JUNE

June has been a very busy month.  The girls are winding up their school term and getting ready for holiday.  We have been trying to get out and about in Sydney due to the beautiful fall like weather and the fact that for the last 3 months life has been quite low-key.  Believe it or not we have lived here over 2 years and we still have not seen nor done everything.  

Tom has been in recovery mode for the last 12 weeks and he is doing great.  The doctors are very pleased with his progress and he is feeling quite good.  By the end of the day, his leg can be swollen and he is still only able to lift the equivalent of a coffee mug with his right arm however, he is on the mend.  We are so grateful for modern medicine, the amazing human body, prayer and the lovely support of friends and family.  It seems as though pre-surgery days were SO LONG ago.

Over the last month, we have had the opportunity to see VIVID in Sydney, attend the National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour and celebrate the Queen’s Birthday on the 6th of June with High Tea at the Manning home.

VIVID was exciting as always - it was our third year to see it.  The theme this year was “IMAGINE” and it was scattered all over the city instead of how it has been in the past with it being concentrated down in The Rocks and Circular Quay.  Most of the lighting installations were very fascinating to see however, the projections onto the Opera House this year were not as vibrant as in the past.  We were a little disappointed by this however, it was a gorgeous fall night with no rain so we thrilled to be outside.  We had a great time with thousands of our closest friends as we walked from art installation to art installation.

Two weekends later, we were able to attend the National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour.  A lovely friend of mine gave me two tickets so we decided it would be a perfect time to visit the museum.  It was filled with nautical history including the history of the bathing suit all the way to the “Vampire” Destroyer War Ship used by the Royal Australian Navy.  It was so educational and fun to be in Darling Harbour as we toured this one of kind inside outside museum.  We topped off the experience with warm waffles covered in chocolate, fresh strawberries and frozen yogurt.  I don’t think the day could have been better.  Jane made a declaration that joining the NAVY in any country is not a option for her future.  After spending time on the Destroyer and the submarine she felt very claustrophobic.  She is not a FAN of tight spaces!  It is always a good thing to discovery new characteristics about ourselves and what we need to be happy.

Queen Elizabeth's II Birthday was celebrated on the 8th of June this year in NSW.  It is a very popular day by Sydney-siders to explore, camp and/or generally have fun.  We have ventured out and about in the past and it has proven to be quite busy.  This year, Claire and Tom decided that it would be great to celebrate with a High Tea Party at home however, they informed me of their plan in the 11th-hour.  No planning or gathering of supplies had occurred however, I was determined to make it happen.  I wanted to make it special but, I did not have a ton of time.  I also did not want to spend the entire morning in the kitchen whipping up tasty treats.  Our menu ended up being ham and cheese tea sandwiches, cucumber sandwiches, deviled eggs, chocolate dipped strawberries, macaroons, raspberry frosted sugar cookies and apple tea.  It was so fun to sit around our table and catch up with each other.  The "Queen" would have been very proud - PINKIES UP!

Our High Tea, complete with American blue with white stars.  :)

GREAT AUSSIE BUSH CAMP

Some of Jane's favorite people :)

The following week after Grace's camp, Jane left for her school camp.  Camp for Year 5 students was at the Great Aussie Bush Camp located in Tea Gardens in New South Wales.  It was three fun filled days in the Great Australian Outdoors.  The children were able to complete ropes courses, a mud run, arcade games, a giant swing, archery, canoeing, sand dune sliding and most of all just enjoy each other.  Friendships were nurtured and energy was exhausted.

I have to say that Jane and I were both feeling a little nervous about camp.  Jane has NEVER been away from us overnight without a sibling or grandparents to keep her company.  In addition to this uncertainty, it was supposed to be quite stormy during camp and she absolutely HATES lightening.  She RUNS into our room the minute she hears or sees the first crack.  I tried all week to reassure her that she would have a great time and that she would not have minute to miss us.  

It turns out that I was right....she did not have MUCH time to miss us.  She said that by bedtime when her head hit the pillow she was knackered.  However, if she felt lonely and missed home she went into the bathroom stall and gave herself a little pep-talk.  

The weather turned out to not bother her too much.  They did receive quite a heavy rain storm, however, Jane said that when the first strike of lightening sounded her sweet teacher, Mrs. Richards came charging into her cabin to reassure her that things would be just fine.  

She had a fabulous time packed with new adventures and many memories.  I am so grateful that it was a good experience, but, I am also really happy that she MISSED home and most of all ME!

Archery

 Sand Dune Fun

Mud Run

All Harnessed Up