Hoot! Hoot!

Last Thursday was an awesome day. It was a day all about, and for, my lovely little Punky, and I wish we could have days like that more often.


A couple of months ago a friend posted a link in Facebook to the Giggle & Hoot and Friends show that was going to be on at the Sydney Opera House in July. As soon as I saw it I just knew I had to take Punky. Not only does she love Giggle & Hoot, but I really wanted to introduce her to the joy that is live shows at the Opera House.

I love the Sydney Opera House. I performed there many, many times when I was in the primary school choir, the high school vocal ensemble and with the NSW State Vocal Ensemble from 1998 to 2000. I've also seen lots of shows there and I just love it. Whether I've been a performer or an audience member, there is just something so majestic and inspiring about the place, it really is beautiful. If you've never been to see a show, any show (opera, play, symphony, concert) then I highly recommend that you add it to your bucket list. You won't be disappointed.

Ok, now that I'm done gushing... I booked tickets for Dave, Punky and I, as well as our friends K & M, their daughter C, and C's Aunty J. I bought Punky the cutest hoot & hootabelle hair clip and my sister got her this very sweet jumper with an owl on the front that said "I'm a hoot!" (which it ended up being too hot to wear).


We drove in to the city and met the others at the Botanic Gardens, right next to the Opera House and enjoyed a bit of the sunshine till it was time to go in for the show. The girls had a great time looking at the water and wandering around (C is 9 months older than Punky) and my heart almost exploded watching the two of them walking around holding hands and exploring together. It was seriously, seriously cute!


When we got in to the Opera House for the show Punky was a bit restless waiting for the start but as soon as the lights went down she was mesmerised. She barely looked away from the stage the whole time, except to point to some of the lights when they danced across the roof and the audience. She loved it, and was a bit teary when it finished.

I wish I could have known the thoughts that were going through her head as she sat on my lap transfixed by the action on the stage.


The show itself was really good, Jimmy Giggle is just as cute on stage as he is on the TV, and boy, can he sing! I think he might now be my number 1 celebrity crush! He is definitely on my freebie list anyway!

After the show we all headed over to Darling Harbour and had dinner at one of the restaurants at Harbourside and Punky was so well behaved. She was happy and content to colour-in and draw with the activity pack they gave the girls (seriously, more restaurants need to do that) and only had a few moments where she was super-keen to be out of the high chair and running around.

After dinner the others headed off to catch the ferry and as it wasn't too late, Dave and I decided to take Punky for a walk around Darling Harbour and burn off some energy before the drive home.


They've really done a good job doing up the area and there is heaps of cool play equipment for kids to play on and Punky had a great time just running around looking at it all and watching the big kids play (most of the stuff was a bit over her age for her to use) and Dave took her on the big slide a few times which she loved!

Once we'd finished exploring we headed back to the car (after stopping for a sneaky gelato on the way!) and headed home. Punky made it about three quarters of the way before she finally gave in to sleep and then barely stirred once we were home and popped her in her pyjamas and bed.

It was such a good day and Punky was the perfect child the whole time. It was really awesome to get to spoil her and make the day just about her and really enjoy what will be one of our last days as a family of three. I am so lucky and so blessed to have such an awesome little kiddo and I wouldn't change anything about her for the world.

Except for maybe the whinging, but hey, we can't all be perfect!

Linking up this Tuesday, like I do every week, for IBOT with Essentially Jess

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Comments

Kylie Purtell said…
Such cute photos!! I remember taking my oldest to her first gig at 18 mo old to see the wiggles in Sydney December 2004!!
Kylie Purtell said…
Sorry, slow on the uptake. Freebee list?
Kylie Purtell said…
I love the Opera House. We are so lucky to see it (at least from the outside) all the time. I've been to many operas and symphonies there, plays too. Looks like you guys had a wonderful day out!
Kylie Purtell said…
Such an absolutely beautiful family day! I visited the Opera House many years ago and it was indeed something worth gushing over :)

Ai @ Sakura Haruka
Kylie Purtell said…
Sounds like an awesome awesome time, and OMG you have the cutest little girl ever. Butter wouldn't melt in her mouth! In a couple of years I'm sure she'll be walking around holding her little sister's hand and showing her the way! x
Kylie Purtell said…
Oh she is such a cutie!!!! :) We'd love to go to Hoot but it sells out so quickly I never get through in Perth!
Kylie Purtell said…
Perfect days like these are so wonderful, so glad you enjoyed it together ~ love taking the boys to see stage shows ~ they are so transfixed every time, truly magical x
Kylie Purtell said…
What a wonderful day. Our Miss 5 and 7 just sent in some pictures for the giggle gallery. WE love Jimmy and Hoot in our house
Kylie Purtell said…
What a great memory to tuck away and remember years from now :)


I love the Opera House too. My kids have sang there a few times too, the first time I went it just blew my mind. The sound created in there is magic.


Happy iBOT!


