While we were still in Canada I was driving one day and Cian said he "wanted to go to school in Australia." Since we wanted to encourage his enthusiasm for school I emailed the principal of the local primary school and set up a time for a tour.
We went there today and Cian was quiet and excited - two things that don't usually go together for him. It looks like we lucked out on our house location not only because of all the parks and bike paths but also because the primary school seems amazing. We had heard from other parents that they were really happy there but it was nice to see it for ourselves. The art show happened over the weekend so there was still art up on the walls and ceiling. They learn musical instruments on Mondays because they think music is important (that was in the first 10 minutes and so I was already sold). They have a community garden that the parents help tend and there are also chickens in a coop in the outdoor area which our kids loved. There's lots of outdoor play space and a big inside gym. There are a few prep classes and they are full days starting at the end of January. Cian qualifies for prep since he turns 5 before April. I'm a bit nervous about him going to full-day school right off the bat but he seemed pretty enthusiastic. He sat down quietly on the floor behind the kids in drama class and watched them all playing improv games. During the improv games the teacher asked a question and Emily raised her hand. She is going to be very annoyed that she doesn't get to go to school too.
So now we're filling out paperwork for Cian to start school. I'm trying not to be too sentimental but it feels too fast. I feel like he was my little baby just a minute ago and now he's charging full-speed into life's adventures.
Sunday, 27 October 2013
Saturday, 26 October 2013
Birthday Part 2
Needless to say our day had been shot out of the water after the morning events. The majority of the remainder of the day was getting ready to go out in the evening since we decided we would still brave the idea of a babysitter with the kids.
Once we oriented the babysitter to our place and our kids and gave them extra-long hugs we were off. We thought about staying home but that wasn't going to change anything for them because they weren't scared and wounded - we were.
We headed into town on the train. It was a beautiful night and it was nice to be together. Our dinner reservations were at an Italian place called La Notte near the University. I had communicated via email with them a couple weeks ago cause I had a Groupon - it was $49 for a 10-course Italian degustation (we are still unclear what a degustation is) for two people including wine. What a sweet deal! And they gave me a free glass of bubbly because it was my birthday. The food was amazing - leaps and bounds above and beyond the cost of the Groupon. Most restaurants including this one have a covered patio and often have some heaters too so it was very pleasant and relaxing to sit outside together. Walking down the street-lamped Lygon street there were so many restaurants that looked good Keith said we shouldn't go to the same one twice - despite the fact that the food was amazing where we went. It was also very lovely to not have to make menu decisions or pay a bill - it was all taken care of which was exactly what we needed.
We then walked downtown to the Comic's Lounge in North Melbourne. I had another Groupon (do you get the theme that I like a good deal - a good Mennonite always does!) for a one-year two person unlimited pass for $29. Can't beat that either! There were three comics plus the MC. Keith and I agreed that the MC was the funniest. The other guys were good including the headliner from the US but the MC had the best material. It was really good to have a laugh. It's part of the reason I got these passes - we needed some laughs after last year. We definitely needed some laughs after the last 12 hours.
We walked home from Kensington station and we saw what looked like ravens in the trees. We couldn't figure out why they were flying at night. They were also very loud. Then Keith took a while longer looking up into the trees. They were bats! Batman-sized bats! I had never seen bats that big. It wasn't scary they were far away - it was neat!
When we got home Keith walked the sitter back to her place and I went upstairs to our little guy sleeping in our bed. We thought it would be easier for her to put them down in seperate rooms. Plus, I knew I needed one more cuddle with my precious little guy on my birthday. I went to bed feeling so thankful that I could still cuddle him and put him safely in his bed beside his sleeping sister in her crib. The little things become so enormously important when you are worried, even for forty minutes, that you might lose them. A truly thankful birthday.
Once we oriented the babysitter to our place and our kids and gave them extra-long hugs we were off. We thought about staying home but that wasn't going to change anything for them because they weren't scared and wounded - we were.
We headed into town on the train. It was a beautiful night and it was nice to be together. Our dinner reservations were at an Italian place called La Notte near the University. I had communicated via email with them a couple weeks ago cause I had a Groupon - it was $49 for a 10-course Italian degustation (we are still unclear what a degustation is) for two people including wine. What a sweet deal! And they gave me a free glass of bubbly because it was my birthday. The food was amazing - leaps and bounds above and beyond the cost of the Groupon. Most restaurants including this one have a covered patio and often have some heaters too so it was very pleasant and relaxing to sit outside together. Walking down the street-lamped Lygon street there were so many restaurants that looked good Keith said we shouldn't go to the same one twice - despite the fact that the food was amazing where we went. It was also very lovely to not have to make menu decisions or pay a bill - it was all taken care of which was exactly what we needed.
We then walked downtown to the Comic's Lounge in North Melbourne. I had another Groupon (do you get the theme that I like a good deal - a good Mennonite always does!) for a one-year two person unlimited pass for $29. Can't beat that either! There were three comics plus the MC. Keith and I agreed that the MC was the funniest. The other guys were good including the headliner from the US but the MC had the best material. It was really good to have a laugh. It's part of the reason I got these passes - we needed some laughs after last year. We definitely needed some laughs after the last 12 hours.
We walked home from Kensington station and we saw what looked like ravens in the trees. We couldn't figure out why they were flying at night. They were also very loud. Then Keith took a while longer looking up into the trees. They were bats! Batman-sized bats! I had never seen bats that big. It wasn't scary they were far away - it was neat!
When we got home Keith walked the sitter back to her place and I went upstairs to our little guy sleeping in our bed. We thought it would be easier for her to put them down in seperate rooms. Plus, I knew I needed one more cuddle with my precious little guy on my birthday. I went to bed feeling so thankful that I could still cuddle him and put him safely in his bed beside his sleeping sister in her crib. The little things become so enormously important when you are worried, even for forty minutes, that you might lose them. A truly thankful birthday.
Friday, 25 October 2013
LOST (aka Birthday Part 1)
So this will (hopefully) go down in record as my worst (and subsequently best) birthday to date.
I woke up at 3:30 am and couldn't fall back asleep. Perhaps my body knew it was my birthday and wanted to experience every possible moment - I don't know - but by the time the kids woke up at 7am I was knee-deep in a West Wing marathon.
