The Lilac Swim

Sunday Mark participated in a charity ocean swim at Bondi Beach in the ocean pool. It was a freezing rainy day (water 20 C, air 17 C) and although his team made it to the second round they didn’t make the final. "The Lilac Swim" raises funds for the Nelune foundation which supports cancer patients, finals or not, he had a great time supporting a very good cause.

That’s Mark in the middle, looks like he’s saying a prayer? What was Mark praying for anyway…that his picture wouldn’t be published in The Telegraph wearing a speedo, or that I wouldn’t post the pic on our blog so all of our friends who don’t read the Sydney papers wouldn’t miss out? -kel

Autumn

Autumn in Sydney is so fantastic, the weather is chilly, but not cold and for the most part the sun is shinning. We've always found this a great time of year to explore Sydney, since most of the summer we are at the beach. Saturday we took a trip to the Inner West. First up we checked out the Orange Grove Public schools markets. Particularly cool, as Mark's parents were with us, and Mark's dad actually went to school at Orange Grove. He started Kindergarden there in 1944, by his account the school hadn't changed much.

The kids were interested in Grandpa's reminiscing, but they were ecstatic about the pony rides. Scout was crazy after the pony ride, she was running and jumping up and down, she absolutely loved it. She is proving to be such a girly girl, ballet, ponies and refuses to leave the house unless she is wearing pink!

After the markets we played in a huge pile of leaves, there aren't many places in Sydney with traditional autumn leaves, this was a great treat for the kids who loved every second of the running, jumping and falling around.

Of course a day in the Inner West wouldn't be complete without a trip to The Three Weeds, our favorite pub. All in all a terrific Autumn day. Something tells me we'll be back at Orange Grove Markets for pony rides within the next month! -kel

Ballet

Ballet classes have started again. Scout is still loving every second of her class. Her classes are in a Girl Scout hall, and typical of all such halls in Australia, they are not heated. So yep, Scout is now rocking the 80's style leg warmers for ballet, seriously she LOVES them, not to mention her new ballet dress. Let's just hope all of her enthusiasm is helping her with her gracefulness and flexibility. -kel

Mother's Day 2011

Fabulous weather, beautiful kidos, the most amazing husband ever. Mothers day was perfect. Luca was particularly adorable, excited all week for Mothers day, and thrilled to bits that I liked the coffee cup he bought for me at the school's Mother's Day shop and that I wore the bangle he made me all day.

I feel like I joined a very special club today, I officially became one of the moms sporting the very, very obviously kid made jewelry on Mother's day. As seriously gaudy as the bangle is (bright purple with various butterfly stickers stuck on at random) I wore it with pride and was actually thinking I'll make a point of wearing it around him as much as possible, I loved it.

We had donuts, very yummy coffee, tons of cuddles, nachos, smoothies, a play in the park, and and adventure to Avalon. We bought a new painting (totally unexpected, but for those who have visited our house, the big blank wall will be blank no more!), played at the park and had a very yummy brisket for dinner. A wonderful Mother's day.

Here are a few pics, including my most favorite photo of my mom and I, not from today, taken in the spring if 1978. Happy Mother's day. -kel