Look what came in the mail yesterday!
A care package all the way from Australia!
A couple of my Australian readers noticed our family was learning about Australia and we ended up corresponding back and forth via email. My children asked them questions about Australia and they graciously answered. Clara even put up a whole series on her blog, Counting it All Joy, complete with some awesome photos! (scroll through all of the posts—they are wonderful!)
Belinda asked if she could send the kids some things from Australia to which my children answered a hearty, YES! And yesterday that care package came and we had a blast tearing into it! We listened to Australian songs, read The Aussie Bible (and really enjoyed all the different words Australians use!) Micah went around with his “Wa Wa” (commonly known as a “koala.”) And yes, we tried Vegemite!
It was such a blessing to be able to learn first hand from real live Australians! ( 😉 ) I love books, but books don’t even come close to learning from people who know the subject intimately.
We were given a real treat of knowledge that made Australia come alive for us. We had misconceptions shattered (did you know that Vegemite is NOT vegetables in a can similar to Veg-all? What a relief that was! However, I can’t say that I’m a Vegemite fan…yet.) And we learned specifics things we wanted to know–something no textbook could ever do!
Being able to take learning outside the classroom and into our lives is what homeschooling is all about! Thanks so much Clara & Belinda!
Clara says
Aww, thanks Amy! 🙂 You know what’s funny – I considered asking if you would like me to mail you some goodies from Australia, but I was afraid you might be embarrassed or something to have me send things when you don’t know me well, so I just decided to do the series… I’m glad Belinda sent you some things though!! 🙂
For reference, on the side bar of my blog I have a link called “Education Hub” (near the top of the side bar) – that’s an easy reference point from which to see all my ‘Images of Australia’ posts. I do hope to add to them over time – I need to collect/take some more photos before I can do any more. I really enjoyed sharing the photos of Australian things that are so familiar to me but unusual for people in other countries, and I’m so glad you all enjoyed the photos. 🙂
Deedee says
What fun! Let me know when you get around to studying Great Britain. :o)
Belinda says
Oh wow, glad everything arrived okay and the kids liked their little package! Don’t give up on the vegemite, it really is yummy!!! Haha! 😀
Laura says
My husband (and his entire family) is Australian, but I have to say that after nearly 11 years of marriage to him I still don’t like Vegemite! All 3 of our kids like it on buttered toast, but I just can’t stand the stuff. Good for you for trying it, as most people are put off by the smell before they ever even taste it.
We do frequently enjoy Cadbury candies (they call them lollies) that his dad and siblings send him, though!!!
Debra Worth @ Happy To Be Home says
Cool! What is Vegemite?
Amy says
It’s the stuff in the tube in the lower right hand corner of the picture. I can’t even begin to describe it except to say it is the saltiest stuff I have ever tasted! lol
anna says
Debra- it is a yeast spread. Smells like dirty feet. :O)
My favorite memory of vegemite is a commercial where the mom is eating vegemite while breastfeeding and then the baby throws up. the voice over is something like “not everyone likes it”
CharityH says
Amy, I have made a dear friend, Caron, who is from Tasmania. We just received a package from her last month full of chocolate goodies from Australia. Several years ago, she sent me a jar of Vegemite. I have to say, I didn’t become a fan of it. Ewww, I still get chills when I think about it. I found the pic a few weeks ago that we took when I tried it. I will have to relocate them and try to remember to post them on our family blog soon.
Isn’t it a blessing to be able to connect with such dear people all around the world!!