Creepers in the yard!

Over the weekend I made the kids some new shirts. Makoa's creeper shirt from last year is well loved and thus wearing out, and Tasiana loves to have the same as her big bro, so I made similar-yet-different tops for the kiddos. I bought cheepo shirts from Walmart, cut up a black top from the goodwill pile, and made some happy faces!

Tasiana got hers earlier in the day and kept calling it 'my creeper' showing it off at every moment, and Makoa got his later in the day when they were playing outside. Of course their games turned creeper in no time. A creeper is a bad guy in Minecraft that blows up if it gets close to you. So my little creepers ran down the yard,

through Don's nice leaf pile,

and blew up!
 

I love that it doesn't take much to make kids happy and that they still love what I make them - I hope both last for a lot longer :)

Jog-A-Thon

Today was Makoa's Jog-A-Thon! To say he was excited about it is an understatement. Don and I went at 9:50 to watch him run.


After the first lap or two Don joined the race too. I stayed on the sidelines, with the signs the kids made, to cheer on everyone whose name I knew and even those I didn't!

The race lasted 20 minutes and Makoa earned a money for participating and per lap (1/8th of a mile).


That's 13 laps family, pretty awesome!!

Labor Day

We were so excited to see the Louisville Labor Day Parade today!

The kids waved at every float from the fireman to the high school bands to the very American square dancing group pulled by a tractor.
 
It was nearly as good as Halloween - a little wave and people threw candy at them! One float was followed by a mob of kids hoping to get the soccer balls they were handing out, my kids were lucky and one was rolled to them as they sat patiently on the side of the road :)

It was hot and the parade very long and Dad and Auntie Annie were wonderful, sacrificing their white-turning-pink legs in order to provide shade for the kiddos!!
 
Hope you all enjoyed your long weekend!

Gateway Park

Tasiana started a toddler program on Thursdays and Fridays this week and Makoa's school was off . . . what were we to do? I found a coupon for a buy one get one free round of mini golf at Gateway Park that was going to expire, so we just had to check it out!

We haven't been to putt putt in ages, if you can believe it! The first course wasn't very challenging so Makoa and I took photos and pretended to block the holes so that it took longer.

Turns out we were able to play both courses for our $6, awesome! Gateway also had go karts, driving range, batting cages, and an arcade - definitely will have to go back and check out the other activities, and use our 'Free Game' that Makoa won on our way out :)

Berry Picking

Tasiana and I went to Berry Patch Farms for some berry picking. On August Wednesdays they had a Half Pint Club especially for 2-5 year olds. We rode a trailer to the strawberry field and I tried to keep Tasi from eating all of the fruit before it made it to the basket!   
We also got to see chickens and turkeys running around and heard to workers talk about plants and growing. A very fun outing and perfect for little ones.

Makoa's First Day!

I have many many posts to catch you up on the last 4 months, but today was a special day and I wanted to show you pictures right away . . . Makoa has started kindergarten!!!

We are loving that we are close enough to walk to school.


We took the required first-day-of-school photos :)


Makoa was so excited (with maybe just a hint of nervousness) and he did so awesome setting his bag down before a quick play until the bell rang (and smiling for yet another picture).


The kids lined up so well, telling the teacher their name - you could almost feel the anxiety of all the parents standing around watching. We all laughed as the teacher asked the kids to turn to us and wave goodbye - I love that the kindergarten teacher not only has to help the kids on the first day but the parents as well!! I can't believe that my baby is starting big school . . . but I think Tasi might have taken it hardest of all.

Hope the end of the day is as successful as the start . . .

First Week in Sydney

Has it really been a week? And we only have a week left? Oh my goodness, where has time gone?! This week has been so much less stressful than I imagined, and I am putting off my sad goodbyes for as long as possible, so we will see what the next week has in store.

We are staying on the 41st floor at the Meriton on Kent St (the building in the middle).
 
A fantastic location downtown in a spacious 2 bedroom - thank you work trip. It is wonderful and fun to be staying right downtown but does make it feel like we are on holiday not coming home. I feel a bit country-less right now. When asked "where are you from?" what should I say? I live in Sydney, but haven't been there for 3 months and am transitioning out, I am from the US but haven't lived there in 5 years and haven't even visited in 1.5. It is a bit bizarre, but we are enjoying the comfort of Sydney and the ease of travelling around a country that we know so well.

This week has been a bit of the usual - Don is back at the office and I am doing my own laundry and cooking. But we have also managed to get out and do some fun things to keep it like we are on holidays.

We we have caught up with friends.

Makoa and I spent a night at the hospital for sleep study #2 (nothing like cramming in final doctor visits).

The kids have been super cute together. Makoa was wearing my jumper so Tasi wanted one too (she is wearing his) and then she got all silly, hugging and giggling with her brother.

We went to the first AFL game of the season to watch the Sydney Swans beat the new GWS Giants. Everyone in the stadium cheered for their first goal EVER!


We have explored our new neighborhood.
 
 Played toy battles in the hotel.

Gone to dinner (couldn't really be expected to make every meal after 3 months off!) I was impressed with how well my kids have gotten used to going out to restaurants. I was taking this photo of a little bit of Chico on the menu :)

And when I looked up Tas was playing a game with the silverware and Makoa's toys were doing this.

The kids have missed having Don around ALL the time so while we waited for food Tasi squeezed in some extra Daddy cuddles.

And today I took the kids to the Powerhouse Museum.

Wow, look at those excited face :) They were actually watching The Wiggles in the new exhibit and I tried to get them to look up without much luck!

We spent most of our time in the Wiggles area - all of the characters were there, along with some videos and games.

 
Did I mention the videos?!
 
Things have gone surprisingly calm and wonderful this week, so I am hoping for the same this week. Although it is freaking me out just a bit writing that there is only 1 more week before we will be in the US, ahhhhhhhhhhhhh I mean yay!