EIGHT LEGGED FRIEND OR FOE

Ours was a baby, about this size.  However, I hear they can be larger!  YIKES!

Australia in addition to its beauty is full of wild animals and creepy crawly things.  Many of them are poisonous, threatening human life, but many are NOT.  I am not really a person that loves creepy crawly anything whether it threatens my life or NOT.  Spiders, bugs, cockroaches, snakes....etc I HATE them!  

I am always one to check my shoes or my surroundings when I partake of the great outdoors.  I worry about seeing such creepy crawly things in the wild.  When we first arrived, I would have terrible dreams about it.  Many of my dear Australian friends have warned me that I am not to worry about it because most of the dangerous wildlife on this continent (excluding sharks) has not killed anyone in many years however, I still think about it often.  

Well two weeks ago, we had our first encounter with one of the biggest creepy crawly spiders I have ever seen.  It was Sunday morning and we were preparing for church.  The girls were in their morning stupor and wanting some breakfast.  I asked Claire to go to the garage and get a box of cereal (BOY, do I miss my LARGE pantry in the USA).  She opened the door leading to the garage and what did she see but a Huntsman Spider right in the middle of the wall straight ahead.  She quickly closed the door and stated that we would not be having cereal for breakfast.  She also let me know that church was definitely out of the question this fine day.  SHEAR PANIC filled my heart because I was on my OWN to catch or kill this spider.  Tom had already left for his early morning meetings.

We have lived here for over a year and I have never seen a Huntsman Spider in person (we have heard that they are good luck - I have to say that they are definitely NOT good luck in my eyes).   I have been told that they are large and scary looking but, they will not hurt you.  They are more afraid of you then you are of them.  However, this did not give me much comfort with a spider the size of my hand that was sitting on the wall of my house.  I consider myself to be intelligent but, I can honestly say that the shear size of this spider knocked all of my good sense right out the window.  

I tried to think about what to do....DO I CAPTURE HIM or DO I KILL HIM?  I have a lovely friend in Australia that is so peaceful and calm.  I was trying desperately to channel her spirit as I debated what to do.  I decided that I would try to capture him and return him to the wild.  

After 35 minutes of chasing a HUGE spider up and down the walls of my house with three girls scared to death but, close enough to watch the debacle, I caught him with my pool noodle and a Tupperware bowl.  Once I had him pinned between the bowl and the ceiling is when the real dilemma began.  How I was going to get a lid on the bowel without the spider getting loose?  I tried many different techniques which ALL resulted in the spider getting loose and then I was starting over to capture him.  It was one heart pumping action after another.  Ultimately, I accidentally broke 3 of the spiders legs and ended up needing to kill him after all.  Once he was dead we promptly returned him to the great outdoors and within minutes a Magpie swooped down to eat him up.  I contributed to the circle of life and felt quite good about it.  

I learned a few things about myself during this adventure/crisis----
1.  I REALLY hate creepy crawly things more than I ever imagined.
2.  I REALLY don't think clearly when faced with danger.
3.  Next time any spider comes into my home, I don't capture it but, KILL it straight-away!
4.  Spiders are NOT friends but, Foes especially when they are the size of your HAND!

SCENIC DAY & NIGHT

The last couple of weeks we have had the opportunity to see many gorgeous landscapes.  We have immersed ourselves in the picturesque beauty that surrounds this iconic city - Sydney.  Every weekend that we are in Sydney, we try very hard to take the girls on an adventure.  There is so much to see and do that it is difficult to decide what to experience.  One of the many adventures that has been recommended to us countless times is a coastal walk from Bondi Beach to Coogee.  It takes about 2 hours one way and follows the rocky coastline around each point.  At every inlet, it drops down to a stunning beach.  We had a glorious day and the weather was perfect - not too hot and not too cold.  They girls admired the many dogs that were on the path and the cooling ocean breeze.  They were thrilled to see one of their favorite lifeguards from the Australian TV show, BONDI RESCUE, sitting in his tower at Tamarama Beach (also know as "Glamarama Beach").  Whenever you take a walk along the beaches surrounding Sydney, you never know what you are going to encounter.  You see people of all ages, all walks of life and many of them are wearing some interesting outfits or lack there of.  We have had the opportunity of having many conversations regarding modesty and its importance - life lessons can be so valuable.

