New Year's Eve

Tonight's the night. New Year's Eve in Sydney. The big event.  The first place to ring in the new year and man, this city is getting ready. When Tuck and I were out at 7 this morning, there were tons of city workers cleaning, sweeping, emptying trash cans, putting more cans out-- everything you can imagine! There were tents being put up and people heading to the grounds where the fireworks will be held. They will spend the day there in anticipation of the big night.

As in any city, there are many, many celebrations going on tonight and fireworks all over the area. There are big parties at the Opera House, at various restaurants and clubs, at Circular Quay (the harbour), at the Botanic Gardens, on cruise ships and even at the zoo! There is a whole website dedicated to NYE in AU.  Some of these parties cost upwards of $500 dollars to attend and have been booked for months. And, this one got me- there is even a Miss New Year's Eve that is been selected each year.  Too funny.

We won't be attending any big parties. We are going to celebrate at home.  We are hoping that we will be able to see the fireworks in the harbour from our balcony. Doug ordered some new "patio" furniture that arrived yesterday so we can sit outside and watch. I am sure the people watching will be an event on its own. There is an expected million people to be in the city tonight.

Coop asked me what NYE is. I told him it is a celebration of the end of one year and the beginning of the next. He said, "So it is the year's birthday?"  And I said, "Exactly."

New Year's Eve

Tonight's the night. New Year's Eve in Sydney. The big event.  The first place to ring in the new year and man, this city is getting ready. When Tuck and I were out at 7 this morning, there were tons of city workers cleaning, sweeping, emptying trash cans, putting more cans out-- everything you can imagine! There were tents being put up and people heading to the grounds where the fireworks will be held. They will spend the day there in anticipation of the big night.

As in any city, there are many, many celebrations going on tonight and fireworks all over the area. There are big parties at the Opera House, at various restaurants and clubs, at Circular Quay (the harbour), at the Botanic Gardens, on cruise ships and even at the zoo! There is a whole website dedicated to NYE in AU.  Some of these parties cost upwards of $500 dollars to attend and have been booked for months. And, this one got me- there is even a Miss New Year's Eve that is been selected each year.  Too funny.

We won't be attending any big parties. We are going to celebrate at home.  We are hoping that we will be able to see the fireworks in the harbour from our balcony. Doug ordered some new "patio" furniture that arrived yesterday so we can sit outside and watch. I am sure the people watching will be an event on its own. There is an expected million people to be in the city tonight.

Coop asked me what NYE is. I told him it is a celebration of the end of one year and the beginning of the next. He said, "So it is the year's birthday?"  And I said, "Exactly."

Another Post About Tucker...

I'm sure some of you are tired of my kid posts, but here goes another!  Tuck and I were up early again this morning. Instead of trying to keep him quiet while his dad and Cooper slept in, we headed out.  Today we returned to Darling Quarter to the water park at Tumbalong Playground.  It was so early the water wasn't even flowing yet. There were tons of workers or  "guys" as Tucker calls them cleaning the  playground and surrounding areas. Tonight is New Year's Eve and it is a HUGE deal here in Sydney.  Despite the fact that the water wasn't yet flowing, Tuck managed to find enough water to entertain himself.  He loved watching the "guys" work too. At one point, he walked over to one of the workers and said, "Nate, guy." Translation: "Thanks, guy."  He was thanking him for cleaning up! He thanked them once again when the water started up. Once that happened, Tuck went wild! He splashed, poured, climbed, pumped and even got down on his hands and knees and waded through the water.  He had the best time and I thoroughly enjoyed watching him having so much fun. Then the rain started and it was time to go home. Not that he noticed the rain since he was drenched already. :)

Another Post About Tucker...

I'm sure some of you are tired of my kid posts, but here goes another!  Tuck and I were up early again this morning. Instead of trying to keep him quiet while his dad and Cooper slept in, we headed out.  Today we returned to Darling Quarter to the water park at Tumbalong Playground.  It was so early the water wasn't even flowing yet. There were tons of workers or  "guys" as Tucker calls them cleaning the  playground and surrounding areas. Tonight is New Year's Eve and it is a HUGE deal here in Sydney.  Despite the fact that the water wasn't yet flowing, Tuck managed to find enough water to entertain himself.  He loved watching the "guys" work too. At one point, he walked over to one of the workers and said, "Nate, guy." Translation: "Thanks, guy."  He was thanking him for cleaning up! He thanked them once again when the water started up. Once that happened, Tuck went wild! He splashed, poured, climbed, pumped and even got down on his hands and knees and waded through the water.  He had the best time and I thoroughly enjoyed watching him having so much fun. Then the rain started and it was time to go home. Not that he noticed the rain since he was drenched already. :)

Some Little Things

This is going to be one of those random posts where I have lots of little things to say, but nothing big.  