Keith was lovely enough to take the kids downstairs in the morning after some cuddles and "Happy Birthdays" and the occasional "I want it to be my birthday"and I had the luxury of continuing my West Wing indulgence. I was then treated to espresso and crepes in bed. Keith didn't think he could make them but he did a better job than I usually do so I think he will now be crowned the Crepe King at our house.
We needed a couple of groceries so Keith took the kids out to the store so I could lounge around in my pajamas and enjoy a relaxing day at home. About half an hour later my Australian cell phone rang. This is uncommon as most of the people that call me usually text and not on a Saturday. Also it's rare that I have my Aussie phone near me since when I have the house WiFi I can text with my Canadian phone to friends and family back home. Anyway, with all that rarity in mind my phone started ringing by my head and I picked it up. I will likely be traumatized from the sound on the other end for quite some time.
All I could hear on the other side was what sounded like a strange, choppy version of Keith's voice. It took me a second to even realize it was Keith at all that's how strange it sounded. Then I thought it was the phone cutting in and out or that it might be windy outside until I heard the word LOST. Then I realized the breaks in the sound weren't wind or bad cell reception they were the sound of my husband sobbing. For anyone that knows Keith they know that this man crying at all is a very unusual occurrence. I've been married to him for nearly 10 years and I can count on one hand the number of times he has cried and it does not include our wedding or the birth of either of our children so now I'm scared. It's amazing when you do crisis management for a living how second nature it is to snap into. I guess training really is the key for that; if you train for a crisis over and over a switch turns on and you just go. I told him to call the police and I jumped out of bed into the nearest clothes I could find all the while saying over and over again out loud in a bizarrely calm voice "I have to get my son, I have to get my son".
Keith couldn't even verbalize where he was when he called. He could barely get out "come down the path" so I started running down the path and he waved me down at the end. He was on the phone with the police describing our kid "brown hair, green glasses, yellow jacket, four and a half years old..." that is really when it started to become surreal. This is where the amazing also starts. Keith was standing outside a neighbor's house. She had seen Keith at the window and thought he looked distressed and so her and her husband came out. When they realized our son was missing Daniella took Emily into her house to play with the toys so she wouldn't be scared. Her husband started searching for Cian with Keith. The man who was coincidentally picking up a rocking chair from their house got in his car and started driving around looking for Cian. Other people were on foot and on bikes up and down the path looking for him too. This is when Keith called me and I arrived. I am sure I looked like a wild animal running around in every direction looking for my son. At this point Keith was white as a sheet and he couldn't even speak to me because the only sound that was coming out was dry sobs. Honestly, that was one of the scariest things for me. Keith is always the rock. I am always whatever the not rock is in the analogy of one person being rock-like. I am the crazy and he is the sane. I am the ambition and he is the pragmatist. I am the extreme and he is the level-ground. So to see him unravel like that before my eyes was terrifying. It was like the ground was crumbling underneath me and all I kept saying (this time in my head) was "I have to get my son, I have to get my son".
I started running up an adjacent street to a condo complex. Sometimes Cian likes to check out the landings of places like that. A young woman stopped me to ask if she could get up to Epsom road and I said I didn't know and asked her if she'd seen a little boy with a yellow coat. Immediately she said "No but I will help you find him" and she started yelling for Cian and walking up other streets. People heard us talking and came out onto their balconies and minutes later I saw the same people in a group ask if they could help. It was amazing. It was only minutes later that same young woman yelled that they had found him up the path. I ran to the path and there were four of our neighbours and Daniela's husband on the bicycle escorting him down the path. Running to the edge of the path is where the "shield of crisis management" broke and I started sobbing. I'm pretty sure that Cian was doing fine until he saw his mother in hysterics and then he started crying. "It's ok mommy" "It's ok mommy". I remember people being there and I so wish now that I could thank all of them individually for helping us find our son.
We got to Daniela's house and Keith was there sobbing and Cian ran to hug him too. We were thanking everyone everywhere and Daniela's husband (who's name I hope to eventually remember) said "that's what neighbors do, they look out for each other". He comforted us out there on the street and then Daniela invited us in for tea "or something stronger if we wanted". The police were by at that point and Cian was already safe but they were also lovely and flashed the lights and rang the siren for the kids. Daniela has two girls who were so good to Emily - I'm not even sure she knew we had left her there to be honest. They gave us tea and "something to raise the blood sugar" and snacks and toys for the kids. They gave Keith two glasses of water and the colour started to return to his face. Daniela gave us her number so that Keith could come to her mommy group if he wanted or we could have a BBQ with the kids. Daniela's husband played with our kids while we drank our tea/water and had our snacks and recovered and he cuddled Em before putting them back in the pram for the walk home for lunch. We asked Cian to show us where he had gone and he showed us that he had doubled back up the path and gone to the top of the hill out of Keith's sight line. Keith thought he had turned a corner and so had been looking in an entirely different place. Cian's logic was totally rational but neither of his parents were when they thought he was lost.
They never did get to the store but that's where Keith and Cian are now because Cian was upset that they hadn't bought my birthday cake like they had planned. What you don't realize when you're four is that the best birthday presents can't be bought at the store: a healthy child returned to you after forty minutes of terror and amazing neighbours who drop everything to help you.
To our neighbours: I am humbled and blessed to have received such generous care. Thank you more than words can express.
I woke up at 3:30 am and couldn't fall back asleep. Perhaps my body knew it was my birthday and wanted to experience every possible moment - I don't know - but by the time the kids woke up at 7am I was knee-deep in a West Wing marathon.
Keith was lovely enough to take the kids downstairs in the morning after some cuddles and "Happy Birthdays" and the occasional "I want it to be my birthday"and I had the luxury of continuing my West Wing indulgence. I was then treated to espresso and crepes in bed. Keith didn't think he could make them but he did a better job than I usually do so I think he will now be crowned the Crepe King at our house.
We needed a couple of groceries so Keith took the kids out to the store so I could lounge around in my pajamas and enjoy a relaxing day at home. About half an hour later my Australian cell phone rang. This is uncommon as most of the people that call me usually text and not on a Saturday. Also it's rare that I have my Aussie phone near me since when I have the house WiFi I can text with my Canadian phone to friends and family back home. Anyway, with all that rarity in mind my phone started ringing by my head and I picked it up. I will likely be traumatized from the sound on the other end for quite some time.
