Summer and winter in one day

On Friday, Eric had an extra day without filming (usually it's Monday) so we decided to go to there for lunch again. Twice in one week! It was really really warm out--somewhere around 27 degrees Celsius, or a little over 80 Fahrenheit. It doesn't sound that warm, but with the wind, and the strong sun, it felt  blazing hot!

On our way to the Entertainment Quarter, we stopped at the little park in the center of the big park Centennial of course. It was nice, with a little shade, and happened to be right next to the cafe (just in case one needed a coffee or a toilet.) It also has this really interesting hanging chime thing which the kids seem to like. Though it could get quite loud, it was kind of sweet to listen to the little kids play with it.

The chimes.

Baby swing at Centennial Park.

One last push before we leave.

Thanks Dad for sending me the clips!

The weather was still really hot on the way home, but it was a nice change from the colder weather we've had recently. Amelia (who was sleeping of course) and I stopped into the mall to go to the grocery store and by the time we got out about 20 minutes later, the wind had come in along with the clouds and colder weather. It dropped about 20 F degrees or more!

Turning day into night... at 3:30pm!

Very ominous.

I was really glad I had decided to buy stuff to make cookies. No bake cookies, but cookies none the less. I don't trust the oven we have here and it seemed like too much to buy all the bits and pieces for regular cookies. These peanut butter cookies were the easiest things to make and, at least I thought, quite delicious! I added some chocolate chips but should have opted for the more expensive "no melt" kind because as soon as I poured them in, they disappeared. Oh well. I bought some rainbow sprinkles for Amelia to put on top.

On Saturday it will be my 6th wedding anniversary and I thought I'd make something for Eric. He loves peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. I don't think these resonated with him though. Maybe next year I'll make the real thing.

Rich and yummy peanut butter no-bake cookies.

On sprinkle patrol.

Silhouette

Our kitchen.

From above.

Marin? No, it's Cooper Park

Another day with little happening until late in the day. We headed out to Cooper Park to see if they had a baby swing and maybe something to climb on. It is down a very steep hill (on the way to Double Bay) and back quite a ways down a lovely tree-covered street. Besides the giant Centennial Park, I think this one is my favorite so far. It doesn't hurt that they have loads of tennis courts a beautiful cafe there too. Must try both of those sometime.

I pushed Amelia in the stroller down and back up that hill. A fellow told me there are pathways which make it quicker to get in and out of the park but not with the "pram," especially not one as big and bulky as mine. I hope to figure out a way to get there without the beast.

Now it's a green fence.

Path to the park.

Ferns along the walkway.

A little "bushwalk" up the hill.

Deserted park.

Of course... the baby swing!

Crazy shadows.

Cooper Park aka Hidden Valley!

The cafe--you can't see the wisteria hanging. So lovely!

One last push.

Adventures of the dancing queen

Short but sweet.

Well, everything I typed disappeared. Bummer. I'll see if I can remember what I said.

Our adventure to dance class started with a bus trip. We took the bus instead of walking today because after class, we were planning to go check out another more modern stroller.

Holding hands.

Pom-poms love!

Rainbow ribbons.

What a shadow!

It turns out the last day of class (our 2nd) brought with it a "performance" for the parents as well as a photographer from the local paper. The kids are very photogenic in their outfits, of course, and rank right up there with pictures of baby animals in the cuteness factor.

Amelia surprised me this class and actually participated in almost all of the class. The only thing she skipped was jumping over the stuffed animals and crawling through the tunnel. Just not interested in that. But going to the magic line, playing under the parachute, twirling, stomping, whatever, she seemed interested in doing it this week. Hooray!

After class, we mosied over to the woman's apartment, but not before Amelia had to use the bathroom... 5 minutes after we left the studio. Luckily, there was some kind of Catholic looking facility complete with lots of sisters in uniforms who generously allowed us to use their toilet.

We found our way and Amelia even WALKED for a good part of the trip. Amazing because that kid never wants to walk and will act as if it's the end of the world if you ask her to do so. She will cry and say she can't walk. I don't know where that comes from. It bothers me though and I don't really know how to change it.

Eating her snap peas. Thanks mom & dad!

