Week Three - January 16-22, 2012

In our third week in Australia, we had unpacked and settled into a bit of a routine.  We learned a few things about Australia this week.  First, we were shocked to see kids barefoot in the grocery stores!  Apparently, this is pretty routine here.  Believe it or not, later in the week I saw a grown man in the grocery store with nothing on but shorts!  Yuck!  The grocery store in Bulimba is actually a really nice store and the people that shop without shoes are not dirty people.  They are people just like us!  I'm not sure I will ever get used to it!

Another thing that we find really funny is how they pronounce things on the radio.  The way they pronounce car models is so different to how they pronounce them in the U.S..  For instance, they say "Mahzda" instead of Mazda, and "Hy-un-day" instead of Hunday (Hyundai).  

We also now have a new appreciation for the "Kookaburra" song by the Wiggles.  OMG!  The kookaburra (bird) has the craziest laugh/song of any bird I have ever heard!

I decided to try to do some fun stuff with the kids before went to school next week:

On Tuesday I took the kids to Warner Brother's Movie World.  I purchased annual passes to SeaWorld, Movie World and Wet-nWild the week before so we decided to do something fun.  Movie World was an easy 40 minute drive on the highway.  The boys rode a few roller coasters and I eventually talked Avery onto the log flume ride.  It was extremely hot that day and we were soaking wet when we got off.  The photo of us on the log flume was hilarious.  Avery has a look of complete and utter terror on her face.  Stay tuned...will post that photo soon. 

Colin, Mason and Avery at the entrance to Movie World

Mason, Avery and Colin in the courtyard of Movie World

Colin, Avery and Mason

Mason, Avery and Colin

On Wednesday, we went to Hozi-Kozi uniform shop in Bulimba to buy Avery's school uniform.  She proudly modeled it at home and showed off her new lunch box.

Avery modeling her school uniform and lunchbox

Later that afternoon, we got the boys' baseball uniforms.  I took this photo with my cell phone, so it isn't the best.  Their first baseball game is the first week of February.  We can't wait!

Colin and Mason modeling their new baseball uniforms

On Thursday I drove the kids to South Bank to Streets Beach.  The kids had such a blast there once again.  The boys played catch and chased each other while Avery practiced her swimming and made sandcastles.

Colin and Avery at South Bank

On Friday I took the kids to eat lunch at Red Rooster.  It is a fast food restaurant similar to Chick-fil-la but not nearly as good.  The kids did not like it AT ALL.  As you can see, Avery was hanging onto her soda as we left the restaurant.

Avery in front of Red Rooster

For some reason, Avery agreed to wear a skirt that day.  After lunch, she wanted to change so I snapped a quick photo of her by our pool before she changed.

Avery playing with her American Girl dolls.

Avery with Kanani, Lanie and Ella

Kanani, Lanie and Ella with their furry friends

On Saturday we took the kids to Surfer's Paradise on the Gold Coast of Queensland.  It is a short 45 minute drive (just past Movie World).   The kids had a great time in the ocean with the huge waves and playing in the sand.  The kids learned to swim "between the flags" as that is the area that the life guards patrol.  The weather was perfect, although it did feel a little odd to be swimming in January.

Colin, Mason and Avery at Surfer's Paradise

Paul and Avery stepping into the water

Mason and Colin playing in the surf

Avery enjoying the shallow water

Avery in the shallow water

Building sandcastles

Mason building sandcastles

Mason at Surfer's Paradise

Mason at Surfer's Paradise

Mason

Mason and Avery buried Colin in the sand

After spending a day at the beach on Saturday, we relaxed at home on Sunday.  Here are some photos of the kids playing at the pool.

Mason being silly

More Mason silliness

Still more Mason silliness

Paul and Mason jumping into the pool.  Avery was supposed to go too

Mason going in slow-mo

Avery finally jumps!

"I'm gonna get you!"

"Up you go!"

"Let's do it again!"

Week Two - January 12-15, 2012

Friday was a day we eagerly anticipated as our sea shipment arrived!  The shipment that left our home in Belleville on November 3rd, 2011 arrived here in Brisbane on January 13, 2012.  It was a lot of fun unpacking and unwrapping all of the items that we shipped two months prior.  The kids were thrilled with all of their toys that opened.  It was like Christmas!  The day was hectic as the rental furniture company came to remove our rental furniture as our own furniture arrived.  We made it through the day and were able to enjoy the weekend by the pool.  Here are some photos of Mason and Avery playing in our moving boxes and Avery by the pool:

Day Seven - January 11, 2012

The kids and I decided to take the City Cat into the CBD today.   First, I planned to get a Queensland Driver's License.  Then we planned to eat lunch then go to Streets Beach at South Bank.  I was really apprehensive to get my Queensland driver's license, and hoped that I didn't have to take a test.  Even though it was okay to drive here with my U.S. driver's license, I had run into a few roadblocks trying get a library card and a discount "Fun Pass" to  the major theme parks in the area.  Apparently, a Queensland driver's license is required to obtain both.  Thankfully, it turned out to be pretty easy.  The facility was really nice and although I had to wait about 40 minutes, the people were friendly and knowledgable.  Apparently they mail your driver's license to you here, so I left without it, but was told the paper they gave me was an official license.  Plus, I got to keep my U.S. license so I can use it at home.

Colin, Mason and Avery at the Riverside CityCat Terminal

Colin and Mason at Hungry Jack's (Burger King)

After Hungry Jacks, we strolled along the Queen Street Mall and came across a cool living art exhibit.  There was a "hand", an "ear" and an "eye" walking around the outdoor mall area.  The kids were fascinated and stopped to watch for a while.  Colin decided to get a little closer and took these photos with the exhibit:

Avery, Mason and Colin at the Queen Street Mall

Avery, Mason and Colin watching the living art exhibit

Colin with the "eye"

Colin touching the "hand".

Colin with the "hand".

Colin being swallowed up by the "hand".

Mason and Colin with the "hand".

The "ear".

Mason with kangaroo t*******s in a gift shop.  Gross!

Colin and Mason climbing on something they probably shouldn't have been on Queen Street Mall.

A view of the Eye on Brisbane from the bridge.

Performing Arts Academy

Colin, Mason and Avery in front of the Eye on Brisbane.

Next we went to Streets Beach which is a swimming lagoon that overlooks Brisbane's CBD.  It is a chlorinated pool that has a sand floor.  It really looks like a beach in the middle of the city.  It is built right on the banks of the Brisbane River, so just past the water you can see the river.  It is really a neat place.  The kids loved it!  Mason & Avery had not yet been to South Bank and they loved it.  Here are a few photos from Street's Beach at South Bank:

Colin, Mason and Avery at Street's Beach

Colin, Mason and Avery in the water at Street's Beach

Avery in the water at Street's Beach

A view of Street's Beach

Colin. Mason and Avery

Colin, Mason and Avery

Avery, Mason and Colin

A view of Street's Beach

Mason at Street's Beach

Colin at Street's Beach

Avery at Street's Beach

Street's Beach at South Bank

After swimming at Street's Beach, we went to James Street for ice cream.  We found Dippin' Dots!!!

Mason, Colin and Avery enjoying Dippin' Dots!

The CityCat Terminal at South Bank.

Mason, Avery and Colin waiting for the City Cat at South Bank.

Mason and Avery clowning around.

Mason and Avery riding the CityCat.  You can sit inside or outside on the CityCat.  The kids always want to sit inside!