Having left the U.S. at the tail end of a typical hot and humid St. Louis summer, I'm not sure we were ready for summer to just be starting in Australia, but we didn't have much of a choice. Not that we don't like summer, we really do. However, given the choice I think both Steve and I would prefer to have all four seasons throughout the year. So when unusually hot summer weather struck Sydney early (the first weekend we were here) we found ourselves quickly asking people how long summer would last so we could have our expectations in check. People told us the same thing we might say of a Midwest winter. Just when you think it is about ready to end in February, you'll have another blast of hot, humid weather that rolls into early March and the start of autumn. Welcome to our current state of affairs. February started fairly mild, but as the month has worn on so have the temperatures and it now looks like we are right in the middle of the most consistently warm weather of the summer.
Never mind the weather, it's been hot, but I really haven't minded too much because February has been by far one of the best months I can recall in recent memory. We kicked off the month taking in the Chinese New Year celebrations here in Sydney and then welcomed my parents for their first trip across the Pacific. They were our first visitors since our arrival, and Emma especially was beyond excited for them to come (it didn't take long for her to ask what surprises they packed in their suitcase for her). Then on February 17th we had another very special arrival (but more on that in the next blog).
Here's a look at how we enjoyed the first half of February and the end of our "year of summer."
The start to the Chinese New Year... the city lit up in red and what else but fireworks on the harbour to celebrate!
Waiting for it to get dark to see everything lit up for the New Year, Emma and daddy took part in their favorite pastime as of recent, playing tag. This time at the footsteps of the Opera House.
We loved exploring all of the lights and decorations around the city to celebrate the New Year. These bunnies at Circular Quay were Emma's favorite.
These lanterns were beautiful at Martin Place.
Emma would have loved these horses too, but she was passed out by this time...
Even the Opera House was red!
Grandma & Grandpa arrived and Emma knew one of the first places they needed to go was the beach! First stop one of the most well-known surf beaches in the area, Manly Beach.
We took the ferry from Manly to the heart of the city, Circular Quay.
Found this seal resting on the back side of the Opera House. There were signs up saying he was being monitored - hopefully he was feeling better soon!
While enjoying the sights around the Opera House we saw the coolest thing. Make a Wish Foundation and the city of Sydney were making this little boy's dream come true as he helped to save the city as "Iron Boy" and defeat the villain on the stairs of the Opera House.
Aside from taking Grandma & Grandpa all over the city, Emma was happy for them to see her in action at some of her regular activities... swimming lessons top the list!
We spent a lot of time watching Emma play at all of her favorite local parks too (there are a lot of them in her rotation). Like mother, like daughter here?
Most parks in the area feature this nice mulch/dirt ground, and the result for Emma looks like this.
One of the best parks I've ever seen, Brightmore Reserve, has little roads for kids to safely ride their bikes, scooters, trikes, roller-blades... you name it!
But when dad's around it's back to playing tag.
Enjoying brunch out at The Boathouse at nearby Balmoral Beach, one of our favorites. Life seriously cannot get much better than having this gorgeous beach and amazing indoor/outdoor dining on the waterfront just a 10 minute drive from home.
The day before our second big arrival in February, Emma and I took Grandma & Grandpa to reportedly the best wildlife park in Sydney, Featherdale Wildlife Park. It certainly did not disappoint. First encounter with Australian wildlife and Grandpa held a snake!
Emma never misses a chance to feed wallabies or kangaroos!
Grandma & Grandpa's first time meeting a kangaroo.
Wombats get cuter every time I see one.
Love the fairy penguins too, this guy was molting (shedding his feathers) - they sometimes say they look like exploding pillows when this happens!
My first time meeting a cassowary, they are gorgeous! About the same size as an ostrich or emu but featuring this brightly colored neck/head and an interesting "casque" on top of it's head.
Taking an up close look at a Tawny Frogmouth.
But at the end of the day, the koalas stole the show!
Despite the fact that almost every single one was passed out asleep - how do they not fall out of the trees, seriously?!
Emma was pretty excited to get to pet one!
I wonder if this guy had any idea of what was going on around him...
Emma got a lot of special surprises from Grandma & Grandpa, dress up clothes are one of her favorites!
Smiles with Grandma!
We played at the park at Cremorne Point a lot while Grandma & Grandpa were here, one look at the view from the park and it's easy to understand why we like to go there.
Our last family of three photo... family of four photo coming soon!
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