January has gotten off to a relaxing start for our family with lots of low key days enjoying the visit of my parents. Since this is their fifth trip to Australia, the focus this time has been being together rather than rushing around madly checking off items on a sightseeing list. I have savored the opportunity to sleep in, slowly think about breakfast, and then maybe plan one or two things to do. That is the beauty of summer holidays. The weather has been nearly perfect, with the exception of one incredibly hot day, Friday last week. That was the day of the worst bushfires of the summer to date, some of which you may have heard about on the news.
One thing we have done a couple of times is visit St. Kilda, a famous community in Melbourne that is located right on Phillip Bay. We have admired the strength and agility of the kite surfers as they rip through the water and fly into the air, and we have also enjoyed the spectacle of a gorgeous sunset while looking for baby penguins hidden in the rocks at the end of the pier.
On New Year's Day, Katie and Cameron returned from camp and greeted their grandparents. There was plenty of excitement in the air as it meant we could finally open the gifts that traveled all of the way from Ohio.
Katie has joined the Fitbit club:
Sweet Frog t-shirts and paraphanelia were a big hit with the kids (thanks Uncle Andy and Aunt Linsey!) and brought back good memories of our trip there last July. The cash and gift cards have provided quite a bit of joy as well, and I have enjoyed seeing the kids' personalities emerge as they each handle their spending opportunities a bit differently.
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