All I could hear on the other side was what sounded like a strange, choppy version of Keith's voice. It took me a second to even realize it was Keith at all that's how strange it sounded. Then I thought it was the phone cutting in and out or that it might be windy outside until I heard the word LOST. Then I realized the breaks in the sound weren't wind or bad cell reception they were the sound of my husband sobbing. For anyone that knows Keith they know that this man crying at all is a very unusual occurrence. I've been married to him for nearly 10 years and I can count on one hand the number of times he has cried and it does not include our wedding or the birth of either of our children so now I'm scared. It's amazing when you do crisis management for a living how second nature it is to snap into. I guess training really is the key for that; if you train for a crisis over and over a switch turns on and you just go. I told him to call the police and I jumped out of bed into the nearest clothes I could find all the while saying over and over again out loud in a bizarrely calm voice "I have to get my son, I have to get my son".
Keith couldn't even verbalize where he was when he called. He could barely get out "come down the path" so I started running down the path and he waved me down at the end. He was on the phone with the police describing our kid "brown hair, green glasses, yellow jacket, four and a half years old..." that is really when it started to become surreal. This is where the amazing also starts. Keith was standing outside a neighbor's house. She had seen Keith at the window and thought he looked distressed and so her and her husband came out. When they realized our son was missing Daniella took Emily into her house to play with the toys so she wouldn't be scared. Her husband started searching for Cian with Keith. The man who was coincidentally picking up a rocking chair from their house got in his car and started driving around looking for Cian. Other people were on foot and on bikes up and down the path looking for him too. This is when Keith called me and I arrived. I am sure I looked like a wild animal running around in every direction looking for my son. At this point Keith was white as a sheet and he couldn't even speak to me because the only sound that was coming out was dry sobs. Honestly, that was one of the scariest things for me. Keith is always the rock. I am always whatever the not rock is in the analogy of one person being rock-like. I am the crazy and he is the sane. I am the ambition and he is the pragmatist. I am the extreme and he is the level-ground. So to see him unravel like that before my eyes was terrifying. It was like the ground was crumbling underneath me and all I kept saying (this time in my head) was "I have to get my son, I have to get my son".
I started running up an adjacent street to a condo complex. Sometimes Cian likes to check out the landings of places like that. A young woman stopped me to ask if she could get up to Epsom road and I said I didn't know and asked her if she'd seen a little boy with a yellow coat. Immediately she said "No but I will help you find him" and she started yelling for Cian and walking up other streets. People heard us talking and came out onto their balconies and minutes later I saw the same people in a group ask if they could help. It was amazing. It was only minutes later that same young woman yelled that they had found him up the path. I ran to the path and there were four of our neighbours and Daniela's husband on the bicycle escorting him down the path. Running to the edge of the path is where the "shield of crisis management" broke and I started sobbing. I'm pretty sure that Cian was doing fine until he saw his mother in hysterics and then he started crying. "It's ok mommy" "It's ok mommy". I remember people being there and I so wish now that I could thank all of them individually for helping us find our son.
We got to Daniela's house and Keith was there sobbing and Cian ran to hug him too. We were thanking everyone everywhere and Daniela's husband (who's name I hope to eventually remember) said "that's what neighbors do, they look out for each other". He comforted us out there on the street and then Daniela invited us in for tea "or something stronger if we wanted". The police were by at that point and Cian was already safe but they were also lovely and flashed the lights and rang the siren for the kids. Daniela has two girls who were so good to Emily - I'm not even sure she knew we had left her there to be honest. They gave us tea and "something to raise the blood sugar" and snacks and toys for the kids. They gave Keith two glasses of water and the colour started to return to his face. Daniela gave us her number so that Keith could come to her mommy group if he wanted or we could have a BBQ with the kids. Daniela's husband played with our kids while we drank our tea/water and had our snacks and recovered and he cuddled Em before putting them back in the pram for the walk home for lunch. We asked Cian to show us where he had gone and he showed us that he had doubled back up the path and gone to the top of the hill out of Keith's sight line. Keith thought he had turned a corner and so had been looking in an entirely different place. Cian's logic was totally rational but neither of his parents were when they thought he was lost.
They never did get to the store but that's where Keith and Cian are now because Cian was upset that they hadn't bought my birthday cake like they had planned. What you don't realize when you're four is that the best birthday presents can't be bought at the store: a healthy child returned to you after forty minutes of terror and amazing neighbours who drop everything to help you.
To our neighbours: I am humbled and blessed to have received such generous care. Thank you more than words can express.
Sunday, 20 October 2013
The hilarious Cian Morris
My kids crack me up. They are both hilarious in their own way. Both are giant hams and their senses of humour are so in tune with one another that I suspect we are in for more hilarity as they grow older. My hope is that since Emily is such a chatterbox already that she will help Cian's speech and then we will be able to understand more of the jokes he tells us constantly.
Cian today was particularly hilarious today (even though he just told me he's not THAT funny).
Today he wore his monkey backpack for 6 hours straight. This was for no real reason. He put it on before his nap and then had a nap with it and continued to wear it through dinner, our after-dinner walk and through snack time. When asked he said he was waiting for school to start. This won't happen for several months but he is prepared.
Keith told him that my birthday is in a week and I asked him if he was getting me a present. He said YES! and when asked what he was getting me he pondered for a few minutes and then said "PIRATES!"
He has been coming into our room at night and we assumed this was still due to monster nightmares but on our way home yesterday he assured us it was not monsters it was monkeys. I'm not sure why monkeys wake him up but they seem to and I wish that they would leave him alone so he would stay in his own bed.
He certainly keeps our life interesting that little kiddo.
He certainly keeps our life interesting that little kiddo.
Saturday, 19 October 2013
The Melbourne Zoo
Today we braved the second attempt at the Melbourne Zoo and were victorious! The first attempt if you have not read previous posts ended with Cian running away from a time out just before we got to the zoo gate and we turned around and walked the 40 minutes home again - him sobbing all the way. Tough love prevailed however and behaviour was amazing this time around.
