Adelaide Botanical Gardens

With spring officially here we decided to take advantage of the warmer weather and headed off for an afternoon at the Adelaide Botanical Gardens. We packed a picnic lunch and went to the gardens which was just to another quick drive to the city.

When we got there it seemed that everyone else had the same idea as there were many other families just enjoying the sun and having picnics under the many trees and sprawling green grass in and around the Botanic Gardens.

After our own picnic under the trees just outside the garden gates, we went inside and did a little exploring. Entrance to the gardens is free and the last time we were at the gardens was when our little boy was only a few months old. We just strolled around enjoying the surroundings. It was a very relaxed environment and we could see many people taking advantage of it as they napped and dozed under the canopies. Rest was the farthest thing from the kids minds as they enjoyed running around the green lawns and climbing the trees.

We also went to the Bicentennial Conservatory ( entrance wasn't free ) in the Gardens. The conservatory itself is a big white half circular structure which houses a mini-rainforest display. It feels exactly like a rainforest inside as sprinklers go off every so often to keep the conditions humid and hot. There were even tropical birds living inside the conservatory that called out every so often. The boy and girl had fun mimicking the birds' sounds as they cawed all the time we were inside.

With all the walking we did, needless to say we were all tuckered out when we got home.

Pictures here and on our Flickr slideshow

Kid Funnies Part 17

The little boy and I were browsing in a book store a few days ago when I noticed he started piling up some books in my shopping basket. This was the first time I noticed him do this. Each time he did this I explained to him that we were only getting two books that we had chosen and that were already in the basket - one for him and one for his sister.

But he still insisted on this, repeating the cycle for about 5 more times - he puts in a book and I would take it out and ask him to return it. 'Ang kulit!' Finally, he got this book of 'The Wiggles' and put that in the basket. As I was about to explain this to him again, he blurts out "This book for Daddy!".

What could I say .... he found a way to work within that reason I gave him! All I could do was laugh and tell him Daddy would probably not like that particular kids' book himself. But still, it was certainly a good try on this little boy's part. After all, he is just three and a half years old.

Kid Funnies Part 16

We were having a meal around the dinner table when our boy suddenly stood up and did some stretching. He spread his arms wide and stretched to the side and then raised his arms up. The wife and I didn't think too much about it but when he then shouted "It's three o'clock!" with his arms in the right position when we burst out laughing! He was following the arms on the clock on the wall!

Laugh Out Loud

Growing up, we were always known as those loud Vidal kids.  We'd raise quite a racket when my siblings and I got together.  We'd be horsing around our house and play games and generally just be a loud as we could.  Sometimes our parents would join in and we'd be tickling and rough housing and pretty soon we would find laughing ourselves to tears. We'd get so loud that sometimes our own neighbours would jokingly call out from their windows and tell us to go to sleep!

Now with my own family I noticed that I seemed to have carried that laugh out loud moments as part of our day.  Our kids love playing around their bedrooms and we'd join in.  I'd be tickling them, playing the "rolling" game pretending to crush them or even just play music and dance around with them.  Our boy would spontaneously do the "conga" dance ( "conga, conga congga!" ) and our little girl would dance to her favourite music!

It's fun sharing those laugh out loud moments with them and just find time to be silly!

Spring Time at the Beach

Although it just turned spring it's still quite cold. Last weekend, however, the sun came out and it was warming up to almost summer temperatures. We decided to be spontaneous and packed the kids up for a morning at the beach!



It turned out to be a great day. The calm waters and the clear blue skies was the perfect recipe to shake off the winter blues. The water was still freezing cold but the kids didn't seem to mind as they screamed in delight every time they jumped into the water. There was hardly any wind and the day was a wonderful 27ºC warm so after the beach we decided to stick around and let the kids play at the nearby playground. We had a late lunch of fish and chips at the kiosk in front of the playground to cap our spontaneous beach excursion.



At least we got to enjoy that day because today's weather has gone back to gloomy and rainy!

School Liturgy

Last week our girl brought home a note from her teacher telling us about a school function that they were going to have. Normally they would have weekly school liturgies or even masses and this time it was our girl's class' turn to host it. We were pleasantly surprised that she was picked to read the gospel in front of the whole school. It was nice to know that our child was doing well enough in school to be given this chance.

This morning they had the liturgy and the wife and I and our boy went to the school to attend. It was a simple ceremony as normally our parish priest, who would usually celebrate mass, was on leave. The kids did a few songs and some children did the opening prayers then our little girl stood up to do her reading. She took the mike in hand and started reading. She did wonderfully. She didn't miss any words and read clearly and slowly just like we practised.

We were so proud to see her becoming so confident and independent. I think she even impressed a few people today. This event reminds me of times when I used to read the gospel in the Holy Child Hospital chapel when I was growing up!

Right now, she's beside me writing about her day. In fact, I'll copy down what she wrote (including the colours!) and let her tell you how she did.

Today I had a liturgy. I felt a little nervous. But, I just read. I did not feel nervous after. I felt normal.

This what she read out today.

Gospel: Luke 11:9-13

So I say to you: ask, and it will be given to you; search and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened. What father here would give his child a stone when they ask for bread? Or give them a snake instead of a fish? If you then know how to give your children what they need, just imagine the goodness of what Our God can give to those who ask.

All in all, a good day and another proud parenting moment... :)