Goodbye.
Emily experienced her first goodbye down under on Monday, as Sue, Lynsey, and Kaden caught an early flight to Sydney. I could see her getting choked up as we pulled out of the driveway. It’s such a strange feeling as most people that come here on vacation want to stay forever, and have a hard time understanding why we feel so sad when our friends and family have to go back to the “real world”. I think having people leave to go back home makes us miss the comforts of home. But it usually just takes a day or so before we get back on track and appreciate what Australia has to offer. I didn’t know Emily’s friends before they came here, but they were such a sweet family, and I am so glad that we were able to help make their trip to Australia happen. Sue said she has never really left the farm, never flown. Go big or go home. :). Kaden was such a good boy – jet lag and all. And Lynsey took more pictures in 6 days than I have in 2 years. :). Thank you for arriving just in time to help Em get over her first Little Dipper, for forcing her to stretch herself and venture out further down the M1, for being a “grandma Sue” to Lily, and for including both of my children on several of your outings.  They came as strangers and left as mates.  Here are a few more pictures from their adventures.

   
                

Kaden wore this costume for 3 days straight. Including sleeping.                  

Nanny Cam.

This week Em had some friends over to the house for a play date. Lily and Sage are best mates – 2 peas in a pod. 
   
             

You can never do too much to protect yourself from the Aussie sun.

   
    

Speaking of the Aussie sun, what is Lily going to do when we move back home and she doesn’t have 365 days of sunshine and this view to admire?
   
     

Getting fizzy.   

   
           

Rough day… This is what the girls do when they are waiting on a tradie.

  

Daddy Boat Lights.

Em and I took the kids to the marina to pick up a movie and pick up a few groceries.  I entertained the kids while Em went to the store.  Lily and I were sitting on the bench chatting about the boats.  I asked which was her favorite and she pointed to one in the front with some fun lights around it.  She said “daddy boat lights.”  I told her that she should tell dad when we get home that she wants him to put lights on the boat.  A half hour later, we walked in the door and she ran up to Jay and said, “daddy boat lights.”  Em and I looked at each other, jaws dropped.  Wow.  Three days later, Em and Liky went to the store.  When Em was putting the groceries in the buggy, she looked up and spotted Lily in the bench looking at the boats.  Em went up to her, Lily pointed and said, “Daddy boat lights.”  Jay better pick up some lights… 

 Run Ty Run!

Ty had his first school sports competition. They had a Prep to Year 3 cross country carnival, which they called a “fun run”. Yes, everyone got ribbons (actually a piece of paper but for effect I am going to refer to them as ribbons). I suppose I am OK with that, as 600 meters is quite a long way for little 5 and 6 year old legs to run. The one little boy who nearly puked just before the finish line but held it in certainly deserved a ribbon for showing extreme control over his gag reflexes. And if they didn’t give ribbons to everyone, then Ty wouldn’t have received one. However, if they had run a 100 meter race, Ty would have won first place. I was giving him a pep talk that morning and I told him not to get caught in the adrenaline rush at the start of the race, but he must not have been paying much attention. He did hear me talk about Aunt Jekka getting to run in the statewide competition for the 100 meter hurdles. He said, “but what happens if you step on the turtles? Won’t you break their shell?” Kids say the darnedest things! So I showed him a couple videos of people running hurdles sprints. Maybe that is why he blew everyone away at the start of the race. Or maybe it was because he dressed like a ninja turtle that morning. Or maybe it was from rocking out to TNT the whole way to school – I am dynamite. Whatever it was, he took off like a shot. And then he crashed. Yes, if you are wondering if he walked, the answer is yes. And my competitive spirit was shouting “run Ty run!!” He walked a bit, let half the kids go past, and then got a burst of energy and went off on his second 100 meter dash. His timing was terrible, though, because he was tuckered out near the finish line, and he actually walked to the finish. Oh boy. We have some work to do, but he did show hints of greatness. Just need to polish that little diamond in the rough. One of his mates, Harry, won the race easily. He could have just kept on going. I think he is going to be a little star. Great job to all of the kids who gave it a go! While Ty’s team (the red team) – the Greasley house – was the favorite, the yellow team took home the trophy.
   
                               

Cooly.

Saturday was a big day. After swim lessons (Lily got a new swim cap),we took Brumby out to his first car show. The old ute was finally road ready. Ty and Jay followed behind us girls, so Em got some good selfies of Brumby’s maiden voyage down the M1. After looking for a parking spot for an hour and a half, we both finally found spots. We saw some cool cars, and the girls got to do some shopping. I was looking for the perfect Australian 1950’s dress to wear to car shows back home – no luck yet.
    
        Queen.
The queen’s birthday was on Monday so we got the day off. I did some work while Em and Jay washed cars and ironed clothes.  And then we cleaned the fish tank.  For an hour.  For the love of God, how can one tiny little fish make such a mess?  And where are Jess and Jason when I need them to clean the nasty tank?  The tank looks better today than it did on day 1.  Ty picked out a new addition to the Great Barrier Reef.  I don’t think Nemo and Doodie are big fans.   

 We did a little shopping and then went to the park with Ty’s bicycle – minus the training wheels. Jay and I got a good workout, and Ty did great. It will take a few more attempts before he is totally comfortable, but I think he did a great job.  There may or may not have been a bribe of candy involved in this activity…  I think Jay was more nervous than Ty.  Apparently his first real bike ride was traumatic.  Would love to hear Kirk ad Sherry’s version of the story…

          

Laundry Room.

The laundry room is where we send the kids for a time out when they have been naughty.  Sometimes I send myself there.  Not necessarily because I haven’t been a good girl, but because I need to sneak away to eat an ice cream bar.  So I guess that does make me naughty…  There is also a fridge full of beer.  I love the laundry room. 

 Fiji.
We leave paradise for another paradise on Saturday, as we are flying to Fiji. I. Can’t. Wait. Going to (try to) unplug and relax.  Might be a while before you hear an update.  We don’t really have any plans – will see where the adventure takes us!

G’day mates!