It was hot today in Melbourne and I have begun to welcome the breezes that brought shivers just days ago. We had heard great things about the zoo and after crepes for breakfast we were off. We walked the 40-45 minutes (mostly uphill) and got to the beautiful zoo entrance. I'm not sure I've been to a zoo with palm trees and bamboo before. The Melbourne Zoo is set up with two large circles in the middle and the exhibits go out from there. The map has pictures of the animals on it and our little cartographer was very interested in being the captain of our zoological adventure. First were the elephants, we got to see the big bull eating up close which the kids loved. Keith's favourite part of the entire zoo day was watching elephants eat whole watermelons. We hung out with the elephants for quite a while actually, watching the little baby and the big bull taking a bath. Emily wanted to pretend she was an elephant and would raise her fake trunk and then giggle in hysterics - it was pretty adorable.
We then went to the Orangutan enclosure which was amazing. The viewing areas they have to see the animals are really well done. The Orangutans were huge and came right up to the glass. Stunning. What a great way to get kids interested in animals and conservation.
Next were the seals and on the way we ran into an open sting ray tank that was waist height for kids. I was taking Emily up to see them when the STING RAY JUMPED ONTO THE ROCK! Did anyone know that rays could jump? It hopped up about half a foot and then it was gone again. Nowhere did it say this was a petting area for rays but of course there were the people that stuck their hands in the tank which Cian saw so he did get a quick pet in before I whisked him off to the seals. I didn't catch him before he got his hand in the water because I was still reeling from the fact that a ray jumped at me. I can't imagine they aren't pet on a regular basis though because they were the friendliest rays I have ever seen. Cian thought it was amazingly cool. We went inside to the little aquarium in the zoo where there was a seal and penguins, seahorses and many varieties of fish. It's neat that they have a little aquarium there despite the fact there is a large aquarium downtown (we have yet to go there). We didn't see the penguins inside but did get to see the little sand-dwellers outside. They are a similar breed to the ones that live on Phillip Island and a lot easier than taking our kids out there.
We then had lunch at the playground and carousel. The playground has a tent canopy over it which was a brilliant idea by someone who I would like to thank because in the height of midday it's a beautiful thing to have your pale Irish children be shielded from the sun. After lunch we went to see the Australian animals. We went into the Platypusary (that was the name) and in the darkness (they are nocturnal) saw the platypus diving around in the tank. I have never seen a platypus in real life and it was amazing. They don't look real at first. Cian loved him so much I had to promise we would see him again before we leave. The platypus was a definite highlight. We also saw the koala bears. Yay victory is mine - koala sighting (even if it's in a zoo). We saw kookabura, wombats, emus, wallabys and kangaroos. The wallabys, kangaroos and emus are in an open area where you stay on the trail but there is no real fence between you and the animals which is neat.
We then saw the baboons and this guy clandestinely handed one of them grass through the bars and the babboon looked around to make sure no one was looking and then took it. I'm pretty sure it was a reenactment of something from Orange is the New Black.
We then saw the platypus again (I did promise) and on our way out saw this kids playland with a big exhibit of Meerkats. There's a variety of tunnels kids can climb through and then you can pop your head up through glass bubbles into where the meerkats live. The bubbles were a little tall for my little guy though so I climbed in with him to lift him up. He was the envy of the other kids in the play yard and it was totally worth getting dusty climbing through the tunnels to see how excited he was to learn about meerkats. There was also a play area about giant tortoises. Cian said they were "enormous" so now I would like to call them "enormous tortoises". One was right by the short rung fence (you could sit on the fence beside him) and when I sat on the ground beside him he stuck his neck out right beside Emily and I. It was pretty neat.
We didn't even see all there was to see at the zoo but had a great (and full day). There were no naps and lots of sunshine and fresh air but everyone was happy getting to spend the day with new and exciting animals. Keith actually got a membership since he will likely go again with the kids while I'm at work. Cian could spend half a day in that meerkat playground. We also realized that the train runs up to the back of the park so they could get there by train which would be ideal. The membership was the cost of going 3 times (including this time) and includes all 3 zoos in Melbourne so I'm sure we'll use it. Plus the money goes to conservation so I'll contribute to anything that helps these animals survive for generations to enjoy...our two generations definitely did today.
It was hot today in Melbourne and I have begun to welcome the breezes that brought shivers just days ago. We had heard great things about the zoo and after crepes for breakfast we were off. We walked the 40-45 minutes (mostly uphill) and got to the beautiful zoo entrance. I'm not sure I've been to a zoo with palm trees and bamboo before. The Melbourne Zoo is set up with two large circles in the middle and the exhibits go out from there. The map has pictures of the animals on it and our little cartographer was very interested in being the captain of our zoological adventure. First were the elephants, we got to see the big bull eating up close which the kids loved. Keith's favourite part of the entire zoo day was watching elephants eat whole watermelons. We hung out with the elephants for quite a while actually, watching the little baby and the big bull taking a bath. Emily wanted to pretend she was an elephant and would raise her fake trunk and then giggle in hysterics - it was pretty adorable.
We then went to the Orangutan enclosure which was amazing. The viewing areas they have to see the animals are really well done. The Orangutans were huge and came right up to the glass. Stunning. What a great way to get kids interested in animals and conservation.
Next were the seals and on the way we ran into an open sting ray tank that was waist height for kids. I was taking Emily up to see them when the STING RAY JUMPED ONTO THE ROCK! Did anyone know that rays could jump? It hopped up about half a foot and then it was gone again. Nowhere did it say this was a petting area for rays but of course there were the people that stuck their hands in the tank which Cian saw so he did get a quick pet in before I whisked him off to the seals. I didn't catch him before he got his hand in the water because I was still reeling from the fact that a ray jumped at me. I can't imagine they aren't pet on a regular basis though because they were the friendliest rays I have ever seen. Cian thought it was amazingly cool. We went inside to the little aquarium in the zoo where there was a seal and penguins, seahorses and many varieties of fish. It's neat that they have a little aquarium there despite the fact there is a large aquarium downtown (we have yet to go there). We didn't see the penguins inside but did get to see the little sand-dwellers outside. They are a similar breed to the ones that live on Phillip Island and a lot easier than taking our kids out there.
