Sorry this has taken me longer to get this next post out. We are very busy with school, you all know how it is . Now that Christian is in grade2, he has homework every night. The first week of school went very well. Paige blended in like she had been there all her life. Christian made friends pretty easily also. The boys are teaching Christian how to play soccer. The boys must have went home and told their parents that they had a new boy in there class who didn't know how to play soccer! We also got the lunches firgured out also...I asked a lot of people at the school what I should bring for the kids to eat. They said to pack whatever I would put in their lunches in America. To make a long story short, Christian ended up eating fruit loops for his lunch. They have Tea (snack) in the morning. Christian ate all of his lunch at tea and only had a snack for his regular lunch. Needless to say, they were starving when I picked them up from school. Now I basically fix 2 lunches. A piece of fruit and a muffin for tea and sandwich with other stuff for lunch. It's amazing how quickly we adapt to the Australian culture of tea times. Morning and afternoon.
The parents are very friendly also. Everyone introduced themselves and many were anxious to get together. One of the Friday's after school we had tea with other parents from school while the kids played. That was fun. It kind of reminded me of my girlfriends back in Arkansas (Ya-Ya). We sat out side and the kids ate pasteries and we had wine, tea, and a lemon lime and bitter. I have no idea what that is, but they really like that drink over here. The following Friday, we were invited to Bailey Meyers' birthday party. This is a boy in Christian's class. It was a lovely party. The children played some games and then went across the street to the park for a little footy (I think they call everything footy....I'm still trying to get that nailed down). In addition, this is a little wild...one man followed me out at school and invited Dan and myself to his 50th birthday party. It was going to be very large with some John Deere dealers there. I told him we had plans. Then he called Dan at home and invited him for Sunday if we couldn't make it on Saturday. However, we didn't go since we already had plans.
The children both had field days here...they called it a "Carnival". I had no idea what it was. I thought they were going on rides for awhile. Paige told me that she was in training. For what, I thought to myself...standing in line for the rides? Actually it was very nice day and I was able to meet some new people.
A few things the kids are both learning is German. Paige can sing a good morning song and Christian knows how to sing Happy Birthay. Every Friday, Christian has an assembly where people get awards and they tell of peoples birthdays and what will be happening at the school. Christian heard about "AusKick"....which is like a camp for learning Australian Football. He is learning how to kick, catch and pass. Paige is picking up the accent very quickly and is correcting us on what we should be saying. I can't say "what" anymore...I have to say pardon.
Since I am spending almost 20 minutes or more in the car (each way to school with the kids) I have a fair bit of time to try and catch up on the lingo. In a future posting, I will try and put up fun facts about Austrailia and lingo that new people should know to help themselves out if they come to visit. We will call this your "Australian Education". Your first bit of Education is called Fairy Bread. This is served at birthday parties or for afternoon tea. It is simply white bread with butter and sprinkles (basically cupcake or cake sprinkles) on top. They call the little ball sprinkles hudreds and thousands. The Austalian's also say and interpret everything very literally. For instance, one time Dan was out to dinner with two people and they were going to share some pizza. He asked for a couple of plates assuming that the waiter would bring three (one for each) but since he said "a couple," only two plates were brought out. You must say what you mean if you want it to turn out correctly.
That's all for now...enjoy some pictures from the kid's "Carnival" as well pictures of tea time.
The parents are very friendly also. Everyone introduced themselves and many were anxious to get together. One of the Friday's after school we had tea with other parents from school while the kids played. That was fun. It kind of reminded me of my girlfriends back in Arkansas (Ya-Ya). We sat out side and the kids ate pasteries and we had wine, tea, and a lemon lime and bitter. I have no idea what that is, but they really like that drink over here. The following Friday, we were invited to Bailey Meyers' birthday party. This is a boy in Christian's class. It was a lovely party. The children played some games and then went across the street to the park for a little footy (I think they call everything footy....I'm still trying to get that nailed down). In addition, this is a little wild...one man followed me out at school and invited Dan and myself to his 50th birthday party. It was going to be very large with some John Deere dealers there. I told him we had plans. Then he called Dan at home and invited him for Sunday if we couldn't make it on Saturday. However, we didn't go since we already had plans.
The children both had field days here...they called it a "Carnival". I had no idea what it was. I thought they were going on rides for awhile. Paige told me that she was in training. For what, I thought to myself...standing in line for the rides? Actually it was very nice day and I was able to meet some new people.
A few things the kids are both learning is German. Paige can sing a good morning song and Christian knows how to sing Happy Birthay. Every Friday, Christian has an assembly where people get awards and they tell of peoples birthdays and what will be happening at the school. Christian heard about "AusKick"....which is like a camp for learning Australian Football. He is learning how to kick, catch and pass. Paige is picking up the accent very quickly and is correcting us on what we should be saying. I can't say "what" anymore...I have to say pardon.
Since I am spending almost 20 minutes or more in the car (each way to school with the kids) I have a fair bit of time to try and catch up on the lingo. In a future posting, I will try and put up fun facts about Austrailia and lingo that new people should know to help themselves out if they come to visit. We will call this your "Australian Education". Your first bit of Education is called Fairy Bread. This is served at birthday parties or for afternoon tea. It is simply white bread with butter and sprinkles (basically cupcake or cake sprinkles) on top. They call the little ball sprinkles hudreds and thousands. The Austalian's also say and interpret everything very literally. For instance, one time Dan was out to dinner with two people and they were going to share some pizza. He asked for a couple of plates assuming that the waiter would bring three (one for each) but since he said "a couple," only two plates were brought out. You must say what you mean if you want it to turn out correctly.
That's all for now...enjoy some pictures from the kid's "Carnival" as well pictures of tea time.
3 comments:
Hello Leibfried's,
Thank you so much for making a blog site. It is great. Elizabeth and I just sat down and read thru it. She loved seeing pictures of Paige.
Becky
Hi guys,
It sounds like things continue to go well in the world down under. I am so interested in the schooling. Can you convince Madison to pay for my visit?
We have been busy with Tim's visit. He leaves on sunday so that will be a sad transition for us.
Sorry we missed you when you called Margie. We think of you often
Love,
The Halbergs
Dan and Ang-
Looks like you have 2 little natural Aussies on your hands! Paige and Christian do look very cute in their uniforms. Our school has toyed with the idea of uniforms and I wish they would! The girls wouldn't have such drama getting ready for shcool, and the boys wouldn't be in the same tshirt and jeans all the time.
Marcus is a senior this year and really looking forward to it, but the college part is scary both for him and his mother. Eric is now a freshman and his big brother won't let him forget it. They are both in football American style, tho' Marc thinks it would be great to try Rugby. I will try to figure out how to send some emails and pics to you as soon as I get your email from your mom.
Our 2 girls Micaela and ERin are 12 and 10, respectively, and let me tell you Ang, Micaela is our resident hair dresser. I think she has your knack for it. Erin is a carbon copy of me, poor dear. They are both into volleyball and softball. HOpefully pictures to follow sometime.
We are getting ready to go to the Poker run today adn the weather promises to hold out this year and be really hot, tho' I've heard it is nothing compared to your summer there with the drought and all.
I will tell your mom hi and give her a squeeze.
Your kids and yourself should be proud of how quickly you've adjusted. It will fly by I'm sure and you'll be saying you miss Aussieland when you get back.
Your pictures are awsome and so is that little shela of yours. Both of the kids are little copies of you adn Dan, so you know they will be great, especially with a mom like you who is able to be home with them and be the rock they need. As long as you 4 have each other, home is with you no matter your location.
Love form the States!
Nancy
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