Sixty Days of Summer / Photography Challenge / Part One

I used my DSLR so little last year (2018, that is!) that I didn't even download the images between July and December - six whole months! (gasp). And I had only taken a few dozen in that time (barely anything compared to what I used to). So I decided to pick up my (BULKY!!) DSLR again for a self-imposed 'Sixty Days of Summer' Challenge - a photo a day through December and January. It is such a wonderful time of year (with plenty of light and plenty of activity and memory making) I knew it was a season worth capturing well.

And so I have! And the photos have often been dodgy and grainy but I continued anyway (I think my camera and lens are pretty old and need a service or upgrade. Well, I am half blaming my equipment when I am sure it is mostly my rusty skills!!!). I love using my iPhone these days and have faced the fact it is always going to be my primary mode of photography from here on in because let's face it - soooooo convenient! And I am too lazy to haul my big camera around anymore. But I just don't 'see' my children and take photographs in the same way with a phone as I do with my DSLR. Hence, my challenge to myself. Because this childhood is fleeting and precious and I have realised lately how much this documentation is for them as well as me - the kids look through our annual photo books almost every day! And now they say to me 'Can you take a photo for the phooto book!' haha. I realised belately I would have hardly any images to include this year. 

So, here is a daily photo (or two..or three)... starting in early December. I will post in batches as I get them edited. I knew that daily editing/posting at this time of year would just be an extra level of pressure I didn't need. So I committed to myself to take the photos, even if I wouldn't be editing until later!

It starts with Christmas Tree decorating...(I think this was actually late November but let's be flexible!)

Christmas carols....

Trampoline evenings...

(to be continued)....

34.52 brotherly teeth brushing // siblings learning to get along

Big brother giving little brother a demonstration on 'how to brush your teeth like a boss'.

Little brother soaks it all in. 

Much giggling and brushing and bonding (and spitting) ensues. 

Heart melt xx

It's funny. Sometimes you have those parenting challenges emerge, and you dig in, and work hard, but then as change tends to happen slowly, you kinda forget to even notice the results. Oops.

As mentioned previously, Eli and Miles went through a stage where they just seemed to be riling each other up all the time. In retrospect I really think this little laundry project was a turning point in their relationship. We did a lot of other stuff too - talking things out, skilling them up in how to work things out, role play for conflict resolution, etc. (Also, alternately pulling my hair out and praying for patience!). They did a lot of work too, in recognising the kind of brothers they wanted to be (best friends!) and implementing a lot of self control and trying new strategies. Maturing too, I guess. 

But then I kinda forgot to keep track of it, lol, till just over the last few days I suddenly realised, wow these two have been getting along so great!  When things weren't going well, it had been so easy to focus on it. Funny how the absence of a problem makes it even easier to forget to recognise and be grateful for improvement!! I suddenly became conscious of how they were playing well, talking through problems calmly, working things out , doing chores together happily (like putting away the laundry while giving each other a high five and shouting 'team work!' for every item complete, haha!) and just having fun together without it constantly dissolving into problems. 

And the change happened so slowly I didn't even realise!

Isn't it funny. I worked so hard, they worked so hard, a good change happened but we didn't even recognise it when it came. I wonder how often that happens in our lives. It can be so much easier to focus on the problems and overlook the successes. Well, of course as soon as I did recognise it, I was sure to tell the boys how lovely it was to see them treating each other lovingly and as best friends. They are pretty proud of themselves too! I'm also musing about what else I can do to help celebrate and cement their brotherly bond and progress/maturity.

Of course, there still are, and still will be ups and downs but it warms my heart to see their bond blossom and hopefully we are all on a better track. Lessons learnt will help us all the next time issues crop up again (as they inevitably will because family/siblings/life/etc!).

Siblings can be life's greatest challenge when you are little but hopefully become more and more a blessing and support as they grow and face life together. That's my prayer!

28.52 brothers who dig together

A lovely, quiet home day during the winter school holidays. 

I always try and reserve the first day of holidays as a home day. Just a quiet day at home together with no plans, no agenda, just a day to potter around, rest, recharge and enjoy a day without a schedule. 

This wintery day was just so delightful. After a very slow start, as the fog lifted, soon the boys found themselves outside (in their pyjamas!), eager to dig for crystals in the (very neglected!) veggie patch. 

Yes, very optimistic and their search was unfruitful but they didn't seem to mind. They also tried to break open rock in hopes of finding geodes, haha. Love to see Eli's crystal and gemstone hobby take hold :) 

So very thankful to see these two brothers becoming the best of friends xx

Project 52: A portrait of my family, once a week, every week, in 2017.

