Just in time for Hallowe'en

This spider is called a Huntsman.  Believe it or not, it's harmless!  It is often found in cars, on top of the sun visor.  One of my supervisors had one crawl across her windshield (inside the car) as she was driving.  She jumped out of the car and then watch her car jump the curb, traverse someone's front lawn before coming to a stop with a soft bump on a tree!  Thank goodness she was only going 5 km/h when it happened!  Rob helped a neighbour get this one out of her car.  Only in Australia eh!!

Glenn Gabrielle (GG) at 9 months

Glenn is very proud of herself, "Hey Papa, look at me!"

Exploring

Dishwasher inspector.

Little Miss Beaver!  "Now that I have teeth, I love to bite things.  I've already chipped two of my teeth."

At the Post Office getting weighed (don't have a scale at home) so as to get the right dosage of medication that Maman is ordering and picking up today.  This was a first for the Post Office- they got quite a laugh. Someone in line asked, "Where are you shipping her?" 

Sleeping with a pillow now

Who needs toys when you have a stroller to cruise around.  Glenn and Sacha enjoying themselves while on a Picnic in Royal Botanic Gardens.  

Skinner's Adventure Playground

Cargo containers made into well thought out buildings.


Cricket anyone?

In ground trampoline

This was a fun park.  We must have caught the right day because we had the whole place almost to ourselves.  It's one to come and spend the whole day, not just an hour or so. They have indoor stuff as well. Computers, games, all the art supplies imaginable, and more... We'll be back. Joelle was able to lay her head down and take a well deserved nap with Glenn.  Way to go!!! 

Kangaroo for Canadian Thanksgiving!

Kangaroo is sold in Australia just like any other meat back home. This, I picked up from Safeway and cooked it on the BBQ like a steak- yum!!!  The sticker on the packaging reads: "Good For You, Good For The Environment" and explains that, "Kangaroo's need less food than sheep or cattle, are better adapted to drought and are far less damaging to the fragile topsoil than their sharply- hooved sheep & cattle counterparts.  Australia's sheep and cattle produce huge amounts of methane, an important greenhouse gas- but kangaroos do not.  Methane emissions from farm animals account for about 15% of Australia's greenhouse gas production. Kangaroo meat is 98% fat free, high in protein, iron, and zinc, low in saturated fat, gluten free, and also contains conjugated linoleic acid, which reduces blood pressure."  

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in Canada!

ASL (Australian as a second language)

ta  =  thank you

bangers  =  sausages

willy willy  =  gust of wind

nappies = diapers

chemist =   pharmacy

dunny = toilet

bub = baby

torch = flashlight

muesli = granola

fringe = bangs

crook = sick

cheeky = funny

boot = trunk

bonnet = carhood

arvo = afternoon

garbo = garbage collector

rug up = dress warm

ivories = teeth

brekkie =  breakfast

bangers =  sausages

blower = telephone

counter meal = pub meal

nosh =  food

doona =  duvet

bum nuts = eggs

chook =  chicken

mushies = mushrooms

pikelets = little pancakes

strawbs = strawberries

champers = sparkling wine

poo tickets = toilet paper

cab sav = cabernet sauvignon

chardy = chardonnay

bevvie = beverage

shivoo = party

BYOGM = bring your own grog and meat

capsicum = greenpepper

fair dinkum = the truth

bloke = man/guy

carn = come on!

wally = fool/idiot

how ya gowen? = how are you doing?

short black = small strong espresso

long black = black espresso topped with hot water

fort night = 2 weeks

golden syrup = sugercane syrup used instead of maple syrup

tim tam = australians favorite chocolate biscuit cookie

milk bar =  corner grocery

esky  =  cooler

slippery dip  =  slide at playground

swim shorts  =  tugs

veggie-mite =  disgusting