Myers Visit

My parents came to visit! They spent a few days in Sydney before coming to us for a short 5 days and then got onto a cruise boat bound for New Zealand and again we cried.

We started our touring in the Beechworth historical museum (kids were in school) where I learned more about Ned Kelly than I ever needed to know but we got to try on a cool Ned Kelly replica helmet!

We introduced Opa and Oma to all of our favorite places and foods including meat pies, rail trail burgers, and “death by berries.” We also tried a new hike at Mount Buffalo National Park up to a large rock monolith on a high overlook. It was a fun hike with evidence of wombat activity everywhere (did you know they like to leave their droppings on high points?) and amazing views.

They planned their visit for a holiday weekend – the kids had Monday off of school for Labour Day. It also happened to be the weekend of the Myrtleford Festival! We had no idea what awesomeness awaited us: citywide garage sale, BMX competition, sausage sizzle, local bands, festival princesses (and crowning a queen) and a parade! The school had a float with a Dr. Who theme so I googled “easiest Dr. Who costume” and found something for us (Asher asked me to walk with them).

Myers listening to music at the town sausage sizzle:

The "silence" and a couple of normal kids who have seen the silence:

Myrtleford P-12 College parade walkers, "We are the time travelers":

We ended their stay with a relaxing afternoon at Al and Marg’s farm – an absolutely beautiful day with a picnic on the lawn and the kids moving the cattle to different paddocks. 

The day they left, Maren came home from day care asking for “bapa” and looked in all the bedrooms for him. She has been trying to imitate Opa’s “Hoppe hoppe reiter” (lap riding poem) with all of us since they left.

Opa with two "reiters":

Who will come visit us next? Please come!

Ordinary Fun

We have been involved in activities that are worth remembering, although probably not with their own blog post so I’m throwing them together as an “ordinary fun,” ie: another rather boring, post. Things will get more exciting next week as Grandpa and Grandma visit!

Swim lessons: All three kids are in swim lessons and we now understand why the Australians are always a fierce presence with swimming events in the Olympics. Swim lessons start at an early age and are serious business! But now we have a 21-month old who is comfortable getting around the pool on a noodle and knows how to hold her breath under water and older kids who are perfecting their form and learning new strokes.

These skills came in handy for Cady for the school’s Swim Carnival last month. Years 1 through 6 spent an entire day at the pool with students divided into three houses and competing in races to earn points for their house. Cady was in “Barwidgee” house and swam freestyle and backstroke. Eric and I stopped by around lunch to watch a few heats. I could not believe how quickly the year 1 (6 year olds) could get across the pool.

Horse-back riding lessons: We are surrounded by “farms” – mostly cattle for meat but also heaps of sheep and horses. The older kids started horse-back riding lessons and now want a pony when we get back to Ohio (hah).

Asher’s favorite horse is a Shetland pony named “Shrek” who likes to drink fruit cordial straight from the nearest glass (watch out!).

Even Maren enjoys brushing the horses and occasionally gets to be in on the action (sitting on Shrek).

Toy Library: Each of the communities around here operates a “toy library” that is much like a real library except with toys. The idea behind it is brilliant – kids love playing with new (to them) toys but tire of them quickly – and it has been a godsend to us as we were not able to bring many toys of our own. Our town toy library is located at the senior center where the indoor toys are stored in a large closet and outdoor toys in a shed. The library is open for a few hours each week for check-out/return of toys. We paid a small ($10) annual fee and I have volunteer duties as the “librarian” for 2 hours once quarterly. We have borrowed some really fun toys and games; even an electric keyboard (going on 2  months of loan) so that Cady can keep up her piano lessons (although she is not a fan of piano teacher mom).  There are government grants available to communities for purchase and upkeep of the toys but the libraries rely on the members to keep them going. If I had more motivation, I’d love to start a toy library back in the states. 

Even Eric found some toys to keep him occupied: