I signed Poppy up for a free-trial class at The Little Gym. After much wailing gnashing of teeth (on my part; Poppy was a peaceful little passenger) when I thought I’d gotten lost but I had really just been impatient and thought I’d gone too far and turned around right across the road from the place (ha!), we got there with about 15 seconds to spare before the “Beasties” class started.

I was disappointed that the instructor spun nary a Beastie Boys record, but Poppy had a blast regardless. As the words, “You can hold her if she’s not ready to participate” left the instructor’s mouth, Poppy let go of my hand and rushed over to join the horde of children running in circles around the mommies, the daddy and the nannies in attendance. That’s right. There were nannies! This might be too posh for me. There were also children named SpencerAnna and Arcadia. Of course, with a Poppy running around the house, who am I to talk?

I haven’t decided yet whether we’re going to sign up for regular classes. But Poppy did love it, and she ate a huge lunch (including sweet potatoes!) and is now taking a monster nap.

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Way back in October, we learned that Rockford was a ringer for Magnum PI and that I resembled Sissy Spacek. But then time passed and beards were shaved, and now Rockford is channeling Hugh Jackman. Or Mark Ruffalo. Nice either way.

I’m not sure why his head is so shiny in that picture. Perhaps he is actually beaming with joy.

As for me …

Seriously? Am I that mannish? Four out of eight? And Shirley Temple is one of my female look-a-likes? Sheesh.

I ran the little doo-dad again, hoping it was a fluke. And indeed, it didn’t tell me I looked like Richard Gere. But I’m pretty sure the presence of Rod Stewart, the Dalai Lama and Babe Ruth means I need a makeover anyway. And soon.

I would like it to be official noted, though, that the very lovely Petra Nemcova was on my list all three times.

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I’m putting together some ideas for Things To Do when my niece and nephews come over again. And I’ve made a discover: Australians are fabulous with children. Need proof?

Exhibit A: The Wiggles. I hear that some children like these guys. We rented a Wiggles DVD once for Poppy, and she didn’t care about The Wiggles at all. I’m sort of happy about that even though I do like their “Fruit Salad (Yummy Yummy) song. And I like the guy who’s always asleep.

Exhibit B: Captain Kangaroo. Technically not Australian. In fact, not Australian in any way at all. But kangaroos live in Australia, and kids like the Captain. Or liked, anyway. When he still had a show.

Exhibit C: >Claire at Kiddley.com. I love the illustrations on both of these sites. Kiddley is “brimming with bright ideas, fun projects, links to great web finds and quick tips for parents to take away and enjoy with their kids.”

Exhibit D: Amber at Kids Craft Weekly. Kids Craft Weekly is a themed newsletter that includes all sorts of fun and crafty ideas. I signed up to receive the newsletter even though Poppy is a little too young for most of the activities. She won’t be too young for long, though, and I figure I can stock up on ideas for now.

So there you have it. Australians know how to have fun. And they have excellent accents as well.

. . . . .

I think the people next door are playing “Pole Position.” I can hear the “ding-ding-ding-DING!” and a good bit of revving through the wall (Poppy’s asleep, and it’s very quiet in here).

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