Sport

Australia, as it turns out, is every bit as sports crazy as Boulder or Norman. Of course, the sports are different, but fans are just as rabid. It's awesome. Fitness is a general given here; I've yet to see a child walking around staring blankly at the screen of a Nintendo DS. Instead, kids are throwing and kicking footballs, swinging cricket bats, riding bikes, running, jumping, climbing. In January, we had a ward party to celebrate Australia Day. The main event was a four-hour cricket match, during which Ben bowled and batted for the first time (and got a wicket!) and Abe joined the kids' game once the adults wore themselves out. Needless to say, he has caught the fever, playing pickup games of footy (Australian Rules Football) during both recesses every day at school.

Cricket season - like baseball season in the U.S. - is a summer game, ending in autumn when footy starts - again, just like the American football season. Abe starts Auskick on Saturday, and he couldn't be more excited. We're excited to be able to learn more about that crazy game and Hank can't wait to play outside every Saturday morning for two hours.

The sports obsession here is infectious. Everyone is trying to get us to barrack for their team, but thanks to Travis Humphrey, we're staunch Melbourne Demons fans. Go DEEEEES!

Who would've thunk we'd have been influenced this way, with not an athletic bone among the four of us until now?

Steph's Christmas present. I've ridden almost 2,000 kilometers since just before Christmas!

There is some sport being played in the front yard, every night.

Not that the backyard is being neglected.

FOOTY!