Now that we are settled into our new home, Alexis and Reid are learning what it means to live like Aussie kids. They have noticed that it is normal for kids (and adults) to walk around with no shoes on. Whether we are in the grocery shoe, the post office, the bank or a café, it seems to be totally acceptable to go barefoot. Alexis has made it her mission to get tough feet so that she too can walk around with no shoes on. Reid is not there yet, he gets very bothered when he gets a single grain of sand in his shoes.
Part of being an Aussie kid is learning to talk like an Aussie. Alexis and Reid have been picking up on new phrases and practising the accent (they have not picked up an accent as of yet!).
Other ‘Aussie kid’ activities include jumping the waves while wearing a wetsuit…at least in Torquay wetsuits are necessary due to the icy cold water. It took a few visits to the beach, but both kids are getting much more comfortable in the ocean…as long as it is only knee deep! We have also spend much time perfecting our sand castle building skills as well as writing huge letters in the sand and watching them disappear as the waves wash up on shore.
In addition to adapting to Aussie life, Alexis and Reid have been filling their days with activities like playing at the park, playing dress up, going on hikes (and avoiding the snakes with the help of Reid and his stick), going on bike rides and celebrating Shane’s birthday.
But probably the most exciting thing for them is to check the mailbox for mail from home…especially from Oma, Opa and Auntie Allison.