So 2012 is nearly over and I thought it would be good to document some of our reflections on the past year & a few things we might like to do in 2013.
Our kids have been busy growing up, losing teeth, starting pre-school, starting playgroup, making friends, learning new things, getting funnier, getting smarter, getting cheekier, still messy but learning new chores & keeping up with old ones [when reminded] [several times] [ok many times].
For me, its been a year with good bits, average bits and bad bits. Whilst I choose to share the moments on my blog that I want to remember, my life isn't cookie cutter perfect. Far from. I don't air my private dirty laundry on my blog. I could post a Mt Washmore pile of folding almost every day but in years to come, I want to forget the laundry, I just want to remember the kids and the stuff we did. But thats not what I'm talking about. I choose to not blog about all the complexities & drama found in almost every family & wider family, its not my preference. I only share more general family challenges & struggles common to many of us. I choose to read inspiring things and I try to inspire others in my blogging & in my quest to care for my little corner of the world - my family, my wider family & my home, as best I can.
That doesn't mean I'm exempt from having sadness, isolation, drama, heartbreak, and all the other sorts of things that happen in every day life, and in my life. This year in private terms, its been a trial. Its been exhausting and emotional. But the year has ended better than it started, I think, and that is definitely a wonderful thing. 2013 shows promise & hope for a better year.
For us as parents its been ........ neverending 24/7, 364 days of parenting [we've had one night off in 7 years!], but we wouldn't have it any other way. The laundry is horrendous, the amount of food preparation is gastronomical! The exhaustion, the whingeing, the tears, the loneliness - and thats just me!! But we signed up for the challenges and we think we are luckier than most because we have been gifted 5 amazing humans each with different personalities. It can be fun beyond belief and we get endless entertainment. Having a medium to large family is most certainly hardwork, but its the best gift ever. Big families are ace!
So, to finish off.....
I interviewed all the kids about 2012 and 2013 and here is what they had to say...
The best thing that happened to Lachlan this year was: seeing Thomas the Tank Engine at the Railway Museum!
In 2013, Buddy will be turning 3 [!] and he wants to:
- Eat muffins
- Return to playgroup
- Cook pizza
- Ride a bike
This is Amelia & Chelsea's pre-school photo from this year. They have absolutely loved kindy & are actually quite independant from each other during playtime.
The best thing that happened to Amelia this year was: having cousins Harry & Ben coming over to play [because they are so so funny!].
In 2013, Amelia turns 5 and wants to:
- Learn to cook spaghetti bolognese and garlic bread
- Return to swimming to lessons
- Have play dates with her friend Teagan
The best thing that happened to Chelsea this year was: starting pre-school!
In 2013, Chelsea also turns 5 and wants to:
- Learn to cook muffins
- Have play dates with her friend Sienna
- Learn how to do hand stitching & make a sheep
This is Georgia & Charlottes school photo from this year. They both got great school reports & we are so proud of them.
The best thing that happened to Georgia this year was: getting an iPad.
In 2013, Georgia wants to:
- Do more hand stitching in hoops
- Have lots of playdates with her friend Callia
- Learn how to make chocolates in molds
The best thing that happened to Charlotte this year was: going to lots of birthday parties!
In 2013, Charlotte wants to:
- Return to swimming to lessons
- Have lots of playdates
- Do sewing with her sewing machine and make a cushion that says Charlotte
The best thing that happened to Jeff this year was: climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge
In 2013, Jeff wants to:
- Do lots of napping on the couch
- Nap in bed
- Have another couple of Crystal Brook Train trips [he's a trainspotter]
The best thing that happened to me this year was: going to the ColdPlay concert with my Jeff in Sydney and creating with my kids in my new garage studio.
In 2013, I want to:
- Get back to the gym & improve my fitness
- Paint & sew like a crazy woman [the crazy bit will be a cinch]
- Soothe my soul with music, art, the occasional foot massage & more reading
- Teach the kids lots more new things & reduce screen time
- Play lots of board games with my family
- Get Lachy toilet trained & sleeping in his own room! [Well, he is my last baby, maybe he can just stay with us for a few more years! hehe]
Goodbye 2012!
My wish for 2013 is that all people will show more kindness & support to everyone they know as there is just so much judgement & tall poppy bashing in the world. And yet, people never really understand what someone might be going through or what lies ahead. I am certainly going to try to remind myself of that. Kindness. Acceptance. Support. And world peace.
Thanks for reading, see in you all in the new year!
