Week 1 - Australia

We have been so busy our first week away that it's hard to put the words down —  I'm like a 90 year old and fall asleep on the couch every evening before the time reaches double digits.. Maeve has been thoroughly enjoying her time here and  Aussie life treats her well. What she loves the most though is spending time with her cousins - Emma and Josh.  It is so great to witness how much she just loves all of her cousins without any hesitation or reserve — she is all in with those relationships.  And, Emma and Josh have been so kind an considerate of her and have taken Maeve under their wing.  Her Auntie Leah and Uncle Andrew have been a huge hit too and making her laugh a lot.  Everyone has taken time off to ensure we have great family time together, and show Maeve all the best parts of Western Australia — that is extremely generous and totally appreciated.  I have already taken so many pictures, which I’ll put some below.  So far on the trip we have managed:

• Being greeted by the whole family at the airport at 1am wearing their matching vegemite shirts
• Leighton Beach - Maeve’s been asking to go back since (we have plans tomorrow)
• Neighborhood cribbage games
• New Years Eve at the neighbors house.  Maeve was so impressed by their hamburgers that she’s including that with her first letter to her classroom.
• Fremantle jet tour which was hysterically funny and extremely wet...
• Fremantle trolley tour
• Fremantle Prison tour - I had done a previous tour before, but it was definitely worth seeing, and helped fulfill some of the education goals we have on our trip. I think it is good healthy fear for all.
• Koala Park — Maeve was in need of seeing some true Aussie animals.  We were able to see koalas, kangaroos, wallaby’s, joeys, echidna’s, emu’s, ostriches...
• Adventure World — Maeve, Emma, Josh, and I spent the day at the water slide/amusement park.  
• Fierce Boogle games

Getting ready for take off on flight #1

Flight #2 where she claims she barely slept (5 hours) - but this was only interrupted twice by some travel puking on Maeve's part. This is proving to nbe a theme when she has long flights and her internal clock is messed up. No worries - that's what the blankets and biohazard bags are for, right?  She was totally fine once we arrived and rocked getting into the right time zone within 24 hours.

Maeve is happily staying in touch with some of her friends via iMessage and I keep finding selfies and videos on my phone. 

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Sunrise over the Indian Ocean

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First Aussie beach experience and a big fan .  Jumping through the rolling waves were the best part. 

Unfortunately Emma was working, but this was the beach crew that day before we headed off for requisite fish and chips .

She's a fan.

The climbing tree in the park behind the house with the cousins. 

We have kicked Emma and Josh out of their rooms, and therefore they each have a tent in the backyard.  It's a pretty sweet setup, actually. 

Omg - this was so fun. Screaming fast boat slides with hysterical laughter.  I thought we were just going on a very fast boat ride... I didn't realize that we'd retu th absolutely soaking wet. So funny.

Trolley tour riders in Fremantle

Fremantle prison tour - role play

it does givou.a good appreciation for freedom after touring the rooms.

Josh doesn't like the tour.  Ha

The whole gang.

Maeve and Emma

Maeve 's kind of breakfast

Koalas.  So cute

Meet Jackson <3

What sweet animals. 

Josh and Jackson

a walaby and her joey

So sleepy..

Josh was the kangaroo whisperer

Emu's

Andrew laying down the rules

Family portrait with Jackson filling in for Ollie .Jackson was definitely more behaved than Ollie  

Mid-way through Adventure world day

Park goers

there is still plenty on our list to accomplish in week 2, so we'll update again after that. So fun.