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Tradition

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Sunday, 20 April 2014: One Year, Two Weeks and Five Days Old.

In the weeks leading up to today, Easter Sunday, Hubby and I have spent many a moment contemplating what traditions we’d like to set for our little family and for Ayla.

Of course the Easter bunny brought chocolate eggs on Sunday morning, but what else does Easter mean to us? And what do we want it to mean for Ayla?

As neither Hubby nor I come from religious families going to church wasn’t high on our suggestion list, but we both still think its important for Ayla to know what Easter is all about.

And of course, a four day weekend presents countless opportunities for traditions to be made and carried out, hence all the camping magazines in the mail lately.

But despite all the thinking and discussion by the time today rolled around Hubby and I still hadn’t decided on what “the Easter weekend” was going to mean for our family.

Nevertheless, as our unplanned Easter Sunday took shape I began to realise that we don’t need “tradition” to make Easter meaningful.

Instead Easter gives us the chance to be together as a family, for four whole days, doing whatever makes us happy and fulfils us.

Today, that meant having an early swim at the Waterfront, a coffee and cake for lunch, an afternoon nap and evening drinks at a neighbours house.

But next year it might mean spending four days in the middle of nowhere in a tent, or tucked up on the couch enjoying a movie marathon, or singing made-up songs in the boat as we bob in the ocean waiting for a bite.

So long as we are together, healthy, happy and enjoying quality time together as a family… That’s what will be Easter for us.

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Christmas Eve

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Tuesday, 24 December 2013: Two Hundred and Sixty Seven Days Old.

My little family and I have had a lovely, first, Christmas Eve together.

After a slow and relaxing morning, Hubby and I dressed Ayla in her Christmas onesie and the three of us set out with a car full of presents.

We spent the afternoon catching up with a few close friends, dropping in to see them at home, give them a gift and of course a last minute Merry Christmas kiss on the cheek.

Ayla was spoiled with love, not to mention the presents, and Hubby and I welcomed the chance to spend a few hours with some of the special people who make up our pseudo “family”.

It was late by the time we got home though so it wasn’t long before Ayla was tucked away in bed… her first Christmas Eve.

Once Ayla was sound asleep, Santa was quick to arrive! He dropped off some presents and filled Ayla’s stocking right to the brim before polishing off a slice of ginger ripple cake.

Eek! I can hardly wait for tomorrow!

Not just for the excitement of Ayla first Christmas, but because we’re so lucky to have each other and we have so much to be happy about.

And, I know our little house will be filled with all the things that matter most at Christmas time; love, happiness, peace, joy and family.

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Trick or treat!?

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Thursday, 31 October 2013: Two Hundred and Thirteen Days Old.

Happy Halloween!

As the daughter of an Scottish ex-pat, dressing up and ‘guising‘ on ‘All Hallows Eve‘ was as much a part of my childhood as was barbecuing on Australia Day… In fact, probably more so.

To 6 year old me, Halloween was about making costumes out of things we found at home, practicing a trick to do in exchange for treats, “dooking for apples“, and staying up past bed time on a school night.

And that’s the kind of Halloween I want Ayla to know.

So of course for Ayla’s first Halloween I couldn’t refuse the chance to dress her up!

Using a little black frock, some costume jewellery and a bit of black make up, Baby Ayla was quickly and easily transformed into … Duh duh duuuhhhhh….. Baby Zombie.

Ayla loved her costume, especially the necklace, and she played with the jack-o-latern Daddy carved for her for ages.

And, while we won’t be trick-or-treating this year, it was great fun to dress up, take pics and imagine what next years Halloween will be like.

I wonder what Ayla will want to dress up as?