25.52 that sibling life // little brother

I just can't even.

If these photos don't summarise life with an adoring/annoying younger sibling, well, I just don't know what does!?!

Ah, the plight of the long suffering (yet secretly loving it) (I think) older sister. Noisy and boy-sey he may be, but he loves and adores you, truly.



One day, I pray, you will be all grown, and you will be the dearest of friends, united in shared memories of family life and someone to roll your eyes with at all the weird ways of your parents. I know it won't be perfect but just remember, sweet kiddos, that no one else has shared this unique family life like you and your siblings have. I pray that this shared childhood experience bonds you, so you can support each other through whatever life is going to throw at you. Siblings can be such a rich blessing to each other. Flawed and messy though our family may be, if I can emerge from this these early years of parenting knowing that I have helped nurture a strong bond between my children, that you will be there to cheer each other on and support each other when we are gone, I will be so very happy and grateful.

I pray that you will love each other through the mess and cheer each other on through every success.




Project 52: A portrait of my family, once a week, every week, in 2017.  
(posted with Lily's permission!)

5.52 {connection} sibling play

When everyone gets ready quickly in the morning and there is time for some relaxed and amiable sibling play.... you know it is going to be a very good day!

In these moments of play, there is connection x

24/31 {the january project} brothers

These two brothers.

They make each other laugh, and drive each other crazy, like no other.

I have a feeling it may always be so.... I just pray it might be more of the former and less of the latter!

#myparentinggoals

{the january photo a day project}

20/31 {the january project} swimmers

Three damp kids, enjoying celebratory icy poles at the end of intensive swim school week.

They all progressed so much in just five days, I am rather proud of these three little fishies!

(...and now we all get a break from swim school for a while, phew!)

{the january photo a day project}

10/30 - the little prince

Pre-bedtime hijinks.

Playing 'babies'. This involves carrying Miles around the house in this fireman's lift (while giggling hysterically), pushing him in the doll's pram and basically catering to his every whim. So.... not that different to real life, really?! ;)

Being the  baby of the family is a pretty sweet spot, it appears.  

(I wouldn't know.... poor middle child here, haha!!)

PS How fascinating it is, to watch the sibling dynamics evolve, especially having a neat and tidy trio for the easy analyzing of oldest, middle, youngest. Think I need to read that birth order book! Most of all, I love their blossoming friendships and pray it continues to evolve most of all. Always makes my heart overflow to see them playing together so happily :)
(not always the case!)

Documenting delight, every day in June.

9/30 - oldest + youngest

Our trio of kids are usually divided up as 'the big kids and the baby' or 'the boys and Lily'.

These two don't get a lot of time to just hang out together, but goodness, they love it when they do.

He simply adores his big sister. and she dotes on him like nothing else. 

I have a feeling (or at least a prayer!) that this will always be so.

Documenting delight, every day in June.

3/30 - hungry, hungry hippos

An after school round of Hungry Hippos.

Surely one of the noisiest and most obnoxious 'board games' around, but.... they love it!

Documenting delight, every day in June.

christmas eve // park trio

'Twas the night before Christmas, and we decided to take the kids for a quick viewing of some Christmas lights, for a little extra Christmas magic (and to burn off a little Christmas Eve excitement too!). With a big day ahead, we didn't want to keep them up till it got dark at 9pm so we headed out at 7pm figuring they would still love the lights even if it wasn't actually dark yet ;) However, we were so keen we got there a little toooo early - the lights didn't start twinkling till 7.30! We decided to stroll down to a nearby park to pass the time. 

There we had the most lovely little summer's evening play and I even got some pretty sweet impromptu group shots of my trio. I consider that my Christmas gift!!!

This time of year, this age.... simply the best, I tell ya! 

Magic, joy, family, thankfulness, all wrapped up in Christmas :)

Whenever Miles sees the older two race ahead, he begs to get down and run after them. He doesn't want to be carried, he does't want a helping hand, he wants to race after them on his own two feet. Seeing him huff and puff as he trundles away is just so adorable... always trying to keep up with his siblings!

Coming! Coming!

'I made it'

Miles discovered the way he felt most confident to cross the rocky bridge

Not the safest swinging method, but well intentioned...

Do you mind? You dont need to hold me like I'm a baby!

It's a winner?! All sort of looking and sort of smiling? :)

May they always cling to each other so tightly, no matter what the future holds.

Three blessings, they bring me such joy. A lot of work too ;) but mostly joy xx

Shrieks of laughter, like music to my heart x

I'll wait for you to catch up, little buddy xx

Off they go again, all together this time xx

My clan... off and running to see the Christmas lights. Time for me to put my camera away and catch up!