nix family walkabout

6/25/13

Avery is loving school!  She said her favorite things are making glittery play-doh, art projects and going to the library and checking out books.  I love that  her snack time is called morning tea.  They do such fun art projects and it’s something new everyday.   The other moms from the class are wonderful.  Everyone is so welcoming and helpful.

The Aussie accent is rubbing off on Avery.  One of her teacher’s names is Mrs. Brady but she calls her “Mrs. Bridey” because that is what she hears at school.  Too funny.  Also, there is a little boy in her class named Marcus but she calls him Mackus.  Speaking of names, several people have commented to me on how unusual the name Avery is.  Ha! Hilarious since it’s so popular in the US.

Other Aussie lingo we’re hearing: Mum for Mom and Bubs for baby.  Aussies also say How are you going/How you going instead of How are you.  They also say bathers for swimsuit and brekkie for breakfast.

Coleson is getting very close to crawling!  He can get up on all fours and rocks back and forth.  If he’s after something, he will lunge forward onto his tummy to get it.  Pretty cute.  He’s also getting big enough for the jumparoo.  He can bounce a little bit and he loves it.  Other things he’s into right now: his spinning gears toy, sucking his thumb and putting EVERYTHING in his mouth.  He started eating butternut squash this week and seems to like it.

Sunday 6/23/13

Today we met friends from Houston for the first time at their son’s 3rd birthday party.  They are from Houston and I contacted her through Heights Kids Group.  They are both here working as expats and have 2 little ones similar ages to ours.  The party was at Mighty Jungle – the WonderWild of Perth.  Avery loved it.  She enjoyed birthday cake of course and “fairy bread” which I’ve seen a lot here – I think it’s white bread with butter and sprinkles. I’m convinced that kids will eat anything with sprinkles on it.

Saturday 6/22/13

Beautiful day!! We took advantage and went back to Kings Park – this time to the kids playground area and had lunch at Stickybeaks Café.  The playground was awesome!! The playgrounds in Perth are pretty impressive and they have huge tarps above for shade.  There was a ship and castle to play on, swings, slides, fire truck and airplane.  So fun!

Today was Coleson’s first time to swing! He loved it and couldn’t stop laughing.

Stickybeaks café is right next to the park and the food was surprisingly good.  We had lunch there and we really liked the food.

Friday 6/21/13

Today marks 3 weeks that we’ve been here.  It actually feels like longer.  We’re really loving it.

A friend of ours through Apache invited me to a play group with the AWC (American Women’s Club) of Perth.  There were 5 of us and all the other moms are so sweet.  They have play group every Friday morning and girls night out too.  I’m excited to hang out with these girls again.

Tonight was the PLC classroom parents get together at Duchess.  Great turnout and I enjoyed getting to know everyone.  Most of the parents are Aussies but several international as well – Belgium, UK, South Africa and Asia.

Saturday 6/22

Tonight was our first date since moving to Perth! It was a much needed night out and our babysitter was amazing.  She’s the 24-year-old daughter of Apache’s HR Director.  Avery and Coleson both loved her, especially Avery.  She talked about her all day, drew her a picture and made her a necklace.  She wasn’t worried at all that we were leaving. We went to have drinks at the Subi Hotel and then a great dinner at Hippo Creek, a South African steak house.  We had mud huts for appetizer (stuffed mushrooms) and then both had delicious steaks.  Too full for dessert so we went back to Chocolateria San Churro for hot chocolate.  Subiaco is a fun area with a mix of swanky bars, restaurants and night clubs. Great night out.

Monday 6/17/13

Today was Avery’s first day of school at Presbyterian Ladies’ College (PLC).  In Australia, they call the pre-K through 12th grade schools college and then the kids go to university.  She is in the Pre-Kindergarten class, Pre-Kindy for short.  She will go to school Monday through Thursday from 830-12.  There are 22 students and 3 lovely teachers (Mrs. Richards, Mrs. Brady and Mrs. Mags).  They all seem very fun and loving and have all been at PLC for a long time.  Avery loved wearing her uniform and she liked her new backpack.  She said a couple of times that she was going to be shy but she didn’t seem upset or nervous at all.  We walked right in and the first day of school was off to a great start!

