There's a snail in my herbs!

Several of them actually. The rain is bringing them out from everywhere. Along with a multitude of caterpillars. Yes, it's still raining. The highway is cut again, making our planned return north somewhat doubtful.

It's been a busy week.

We didn't see the New Year in; we were all too tired. New Year's day was spent quietly. The highlight of the day was watching 4 lorikeets and 4 galahs fight for rights to the bird feeder. It looked a pretty even match until the lorikeets called in reinforcements. The galahs decided descretion was the winning argument and left. *exciting lives we lead*

Monday dawned humid and overcast. There is a small park down the road with lots of kicking room and a basketball hoop. I take #2 there to play for a while. It was soggy! Too soggy to kick the ball, but we shoot a few hoops before we head back. The showers came through. Again. A trip out to a shopping centre is in order. We don't stay out long.

Tuesday is still overcast with showers. We decide to head to a different shopping mall. We debate if this one is bigger than yesterdays or the same size. Since we don't know how many stores there are, it's a moot point. We approach the escalators. Uh oh. #2 starts to get panicky. I'd forgotten they didn't have experience with escalators! We made it through and by the time we left he was riding like a veteran.

We toured the shops for what felt like ages. I didn't know a person could spend that much time in a single store.... And only the stores that are familiar. We start at the top level three and work down. We make it to level two. When I mention taking the escalator to the bottom level, Rabbit decides it's time to go home.

Wednesday is the big outing day. It's overcast for something different. We have plans to visit the museum and catch a movie. But first we have to take an hour bus ride. I dose them with travel sickness tablets. Just in case. I find out on the bus that there is a chance that #2 hasn't taken his. Rabbit dropped it and left him to retrieve it and take it. Fingers crossed there are no disasters!

We spend some time at South Bank, walking along the boardwalk and stopping briefly to look at the temple. The sun comes out briefly. We pass the Wheel. It costs to ride, but Rabbit isn't enthusiastic anyway. We take the lift and cross the overpass to the museum. #1 really enjoyed the turtle display, #2 enjoyed the dinosaurs. What he managed to see I'm not sure, he didn't seem to pay them much attention.

Into the city for lunch. There is a new store, Bread Top. It sells only bread products; naan bread, muffins, croissants, sweet and savoury rolls, danish. All sorts of interesting things. I settle on naan bread and a sweet bun for lunch.

We head home and #2 dozes off on the bus.

After our big day out, we decide to spend the next day home. MOTH and I go out briefly to see Sunny and exchange Christmas presents. Sunny has given me the Robot Chicken Star Wars II dvd! Whoo! I gave him a little book with funny sayings. He seemed to like it. We chatted a while and left. We made it to the food court but oh! It's bucketing down. We sit to wait it out *the umbrella is in the car* and hey! The roof leaks! Fun.

Saturday it's still raining but we head over to another local shopping centre; a smaller one. We spend some time there and head home. Sunday is still raining. I'm trying to think of things they can do that gets them away from television. The rain makes it hard as they can't go outside. Over the course of the week they've been taking quiet time that involves drawing, bouncing the ball - anything I can think of. Today I cut some potatoes and lay out a bit of paint. *stupid rain*

Maybe I should bake a cake... But I'm not sure they could handle the sugar rush.