It's The Hard Knock Life

Sophia and I went to see the musical "Annie" yesterday. (Her adorable friend Issie rode with us.)  Hard to say who loved it more but it was probably me.  I've always had a special affinity for Annie - not because I grew up as a poor orphan but because I had a terrible mop of short red curly hair.  I was called Annie a lot - and not in a good way either - but that didn't keep me from dreaming I could sing like her. 

Sophia and our neighbor Issie with their "Annie" purchases

 

 

 

I remember going to see the touring production when it was in Kansas City and I couldn't have been much older than Sophia is now.   When I asked her which part she liked the best she answered "all of it" but later admitted that she liked Sandy the best.  (Of course!)  She also had some really great questions - How did Daddy Warbucks know about Sandy? Why were those people going to get money for taking Annie and Daddy Warbucks didn't?  Was President Roosevelt real and why was he in a wheelchair?  Did all of those other girls go to live with Annie, too?  Of course, the song "It's the hard knock life" opens up an entire can of worms but it would be hard to come up with a better opening for talking about the harsh realities some children face.  I suppose the message was somewhat overshadowed by the fact that I allowed us  to fall prey to the Annie marketing machine.  She was shocked to learn that they didn't sell "Sandy" stuffed animals when I went to see the show with my mom.  But at least she promised to carry on the family tradition:  "When I have a little girl, I'll take her to see Annie and you can come with us.  And Grandma, too." 

Kicking off the New School Year

This week marks the official start of the new school year.  Sophia started "Year 1" on Monday and Zachary started his "senior" year of preschool today.  Zachary loves being a big kid, wearing a uniform and being so close to Sophia.  (The preschool is next door to the prep school.)  Sophia loves being old enough to play on the monkey bars.  (Kinder was banned due to several broken bones.)  Mom loves being able to do drop-off and pick-up for both at the same time. 

Parking remains a nightmare but we are getting lots of exercise as I've decided to give up on trying to find a parking space nearby.  Nothing like a brisk walk to get your morning started right. (Today's downpour made it so refreshing!) And what great strength training to carry a tired and cranky 4-year-old at the end of the day!

Dog Days of Summer

I have definitely been remiss in blogging during our "summer holiday" but I'm going to blame that on the craziness of having the kids out of school.  A few highlights:
1.   Spending New Year's Eve at our neighbor's and watching the fireworks from our deck.  AMAZING!
2.  Taking the kids to see "Hairy Maclary" at the Sydney Opera House.  (If you aren't familiar with the series, go to the link and buy this beloved NZ children's book!)
3.  Celebrating Zachary's 4th birthday at Luna Park, a 1930s amusement park on the harbor.
4.  My stealth solo trip to Kansas City for my dad's 70th birthday and to meet my new niece Mara and nephew Jackson.
5.  Putting our annual passes to the Taronga Zoo to good use.  I LOVE that place. 
6.  Spending "Australia Day" and the last four days of school holidays watching the kids catch waves on the South Coast.  
I should probably note that the title of this post really isn't apt as it has been anything but "dog days" here.  I don't know how many people have told me that this is the "worst summer in Sydney" but I'm quite enjoying it.  It is still unseasonably wet and dreary but there are have been very few days when we haven't been able to squeeze in a swim or a trip to the beach. . .