Here is a clever idea for a large swimming area. These little things pull the kids along underwater!
At least for the kids, they’ll take you down to the floor of the pool. This is a poor imitation of a reef at the Marriott pool.
It almost looks kind of spooky to see MBD coming at me–Help! Shark!
MBD points out that she does not share her father’s allergies to shrimp and prawns at Darling Harbour in Sydney last night!
Evanescence! Your favourite! Happy early birthday present!
MBW took a stroll this morning in support of the battle against melanoma cancer in the “Melanoma March” along Manly Beach!
Yesterday MBW and I met with MBD’s teacher, Mrs. McLean to check up on her emotional progress at Manly West school since she started. We vere very pleased to see that she has done very well in integrating herself into the Australian landscape. This was one of the things I was most concerned about: How well she could adjust to a different country and culture. Well, the news is all GOOD here! The educational system is a bit more relaxed and less rules/procedures oriented than in the USA, and that environment has served MBD well. Just sitting outside the school when it let out, I saw her with a group of 3 other girls laughing together as a group. Whew! I am glad we are in a place where she can be herself and still manage to blend in with the gang.
She tried out for soccer this week. Already playing beach volleyball and has expressed an interest in understanding what karate is all about. Let the smorgasbord of life continue!
And the cats are getting bigger! LOVE my Nikon D7000!
Checking out the Australian Open of Surfing that began last week and concludes this weekend. Lots of people down on Manly Beach watching surfing and skateboarding. MBD said “Oh, hey I need a new pair of sunnies…(and I can’t believe I just said ‘sunnies’!)”
Seems like we’re always apart from each other, with me in Detroit all those years and in Melbourne in 2012. Well, I can’t be in Sydney for the 14th with you but I CAN send this message about some of the many reasons why I love you so much! Happy Valentine’s Day my darling, and I’ll see you on Friday!
MBW put “55” sparklers on my birthday cake yesterday to help me celebrate.
Spent the day chilling out with my family.
As it turns out, our neighbours are both involved in the film industry. Alexandra Davies is an Australian actress and her husband is a cinematographer who has just returned from a job filming events at the Australian Open. Later this year they are headed to Los Angeles where Alex is going to work on continuing her career. They have a really cute little boy named Indy that MBD and MBW baby sit and play with from time to time. Hope to see her on the big screen again soon! (Actually, we are more used to the regular lady next door without makeup on than the glamour shot shown below!)
First day of school at Manly West for MBD!
Comment from MBW: That was harder than leaving her at School of Creative Learning (age 3) for the first time. I have never seen her look so lost in her life. She knew no one around her. I PRAYED someone would come to her. I bent down to tell her it would be ok when the asst principle Sue McClain stepped in. She had already said hello to Mads and she personally would make sure she was taken care of. “She’s gonna be ok Mum.” Love that woman!! Update on Day #2 of school: MBD reported to her dad that she made 6 new friends today. Daddy always hoped it wouldn’t take her long to make new friends, once we got her back into school!
The Smiths in Oz 