Our Australian Playdate

Yesterday was a big day for us. We have now been here just about 2 and 1/2 months and in that time we have had no social life outside the family.  In a desperate attempt to find some other parent/child combination to interact with I started searching the web for meet up groups, playgroups-- anything that we could get involved with.  While searching, I came across a great blog called, Florida Girl in Sydney.  I began reading and I thought, my goodness, someone who has gone through the same things as I am going through.  I immediately emailed her thinking she would never respond thinking I was some freak or a serial killer. Well, lo and behold, about a month later, I got an email from Florida Girl in Sydney. I was ecstatic! We emailed a bit back and forth and talked about getting together, but nothing really came of it as we both were super busy with sick kids and life in general.  We continued to chat a bit via Facebook and read each other's blog, but still hadn't met up. Then yesterday, we took the plunge and got together.

The boys and I boarded a bus for Rose Bay- about a 30 minute bus ride through some beautiful areas- and then a quick walk up hill and we arrived at Florida Girl's house.  We spent then next 2 hours or so chatting while the boys played.  It was SO good to first of all talk to another adult (remember Doug has been gone two weeks and still has two weeks to go) and to find out that we had lots in common- we are both Jewish (had a great talk about food), we both have 2 boys and 2 dogs and we have some geographical commonalities as well!  She shared some tips about schools with me which is so helpful as I am totally struggling with where to send Cooper.  The boys played beautifully. Her boys are a bit older than mine, but they were so welcoming and took a genuine interest in my boys.  I enjoyed them too!

And, in true Jewish mother fashion- Florida Girl did not send me home with platefuls of leftover food, but instead bags full of toys and clothing her boys no longer need.  The boys have been in heaven ever since playing with their "new" toys and I have some new outfits to put them in. Thanks Florida Girl and Sons!

Tuck on his new "computer"

Coop loving his new fire station