Learning to ride a bike

Dear Matthew and Toby

Recently Matt you have shown an interest in learning to ride your bike without trainer wheels. Your friend Ryder who lives next door recently learned (and his mum gave you a go as you were up the park together) so we decided to head up to the park recently for you to learn.

We started on the basketball courts at the local primary school, which we thought may be easier as it's flat. You were really brave and gave it go, riding a few metres each time before coming off.

After a while you asked to try riding on the grassed oval nearby, so we gave this a go too. You could ride a little bit further and the landing was softer. I think perhaps there was a lot of concentration happening on staying upright, and not continuing to pedal, which is totally understandable as it's daunting to ride for the first time. Anyway, it was great to watch you give it a try, and I'm sure in time you'll be a pro at it!

Always remember our family's saying: You keep trying, and then you get it! We'll hopefully give it another go soon.

Love you boys,

Mum xxx

Learning Journey and Colour Run

Dear Matthew and Toby

Recently at Matt's school there has been the Learning Journey evening and a fund-raising Colour Run event.

The Learning Journey was once again a wonderful opportunity to get to see what you have been up to in your classroom Matt. We went through all sorts activities together, such as telling the time and playing Celebrity Heads with coins instead of people. I also got to see all the cool stuff you have been making, such as a planet out of paper mache and a booklet about your place in the world. We also headed down to your library where you showed me how you do drawing and recordings on an iPad and then play it back to me. We also looked through your Science and Music rooms (Tobes you especially loved playing all the musical instruments).

A day later you had the Colour Run at school. This was a new event this year which raised money for your school's nature playground (and also presents for underprivileged kids at Christmas). All the kids dressed up in white and ran through the obstacle course, getting covered in colourful chalk and foam. A few days before the event you had been saying that you weren't sure you were going to take part (which would have been fine of course) but on the day you absolutely loved it! As you can see from the photos below, you were covered in colour and came home telling me you looked like the Hulk because you were so green :) I hope your school does the event again next year.

Love you boys,

Mum xxx

Operation Christmas Child



Dear Matthew and Toby

Well it's (coming up to) that time again! In preparation for Christmas this year we have decided to do another shoebox for Operation Christmas Child. We chose to put together a shoebox for a boy in a developing country who is your age, Matt. Tobes, once you're old enough to understand, we will also do a shoebox for a boy your age.

So we headed to K-Mart and you chose 6 things that you wanted to put in your shoebox, Matt. You chose pencils for school, a ball to play with, a toy cow to cuddle, a hat to wear, lego to build and toothbrushes for hygiene.

It was lovely to see you so enthusiastic about filling the box. Last year we tried to instill in you the importance of giving at Christmas and it was obvious that this lesson had still stuck, as you were very keen to put things in the shoebox for the child and not for yourself.

Tobes, unfortunately you have taken a bit of a liking to the toy cow that Matt chose so I think we may need to find a replacement before it's shipped off!

Again, I hope you always remember the importance of giving, especially at Christmas. With privilege comes the responsibility to give back where you can. You will always be remembered by what you give (material things, money, time) rather than what you accumulate. And there is always a great joy that we receive ourselves when we give. In giving we experience the magic of connection and love for our fellow humans.

Love you boys,

Mum xxx

P.S. I love your selfie at the end of the photos Matt!

 

  

Matt's first merit certificate

Dear Matthew and Toby

Matt, you recently were awarded your first merit certificate at school! Your beautiful teacher Mrs Bollen awarded you this certificate for your enthusiasm and confidence when telling news. I was so proud of how far you have come during Pre-Primary, you are really coming out of your shell and it is wonderful to witness. I love that you are becoming more social and happy to tell everyone what's been happening in your life.

We kept it a secret from you that you were being awarded the certificate and it was worth it to see the huge smile on your face when Mrs Bollen read your name (first one up out of the whole school!). You proudly held your certificate in front of you while the rest of the names were read.

Ma Ma, Gumps and Grandad all came along too to watch and were also so proud of you!

Love you boys,

Mum xxx