Yesterday was so nice, we decided to have it twice. We actually didn’t set out to repeat the day, but as it unfolded, that’s what happened.

Millie was up at 6:30 because the sun rises so early here, and then shines directly into her bedroom. This meant she was grumpy from the jump. Nick and I had to do some planning and she complained the whole time about how bored she was. I know it’s good for kids to be bored, but I do feel bad for her. I remember that feeling as a kid being almost physically painful.

We finally left at about 11am with a loose plan to visit the botanical gardens and a new-to-us park. We gave her the choice of taking the bus or the ferry and she chose the ferry. The walk to the station took us past the local playground and she stopped and attempted to make some friends. She was not in a playful mood yet disappointed that no one wanted to play with a grumpy kid. I attempted to teach her that she needs to bring positive and outgoing energy into social interactions, something I’m still mastering myself.

We got on the ferry and the moodiness and moping continued.

Nick and I read the room and realized she was not in the mood to look at plants, and we were not in the mood to hear about it. We made a last minute decision to get off at south bank so she could play some more at the busier playground. This is when the day turned around and before we knew it she had a little girl gang.

She even recruited a little girl to swim with her in the neighboring public pool.

We planned ahead this time and brought books and headphones to keep us busy while she played. At half past 3 we took a brief playing break to get some late lunch, and then came right back to the playground.

Millie drew this intense scene of childbirth on her drawing pad. Things she is obsessed with: babies, marriage, kissing, childbirth, prison. I’m hoping this is some past life stuff and not the future.

Millie met another little girl named Millie and we got to talking to her dad about life in Brisbane. He had lived in Vancouver for 10 years and recently moved back. He confirmed what we knew: Brisbane is a great city. He told us that his Millie had autism and usually doesn’t play with other kids, so he was shocked to see them having so much fun together. This made the giggles even sweeter than they already were.

We left at 5 and Millie asked if we were going to go to the botanical gardens. Nope, you won this round party girl. We took the idyllic little 50 cent ferry back.

And once again decided to stop at Felons Brewing for sunset. Millie and Nick played pinball and we played a lot of rounds of ping pong. It was filling up as we were leaving because they were screening a movie.

We walked back and admired the view behind us.

We got Millie to bed way earlier than usual, hoping to make up for the inevitable early morning.