This Moment #13

{This Moment} - A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Jacob's First week at school, there was NO way I could choose just ONE picture but I managed to get my selection down to just three.

This Moment #12

{This Moment} - A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Jacob Turns 5

Jacob Turns 5

Jacob celebrated his 5th Birthday last week.  Yep, my little baby boy is 5 already.

We had made plans for a special day which involved having a picnic breakfast of croissants, ham and cheese at Wynnum Waterfront.  Jacob is completely obsessed with croissants at the moment after he had some for breakfast at Gran’s house on Christmas Day.  After breakfast we planned to go to “Wet n Wild” then pop next door to “Movieworld”.  Well that was plan.

Jacob’s birthday was on a Monday and Jason had arranged the day off work for the occasion.  On Sunday we decided to head to the beach for a swim.  Jason casually said we should have planned it earlier and booked a room down the coast for the night and headed to Movieworld in the morning.  The thought was appealing and we got straight on Wotif.com to see if we could find a good deal on the Gold Coast for the night.  Money is tight in January and unfortunately with it being the school holidays we couldn’t find a deal in the price range we were willing to pay.

We kind of shelved the idea and pottered around a little more.  Then we thought hang on, let’s try for deals up the Sunshine Coast instead and forget Movieworld in the morning.  Again with it being school holidays, prices were a little on the high side, we did however find a nice looking motel for $110 a night at Mooloolaba.  A little pricey, so we “ummed” and we “ahhed” and we decided against it.  Jason hopped in the shower and we got ready to head to the beach.  Whilst showering however Jason had the idea of checking the motels own website to see if they had better deals.  They were offering the same room as wotif.com were offering for $20 less and next thing we knew it was booked.

I started throwing things into bags, Jason started emptying the boot and getting food together for the kids and within half an hour we were on the road.

Jacob at Moolooaba Beach

We arrived at the motel a little after 1pm.  I was happy to discover a small but clean room which contained everything we needed.  The kids were super excited by this time and running wild, so we lathered up on sun cream, got our swimming togs on and headed to the beach.  The kids had a wonderful time and although I’m not really a beach lover I had a great time because the kids were having a great time.  After a few hours we finally managed to get the kids to leave by bribing them with a swim at the motel when we got back.

Bella at Mooloolaba Beach

On the drive back to the motel, Jacob got sick, really sick.  He turned white as a sheet and kept telling us there was something in his throat and he was finding it difficult to swallow.  I was more than a tad worried, wondering if he had swallowed some sort of sea creature whilst swimming in the ocean.  We stopped at the pharmacy, picked up some panadol and within half an hour of having the panadol he was thankfully as right as rain again.

Jason at Bridges Fish Bar

We got back to the motel, had a lovely refreshing swim which cooled us off nicely ready for tea.   We walked to the local fish and chip shop which had a beautiful outdoor seating area on the river.  It really was a great setting and could have been quite romantic if we didn’t have the two kids with us.

Jacob Enjoying His Ice Block

After a bite to eat and an ice block treat for the kids we headed back to the motel.

Bella Finally Sleeps

Back at the motel the task of putting two very tired little kids to sleep began.  Jacob was so exhausted he was asleep within 5 minutes but Bella was a different story, she was so excited by it all that she fought the sleep to the bitter end.

In the morning it was Jacob’s Birthday and he LOVED all his presents.

We had a quick breakfast, packed up the car and stopped off at the beach for a couple of hours again before heading home.

Jacob Builds Lego

When we got home Jacob locked himself away in his bedroom and got on with building his new Lego sets whilst Jason and I unpacked the car, made lunch and got the washing done.

Enjoying a BBQ at Wynnum Waterfront

Late afternoon granny visited with presents and we all went to Wynnum Waterfront for a BBQ tea and a play in the park for the kids.  It was a lovely evening.

Ice Cream Cake

After tea it was back home for cake.  Ice cream cake.  With Batman figures stuck on top.  It was a VERY hot night and we had to work fast to do the candles and sing Happy Birthday because the ice cream cake was melting FAST.

