Life's a Beach

Just returned to the Wilson's from Dee Why beach today.  We slept over at Kristi and Stu's last night... they live right on the beach in a 2 bedroom "flat".  The sun was hot and I may have got a little bit of a burn.  I'm sure it will turn into a tan soon enough.

We bought a little pop up tent for Pearl while on the beach.  Seemed to work well, although putting it back in the case once finished using proved to be a bit more challenging.  However, with team work we managed to wrestle it down to size.

Pearl is enjoying her time here... expanding her senses that's for sure.  Tasting salt water on her skin, the grit of sand mixed with "organic" sunscreen.  (That's for the people who say baby's shouldn't wear sun screen before 6 months).  Not to worry this stuff is okay for babies.  And the breeze is keeping her awake when we are on the beach.  We have to wrap her up so, she doesn't feel it to fall asleep.

In Dee Why we splashed around in the ocean, body surfing and catching waves.  Enjoyed some fish and chips on the beach and wondered what everyone else was doing in the snow.

We are still getting used to the driving and by far it makes for the most humorous and stressful parts of the day.  Dan's doing a great job driving... but navigating the streets and continually self talking yourself through staying on the proper side of the road can be tiring.

Yesterday was a relaxing day around the Wilson's in the morning.  Went for a swim and chilled out around the house.  Then, we went to Manly for "Surf Camp".  Dan and Tyson had their lesson's around four o'clock for a couple hours... and managed to ingest a whole lot of salt water in those two hours.  They did a great job and were able to catch a few ways and get up on the board several times.  Both of them could adjust quite well to the surf culture.

Marilyn and I sat on the beach with Pearl and watched them "rip" around.  I didn't realize what a huge amount of work a baby and the beach is.  Luckily, Marilyn came along to help me out.  She must have known what I was in for.

While we were on the beach having a "coffee", Marilyn pointed out a guy who looked like Cameron, a friend I met here in 2000 and 2002.  I ran after him and tapped him on the shoulder.  He wasn't sure who I was with my sunglasses on, then when I pulled them off- he knew who I was.  I guess after not seeing me for nine years, looks can change.  It was good to catch up with him (the last time I saw him was at Kristi and Stu's wedding)

In the evening, we went to the World Food Market in Manly for dinner.  It was outdoors, with patio lanterns and live music.  The weather was perfect for it and it was nice to be with good friends enjoying good company.

All in all we continue to have a great time.  We are learning to be flexible and work as a team- given that we are completely out of a normal at home routine.

Here we are at the World Food Market in Manly.

The boys at Surf Camp... practicing their moves before they hit the surf

Catchin some rays in the pool at the Wilson's house.

Pearl and I looking at the fish.

Hazards of J-Biebs Hair

Again, things are going really well here.  We are having a great time... soaking up the sun at the moment, poolside at the Wilson's.  This afternoon we are off to Manly again to do "Surf Camp".  Should be cool.  Tyson is adjusting to a salt water pool.  I said to get used to it, as his sodium intake this afternoon will be high!

I remember last time I did it... I threw up I took in so much salt water!

So, today's funny story.  We were talking to Dad on Skype (don't tell Mom).  And while we were talking Tyson's hair was in his eyes.  So, rather than use his hand to brush it aside... he did what all J-Biebs hair cut kids do.  The flick... of the head a few times to make it swing over without actually having to raise a finger to move it over yourself.  (You know what I mean... you've seen the kids do it.)  So, while he did the head flick... he failed to see the wooden chair beside him... and cracked his head off it.   I know I shouldn't laugh, but we've always said... "Tyson you're going to hurt your neck one day, with all that head flicking".  I guess we were wrong, he actually hurt his head.  I hope he doesn't get a bruise.

Pearl went for her first big swim today and again didn't seem overly fazed by the water.  I think she likes it.  Just one big giant bath tub.  I do have to say she looks super cute in her swimsuit!

Tonight we are off to stay at Kristi and Stu's for a sleepover.  Then, another beach day.  Marilyn's going to teach me baby massage later tonight.  She has her own business here for moms and babes.   So, I'm going to take advantage of her expertise.

Then Sunday, we leave for another plane ride to the Sunshine Coast, where we will visit Noosa, Fraser Island and spots around the East Coast with Kristi and Stu.  Time is flying by here... don't even want to think of the plane ride home just yet.
 

Not cut out for The Amazing Race

Today was the day I realized I would not be a candidate for The Amazing Race.  You know when they show couples fighting and acting crazy... and you think to yourself... "Gee, what's her problem, give the guy a break!".  Yeah, that would be what people would say about me.  I wasn't a nasty wife, just a panicky stressed out one.  Dan drove to Manly.  I sat in the front seat, attempting to navigate and Tyson and Pearl in the back.  Eventually, I gave Tyson the map to navigate.  I gave up trying to follow it... I couldn't worry for our lives and read a map at the same time!

Truthfully, it was funny... and we had a few good laughs about it.  We got lost multiple times and Tyson learned to say "Hey, I'm not sayin... where we should go... I'm not taken the fall".  So, finally we found a parking spot in Manly and left the car there for the day.

We took the ferry to Sydney (Circular Quay) from Manly and checked out the bridge, the Opera House, Botanical Gardens, Darling Harbour, and our favourite Sydney Aquarium.  I'm pretty sure Tyson enjoyed the Aquarium most.  There were tons of cool fish and water creatures throughout.  The best part was you could walk through a glass tunnel... while fish and sharks swam all around you.  Pearl woke up while we were walking through the tunnel and she loved it.

We decided if we had lots of extra money we would build a life size aquarium in our living room to keep Tyson and Pearl entertained.  Maybe if we put on an addition.

