December

December was a big and busy month – Daniel turned five, had his birthday disco party, had his preschool graduation, and, of course, we did all the things you do before Christmas – putting up the tree, decorating the house with lights (we absolutely love that part of getting ready for the holiday season), driving around to see the lights in our neighbourhood, etc, etc. Let’s also throw in one massive hailstorm with hailstones size of golf balls, and you have a few quite exciting weeks. So the quietness and relaxation of Christmas Day were welcomed with open arms (it’s our family tradition that after we open the presents in the morning we do nothing except play with whatever Daniel got from Santa, eat, and walk to our local beach in the afternoon).

It was the best Christmas we’ve had. Ever. Holidays are pure joy with a five-year-old – he was so excited about every single thing about Christmas that it was hard not to get excited together with him. Everything, from wrapping the lights around the tree to checking the advent calendar every morning, counting sleeps, and, of course, falling asleep on Christmas Eve knowing that magic is all around us.

I am not ready to let go yet so the tree is going to light up our living room every night for at least another week.

December-01December-02December-03December-04December-05December-06December-07December-08December-09December-10December-11December-12December-13December-14December-15December-16December-17December-18December-19December-20December-21December-22December-23December-24December-25December-26December-27December-28December-29December-30December-31December-32December-33December-34December-37December-38

November

This past November we went on a road trip. We wanted to show Daniel some of our old favourite places, the ones that stay with you forever after you visit them. There are memories that you want to relive together with your child, to see it all through their wide-open eyes, to share the freedom and joy of seeing where the road takes you.

We loaded up the car and drove up the coast. Port Macquarie, South West Rocks, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay, Bellingen and Dorrigo, and then back to our Central Coast home.

It was magic.

Road-Trip-01Road-Trip-02Road-Trip-03Road-Trip-04Road-Trip-05Road-Trip-06Road-Trip-07Road-Trip-10Road-Trip-11Road-Trip-12Road-Trip-14Road-Trip-15Road-Trip-16Road-Trip-17Road-Trip-19Road-Trip-20Road-Trip-21Road-Trip-22Road-Trip-23Road-Trip-24Road-Trip-25Road-Trip-26Road-Trip-27Road-Trip-28Road-Trip-29Road-Trip-30Road-Trip-32Road-Trip-33Road-Trip-34Road-Trip-35Road-Trip-36Road-Trip-37Road-Trip-38Road-Trip-39Road-Trip-40Road-Trip-41Road-Trip-42Road-Trip-43Road-Trip-44Road-Trip-45Road-Trip-46Road-Trip-47Road-Trip-48Road-Trip-49Road-Trip-50Road-Trip-51Road-Trip-52

October

October was all about Halloween of course.

It also got a bit warmer, and we spent quite a few glorious hours at the beach.

It also rained a lot, and we were so thankful.

And at the very end of the month, we managed to find time for a quick day trip to one of our favourite places on this planet – the Hunter Valley.

It was a lovely, lovely October.

October-01October-02October-03October-04October-05October-06October-07October-08October-09October-10October-11October-12October-13October-14October-15October-16October-17October-18October-19October-20October-21October-22October-23October-24October-25October-26October-27October-28October-29October-30October-31October-32October-33

September

In so many ways our September was similar to our August. Easy bushwalks. Bees in my garden. Jumping on the bed (pretty much the only time he willingly and excitedly gets in front of my lens). Lego every day.

Some things were new. Daniel’s haircut. My lavender that is in bloom for the first time in two years. Exploring new corners of our beautiful Central Coast home with my boy. The gorgeous blue tongue lizard that decided that the space underneath our Buddha statue would make a perfect home for him (or her?).

These little moments are so simple. And they fill my heart with so much gratitude and joy.

September-01September-02September-03September-04September-05September-06September-07September-08September-09September-10September-11September-12September-13September-14September-15September-16September-17September-18September-19September-20September-21September-22September-23September-24September-25September-27September-28September-29September-30September-31September-32September-33September-34September-35September-36September-37

August

Slow days of August.

Last days of winter.

The air started to feel a bit different. The light started to change, to linger around a little longer, filling our bedroom with a soft golden glow in the afternoon.

We went out for bushwalks. We stayed home and played. We spent time at the beach. We had an old-fashioned slide show at home, projecting memories from my own childhood onto a wall, and Daniel was completely mesmerised. He recognised some places from the little town where I was born as we took him there a year ago, and I was so surprised he remembered those old beautiful German buildings so well.

Nothing makes me happier than these simple little moments that we share while he is still mostly at home with me. Just in a few short months, he is going to start school. I am sure that years from now I will look at these photos and cry like a baby.

Goodbye winter. Hello spring.

August-2018-01August-2018-02August-2018-03August-2018-04August-2018-05August-2018-06August-2018-07August-2018-08August-2018-09August-2018-10August-2018-11August-2018-12August-2018-13August-2018-14August-2018-15August-2018-16August-2018-17August-2018-18August-2018-19August-2018-20August-2018-21August-2018-22August-2018-23August-2018-24August-2018-25