All of the moms or dads come in for a few minutes every morning to get settled and play for a bit, so it was perfect. There was another little girl starting today too.  I sat with Avery while she colored with a couple other classmates and then Mrs. Mags was making play-doh and Avery was very into that.  I met some really nice moms and then I hugged and kissed Avery goodbye.  She was not sad at all.  Perfect! I’m so excited for her!  There are several international kids in Avery’s class but mostly Aussies.  This will be such a great experience for her.

I picked Avery up from school and she said she had a great day! All three teachers said she adjusted well and seems to fit right in with the class.  YAY!  Avery said there was glittery balls that light up and the music teacher came to class and played the saxophone (its actually a recorder ;-)).  What could be better?     

Sunday 6/16

Coleson got up on his hands and knees today and started rocking back and forth! I think we’ll have a crawler soon! Don’t know how I feel about that. My big boy!!

Sunday 6/16

Happy US Father’s Day!! Australian Father’s Day is not till September 1st, but Josh is so wonderful, we decided to celebrate twice! Josh and Avery went down to Cottesloe Beach Park and Coleson and I met up after his nap.  It was a gorgeous day and everyone was out and about.  Avery had a blast at the park. We had lunch at Bluewaters Café, right across from the beach.  Look who’s sitting in a high chair!

Saturday 6/15/13

Coleson was a hot mess this morning!  Arm completely out of his pjs and hair all messy.  Love him.

Today we took the train to Subiaco, a nearby neighborhood.  Subi, as they call it, has great shops, restaurants, and bars.  This is where a lot of young professionals live and Josh stayed here when he came for a month a while back.  It’s a great area and especially buzzing today because there was an AFL (Australian Football League, aka footy game, at the nearby stadium. We stopped for brunch and then shopped for a while.  We walked around a bit more and then went to Chocolateria San Churro.  We shared chocolate covered strawberries and a hot chocolate – delish!  Avery got a Dottie and was very happy.  Coleson had his first pears today – loved them!

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After naps we decided to go back to Swanbourne Park.  It was overcast and chilly but not too cold to play and I wanted to bring Josh to the Naked Fig Café.  We played at the boat park for a bit and then we went inside and found a cozy little table by the window with a great view of the ocean.  This restaurant is nice but very kid friendly.  They even have a little side room with kid tables, chairs and pillows filled with toys and books for the little ones.  Genius!!  Josh & I had wine and cheese and ordered dinner for Avery.  It was so fun! We will definitely be going back there.

Thursday 6/13

Today we decided to check out Swanbourne Beach Park.  It’s beautiful and also a quick walk from the house. There is a boat themed park right along the beach and a restaurant with a gorgeous patio that overlooks the park and the ocean.  The restaurant is called The Naked Fig – menu looks great.  I definitely want to come back with Josh.  Avery is definitely adapting to the lingo here.  She was playing store at the park with a couple kids and she ordered a biscuit from the other little boy.  Too funny!  Biscuit or bickie is what they call a cookie here.  Kinda fun to say.  The other Aussie words we like to say: nappie (diaper) and pre-kindy (pre-school).

Speaking of biscuits, Josh and I are loving TimTams and Mint Slice.  TimTams are chocolate cookies with a chocolate filling – they taste similar to Keebler fudge stripe cookies.  Mint Slice is my favorite – it’s like a thin mint cookie with a York peppermint pattie layer. Solid.  I’ve almost eaten a whole package.

Monday 6/10

We found a school for Avery! So excited. Shockingly, there was an opening in Pre-Kindergarten (or Pre-Kindy, as they call it) at Presbyterian Ladies College (aka PLC).  It’s Mon-Thurs from 8:30-12.  I think it will be good for Avery since Coleson naps in the morning and we can’t get out much.  We went for a tour of the school.  It’s perfect. The campus is gorgeous! The school goes all the way up through high school but the Early Learning Center (Pre-K through Primary) has its own building.  It’s an adorable school with a great library, playground, garden, and big classrooms! We also picked up her uniform – it’s so cute.  It sounds like we really lucked out getting a spot here. I’m so happy it worked out.

http://www.plc.wa.edu.au/

The weather has been GORGEOUS!! Sunny & 70 degrees.  We’ve been spending the afternoons at the park, on our balcony and strolling along the walking path that overlooks the beach.  Pretty good life.