JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY THIRTY ONE

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

Today is the last day of January 2015 when you are eight, your brother is five, your eldest sister celebrated her engagement, and you were spoilt by your big sister with a Wii for Christmas. It was the month where you mastered the art of surfing, ate ice cream, walked on the beach a LOT.

Today we enjoyed the last day of January with beautiful friends in the timbered county of Monbulk. There was a bonfire, an abundance of fruit crumble for dessert, a fruit orchard, and vegetable beds that went on forever. You were fascinated with the fire despite the smoke stinging your eyes. Hours were spent stoking the fire, burning sticks and grass, and being mesmerised by the hot, licking flames.

After a warm bath and a back rub, you murmured as you drifted off to sleep, that you could still smell the fire in your pajamas, and today was a day to remember.

I'm so glad, because I will never forget it either.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY THIRTY

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

Every day we walk to school, the journey is treasured. A constant reminder of the Wonder Years, when life is simple and good. Two little uniformed boys running down the pathway to our street, giggling and laughing, squealing with delight. Yes, these simple joys make life truly worth loving.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY TWENTY NINE

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

No more dress rehearsals (and we've had so many). You've been waiting for this day for weeks. Ready this morning at 7am. Backpack on since 7:30am ("I can't believe how heavy my backpack is!"). This is it. You are ready.

I can't say I'm so sure.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY TWENTY EIGHT

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

The last day of your holidays was spent baking lunchbox treats for the first week of school. Eating the biscuit dough is really the best part. I sure am going to miss you both when you start school tomorrow.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY TWENTY SEVEN

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

School holidays are almost over, and we are treasuring these last two days with the lads before they both trudge off to school. For the second time in their lives, we took them to the movies. My husband took an early minute to join us, and I popped some corn before we left home. Our little local cinema is quite the experience with its old balconies, swirly carpets, tiny salted caramel donuts and affordable prices. A lovely way to mark the end of the summer holidays.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY TWENTY SIX

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

How Australian is this? Enjoying Australia Day outdoors, in a playground, on the swings, smelling a BBQ nearby... in Gundegai.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY TWENTY FIVE

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

Checking to make sure his teeth are really, really clean.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY TWENTY FOUR

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

When two people decide they want to spend the rest of their lives together, it's the most beautiful thing. We celebrated the engagement of our eldest daughter to the most awesome guy today.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY TWENTY THREE

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

A whole bunch of firsts are about to happen for the youngest lad in the house. School shoes are just one of them.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY TWENTY TWO

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

Madison: "Mum, do you know Robin?"
Me: "Robin who?"
Madison: "You know Robin; Batman's friend."
Me: "Oh THAT Robin. Yeah, me and Robin are friends from WAAAY back."
Madison: "REALLY????"

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY TWENTY ONE

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

Today was a good day.
From not wanting to swim on his own just a few strokes, to swimming whole lengths of the 50 metre pool several times over.
Tonight will be a good night.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY TWENTY

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

"But sometimes when you’re different,
You just need a different song" - Giraffes Can't Dance.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY NINETEEN

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

Sometimes, lying under the bed is the only place to gather one's thoughts.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY EIGHTEEN

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

Within my book of memories are special thoughts of you and all the evidence of glorious things which because of you came true.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY SEVENTEEN

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

It doesn't matter how many stories he hears, it's never enough. They feed his imagination, and it becomes wilder than even before.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY SIXTEEN

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

Surfer boy. He loves those waves.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY FIFTEEN

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

These guys who I live with; they're all nuts. (Oh how I love, love, love them.)

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY FOURTEEN

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

This summer, we have enjoyed so many simple things: board games, cards, walks along the beach, fishing. A Christmas gift has us adding another favourite - kite flying. Perfect for the long, warm and windy days.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY THIRTEEN

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

See this boy? Full of mischief and fun. He loves role-playing and is always in character.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY TWELVE

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

As I sit here, I see you to my left.
As I sit here, I see you to my right.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY ELEVEN

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

Sometimes, reaching out and taking someone's hand is the beginning of a journey.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY TEN

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

Bruises and bumps, scalds and sores. I've never met a child who is more accident prone (except, perhaps his mother.)

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY NINE

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

Summer holidays means long walks on the beach, skipping stones, climbing over rocks, swimming, and generally having a fabulous time. 

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY EIGHT

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

Time for bed, I said.
Of course, they said.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY SEVEN

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

Let freedom sing a new song... 

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY SIX

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

Wondering what goes on inside that little, busy mind.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY FIVE

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.


This face. So beautiful. Leah wears make up so very rarely, but she hardly needs it. She has flawless fair skin and a gorgeous smile.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY FOUR

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

See these twisty potatoes? These are like liquid gold in the hands of the lads.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY THREE

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

The joy of being five. You can see the excitement on his face in absolutely everything he does.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY TWO

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

It doesn't matter how many times we head out for a walk, this guy always brings his skateboard or scooter, and helmet. He never misses an opportunity to practice, to learn, and to improve.

THE SIMPLE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU SHOULD DO FOR YOU.

You working on your New Year's resolutions? Last year, I worked out something that changed my whole life.

It wasn't a voluntary thing, but the result of a corporate session held at work. The workshop was about negative behaviour and how it impacts our lives. After a totally inspirational talk, we were to do an activity. It was to write down just one negative pattern of behaviour in our lives, and work through the steps to make it positive.

My first struggle was to think of just one negative thing. I couldn't help but go through the extensive list of things I wanted to change in my life: exercising more, eating right, being a more patient parent, managing my work/life balance better. I wanted to meditate each morning, and make time for myself so I was better able to provide for my family. The list was getting quite long. Then after some more though, I went deeper: to the underlying issue of why I don't do any of these things.

JANUARY PHOTO A DAY | DAY ONE

PHOTO A DAY PROJECT | A personal project for an entire month taking one photo a day of my children.

It's a new year, and what a way to celebrate is to pick up my camera and record some special family memories, push myself to a new level, and record some amazing moments.

In years to come, I know I will treasure these moments and be so glad I took the time and effort. I know this won't be easy, but that's the point ;)

Thank you for joining me on this journey.

It may be 2015, but this boy still loves his Christmas Elf pajamas complete with Santa hat. Christmas 2014 has been a wonderful experience for this boy.