Getting back into the swing of things

I cannot believe we have been back in Sydney for almost 2 weeks now.  Time flies when you are having fun.  It has brought back a lot of memories for me of how it felt the first time we came.  I took notes back in March during our first couple of weeks in Sydney.  It was really fun to look back at those to see how quickly we adjusted to Sydney time and to help me remember all of our "firsts". 

15 1/2 hours on a plane is a LONG time.  

This time we did not get the luxury of a week to roam around the city at our own pace.  We had to hit with our feet running and try to function on a 16 hour time difference.  We landed around 11:30 Sunday morning and then Monday morning Carter went back to school and Sean went back to work.  It actually did work out okay.  We just got up REALLY early in the morning and tried to keep our eyes open as long as we possibly could at night.  I did kind of enjoy experiencing what it feels like to be a morning person.  Although, getting up at 3:30 am is a little extreme.

Carter handled going to school that first week pretty well.  Getting up wasn't a problem because we had already been up for HOURS by 9:00 am.  School gets out at 3:00 pm, which is 11:00 pm US Central time (aka, Kansas City time).  That is pretty late, but it is not absurd.  What made it rough was participating in the after-school activities and getting all the homework done in the evenings.  We did a lot of the homework in the wee hours of the morning when we first woke up.  I felt like celebrating by Friday because we got it all done and we were almost fully adjusted.  Plus, we had a free weekend to do whatever we wanted.  

A lot of people would probably choose to have a quiet weekend at home after all our recent travels and overall busyness.  But, we don't seem to know how to "stop" for very long.  We heard about a vintage car show up at a place called The Entrance.  Once we looked it up and saw that it was called Chromefest and it was "a tribute to classic American autos, hot rods, and rock and roll", we knew we had to go.  Saturday morning we loaded up our Ford Fiesta and headed a couple of hours up the coast.  It was a pretty drive and the kids took naps in the car.  Even though we were on the go for most of the day, it felt relaxing because we were on our own schedule.  The Entrance is a really laid back beach town.  We cannot get enough of these gorgeous beaches in Australia; each one carries its own unique beauty. 

The purple pin is where we live and the red pin was the location of Chromefest

Yet another breathtaking Australian view

A picture of the sandy bar separating the ocean from the lake at The Entrance

Sean's favorite car of the day

Aubrey's favorite car of the day

On Sunday we continued what I now like to refer as "Sean's car weekend".  We went down to Darling Harbour for the Australian International Motor Show (AIMS).  It is always fun to check out all the new cars coming out and dream a little.  

The kids and I outside the auto show

Sean's favorite car at the Australian Auto Show; it is a Ford concept car called an Evos.

Our second week back in Sydney has been pretty eventful as well.  The springtime weather has been awesome.  Aubrey and I got to go to the beach for the first time since the winter.  It was fantastic.  The crazy, intense Australian sun is totally going to fry us as we proceed into summer.  But, for now, it feels like heaven laying out on that sandy beach. 

Aubrey at our local Balmoral Beach.  I think we are really going to like summer here.

We also got to experience our first Australian Halloween.  We are lucky that there is an area close to us that celebrates Halloween and enough houses participate so that it is "worth it" to get out and go trick or treating.  Carter had a soccer game after school.  Then, the kids quickly got changed in the car and we hit the streets to trick or treat with a group of Carter's friends.  Since it was still daylight, people could not turn on outside lights to let trick or treaters know they were welcome.  So, the houses that were participating put Halloween decorations outside on the front of the house.  We walked around until dusk and then it was time to go back home.  That is one big difference about Australian trick or treating (vs. the US) - it is all over by dark (about 7:00 pm).  The kids had a great time and said it was the best trick or treating ever.  They say that every year, but it is still really nice to hear. 

Halloween fun

A close up of Carter in his zookeeper costume.  I forgot to have the 2 kids stop and pose for me, so this will just have to do.

Aubrey as a mermaid

A picture of most of the kids that came out trick or treating with us

Today, November 2nd, is yet another big day.  Aubrey went to her first day of Kindy orientation this morning.  She was so excited, she could hardly stand it.  She had a great time.  Plus, it is also Sean and I's 10 year wedding anniversary.  So much has changed in 10 years.  I am so thankful for the wonderful life we have created together in those years.  It was a typical anniversary for us in that Sean bought his own gift; a techie gift that he will enjoy more than anything I would have gotten him.  He got me a beautiful amethyst necklace that I will cherish for many years to come.  We are looking forward to a night out on the town this weekend to celebrate.

I can honestly say that as hard as it was to leave our friends and family in Kansas City, we are happy to be back "home" in Sydney.  The trip back to the States really helped us put everything in perspective.  We are no longer feeling homesick.  Instead, we are just really looking forward to enjoying the rest of the time we have here in Australia.