To the farm!

We took the kids to a city farm today, because Georgie is an expert on farm animal noises. As it turned out, it was a much bigger hit with Owen. He loved milking a cow, feeding a lamb with a bottle, and meeting rabbits, pigs and kids (the goat variety) up close.

Georgie was perpetually frustrated by not being able to hug as many animals as she wanted, but she did get to spend quite a bit of time with the baby rabbits (and we narrowly managed to keep them all from being hugged to death).

Owen has announced that he wants to go back every day which is... unrealistic. As Marc always says, the best child-rearing experts tell us that you can't live at the park.

Christow

Most houses in Australia don't have names. Ours (a rented house) does: it's called Christow. We didn't think twice about this when we found the house, but took the chance today to check what the name means. We were very touched to find that Christow means "a place dedicated to Christ". May it be so!

Coffee: who knew?

This morning, Marc asked Owen if he'd like a big steaming mug of coffee (he was joking). But Owen responded with immense seriousness, a look of horror on his face. "Oh no, Dadda, coffee KILLS 3 year olds". Gee, we had no idea.

We're all doing well, Serena is now settling back into work as a lawyer (2 days per week, now about 4 weeks in). We've found a kinder for Owen for next year (praise God!) and Georgie is cutting another bunch of teeth. She's going to have more than your average dinosaur soon. She's talking a very little (Mama, Dada, duck, ball, rain, Owoh for Owen etc), but is speedy and adventurous, running everywhere. And the winter weather has been wonderfully mild, so we're still enjoying the usual range of outdoorsy activities.

Weekend Getaway

Marc & Serena had a welcome kid-free vacation -- a quick trip to the mountain town of Marysville, just outside Melbourne. Would you believe we actually had a koala living in the tree outside our cottage? (And as Marc predicted, it spent its time sleeping and pooping).

We also notched up some major tourist finds -- the biggest waterfall and biggest tree in Victoria. Hey, that might make them the Biggest in the Southern Hemisphere! (Well, probably not, but you never know -- there's less competition down here). Both were 84 meters tall and quite impressive (for scale, look for the teeny Serena at the bottom of the tree in the photo).

And then we enjoyed uninterrupted coffees, meals, winery visits, Scrabble games. Even a sleep-in or two. It was very nice. Many thanks to Serena's parents for the babysitting help.

A new job... and a birthday

Serena has taken a job with her old law firm, two days per week starting in July. It'll be a bit weird to go back -- many of the same faces are there, just 10 years older! Two days per week is perfect, though.

Marc had a birthday this past week, which we celebrated with a luxurious breakfast at McDonalds. Clearly, everything changes when you have kids -- we now regard McD's family-friendly menu and clean play-spaces as a real treat.... And here in Australia, McD's does a decent latte. So, what's not to like?

Mothers' Day

Serena had a lovely Mother's Day, including an uninterrupted hour in a cafe, and a family devonshire tea by the river. Very nice. And for once, everyone's healthy. Long may it last!

Press on, Mums

Serena had an especially trying day with the kids yesterday. Owen was in a tantrum-y state, and Georgia took the opportunity to fall over at the library and get a large bruised bump on her forehead. The latter resulted in two librarians searching for ice-packs, a growing line of people trying to check out books, and wails from Owen who thought (a) he might lose his books and (b)his need for the ice-pack was greater (one of said books had bumped his lip slightly). Sigh.

Serena was driving the kids home, in a rather frayed state, when Owen started singing. Loudly, as Owen usually does. Here's what he sang (bearing in mind that Owen learns these songs phonetically, but it was close enough):

Press on Mums, in all the chaos
Look to Jesus through the tears
Press on Mums, God will guide you
Through those precious tender years.

And in all you do, do it for Jesus
Who won you life and free forgiveness
Yesterday and today he is the same....
All you do, do it in Jesus' name.
(almost shouting) Look toward your Jesus and PRESS ON!

Well, I ask you. Having never heard the song before, I was a bit gobsmacked. It's actually from a Colin Buchanan CD Owen listens to in his quiet time, but he's never sung that song before. Needless to say, his timing was exquisite! The song's on iTunes ("Press On Mums") and well worth $0.99 for all you frayed mums. I only wish I had a tape of Owen singing it in his 3 year old voice....