We then had lunch at the playground and carousel. The playground has a tent canopy over it which was a brilliant idea by someone who I would like to thank because in the height of midday it's a beautiful thing to have your pale Irish children be shielded from the sun. After lunch we went to see the Australian animals. We went into the Platypusary (that was the name) and in the darkness (they are nocturnal) saw the platypus diving around in the tank. I have never seen a platypus in real life and it was amazing. They don't look real at first. Cian loved him so much I had to promise we would see him again before we leave. The platypus was a definite highlight. We also saw the koala bears. Yay victory is mine - koala sighting (even if it's in a zoo). We saw kookabura, wombats, emus, wallabys and kangaroos. The wallabys, kangaroos and emus are in an open area where you stay on the trail but there is no real fence between you and the animals which is neat.
We then saw the baboons and this guy clandestinely handed one of them grass through the bars and the babboon looked around to make sure no one was looking and then took it. I'm pretty sure it was a reenactment of something from Orange is the New Black.
We then saw the platypus again (I did promise) and on our way out saw this kids playland with a big exhibit of Meerkats. There's a variety of tunnels kids can climb through and then you can pop your head up through glass bubbles into where the meerkats live. The bubbles were a little tall for my little guy though so I climbed in with him to lift him up. He was the envy of the other kids in the play yard and it was totally worth getting dusty climbing through the tunnels to see how excited he was to learn about meerkats. There was also a play area about giant tortoises. Cian said they were "enormous" so now I would like to call them "enormous tortoises". One was right by the short rung fence (you could sit on the fence beside him) and when I sat on the ground beside him he stuck his neck out right beside Emily and I. It was pretty neat.
We didn't even see all there was to see at the zoo but had a great (and full day). There were no naps and lots of sunshine and fresh air but everyone was happy getting to spend the day with new and exciting animals. Keith actually got a membership since he will likely go again with the kids while I'm at work. Cian could spend half a day in that meerkat playground. We also realized that the train runs up to the back of the park so they could get there by train which would be ideal. The membership was the cost of going 3 times (including this time) and includes all 3 zoos in Melbourne so I'm sure we'll use it. Plus the money goes to conservation so I'll contribute to anything that helps these animals survive for generations to enjoy...our two generations definitely did today.
Friday, 18 October 2013
The Great Ocean Road
Yesterday we rented a car and headed up the Great Ocean Road to see the Twelve Apostles. Here are the interesting things about that first sentence.
#1: I have never driven on the opposite side of the road and I decided to start by driving a total of 8 hours on a windy ocean highway.
#2: The Great Ocean Road spends a lot of time not actually on the ocean but like a drag race through the forest.
#3: There are not actually Twelve Apostles there are seven.
We thought it would be a good idea to try out driving on the opposite side of the road on a weekday so I rearranged some things and we set out on our "adventure". I am truly amazed by the human brain that after a considerably short amount of time it felt like second-nature to drive on the left. The kids were incredibly excited for a car ride. I love that about them - they love an adventure as much as their mommy and they also love the car. As we were driving back Keith mentioned that not a lot of people would make an impromptu 8 hour round-trip up the coast with two kids under 5 but ours have traveled so much in the car we didn't even think about it.
It was a bit windy and occassionally rainy so it was a decent day for a drive. We stopped in Apollo Bay for some assorted fried fish which was delicious and saw Galah cockatoos which is really fun because they are in our Aussie animals game. It would be amazing to see the majority of the animals in that game while we are here. The guidebook said you can see koalas up in the trees on this road but despite my best efforts we saw no koalas or kangaroos. We saw kangaroo crossing signs which were awesome and signs that said "Drive on Left in Australia" which were a good reminder but no wildlife.
We got to the 12 Apostles and it was the windiest place I think I have ever been. Of course, like a mom, I remembered jackets for everyone else but left mine hanging on the hook - thank goodness for scarves. My adventure-seeking children set off like missiles down the path which usually wouldn't be too worrisome for me except when I looked closer at the diamond-shaped warning sign it did not say "Rough road ahead" it said "Warning snakes". Most people know I am a bit phobic about snakes so I instantly had a fear that seconds previous to that had not existed. I told Cian to stay with Dad in the middle of the path not explaining why but the problem with being married is that often your spouse knows you very well and laughingly says "You read the sign and now you are being crazy - what do you think will magically happen in the middle of the path?". I told him not to make fun of me but secretly I was thinking I could kill any potential killer snakes with my mind and maternal glare before they reached my son who was safely in the middle of the path. Phobias don't make sense. In case anyone was concerned we did not see any snakes I think the wind might have blown them into the bay.
However, we did manage to get to the lookout and see the Twelve Apostles. It's a beautiful view despite there truly being only seven. One of the prettiest coastal views I've ever seen. Stunning.
We drove home and stopped to pick up supper in Apollo Bay. Cian had spotted the park on the way out of town the first time because he has the most uncanny ability to spot playgrounds. So the kids played at the park and I picked up food. I popped into this one where an older Italian man waved his arms and greeted me like we knew each other. He then told me I was "very beautiful" and that he was not just saying that and he would make my pizza regardless of whether or not I appreciated the compliment (which I did, he was utterly charming). We ate our food and snacks in the car as the sun started to go down over the ocean and continued to drive down the windy ocean road lit up by the full moon. The kids fell asleep in the car and Keith and I got to have one of our "dates" where we have great conversations because the kids can't interrupt and there are no other life distractions. We got home late at night and put the kids down in their clothes. It was a great day of adventure...even if there weren't any koala sightings.
#1: I have never driven on the opposite side of the road and I decided to start by driving a total of 8 hours on a windy ocean highway.
#2: The Great Ocean Road spends a lot of time not actually on the ocean but like a drag race through the forest.
#3: There are not actually Twelve Apostles there are seven.
We thought it would be a good idea to try out driving on the opposite side of the road on a weekday so I rearranged some things and we set out on our "adventure". I am truly amazed by the human brain that after a considerably short amount of time it felt like second-nature to drive on the left. The kids were incredibly excited for a car ride. I love that about them - they love an adventure as much as their mommy and they also love the car. As we were driving back Keith mentioned that not a lot of people would make an impromptu 8 hour round-trip up the coast with two kids under 5 but ours have traveled so much in the car we didn't even think about it.