Tucker has learned to do "thumbs up." The only problem is, he doesn't exactly get the part about putting your thumb up. We were out walking the other day and he was giving everyone a thumbs up without his thumb.... :)

I just really like this picture of Tucker and the Pugs.  Here Tucker is reading a book to the dogs. He loves the girls so much!

While on the topic of Tucker, I have to share a few things. He is "getting" more and more words each day and some of the things that he says are hysterical and some are beyond cute.  Coop and I bought him a new toothbrush today while he was napping.  When I gave it to him, he walked into the other room to find Cooper and said, "Nate, Bu-per."  Translation: "Thanks, Cooper." He did this all on his own with no prodding at all from me.  Just within the last week or so, he has started using descriptive and feeling words. He has told me that he is sad and when something scared him. He told me that one of Coop's Lego guys is "bad" (he has a mean face). He is also into the word, "cute," although he says something like, "dute."  All animals are "dute."  The other day after I dressed him, I asked him if he looked cute and he immediately went to the mirror to look at himself. When he and Coop play, he calls Coop either "sir" or "guy."  You can hear him in the other room saying, "Guy! Guy!" to Coop while they play.  I guess I could go on and on about Tucker, but I will stop here.  

Oooo! I could eat this boy up!

Manzie celebrated her 11th birthday this week.  I cannot believe it has been 11 years. I really feel like we just brought her home a few years ago.  Cooper is still wishing that she or Tofie would have a baby/puppy.  So cute, but so not going to happen. Sorry Coop.

 This is Coop's latest "funny." I handed him a t-shirt and a pair of underwear. The undershirt went on his body and the underwear on his head.  Being that he is five now and anything related to the potty, undergarments or biological functions is funny, this was absolutely hysterical to him (and us) and has been repeated daily ever since. He, by the way, requested that this picture be taken and asked if we can "keep the picture forever."  Well, here it is Coop-- immortalised forever on blogspot!

Tucker is not far behind in his fascination with bodily functions, although at a totally different level.  Today, he saw that Manzie's "wee wee" pad was dirty and took it upon himself to throw it away and replace it-- times 8.  

Some Little Things

This is going to be one of those random posts where I have lots of little things to say, but nothing big.  

Tucker has learned to do "thumbs up." The only problem is, he doesn't exactly get the part about putting your thumb up. We were out walking the other day and he was giving everyone a thumbs up without his thumb.... :)

I just really like this picture of Tucker and the Pugs.  Here Tucker is reading a book to the dogs. He loves the girls so much!

While on the topic of Tucker, I have to share a few things. He is "getting" more and more words each day and some of the things that he says are hysterical and some are beyond cute.  Coop and I bought him a new toothbrush today while he was napping.  When I gave it to him, he walked into the other room to find Cooper and said, "Nate, Bu-per."  Translation: "Thanks, Cooper." He did this all on his own with no prodding at all from me.  Just within the last week or so, he has started using descriptive and feeling words. He has told me that he is sad and when something scared him. He told me that one of Coop's Lego guys is "bad" (he has a mean face). He is also into the word, "cute," although he says something like, "dute."  All animals are "dute."  The other day after I dressed him, I asked him if he looked cute and he immediately went to the mirror to look at himself. When he and Coop play, he calls Coop either "sir" or "guy."  You can hear him in the other room saying, "Guy! Guy!" to Coop while they play.  I guess I could go on and on about Tucker, but I will stop here.  

Oooo! I could eat this boy up!

Manzie celebrated her 11th birthday this week.  I cannot believe it has been 11 years. I really feel like we just brought her home a few years ago.  Cooper is still wishing that she or Tofie would have a baby/puppy.  So cute, but so not going to happen. Sorry Coop.

 This is Coop's latest "funny." I handed him a t-shirt and a pair of underwear. The undershirt went on his body and the underwear on his head.  Being that he is five now and anything related to the potty, undergarments or biological functions is funny, this was absolutely hysterical to him (and us) and has been repeated daily ever since. He, by the way, requested that this picture be taken and asked if we can "keep the picture forever."  Well, here it is Coop-- immortalised forever on blogspot!

