Goodbye America!
October 15, 2009We have had such a fantastic time. On the home stretch now – can’t wait to see everyone back home. 20 hours to go on our journey!
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Disneyland!
October 14, 2009After 11 hours at Disneyland, I’m pretty sure everyone will sleep well tonight! I’m not sure how I’m still awake now. It was a fantastic day though, and we’ll back there tomorrow to do the California Disney Park. We’re on the home stretch and can’t wait to see everyone soon!
Here we are in front of the Fairytale Castle.
It's a small world after all, it's a small world after all... and it went on and on!
I think this pic was taken at the start of the ride - was a little tricky to keep the camera still!
The kids enjoying churros
Disneyland parade
We got to meet Mickey Mouse!!
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Safe Arrival in LA
October 13, 2009We made it safe and sound after a few tears at Kentucky Airport. It was hard to say goodbye. Lyn and I are going to not only miss our hosts Cris and Nancy, but will miss the host families. They were all so fantasitc and have treated our BPS kids like part of their families.
So far here have had some complimentary pizza & drinks, and had a spa & dip in the pool. Think we’ll have an early night before DISNEYLAND tomorrow!
Final photo together 
Security check at Kentucky Airport
Ladies in the spa
Fairfield Inn by Marriott
Chilling out in the Spa 
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Day 10 @ Nativity – Our last day!
October 12, 2009There are mixed emotions today. Hard to believe that we’ll be off to LA in the morning. Last night we had a delicious potluck farewell dinner at the Bell’s (Jaydn’s host family) – complete with a few tears! We’ve had such a fabulous time here in Cincinnati.
Pinball machine at the Bell's
What a great pavlova! Thanks to the efforts of Mrs Ciarnello and Miss Smith
Chilling out in the theatre room at the Bell's
The gang all together at the Bell's farewell dinner. Thank you host families - you have done an amazing job!
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The Cincinnati Zoo
October 9, 2009We saw so many different animals!
Everyone!
Cincinnati Zoo
Cincinnati Zoo
Rattlesnake
It was a cool day, however the kids thought they'd still check out the cool room!
Check out the girls manicures! Connie, Abby and Taylor
From the cat family
A gorilla - pumpkins were a Halloween special treat!
Tarantula
Rhinoceros
Lion
American Eagle
Miss Smith and Mrs Healy at the end of the day!
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Day 9 @ Nativity – The Freedom Centre
October 9, 2009We went downtown to the Freedom Centre and learnt a lot about the slavery that occurred in America’s history. The Ohio River played an important role in Underground Railway as many enslaved people tried to escape from Kentucky into Ohio. Ohio was a free state while Kentucky it was legal to buy and sell slaves. Even if an enslaved person escaped to Ohio they weren’t safe. Slave owners could easily come across the border and reclaimed their “property”.
An authentic slave pen
An example of a wagon that slaves would hide in to try and escape from their "owners" and a life of slavery.
Enslaved people had to wear chains
The shackles and chains were heavy
Statues
Lunch at the food court
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Day 8 @ Nativity – Picture Day
October 6, 2009Today all the students at Nativity are having their school photos taken. They get to come out of uniform and dress up in something nice – some of the boys are even wearing ties! We did our last presentation today to the kinder kids with a special encore performance of “Happy Little Vegemites”.
Reading "Possum Magic"
Clay Olympics in Art class
Clay Olympics in Art class
The winner of the Australian themed Clay Olympics!
Clay Olympics
Clay Olympics
Science Class
Touch Football at the park
Developmental Play with the Kinder kids
Touch Football at the park
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Day 7 @ Nativity
October 5, 2009So far today we have learnt a little Spanish, played “Touch Footy” in the park with the 7th graders, and given two lessons about Australia. The weather is a fine and sunny 20 degrees celcius (that’s 68 degrees farenheit!)
LOTE - Spanish
Playing Touch Football at the park with the 7th Graders during PE class
Developmental Play with the Kinder kids
Developmental Play with the Kinder kids
Developmental Play with the Kinder kids
Developmental Play with the Kinder kids
Developmental Play with the Kinder kids
A deer! Just casually walking through someone's front yard! Not particularly keen on me taking photos though - I hope the home owners didn't mind!
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Day 6 @ Nativity – Excursion to the Museum Centre
October 2, 2009Today we learnt a little about America’s history. We wandered through the Natural History museum and looked at some prehistoric plants and animals. Some of us are off to the Reds ball game tonight to kick start the weekend so fingers crossed for some good weather!
Singing "I am Australian" on the sidewalk with Mr Herring whilst waiting for the bus to the Museum Center
Posing out the front of the old Commercial Bank at the Museum Center
Can you see the giant mammoth in the background??
We met up with a very kind police officer and his horse "Calibar"
Meeting up before the ball game - Go Cincinnati Reds!
Go the Reds!
Reds ball game
Check out the shirt Jeff won after winning a Playstation game!!
The girls all rugged up for the ball game
Reds game
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Day 5 @ Nativity – Cultural Show
October 1, 2009We’ll be visiting a couple of classes today before rehearsals and the performance of our Cultural Show.
The kinder kids (preps) enjoying some vegemite after reading "Possum Magic"
Performing "We're happy little Vegemites!" - we missed you there Jeff and good to hear you're feeling better.
Singing "I am Australian" at the Cultural Show
Performing "Give me a home among the gum trees"
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