We'll get to the arachnophobia part in a few! Annika turned 7 years old on Saturday, and we had a blowout to celebrate it! We went ahead and invited her whole class to a park play afternoon several weeks ago, so were anxiously watching the weather forecasts all week. No way could we fit 20+ kids in our little townhome! The weather dawned overcast and a bit ominous, but this is Queensland-it can look awful with no rain, or drench you out of a nearly clear day. The clouds were a great relief-when they cleared up about 1:30 it was flat out HOT! The kids and many parents met us at the park down the hill from us at noon and they played hard the entire time. We had some balloon races, set up the croquet (BAD idea with those boys-they wanted to wonk each other rather than the ball), some tag, and lots of just run amok. I made 4 dozen cupcakes-plenty of parents and younger sibs stayed, which I had expected. I also learned why frosting isn't a typical topping here-icing is better! Frosting melts in the humidity-who knew! Juice boxes and water bottles on ice in the coolers, crackers, chips, dips, and everyone was pretty happy. The kids went home exhausted, dirty, and saying it was the best party they had EVER been to. Parents were glad the kids were all good and tired, and I heard from several on Monday they slept very well Saturday night! Annika and I went shopping Sunday afternoon so she could spend some birthday money, and that girl can SHOP. She only wanted some new dresses, so that is exactly what she got. That girl stayed in budget and found several she loved. What a kid!
Alex didn't get to swim her events Friday night-the pool was closed for electrical work unexpectedly. She was bummed, but we got word it will be open as of this Tuesday, so she'll give them a go later this week. This is also our week to volunteer in the BBQ/Canteen for swim night! Slinging burgers and filling drinks-fun! She is doing the school musical later this month, so she now has Sunday afternoon practices as well as some mornings before school and during 1st break in the morning. So glad again that we live so close to school!
Now, for the arachnophobia bit! There are 3 spiders you have to watch out for around here. The Sydney Funnel Web-which is not found around Brisbane-thank goodness! Hypodermic fangs that punch through leather boots-not my kind of fun wildlife to meet in the bush! The Redbacks-Australian Black Widows, also not fun, but not lethal either, painful, yes, deadly, no. We killed a few in the garage a few weeks ago. The last one is like a Brown Recluse, complete with bacterial necrosis tissue issues with their venom. These guys like to lurk in clothing left on the floor-since finding this out, the kids have been MUCH better about picking up their rooms. . . but we didn't get to meet any of these spiders this week! We got to evict a medium specimen of the Huntsman spider variety. These guys are generally harmless and hunt the other spiders-good for them, but get OUT of my house! Alex had the joy of first encounter-in the bathroom. She said she saw something move on the wall when she pulled the towel off the rack after her shower. A BIG something, but she didn't have her glasses on and didn't want to be naked with a spider around. She dried off, got dressed, and called (a bit stressfully I may add), "Dad, there's a BIG spider in here and I need some help!" It was hiding behind the pink Turbie towel, and I agree, it was BIG. I moved incredibly quickly as well-like brown lightening across the wall. So big that smashing it would have made a huge mess too! Lyle trapped it in a large glass, covered it with a fly swatter, and tossed it off the deck where it glided to the garden. With legs, it would be about the size of Annika's palm. And this was a mid sized one! The big ones can cover Lyle's palm. I get the heebie jeebies still thinking about it. May have to see if I can download the movie Arachnophobia off iTunes-the kids will have nightmares for weeks, let alone me though!
Have a great week!
Alex didn't get to swim her events Friday night-the pool was closed for electrical work unexpectedly. She was bummed, but we got word it will be open as of this Tuesday, so she'll give them a go later this week. This is also our week to volunteer in the BBQ/Canteen for swim night! Slinging burgers and filling drinks-fun! She is doing the school musical later this month, so she now has Sunday afternoon practices as well as some mornings before school and during 1st break in the morning. So glad again that we live so close to school!
Now, for the arachnophobia bit! There are 3 spiders you have to watch out for around here. The Sydney Funnel Web-which is not found around Brisbane-thank goodness! Hypodermic fangs that punch through leather boots-not my kind of fun wildlife to meet in the bush! The Redbacks-Australian Black Widows, also not fun, but not lethal either, painful, yes, deadly, no. We killed a few in the garage a few weeks ago. The last one is like a Brown Recluse, complete with bacterial necrosis tissue issues with their venom. These guys like to lurk in clothing left on the floor-since finding this out, the kids have been MUCH better about picking up their rooms. . . but we didn't get to meet any of these spiders this week! We got to evict a medium specimen of the Huntsman spider variety. These guys are generally harmless and hunt the other spiders-good for them, but get OUT of my house! Alex had the joy of first encounter-in the bathroom. She said she saw something move on the wall when she pulled the towel off the rack after her shower. A BIG something, but she didn't have her glasses on and didn't want to be naked with a spider around. She dried off, got dressed, and called (a bit stressfully I may add), "Dad, there's a BIG spider in here and I need some help!" It was hiding behind the pink Turbie towel, and I agree, it was BIG. I moved incredibly quickly as well-like brown lightening across the wall. So big that smashing it would have made a huge mess too! Lyle trapped it in a large glass, covered it with a fly swatter, and tossed it off the deck where it glided to the garden. With legs, it would be about the size of Annika's palm. And this was a mid sized one! The big ones can cover Lyle's palm. I get the heebie jeebies still thinking about it. May have to see if I can download the movie Arachnophobia off iTunes-the kids will have nightmares for weeks, let alone me though!
Have a great week!
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