Weekend with the Dulaneys

We were fortunate enough to spend the entire weekend with our wonderful friends from Singapore. Scott had already been thinking about a trip to Perth to skydive when we found out we were moving, so that just sealed the deal. We were all thrilled to see Scott and Lou Anne on Friday afternoon, but one member of the family was almost beside himself. Ben and Lou Anne made quite the pair all weekend.

The guys went their separate ways (Scott to skydive and Matt to surf) and Lou Anne and I had a blast playing with the boys on the beach. I think she got quite a workout chasing the waves with Ben.

Ben would have done this for hours but we finally pulled him out blue and shaking from the cold , despite a wetsuit.

Alex enjoyed watching but preferred to eat and drink and check out the waves only when he was in between snacks. I used to laugh at the moms that dressed their kids in these crazy hats, but the sun is so intense here for several reasons (less ozone on this side of the planet and little pollution, to name a few) and I'm trying to keep the boys protected. Guess I won't laugh anymore!
It was a gorgeous weekend!

Alex found his best friend in Scott and would laugh at everything he did.

Our last dinner together at the beachside restaurant Indiana. We enjoyed the sunset and a lovely meal before the Dulaneys had to head home early this morning. I wish I'd taken more pictures but honestly I was just enjoying myself so much I didn't think about it that often. We are so blessed to have these beautiful friends and enjoyed every minute together. They're the closest thing we have to family over here and we love knowing they're "just" a 5-hour flight away. Thank you both for everything you did and sharing so much time with us. Can't wait till the next trip!!

The boys have been keeping busy with their usual antics. They're so funny because they spend half their day wrestling over the same toys (and thanks Lou Anne for being wise enough to bring two of everything for them!) and the rest of the day imitating one another.

We went to the indoor playground again last week and I almost had to pry Ben out of this car to get him home.

Alex preferred knocking over everything that wasn't bolted down. This child is like a hurricane!

Ben saying "boo!" like his shirt. Aunt Stacey sent this glow in the dark shirt and he pulls it out of the dryer to wear it again as soon as possible. We have made countless trips to the bathroom to make sure the eyes still glow and so far, yes, they still glow. Every time.

Look at these beautiful faces!


Alex has lost control of his little blue car (which seems fine by him since it's hard to roll) because Puppy drives it these days.

After a mom and kids activity at church last week, we went to a playground across the street and saw trees full of lorikeets. So far the birds here have been the most impressive to me because it feels like some place exotic when you see wild parrots and cockatoos from your front porch.


And afterward Ben asked to stop by the library so we checked out books for the first time. Each little suburb has its own library so it will be a fun outing for us to keep borrowing books and enjoying the tiny chairs.

Halloween is apparently not that big of a deal here, but we're still going to a playgroup and a little fair so here's a preview of the cuteness to come (but on the smaller Kirkham next time):

I think Alex is working on his first molars because he's chewing on things again, especially toothbrushes. His second choice is a kazoo but as a result he's learned how to play it already.

Spring is Here!

I could handle summer year round because it doesn't take long to adjust to the idea of the weather never changing, but spring in October has really thrown me for a loop! Plus, they don't do much for Halloween here so Christmas stuff is already popping up in the stores while we're packing sweaters away and thinking about shorts. It's so backwards. But I'm NOT complaining because the weather has been gorgeous...finally!! We're taking advantage of every opportunity to play outside.

Sunday afternoon was a picnic at King's Park. The boys had a great time throwing the big frisbee around and getting dirty.

Ben jumped around on these steps forever. It's the kind of thing an adult would look at and not think twice about but a kid sees endless opportunity to try walking, running, jumping, and crawling all over them.

Later in the week I took the boys to the playground and we ended up on the beach. I need to be more prepared for these outings because I'm beginning to find the beach all over our house...in the washer, the bathtub, the kids' sheets...and while I love the beach I prefer to leave it outside! It's worth it to let these guys enjoy themselves, though.

Yesterday we checked out Leighton Beach, just south of Cottesloe, and this time I brought sand toys and swimsuits. The kids had so much fun digging...

...and of course eventually ended up in the water. I did put them in their suits first but didn't take any pictures because I was too busy chasing after them. The water is still frigid but they didn't seem to mind. Alex kept running full force into the waves (but this is a great beach because the waves roll onto the sand for a long time and it's nice and shallow) and I finally let him go and get knocked onto his bottom by a wave. He was a little shocked and started crying, then wouldn't touch the water the rest of the afternoon. Much easier to wrangle that way! Ben was running, splashing, and rolling in the water. Pure joy on his part! He'll start swim lessons soon and hopefully be able to go a little deeper in the water.

