Dear Matthew
Christmas this year was wonderful. You were a bit more switched on and even though you didn't know why you were being given presents and visiting everyone, it was clear you were really enjoying it.
The night before we went to the children's mass at St Benedicts with the Constables. For some reason it was indoors this time but that didn't stop you wanting to run around liked a crazed monkey so it was interesting (and fun as you got to play with other kids).
We started the big day with the Constables for breakfast. Grandma doesn't really know how to do basic gift giving so as usual we were showered with presents. We had a lovely breakfast of waffles and fruit with ice cream, cream and syrup. It was a great way to start the day.
We then moved on to Aunty Lynne's for lunch with your dads mums side of the family. You went for a swim in the pool and we had a visit from Santa. It was very relaxed and the weather was beautiful.
For dinner we went to your granddad's house and enjoyed catching up with cousin Jen a bit more as she had flown over from Sydney (she is from London but is currently working in Sydney).
As we were heading home grandma called and said their house alarm had gone off and as they were in Mandurah asked us to drop through on our way home to check it out as they were speeding home but still an hour away. Turns out the Christmas lights had caused the electricity to switch off for a second, triggering the alarms to go off so thankfully all was well. You slept through the whole thing in the car seat, even the police visit.
On Boxing Day we headed down to Mandurah to catch up with my grandparents, Aunty Sharlene and Steve and cousins Brianna and Travis. We had lunch on their balcony overlooking the estuary and again the weather was great for it. You particularly loved the bubble machine Aunty Sharlene gave you :)
So it was a jam packed couple of days and you managed it all really well. I was so grateful for all the loving people in our lives and cannot wait till next Christmas when you'll have an even greater idea of what's going on :) #bringonthemagicofmattsfaceatchristmas
Love you,
Mum xxx
Dear Matthew
Growing up, Christmas' in the Constable house were magical. We were surrounded by family and friends, amazing food and a truckload of presents. But on reflection my memories aren't filled with the material gifts we received. They are filled with the smell of waffles in the morning, hearing laughter at lunchtime and the thrill of swimming or playing games with my cousins in the afternoon. Even the lead up to Christmas had memories of singing carols at Judy and Johns house, decorating the family tree and having a visit from a very familiar looking Father Christmas on Christmas Eve (where we would have gathered for dinner with friends and family and each received a small present from the big guy).
The point I'm trying to make is that there are so many good things about Christmas other than materialism and consumerism. While the act of giving is important, it's who we give things to and what we give that are key.
So this year, we have donated to hampers for St Vinnies and have sent Christmas cards to our World Vision kids. In the past we have donated to the Kmart Wishing Tree and bought goats for third world families. And we have bought you one present. Because you have a thousand toys already, and you won't remember what we bought you anyway (it's a car garage that your dad picked out for himself- I mean, for you- that I'm sure you and him will have fun playing with).
In the future you'll hopefully receive a stocking from Santa and then four gifts from your mum and dad- something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read.
And no doubt you'll still find Christmas magical. Because there doesn't need to be a mountain of presents for it to be that way. It just is.
Love you gorgeous boy.
Mum xxx
Dear Matthew
Well, your second Christmas is not far off and we've been busy putting up trees, buying and making presents and starting/maintaining our Christmas traditions.
At the start of December, grandma, gramps and Aunty Robyn all came over to decorate our tree with you... And you slept through the whole thing haha! We also set up your advent calendar that Aunty Robyn made for you last year. It's mostly filled with your own toys but you don't seem to mind! And as tradition dictates, we watched National Lampoons Christnas Vacation.
The next day we were at grandma and gramps' house so we set up the Constable family tree with them. Since then you've also 'helped' decorate their ten or so other trees when they've been looking after you while I've been at work.
Last weekend we also managed to get a really good photo of you with Santa, much to our surprise and delight! After hearing traumatic unsuccessful stories from mums at mothers group we weren't sure how you'd go but thought we'd give it a shot (as it means a lot to me to keep this tradition going from last year). We asked the guy taking photos what he recommended and he said I should hold you, walk backwards towards Santa, put you on his lap without you actually seeing him and then hope for the best. And it worked! You were a little but freaked after a few seconds but no real tears thankfully. You even managed to get a teddy from Santa for being such a brave boy. I'm going to make the teddy into your Christmas tree decoration for this year :)
Lastly, we have also been walking around at night looking at all the houses nearby that are lit up for Christmas. We're so lucky there's five or six really well decorated houses nearby.
So!! The traditions are alive and well. Only six more sleeps!
Love you my little elf.
Mum xxx
Dear Matthew
It might seem trivial when you read this, but today you put one building block on top of the other and began to build a tower. This was a big leap in your cognitive development as prior to this you would just have fun knocking over the towers I built. But today you built one four blocks high, and I was so so proud of you!
You've also started doing a few cool things:
1. Blowing kisses, waving goodbye on request, high fiving, trying to jump, shushing Soda, moving me to where you want me to go, and just generally communicating more through mime
2. Talking way more- at last count you're up to 20 words (mum, dad, da for Soda, ball, jump, ta, gone, duck, clap, broom, woof, uh-uh, shhh, boo for peekaboo, boobie, mwah for kiss, boom for thunder, toot toot for train while making the arm movement of blowing a horn, duh for dummy and making a sss sound for snake)
3. You make a clicking sound around the cats (which we taught you as we do it) and literally lay on all the animals with a smile on your face, seemingly cuddling them
4. Walking to the point where you're basically running
5. Become obsessed with the hose and being outdoors. You know where the two hoses are at out house and three hoses are at grandma and gramps' house and head to them at every opportunity.
6. You dance- to ads, mum singing, the radio. It's gorgeous.
7. You are much better in the car! Yippee!!
Better go as you're waking up from your nap.
Love you!
Mum xxx
