The Grounds of Alexandria

We had the most amazing little day trip today to The Grounds of Alexandria.  The place takes up a city block and they have utilized the space by creating lots of great little outdoor "pop up shops" where you can enjoy fresh pastries, grab a take away coffee or drink, help yourself to some fresh lemonade, hang out with the animals including a cute little friendly pig named "Kevin Bacon," a kids playing area titled "The Secret Garden," (if they only knew what we used that term for) and even an onsite florist.  The place is hopping, so while you wait for your table you have plenty to do and see.  Onsite are gardens where fresh herbs are grown and used in the kitchen.  They also roast their own coffee there as well.  The concept is beautiful, just keep your customers happy and they are coming back for more.

We drank rose lemonade, and yes, I am going to learn to make this and when you come visit us in the future, I will make it for you.

If I was a bee, I would chose poppies as well.  

Be sure to check out their photo gallery and if you live in the Sydney area, add this to your must do list.

Love, The Kids Down Under

Celebrating Creativity

Hi everyone!  Just stopping in to share some youtube videos that I have found super creative lately and I hope you do too!


Starting off with this video from Chipotle.  Chipotle has always had beyond creative add campaigns from what is written on their paper cups to the signs in the parking lots "our burritos are big but our parking lots are not."  And not that Chipotle really needs to advertise, the food speaks for itself, but I like to think they are just in the business of making smiles so they created this.  Oh I should also thank Fiona Apple for a beautiful rendition of "True Imagination."



Kids are some of the most creative people in the world and they inspire and teach me so much.  This is my pastor's four year old daughter.  She came up with the idea to teach the children of the world, and this is my favorite video she has done.


And now that you are laughing uncontrollably (yes it is ok to watch that one again) I will end with this one, which is a simple reminder that there is good in people.  This is such a creative story.  It warms my heart.



 Thanks for watching/reading.  I hope we brought a smile to your face today and sparked some creativity.

Love always,
The Kids Down Under

Weekend Moments

(source)

What made this weekend great:
* Saturday night dinner date at Outback Steakhouse.  We brake for free refills and free bread.

* Napoleon Dynamite was on TV tonight.  I still love that movie.  Secretly you know you do too.

* Hillsong announced they are adding another room to the house.  Are you ready for it....Hillsong LA!

* Made this delicious chocolate chip cookie recipe.  Score bonus points by adding caramel AND chocolate chips to the batter.  Thank you Martha.

* Coconut Lime scented candles.

* Watching Skyfall and Coldplay's Live DVD.

* Scored the highest Bejeweled Blitz score of my life with Dane by my side.  842,900

* Diversity nights began at church with Islander Night.  I will never get tired of watching the Haka.  Click here to watch a haka.

* Wildcat victory #emaw

* Dane worked a marathon of hours.  He is a legend.

* Words I needed to be reminded of:  "the joy of the Lord is my strength."

* Watching puppy predictor videos.  Here's one to wet your whistle.

* In a few short hours we will be waking up at 3:00am to stream the first regular season game of the KC Chiefs.  Go Chiefs!

* Tomorrow = Beach Day

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!
xoxo The Kids Down Under

Dating on a Budget

We have been living in Australia for one year and eight months now.  Three things you should know about Australia.  It is beautiful, the people here are wonderful, and it is super expensive.  We're talking $20 for a 24 pack of coke expensive.  (Needless to say, our soft drink habits have been knocked down a couple notches).

But no need for a lack of funds to allow the romance to fly out the window, here are a few of our dating on a budget ideas.

1. Parks.  They are free.  They are lovely.  And they are designed to entertain you.  Last weekend we stopped by a park near our house and went for a hike, played on the toys, took some ridiculous pictures, collected flowers, laughed, and had really good conversation.

2.  Candlelight Dinner Date:  First off, cook dinner together.  It can be as fancy (Chicken Vol Au Vent served with crushed garlic herb potatoes and a glass of shiraz) or as simple (PB&J with cokes) as you like.  Its not about the food, it is all about the mood.  Now, grab a bunch of mason jars (or old spaghetti jars, because that's how we roll) and put candles in them.  Put them everywhere.  The great thing about this date is it is portable.  A blanket in your backyard, a picnic bench at a park, or a field in the middle of nowhere.

3. Fort Night:  Take a page from your childhood and build a blanket fort together.  Yes, go grab the sheets off your bed (come on you know you didn't make it this morning anyways), a couple of clothes pegs and you have yourself a legit night of laughter and fun.  Bonus points if you sleep in your blanket fort that night (wedding rings required of course).

4. Dance:  I'm not talking bump and grind here.  Our grandparents were the kings and queens of some of the greatest dances of all time.  The jive, jitterbug, swing, polka, rumba, tango, waltz, foxtrot, square dancing, charleston, line dancing, the macarena :)  There are endless dance lesson videos available on youtube.  So pick one and go for it.  Plus you will be sure to make a splash at the next wedding you attend together.

5. "Drive In" Movie:  Yes, the movies are expensive, but Red Box (or if you live in Australia, Green Box) is not.  Go pick up a movie you have both been dying to see but didn't make it to theaters for, or a classic you have sitting on your shelves.  Now grab your laptop and drive somewhere cool, park, and enjoy.  Don't forget the snacks.  Popcorn is super cheap to make at home, some candy from the Dollar store, and a couple soft drinks from the machine or the fountain and you are ready to go.

Don't have a partner in life, don't fret.  These make great BFF dates as well.  Life is always better when we have good relationships with those we love, whether it be spouses, boyfriends/girlfriends, family members, or friends.  So take some time out, make a memory, and don't forget to let us know how it goes!

Love You All!
The Kids Down Under

A Glimpse.

Stopping by today to give you a bit of a glimpse into our current lives.

* We have just started our fourth and as far as we know final semester here at Hillsong International Leadership College.  We have had such a journey here and it is crazy to think that it is slowly coming to an end.  Bittersweet in so many ways.

* Our favourite meals lately have been tacos, stir fry (seriously we have this one down kids, let us cook it for ya sometime), and greek yogurt pancakes.

* The football season has begun.  It may be preseason, but we don't care.  We are excited for American football to be happening again.  Of course Dane is getting ready to start his fantasy football teams and we are preparing to stream the games online at 3:00am.  Chiefs are Superbowl bound kids (Christy's words, not Dane's).

* It is August which means the last month of winter in Australia.  Spring is so close which means beach trips, hiking, and lots of sunshine await us.  Looking forward to a dip in the Pacific and a little color on our cheeks.

* We are busy serving serving serving at church, and wouldn't have it any other way.  We have been blessed with so many incredible opportunities at Hillsong GWS.  Dane has been doing production, playing guitar and serving as musical director.  Christy has kept busy with Hillsong Kids, background vocals, stage design, and even a bit of worship leading.  We are so thankful for our GWS family and honoured to serve.

So there ya have it!  Hope you are all doing well!

Love,
The Kids Down Under