Ya'd think Old Saint Nick would be wearing his "swimmers", but so far we have only seen him in his famous red suit here in Australia. Though we have only seen the big plastic blow up Santas, so far! A shopping area nearby is all set up for Santa pics (Santa wasn't there). We need to get a photo of it. It is like a log cabin and has Canadian flags on either side, very rustic. I never thought of the North Pole as Canada., but no worries, wherever it is, seems the USPS has always managed to get our letters delivered to the fellow! Vivian has drawn him a couple pictures and told me she wants paper and pencils.
Friday, we went to Darling Harbour. Yes,again. We, being the kids and I. We have lunch at "Pancakes on the Rocks". But Muffin didn't eat a bite of pancake since there was ice cream on top. I have not attempted to make my child's favorite here yet, though I ordered pancake mix and it comes in a little jug that you add water to and then shake, then pour to make your pancakes. Might attempt it tomorrow. I ate some decadent pancake thing with bananas, walnuts, and choc. I know I should have had the salad. Weird thing in Australia. Sometimes you go someplace to eat and they tell you how long you have at the table. No problem, generally, but they are not easy to get a check from and so there time frame can't work!
Anyway, we go back to WildLife Sydney. The baby koala is not on its mama today, though close to her. It is just adorable. The big old croc is out of the water sunbathing, stretched and yawned, Oh my!
Santa has sprung up everywhere since our last trip to the harbour. He is hanging from a building and on other buildings. He looks HOT! Though it is warm, its mostly not humid, and just beautiful. It is weird to be so close to Christmas with warm weather, but I guess that is how it is in the a's--Australi-a, Californi-a, Florid-a. We have not discussed Christmas plans,besides going to a Christmas concert on Turkey day, at least it won't be your Thurs. here.We are also going back to the Harbour next Saturday for their Santa Fest. Dress as Santa get free admission into the museums and march in the Santa parades.There will be fireworks and caroling and it's sort of late, but I think Muffin will like it. Huckleberry the Quiet Giant, might not. Though, he has adjusted well to the rhythm of a big city. He seems to like strolling about and waves his arms as we go. When they aren't holding hands and looking A-DOR-A-BLE!!!
So Friday night we go to little pizza joint around the corner. The Man gets the Vonage phone set up on Saturday, we each talk to our family a little and look forward to calling friends,too. The Vonage phone works better than the phone in our apt. Really. We head out to the Harbour again and Chinatown. We actually pretty much go by a bunch of Chinese restaurants and head to the Chinese Garden which neighbors the Harbour. We've had a late start though and they are ready to close. So we go to a restaurant called something like, Meat and Wine. We have good wine, the meat is okay. Muffin devours it...and her mama feels good to see that as as mama is glad to see her kid eat something nourishing! Huck flirts with beautiful teenaged girl sitting near us!
Sunday, we go to this mall type thing that has the Chinese Market in it at the bottom and restaurants and a food court. We eat from the Food Court (Viv naps) and then...I. who has excruciating neck pain, not sure the cause, carrying Huck in the Bjorn (oops, yes G &R it is abroad but it will make it back your way) Friday night, the too stuffed pillows here, get a MALL MASSAGE. Yup, right there in the middle of the mall. I think I will try anything. It did improve my range of motion, but I am still hurting a lot. The Man has not been given our health info. yet and if this doesn't resolve itself in a couple days, I am going to have to see a Dr. A muscle relaxer would help. I wonder if I can take that and nurse Huck?Universal health care should be interesting. I am told, by Jennifer our relocation lady, that all the pediatricians are specialists. So I am still unclear on who I go to for a regular old check up or ear infection check. Have made inquiry to a U.K. mum who has a blog. And hoperfully, I can ask our next door neighbor!
It is slow moving Monday. Getting tidied up and vacuumed (H-berry is scooting everywhere now and really likes cords and the desk chair on wheels). Big News: Our application has been accepted for the house in Greenwich. A few little things to organise: Our boat furniture won't be here till a month after we are in the place. So, I have some ideas....maybe we will get an IKEA sleeper sofa that we can use until our beds come and since we only brought our love seat we can use whilst here and sell before we return. We could get a crib mattress for Muffin there and this can be a pull out for any kids who come visit (thinking of little Drew, and Janice,too ha ha ha you know what I am talking about:). We need a table anyway and chairs so we just need to get them. We can rent a crib for Finn or figure something else out. Christmas is going to be weird no matter what. No Hall's on Christmas Eve, no family Christmas' and an empty house. Yeah, I am ordering some toys before today is over. No car, kids always with me...gotta get on it and make sure Santa knows our next address. I've been meaning to send him a message, but we are going to go see him this week, I think, so we might have to take him a letter with our change of address.
Sidenote to all of this: I know this may sound busy, busy, fun, fun, fun and to be honest, right now it is more like vacay. We are in the city taking advantage of it. But there are quiet moments. Once upon a time, this was a girl who never wanted to leave Calvert County for living, who got homesick while on vacation with her family and somehow though so exciting..."this is not the life I ordered" as my old coozie used to say. I couldn't have planned this. I'm not sure if I made the best decision for ME, but for US and my husbands CAREER and for an opportunity that you just don't get everyday, I couldn't say no. It will be interesting and I don't think it will harm my kids though H-berry will have some catching up to do with his cousins when we return and Muffin will miss them terribly ( "I love all my cousins, Mama"). Besides not seeing you all, much of my "little life" as I like to call it, is consumed with childcare, which is same stuff, different place...I will be lucky to make friends. I know, I am not good at it naturally! I know, I will try to make more of an effort...and hopefully Muffin gets into preschool and that will help. Advice? Please comment!
Love to all. Missing you already for Turkey Day!
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