The zoo.....again

It is Wednesday night here in Sydney.  I usually sit down mid-week and write about our previous weekend.  Hopefully, I have a few awesome pictures to share.  A lot of times I pour myself a glass of some Australian red wine as I relax and try to make the words flow.  The job is made a lot easier when we have done something absolutely fantastic the weekend before.  As we have established our life here though, I've noticed less weekends of the exciting outings/adventures.  

When we first arrived to Sydney, our weekends were completely free.  We had no obligations other than making sure the needs of our kids were met (of course) and that we stayed within budget (unfortunately).  Sydney was our oyster; we loved heading out to see what pearls awaited us.  

Lately, we have been sticking a little closer to home.  We are still having a great time, but no matter where you are, real life starts creeping in.  Mostly, we are settling in and just enjoying what is around us.  We are spending more of our weekend time with the new friends we have made here in Sydney.  We are choosing to walk to the zoo or beach in our suburb with a picnic instead of heading out on a new adventure.  Our adventuresome spirit is still there, but it is just taking a little break.   

Term 3 of the school year is winding down.  There is just 2 1/2 weeks left and then we have planned a trip back to visit our home in the United States.  I know that all of us has that trip in the back of our minds.  We are wondering how it will feel to be back in our house and have the opportunity to see family and friends.  Will it feel normal or will we feel different and changed?  Maybe a combination of both?

Anyway, I'm sure when that trip is over and we are back in Australia, we will get the itch to get back out there and explore more.  It may clear our minds a little to conclude our first visit home.  We can then come back to fully enjoy in our first spring/summer in Australia.

Enough of my rambling though.....We had a good time last weekend.  Saturday we headed to Taronga Zoo with a picnic lunch, per Aubrey's choice.  (Carter had his day the previous weekend when he chose to go the the Big W and buy the Lego trash truck.)  We did something we had not experienced at the zoo yet, the seal show.  It was really entertaining.  And with views like this, can you really blame us for going to the zoo once again?

Lunch with a view.....

Looking at the seal show stage with the harbour in the background

Sean took this pic while the kids and I watched the show.  We are on the 2nd row to the left of the shot (Aubrey has her pink hat on).

A seal posing on the edge of the pool

The famous seal trick; balancing a ball on his nose

If you can make it out in the photo, there are goats on the rock cliffs with the bridge in the background.  It was so cool to see in real life.  We will have to take the picture with a better camera than my iPhone next time.

Aubrey posing on an elephant.  She was so happy with the day she had chosen.

Sunday was Father's Day in Australia.  I find that odd since Mother's Day is in May on the same date as the US, UK, and Canada.  Plus, the UK, Canada, and US all have the same Father's Day.  But, for some reason, Australia and New Zealand have Father's Day on the first Sunday in September.  To celebrate, we went to Sean's favorite restaurant in Sydney, Outback Steakhouse.  We went at noon and the restaurant was packed full.  It may taste more like American food than Aussie food, but it was really good.  I think we have now found a new tradition for Father's Day no matter which country we are in.