan'

So many runners!

Devon went running after I did, then we got the kids ready to go and ventured out downtown for a trip to Target.  Unfortunately I didn't take too many pictures.  I was too enraptured in the sights around me, I totally forgot.  Must remember to take more pictures!

Fountains are fun!

Such good walkers!

We got a bunch of much needed goods at Target - i.e. a huge orange swimming noodle for Isla and a fan for their room.  Hey, it beats buying a sled and a heater!  :)  And then we had lunch at an out door Japanese restaurant.  It was hot and sweaty and hard, but I loved it!  The stroller is not the triple we had on our trip to Sydney, but it's still a challenge.  I love me a good challenge!

Got home and spent a nice time cooling off in the apartment pool.  I think we're really going to love it here.  You all should come visit!  Yeah I know, it's not like it's an easy and cheap destination.  But totally worth the journey.

Devon is at a work function now.  I am piddling on the computer and the kids are doing this...

And this picture is for Paul, Katie and Michelle.. We do have a view of the botanical garden!  The kids call our apartment 'our new home in the sky'.  Such a great experience!

Ok, time to start dinner.  Until next time everyone!  Love you and miss you all!

It's Déjà vu all over again!

Here we go again!  The Gifford's are going on another family excursion down under. This time Melbourne will have the pleasure of getting to know our crazy family. We are all packed, pram is ready with the new and improved 'Buggy Board' strapped to the back for Isla to ride on and I have put on my brave momma armor.  I CAN DO THIS!

Today, the kids had a last taste of the Minnesota winter at Grammy and popops house.

And tomorrow we will be leaving on a jet plane towards sunny 85 degrees.  From the sublime to the ridiculous my mom says!  Well, we will have to prove her wrong.

I will keep you abreast on all of our daily adventures again on this blog.  Please check it out, it's my one outlet to keep me sane!

Love you all, and see you on the other side!