Home Sweet Home

It was a perfect day in Canberra today. I hung out the washing which I am still finding a novelty (as we didn't hang washing in Virginia) and then Jack and I spent our last day together having lunch for 2 at the Tulip Cafe in Pialligo. Jack climbed the slide on his own and chased the magpies and peacocks while I sipped my cappuccino and read the Canberra Times in the sun. On our way home we washed and vacuumed the car and paid $1.65 per litre for petrol. This afternoon after I enjoy my last afternoon nap we are taking the jogger stroller for a walk around our golf course with coats and beanies of course.

It made me reflect on my second chance to stay at home with my boy and I have loved every minute (minus the odd tantrum) . I especially loved today.

Is that a tear in my eye? Probably just hay fever.

Oh dear...

Virginia is such a beautiful place and Ashburn has been such a friendly community that we are actually sad to go in 2 days. In 48 hours we will be on a plane to LA and it is unlikely that we will set foot in Ashburn again.

I am so excited about going to Disneyland and Vegas that I can't stop thinking about it and I am just so excited about the adventure and once again, sleeping in my own bed. That bed and that kettle are only 2 weeks away.

Goodbye Ashburn, we will miss you.

xxoo

The Duncans

Nappy Changes

Jack took this photo while he was getting his nappy changed today. We are looking forward to potty training.

Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech - We Remember

I've been driving past Virginia Tech University every day for the past 3 months and was only reminded recently of the massacre that occurred there only last year. 33 people were shot across that campus on April 19th, 2007.

As a teacher and a temporary resident of Ashburn VA, this memory has affected the way I see this town. I can't ever imagine this happening in Canberra or the effects that this would have on a community.

I have tried to think of the differences in our two cities to understand why I feel so much safer that this would not happen at home but I have only come up with one thing.

Guns

I'm not going to go on - that is all I can come up with so far.

Sorry for the anti-climax.

Pack Your Bags

Life in Virginia has been lovely but we are all ready to come home. We will miss a lot of things here but there is still so much we miss about home.

I will miss

1. Wegmans
2. Adventures
3. Ice Makers
4. Fuddruckers
5. Not having to hang out the washing
6. Having a maid and a weekly babysitter
7. Warm weather
8. Spending everyday with my boy

What we are looking forward to when we get home

1. Space at home and Jack's stuff
2. Our Friends
3. Dinner at John & Jules
4. Meeting our niece
5. Less bills and credit expenses
6. White, sliced bread
7. Feeling safe (a lot less murders and hold ups in Kippax!)
8. Our stuff
9. Going to work
10. Having my computer back

We are all really looking forward to touring California and Vegas and that is what Stu has been waiting for the while time we have been here.

Niagara Falls

I have never been anywhere so beautiful and romantic sitting in the ER. It doesn't help that ever since Jack had a seizure I now rush him to the doctor as soon as his temp gets over 37C. I must have sounded like a nut case because the last fever was just a 24hour flu. ($300) But this time, 'the boy who cried wolf' was actually in serious danger of getting pneumonia. ($700)

So I have seriously been scared to death by the xrays/ blood tests/ heart rate monitors and IV's. I will take him to the doctor for every sneeze until we leave this country. (Priceless)

So the drama unfolded over 12 hours until we saw a real doctor* and were finally sent home. It took another 12 hours before we were back on track and another 36hours before Jack would speak to us.

I refuse to take this part of Niagara home with me. I will mostly remember standing on top of the Maid of the Mist and showering under the falls. I will remember the butterflies that landed on my shoulder in the conservatory and the way my husband and I drank cocktails and watched fireworks over Niagara from our lounge room.




*real doctor - a doctor who sees his patient for more than 5 mins consecutively before making a diagnosis

Mother's Day

This time last year...

and now he is all grown up (well bigger anyway) . Mother's day isn't officially until tomorrow but Jack has thoughtfully decided to send me some flower's on Mother's day - Australian time. Tomorrow will be very different from last year but still very nice. Stu says that him and Jack are planning on making crepes for breakfast and then Stu has to go to work. Jack and I are going to Lynda's for a hot roast lunch which will be fun and Stu and I are going to the movies after Jack goes to bed. Jack & I are in charge of the mother's day cake at Lynda's place.

*updated - here are the crepes. They were delicious!

Love being his mum.