There's a python at my party!

After the kid's swimming class today we went to celebrate Jason's (Mike and Mireille's little guy) 3rd birthday at Kalinga Park. It was our first time at this park. It was really nice, except you had to keep an eye on your kids because this park is the natural habitat of the little known, but extremely dangerous, Queensland Carpet Python. As an adult this species can be anywhere from 6 to 14 feet in length. Before moving closer to the cities they fed mostly on small rodents but now with the abundance of weekend travellers they have switched to eating small children. The children are a far easier catch and give the python much more to feed on ... especially if the children have had regular visits to McDonalds.

Despite our reptilian friends taking the occasional nip at an unsuspecting toddler, we had a great time. Stacey probably ended up the happiest, as Mike and Mireille gave her a bag of Crispy Crunch bars that they smuggled here from Canada. I don't even want to think about where Mike had to put that bag to get it past the custom's officer!

We almost had to sacrifice one of the sacred Crispy Crunch bars, as a bargaining chip, when a python managed to ensnare Breagha. Luckily, It's a little know fact that if a python manages to capture your child all you have to do is sprinkle a little salt on it, similar to a leech, and it will relinquish it's death hug from your little loved one (who knew...right?).

Jason enjoying his Dolphin birthday cake. It is amazing how yummy a baby dolphin can be with a little bit of frosting. Very tender.

This was before the python struck. If you look closely you may see it lurking in the shadows.

We had Shamus train for months in the deadly art of boomerang. The pythons were no match!

He looks so peaceful .... That is what they want you to think!

It is hard to tell from this picture but he is actually travelling at a speed of 40km/h. They call them the cheetah of the trees.

This guy was about 6feet long. I must say it was pretty cool to to see a python in the wild!

This was after the python incident. I'm sure with some plastic surgery she'll look like new in no time.

All and all... it was a great day at the park!

(Disclaimer: No actual python facts were used while writing this blog post. Most likely the only thing that is correct in this whole post is that it was in fact a Carpet Python and we were in a park of some sort. These snakes are very docile and most likely have no interest in McDonalds fattened children, no matter how tender they may be.)

A MacPurdy Update!!

It's that time again...to give a quick Purdy update to everyone. Well, we can't complain. Darryl and I are both doing well at work. "Well" at work means we both still have jobs!! heehee. Actually, we're both pretty happy at work right now so that is always nice. I have an intense 3 weeks coming up because my team has training which means 1/3 of my staff is going to be off the floor for a week at a time. So, we're going to be very short staffed but it will be worth it once the training is completed.

The kids are doing well. Shamus will begin school here in January so Darryl and I are going to New Farm State School in 2 weeks to see his classroom, get him enrolled, talk to the teacher and all that good stuff. I'm too sad to think about it!! sniff sniff. I want him to stay little for longer! It's too soon. sniff. But, he's really excited because some of his daycare buddies will be going to the same school. Shamus is still really enjoy swimming and doing quite well. He started to swim a little on his own now. I don't think he is ready to take on the Aussie Oceans but he's getting there!! And he's enjoying the Aussie sports - Darryl bought him a footy ball so they have been trying it out at the park. And it's nice that Shamus' daycare teacher is a male so he does some sporty stuff with the boys most days.

And Breagha is 3 now. She likes to remind everyone that she is 3, not 2. And my oh my is she STUBBORN!! It truly gets exhausting some days! We're working very hard with her to control her temper and to "listen" to what Mom and Dad tell her. Oh, good times. She is hot and cold!! She is so sweet one minute and then changes in a flash! I wonder how much attitude she'll have when she's 15! She also loves her swimming class and is doing very well. She loves being in the Senior Kindy class at daycre (3-4year olds) and loves that she can hang out with Shamus and his buddies too. Because she is 3 years old, you know? Breagha also loves arts/crafts. She could sit at the table every night and do painting or colouring or glueing....anything at all. She's very content. She brings papers and papers home everyday from daycare to show us her art work. (she didn't get it from me!!)

The Brisbane winter has been beautiful so we have been spending lots of time at the park, having BBQ's, and going to Birthday parties with the kids. (Their social life has begun!!!) We have also been lucky to have friends over to visit the last few weekends...we do love when Dan and Amy drop by after they've been out on the town! It's just like in Nova Scotia! :) We love when people stop in to say HI.

This weekend should be lots of fun as Cari is flying up to visit. We're hoping for sunny weather so we can spend a day at the beach and then a girls night out on Saturday.

Hope everyone in Canada is having a wonderful summer with lots of family, friends, and sunshine!!

Ice Skating - Part 2

A very excited Shamus and Breagha at the arena!

On Saturday afternoon Breagha went ice skating for the first time! We had a great time. Hooked up with some friends...
We met Dan, Amy, Morgan, Rej, and Clo at the arena. And Nigel joined us as well and he took along 3 kiddies and one uncle, Adam! The kids did really well. They were a little nervous at first but by the time we were done they were quite comfortable and Shamus was "walking" abit on his own. And I think the adults did very well too! Amy, Dan, and Morgan have only been on the ice a couple of times before and they did great.

Breagha is ready to roll! Her skates were huge but it was smallest size we could rent. She didn't care.

Our Aussie pal, Morgan. Kate is still recovering from her knee surgery but Morgan was able to join us. He did a lot better than I would do playing cricket so well done!!

Dan lacin' up.

Darryl had his hands full most of the time. Shamus and his buddy, Sterling (Felicity's nephew). Sterling had no fear at all. Just wanted to run down the ice and didn't care when he fell! Quite funny to watch.

Miss Amy flying through the crowd!!

I'm really surprised how popular ice skating is here (the arena has hockey, figure skating, speed skating, and curling!!) but the kids really seem to enjoy it.

Racin' Rej! He took his skates from Canada so he was looking pretty flashy!

Thanks for coming out with us guys. We had a lot of fun. Now we want to get our skates and helmets shipped over from Canada! Rentals are no fun. And the public skating sessions are quite expensive so I would have to see if there is a membership fee that we could pay and then go anytime. It was $50.00 for a family of 4. In Montreal it cost us a loonie per person. Very cheap compared to here!

Besides the skating, we've been busy as usual. Swimming class is going well, the weather has been amazing, and kids have been busy with daycare...lots of activities and this week the chicken eggs arrive. Yeah, they are raising baby chicks!

The only bummer has been that poor Breagha is still having a tough time shaking off her flu/colds. She got sick again on Sunday so Darryl stayed home with her and Shamus on Monday. She keeps getting a fever or vomiting. It's been since April. She'll be fine for a couple of weeks and then get sick again. Poor littl' B. Darryl took her to the doctor today and she has a viral infection. She lasted 14months here before she got sick but once she did get sick...can't get rid of it. It's like her little body can't build up an immunity before she gets sick again. It is common for preemies and hopefully she'll grow out of it. She's better tonight so back to daycare tomorrow!

And I had to through in a picture or 2 of Shamus with the new do! Just thought he looked too darn cute!