School holidays, reflecting on the past and looking to the future!
The Summer school holidays started with a bang! The count down to Christmas is on, and the excitement is starting to build. In some ways it feels a little surreal – I know the holidays have started – but at the same time I feel that I have to pinch myself to believe that the holidays have actually arrived. The end of year excitement is in the air and I love it. Its my favourite time of the year. Christmas is everywhere, the days are longer, the nights are lovely. It just a wonderful time of year.
This time of year brings a lot of love to the Coast. One of the things I love most about the coast is the Twilight markets. They are fantastic! If you have never been to a twilight market you don’t know what your missing. Whether your in Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Brisbane or Surfers Paradise (just to name a few spots). The twilight markets are one of my absolute favourite highlights to my life. The air is thick with the holiday spirit!
This last year has come and gone far too quickly. I feel that I have just survived the last two years. Not just in one area of my life – in many areas of my life. Jaden is 23 months old and wakes every night at 12 am – Jaden’s second birthday marks a massive milestone in our family’s life. I loved the baby stage and in some ways I miss the baby stages of my children – but I have to admit that I am excited to know the little people in my life and get to know them as individuals.
Jaden was born mid January 2011, and later in the same month, our youngest little girl started prep. Between Jaden being born and Chanel starting prep I honestly felt like an emotional and hormonal roller coaster. As a parent you do what you consider ‘the right thing at the time’ – lets just say that Chanel’s introduction to school life was a shock to my system, and while I did my best to tick all the boxes each day, sometimes Chanel’s homework fell through the cracks. I needed to have c-section with Jaden’s birth, so the recovery overlapped with the school year starting, so it was difficult to pull rabbits out of hats at that time.
Jaden – brings so much joy and happiness to our lives. He is a true gift from God. A very special gift. He is also a very active little boy who adds an element of excitement to our lives. A Houdini in action, one might say. If the child was ducked taped to the pram – he would still be able to get out! I am not kidding. When my friends told me how much joy I was going to have with having a boy – no one told me how full on it would be. In some ways I am glad no one told me how full on little boys are – lets just say Hurricane Jaden is in the house. I can’t complain though as I don’t want him to be any other way. I love the holiday periods. I love hanging out with the kids. Many parents look forward to school going back, but I am the polar opposite. More holidays please!
Its almost 2013 and for the first time in 3 years really – I feel really excited. There are so many plans for the new year. I don’t want the holidays to go fast…there is no way I want to wish away the holidays, but I am excited for the new year. What are your plans for the new year?