as time flies by...continued

Well, "later" became 3 days later.

More highlights:

• We took the bus into Perth last weekend. It's $8 unlimited travel for the whole family all day. We went to Kings Park which has beautiful gardens and great walking paths. Of course we met some interesting people (one guy who had lived in the US for a bit) and Rob got in a philosophical talk with this older man about raising children and about how he doesn't believe "in fairies or that there's anything out there". Then we went into the city and saw a really fun street performer and poked about a bit. Much different than the crass pirate performer, that we saw in Fremantle the previous weekend, who was telling the kids to "shut-up"!
• I took Pieter to his new kindy class yesterday. It is actually a kindy/pre-primary split class (4-6 year olds) which I think is a good fit for him. He was very welcomed there and got to play with playdough and do a couple of the academic activities. He loved it! He made some new friends and was very keen on going there again this morning. Unfortunately, he won't go back until the Wednesday (Oct. 14) after term break. Now I just need to work out the logistics of how to be in 2 places at one time on Monday and Wednesday mornings and afternoons. Did I say that this was all-day kindy??!!
• This morning there was a big fat kookaburra on our back lawn! I think he was the crazy loud bird that woke us up at 5:00 am doing some serious tropical bird sounds outside.
• It's when I am driving the car that it hits me most that we are in Australia. It is so strange to be driving on the opposite side of the road. When I drive down the street I realize that I really am in a completely different country. It's becoming more natural and I'm very rarely using the windshield wiper in place of the turn signal and for the most part I go to the correct side of the car to get in and drive. I don't believe that parallel parking will ever be in my future here:).
• Our prayer group skyped with us yesterday morning (their Tuesday night) at 7:00am. It was so good to see everyone and sing "Our God is an Awesome God" with them.
• I had to tell the kids that they could not have "a play" this afternoon because they have already accumulated way too many friends (yay!) and have begun to expect a play everyday after school.

Thanks to all of you for thinking of us, keeping in touch, sending the kids letters (Pieter is dying for a note in the mail), praying for us and skypeing us.

*pix in order: Rob and kids waiting at bus stop for Perth; the Mushens (and Little Truff) on top of the DNA tower at King's Park; a green and red kangaroo paw - the state flower; on a suspended bridge at the park with Swan River in background (we live south of the river); Ella and Amelie trying to act like a tree (?) with Boab Tree.

Lots of love, Marileen