What a great weekend. One of the last things one of my co-workers told me upon leaving the school Friday, was "Enjoy your weekend. Have some fun." So we did. On Saturday, Tom, the kids and I hopped the train to Sydney to see the exhibit at the Powerhouse Museum that had travelled from the British Museum. It was all about Egyptian mummies. There were 5 mummies total and it was so cool to be able to look at them, analyze the art on their wrappings, and to check out all the other antiquities included in the exhibit. While in Sydney we also visited China town which is a whole lot smaller than Portland's China town. We stopped at a Japanese restaurant for a bite to eat before the museum and a Turkish kabob join for dinner. It was nice to spend the day in the city.
Sunday was relaxing. Tom and Alta went to the farmers market which is held every Sunday at the horse race course. We go every Sunday to get loaded up for the week on fresh bread, veggies, and home-made pasta (sold by a beautiful Italian man.) This Sunday Olin and I didn't go. Instead he and I walked to the Wyoming Shopping Center (Wyoming is a city adjacent to Gosford.) He scootered the whole way (about 2 miles) while I walked behind him. I realized something as I watched him ride his scooter up and down the sidewalk in front of me past grocery store parking lots, McDonalds, and over cross walks. I realized that my kids have grown up so much in the last 3 months. Three months ago I never would have felt like he could safely ride his scooter on Pacific Highway very far from me. He and Alta have learned how to function safely in urban environments. They no longer pick up trash and think it's treasure. They're understanding when to go and stop based on the crosswalk signs and sounds. People with noticeable and prominent characteristics are no longer met by two staring Alaskan children. My kids glance, see them, and keep going. Even our trip to Sydney was less stressful in that regard than it has ever been before. They weren't bothered at all the different looking city-people, the crowds, the train station, or crossing busy streets. They weren't country kids in a big big city. They weren't really city kids either, but they did a great job managing themselves. In the evening Tom and I took the kids to a skate park in Narara (a few minutes drive from our house.) I put my running shoes on and did about a 25 minute run around a nearby trail - my first run in over three months. It felt really good. I've been doing a lot of walking but it felt nice to get my heart rate up. Alta and Olin rode their wheels at the skate park while Tom watched. I was so proud of Alta. Of all the kids skating she was the only girl - and she was completely fine with that. Olin has been developing his scooter and skateboard skills and is keeping up with the the other kids out there his age.
1 Comment
Candy Webber
3/23/2017 07:17:35
What a very nice post. That is how to enjoy a week end!
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AuthorThe Liljemark's enjoy exploring the world. This blog chronicles our adventures. Archives
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