Bird Walk

Today we went to a walk-in aviary, and the boys loved it (for the most part). It took a little getting used to the birds being right there and sitting on your shoulder or head. One of the birds did get a little bit mean- he started pecking at Jared's feet and shorts. I even tempted the bird with an apple, but he wanted to peck at Jared instead. We tried to shoo the bird away, but he was clinging to Jared's pants with his beak. I picked Jared up and the bird was still trying to hold on... Jared must have had something tasty on his shorts. Other than that one bird, the boys had a good time. Nathan took the picture of me.

what's wrong with this picture?

After walking for an hour to get to church last week in my supposed-to-be-comfortable sandals, I got smart and wore my running shoes this time. Much better! (Last week, we walked to whole way to church and my sandals cut into the back of my heels and made them bleed.) This week, we took a bus part of the way and only had to walk about 25 minutes. It did rain though, of course. Just can't win... but I'm hoping that we're getting extra spiritual brownie points!

Alex came to church with us, but he has been sick all weekend. After being sick for 5 days, he went to the doctor this morning. He just has a bad cold...these Aussie colds must be harsh, because Alex rarely gets sick. It was hard being a "single mom" this weekend, but we survived.

the park

We didn't do anything out of the normal last week. We mostly just did the basics- laundry, groceries, and play. There's a park about a block away that the boys enjoy.

cheap entertainment

The boys spent about 45 minutes pulling bark off the Eucalyptus tree in the backyard... about the time it took me to hang 78 pieces of clothing (socks and underwear, etc.) out to dry. I miss my dryer! Anyway, the boys had fun.

roos up close and personal

We went to Sydney this weekend, to Featherdale Wildlife Park and the Sydney Aquarium. At the wildlife park, you can pet the kangaroos and koalas and various other animals that are safe to be wandering around.

Nathan kissing a kangaroo, like he said he was going to do before we came to Australia.

Jared was funny. He'd go right up next to the animals, squat down beside them and grunt at them. He had no fear... I was a little worried he might try to tackle one of the animals.

They had a farm area as well. Jared liked it possibly more than the other areas because he got to follow the sheep and ducks around. He really likes ducks.

1st meeting with kangaroo- Nathan was extra cautious. Jared was talking to them.

The aquarium was cool (and crowded). For the seals and sharks, you could walk underneath them. At one point, the fish were swimming underneath our feet.




This was the entrance. Nathan was scared to go in, but we eventually talked him into going in.


They could have stayed all day with their noses pressed against the glass...

They got to touch a starfish and a couple other creatures.

old friends

Today we visited some "old" old friends from our last visit to Australia. Lois and Alex were our neighbors, and they loved playing with Nathan. Nathan was about 13 months old and wasn't walking on his own yet. They loved holding onto his hand and walking him around the yard, through the leaves.

They were so happy to see us- we just knocked on their door. They said they missed us so much that they even named a little walkway by their place "Nathan alley." And when the leaves turn red, they save one of the leaves because it reminds them of Nathan...

Nathan didn't remember them, but they sure loved seeing him and meeting Jared. They had to take a walk around the apartment complex today. It was good to see them again- they seem like family.

Roo sighting

Yesterday evening, we went for another walk, except we went

to a different spot. We saw about 20 kangaroos in this one area.

Nathan was pretty excited, but didn't want to get TOO close.

We got within about 20 yards or so.