Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi, oh, really, like I care that much...
Happy Australian Day, everyone!
This morning, Max decided he wanted to go swimming. We got the towels and swimmers and all the accoutrements required when taking two small children to the pool. We piled into the car (and boggled at the irish backpackers across the road, who were up late last night and still managed to be up early this morning, drinking beer and sitting in the sun... Have they never heard of hangovers??) and headed off to the Cook and Philip Park, our pool of choice. Only to discover that the road was blocked at Hyde Park due to some parade, or party, or something. (We never quite worked out what it was.) Thought we were going to have to ditch the entire plan, but then while in the side streets of East Sydney, found The Perfect Parking Spot. (It had been disregarded by other drivers, as it was No Parking all day, Mon-Sat. But while today's a Friday, it's a public holiday so it's technically a Sunday. I love public holidays.)
And walking to the pool, a lovely man on one of those motorised razor scooters stopped to say hi to Max, and offered his scooter to him for a ride. Max was dearly tempted, but was too shy to actually do more than hold my hand and stare at his shoes (and say, incredibly quietly, "thank you"). At any rate, the lovely man wished us a "Happy Australian Day", and I like that term better than "Australia Day" at the moment. (At any rate, the only references to "Australia Day" I've heard today are from Irish backpacking louts, so I'll take "Australian Day" in preference.)
And, and, and! At the pool, a siren went, and I sat there in the shallow end with Nell thinking "I wonder what that was about" and got whacked in the back of the head with a wave! They'd turned on the wave generator! Wheeeee! I'd never seen it going before, it was most fun. The first few waves were all perfect sine waves, and then the interference started, and it was just pure choppy watery chaos. (Especially with all the kids running amok in the water.) Nell's not sure if she likes waves though. But she ended up sitting on the side, with her feet in the water, and that was fine with her. Max and Mr TQD were right up the front of it all.
Then after "nap" time (I was the only one who actually got any sleep), we trundled off to a mate's house for a last minute BBQ. Seven kids (Max the eldest, the youngest was a baby boy whose age is still measured in weeks). Much chaos, but highly entertaining chaos. Mr TQD marinated a mean lamb chop or two, and the kids had sausages inna bun. Terribly traditional.
Then home, with much protesting from Max, who wanted to stay forever!!!! but had to come home for bedtime. (And it was past Nell's bedtime!) Max was still awake when the fireworks at the local park went off (a great view from his bedroom window, only he didn't like the noise, so we couldn't open the curtains or the windows. Oh well, maybe next year).
Sorry I missed the council celebrations at the park, deense! I see you (or someone) released a lot of books there at any rate, I hope they all get journalled!
This morning, Max decided he wanted to go swimming. We got the towels and swimmers and all the accoutrements required when taking two small children to the pool. We piled into the car (and boggled at the irish backpackers across the road, who were up late last night and still managed to be up early this morning, drinking beer and sitting in the sun... Have they never heard of hangovers??) and headed off to the Cook and Philip Park, our pool of choice. Only to discover that the road was blocked at Hyde Park due to some parade, or party, or something. (We never quite worked out what it was.) Thought we were going to have to ditch the entire plan, but then while in the side streets of East Sydney, found The Perfect Parking Spot. (It had been disregarded by other drivers, as it was No Parking all day, Mon-Sat. But while today's a Friday, it's a public holiday so it's technically a Sunday. I love public holidays.)
And walking to the pool, a lovely man on one of those motorised razor scooters stopped to say hi to Max, and offered his scooter to him for a ride. Max was dearly tempted, but was too shy to actually do more than hold my hand and stare at his shoes (and say, incredibly quietly, "thank you"). At any rate, the lovely man wished us a "Happy Australian Day", and I like that term better than "Australia Day" at the moment. (At any rate, the only references to "Australia Day" I've heard today are from Irish backpacking louts, so I'll take "Australian Day" in preference.)
And, and, and! At the pool, a siren went, and I sat there in the shallow end with Nell thinking "I wonder what that was about" and got whacked in the back of the head with a wave! They'd turned on the wave generator! Wheeeee! I'd never seen it going before, it was most fun. The first few waves were all perfect sine waves, and then the interference started, and it was just pure choppy watery chaos. (Especially with all the kids running amok in the water.) Nell's not sure if she likes waves though. But she ended up sitting on the side, with her feet in the water, and that was fine with her. Max and Mr TQD were right up the front of it all.
Then after "nap" time (I was the only one who actually got any sleep), we trundled off to a mate's house for a last minute BBQ. Seven kids (Max the eldest, the youngest was a baby boy whose age is still measured in weeks). Much chaos, but highly entertaining chaos. Mr TQD marinated a mean lamb chop or two, and the kids had sausages inna bun. Terribly traditional.
Then home, with much protesting from Max, who wanted to stay forever!!!! but had to come home for bedtime. (And it was past Nell's bedtime!) Max was still awake when the fireworks at the local park went off (a great view from his bedroom window, only he didn't like the noise, so we couldn't open the curtains or the windows. Oh well, maybe next year).
Sorry I missed the council celebrations at the park, deense! I see you (or someone) released a lot of books there at any rate, I hope they all get journalled!