Blissful E » life in Australia

Posts Tagged ‘life in Australia’

02 Sep, 2010

city to surf

Posted by: blissfule In: Perth

We briefly participated in City to Surf Perth 2010 on Sunday morning.

Crossing this same street on the way to church was easy, but our way back was blocked.

We couldn't go over it, under it, or around it, so we took our family of five through it, by waiting for a slower pack of runners, going in the direction of flow, and gently angling our way across the street.

When we got to the other side, Nikki and Michael did some running of their own.

3 Comments

Tags: life in Australia, preschooler, toddler

04 Jul, 2010

Independence Day Fair

Posted by: blissfule In: Perth

Our day began with blueberry pancakes, followed by a brief history lesson and rousing renditions of America the Beautiful, The Star Spangled Banner, and the Pledge of Allegiance. We loaded into the car and practiced chanting U-S-A! U-S-A! as we drove to Kardinya.

There we were greeted with classic American cars, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and American military vehicles. Local teams played American football. Vi had her lunch while Baba, Nikki and Michael stood in a long long queue for American hot dogs, and after we ate the older children explored the petting zoo at this year's Independence Day Fair put on by the American Women's Club of Perth.

Happy Birthday, America!

4 Comments

Tags: life in Australia, preschooler, toddler

30 Jun, 2010

The Beach House Kids Fun Centre

Posted by: blissfule In: Perth

Nikki and Michael have been going above and beyond even my high expectations recently - sitting quietly during two-hour Bible studies and playing kindly with each other while I strip antique door frames.

I wanted to thank my kiddos for their absolutely stellar behaviour, so we met up with a friend and went to The Beach House this week. It was crowded when we arrived but thinned out during and after lunch. By 1:30 we had the place practically to ourselves and made the most of the awesome climbing and driving facilities while other children were sensibly home napping.

Nikki and Michael climbed to the top of this three-level structure, looked in the slide, giggled hysterically and came back down via alternative routes.

Afterward, Nikki said her favourite part was driving the cars.

Unprompted, Michael thanked me as we drove home for taking them to the 'play place,' and Nikki told me that she had had a lot of fun. It was a great day out!

4 Comments

Tags: life in Australia, preschooler, toddler

26 Jun, 2010

lunar eclipse

Posted by: blissfule In: Perth

lunar eclipse photo taken by Ben from our back yard

3 Comments

Tags: life in Australia

26 May, 2010

simultaneous story time

Posted by: blissfule In: Perth

Congratulations to Kayla, who worked VERY hard on her birthday to bring her firstborn into the world in the wee hours of the next morning. Leonydas Matthew, born to Kayla and Aaron on 26 May, is one cute baby, weighing in at 8lb 8.6oz and 22.25 inches long!

Today we stumbled upon an annual Aussie tradition, where mayors across the country all read the same book at the same time to children in their local libraries.

Little White Dogs Can't Jump is a picture book, but it struck me as one of those that's more for the parents than the kids. I couldn't help but feel sorry for all these mayors across the country simultaneously struggling to explain picture book humor line by line. Nevertheless, our mayor assured us that this was his favourite event of the year.

As we prepared to make crafts afterward, the mayor asked everyone who they would give their completed crafts to. "Mum" came the reply. Then the mayor asked his grandson who he would give his craft to. "Mum." So the mayor laughed and left without a paper dog to commemorate his visit.

3 Comments

Tags: birth announcement, children's book, life in Australia, months 7-9, preschooler, toddler

26 Apr, 2010

three-day weekend

Posted by: blissfule In: Perth

Ben said, "No babywearing this time." I still think he's quite handsome.

1 Comment

Tags: Ben, life in Australia

20 Apr, 2010

Red Bull air race :: Perth 2010

Posted by: blissfule In: Perth

We walked down to the South Perth foreshore on Saturday and watched as fourteen pilots vied for ten slots in the qualifying runs for Sunday's Red Bull air race. The Royal Australian Air Force Roulettes also made a visit to the west coast to entertain racegoers with aerial acrobatics.

4 Comments

Tags: life in Australia, months 7-9, preschooler, toddler, video

19 Apr, 2010

live in central Perth

Posted by: blissfule In: Perth

Friday evening a number of performing arts and other community organisations came together for a special live event free and open to the public in central Perth.

We met Ben after work and enjoyed the Pinstripe Circus, a Western Australian Youth Orchestra percussion quartet, an Indigenous Arts performance, and three dancers from the Western Australian Ballet performing Suite No. 2, Third Movement.

Amongst all the other entertainments, Vi was most excited to see... her Baba!

6 Comments

Tags: life in Australia, months 7-9

15 Apr, 2010

and lorikeets dropped by

Posted by: blissfule In: Perth

Today as I stepped outside to check the laundry I heard a different bird call than usual. Looking up, I spotted four Rainbow Lorikeets having a chat in our palm tree.

Thank you for your kind comments on my last post - Michael hasn't peed on the floor since! I'm sure we still have a ways to go before everything makes it in the toilet, but it's nice we're back on track after such a difficult morning.

4 Comments

Tags: life in Australia

17 Mar, 2010