It was a bit windy and occassionally rainy so it was a decent day for a drive. We stopped in Apollo Bay for some assorted fried fish which was delicious and saw Galah cockatoos which is really fun because they are in our Aussie animals game. It would be amazing to see the majority of the animals in that game while we are here. The guidebook said you can see koalas up in the trees on this road but despite my best efforts we saw no koalas or kangaroos. We saw kangaroo crossing signs which were awesome and signs that said "Drive on Left in Australia" which were a good reminder but no wildlife.
We got to the 12 Apostles and it was the windiest place I think I have ever been. Of course, like a mom, I remembered jackets for everyone else but left mine hanging on the hook - thank goodness for scarves. My adventure-seeking children set off like missiles down the path which usually wouldn't be too worrisome for me except when I looked closer at the diamond-shaped warning sign it did not say "Rough road ahead" it said "Warning snakes". Most people know I am a bit phobic about snakes so I instantly had a fear that seconds previous to that had not existed. I told Cian to stay with Dad in the middle of the path not explaining why but the problem with being married is that often your spouse knows you very well and laughingly says "You read the sign and now you are being crazy - what do you think will magically happen in the middle of the path?". I told him not to make fun of me but secretly I was thinking I could kill any potential killer snakes with my mind and maternal glare before they reached my son who was safely in the middle of the path. Phobias don't make sense. In case anyone was concerned we did not see any snakes I think the wind might have blown them into the bay.
However, we did manage to get to the lookout and see the Twelve Apostles. It's a beautiful view despite there truly being only seven. One of the prettiest coastal views I've ever seen. Stunning.
We drove home and stopped to pick up supper in Apollo Bay. Cian had spotted the park on the way out of town the first time because he has the most uncanny ability to spot playgrounds. So the kids played at the park and I picked up food. I popped into this one where an older Italian man waved his arms and greeted me like we knew each other. He then told me I was "very beautiful" and that he was not just saying that and he would make my pizza regardless of whether or not I appreciated the compliment (which I did, he was utterly charming). We ate our food and snacks in the car as the sun started to go down over the ocean and continued to drive down the windy ocean road lit up by the full moon. The kids fell asleep in the car and Keith and I got to have one of our "dates" where we have great conversations because the kids can't interrupt and there are no other life distractions. We got home late at night and put the kids down in their clothes. It was a great day of adventure...even if there weren't any koala sightings.
Monday, 14 October 2013
The Ying and Yang of Thanksgiving
Not surprisingly they do not celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving in Australia. Thanksgiving is usually a major holiday for us as we have our Winnipeg family and honorary Winnipeg family (Schaapshers) over for a big meal that I cook in my pajamas throughout the day. I love Thanksgiving - it is my favourite holiday of the year. So I'm a little sad to miss it in the spring showers of Melbourne. It was made a little easier by a Google hangout with all my usual thanksgiving of dinner friends but I'm still a little sad about missing my favourite holiday this year.
I have a tremendous amount to be thankful for. First of all, I have a beautiful family of four who make me laugh and are caring and funny and a huge gift. I have the financial means to be able to take them on this year-long trip Down Under to experience new things and spend some time together as a family. I have a job that I love that gives me a tremendous amount of joy and fulfillment. I am healthy and able to take long walks with my kids to explore our new surroundings. I have a marriage that is strong, mutually respectful and built on a foundation of love and have had the privilege of enjoying that for almost 10 years. I have healthy parents and in-laws who are supportive of my family in so many big and little ways which is likely to include trips halfway across the world to see us. We have tremendous friends who nurture us and treat our children like their own. Lastly, I passed my exams this year and thus do not have that burden of stress over my head and can return to reading for enjoyment and learning for the sheer pleasure of acquiring knowledge - something that brings me so much joy.
The problem with only looking at the good side though is that it doesn't acknowledge the opposites of life. The good things are sweeter because the hard things are there to remind you to savour them. My children are a joy in my life but they are also really difficult at these ages. They are pushing the boundaries of their little lungs and bodies which is natural but trying as a mother that longs for some peace after a hard year. I love my usual job so much that I miss the security of "knowing what to do and being the one who gets to do it". Fellowship and research is rewarding but it can be isolating and humbling and sometimes planning for the big picture seems futile in the moment. We have the privilege of being healthy but it still hurts my heart when I can't understand what Cian wants to tell me and I watch how he struggles with his speech. It's a very difficult thing for me to have faith about and I don't talk about it often because usually I lock it up in the corner of my heart but it's probably my hardest struggle so I can't imagine how difficult it is for him. I lost my grandmother to ovarian cancer this year and I am just starting to scratch the surface of the grief associated with that. Cian and I made borscht yesterday and even the smells seem strange with her gone. I laugh at her incredibly vague recipes and wish I could call her to clarify (cook a small cabbage til it's done - what does that even mean? :P) I would love to tell her about our new adventure because even though she wasn't keen on them she always liked to hear about them after the fact. The bittersweet reality is everyday I see little bits of her in the cherub cheeks, lips and nose of my little girl. How they would have loved each other.
So I'm thankful this Thanksgiving even though it's not Thanksgiving here. Keith says it's because Aussies are thankful every day that nothing tried to kill them. I find it freeing to be thankful on a day I don't have to be. To acknowledge the hard things as a reminder to be truly thankful for all the really good things in our life.
I have a tremendous amount to be thankful for. First of all, I have a beautiful family of four who make me laugh and are caring and funny and a huge gift. I have the financial means to be able to take them on this year-long trip Down Under to experience new things and spend some time together as a family. I have a job that I love that gives me a tremendous amount of joy and fulfillment. I am healthy and able to take long walks with my kids to explore our new surroundings. I have a marriage that is strong, mutually respectful and built on a foundation of love and have had the privilege of enjoying that for almost 10 years. I have healthy parents and in-laws who are supportive of my family in so many big and little ways which is likely to include trips halfway across the world to see us. We have tremendous friends who nurture us and treat our children like their own. Lastly, I passed my exams this year and thus do not have that burden of stress over my head and can return to reading for enjoyment and learning for the sheer pleasure of acquiring knowledge - something that brings me so much joy.
