School Lunch

In the States that phrase might elicit some scrunched-up "yuck" faces. Being a government-run, streamlined program, it's not exactly the freshest, healthiest meal you want for your kid. Jaime Oliver's pretty much proven that.

But out here, it's totally different. You basically order what you want from the list; offerings like wraps, muffins, fried rice, pies, smoothies, etc. Then the Canteen whips it up for you that morning (with a few parent volunteers.) I help out once a term and always love seeing how the meals are put together.

The other day I was doing up some fresh baked "bikkies". And scooping out fresh-set jelly(o) with sliced fruit for fruit cups.

Meanwhile, Summer's under the counters - usually with a whole crowd of laughing, smiley faces.

I can't help but think we could significantly cut down on childhood obesity with a more natural, hands-on approach to school lunch like this. Pricier, yes, but fresh ingredients, less preservatives, real food - it's gotta be worth it.


They've also got an "Environment Centre" with kitchen attached. It's the highlight of the week to go in and cook pumpkin scones or vegetable pizza at these kid-sized appliances.

 They get to grow, sample and cultivate vegetable gardens right outside their doors.

From this..... to this 2 months later.

Throw in a compost heap and gathering fresh eggs from their chooks and you've got some real life learning experiences going on.

I reckon they're going to miss this school.

'No No's in Oz

I keep thinking we're tapering off on the Australianisms here, but on the flip side I have been made aware of some important "no-no"s that are worth mentioning. If ever you find yourself in the Land Down Under, be careful not to use the following phrases:

Fanny
Root For (as in cheering for a sports team)
Stuffed (as in "i'm stuffed" after Thanksgiving dinner)
Doodle (according to Will)

I won't go into what they mean but you can assume they are quite inappropriate.

Also, swearing is a whole different ball game. Our kids were more than a little shocked at all the "swearing" every day at school, until we learned that "damn" and "hell" are simply not swear words here. So, although our kids are still not allowed to say them, they sure are accustomed to it.

A few more funny terms:

Losing the Plot (frustrated/fed up)
Pay Out (sell out)
Nackered (exhausted)
Good Oh (okay)
Out in the Never Never (way out in the undeveloped bush)
Paw Paw (papaya)
Pinch (steal)
Early Mark (out of school early)
Prezzies (gifts)
First In Best Dressed (first come, first served)
Sook (crybaby)
Knickers (female underwear)
Tee-Up (organize/make an appointment)
Sticky Beak (nosey person)
Top End (far northern Australia)
Fancy Dress (dress-ups, as in costume, not ballgown)
Good Turn (good deed)

And finally, an American friend who is a Nurse Practitioner here said that professional competition takes some getting used to as well. In the States you're generally rewarded for being a go-getter and showing initiative in the workplace. But here, apparently it's not an appreciated attitude and you're more likely to get chopped down. Called "Tall Poppy Syndrome" - valuable advice for the professionals I guess. Be stealthy if you want to climb that corporate ladder.

A Weekend in Sydney

 Discovered some gorgeous parks during our last visit. Loved the bird's eye view from Sydney Tower as well.

See the Harbor Bridge and Opera House behind Summer's head?

Statues

 All sorts of art shows throughout the city parks - notice the giant photos on display.

 Little monkey child had it comin' to her.

 Aaaaaand, she's right back at it.

 Subways and Apple stores - endless entertainment in any city.

Topped it off with a ferry ride at sunset.

The Boy

Absolutely obliterates shoes. We're on our 4th pair of the school year.

Our Will is a go-getter. Has been from Day 1. And his energetic enthusiasm makes him pretty fun to celebrate each year.

He saw Dad lying here and 2 minutes later he came back in this twin get up. Serious devotion.

Summer is sort of his jedi-in-training. He gets her in all kinds of non-baby-friendly situations.

No one craves all this birthday hoopla more than this dude. He eats. it. up.

Girls helped him finish and launch his baking soda/vinegar rocket. That thing can FLY.

When he emptied the breakfast-for-dinner serving platter onto his plate we laughed and told him there was no way he could eat 4 eggs and 2 monster pancakes. Turns out someone was wrong.

And to top it all off we had nine 9-year-olds over to spend the night. (We've always had a no sleepover rule, but caved recently for a once a year birthday deal. I'm curious - how do you handle the sleepover thing??) Not sure I can describe THAT kind of chaos. It was sort of a relief not to have to prep with a creative cake or fun games/decor (definitely un-wanted this year) but the FOOD and the NOISE consumed and created by that pack of adrenaline. Wow... Funniest part was this moment:

That's seven electronic devices among the 10 of them. Seriously, boys are boys and this is a techy world we live in. I learned next time to have them all handed over at midnight because they kept 'em up til 3am and the sun woke the tent-sleepers up at 5am, so... gnarly night.

(Summer had a blast with all the wild attention.)

Bottom line: Will proclaimed it "the best birthday ever."

He chose to "nerf" the candles out. Actually burned some bullets.

An hour after the last guest left a friend dropped off her three little girls to stay with us a couple days so it was a memorable, sleepover-soaked Halloween weekend, but now I'm ready for a nice long nap!