Thursday, January 31, 2013

A new year and a time for reflection.....

It's been a long time since I've been here.  15 months to be exact.  I thought I would go back and update but I've decided to write for the now and if I ever get a chance to go back I will.

In the past year I have done a photo a day project and that was much more time consuming than I ever thought it would be.  Those photo's will shortly be put into a book of memories of the year 2012 so Ebony can have those memories there rather than here.

Today was Ebony's first day of Grade 2.  I can't believe it's Grade 2 already.....I've stopped a few times the check myself that it is actually Grade 2 and not Grade 1.  The time with my gorgeous little cherub is flying so quickly.  

This morning it was me that cried.  Eb was absolutely fine.  She was making sure I was ok rather than me worrying about her.  I started a routine I plan to keep up forever.  We prayed before we left for school and it was during those prayers that I cried.  Cried at the realisation that she is now in Grade 2.  Cried because we have had such special holidays these past 6 weeks.  Cried because of how she loves me.  She took on the saying of 'I love you to the moon and back' over the holidays only she would say it dozens of times in a row so I couldn't beat her.  She spent time in the pool whilst we were in Swan Hill and she was singing how I was her 'hero'.  I don't deserve that title at all.......but I feel especially blessed that she would choose to use it for me.

Ebony is so special to me ~ she is so full of life, love, joy and, at times, compassion.  She has been an absolute gem whilst we've been away....and we've spent much of these holidays away.  No matter what the circumstances she has just 'fit in'.  She is so adaptable.  She is all and more than I could have ever imagined.

Just to fill in on a few things:

Yep ~ you are still wearing glasses but only for reading...
You have gown a heap in the last year and I'll update the actual figures on you when you turn 7 1/2 in a matter of weeks.  You have a lot to content with in the next years with the prospect of surgery on your leg and your teeth.  Your left leg is now 2.2 cm's longer than your right leg and what happens next will be determined after your 9yo growth spurt.  Meantime you will be monitored yearly.  Your teeth we will learn more about after your visit with the Orthodontist later this year when you are over 8.
You still love little things and one of your favorites is all the McDonalds toys.  You are not SO fussed with their food but you sure love the toys!  You have quite a collection I'm almost ashamed to say!
You also love your Barbie's, Hello Kitty, colouring....and TV!  Oh you could watch TV all day if I let you (I might add ~ you barely ever do watch it).....that's possibly why.
You have a few friends but not one special one....and I'm fine with that.  The time will come and for now it's lovely to see you mix with different children.
You started Calisthenics last year and loved it....along with Tennis.  This year you will start with Calisthenics on Tuesday nights, Hip Hop on Wednesday nights and Tennis on Thursday nights when it resumes.

Here are some photo's of our fun times.  I've also put together a video which is on the next post.

First : dancing for a small audience....

Fun down at the river with sweet Nazey......








Then it was a night at Berwick on our way to Waratah Bay where Eb and Nazey had lots of fun... 
 






Waratah Bay with Mei.....






and beautiful beach visits....
 




Trying out the new van....



And then some moments around town on my walks...







Loved you January....and all you held