These fires - we are so over them!! We had a couple of days with clear skies and we thought we were out of the woods as far as smoke inhalation. The fires won't be out until it rains properly, which probably won't be until February, but we still thought things were on the up and up. Until today. We woke up this morning to smoke and ash everywhere. We were totally housebound today, even though we were supposed to meet friends at the park. The fires are at 105000 hectares, and another has started north of us. Mum and Geoff drove up to Sydney today to pick up Jay from the airport, and they are lucky they made it back home as we didn't know if the highway was going to be closed. And conditions are supposed to get worse on Saturday :(
During the week when we could go out, we did. We made a trip to Collers Beach, but we didn't go exploring because Carmie had fallen in the shower and hurt her back. Another day we drove south so we could show the kids the fire-ravaged area, and it was so sad to see. We need to go back in a few months after the rain when the new shoots have come up and there is some life coming back. It was really eerie to see all those black trees for miles. We saw a lone echidna wondering around in the blackness. But it soon cleared, we happened upon a market, and then we took the kids to a park for a play. The kids also got to their last horse riding lesson of the year, as well as their last tennis lesson.
The good news is that the kids have been playing together so well, with barely any fights. I can't quite believe it, because it has been consistent for almost two weeks now. It seems that Arley has chilled out enough, and Carmie is responsive to him enough, and they are becoming really good friends. They are still playing spies, they have been building forts and 'spy hideouts' in the family room. They are both into designing t-shirts, because I spend so long doing that now, and it's really cool to start teaching them Illustrator. Arley has an insanely good eye for spatial recognition, it's tripping me out. Oh, and Carmie started guitar lessons again tonight! Jeff has been waiting for her to ask him, not wanting to push it. Then we saw a busker a few days ago, and Carmie asked Jeff that night. Fingers crossed she keeps it up.
So, Jay is in town as of today, all the way from China. Georgia and family are coming down tomorrow and are renting the townhouse next to Mum and Geoff. And then Sting is coming down on Sunday. The kids are so excited to see everyone again, they have been busy making presents and cards. They actually spent an afternoon making these bags for everyone, and then Arley put them on the floor in the study. The next day we were all in there and Arley noticed something on the bags. Bella had thrown up the most massive amount of vomit on the bags. She never throws up! At least she spared the carpet, but it was all over the kids' Christmas presents! I took the bags outside, hosed them off and threw them in the washing machine. Luckily they came out clean, and after an iron, they look as good as new. The receivers will be none the wiser!
Arley rocking his NeuroCool tee :)
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