We got a box from Aunt Stacey today!! Nothing says bliss to these two boys like extra blankies for Alex and a new electro-light for Ben. He immediately ran and got his old one and wouldn't put either of them down for the rest of the afternoon. It was like Christmas because I got a swimsuit and books I'd ordered and the kids got Halloween shirts and toys from Aunt Stacey. Thank you!!

Thank goodness for our baby gates but this just shows you that you can't keep this kid somewhere he doesn't want to be! Alex is very adept at going up and down the stairs forward and backward. I prefer him going down on his tummy but he likes to show me that he can do it like a big boy and put more gray hair on my head. This time I caught him doing it the right way!

A Day of Adventures

Yesterday was one of those days I was glad I brought the big diaper bag and had some dry pants for the boys in the car because we did a lot more than I'd planned! We met the playgroup moms at a cute little farm that was about 45 minutes away. I knew once we got there that Alex would definitely pass out in the car as soon as we left (right at naptime) so we made the most of it and I thought we'd sort out naps later.

The boys loved the animals and Alex kept chasing these chickens, who stayed just out of reach.

Ben spent some time getting to know this chicken.

The geese on their nests.

The boys and their friend Neve checking out the goats.

"So you can eat that green stuff, huh?"

Ben liked the pony a lot from this view.

Not so much from this view. He started screaming as soon as the pony cart ride started, I think because he was under the impression the pony was taking the kids away, not just in a big circle. I ended up having to walk behind the cart around the entire length of the farm while carrying Alex so Ben didn't lose it. I avoid carrying Alex more than 10 steps because he's 27 lbs of dead weight so needless to say we didn't go for ride #2.

Ben was so happy to be back on solid ground when the ride was over that he even gave Alex a hug! (or a sweet strangle, but let's not get too technical)

Saying hello to the big goats.

Neither of the boys noticed this big sheep and both about died when a loud "BAAA" came out right by their heads. I laughed so hard when they jumped in unison.

Alex was pretty taken with the pigs. Maybe a common love for eating?

"Look, I've got a big belly, too!"

They became fast friends.

Ben was fascinated by the chicken house and each time he lifted a lid and found a hen on her nest he would say "hi mama chicken!".

They also had a beautiful garden and great cafe where we enjoyed our lunch. It was a perfect day to be outside. The weather is slowly improving but I miss my heat and humidity.

Both boys had a great time and Alex was asleep about 5 minutes after I took this picture and got him in the car.

I knew he'd wake up the minute I stopped the car so I just kept driving south past the city. We ended up in Rockingham and I had heard about Penguin Island, so I figured it would be a good time to check it out. It is kind of nice to combine naptime with driving time! We played on the dock for a while before the ferry came to take us across.

Ben was really excited about the boat ride, even though it was only a few minutes long.

The island is really small and close enough to walk at low tide, but since its protected from predators it's a busy breeding ground for pelicans, seagulls, terns, and little penguins (the smallest species of penguin).


These were a few cute seagull chicks.

Most of the little penguins go out to sea to feed during the day and return at dusk but there is a center for rehabilitation for the ones needing special care.

They're so adorable! I was surprised to hear they have loud barking calls...not what I would have expected from short chubby penguins.

Afterward I let the boys run around on the beach and the inevitable happened. It's a terrific beach for kids (or will be when it's a bit warmer!) because it's clear and as calm as a lake on this side of the island.

Ben loved it and didn't mind the freezing water.

Alex thought it was hilarious watching his toes disappear into the sand.

The pelicans were fun to watch and looked so graceful when they were flying.

We saw lots of nests with eggs....

....and even more angry moms yelling at us to stay away from their nests. I thought you shouldn't lay your egg right next to the sidewalk unless you planned on people peering into your nest.

And the last wild animal we spotted this week was right at home.

We're finally getting the house in order and one of the last things on my list was a little playhouse and slide for the kids. They're loving it and I'm thrilled about it because I bought it used for about a quarter of what it cost new.

peekaboo!

Oh, these boys are my buddies. We have so much fun together now that we're adjusted to life together 24/7. (not that we didn't have fun before, it was just a little touch and go there for a while when I realized I had no one to call when I needed an hour to myself) I love watching them grow and learn. Alex astounds me at how fast he's picking things up but he watches Ben like a hawk and imitates everything. Ben blows me away sometimes with the things that come out of his little mouth, like "Guess what. Today Daddy's going to work and he's going to send a lot of emails." And yesterday on the way home from our little adventure, we drove down a busy street in Fremantle and Ben pointed out our old rent house. We haven't seen it in over a month and only spent 3 weeks there. How could a 3-year old recognize that? And he told me the other day that I'm his best friend. I felt lucky because I beat out his puppy for the coveted title and because it is such an honor to be the most important person in this little boy's life for now. I know in a few years he probably won't want to be seen with me in public but I'm going to enjoy this time with my beautiful, innocent, sweet babies as long as possible.