Random photos

We're all doing well down here in Sydney. This week is APEC (Asia-Pac Economic Conference) so the city is in security-mode with lots of world leaders coming to town. Pres. Bush gets here tomorrow. I'm assuming we'll hear lots of helicopters near the house on Wednesday since he's having lunch at Garden Island, the Aussie naval base, that's just a few blocks from our apartment.

Piper loves going to her playgroup. We go together on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to play, dance, paint, and see her friends. She is always clammering to get in the gate when we show up. It's a good outlet for her and a great way to have her interact with other kids. The weather's warming up a bit too so she can play outside more. We tried fingerpaints on the balcony last week but without a whole lot of interest on Piper's part.

Piper is signing up a storm; she knows close to twenty signs now and learns very quickly. This past week she learned the sign for "pear." She is talking more and more too. Yesterday we asked her, "What's your name?" and she replied, "Piper." We'd heard her say her name before but never when you asked her her name.

On another note, yesterday was Australian Father's Day so we had a roast beef dinner and homemade ice cream sandwiches since we didn't celebrate the American Father's Day. Rick got a book and drawing from Piper and a magazine rack from me. Plus, on Saturday we ordered some patio furniture. That way we can sit and eat out on the balcony.

So, here are recent pics of the Pipes. Some are a hoot.

This is Piper and Shann, our friend Hwee-Hong and Liane's little girl. They were in Sydney recently on vacation.

This is Piper getting her second haircut. Rick's stylist Gayna did it for her, although her hair has already grown enough to almost warrant another cut.

Piper currently is loving pears again. This is her eating one like an ice cream cone.

Piper is sitting in the concierge's chair just for fun. Chris, one of our concierges, is on the right.

Piper got into a box of See's chocolate when Rick and I weren't watching. What a mess! She's like her mom though; she loves chocolate for breakfast. It's a good thing we found her before she got her hands all over our yellow couch.