December 20, 2006

From buch@n

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check the privacy of the flickr photo

The end of 2006 draws nigh and it seems a little strange. The year has seen some big changes for all of us yet somehow it seems the most normal year we've had together as a family of four.

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An independent two-year old, rather than a baby, has allowed us to experience much more outside of the house. Early in the year we spent a weekend at Mansfield, the home of Wendy's aunty, for a Carmody family reunion. It was the first time we stayed together outside of home and the girls were fantastic, despite the hot weather. It helped that Cindy and Michael, together with Russell and Carol and favourite cousins Celeste and Mischa all stayed in the same caravan park as us. Michael learnt that splashing Hannah with pool water so hard that her hat blew off wasn't too endearing. From Mansfield onwards we became adventurers -- heading into the unknown -- taking trains to Melbourne Show, camping on Phillip Island and watching the penguins, camping again in the rain by Torrumbary Weir, and finishing strongly by attending the Myer Christmas windows, the Melbourne Aquarium and a Hi-5 concert at Vodaphone arena all in the one day. The rush of Christmas pales in comparison.

Throughout the year Hannah progressed from a quiet toddler to a full grown "big girl" who tries/mimics everything her big sister does. The girls play together wonderfully. Mornings are best between breakfast and their first snack. Their imaginations run wild and they are often seen, one in the tow of the other, carrying toys around the house on a big holiday or other such tour. Developmentally Hannah took perhaps longer to talk than Caitlin. We figure it was simply because she couldn't get a word in. Now her voice is strong and if she needs to tell Caitlin to listen to her she will. She can jump, hop and throw balls into your face when you're not looking. Hannah also has a good set of friends at creche which she enjoys seeing and talking about. She can dress herself but still has trouble staying in her own bed (no longer a cot) each morning past six am.

Caitlin gave us the medical emergency of the year by falling at play-group and gaining a greenstick fracture to her right wrist as she landed. Apart from that minor inconvenience and three weeks in plaster (only dunked in the bath once) the girls (all three) have really enjoyed their new playgroup. The highlight of Caitlin's year has been kinder and her preparation for prep next year at school. Writing, alphabet, reading and counting are all in good stead. She has no trouble counting to 119 but had difficulty in perceiving there can be a larger number. Still, we have hope. For a while she was stuck on 112. Socially Caitlin has blossomed. She knows everything about her kinder friends and seems to get on well with all of them. Jasmine, Matilda and Emily are all favourites. She's getting better at riding her bike as well.

Wendy left Macquarie Homes early in the year and began work with Sorted Business Administration services. For much of that time she's spent a couple of days a week in a local trademan's office getting it "sorted", but she's had other clients as well. The hours fit better than those of Macquarie's and she doesn't get hung on for having to support the children's needs. Hannah's lessening dependence on her mum has given Wendy so more personal space and she's been getting to the gym 2-3 times a week for a while now. Good for the body and the soul.

As if the family adventures weren't enough David took it upon himself to create his own. Continued delays in the success of Successus meant pushing on was no longer sustainable and it became time to leave. Refinancing mortgages seemed the go. Promise of a good income that nobody else was offering. It was hard work with him being out most evenings and often a majority of the weekend. Crashing Wendy's car the day the job was offered didn't help much. In the end it was another reality to face. Lot's learnt but a mistmatch of character to what was required. Not all was lost for as a result of having lunch with one of his clients David landed a job with a new gold mining outfit as company secretary and administration manager. Great work, good money and prospects for several years to come.

Lots of new people entered our life during the year. New friends at work, new neighbours with a little boy just one day younger than Hannah (and a good fence to climb between houses) and lots of time spent with Wendy's second cousin Katie and her family. Jamie and Janet even managed to pop into our lives again with a surprise visit from Brisbane for Caitlin's fourth birthday party.

New pets as well. From one to menangarie. Add princess the budgie, a swag of fish (several of which keep breeding), Jack and Benny the guinea pigs. Add Sally the rabbit. Lose Sally the rabbit as she escaped for the second time. Keep Wilbur the fish.

2006 has been a good year for us. We hope it has been a good year for you as well. May 2007 keep us all well.

Love David, Wendy, Caitlin and Hannah

P.S. Lots of photos for the year at flickr.