Sun, Snakes, Kanga and Fun.
16th - 22nd May 2011
This passed week has been a crazy busy week for Grant with work, he has been working 15 hour days with very little sleep to keep up with deadlines. He has managed to get on top of things now, so we are all hoping that this week will be the last of the long hours, as the stress of his job has been impacting on everyone in the family. There's only so much one person can do. (poor grumpy Grant)
On Wednesday a new friend from church called Pippi and her son Logan who’s 18 months, took me and the kids out for the day, to have our own personal tour of Perth. Pippi is just a lovely person and I got to know where all kinds of places were, including where all the great discount shopping places are - which is great. Then we headed out to the beach to Hillarys boat harbour for a yummy ice cream and the kids played on the playground at the harbour. It was such a beautiful place, and a great place for kids to swim and play and be safe. Both Gracie and Logan got pretty wet they just loved the water, while Hyrum much preferred building sandcastles.
It was just a lovely day and was really nice to have make a friend, it definately has helped a little with the home sickness.
On Friday evening Alysha’s school held a science night from 5.30 -7pm. we had dinner early that night, then bundled the kids up warmly as the temperature has really dropped here, the kids were really excited to go out, as they don't often get to go out at nigh, we then walked to the primary school (next street over). There were lots of hands-on exhibits that the kids could try. Hyrum loved the 3-D Bob the Builder slider. The science museum also put on a ‘Bubble show’ for the kids, where the kids learnt all about bubbles and they made big bubbles and small bubbles, and even a volcano at the end. It was good, and we found the other parents there very friendly. It seems to be a great area, and would be a great school for Alysha to go to if we were going to stay here longer.
On Saturday we went on an adventure to Armadale Reptile and Wildlife centre. It was about a 40min drive from where we live. The reptile and wildlife centre was an interesting place. First impressions were that it was a bit of a backyard DIY job, so I felt pretty uneasy. They had approx 20-30 different types of snakes in enclosures that I felt were too flimsy to keep snakes in. I got a bit freaked out and wanted to leave :-) They also have some really cool long necked swimming turtles, skinks, lizards, monitors and dragons. They also had a Salt Water crocodile and a wombat (which was kinda cute).
We had a picnic and fed the ponies and donkeys. We saw some owls, some kangaroos that were also very cute and that came right up to the fence and the kids and Grant hopped along with them. we also saw some emus and an eagle and some nice little birdies. As we were walking out, we were given the opportunity to hold a baby python snake. they are not venomous, but still a snake. Grant took the opportunity to hold it, but I would not, but later after some teasing from Grant I decided to proved him wrong and face my fears. It very scary as soon as I held it it wrapped itself around both my wrist and started to squeeze. So i gave it back very quickly. I think that was definitely a one-off experience, and hopefully i will never meet one face-to-face.
On our way back home we found a pioneer village to explore, it was amazing this little small village must of been built when the English first came over. it has been kept (or remodeled) amazingly, with a school, cinema, shops and a little church and even a wishing well, the school and many shops are still open, very neat.
On Sunday after sacrament I went to the airport with Gracie to pick up Ruth, Tim and Emma-Jane who had a 5 hour layover in Perth, I had arranged to pick them up and show them some sights as they had never been to Perth before. It was lovely seeing Ruth and her family again, she hasn’t changed at all over the years, still as beautiful and friendly as ever. It ended up been quite funny, as i don't know Perth very well and have never driven into the city before. Needless to say we got lost a few times and i even got to see lots of places that i have never seen before. We finally made it to kings Park and had a nice picnic lunch before we headed back to our house for a little while then back to the airport. I learnt that having a map isn’t always that helpful especially when you have no idea where you are :-) I was lovely seeing some family.
Last Sunday, Anna accepted the an assignment to teach Hyrum and Alysha’s primary class at church. Through the week Anna realised that she was going to be showing Tim and Ruth around at that time and will not be able to teach, So guess who was the fill-in? Well... I got off very lightly, Anna had prepared everything with even a lesson outline with all the resources so all I needed to do was follow it. The lesson was on ‘I am Grateful for my ears’. With 5 kids in the class, we did a number of fun activities including colouring, playdough and animal charades to help the kids be grateful for ears. The time was spent before we knew it. It really was a breeze and the kids are great. [Anna] I think Hyrum really liked Grant being his teacher.
Anna’s Uncle Martin invited us over for dinner on Sunday, which was very nice of them. The only problem is that they have two dogs, and our kids are ABSOLUTELY petrified of dogs, especially Gracie. We had real trouble getting the kids out of the car. After a while they weren’t so bad, but every now and then a dog would come close and they’d just scream. To be fair, the dogs were really nice, but it is a bit like the cats at Aunty Diane’s, it took the kids a while to get used to the cats and then they loved them, so I imagine it will be the same with these dogs. We might have to get a pet when we get back to New Zealand to help them get over their fears. Dinner was lovely and the company was great too.
Until next time.
Moments of Sweetness
Gracie told me that she loved me for the first time this week. Without being prompted she came up to me and said "I love you." They are the sweetest words a mother could ever hear.
Hyrum got a scratch on himself while he was playing and came into me and said "Mummy, look whats on me' and I said to him “oh Honey you have hurt yourself? Do you want me to kiss it better and put a plaster on it?” and He said “No, it’s OK my Daddy will make it better for me, he fixes everything!” - true love so cute.
Anna! If every week was as action packed as your weeks are... I don't think anyone would mind where they lived! You guys are definitely making sure you explore Perth! It makes me want to make to go and find exciting things to do in Auckland! Off I go!
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