Grandad's 90th birthday

Dear Matthew and Toby

In mid December we celebrated your great-grandfather (nanna's dad) turning 90 by having a family picnic in Hillary's.

It was a bit of a windy day but we all managed to find a sheltered place on the grass and Darryl set up the tent coverage. You and your cousins (and your dads cousins) had a great time playing on the playground, kicking the footy around and playing cricket. We sang happy birthday to granddad and ate some delicious chocolate cake.

Your great-granddad is a bit of an inspiration, given that he is now 90 and up until recently has been the full time carer of his wife, your great-nanna, who is suffering from dementia. As you can see from the photos below, he also is quite fit, managing to bend down on his knees! He also has an amazing intellect, and has always had an excellent grasp on what's happening in the world. He has a very unique sense of humour, and for many years after I'd first met him, I never knew whether he was being serious with his comments or not (most often, he wasn't).

It was a wonderful day spent with family, especially given I think almost every single person on your dad's side was there, which doesn't happen very often.

Love you boys,

Mum xxx

Christmas baking and decorating

Dear Matthew and Toby

In the weeks leading up to Christmas I love to make decorations with you and bake some delicious treats.

This year I bought a decorate-your-own-bauble kit from Target and Matt you decorated three baubles for your grandparents/great-grandparents. I especially loved the one you made with the smiley face (see below).

We also made reindeers biscuits together for your end of year class party. These were super-easy to make using milk arrowroot biscuits, tiny teddies, strawberries and cream lollies, white choc bits and a black icing pen. Matt you practiced and concentrated so hard on getting the reindeer's pupils perfect and I was so proud of you for that. They were a hit at the party.

We also organised our annual baking day with your cousins which we hosted at our house this year. You two, Ella, Mikayla , Harry and Saffron all decorated biscuits and cupcakes together out the back. You had a lovely time, and made plenty of Christmas and non-Christmas goodies!

I love this time of year because of all these special things we do together boys!

Love you,

Mum xxx

Christmas carols at school, at mum's work and a visit to Santa

Dear Matthew and Toby

In the lead up to Christmas we have attended a few Christmas carol events.

The first was held at Corpus Christi in the final week of school. The two school's choirs performed and we all sat on the grass enjoying their peformances. Matt, you loved running around with your friend Joseph from school and Tobes enjoyed trying to touch ants on the pavement! We had a nice picnic together before heading home.

A few days later we went to my work for more celebrations. Matt, you loved doing craft in the kids corner, including making Christmas decorations, colouring in a nativity scene (which made me ridiculously happy- I want to frame it) and sticking things on a paper Christmas tree. It was great to spend a few summer evenings in the lead up to Christmas just relaxing and enjoying the festive atmosphere.

Unfortunately our visit to Santa wasn't quite as relaxing! Matt you loved seeing Santa but Tobes, this year you wouldn't have a bar of it! You screamed and I had to sit next to Santa, and we still didn't get a photo of your face given you were grabbing on to me (totally normal reaction for a toddler). I'm sure we'll look back on in it a few years with a smile, as it totally captured this season in our lives perfectly (as in, we have a toddler in the house), but I'm sorry if you were traumatised! Mama just loves her Santa photos!

Love you boys,

Mum xxx