The girls thought this looked like a CROC's large head.

In addition to our coastal walk, we decided to venture into the city for VIVID.  This year we wanted to see Vivid again but, we thought it would be great to see it via the water.  Tom has a colleague who invited us to experience Vivid on his boat. Vivid via the water is a fantastic treat.  It gives you a completely different perspective especially as you are cruising the Sydney Harbor by night.  We were able to have dinner on the boat, listen to some wonderful music and admire the colorful lighting display.  The girls were loving the boat - no motion sickness this time. 

Overall we had a incredible couple weeks experiencing the scenic vistas of Sydney.  We have not been disappointed because Sydney is a STUNNER!

Thanks Brian, we had a wonderful time.

FINE "ARTY"

One of the many benefits that we have had over the last 6 months since Claire has started doing Independent Online Study is that she can structure her own study days.  Due to this luxury, we have tried really hard to take advantage of some of the unique opportunities that exist in and around Sydney.  

Claire is also taking a teen art class in the evenings through a small art centre.  She loves all of the exposure she is getting to art and learning that deep down in her genetic DNA there is a little artist - (THANKS CCA CHRISTENSEN).  She has always loved art but, has not been able to really do much with it.  Each week she is able to learn a new technique and she has discovered that many techniques feel like second nature to her.  I have tried to encourage her to really harness this "NEW" talent.  

In order to combine these two positives in life, we have been visiting many art galleries.  Just a few weeks ago there was a exhibit that Claire's art teacher suggested that she visit.  It is called "Art Express" and it is an exhibit where the Year 12 students of New South Wales are able to highlight there final art projects.  The works of art are unbelievable!  These are some talented ARTISTS!

We had a wonderful day touring the different exhibits and having lunch in the Royal Botanic Gardens.  It is lovely to have a travel companion...who says learning can't be FUN!

The lobby of the art gallery - so cool!

This painting was amazing and very textural - not smooth at all!

One of our favorite HSC projects produced by a high school student - pen and paper only.

This is another work of art from a high school student - it was part of a series of charcoals - STUNNING!

The NSW Gallery!

Grace is also continuing to develop her singing talent.  She is in choir group at school and had the opportunity to sing at the "In Concert" performance at Sydney Town Hall this last week.  It was an amazing performance and I have to say that I had goosebumps during many of the song selections.  My favorite of the night was the song by Stevie Wonder "Isn't She Lovely."  It was a wonderful night.  

I am so grateful for my girls and their desires to broaden their horizons and expand their talents. This world has some beautiful experiences and I feel blessed that they are able to participate in them.  

Isn't my Grace Lovely - I sure think so!

    

THE "LUXE" BUNNY

Easter this year really came upon us rather quickly.  We had just arrived back from New Zealand and two days later we were invited down to the southern beaches for Easter weekend with some friends.  I quickly processed the laundry and re-packed the bags not really thinking about the fact that Easter was happening the same weekend.  It finally dawned on me that Easter was coming and the Bunny needed to prepare.

Due to the fact that we travel a fare bit especially during the holidays, my kids know that if Santa, the Easter Bunny or the tooth fairy are going to make an appearance it will be at their house NOT while we are on our trip.  These mythical beings have been asked by me to keep things simple and remember that traveling with extra gifts can really complicate things for us.  So with that in mind, time was running out and many items had to be organized prior to departure.

I happen to love Easter.  I remember as a child always getting a beautiful new dress and a basket full of goodies from the Easter Bunny.  One of the items that I always got was a chocolate bunny.  Pretty much everyone in my family LOVES chocolate. However, I was not a HUGE fan (I am a girl that LOVES bread, potatoes, anything and everything full of starch) and would often save my bunny in a drawer in my room.  Easter would roll year after year and it was NOT uncommon to find multiple chocolate bunnies hidden in my drawer.  Because of this childhood experience, the Easter bunny or the "Luxe" bunny brings my girls a few chocolate things but, tries to fill their baskets with other items, books, journals, paper, cool pens, cell phone cases, swimmers (swimsuit) etc.  This is why the Easter bunny has earned the title of the "Luxe" Bunny because he does a little more than just CHOCOLATE!