The problem with only looking at the good side though is that it doesn't acknowledge the opposites of life. The good things are sweeter because the hard things are there to remind you to savour them. My children are a joy in my life but they are also really difficult at these ages. They are pushing the boundaries of their little lungs and bodies which is natural but trying as a mother that longs for some peace after a hard year. I love my usual job so much that I miss the security of "knowing what to do and being the one who gets to do it". Fellowship and research is rewarding but it can be isolating and humbling and sometimes planning for the big picture seems futile in the moment. We have the privilege of being healthy but it still hurts my heart when I can't understand what Cian wants to tell me and I watch how he struggles with his speech. It's a very difficult thing for me to have faith about and I don't talk about it often because usually I lock it up in the corner of my heart but it's probably my hardest struggle so I can't imagine how difficult it is for him. I lost my grandmother to ovarian cancer this year and I am just starting to scratch the surface of the grief associated with that. Cian and I made borscht yesterday and even the smells seem strange with her gone. I laugh at her incredibly vague recipes and wish I could call her to clarify (cook a small cabbage til it's done - what does that even mean? :P) I would love to tell her about our new adventure because even though she wasn't keen on them she always liked to hear about them after the fact. The bittersweet reality is everyday I see little bits of her in the cherub cheeks, lips and nose of my little girl. How they would have loved each other.
So I'm thankful this Thanksgiving even though it's not Thanksgiving here. Keith says it's because Aussies are thankful every day that nothing tried to kill them. I find it freeing to be thankful on a day I don't have to be. To acknowledge the hard things as a reminder to be truly thankful for all the really good things in our life.
Saturday, 12 October 2013
Great Landlords and a Find for a Rainy Day
Yesterday we were invited to afternoon tea at our landlord's sister's house. We hadn't met yet so Al invited us to come and there were some of her friends there too since she was home from Darwin for the week. We have really lucked out on the landlord front. She is so lovely. Really concerned that we are getting around ok and that we are enjoying our time. When I mentioned something about having paid the rent that day it was almost like she didn't want to talk about how there was rent being charged among friends. The other residents there were really nice too. Most with babies-in-arms. Al's brother-in-law is a teacher so that was nice for Keith and their house in one of the northern suburbs of Melbourne was lovely especially the indoor/outdoor kitchen/garden. It was a lovely afternoon.
The other big realization in chatting with Al yesterday was that there is an LCD projector at the house. This is particularly hilarious because Keith and I have been talking for days about how the screen over the patio door would be perfect for a projector. We'd even looked online just to see how much they would be for the rainy/sick days with the kids (and sickness has been around every day for the last two weeks "when will these colds end????"). It also made so much more sense since they have a fair number of movies and we figured it was a more extensive collection than someone would play on their laptop. And there was a remote in the area under the stairs and a box on top of the wine rack (something we use often) and I never thought to look at the box. Can't believe it's been hiding in plain sight this whole time. Keith set it up last night and it was fun to have Cian come down to "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" on the big screen. The timing was great because today is too rainy to go play at the park (our usual twice daily activity) so movie day inside it is!
The other big realization in chatting with Al yesterday was that there is an LCD projector at the house. This is particularly hilarious because Keith and I have been talking for days about how the screen over the patio door would be perfect for a projector. We'd even looked online just to see how much they would be for the rainy/sick days with the kids (and sickness has been around every day for the last two weeks "when will these colds end????"). It also made so much more sense since they have a fair number of movies and we figured it was a more extensive collection than someone would play on their laptop. And there was a remote in the area under the stairs and a box on top of the wine rack (something we use often) and I never thought to look at the box. Can't believe it's been hiding in plain sight this whole time. Keith set it up last night and it was fun to have Cian come down to "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" on the big screen. The timing was great because today is too rainy to go play at the park (our usual twice daily activity) so movie day inside it is!
Monday, 7 October 2013
Australians and Canadians: Long-lots siblings?
Australians have been so lovely to us. I have been really impressed with how friendly everyone has been. People at various stores, appointments for work, at the park, on the street have gone out of their way to ensure we are getting around ok and enjoying our time here.
Today I had to go to the medical board and had to bring Cian because Emily had her first music class. It was a quick meeting where this guy had to see some documents so I didn't think it would be a big deal to bring Cian along and it wasn't. The man was very nice to both of us, asking how we were doing and if we were enjoying Australia. He talked directly to Cian about a few things too. It's something I've really noticed here about adult men. Maybe it's a function of where I usually am with the kids but there have been numerous adult men who have talked to the kids and this has been surprising to me (in a nice way). Usually in a couple it's the older woman or the mother/grandmother who stops and says hello and men (especially by themselves) seem to keep to themselves. Anyway, it's something I've noticed and it's nice.
Australians have been so nice that on our way to what is now remembered as the "failed attempt at visiting the Zoo" someone called to us FROM THEIR CAR while waiting for a light on a 6 lane highway to ask us what we were looking for on the map and if they could help us (and they did point us in the right direction instead of the wrong way we were going).
There are lots of examples: service people, train station attendants, people at the park. They're also very welcoming when they find out we're from Canada; like we're two sides of the same distantly flipped coin. Maybe it's the extreme weather that builds character.
Also in Melbourne they have a love of 7-11 I can get behind. Although Manitoba might be the Slurpee capital of Canada I don't think it's the Slurpee capital of the world. I've seen way more 7-11s here than back home. And although Australians are very similar to us in demeanor their Slurpees have an American flavour and I'm not a huge fan (I think it's frothier?) and the small size is $2.60. Fortunately, Hungry Jack's (the Australian Burger King) that is 50 paces from our house has $1 frozen Cokes that are like the Slurpees I am used to. I'm sure when the warm weather kicks in I'm going to have to will myself down the stock path in the direction of the gym and not in the direction of Hungry Jack's. Hopefully that won't be the road less traveled by, for I fear that may make all the difference...in pounds.
