hello everyone! I can't believe I have been MIA from blogging over the last many weeks. I have truly enjoyed keeping in touch via the blog and keeping track of all we have been doing in Australia so far. Since the kids started school, things have actually been busier than I expected. At first I thought - with the kids in school, what am I going to do with myself those first weeks? And really time is flying by and I don't get done everything on my "to do" or "wish" list each week. I have so much to tell you about settling into our home, the kids adjusting at school, and many other Aussie stories, but I am almost overwhelmed by it all, so that is why this is the first time I have logged into the blog in several weeks. I will try and catch you up to speed!
Over the last few weeks we have moved into our home with our suitcases and rental furniture. We have internet, home phone and cable set up. Explaining how frustrating all of this was to overcome would require a separate post by Bryan. He dealt with the internet company on all of that and boy was it a challenge! We also spent many days and research trying to find the right family car for us! We initally bought a Toyota Kluger (Highlander in the USA) and soon realized that 3 kids with carseats, and a stroller will not fit in this SUV. So that is now Bryan's car! There are no suburbans or large SUV's here, and minivans are few and far between. We searched and researched, I test drove several, and in the end we are now the proud owners of a Chrysler minivan! We also purchased all of our appliances - refrigerator, washer/dryer, microwave, tv's, kitchen appliances, etc. We are settled into our home and now just awaiting our sea shipment. I was trying to not get too anxious about it, as it was set to arrive in the port here on February 21st. Then we got an email saying it's been delayed! It is now planning to arrive on March 6th, then must clear customs, and then delivery will be scheduled. So most likely I will be in the hospital delivering our sweet baby girl when the movers arrive! Won't that timing be lovely? :) Luckily for us, my mom is coming to visit on March 2nd and will be here to help and support us through the crazy month of March and most of April! We are so very blessed she can come!
Bryan has taken a couple of overnight trips to Sale with work - which is about 3 hours away. That is where the plant and shift change take place for all of the offshore facilities. He has gone offshore as well by helicopter. This has all kept him very busy with work, but he seems to really enjoy his new position and all of the people he works with. I have asked him to take a break from the travels for the next few weeks, as I only have 4 more weeks until our due date! Bryan's also learned how to take the train to work. The station is about a 5 minute walk from our house and it makes it all so easy for him. He has really enjoyed traveling by train (only 19 minutes from Brighton to his office) and not having to deal with the traffic. Traffic here can be very heavy - by car in the morning it takes him about 15-20 minutes to drive to work, but in the evening coming home it can vary between 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. And we are literally about 6-7 miles from his office downtown!
The kids have really been enjoying their school - I am going to make that my next post, as I am limited on time this morning. It has been a wonderful school for both of them!
I'll leave you with our list of words that are new to us here. The kids get a kick of adding new ones to the list when we hear them and learn them!
car park = parking lot
lift = elevator
icy poles = popsicles
rubbers = erasers
petrol = gas
swimmers, bathers = swimming suit
sport = sports
trolley = cart
"give it a go" - having a turn, or giving it a try
Probably on the 2nd or 3rd day after school, Claire came home and Will was coloring at the table, when we heard her ask him "Will, can I have a go?" Bryan and I almost fell over laughing b/c she so quickly picked up on these phrases at school. She has also adjusted her accent accordingly and rarely pronounces "r"s in her words, like her Aussie friends.
I am off to the mall to find Will new "swimmers" for his swimming class today. He must wear a speedo style one, not his "board shorts" that he is used to. I can only imagine the look on his face when I show up to help him change for swimming class and he has to put these tiny little trunks on!
Looking forward to writing more about the kids' school, my doctor appts., and our life here in Brighton!
love and hugs from Australia,
Chrissy :)
