GOMA

Ellis came screaming out of his room this morning

"OUCH! MY SORE! I NEED A BANDAID."

Yup - his dreaded cold sore is back. Damn plane. I guess he really was stressed out by the travel. I still have some super lysine cream from home so put it on. Mom and dad - can you please pick some up and bring it with you in March?

As noted, I read the 10 free things to do in Brisbane this morning in the paper so decided we should try the GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) even though I'm opposed to museums. We got out the door by 8:30 (9:30 Melbourne time - right on schedule). Funny - the GOMA is steps away from the state library, but I'd never checked it out. Should note, the museums in Brisbane are all free and apparently have a very good reputation. Well, the GOMA was great. I actually liked it and Ellis loved it. They had a bazillion of things to do for kids (hey bazillion must be an actual number as there is no red line under it to say it is misspelled). Tracey - you may have gotten an email from the GOMA with an infinity pattern that Ellis did. He also made a thaumatrope, got to put stickers all over some frames, got to build airplanes from a big mountain of stuff, got to do karaoke, etc. The activities they have for kids in Brisbane is really quite astounding and all free. We will have to go back. As it is, we spent all day there and at the other museums in the complex - Ellis did not want to go. I finally convinced him to go to the waterpark where he put on his goggles (that he got for Christmas) and his waterwings and proceeded to swim all through the pool. Rowan and I couldn't keep up with him. He really was swimming - it was amazing. He head was going under water, his feet were off the ground and he was loving it.

Should note that Rowan is still getting tons of comments. He gets - "well, he is certainly a happy chappy isn't he?" and when we were by the build an airplane mountain he got "what a bonny baby!"

When he feels that he is not getting enough attention, he starts soliciting it himself. At lunch, he engaged one woman in play by clapping his hands until she noticed him.

We walked home after the waterpark and got an ice cream. Had a great dinner (I found better stuff today). Ellis's sore seems to have almost healed. I think it was a good day.