My Mum has asked me to take charge of writing her one and only entry for this month. It sounds like my Mum has been preoccupied with looking for work, amongst other things, that she has not been able to share her random thoughts of late.
Anyhow, I want to dedicate this entry to my Nanny and Grandad - who came to visit Eliza and myself all the way from England. I hope that you enjoy the adventures that I had with them as much as I did creating them.
First of all, let me introduce you to my Nanny and Grandad Philip.
Nanny and Grandad arrived very early on a Monday morning. My Daddy and Eliza picked them up from the airport since my Mummy had a job interview that morning and I was at school that day. It was so special to have them come and pick me up from school that afternoon though.
I missed out on their visit to Whale Beach on Tuesday as I was once again at school. However, on the Wednesday, I finally got to take N & G to the zoo, as I have been promising them on skype for a very long time.
We had a great time at the zoo. I wanted to show them so much, especially the chimps, my favourites. It was so good for them to see how much of a monkey I really am!
This is N & G's second visit to the zoo. Luckily, despite having been, they were entertained with new antics from the animals. The chimps were crazy chasing each other, the lions were all awake, the elephants played in the water. N & G also watched the spectacular bird show which they missed last year and once again enjoyed the seal show.
Of course, no trip to the zoo with me can end without us riding the zoo car aka Sky Safari.
That same week, I also got to take N & G to my other favourite hang out.... the Manly Sea Life Sanctuary! Oh I had such a great time showing them my favourites - the rock pool, the sharks, penguin and I even got to introduce N & G to my girlfriend, the mermaid!
I have my swimming class on Saturdays and oh how proud I was to be watched my N & G. I swam exceptionally well, with the help of my new found friend Pingu (a penguin that N & G bought for me earlier). Pingu would jump in the water and I would swim after him. After my class, our family drove to Bobbin Head for an explore. We went for a walk and while N & G had an extended walk, I took advantage of their great playground. Thank goodness we were able to borrow Ninong's big car so all 6 of us fit comfortably (well at least for some!).
The following day, we took N & G on our favourite family Sunday outing - Sunday Funday. We caught the ferry from Manly to Circular Quay, then caught the train to Wynyard Station. We could have walked it but because I was so keen on sharing this experience with N & G. I think G was very excited (he LOVES trains!) as he even went up on the top floor to get a better view.
As usual, we went to the Wild Life Park and to the Aquarium. They were both very busy but nonetheless fun. I spent a good part running through the exhibits (so much to see!) and poor N & G were not able to see everything. Of course, our day was capped off by lunch at our favourite food court in Chinatown, were N & G had to decide between so many exotic flavours tempting them.
N & G left for Melbourne very early the following week. Instead of flying to Melbourne, they caught the train - another adventure feather to add to their cap. I heard wonderful stories of their train journey, which I hope I will get to do, one day. N & G also told me about their visit to Gladys, Nanny's relative and last remaining maternal kin, and their visit to the Great Ocean Road, where they were able to see koalas in the wild, as well as the 12 apostles (which are apparently dwindling fast!).
Upon returning back to Sydney, I had many more adventures with N & G. We went to the Hunter Valley where I enjoyed a Babycinno while the adults had proper coffee. Of course, the adults got to wine taste and we took the obligatory photo at Audrey Wilkinson. We also took N & G to Pottery Brewery - a great pub with really good food and a fantastic atmosphere. I was just happy that it had a playpark and I was allowed to play outside until it was almost dark.
On N & G's last full week with us, they spent a lot of time exploring on their own. I did not mind as I was at school anyway. However, on my Wednesday off, I got to go on a special trip with Daddy and N & G. We took the ferry into the city really early in the morning, then took the train to Central Station to catch the train to Katoomba! We went to see the 3 sisters!!! Now all of us had seen the 3 sisters (well, N & G had to imagine it through the mist last year!) but this was a special trip as none of us had taken the train to Katoomba. The 4hr round trip was very tiring but it was definitely a brilliant adventure!!!
Of course, we needed to find a playpark close to the 3 sisters!
Plenty more adventures we had. On N & G's last weekend with us, we had my school's Christmas party on the Saturday which was so much fun. Grandad was so lucky that he took home one of the hampers that was raffled off (I sold him his winning ticket!). Then we had Eliza's baptism on the Sunday which was wonderful. Lucky Eliza for having two sets of Grandparents present. It was Eliza's very first party and oh I was so pleased for her. I touched a couple of her presents but did not once get jealous that she was getting plenty of attention!
Nanny and Grandad Philip left to go home last Tuesday. I count myself so lucky that they came over to Sydney to visit Eliza and myself. I count myself even luckier that we created so many memories together while they were here. We did so much together. However, what I will miss the most is just having them around.
Dear Nanny and Grandad - how I miss seeing you in our house. I am still saying Where's Grandad but I know that you are no longer in our house and have gone home to your house in England.
Thank you for all the lovely presents and treats that you gave Eliza and myself. You know how special they are. Thank you for all the cuddles that we received. Thank you for my Hippo book and for constantly reading to me. I hope you did not mind that I had a habit of reading another book while listening to you read. Thank you for the lovely story about Ned the donkey. Thank you for teaching me the window song. Thank you for playing music with me and for dancing with me. Thank you for being my audience and for putting up with Wiggles playing all the time. Thank you for just being around!
Eliza and I already miss the both of you.
So family and friends, I hope that you enjoyed my little tribute to my N & G. Now you can probably understand why my Mummy has been in absentia.
No worries, I will tell my Mum to get on with.
Lots of love,
Noey
X