Once things were sorted, we headed south on Good Friday.  We were going down to an area that is about 3 hours south of Sydney.  It is a huge bay, called Jervis Bay, and it is know for its white beaches.  Apparently they are the WHITEST in the world.  Because the sand is so white and clean it is supposed to SQUEAK when you walk on it.  Tom was looking forward to hanging out beach side and really testing out the squeaky sand.  After many walks, I can honestly say that the sand is white, beautiful and drum-roll please......it does squeak everytime you walk on it.

We had a great time and really enjoyed the Easter Holiday.  We were able to attend a cute little branch on Sunday, soak up family time while we were building new friendships, and just focus on the true meaning of Easter as we beheld this glorious world.  The southern beaches of New South Wales are stunning...I highly recommended them.  The "Luxe" Bunny made his HOME deliveries and life was a good.

Rotten Coconut

Kiama Blowhole - so cool!

Shark Egg- Jervis Bay is a bay where many Grey Nurse Sharks lay their eggs.
We found this on the beach, YIKES - don't tell JANE!

15 AND ROYAL

Our Royal Princess, Claire, turned 15 this last week.  It is hard to believe that we have 3 years left before she heads into the BIG WORLD.  We love her so much and enjoy the fun spark that she adds to our lives.  She is such a blessing and for the most part a very pleasant 15 year-old teenage girl.  We feel very fortunate that she remains so even in temperament and girly drama.  



One of the things that we love to give our kids on their birthdays is a list of the reasons why we love them.  Tom produces one and so do I.  The list of reasons corresponds with their birthday age.  Here is the list that I made for Claire this year.

15 - REASONS WHY I LOVE MY ROYAL CLAIRE

15 - She is a "SPEEDY" reader.
14 - She is a technology wizard - Ladybug phones will not be necessary when Tom and I are old with her help.
13 - She is valiant even when life is hard.
12 - She is a great example and playmate to "YOUNG" children.
11 - She has pure thoughts and language in a WORLD that does not.
10 - She is respectful of her elders.  She loves and honors them even when their requests seem weird.
9 - She is a FANTASTIC artist.  We have discovered that a great talent lies beneath the surface.
8 - She is "wicked" funny.  Life is never dull.
7 - She has beautiful eyes.  They sparkle with light.
6 - She has a lovely smile.  She is happy and positive no matter what trial is waiting for her.
5 - She is musical.  I think that no matter the instrument, she could play it with a little practice and lessons - quick learner!
4 - She is a hugger.  At 15, she still loves cuddles from her 4 BFF's - her family.
3 - She is so responsible.  Not everyone can study independently at 14/15 and be successful - you go girl.
2 - She is a stunner - beautiful inside and out.
1 - She is such a blessing in my life.  She makes me strive to become a better person by following her example.  I love you MISS Claire - Happy 15th!

Last year, we celebrated her birthday by going to the zoo.  This year, we decided that we would celebrate her 15 years of life by attending the ROYAL EASTER SHOW.  The Royal Easter Show is very similar to a county country fair in the USA.  It is an opportunity for the rural parts of Australia to come to the BIG SMOKE (the city).  There is a huge display of agriculture and livestock.  There happens to be a very commercial side to the Royal Easter Show where they have rides, carnival games, and showbags.  But, I wanted to take the girls to the Royal Easter Show to learn all they could about this beautiful country and what it has to offer in-terms of produce and livestock.  Our hairdresser told us that it is a great opportunity to show your kids what it takes to sustain life.  

The Royal Easter Show did not disappoint.  We had a fantastic day and saw tons of cute small and large animals.  We learned so much about sheep -- what they eat, how many stomachs they have (4), how to shear them, the different breeds, wool, and spinning wool.  It was FANTASTIC!  The girls have a completely different perspective about what it takes to make a gorgeous merino wool sweater.  We finished off the day with about 6 carnival rides (the classics) and came home feeling very fulfilled!  SUCCESS!

PRECISION DRIVING - UNBELIEVABLE

MOTOR-CROSS - THESE GUYS WERE NUTS!

Artwork make of seeds, lentils and produce.

LITTLE WILBUR - WE LOVE YOU!

ONE OF OUR FAVORITE RIDES - WE MISS YOU AUNTIE Z.