We are in the middle of the 2 week break between terms 3 and 4. Just in time I think too. Ian's last week was sheer torture for all of us-he was so tired every night he would just melt down and scream and cry from about 6:30 until 8:00 when he would pass out next to me on my bed. Reminded me of colic, but almost worse as not only could I not comfort him, but he could get really nasty with his words too. On the plus side, I was able to take off Thursday of that week to get him into town to get his passport renewed. More on that later. Friday was the last day for all of us, and wonderful to not have to do anything at all this last week. Sleep is getting caught up, the weather has been beautiful, and we really like having all the room in the new place!
OK, passport time. Renewing a USA passport when living overseas (at least in Australia!) turned out to not be such as big of a deal as we had expected. Definitely have to pay attention to dates, but the process was pretty easy overall. We first contacted the US Consulate in Sydney back in May to be put on their contact list as they make a 1 day trip up to Brisbane every couple of months for citizen services such as passports, birth records, and social security applications. We ended up having to pass on their trip in July as once the application is submitted, you don't get the passport back until the process is done. Seeing as Ian needed his for the trip home in June, this one was a no-go. So, contact again, back on the notification list, and go for the one in September. We got the application done as soon as we got back in June and sent in July when they opened the window for forms. We had to send in our passports, copies of everything, and they sent them back within the week. Keep in mind, this was all happening while we were moving and I was on a teaching contract full time as well! It was crazy time around here.
So, that Thursday I dropped the girls off at before school care at 7, walked to the bus stop with Ian, and headed into town. Lyle had left at his usual time and was meeting us there. We had to find the Queensland University of Technology building Z, third floor, room 301 by 8:40 am. Believe it or not, we got there by 8:10 and they called us at 8:15! Never have I been in a government office that not only ran on time, but EARLY! Awesome! Only problem was that Lyle wasn't there yet, so they said to let them know when he did get there, they'd pop us right into line. And they did! Seriously took only 2 minutes-we had to sign the papers in the presence of the consular official and that was that. We walked Lyle about halfway back to work, stopped in to deposit a check at the bank and went out for pancakes for breakfast.
Back to school holidays-doing absolutely nothing is wonderful. Figured that we took our holiday when we did Cairns, so we are being lazy sloths and taking in the kids movies at the theater. Saw Hotel Transylvania, a Tinker Bell movie (did you know she has a sister??), Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and Madagascar 3. Cheap entertainment. So is going to the local parks, packing a lunch and snacks, and hanging out all day for the kids to run. Have I mentioned that I love the weather around here? Most days have been in the mid 70's, a few have been drizzly (and the rain is much needed so no complaints) and sunny, perfect, days.
Miss you all!
OK, passport time. Renewing a USA passport when living overseas (at least in Australia!) turned out to not be such as big of a deal as we had expected. Definitely have to pay attention to dates, but the process was pretty easy overall. We first contacted the US Consulate in Sydney back in May to be put on their contact list as they make a 1 day trip up to Brisbane every couple of months for citizen services such as passports, birth records, and social security applications. We ended up having to pass on their trip in July as once the application is submitted, you don't get the passport back until the process is done. Seeing as Ian needed his for the trip home in June, this one was a no-go. So, contact again, back on the notification list, and go for the one in September. We got the application done as soon as we got back in June and sent in July when they opened the window for forms. We had to send in our passports, copies of everything, and they sent them back within the week. Keep in mind, this was all happening while we were moving and I was on a teaching contract full time as well! It was crazy time around here.
So, that Thursday I dropped the girls off at before school care at 7, walked to the bus stop with Ian, and headed into town. Lyle had left at his usual time and was meeting us there. We had to find the Queensland University of Technology building Z, third floor, room 301 by 8:40 am. Believe it or not, we got there by 8:10 and they called us at 8:15! Never have I been in a government office that not only ran on time, but EARLY! Awesome! Only problem was that Lyle wasn't there yet, so they said to let them know when he did get there, they'd pop us right into line. And they did! Seriously took only 2 minutes-we had to sign the papers in the presence of the consular official and that was that. We walked Lyle about halfway back to work, stopped in to deposit a check at the bank and went out for pancakes for breakfast.
Back to school holidays-doing absolutely nothing is wonderful. Figured that we took our holiday when we did Cairns, so we are being lazy sloths and taking in the kids movies at the theater. Saw Hotel Transylvania, a Tinker Bell movie (did you know she has a sister??), Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and Madagascar 3. Cheap entertainment. So is going to the local parks, packing a lunch and snacks, and hanging out all day for the kids to run. Have I mentioned that I love the weather around here? Most days have been in the mid 70's, a few have been drizzly (and the rain is much needed so no complaints) and sunny, perfect, days.
Miss you all!
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