The Breakup

She broke up with me- just like that.  From 7500 miles away in an email.  My nanny left me for someone else.  I'm trying not to take it personally- but let's face it- I'm taking it personally.  I really liked her.  I trusted her with my newborn baby.  And- poof - she's gone.  No good-bye hugs, no chance to work it out.  Breaking up sure is hard to do. Sniff sniff.

We Made It

Our whole family has landed in the US and I am happy to report that the flight was an absolute piece of cake.  I was a bit worried about the baby but he was an angel and slept for 10 hours on my lap.  I think we are all getting used to these long haul flights.  Of course, being in Business Class didn't hurt . . . .

Upon arrival the customs line at LAX was unbelievably long.  It's embarrassing that the US doesn't have a better system for this.  Tired travelers were crawling along through the queue at a snail's pace.  Some kind agent spotted us with our three pajamma'd kiddos and heaps of luggage and pulled us over to the airline crew line.  Hooray! Of course there was some sort of mix-up and United had us listed as "no-boards" but the agent was pretty efficient and cleared it all up relatively quickly.  Then, as he was checking our passports, he called for the Little Buddy to look up at him.  Right at that moment the kid sneezed the biggest, greenest, snottiest sneeze ever.  That's my boy. 

And so here we are, back in beautiful sunny southern California.  The weather is gorgeous and I am reminded why I loved living here.  It not Sydney, but it is beautiful.

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and for the first time in like 18 years I won't be spending it with my love.  He's at Harvard filling his brain with important stuff and I'm here visiting and running around to doctors and dentists and schools and shops.  I miss him.  It's going to be a long 4 weeks.

xx

The First of The Lasts

For the past 2 years our Spring & Summer Sunday mornings have gone something like this:

-Wake up and shovel some breakfast into the kids' mouths
-Watch them wiggle into their speedos and rashies and swim caps
-Chase them around to get the suncream on
-Double check to be sure goggles and towels are in the bag
-Dash out the door and across the street to be on the beach for roll call
-Then I watch as they swim and paddle and run and race

 I love Nippers.

We're heading back to the U.S. for a few weeks and will miss out on the rest of the Nippers season this year. 

And this time next year my kids will be in America doing whatever it is American kids do in February.  Soccer?  Baseball?  (Seriously I don't even know).  But they won't be here, on this beach doing Nippers.  And that makes me a bit sad.  It's the first of the lasts.

A Chance Meeting

To the lovely couple from North Carolina I met today in the queue at the school uniform shop:

I am so surprised (and a bit flattered, really) that you recognized me from this blog.  Thanks for speaking up and introducing yourselves.  I'm thrilled to welcome you to Australia and look forward to having you over for a cuppa when you're settled in your new place.

Glad to meet you, neighbors!  Hope you love it here as much as we do.

Aussie Aussie Aussie

Today, Wednesday January 26, is Australia Day- a public holiday commemorating the landing of the First Fleet in Australia. 



The city of Sydney puts on quite an impressive series of events to mark the day.  Who wouldn't want to see a Ferryathon, or witness a flyover, or ride on a vintage Sydney bus?  Not me!  That's why last year I thought it would be a good idea to drag my two sticky kids, my sweet agreeable mother-in-law, and my own pregnant self into the city for Australia Day.  After fighting the crowds, waiting in lines, and cramming onto over-crowded public transport we eventually gave up and headed home- feeling exhausted, deflated and a bit defeated.






When I saw my friends' photos of a fun-filled day at the beach I realised I'd made a mistake.  And so I vowed that this year would be different.

I spent the last week waiting, hoping one of my lovely friends would organise some great Australia Day party.  But as Tuesday afternoon rolled around it became painfully obvious that if there was going to be a party I would have to get it started.

Twenty minutes and ten text messages later we were in business.  Six families threw together a last minute BBQ that turned out to be one of the best beach days "evah!'

It was an awesome way to end our Aussie summer. 

Jewel Bugs

While hunting for spiders in the garden today, the kids discovered these:

Anyone know what they are?

The little buddy proclaimed they were "blue back spiders".  I think these little beetles look like jewels.  Such amazing colours!  I've never seen anything like them before.

Horsing Around in Centennial Park

 Today the Little Princess and her sweet friend went horseback riding right in the heart of Sydney. 

Centennial Parklands features trails, ponds, formal gardens, grand avenues and a large equestrian centre. 

The girls each had a private lesson and then went out on a ride through the park together.  

What a beautiful day in this beautiful city with those two beautiful girls.