So, I skipped writing the blog last week because we were away, and now I'm back and writing it late, because coming back from a holiday is always hard work! So much to catch up on after just five days away. But let me tell you, it was so worth it. Leaving was really hard. The kids, of course, weren't happy that we were leaving, and Arley was crying on and off for the two days before we left. It made leaving very stressful indeed! But leave, we did.
Jeff and I flew up to Cairns on Wednesday night, and returned on Monday night. It was such a strange (and freeing) feeling not having to worry about anyone else, about feeding the kids their various meals and snacks, about getting them out the door to their appointments and activities. Having time to yourself is something you just don't get when you homeschool your kids! Jeff and I had such a good time. The first day there we spent lazing around, settling in, reading and exploring. The second day we caught a chain of cable cars up into the mountainous rainforest to a small town called Kuranda, did some shopping and had some lunch, then caught an old train back down through the rain forest. The scenery was beautiful, and we had such a nice day. Afterwards we had dinner at this awesome Vietnamese restaurant we found. We stumbled upon it because as we walked past, there was music playing, so I glanced in, and right in the back corner, there was a chubby, barefoot, older Vietnamese guy crooning into a microphone, and we just HAD to go in. It was the best. We spent the whole dinner creating a virtual sitcom starring the barefoot singer and the staff of the Vietnamese restaurant. Haha. On day three we went river tubing. We each had our own inflatable donuts and we floated down one of the rivers through a rainforest, over 4 different rapids, and floating under a canopy of leaves. It was both fun and relaxing, and a little bit hairball when the rapids came. It was a great morning. That afternoon we relaxed, and then we went to a little place at the night market and I got an hour of acupuncture and Jeff got a massage. I chose acupuncture because I had never had it before. It was an interesting experience, sometimes relaxing, sometimes painful! My right shoulder has been feeling pretty good since then, so that is a plus. Afterwards we dined at an Indian restaurant and wondered around the Esplanade. On day four we got up early and walked to the marina where we got on a catamaran ferry that took us out to Green Island in the Great Barrier Reef. Loved it! I have always want to go, and it was great. The weather was a bit hit and miss, kinda windy, and it even rained a couple of times. The water was a bit choppy, but underneath it was very calm, and the fish and coral were beautiful. I have to admit, once we saw the reef shark from the safety of the jetty, I was too scared to go back in. At this point Jeff had a blister, so we just relaxed on the beach. The snorkelling was so fun, and we have promised ourselves we will start snorkelling with the kids like we used to when they were little. The boat ride home was lovely, followed by dinner at our favourite sitcom Vietnamese restaurant again. On the Monday we just relaxed in cafes and walked around until it was time to go to the airport. Our vacation was the best of both worlds: jam-packed but relaxing too.
Meanwhile Mum and Geoff were looking after the kids. They discovered that the kids can be pretty easy if you just let them do what they want. That is the challenge, you see, making them do things they don't want, like eat healthily, exercise, brush teeth, interact with society! The kids were happy when we got home, and I think Lolo and Dida were happy too!
I got the kids to horse riding on Tuesday afternoon. Arley had told me the week before that he was quitting horse riding. I told him he had to go, and he said fine, he would quit next week. When we got there, Lisa suggested to him to just sit on Dude in the arena, not to try to steer him or anything, just sit and walk around where Dude wants to go. Arley hasn't been on a horse without being lead or on a lunge in over a year. He has flatly refused. But he thought just sitting on Dude would be ok. Low and behold, he started steering Dude when he got bored, and then he decided it was time to trot, so all of a sudden, Arley was trotting up and down the arena. Lisa and I just about fell on the ground. I still can't believe it! We can't make a big deal of it, because praise like that puts expectation on Arley and he will never do it again. But we were secretly cheering!! And Carmie's horse Chilly has been lame for two weeks, so she is riding a beauty called Zane, and she loves his trot.
I got Arley back to the dentist too. His palate has widened about 4mm, and now his teeth should slowly be moving into the right spot. I think he still has a few months of wearing the mouthpiece, but he's doing well with it.
Carmie went to her dungeons and dragons social group yesterday and loved it. When I walked in to pick her up, the three kids and the mentor were all cracking up and talking animatedly. That's exactly what I want for her!
It's school holidays here now, so some of the kids' activities have been cancelled. That's ok, we are keeping busy. Yesterday it was warm enough to go in the pool - except not for me. I stood on the sidelines blowing up the pool toys. Summer is coming and we can't wait :)
And that's it for now. Phew!
Look at him go! WTH??!!