Everyone is almost over jetlag, including Pearl- which is really nice.  She's being so great with sleeping, eating and her over all good personality.  And, as for the rest of we are doing well with sleeping, eating and our good personalities.

Tomorrow, we are going back to Manly for surf camp and a tour around the place.  We are going to have sleep over at Kristi and Stu's as well, with a day at the beach to follow.

We leave for Noosa on Sunday.  And start preparing to have a 13 year old boy in our family on the 28th.  Wowzers!!

I'll insert more humour tomorrow.

The Patterson's at The Sydney Aquarium.

Here we are at the Sydney Harbour Bridge with the Opera House to what would be our left.

Tyson and Pearl with a Boxing Kangaroo.

Wow... 6 followers already!

Well, after a "decent" night sleep... we have started our morning off with breakfast, swim and a hot tub.  All before 9 a.m.  Dan and Tyson are actually off "hiring" a car to drive around Sydney and area.  Should be interesting actually driving on the other side of the road.  Dan may be slightly nervous, but don't tell him I told you.  Truth be told, I'm more nervous about doing the driving, so at least he is facing his fears... I'm hiding behind Pearl... saying I need to stay home and feed her.

As I said yesterday, the flights went well.  Pearl was a champ as Tyson said and did really well along the way.  I think we all thought time was standing still... as when you thought you had been on the plane long enough... you looked at your watch and you still had another 9 hours of flying time.

I was naive enough to think I was going to get a bit of reading done and watch some movies along the way.  Nope... in twenty hours of fly time... I got half a movie in and no reading. Tyson on the other hand got plenty of ipod touch time (at one point I thought it may be fusing to his hand) and he didn't do too bad in the sleep department either.  Trying to fasten a seatbelt on a 120 lb sleeping preteen proved to be challenging at one point in the flight, as we were experiencing turbulence... but Tyson was unaware of it.

Upon arrival in Sydney, Kristi greeted us with her baby bump.  (She looks very good) and then we headed to the Wilson's.  Of course we were greeted with big smiles and a warm welcome.  We did a bit of visiting but the room was spinning I was so tired... so Pearl and I laid down together and Tyson crashed as well.  I think Dan was the only one that toughed it out and made it to bed time without a day time nap.

Pearl's having a nap, so I may just take advantage of this time and read....

We are here!

After many hours travel and many sleepless hours (for me anyway)... we are back at 5 Finch Place.  It's so good to be back.  Pearl has taken over my space in the hallway, and is currently sleeping.  She did really well on the flight, and many people complimented her sweet disposition.

Tyson did well as well.  He had no problem sleeping it seemed.  Although we have some good video with his bopping head and trying to find a good spot to sleep.

As Wayne Hoyles, preached Sunday.  Provision is on it's way... so, despite a full flight and the flight attendant saying " there is absolutely no way the baby will be able to have a seat"... moments before take off the attendant came to us and said, "Okay, we have a seat for you and one for the baby".  And so, what could have been a really long flight, was just a wrong flight.  Pearl slept well and comfortably.

We are adjusting to the time zone changes, warm weather and driving on the other side of the road. 

Go figure, I'm tired again.  So, I'll write more and look for funny stories to tell...

Good Night

Hey everyone. We got into Vancouver a little late but all in all things went pretty well. Pearl and mommy were a great team!!! Its now midnight in Vancouver and we are just getting ready to taxi out for take off. Sydney is in our sights!! Talk to you soon.

The Patterson'sP

No more sleeps... and I'm wishing for one

Like I said before, I'm exhausted with excitement.  And, now that there are no more sleeps left... I'm really wishing for one.  Every time I close my eyes, I think of something else that I may have forgotten.  But, now that we are checked in, past security and sitting in Terminal One, Gate 124... it doesn't matter what I've forgotten.  We've got our passports, credit cards, cash (namely Tyson... thank you to everyone who blessed him before he left on our big adventure) and most importantly each other.

Pearl is doing fine, rolling around on the floor... enjoying life.  Tyson is busy running back and forth on the  moving sidewalk.  Who would have thought stuff from the Jetson's now exists... in real life!!  Just a dream when we were kids.

It's so fun to see Tyson soooo excited about this trip.  He's asking tons of questions, aware of everything around him and begging for the window seat.  Figure this should be fine, as I'll take the aisle to get up and down with Pearl... and Dan will be the glue that keeps us all together!

Needless to say we are very excited about this adventure and can't wait to see all the cool stuff in store for us.

Thank you to everyone who came to Mom and Dad's last night to see us off.  It was good to have one last good meal before plane food.  And, thanks to everyone who sent us off from church this morning, prayed up and inspired to look for provision.  Already saved .25 cents when we found a free cart- sitting waiting for us.  Tyson says "we've made 50 cents and we haven't even left Canada yet".

Just thinking about how different this trip will be from the last two to Australia.  Unbelievable how much changes in 11 years, but then how it doesn't seem like it's been 11 years since I was introduced to the "land down under".

Good time for reflecting I guess.

24 hours from now... we'll be flying

We are just on our way to bed... well, I am.    I'm exhausted from excitement.  My mind's running a mile a minute.

Mom and Dad hosted a going a way party for us.  It was fun to see everyone and say our "bon voyages" and "see you laters".

I think in order to make this work, I need to write when I have more brain power!  I'll power up tonight hopefully and let you know more details in the morning.  Night!!  1 more sleep!!!!

Three More Sleeps...

Only three more sleeps until we take off on our Patterson Family Vacation.  We are so excited and can't wait to "get this party started".  It doesn't seem all that long ago when Dan and I were pipe dreaming about going on a big vacation during my maternity leave.  Now, we are packing our bags, checking off lists and figuring out how to travel with a thirteen year old and a 5 month old.  We are expecting smooth sailing/ flying.