First trip down south

Dear Matthew

Last weekend we took you on your first trip down south, as it was Mia's fist birthday. Mia's mum, Kate, is very special to me as she, along with her sister Anna, grew up alongside me and you uncle Andrew. So it was wonderful to be able to celebrate Mia's birthday with Kate and family.

We set off on the Friday afternoon after dropping Soda off at your grandad's house as he was puppy sitting for us. Unfortunately we didn't get very far down the freeway before we had to pull over (twice) to feed you and change your bum. Luckily after that you slept all the way until we were ten kilometres out from Busselton, at which point you let rip! They there a long ten kilometres! 

Your Grandma, Gramps, uncle Andrew and Aunty Robyn came down separately and we all stayed together in a three bed villa at the Geographe Bayview Resort. The villa was fantastic, it was one if the more modern ones and there was a ton of room for everyone. 

In the morning we headed to Meelup Beach for the barbeque/birthday party and enjoyed just chilling with the family. We did poke your toes in the ocean for the first time and you most definitely did not like that cold water!

We then walked around the town for a bit before relaxing back at the villa. For dinner we had fish and chips while watching another Christmas classic, 'Love Actually'. 

In the morning we headed home, stopping at the new Bunbury farmers market, my nanna and grandad's house for a quick lawn mow as dad was looking after the house while they've been overseas, then a look at a very dodgy Christmas shop in Mandurah (which your Grandma loved of course) before heading home (via your grandad's to pick up Soda). 

All in all it was a great weekend and we were grateful for how well you behaved. We did note that despite you being very good, we will probably only be taking holidays with family for a few years, just to make sure your mum and dad actually feel like they're getting a little break too!

Love, 

Mum xxx

Your first Christmas traditions

Dear Matthew

Last week we had your Grandma, Gramps, aunty Robyn and uncle Andrew over to put up our Christmas tree. Incidentally it was only 2 days away from Grandma and Gramps 30th wedding anniversary, so we had a small dinner to celebrate (a communication breakdown meant dinner was roast and Chinese noodle salad, but it all tasted yum!). 

While putting up the tree we watched National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, which is tradition in the Constable household. You will know all the words to this movie soon enough! It is well loved by everyone on my side of the family and is often quoted at family functions or on the family's Facebook group. 

I have also decided to start a tradition for you where each year you are given/choose a Christmas decoration which is specifically yours. When your sibling comes along, he or she will do the same. Once you both move out, you will have 18+ decorations to take with you for your own tree. I'm looking forward to sharing this tradition with you as you get older. 

I can't wait till you're a few years older and you know what's going on at Christmas, as its the joy experienced by children that puts the magic into Christmas. 

Love, 

Mum xxx