Enjoying the Cake

The cake was yummy, the kids were tired, and it was time for bed.  A good day had by all and some great Birthday memories for the future.

Times a Changing

So it’s finally here.  Jacob’s last week as a pre-schooler.  Next week his whole life changes, FOREVER.  He begins his journey down the path of education.  Who knows where it will lead.  Further education?  Possibly.  A degree?  Perhaps.  A job?  Most probably, well let’s hope so.

Now please believe me when I say I am SUPER excited for Jacob as he embarks on this new chapter of his life.  He will make new friends, form new relationships, gain knowledge, learn social skills, become more independent, develop life skills, and discover a whole new personality within himself.  He will spend the next however many years learning at school and changing from a boy to a young adult.  Who couldn’t be super excited about that?  But I’m a parent and that means attached to this excitement is a huge sadness.  My baby is growing up.  My first born baby is growing up.

Jacob's First Day Home from Hospital

I’ve spent 5 years at home with Jacob, something I see as a privilege.  I’ve been there to pick him up and dust him down when he has fallen.  I have wiped tears from his eyes when he has cried.  I have wiped his nose when he has had a cold.   I have cleaned up his vomit when he has been sick.  I have yelled at him when he has been naughty.  We have argued with each other, cried with each other, played with each other, cooked together, crafted together, taught each other, learned from each other and most importantly we have laughed together.  Of course it makes me sad that it’s all coming to an end.

Now of course we will still do all these things together before and after school, on weekends and during school holidays.  It may well be even better because time together is something I will probably value even more.  But I think if most parents were honest with themselves, we just don’t want our children to grow up as fast as they do.  Maybe because it means we too are getting older.

So Jacob, next week you become a “cool kid” (for years Jacob called the school kids at Kindy cool kids) and I have only two last pieces of advice for you.  Enjoy and make the most of EVERY day.  ALWAYS remember to wash your hands after using the toilet.  But I give you something that is more valuable than any piece of advice I have to offer and that is my full support every step of the way, wherever the journey takes you.

And one last thing Jacob, let’s have LOTS and LOTS of fun during your last week as a pre-schooler.

This Moment #11

{This Moment} - A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

December's Diary

In 2011 I learned how exciting December with two young children can be.  December is ALL about Christmas and this was the first year that Jacob FULLY understood the concept of Christmas and that Santa would be visiting, although Bella obviously can’t remember her previous two Christmases she sure fed off Jacob’s excitement. However before I start going on about Christmas let’s take a look at what else we Taylor’s got up to in December.

Present Opening on Bella's Birthday

December is also Bella’s birthday, which of course shouldn’t be overshadowed by Christmas.  We decided on no parties for the kids this year.  Bella can have one for her third birthday, like Jacob did and we thought Jacob could have one for his Sixth birthday and invite all his school friends.  Unfortunately Jason is always busy at work in December as they prepare for Christmas and usually has to stay back later, so Bella’s birthday was a quiet one.  She loved her special day though and loved the spot light being on her.

Bella with her Supermarkert

Her supermarket was a BIG hit and both kids played with it endlessly for a few days.  Jacob got Bella a Christmas tree for her bedroom, which she also loved.

Candle Blowing

And of course there was cake.  I NEVER had a SINGLE birthday cake as a child, the first birthday cake I ever had was on holiday in Crete as a 21 year old.  Jacob and Bella will have a cake EVERY year.  {Note to my mother} -  Mum if you are reading this, this is not meant as a criticism, it’s just something our family didn’t do.

We also a little family tradition, that whoever birthday it is gets to decide what the family has for dinner that night, Bella choose McDonalds or that’s what she would have choose if she was old enough to communicate this to us.

Bye Bye Kindy

Bella’s birthday also turned out to be Jacob’s very last day of Kindy.  Emotional?  Hell yeah emotional.

