That's All Right (Mama)

   What a crazy couple of weeks it's been. It started off on a bittersweet note as we said goodbye to Gram. She left with a suitcase full of Aussie gifts and two photo albums packed with pictures from her wonderful visit. It was hard to see her go, and her departure triggered a wave of homesickness in our household, but I think it helped that we'll see her again, along with the other grandparents, in just two months. 
   In addition, Term 4 began at school, along with sports for the kids. We signed up Alanna for another round of softball, despite being really disappointed with the "Batter Up" program from last term. At least this time they'll play actual softball games instead of merely doing some introductory and team-building activities. Her friend from the last season is on her team, and she got a nice coach, so we're cautiously optimistic that she'll get to play some real softball!
   Aliya went to a "Come and Try" session for basketball, and fell in love. Taking a leap of faith, we bought a basketball net and backstop for our driveway, and Aliya is out there almost every day, turning down playdates after school so she can come home and practice. It's a bit daunting because they play with 10 feet-high nets but she loves it. Even dribbles her ball to and from school each day.

   Games started right away, after just one practice. They have some experienced players on their U9 team, so they're 2-0. Would you believe the girl to the left of Aliya in this picture is named Aaliya?

   On Monday, Alanna and the rest of the Year 4's got to go to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground and the National Sports Museum. 
About the NSM and MCG
 (By Alanna):
Ian Thorpe's shoe size is Size 19!! (Dad's is only 13!)
The MCG can seat just over 100,000 people!
The MCG field was once used for the Commonwealth Games.
If your parents apply for you to become a member of the MCG when you are born, you actually become a member at the age of like, get ready for this.....16 or 17!!
The MCG used to be called the MCC for the Melbourne Cricket Club instead of Ground.
The American flag was flying at the first Cricket match EVER!
TOO much more to type!!!


   Last week was also Numeracy and Literacy week at school. The highlight was Friday's Book Character Parade.

Dorothy and Pippi Longstocking

a very cute Pippi

Cinderella, Veruca Salt, Hermione, Dorothy

Hermione Granger, Dorothy, Cinderella, Princess Leia, Little Red Riding Hood

Saucepan Man from The Faraway Tree

Alanna says: The gross person is this really stupid boy named Liam.

Three of the four Pippi's in Alanna's class. Alanna was the only one with Mr. Nilsson.

   At school, everyone gathered in the main hall for a parade. It was great fun seeing all the clever costumes. Lots that you would expect, such as Cat in the Hat, Little Red Riding Hood, and assorted princesses. Some Smurfs (was there really a Smurf book?) even a few pairs of Thing 1 and Thing 2. My favorite was a homemade Rainbow Fish costume. The teachers got into the spirit as well. The kids favorite was a male teacher dressed up as Mary Poppins, but there was also a very realistic Mad Hatter. They don't really do Halloween here in Oz, so it was great that they have a chance to dress up.

   After the parade, I headed up to Aliya's classroom, where she was Reader of the Day. Aliya loves to play teacher, so reading to the class was right up her alley. She chose "Stand Back" Said the Elephant "I'm Going to Sneeze!" which was a great choice because it had lots of amusing rhymes, lots of animal characters, and even a bit of suspense. 

Aliya really enjoyed changing her voice for each animal, and put a lot of emotion into her reading. Her teacher even joked that Aliya did so well, reading loudly and clearly and with enthusiasm, that she could take over her job and read to the class every day!  

   This past weekend was another busy one. Both girls had playdates come over on Friday. Aliya had three birthday parties as well as a basketball game. Alanna put on a bake sale and jewelry sale to raise money for breast cancer research. Andy took the girls for a bike ride to Maccas (aka MickeyD's) in the rain on Friday night while Alexi went on a Girls Night Out. It was a trivia night, a fundraiser for EMPOWA while helps orphanages in East Timor and Thailand. I have to say, I thought I was halfway decent at trivia after years of playing Trivial Pursuit with my dad. Alas, our table came in dead last! Too much estrogen perhaps, and not enough sports knowledge. Not to mention I was completely useless at the "Australiana" category. How many of YOU know what animal was on the now-defunct Aussie 2 cent coin? Or what national park Skippy lived in? Go ahead and Google it, I'm done here for now  :-)