Colonization Day

Joy's school had Colonization Day, where each child got to leave their school uniform behind for a day and become a soldier, soldier's wife, convict or free settler.  Joy opted to be a soldier's wife.  I (flyer) have been learning to sew a bit, so when she came home asking if I would sew her a costume I was happy to give it a go.  She looks like something more from the Little House on the Prairie, but she was thrilled with it.

She found a broom a witch left behind at our annual Halloween party, and decided she needed to do her 'chores' before school.  I've never seen her so happy to sweep the back patio.  If this is all it takes, I see more bonnets and dresses in her future!

She was keen to take many pictures and many poses to share with her Grandmothers.

When it was finally time to go head to school, she got her friend/classmate from across the street to walk to school with her.  (With Boomer, of course!  He walks with her on non-wet days, dropping her at school on the way to the train.  They enjoy their morning 'alone' time.)  The friend/classmate/neighbor decided to dress up like the Governor's wife.  She was fancy!

I haven't seen Joy hop out of bed to get dressed so quickly since...  well...  the last time she didn't have to wear her uniform to school!

When she was walking to the car after school I was recording her, she looked so stinking cute!  I was so happy I had the recording going, because she hopped in the car and instantly started sharing what she had learned.  It was one of those great moments I was lucky enough to get recorded!  I learned quite a bit... I bet you will, too.

Enjoy!

First Camping Adventure

We went camping with some friends and had a great time!  We camped on the Colo River.

It wasn't Boomer's dream camping situation - there were bathrooms.  He prefers to hike out into the middle of no where and camp surrounded by nature and dig holes for his business.

It wasn't Flyer's dream camping situation, either.  There were only cold showers.  :)

Joy thought it was perfect!  (Joy usually does find everything wonderful.  Unless there are large amounts of vegetables involved.)

We went with some pro-campers. This is ours...

This is theirs...

It didn't take long for the kids to find the rope swing behind our camping spot.

Joy knows her daddy well.  She took Boomer over for a go.  This is one of many pictures, he had a blast!

                                                   

We had great fires each night...

So, clearly we had to teach these Aussies all about the joys of S'Mores!  You can tell from the look of these 'Joeys' how enjoyed they were!

We might not have had hot showers, but we did have a few modern luxuries, like an outdoor cinema for the kids...

An indoor cinema for the kids...

Polly Pockets - enjoyed by all genders... four hours on end!

When it wasn't raining (man, did it rain that weekend!) we did enjoy the beautifully clear water in the Colo River!

What water/sand combo can be enjoyed without burying someone?!  (And then, obviously, running over them.)

I love this next one!  The big Joys were so good with the baby one!

The laughter was music to my ears!

Friendships were strengthened and fortified in those cold, cold waters!

It didn't take them long to find a rope swing into the river, either!  They actually found two, but I would have had to go into the COLD water in order to get those pictures.  So, you'll just have to take my word for it.  Here is the location lazy warm people could photograph...

Boomer, the biggest kid of them all, couldn't contain himself!

People love us on vacation - I cook and Boomer plays with the kids and does things like jump into frozen water to protect our little ones!  I love my Boomer!  I did my part, I held his cold hand as we walked back to our campsite.  A girl has to do what a girl has to do!

We had a great trip.  Here is our grungy group photo after three days of rain, campfires, cold swimming and no warm showers!

We had a great trip, can't wait for the next one!  We've found some great friends here, already.  

One of the hardest things about moving is leaving behind great, lifelong - if not eternal, friends.  

One of the best things?  Finding more!

Bush Walk

In early September we had our first official family bush walk, and were lucky enough to hear about the Muogamarra Nature Reserve from a friend who has become my living 'Encyclopedia of Fun'.  Kind of like Onstar for anyone who might have it.  You just ring her, and she fills you in with all sorts of fun information.  Sometimes you are really SUPER lucky and you open your email or a text message to find a golden nugget...  like this one!  We sure love this lady, and I am proud to call her a friend...  but here we'll call her Doe (another name for a girl kangaroo)!  Thanks, Doe! (I swiped this off your FB page!  I need to get you and my camera in the same room soon!)