Tucker is not far behind in his fascination with bodily functions, although at a totally different level.  Today, he saw that Manzie's "wee wee" pad was dirty and took it upon himself to throw it away and replace it-- times 8.  

Rhapsody of the Seas

a cruise ship a seen from our apartment window

We have been watching cruise ships come and go from our apartment window for months now. Today Tucker and I took a walk down to the harbour to see one up close. The ship, or "shit" as Tuck calls it, that had just docked was called, Rhapsody of the Seas. It was ENORMOUS! I do not think I have words to describe simply how big this boat was!  The anchor alone was the size of a tree.  Tucker was amazed and wanted so badly to go aboard.  Here are some pics I took of the ship.

Rhapsody of the Seas

a cruise ship a seen from our apartment window

We have been watching cruise ships come and go from our apartment window for months now. Today Tucker and I took a walk down to the harbour to see one up close. The ship, or "shit" as Tuck calls it, that had just docked was called, Rhapsody of the Seas. It was ENORMOUS! I do not think I have words to describe simply how big this boat was!  The anchor alone was the size of a tree.  Tucker was amazed and wanted so badly to go aboard.  Here are some pics I took of the ship.

Our First Boxing Day

Yesterday was our first Boxing Day in Australia. I had no idea what it even was so I was really interested to see what happened.  Of course the first thing I did was Google it. I was interested to see that it is celebrated in the UK, AU, NZ, South Africa and Canada. It originated in the UK when wealthy people would give a box containing a gift in it to their servants.  Today, in most of these places, it is a public holiday which essentially means no mail and no banking. Everything else seems to proceed as normal.  Interestingly, in the state of South Australia, they do not have Boxing Day. Instead they observe a holiday known as Proclamation

Boxing Day is very similar to the day after Thanksgiving in the US. All the stores open very early and have massive sales. It is often the biggest revenue day of the year for local shops.  Boxing Day is also a big day for sporting events here in AU.  The Boxing Day Test Match is held in Melbourne. This is a cricket tournament between the Australian National team and other touring teams.  Another big event is the beginning of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race also known as the Bluewater Classic.  This race covers 630 nautical miles between Sydney and Hobart (Tasmania). Another interesting tidbit- this race used to take 6 days to complete. Today, the fastest yachts often finish in just under 2 days. That is quite a difference!

Boxing Day is also a big day for travel. Australian spend the day visiting friends and relatives or head off for their summer holiday (vacation).

So, what did we do on Boxing Day? Not much really.  Tucker and I walked from our apartment to the University of Sydney Vet Hospital (almost 3 miles each way!) to buy dog food for the girls.   Coop and Doug took a walk.  We did no shopping and played no sports, but we did play at home, we napped and we simply relaxed. Not bad for our first Boxing Day in AU, huh?

Two white ducks Tuck and I saw on our walk

Our First Boxing Day

Yesterday was our first Boxing Day in Australia. I had no idea what it even was so I was really interested to see what happened.  Of course the first thing I did was Google it. I was interested to see that it is celebrated in the UK, AU, NZ, South Africa and Canada. It originated in the UK when wealthy people would give a box containing a gift in it to their servants.  Today, in most of these places, it is a public holiday which essentially means no mail and no banking. Everything else seems to proceed as normal.  Interestingly, in the state of South Australia, they do not have Boxing Day. Instead they observe a holiday known as Proclamation

Boxing Day is very similar to the day after Thanksgiving in the US. All the stores open very early and have massive sales. It is often the biggest revenue day of the year for local shops.  Boxing Day is also a big day for sporting events here in AU.  The Boxing Day Test Match is held in Melbourne. This is a cricket tournament between the Australian National team and other touring teams.  Another big event is the beginning of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race also known as the Bluewater Classic.  This race covers 630 nautical miles between Sydney and Hobart (Tasmania). Another interesting tidbit- this race used to take 6 days to complete. Today, the fastest yachts often finish in just under 2 days. That is quite a difference!

Boxing Day is also a big day for travel. Australian spend the day visiting friends and relatives or head off for their summer holiday (vacation).

So, what did we do on Boxing Day? Not much really.  Tucker and I walked from our apartment to the University of Sydney Vet Hospital (almost 3 miles each way!) to buy dog food for the girls.   Coop and Doug took a walk.  We did no shopping and played no sports, but we did play at home, we napped and we simply relaxed. Not bad for our first Boxing Day in AU, huh?

Two white ducks Tuck and I saw on our walk