the Anti-Target Shots

To counter the idea that we flew 8000 miles to shop at a mall, which we did do but only for an afternoon because the kids needed socks and underwear and David Jones didn't carry them, I am posting some beauty shots. Makes the layer of smog out my window make me cry a llittle.









and this beauty shot is of some real authentic aborigines who, after their set, made a cell phone call, smoked a cigarette, signed CD's and told us about their upcoming 6 month tour through Europe. Classic.

back home again

We made it back yesterday about 1 pm. We were all very sad to go but we loved our visit. really loved it. the kids went to sleep last night at about 2 am and woke up at 11:30 this morning so i think we're still jet laggin. Now to focus on home and school and apartments.

beach

We went to a place called Manly Beach and I'm afraid the pictures don't do it justice. It was such a beautiful spot and the water was fantastic. Sophie learned to boogie board on her own and really loves it now. I think she feels like an old pro. Owen got stung by a jelly fish last night at Bondi Beach. He cried and cried until we washed it off, then he cried some more, fell asleep in the taxi on the way home and woke up this morning feeling just fine. Don't you love his little speedo?

First Day without Doug

Found a target in Bondi Junction, so the three of us took a taxi over and discovered it was in a major shopping district on the top level of a 6 story mall. wow. Donut king, owen's favorite place. He had a donut with frosting the color of 80's hot pick jelly bracelets. There was a grocery complex on the bottom floor, meat market, produce shop and bakery all in true food court style. Brilliant. No pics, but brilliant. After we went to Darling Harbor and rode the little yellow train, played on the playground, ate gelato. It was a good day. Dinner was at Arthur's pizza with Doug and our friend Adam who flew in from LA this morning.

just a few more

two days down

Hello Australia!

We are here. We made the entire 8000 miles trip over the pacific ocean and with little incident. I'm so relieved. Owen fell asleep before we got on the plane so when we were getting off he asked if we were going to get on the plane once we got off the bus. He thought the plane was a bus, the cutie. Both kids were wonderful and we have been walking around the neighborhoods right around our hotel and it's so cute. We're going out tonight to the zoo and around the other side of the wharf so I'll post pics tomorrow or something. As an interesting note, we are staying in a hotel that is part hotel rooms and part residences. Apparently Russell Crowe lives down at the very end (no public access obviously) and the director doug is working with saw him in the lounge. So now i've got my eyes out and camera ready. I hear he loves the public and photos and all that, so i can't wait to ask for his autograph.

tomorrow we fly

The day is almost here. We've been running around like crazy trying to get everything ready. Apartments rented? Check. Passports? Check. (Owen's is so cute) house clean, clothes clean, all items packed, mystic tan so i don't scare the natives on the Bondi Beach? Ok, none of those yet but we'll see what we can do between now and tomorrow afternoon. We found out that we have to take a ferry to get to the zoo and Owen is really very excited about going in a boat. And he tells everyone that he is going to FLOAT to the zoo, which, of course i think is hilarious and tell everyone i talk to. Tick-tock, the countdown has begun.

The newest family member

My little sister, Kelly, had her baby today. This morning at 6:32. It was a girl and they named her Tess, how cute is that. We talked on the phone for about an hour and a half last night just catching up and then she called me this morning and she sounded exactly the same as she did last night. No big deal, woke up and had the baby. She got to the hospital at 6 and had the baby at 6:30. Since there was no time for an epidural, she had the baby au naturale. Wow. I'm so happy for her and a little bit jealous, too. The sound of that tiny newborn cry made me want another one. Does that sound crazy? I guess it'll be our turn someday, but in the meantime...Welcome to the world little Tess, we're happy you're here.

The New Blog

I have made a change to throw freaks and wierdos off the scent. Good News: going to australia with doug next week. Bad News: have 2 more apartments to rent before I go and it takes 14 hours on a United Flight to get to Sydney. Hmmm. I'm sure it'll be worth it.