ON top of the convinience of the proximity of frozen Cokes and gyms I am grateful everyday for the place we've ended up in this year. It's in a really great location for us. Lots of parks, the rec centre, the long walking baths and the most recent excitement...the signet. A signet, for those of you who didn't know (like me), is a baby swan. There is a duck conservation area beside the walking path near our house and the Black Swans have had a baby swan (signet) that is white and fluffy and super cute. The kids love going there to see if we can see the baby. It's a beautiful walk, especially on Sunday morning when the rowers are out on the Yarra river. The rowing club is up the river from us so there were a few single and group rowing teams on the water as well as a couple kayakers (although my well-trained kid was looking for a canoe because he "loves canoes"). There were also cranes, diving ducks and swallows so lots for the kids to see as we went for a long walk down the palm tree lined path. Basically the cardinal rule of real estate has applied itself in full force for us this year: Location Location Location!
Today I had to go to the medical board and had to bring Cian because Emily had her first music class. It was a quick meeting where this guy had to see some documents so I didn't think it would be a big deal to bring Cian along and it wasn't. The man was very nice to both of us, asking how we were doing and if we were enjoying Australia. He talked directly to Cian about a few things too. It's something I've really noticed here about adult men. Maybe it's a function of where I usually am with the kids but there have been numerous adult men who have talked to the kids and this has been surprising to me (in a nice way). Usually in a couple it's the older woman or the mother/grandmother who stops and says hello and men (especially by themselves) seem to keep to themselves. Anyway, it's something I've noticed and it's nice.
Australians have been so nice that on our way to what is now remembered as the "failed attempt at visiting the Zoo" someone called to us FROM THEIR CAR while waiting for a light on a 6 lane highway to ask us what we were looking for on the map and if they could help us (and they did point us in the right direction instead of the wrong way we were going).
There are lots of examples: service people, train station attendants, people at the park. They're also very welcoming when they find out we're from Canada; like we're two sides of the same distantly flipped coin. Maybe it's the extreme weather that builds character.
Also in Melbourne they have a love of 7-11 I can get behind. Although Manitoba might be the Slurpee capital of Canada I don't think it's the Slurpee capital of the world. I've seen way more 7-11s here than back home. And although Australians are very similar to us in demeanor their Slurpees have an American flavour and I'm not a huge fan (I think it's frothier?) and the small size is $2.60. Fortunately, Hungry Jack's (the Australian Burger King) that is 50 paces from our house has $1 frozen Cokes that are like the Slurpees I am used to. I'm sure when the warm weather kicks in I'm going to have to will myself down the stock path in the direction of the gym and not in the direction of Hungry Jack's. Hopefully that won't be the road less traveled by, for I fear that may make all the difference...in pounds.
ON top of the convinience of the proximity of frozen Cokes and gyms I am grateful everyday for the place we've ended up in this year. It's in a really great location for us. Lots of parks, the rec centre, the long walking baths and the most recent excitement...the signet. A signet, for those of you who didn't know (like me), is a baby swan. There is a duck conservation area beside the walking path near our house and the Black Swans have had a baby swan (signet) that is white and fluffy and super cute. The kids love going there to see if we can see the baby. It's a beautiful walk, especially on Sunday morning when the rowers are out on the Yarra river. The rowing club is up the river from us so there were a few single and group rowing teams on the water as well as a couple kayakers (although my well-trained kid was looking for a canoe because he "loves canoes"). There were also cranes, diving ducks and swallows so lots for the kids to see as we went for a long walk down the palm tree lined path. Basically the cardinal rule of real estate has applied itself in full force for us this year: Location Location Location!
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
Under the Weather Down Under
I am thankful that the inevitable sickness of international travel did not happen until after we have recovered from jet lag.
It hit me first. On Monday I had a bad headache, crawled back into bed after a trip to the store and slept for several hours and then began to feel more human. I think I only awoke that entire day due to 120 km/hr winds in Victoria. Even Keith was a bit spooked by the wind and nothing really rattles him.
The kids seem to have gotten separate vague illnesses with weird symptoms. Emily has had a runny nose for a few days but has as much, if not more, energy than usual.
Cian is the worst I think. Mostly because even when he is sick he is usually chipper and running around but yesterday he pulled a blanket over himself on the couch after supper and fell asleep before Emily. He then slept all night and woke up this morning to tell me he was still sick. Poor kid. He now has some medicine in him ("because he's a big boy and big boys get medicine" he informed Emily) and has gone back to bed to watch Jake and the Neverland Pirates on Keith's laptop. A big thank you to Netflix - illness is way better when you can enjoy a vast number of movies and TV shows.
Keith seems to have gotten through this unscathed so far. Which is nice because he has a full dance card of Magic, the Gathering tournaments to go to as well as a "Men of Kensington" pub night he was invited to tomorrow from one of the other dads at the playground.
It's been rainy and windy especially over the last week and although I think our Canadian blood is pretty hearty I am looking forward to the warm Australian sun I have heard about. I'm sure I will hate myself for saying that when I am dying of heat in the middle of summer (aka Dec/Jan) but right now a little warmth would be welcome.
It hit me first. On Monday I had a bad headache, crawled back into bed after a trip to the store and slept for several hours and then began to feel more human. I think I only awoke that entire day due to 120 km/hr winds in Victoria. Even Keith was a bit spooked by the wind and nothing really rattles him.
The kids seem to have gotten separate vague illnesses with weird symptoms. Emily has had a runny nose for a few days but has as much, if not more, energy than usual.
Cian is the worst I think. Mostly because even when he is sick he is usually chipper and running around but yesterday he pulled a blanket over himself on the couch after supper and fell asleep before Emily. He then slept all night and woke up this morning to tell me he was still sick. Poor kid. He now has some medicine in him ("because he's a big boy and big boys get medicine" he informed Emily) and has gone back to bed to watch Jake and the Neverland Pirates on Keith's laptop. A big thank you to Netflix - illness is way better when you can enjoy a vast number of movies and TV shows.
Keith seems to have gotten through this unscathed so far. Which is nice because he has a full dance card of Magic, the Gathering tournaments to go to as well as a "Men of Kensington" pub night he was invited to tomorrow from one of the other dads at the playground.
It's been rainy and windy especially over the last week and although I think our Canadian blood is pretty hearty I am looking forward to the warm Australian sun I have heard about. I'm sure I will hate myself for saying that when I am dying of heat in the middle of summer (aka Dec/Jan) but right now a little warmth would be welcome.
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