Once at the apartment, which was much smaller than our old 1 bedroom, we checked out the stroller. It seemed much larger than I had anticipated and yet Amelia barely fit. Scary. She got in and out a few times, as if to put her scent on it. And then got distracted by the alphabet floor tiles. In the end, I did not buy the stroller. It seemed like $90, while it's a good price for that piece, was too much for something we might not be using for very long. I guess we're just going to keep the relic.

Talking to her pie.

Eating her pie.

Not sharing her pie.

Our next stop was lunch in Randwick. We found a place to eat, a little cafe, and Amelia gobbled up her chicken pie. We caught the bus home and then it was time for a nap--both of us were pooped!

Double Bay day

Steep hills abound on our way to Double Bay

I think our purpose in Sydney is to find parks within 30-45 min walk from our "apartment". So far, we've gone to 3 different parks within that distance. This morning, after much prompting, we left our hotelish apartment around 10am. I have a very clever device, my iphone, that I set up with the map to our location before we leave my precious wifi behind. It's been invaluable. The only way it could be better is if I could actually use it everywhere rather than just at the hotel or library.

Once on the road, I can navigate with the little map, and have never gotten lost or been lead astray. This morning we did make it to our destination. However, the map does not show hills. Wow! We had some steep ass hills to traverse with the stroller not really designed for off-roading. Actually, it wouldn't have been that bad if the sidewalks were in a better shape. I think that was more the issue than the crazy angle I had to walk down (and of course, back up again!)

Double Bay from Steyne Park

Yes. The baby swings.

Gorgeous day by the bay

It was all worth it though once we got to Steyne Park. The town of Double Bay is like a mini Santa Monica: very upscale with lots of beautiful views. I did manage to find a low key cafe for lunch which only cost me $14 for a coffee, chicken pie and a spinach quiche. Not bad.

The town of Double Bay from, well, Bay Street

A peek at our high rise apartment through the trees: second from the left

Crashed out in the stroller

After this trip to Double Bay, I think I've come to terms with the fact that I really do need to buy a better used stroller. Though this one is fine to go to the mall with, it doesn't do well on the rugged streets and hills around here. It is a great little stroller. The seat comes down, the canopy closes most of the way, and the foot rest pops up to give the rider an almost bed like experience, albiet a bumpy one. Not sure if the more durable strollers will do that, but it might be worth it for me, the driver!

Bussing, as a pastime

Riding the #40 from Paddington to Bondi Junction

Yes. She is playing with her hair thing.

Taking the bus has become a good pastime. We'll walk somewhere and, if Amelia is still awake, we'll take the bus back home. I prefer to walk, but sometimes it's nice to just relax and watch all of the blocks go by.

The nice thing about the buses here is they allow you to bring the stroller on, without folding it up. This is a big deal because our "new" stroller is somewhat broken and not easy to fold. I found a used one on Gumtree, the Aussie version of Craigslist. I think it's a running stroller, but it looks like it will be able to handle the chunky side walks and missing ramps.

Today however, we might just take the bus places as it looks like it's going to rain! Off to get a coffee and some additional CD's from the library--I think we've heard Ernie & Bert one about 100 times since Tuesday!!!

One week and counting

We've been here for a week so far and it seems as though the time is going quickly already. Though we haven't really done much so far. Thursday was the big day for us. With grammy Janis and our "new" stroller in tow, we took the train to Circular Quay (pronounced KEY) and then the ferry to Darling Harbor for lunch.

Amelia loved both! We had a nice little lunch next to a fountain and then walked around for a little bit which put Amelia to sleep. Our "new" stroller can lay almost completely flat and with her softie pillow (picture to follow)she was out. Janis and I got to the train station and had a little break with a coffee. We got to the train station and waited for ours to arrive. Somehow, as soon as the train arrived, Amelia woke up! Not sure how she did that.

Friday, which was Eric's birthday, was fairly uneventful. Janis and Amelia went to the pool as I went shopping at the grocery store. Janis had a massage and then we went to, guess where, the mall yet again. Since it was Eric's birthday, Janis said she would watch Amelia so Eric and I could go out to dinner.

Picture this stroller in green

We found a little place in Coogee Beach and drove there, successfully I might add, in time for our 7:30 reservations.