MC x
#teamIBOT
Kylie Purtell said…
I have a bit of a nostalgic love of the Opera House too.
We had a similar experience with a live show a few years ago when we went to the Wiggles - the first time. It was so wonderful to watch my sons mesmerised gaze and the tears that threatened when the big red car came on stage. I have to say I choked up too as my heart burst :)
Becc @ Take Charge Now
Kylie Purtell said…
Oh your images of Punky always flash up in my facebook feed and make it so pretty - she looks like such a cutie pie. I'm guessing my little one would be just as mesmerised if we ever get to see Hoot Hoot in person - she loves loves loves hoot hoot to the extent that I think she may have forgotten he's actually called an owl. Every thing with big eyes is now hoot hoot - even the bird scarer at Bakers Delight is called hoot hoot. Sounds like a beautiful day!
Kylie Purtell said…
Kylie, it looks like she had the best day! We took Bell to lots of live shows when she was little, and it was always a fabulous experience!
Kylie Purtell said…
How fun, we met jimmy giggle the other day and he was such a good sport :) that photo of her watching the show is just precious
Kylie Purtell said…
I wondered if Jimmy was a good singer, he certainly is a bit of a fox - hee hee. Glad punky had a ball - and GO YOU for taking her when SOOOO upduffed. I have to say Ky I'm just a weeeee bit excited about you having your baby, it's almost like I'm about to have another one, except I'm not that silly - LOVE YAH - Em xx
Kylie Purtell said…
Sounds like an awesome time, Kylie! I saw the concert dates but unfortunately we had other plans for the weekend. I have a bit of a crush on Jimmy Giggle too...Hoot, baby, hoot! ;)
Kylie Purtell said…
Really he can sing? I'm surprised by that, cause he often sounds a little flat to me.
Love her little face, totally mesmerised by the show
Kylie Purtell said…
What a gorgeous day....and I just love that photo of her looking so mesmerised by the action on stage!
Kylie Purtell said…
Sounds like you all had a great day !
Have the best week !
Me
Kylie Purtell said…
Look at you guys all talking about Giggle and Hoot. I've never heard of them! Which makes me sad. Clearly my kids are too old now :( Now I really do feel Deep Fried.
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit
Kylie Purtell said…
We took Punky to see the Wiggles in December but she was just a bit too young for it to be honest, just over 1. She was a much better age this time.
Kylie Purtell said…
He's my freebie, the person I get a free pass to sleep with if I ever meet him in real life. Haven't you seen Friends man?!
Kylie Purtell said…
That would be so cool to live that close. Some days I really wish I lived in the city.
Kylie Purtell said…
Isn't it just beautiful?! And the sound inside is just magnificent, the whole place really is like a work of art.
Kylie Purtell said…
You know I think that's what made it cuter Aroha, was imagining that it would be her sister and her one day. Punky and C actually do look very alike and you could almost mistake them for sisters too.
Kylie Purtell said…
I was actually surprised that the shows didn't sell out, the Opera house was prob only half full. It's a shame you can't just hop a plane easily to Sydney with the kids to see it, they would have loved it!
Kylie Purtell said…
I really hope we get to take her to see more as she grows up, it was always my favourite thing to do as a kid, we saw heaps!
Kylie Purtell said…
That's so cool, I will have to get Punky to do that too.
Kylie Purtell said…
The sound is magnificent! I remember the first time I went, I was about 6 and we went to see a Chritmas show and I was blown away by the sound.
Kylie Purtell said…
I know what you mean, it's so special to see their reactions, definitely a memory to tuck away and think about on the tougher days!
Kylie Purtell said…
Hahaha, I know a little girl like that, they aren't owls anymore they are Hoots!
Kylie Purtell said…
I am really hoping to make an effort to take her to see at least one a year. I loved it as a kid (still do now to be honest) and its a great way to spend a day.
Kylie Purtell said…
Oh I would so love to meet Jimmy Giggle, though I suspect I could get a bit giggly myself!
Kylie Purtell said…
Lol, I gotta say Em, all the stairs certainly were a challenge! I just told myself it would be a good way to move bubs along! I can't wait too Em, not long now!
Kylie Purtell said…
Hoot, baby, hoot indeed! If he hangs around ill be watching Giggle and Hoot long after Punky stops!
Kylie Purtell said…
I think he puts it on for the show, but when he was singing the songs at the end if the show, and held this long, sustained note at one point he was excellent!
Kylie Purtell said…
It really was such a good day, hope we get to do it again soon.
Kylie Purtell said…
It was! Hope you have a great week too!
Kylie Purtell said…
Lol, don't worry, I'm sure there are so many things that you know the secrets of that I am yet to discover!
Kylie Purtell said…
my possum's a bit older now but the last time we went to the house was chrissie to see the Royal Australian Ballet - it was mesmerising - i cried - poppet was transfixed. we dressed up especially for it - it was a night out for the girls, and like you Punky and the crew, we absolutely adored it.
Kylie Purtell said…
We had tickets to see the Nutcracker just before Christmas and we turned up on the wrong day. So disappointing! But we just went to see the Baby Prom's Swing (on the right day) and it was great. The opera house truly is wonderful. BTW - I've done a survey of my non-baby friends and they all thing that Jimmy Giggle is nothing fantastic - so I've deducted that the appeal must be for mums only!

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