Monday, January 11, 2016

Playing with the grandies and the great-grandies

Dear Matthew

Last weekend we visited your great-grandparents (your dad's grandparents), nan and grandad. Unfortunately we don't get to see them very often (and missed seeing them at Christmas) but it always great to catch up with them and you always enjoy playing with them. This time they broke out the car garage that you just loved.

Your great-grandparents are really amazing people. I'm not sure if I've told you their story, but they met at a dance. Your great-grandad went up to another lady and asked her to dance, however your great-nan thought he was talking to her, so said yes and your great-grandad obliged. From there their relationship bloomed and they had four children, one of whom is your nanna, who had your dad, who met your mum and had you. Had the other lady at that dance been aware that she was being asked to dance, and not your nan, you wouldn't be here. Crazy!

Your great-grandad has a great history too- he used to be a plane mechanic during World War II, he was then an quantity surveyor and helped build a number of Perth landmark buildings and even as a young man made it onto the reserves team for Tottenham Hotspurs (who I am sure you are aware, if you can read this, is your dad's favourite soccer team).

Your nan also managed to raise four children largely on her own in what was to her a foreign country (they came over from England with three kids and had your dad's uncle Martin here in Australia) - no mean feat!

They are very special people and I'm so happy that you get to experience this time with them, even if it turns out that you may not remember these memories.

You have also been busy mowing the lawn with gramps as often as you can - you get in front of him and push the lawn mower along. I sometimes fret about your hearing as the mower is really loud but you don't seem bothered.

Love you baby,

Mum xxx














Sunday, January 10, 2016

Christmas 2015

Dear Matthew

Well! Christmas 2015 was another magical one! Obviously the past few posts have shown that the whole month leading up to it was a time of gathering and enjoying the company of family and friends. Christmas day was no different!

We had spent the night before at your nanna's house as Darryl is currently FIFO and his swing was happening over Christmas unfortunately, so we didn't want nanna to wake up alone. It was great to share the special time of watching you open presents on Christmas morning with her. Nanna also gave you an awesome basketball ring which you love. We did some baking and your cousins came up from their house to open presents with you too, before we headed down to their house for lunch.




































































 
After lunch at Aunty Chantel's house we headed to grandma and gramps' house for a second late lunch. You fell asleep in the car on the way there after all the chaos of the morning but luckily woke up after a bit and we enjoyed watching you open (more!! so many more!!) presents from members of my side of the family. In the evening we ate leftovers till we thought we were going to explode.










































On Boxing Day we headed down to Mandurah to have lunch with your great grandparents and my aunties, uncles and cousins as per tradition. You enjoyed watering their garden and hunting for strawberries in the vegie patch. And of course, eating nanna's amazing trifle. 'Twas a lovely way to cap off Christmas.

























 
Till next time, sweet boy. And I think next Christmas is going to be amazing because you'll actually understand what's happening, not just be pleasantly surprised that we're handing you presents :) Oh the magic of Matthew at Christmas!!
 
Love you,
 
Mum xxx