In December we also:

Went Bike Riding in the Park

Picniced in the Park

Made Spaghetti Cupcakes

Christmas Crafting

Okay so now onto Christmas.  On the build up to Christmas, the kids and I did lots of crafting activities; I have already blogged about this, which you can view here.

Parents v Kids

The Christmas events kicked off on December 2nd with Jacob’s Cricket break up night were the Kids took on the parents during an age appropriate, child friendly version of the game.  We got Granny to babysit Bella so we could relax and really enjoy the evening with Jacob.  It was great to see the little kids showing off the skills they had learned and to watch them work together as a team against the mums and dads.  We finished the night off with some nibbles and socialising.  We all had a fun night.

With Kindy Santa

On the 9th of December we had the Kindy Christmas party to attend.  Which meant MORE nibbles; a lot of nibbling sure happens in December.  The Senior Kindy kids put on a little concert first followed by Jacob’s preschool class who did an excellent performance of “Santa Wear Your Shorts”.  Santa visited and another great night was had.

Breakfast with Santa

The following morning we headed off for breakfast with Santa.  For a measly $10 family ticket we had a full morning of fantastic entertainment followed by a premiere showing of 3D TinTin.  I sure will be looking out for these tickets again next year and cannot highly recommend it enough to parents with young children.

Enjoying Christmas Entertainment in the City

On the 19th it was off to the city to see the Myer Christmas windows, which are a display the Myers department store put on every year.  We also watched the Christmas parade, headed to George square to see the tree and street performers.  It was a wonderful atmosphere and really got us in the mood for Christmas.

Ice Cream for the Trip Home from The City

Despite all the lovely things to look at in the city, the highlight for the kids would have to have been the ice cream cone in the car on the way home.

On the 22nd we did our annual street tour to view the Christmas lights.  We went to the award winning house at Gumdale, no photos could capture the true magnificence of the display, and it really was awesome.

Visiting Grandad

Christmas Eve was as crazy as ever.  We did manage however to fit in Christmas lunch with grandad (Jason’s dad) at the nursing home.  I knew the kids would be super excited when we visited on Christmas day and we perhaps wouldn’t be able to stay too long so it was nice to take the opportunity to go on Christmas Eve too.  We got some fantastic family pictures.


Christmas Eve Presents

In the evening the kids were tired out and keen to get to bed so after tea we had our little annual family tradition of a present waiting under the tree for the kids when they come out the shower.  It’s always PJ’s as well you want to look your best for Santa visiting.

Goodies for Santa

Next we got our biscuits and beer out for Santa.

Goodies for Reindeers

Set up a water station and snacks for the reindeers.  We did this under the house as the weather was predicting rain, so we thought it would give them the chance to dry off a little.

Christmas Bedtime Story

And then it was story time

Sleeping

Before going straight to sleep for Santa coming.

Santa's Been

  It’s CHRISTMAS.

The Devastation

Jacob woke at to 2am shouting has Santa been, well he had been but I wasn’t about to tell him that.  He woke again at 4.30am but I was cruel and made him stay in bed until Bella woke at 4.45am, FINALLY it was time for presents.

After presents we headed over to Jason’s mum’s house for presents and breakfast.  We had a lovely morning, LOVED our presents and cooled off with a swim before heading to see grandad.

Bella's Beautiful Kitchen

After visiting grandad we headed home to play with the new toys, which meant endless box opening for Jason and me.  I swear it gets harder every year to get toys out off boxes.  We then enjoyed a scrummy lunch and FINALLY we sat down with a well deserved beer (Jason and I, not the kids) whilst the kids turned the front yard into a white Christmas with polystyrene.

And that was our Christmas.  We had a complete blast and it was by far the best Christmas yet for our little family unit.  We carried on our little family traditions and made new ones.  We LOVE Christmas.

Wow this is turning in to a long blog entry and having typed for over half an hour now I am a tad bored (I don’t know how people sit at a computer all day for a living) this said I think I will wait to Blog about our new year celebrations  in next month’s entry.  Bye for now.