January 31, 2012 | Day 31

And so another photo a day journey comes to an end.  I'm sad.  Sad because I'll miss those few minutes every day where I got to really look at my kids and our family.  Sad because I'll miss following some of the other photo a day journey's I have enjoyed so much.  Sad because when the next PAD comes around my kids will be just that little bit older, that little bit taller and that little bit more independent.  So I guess I'm just all around sad about the whole thing!  I did consider carrying on and trying to do a 365 but I knew I couldn't commit and I didn't want to let myself down.  Between kids, school, uni, work and life I just don't have the time.  So I won't promise to take a photo a day for the rest of the year but I am going to try and at least do a photo a week.  Our family is growing up and changing so quickly and I feel like there are so many memories that go missed.  Hopefully by stopping, observing and capturing one memory a week I can have something to look back on after everything seems to have passed me by.
So we say goodbye for now.  Thank you so much to those of you who have visited daily, left comments and also shared your own PAD with me.  We would love it if you would keep visiting our blog.  We have so many amazing journey's to share and we want to share them with you.  I hope you all have a wonderful 2012.

Saying goodbye to Day 31

B xx

Ending the PAD pretty much like we started it,  in the pool.  Goodbye January Photo a Day 2012.
It's been a blast!

January 30, 2012 | Day 30

In 2010 Sam started at his new school.  For numerous reasons it was a very stressful transition but by the end of the year it seemed like he had always been there.  He now can't imagine going to any other school.  He has awesome friends, has excelled at his school work  and has received awards for sport.  The support network throughout the school via both teachers and other students,  it priceless.  The school spirit is like nothing I've seen before and although sending the boys there means we have to make sacrifices in other areas, it is well and truly worth it for the educational and life experiences they are gaining.  Another thing about our school is that they somehow (and I have no idea how) make the boys WANT to work.  They have such a heavy schoolwork and homework load but they never complain.  So when Sam came home with arms full of homework I wasn't surprised when he set himself up to get it done as soon as we walked in the door from pick up.  He was so keen to get started and was excited to share what he was learning with the rest of us.  Now, I don't know the "secret" to this desire for schoolwork but I seriously wish Chuck would catch it.  Oh well, we only have to get through this school year before he too can join the boys at SPC.  Oh and because I know Grandma and Auntie Dani read this blog, Sam wants you to know that he found out today that he has once again made the A team for SPC cricket.  The school has also offered to bring someone in to train Sam specifically for his spin bowling.  He's ever so proud of himself, as he should be and ok, maybe mum and dad are a bit chuffed too!

January 30 is homework day.

B xx

January 29, 2012 | Day 29

Charlie's migraines are back :(  He had done so well to mostly overcome them last year but it seems that the new school year has brought with it the stress and anxiety that leads to his migraines.  He says he's happy at school and I'm sure it's just a settling in process that he needs to go through.  We're crossing our fingers that as the weeks go by and the school routine becomes part of our normal life again, the migraines will disappear or at the very least, ease a little bit.  So as I was saying, Charlie had yet another migraine  which normally means (because he gets them at the same time every time) that he misses dinner and sleeps till around 8pm.  He then gets up, has a shower, eats some toast and goes back to bed to try and sleep.  Tonight sleep evaded him.  Quite honestly, between the migraine, the extra sleep and me getting vocal about one of the most exciting tennis matches I've ever seen, I'm really not surprised he couldn't sleep.  I went to check on him at around 10pm and found him reading by torch light.  I smiled and told him he could have 30 minutes  more before torches out.  I mean really, how can you punish book reading?  You just can't.  

Reading January 30 away.

B xx

January 28, 2012 | Day 28

We are now entering Blossy's third year of dancing.  We started out with Ballet and Jazz, progressed to Ballet, Jazz and Tap last year and this year we've added Hip Hop into the mix.  It makes for a busy after school and weekend schedule but she loves it (and secretly, so do I).   Todays first ballet lesson back was even more exciting because it was the first time Blossy got to work on the Barre.  Her words to me after class, "Mummy, now I'm almost like a real ballerina.  I just need ballet point shoes!"  One step at a time baby girl.  One step at a time.

Pirouetting our way through Day 28

B xx

January 27, 2012 | Day 27

Yes, we're still in front of the mirror.  Ok, I know I said this hair thing was great but seriously, this child spends more time in front of the mirror than a supermodel!  If she's not brushing her hair she's putting on lip balm or practicing her smile or experimenting with hairstyles, or looking for new teeth or doing her dance moves.  She loooves the mirror!  I think it's kinda cute actually.

Reflecting on Day 27.

B xx

January 26, 2012 | Day 26

Since we gave Blossy's hair a decent trim, she is finding it much easier to maintain herself (much to my delight).  She can mostly wash it herself and brushing is now an enjoyable task for her.  Previously her arms just weren't long enough to get to the ends and no matter how much she brushed there were still knots.  It's routine now to give her hair a good brush after her bath every night and she does it without even having to be reminded.  We had a good few years of hair dramas but thank goodness the battle of the long hair is over!

Brushing Day 26 away.

B xx

January 25, 2012 | Day 25

 This afternoon Georgie spent a lot of time in her room.  Mostly by choice, but some of the time was so we could get some peace and quiet from the fighting with the boys. Honestly, the screeching is enough to make you want to rip your ears off.  So anyway, Blossy was occupying herself with barbies and books and hours of facetime with her new friend Miss K, but later in the afternoon when I went in to check on her I found her gazing out the window and totally engrossed in a conversation with herself.  About what?  I have no idea.  It felt like snooping to stand there and listen so I quickly took the photo and left.  I love that she uses her imagination though.  That she can get hours of enjoyment through looking out the window and coming up with magical stories.  It must be nice to have the ability to occasionally lose yourself in a make believe world.

Imagining our way through Day 25.

B xx