Home, Sweet Home: Aussie Holiday Recap

Is it bad to eat a candy bar for breakfast?

Not if it’s a CHERRY RIPE .

Coconut
+
Cherries
+
Chocolate
=
YUM

Don’t worry – the banana chaser undid all the damage.

Look, it’s in the books.
I know what I’m talking about here.

3 weeks ago, we were just getting ready for our vacation.
I have a tendency to over-pack, especially now that we have Daisy.

This was her first big trip. She’d never been on a plane before. We were worried about how she would cope with being cooped up in a tight space for such a long time and even began researching private jet rental because at least then should would be able to run around a bit more. However, she did very well on the plane, especially for her first flight. In fact, part of the reason we chose Australia for her first proper vacation was because it is so safe. Reading the ly lawyers crime statistics was so reassuring for me when planning this trip.

As the ultimate social butterfly, Daisy is famous for greeting strangers with her

signature Queen-of-England wave & sweet li’l “He-llo.”
Not everyone, however, finds this charming, especially on a 14-hour flight to South Australia.

But, she surprised us and handled herself beautifully. She managed to get some sleep and keep close to us.
I’d packed my iPad with tons of what I thought were irresistible kiddie games/books/movies.
In the end, our li’l blue-eyed beauty couldn’t care less, not even the Hello Kitty Match game that
hooked Shawn & me!

We survived the grueling journey and freshened up for our first night. It was my nephew Braeden’s birthday and everyone was coming to dinner at his favourite restaurant. My mom-in-law Helen is a cake decorating instructor and had made a gorgeous Angry-Birds cake for him.

Daisy was spoiled with hugs and gifts and the best gift of all – freedom to roam about and stretch her lovely li’l legs.

Halfway through dinner, though, she gave in to heavy eyelids and snuggled up on my lap.

It was so good to see everyone again. We enjoyed dinner and left just as a big thunderstorm hit.

Even a stop at Target was in order.
It’s so different in Australia. All the usual cosmetics, clothing, shoes are there, but you won’t see the massive aisles of food. However, you will see a range of restaurants to get your food from. You’re most definitely spoilt for choice when picking breakfast in north melbourne!
They do carry essential baby supplies and Daisy tested the impressive selection of car seats.

When in town, we must stop by Urban Cow which is a cute store that carries unique items created by local artists.
It took 3 trips for me to finally notice the old boat used for shelving. D’uh…

Must’ve been the jet lag.

Beautiful vineyards and olive groves lined our drive to Victor Harbor…

“Days off” were spent doing close to nothing at Grandma Helen’s. Baking was so relaxing. I used some nectarines from a local farm to make fruit-almond cakelets. My mom-in-law made the beautiful daisies.

Our next adventure was a trip to the zoo.
Even ordinary cuckoos are stars there…

A good hike through Granite Island’s natural beauty, looking for little blue fairy penguins…

Daisy enjoyed the pristine beach in Victor Harbor.
There wasn’t a single bottle cap, cigarette butt, gum wrapper in sight.

She built sand castles with Daddy.

Walks with cousin Madison and Grandma Helen were the best way to enjoy the refreshing sea air.

It was a brisk day and the sun played peekaboo between the rolling clouds. Luckily, a short warm spell gave us just enough time to play on the shore.

Cousin Braeden built her a little pool and she really didn’t mind getting stuck in the sand.

Our last adventure was another stop at Urimbirra to pet the koalas and feed the kangeroos.

But, someone found the roosters more interesting.

Time really does stop when you’re on vacation and you forget what day it is.

Coming home can be a bit of a shock.
I’d forgotten all about bills, cleaning the bird cage, taking out the trash, even the riveting indulgence of folding laundry. I walked around the house, confused, looking at everything like a stranger.

Three weeks really is a long time, especially when you have a toddler. We didn’t realize how much taller she’d grown until Sunday night
when she surprised us by climbing out of her crib.

After the paramedics revived us and we came to, we agreed it was time our little girl had a bed of her own.
Monday night was spent navigating through the Ikea maze.

Daisy was so excited that she even helped Daddy assemble it. Then she slept like a baby and woke up happy as a clam…