Well, we couldn't hold off any longer! Aussies think we're crazy because it's winter here and just 70-80 degrees...freezing for them...and why go to the beach when it's freezing!? But we just couldn't hold off any longer. Last Weds. the kids and Lex had the day off for the Ekka holiday. It's basically like the state fair. We opted out of going since it sounded like something we could see in the states and headed for the Gold Coast instead. It's about an hour drive to a decent beach, even though we live on the coast, strange. But anyway, we stopped and picked up and AFL ball (Australian Rules Football) since Park is now on the school team he wanted some practice punching the ball (you're not allowed to throw it; it's passed with an underhand punch, like an underhand volleyball serve) and kicking and catching. It's shaped similarly to our football but not as narrow. Anyway, we grabbed the ball and some day old pizza and headed out. We stopped at Surfer's Paradise. It's a strip of beach similar to Waikiki in Hawaii, very touristy, with lots of restaurants and shops and tents set up selling souvenirs etc. We didn't shop around though. We just picked a spot (we pretty much had our pick, because we were the only ones crazy enough to go to the beach in the winter). It was such a blast. The girls played in the surf, found millions of shells (oh shells, how many bags must you fill?) and built sand castles. Park had a go at boogie boarding and they all stayed in the water until the lifeguards were going off duty and came to let us know they were no longer on "watch" so we..."might want to get the little mates on out of the watah" :) (I'm trying so hard to type the accent; it's just not the same without the lilt). We are all anxiously waiting another trip to the beach. I got to hold down the towels...and read! Ahhh, the life! I pretty much just kept looking at my 3 beautiful kids and my cute husband saying to myself..."Do I really live here?" It was gorgeous! Something I really love about my kids is that they are adventurous. They are all really willing to try pretty much anything. I give Lex a lot of credit for that. He encourages our kids to try hard things and doesn't really let them give up until they've "beaten it". I love that my kids will always try new foods, hard hikes, risky climbs etc. It's impressive to me. And of course, I never cease to be amazed at the new tactics of teasing Parker is willing to try on his sisters-- and yah he doesn't give up on that either. An hour drive to the beach can become a long trip!!!! I'll be honest I had a couple moments where I hoped he'd decide surfing was the life for him and just hull up there on the beach under some dock, grow some dreads, where shark tooth jewelry and come home a couple times a year for holiday! I tried to talk it up to him a bit; the pure pleasure of freedom and sandy toes. But alas, he loves us--can't imagine being without his favorite little tease targets! And truly--those 2 girls would miss him more than they miss root beer, marshmallows and lemonade combined. He's pretty much prince of their world, albeit the prince of tease and annoyance! Of course...I'd wither away without him keeping me on my toes. I love that sigh invoking, make me crazy, lecture producing kid! Heaven help all the 10 year old boys survive in this world and heaven please send even more help to their mums!!!!
That weekend we visited a botanical garden in a place called Mt. Coot-tha. It was incredible. We love botanical gardens and it was awesome to see one Aussie style. It was huge. I know we only saw a bit. They had a children's trail with a hide-n-seek game and the place was hopping with these huge lizards (nothing you'd see in Albquerque, home of many lizards). We originally thought they were iguanas (about the same look) but it turns out they are called water dragons. They were everywhere. I sneaked up behind one and touched it before it skittered off. After the gardens, we drove to the top of the mountain at the peak where they've made a look out over the city. It was gorgeous. We ate dinner up there at a fun cafe and once again, I just kept thinking, "Do I really live here?" Our time is going so fast!
Well, we couldn't hold off any longer! Aussies think we're crazy because it's winter here and just 70-80 degrees...freezing for them...and why go to the beach when it's freezing!? But we just couldn't hold off any longer. Last Weds. the kids and Lex had the day off for the Ekka holiday. It's basically like the state fair. We opted out of going since it sounded like something we could see in the states and headed for the Gold Coast instead. It's about an hour drive to a decent beach, even though we live on the coast, strange. But anyway, we stopped and picked up and AFL ball (Australian Rules Football) since Park is now on the school team he wanted some practice punching the ball (you're not allowed to throw it; it's passed with an underhand punch, like an underhand volleyball serve) and kicking and catching. It's shaped similarly to our football but not as narrow. Anyway, we grabbed the ball and some day old pizza and headed out. We stopped at Surfer's Paradise. It's a strip of beach similar to Waikiki in Hawaii, very touristy, with lots of restaurants and shops and tents set up selling souvenirs etc. We didn't shop around though. We just picked a spot (we pretty much had our pick, because we were the only ones crazy enough to go to the beach in the winter). It was such a blast. The girls played in the surf, found millions of shells (oh shells, how many bags must you fill?) and built sand castles. Park had a go at boogie boarding and they all stayed in the water until the lifeguards were going off duty and came to let us know they were no longer on "watch" so we..."might want to get the little mates on out of the watah" :) (I'm trying so hard to type the accent; it's just not the same without the lilt). We are all anxiously waiting another trip to the beach. I got to hold down the towels...and read! Ahhh, the life! I pretty much just kept looking at my 3 beautiful kids and my cute husband saying to myself..."Do I really live here?" It was gorgeous! Something I really love about my kids is that they are adventurous. They are all really willing to try pretty much anything. I give Lex a lot of credit for that. He encourages our kids to try hard things and doesn't really let them give up until they've "beaten it". I love that my kids will always try new foods, hard hikes, risky climbs etc. It's impressive to me. And of course, I never cease to be amazed at the new tactics of teasing Parker is willing to try on his sisters-- and yah he doesn't give up on that either. An hour drive to the beach can become a long trip!!!! I'll be honest I had a couple moments where I hoped he'd decide surfing was the life for him and just hull up there on the beach under some dock, grow some dreads, where shark tooth jewelry and come home a couple times a year for holiday! I tried to talk it up to him a bit; the pure pleasure of freedom and sandy toes. But alas, he loves us--can't imagine being without his favorite little tease targets! And truly--those 2 girls would miss him more than they miss root beer, marshmallows and lemonade combined. He's pretty much prince of their world, albeit the prince of tease and annoyance! Of course...I'd wither away without him keeping me on my toes. I love that sigh invoking, make me crazy, lecture producing kid! Heaven help all the 10 year old boys survive in this world and heaven please send even more help to their mums!!!! 
That weekend we visited a botanical garden in a place called Mt. Coot-tha. It was incredible. We love botanical gardens and it was awesome to see one Aussie style. It was huge. I know we only saw a bit. They had a children's trail with a hide-n-seek game and the place was hopping with these huge lizards (nothing you'd see in Albquerque, home of many lizards). We originally thought they were iguanas (about the same look) but it turns out they are called water dragons. They were everywhere. I sneaked up behind one and touched it before it skittered off. After the gardens, we drove to the top of the mountain at the peak where they've made a look out over the city. It was gorgeous. We ate dinner up there at a fun cafe and once again, I just kept thinking, "Do I really live here?" Our time is going so fast!
That city view is breath taking! You guys are having some great adventures.
ReplyDeleteI say, "Keep those kids away from those lizards! They look extremely dangerous and rather hungry!!" So fun to see all of you having such a wonderful time - and enjoying it all. Loves - Mom
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