Greek Festival of Sydney

Today we went to Darling Quarter to the Greek Festival of Sydney.  Apparently, the quarter is host to a series of annual cultural festivals-- they have festivals from Lebanon, Brazil, Greece, Poland, Thailand, Burma, Japan and Egypt among many others. Earlier this year, we attended the Chinese New Year Festival and last year, we went to the Taiwanese Festival. Today's festival was a bit more subdued than the others, but that may have been that we were there pretty early in the day or maybe the looming rain clouds above. Anyway, the boys and I enjoyed watching some Greek Dancers perform.  Coop was especially interested in the fact that the male dancers were dressed in skirts.  Tucker just sat silently watching and soaking it all it. Then Doug joined us and we ate a bit of Greek food- spanakopita, some kebabs and fried cheese.  Yum! The boys ate fries....

Greek Festival of Sydney

Today we went to Darling Quarter to the Greek Festival of Sydney.  Apparently, the quarter is host to a series of annual cultural festivals-- they have festivals from Lebanon, Brazil, Greece, Poland, Thailand, Burma, Japan and Egypt among many others. Earlier this year, we attended the Chinese New Year Festival and last year, we went to the Taiwanese Festival. Today's festival was a bit more subdued than the others, but that may have been that we were there pretty early in the day or maybe the looming rain clouds above. Anyway, the boys and I enjoyed watching some Greek Dancers perform.  Coop was especially interested in the fact that the male dancers were dressed in skirts.  Tucker just sat silently watching and soaking it all it. Then Doug joined us and we ate a bit of Greek food- spanakopita, some kebabs and fried cheese.  Yum! The boys ate fries....

Talking to the Birds

So both the boys think they can communicate with birds.  Tucker mostly just says, "Hi bird." or ""Bird. Have treat you!" when we go to feed them, but Cooper has long, drawn out conversations with all types of birds. He stops along the way to school to talk to his "pigeon friends." Today at the playground, he stopped to chat with some ibises and told them about an bird rescue center they can go to if they need it.  

There is a flock of about 26 cockatoos that has been hanging out at the park across the street for the past 2 weeks or so. Tucker and I have seen them every morning on our way home from Coop's school. Yesterday I took Coop to the park to see them.  Here are some pics of the boys talking to the cockatoos and a picture of Coop's school project where he had to talk about his favorite animal-- the cockatoo.

Talking to the Birds

So both the boys think they can communicate with birds.  Tucker mostly just says, "Hi bird." or ""Bird. Have treat you!" when we go to feed them, but Cooper has long, drawn out conversations with all types of birds. He stops along the way to school to talk to his "pigeon friends." Today at the playground, he stopped to chat with some ibises and told them about an bird rescue center they can go to if they need it.  

There is a flock of about 26 cockatoos that has been hanging out at the park across the street for the past 2 weeks or so. Tucker and I have seen them every morning on our way home from Coop's school. Yesterday I took Coop to the park to see them.  Here are some pics of the boys talking to the cockatoos and a picture of Coop's school project where he had to talk about his favorite animal-- the cockatoo.

After School Fun with a Friend

Thankfully, Coop is settling into the whole routine of going to school, being happy at school and smiling at the end of the day. Phew! A big part of his happiness is his friend, Max, who Coop met at the playground over the summer holidays and who is in kindy with him at Crown Street. Although the boys aren't in the same class, they have become good friends and both seem to feel a sense of security knowing the other is nearby.  Today the boys were playing after school and the after school care group was having some outdoor fun with water and sponges. The teacher invited Max and Cooper to join in the fun (even though they were not part of the group).  Tucker joined in as well- if you can call it that. He mostly did his own thing and kept us all in stitches watching him. It was a really nice time for Max and Cooper to interact with some other children.  They had a great time and were both exhausted by the day's end. I also had a nice time chatting with Max's mom!

Cooper and Max on the first day of school

Tucker in on the action- Coop managing the group

Coop getting his sponge good and soggy

Tucker running around with sponges

Coop playing toss the wet sponge- his back to us....

After School Fun with a Friend

Thankfully, Coop is settling into the whole routine of going to school, being happy at school and smiling at the end of the day. Phew! A big part of his happiness is his friend, Max, who Coop met at the playground over the summer holidays and who is in kindy with him at Crown Street. Although the boys aren't in the same class, they have become good friends and both seem to feel a sense of security knowing the other is nearby.  Today the boys were playing after school and the after school care group was having some outdoor fun with water and sponges. The teacher invited Max and Cooper to join in the fun (even though they were not part of the group).  Tucker joined in as well- if you can call it that. He mostly did his own thing and kept us all in stitches watching him. It was a really nice time for Max and Cooper to interact with some other children.  They had a great time and were both exhausted by the day's end. I also had a nice time chatting with Max's mom!

Cooper and Max on the first day of school

Tucker in on the action- Coop managing the group

Coop getting his sponge good and soggy

Tucker running around with sponges

Coop playing toss the wet sponge- his back to us....

Valentine's Day

Not too much to report about Valentine's Day.  Coop was upset this morning when I told him he had to go to school today. He cried and said, "But I wanted to stay home and celebrate Valentine's Day with you." Once I explained that this day was about sweets and treats and we don't eat sweets and treats in the morning, he was fine and off he went to school.  

As Tucker and I walked around town today, I noticed just how many people celebrate Valentine's Day in Sydney. I have never seen so many people walking around carrying flowers!  Many of them were carrying those extra long flower boxes that hold long stem roses. I was quite surprised.

While Coop was at school and Tucker was napping, I decorated a bit with a sign and some hearts. Yesterday I made heart shaped cookies with pink and purple frosting used them to make Valentine's for the boys (see below).  I got the idea from Pinterest. After dinner, I gave the boys their Valentines and they were so excited!  Cooper ate all four cookies and Tucker ate the icing off all four, but only ate two of the cookies.  After that, we went across the street to Hyde Park to use the boys' new shovels for some digging.

Overall it was a nice day- nothing too exciting, but a good day of celebrating our love with tasty treats. :)