Day 34 26/04/2011 Alice Springs Children’s Ward – with activities

Day 34 26/04/2011 Alice Springs Children’s Ward – with activities

Only two sleeps to go and hopefully we will be discharged!!  So today we were absconding to the Alice Springs Reptile Park.  This was a great little park right in the middle of town; it looked like they had set it up in an old house!!  They had lots of snakes and lizards and even Terry the crocodile.  The kids had a great time and got really involved in the talk.  Claudia being my bravest child held the lizards and then after some consideration decided that she could even manage Olive the Green Python!!  It must be a girl bravery thing because Jocelyn managed to get a cuddle with all the lizards and Olive too!! Callum was again just excited to be out of hospital and I’m sure he was secretly enjoying being able to go places in his wheelchair.



Claudia with Olive the Python



After lunch, determine not to go back to hospital too early we headed to the Araluen Cultural Precinct.  There was an eclectic group of activities for the kids to undertake.  The Araluen Cultural Precinct provided us with a fascinating glimpse into the art, culture and heritage of Central Australia.  The precinct is also culturally significant to the local Arrernte People and there are seven registered sacred sights and trees of significance on the Precinct.

The kids enjoyed the Museum of Central Australia, the Kookaburra Memorial (aeroplane not bird), Central Australian Aviation Museum, Albert Namatjira Gallery and the Araluen Arts Centre.  It took us about 3 hours to wander through all these fabulous displays and we were all exhausted at the end!!  Both Callum and I were ready to head back to hospital for a quiet night. 



Mum being very brave with the blue tongue lizard!!



Callum’s foot got checked tonight and Rachel (CNS) decided that a few more blisters would heal quicker if they were deroofed!!  Rather than send Callum back to surgery he bravely let Rachel “pop” them and then re dress them with the magic silver dressing.  I’m sure this process hurt more than Callum let on!! Again he was a very brave boy!!.  His reward was getting to watch “Where the wild things are!!”

We settled down once again for a quiet night in hospital.  Pete remains with Claudia and Zac staying at Melinda and PJ’s.  Jocelyn is really enjoying having Claudia stay at her house for this extended period; the girls have had a great time playing!!  Zac has enjoyed all of PJ’s electronic toys in particular the Playstation and games!!