Summer family fun

Some photos from our time in Sydney in December.  So much fun and such lovely memories.

Lunch with Claudia

Today is a glorious spring day, and Claudia wanted to eat her lunch outside.  I took it out to her, fully ready to give it to her, and head back inside to get on with some jobs.  But I changed my mind at the last minute, and sat with my sweet nearly 3 year old, in the middle of the trampoline.  We didn't say much, I just watched her as she ate the different bits of her lunch.  I was so tempted to hop up and grab the camera from inside, to capture the moment, but I didn't want to disturb her as she methodically ate her way through her most favourite bits, to her least favourite.  And so as I watched her, I tried to sear her beauty into my memory.  The way she sat in her undies and t-shirt, soft chubby legs gently crossed in front of her.  Her wild, golden curly hair, escaping from underneath the silver Santa hat (she calls it her 'wake up Emma' hat) that she insists on wearing everywhere at the moment.  Her cheeks, flushed from climbing the cubby house in the sun earlier.  The way she was completely absorbed in the simple task of eating her lunch, blissfully unaware of the adoring scrutiny of her mother.

Snow video

Kids using their snow paddles from Holland.  So much fun!

 

Fun at the snow

Some photos from our trip to Falls Creek yesterday:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Report time

Report time has always had particular significance in our family, being a family with two teachers.  Last year it took on a new significance, as we started receiving reports for Holly.  Out of everything on her report, I find the general comment the most interesting.  I feel like Holly's teacher was really spot on in what she said about Holly this year.  This is an excerpt from it:

"Holly always works diligently on tasks and can sometimes over strive towards perfection resulting in failure to meet time deadlines.  Her desire and motivation towards improvement can occasionally create tension. Finding ways to simplify her own expectations and set achievable goals will help her manage her time effectively.  She shows talent in art, dance, drama and sport and possesses enormous academic potential.  It is a pleasure to teach such a talented and enthusiastic student."

Our daughter is a perfectionist!!  But I love that her teacher describes it in an encouraging way.  I imagine that throughout Holly's school career, we will be helping her to "simplify her own expectations" many times.

A new skill

A few weeks ago, Zac couldn't skip.  He kept asking Holly and I to show him, and then he'd give it a go, but no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't get going, he couldn't get that second leg to hop after the step.  And then one day, he got it!  He was so excited, he kept showing me over and over again, asking - is this skipping?  Am I doing it?

And now, he can't stop skipping!  Instead of walking around the house/garden, he'll skip.  Every time it makes me smile.  Firstly because he persevered and taught himself a new skill, and secondly, it is just so sweet to see a little boy happily and unselfconsciously skipping around.

Bushwalking

A few Saturday mornings this year our family has gone on a bushwalk together.  It's completely free, it involves exercise, the kids love it and it tires them out so they have a big rest! ;)  Wins all round.  Here's some photos: