Dear Matthew
Living in Australia it's super important that you know how to swim, so your dad and I have started taking you in the water as much as we can.
You first had a quick feet dip in the ocean back in Busselton. Your dad also took you for a swim in grandma and gramps' pool just before Christmas. You enjoyed this but only when being held by daddy (when we tried to lower you into the water by yourself you lost it crying, but didn't mind at all when daddy held you to his chest). Last Saturday we also took you for your first swimming lesson up at the local physio at Murdoch Hospital. The water was warm as the pool was a hydrotherapy pool and you really enjoyed it. We sung nursery rhymes and moves you all around in the water and you didn't cry once.
Hopefully we instil a love for water in you so that you are a strong swimmer and not afraid of the water. But mostly we want you to be able to swim safely given where you live!
Love,
Mum xxx
Dear Matthew
Well! Last week we celebrated your first Christmas and it was definitely a wonderful one!
It started off with a dinner at Grandmas house the Sunday before the big day, which was attended by the Elliot Haynes, Melia, Phillips, Ness, Fox, Constable and Keene families. We also celebrated Miriams 12th birthday as it was her bid day the next day. Come Christmas Day we had another lunch at Grandmas house with the Elliot Haynes' (aunty Jeany, Libby, Miriam and Susannah had made the trip by car from Queensland and doted on you the days they stayed in Perth), then a quick catch up with Nanna at daddy's uncle Martin's house before heading over the Grandad's house for dinner with aunty Chantel, uncle Travis and your four cousins. On Boxing Day we headed down to Port Bouevard for lunch with the Constables, including your great Nanna and great Grandad.
It was a fantastic first Christmas for you, surrounding by many many loving family and friends. I apologise for dressing you up as an elf again and putting a bon bon hat on you at Christmas Day lunch, it was just too funny :) You were also spoilt with more presents- most importantly, your aunty Robyn made our advent calendar (see photo below). This is very important to our family and will help our Keene family follow the Constable tradition of putting little presents, chocolates and decorations on the calendar at the start of December each year, then taking turns enjoying the goodies in the countdown to the big day.
Looking forward to seeing the look on your face at next year's Christmas- I know it's going to be magic and really put the meaning of Christmas front and centre. Bring on Christmas 2014!
Love,
Mum xxx