The reserve is only open a few weeks each year when the wildflowers are in bloom, to preserve the area.  

We had a friend of Joy's along for the journey.  We'll call him little man.  Here is a picture of them after parking and preparing to start our adventure!

They gave us a photography guide of the wildflowers, and we took turns taking pictures of them as we found them!  Who ever spotted the flower off the guide got to take the picture.  I have no idea who took which pictures now, but I have to say we all did a great job considering we were using my iPhone!

Here are some of the amazing flowers we saw during our few hours in the bush...

I LOVE this pod.  I wish I had put my hand next to it so you could see just how big it was.  Think really big pine cone.  I wonder if these had anything to do with the development of castanets?

This next one is related to the similar version that we eat.  Only this one is kind of a last mean option, if you know what I mean.  Interesting it is red.  DANGER.  DO NOT EAT ME.  One wonders these things, especially if you are tired when blogging!

Awesome, right?

So many plants and flowers.

Check out the size of this one compared to Boomer's face!  It has a huge bloom, and stands close to six feet in the air.

I really liked this shot. Don't know which kid got it, but well done!

Okay, now for the scenery. The views were AMAZING. Prepare to be inspired to book a ticket down under!

I like this one, especially those three human looking weeds...

Ah, the Roo family...

Everything is so amazing.  Just the trees take my breath away.

I'm going to hang this one on my wall.  This is like ten minutes from my house.  How did I get so lucky?!

Joy and Boomer on top of the world.  Boomer is standing in a rock that was carved out by the natives for shelter once upon a time.

Here are a couple of Joy and Little Man.  They really had a great time together.

These are their Hunger Game pictures.  They don't have a clue who Peeta or Katniss are but as I was taking the pictures of them, that is what was running through my head!

Another contender for the wall...  it is hard for me to not believe in God when I see such beauty.  Man can't create anything quite like this!

Or this...

This tree has caused me much reflection and contemplation.  It was gutted, literally, by fire.  But it still stands.  It still lives.  It still produces leaves and provides shelter for animals and crawly things in need.

Life isn't easy for any of us.  Many of us feel gutted by fires (trials) that attack us or our forest (family).  If our roots are deep enough...  if we keep trying...  we not only endure - we adapt and become stronger because of it.

Easy?  No.  But much better than the alternative, and worth it in the long run!

More adventures to come!

Girls Day Out

Joy and I have already met some great friends here in Australia.

K & K took us into Sydney for the first time in August. We went for high tea, and had a great time.

Little K and Joy were great fun.

In hindsight, however, perhaps fancy high tea isn't the place to take kids who aren't keen to eat everything placed in front of them. Joy was not impressed with the sandwich options! Little K did okay with some of the sandwiches but wasn't a fan of the scones or some of the treats.

Big K and I enjoyed it - and ate our fill since our little ones weren't so interested in everything.

They were adorable all dressed up!  They ordered hot cocoa first, then ordered peppermint tea.

After our tea, big K took us to see the Sydney Opera House.  We just did a drive by, and hopped out of the car for a quick walk and photographs.

I don't know why, but I love this next one of Joy and little K.  Can you tell they were attempting to act like adults by Joy's hand motions...  or was that just because I was there?  They were so funny!

Little K took this picture of Joy and me.  We both have our eyes shut, but it is the only proof that I have of us being there together, so it is going up!  :)

Moving around the world is exciting, but often daunting.  You leave behind new friends, people you love and cherish.  People who will be a part of your lives forever.  It is always sad to leave.  Finding new friends, the kind you know will join the list of the loved and cherished, however - makes it all worth while.

Thanks Big K and Little K, for joining our list of cherished friends - and for showing us a great time in Sydney!