Simeon and Charlotte were paid by a neighbor (there should be a 'u' in that, but I'm holding on to my American identity) to watch their chooks (chickens) for a week.
We nicknamed one 'Clucky' and she refused to get off her eggs (even though they'll never hatch since there's no rooster about) unless we picked her up (which involved gloves since she tried to peck us to get us to stop). Her real name is apparently Omelette. We all enjoyed the experience (and the eggs which taste delicious fried over a hamburger in case you were wondering). Speaking of hamburgers, Australians like to top their burgers with beets, pineapple, fried eggs and onions. And ketchup is called tomato sauce. They do NOT put pickles on their burgers. But I digress... more pictures:
We visited Sea World and hung out with sharks and starfish. This was over their 2-week school holidays (NOT vacation...holiday). They have two weeks off after each of the four terms (actually after Term 4 they have six weeks off which corresponds with Christmas and New Year's). In this picture they are sporting their sunnies (sunglasses) and the need to stay cool amidst the hot weather that is only just beginning (this is early Spring here). The sun here is HOT. Skin cancer here ranks among the highest in the world (I think). So, they are required to wear hats whenever they are outside at school. Just thought you might want to know.
Ready for more?
A couple food-related pictures--the first is of my attempt to roast pumpkin with some yummy spices (I loved it--the kids turned up their nose). Australians love eating pumpkin--one of the first homes we ate a meal at served pumpkin wedges, skins and all. They just slice, bake and eat! To use them as decoration would seem like a waste, I think.
The second picture represents Morning and Afternoon Tea which is a daily occurrence here--the kids have it at school, and Douglas does at QTC. It just means snacktime at their school, but it usually means coffee/tea and refreshments of some kind--fruit, rice crackers and dip (they love rice crackers and dips here and are so creative with them--sweet potato and cashew, beetroot and harissa, spicy pumpkin, etc.), cookies, scones, etc. Really anything snacky could be served--I'm trying to slow down and enjoy tea especially in the afternoon before the kids head home from school. It's a delightful way to pause in the middle of the day.
And a few last pictures:
A few more things we've enjoyed here in Australia: beaches (this was taken in winter folks!), wild kangaroos (in other words, not just found in zoos), braiding hair (the girls have been practicing all types on my hair), reading (lots of trips to the library--this happens to be one of my favorite new reads and technically a book for tweens/teens that isn't (!) about vampires, magicians or a dystopian future--highly recommend).
I'm hoping to write more in the coming days--thanks for stopping by!!
Emily
