February 11 - 13th, 2011: Establishing routines....

As we head into our fourth week in Perth, the reality of our holiday being over is starting to sink in. As they get to know their teachers and new school friends, the kids seem to be enjoying school a little more. We had a "Meet the Creature" interview with Rein's teacher Last Thursday night. She said that Rein is well liked by his classmates but very quiet in class. Also, she showed us a sample test that she gave the kids. She wanted to know where the class was at because they do the International testing in Year 3 here. He did OK - he just needs to slow down a bit - she said knowing that Rein is coming from Grade 2 in Canada she thinks he is doing really well. Tom seems to be making some headway with his new students and is being "tested" less often this week by the more challenging students.

Body-surfing at Swanborne Beach

Some of our highlights this past week.....
One evening last week, we enjoyed a delicious meal of Crayfish (lobster without claws) and beef kabobs courtesy of one of Tom's colleagues, Greg Baker, who is an Outdoor Ed. teacher and a skin diver. Tom may be joining him on an Outdoor Ed. Skin Diving trip to Rottnest Island in a few weeks.

I started an Abstract Expressionism" acrylic painting course on Friday morning at the Freemantle Art Centre - loved it. The course is 9 weeks long. i have become a member of the Art Centre and plan on taking courses throughout the year.

Sunset at Swanborne Beach

We continued our new end of the week tradition of a swim and beach barbecue. This past Friday night we met up with two other Canadian exchange families at Swanborne Beach - great body-surfing waves and another fantastic sunset.

Silka "playing piano" -
loves it!

On Saturday night, we enjoyed our first dinner and evening of guitar jamming at Judy, Tony, Dacre (16 yrs old) and Saskia's (Silka's age) place. Tony presented us with a delicious dish of Chicken baked with olives and preserved lemon on a a bed of couscous. Tom and I brought frozen grapes, dark chocolate and Grappa for desert. We were there until about 1:30 a.m. We left Silka behind enveloped in Saskia's arms and weaved home full of wine and Grappa with Rein in our arms. Thank goodness we were only 3 houses away. We immediately fell asleep. At 4 a.m. Judy knocked on our door and passed Silka off who woke up scared and wanting Daddy.

My first attempt at
"Abstract Expressionism"

Silka and Mom's collaborative painting -
Saskia's birthday present 

Silka and other fairies at Saskia's birthday
Party at the Pickled Fairy in Freemantle

The birthday invitations have started rolling in and Sunday Tom and I divided and conquered. Tom took Rein to Joe's birthday party in the morning and I took Silka to Saskia's birthday party in the afternoon. Saskia's party was a fairy party at the 'Pickled Fairy' in Freemantle. Silka had a wonderful time and Saskia kept close to her because she was the only friend she invited that wasn't from her class. The parents sat at the 'Raw Kitchen' nearby and enjoyed (?) Green Mint and Spirulina Smoothies. There were some grumbling about having just a regular coffee. Silka has decided she also wants to have a fairy party for her birthday. After the party, Silka and I headed of to the Fisherman's Wharf and picked up some fish & chips for dinner and then headed home.

 When we arrived back, Steven Satchell (we haved dubbed him the Wine Professor) was there and giving Tom another lesson on Australia's wines. He had brought 3 white wines and they were enjoying a tasting of the second one when I joined in. We had a lovely time sipping and listening to his stories.

Diana,Trish and I overlooking the Swan River at
Kings Park

750 year old Boab Tree in Kings Park

Kings Park looking towards downtown

Yesterday, I walked the kids to school and then headed off to Kings Park to go for a walk and have a picnic lunch with Diana and Trish, the partners of the other two Canadian exchange teachers that joined us at the beach on Friday night. The park is absolutely beautiful and it was a gorgeous day. There is a Boab Tree there that is about 750 years old and was transported about 3200 km to the park to save it from destruction during a road widening project. It was brought to the park on a transport truck with a police escort. It was in its dormant stage during the tropical dry season so it faired the trip rather well and is continuing to thrive in Kings Park. It played a significant role in the traditions of the local Gija people hence the huge effort to save it - it is spectacular and they hope it will live at least another 750 years.

Stand of Eucalyptus Trees in Kings Park