On Monday our school held their annual cross country run down at the town common. it is so picturesque down there and I love the history of our town that it has a town common that dates back to 1828.
Hallie, Oliver and Jonty had a great morning running their races. It was a bit windy but the sun was finally out after a weekend of rain, rain and rain.
Their biggest fan was there cheering them on as usual.
Hallie and Oliver both came first in their races.
The Autumn leaves were stunning.
Ma boy is getting tall.
The pre-kinders got to have a little run and Flynn of course wanted to join them. He was coming last and then they all turned around and started running back the other way. Flynn was so excited because when he turned around, he then thought he was coming first.
"The first shall be last and the last shall be first".
All the Preps got a "Well Done" ribbon for participating. I think Jonty came in 5th.
Speaking of Jonty, I took a photo of his robot on display in the corridor. Love his imagination!
And then at the end of the week, the kids once again put on their running shoes for Walk Safely to School day and finished the walk to school off with a healthy breakfast. I am laughing so much in the bottom photo as I had seen Hallie's friend Lachie sitting opposite her, pop the whole piece of cut orange in his mouth, peel and all and so I had dared him to eat the banana peel and yup he did it!
Its been four years today since we said goodbye to our little girl.
I have been writing Flynn's rainbow story, her parting gift to us.
It's not finished yet, but I am forging ahead and one day it will be complete.
Today my heart overflows with gratitude and love for these two (not so little) girls. I am so blessed to have them in my life.
And one day, seeing my three girls together will fill me with indescribable joy. Let's hope they don't fight too much! ;)
And thank you to my dear friend Lisawho took these photos of my girls and family last year. She remembers this day every year. Your card was so beautiful. X
He loves going to playgroup at school on a Monday afternoon.
He is starting to get the gist of this potty training thing during the day. At home now he does not wear a nappy but we are yet to venture on an outside trip.
He loves to lounge around watching ABC Kids and eating shapes (his favourite food). He would do that all day if you let him. He loves eating weetbix for breakfast and toast with "mite" (vegemite). He doesn't really like fruit and vegetables so I often play the "let's pretend the spoon of food coming to your mouth is a car, boat, train, plane etc" and then he is distracted enough to eat it. Otherwise he will quite happily feed himself, holding his fork and spoon. His preferred drink is water because that is all I allow and then at times he is allowed some milk.
He can peddle by himself now on his bike to and from school to get the others.
He loves reading time and often picks the same books night after night. He also loves to look at our holiday photo books and thinks some of the photos of the other kids when they were younger, are actually him.
He has graduated from the cot to his own bed but often I still find him in bed with Hallie fast
asleep.
Flynn may still be little in stature. He is 87cm tall and weighs in at 13.35 kgs but he is certainly growing up and I am keenly aware that I only have 18 more months of my little man at home before it is his turn to head off to kindergarten.
On the night of Hallie's birthday, after her party, we headed up to our local chapel for Mum to be set apart as a senior missionary for our church. She got her mission call late last year and has had to wait 5 months before leaving to volunteer for 18mths -2 yrs at the biggest family history centre in the world, in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Mum with our Stake President, Pres Walters.
It was special to see Mum be set apart and even before she left, her example to us already… her 4 daughters and sons-in law and 11 grandchildren, was enough for me.
After Mum was set apart and was now officially Sister Gibson, we went back to our house with Marilyn and the Wheelers and had some soup and cake and then everyone left and Mum and I stayed up until 11.15pm. Mum's bags were all packed and they were choco block. I was giggling when Mum had to sit on one while I zipped it up. I couldn't get to sleep as I was too excited for Mum and we had to get up at 4am so I was really just dozing. At 12.15 am, I heard Flynn start throwing up and so I cleaned him and the bed and got back into bed at 1.15am. Now I REALLY couldn't get back to sleep as there was less than 3 hours until get up time.
We got to the airpot in plenty of time at about 5.20am. The plane was due to leave at 6.30 am and it was all running on time and the weather was nice and clear. One of Mum's bags was 9 kgs over the allowable weight but the Qantas lady didn't even bat an eyelid. Phew!
We took all the group photos early so there would be plenty of time for last minute chats and hugs.
Carol had packed Mum some goodies for the flight to LA. So lovely and thoughtful.
Saying goodbye was hard. I wish Jess and Collette were there too. Jess was meeting Mum at the airport in Melbourne to say goodbye and Mum got to spend a month in Adelaide with Collette during Feb/March and right before Mum came from her month with Jess, Collette was able to fly to Melbourne for Nora's blessing. But it would have been nice if we were all in the one spot to say goodbye together.
This is Carol. :) Im sure the tim tams went down well.
I can't believe Flynn will be 5 and in kinder when he sees Mum again.
Jonty and Flynn didn't understand what was going on. Jonty thinks Nan is coming home in 2 weeks, not 2 years and they were just excited to be going to Maccas for breakfast.
And there she went, off for the adventure of a lifetime.
We all went to Maccas for breakfast, talking excitedly about when Mum would be arriving in SLC and the amazing things she would get to experience living in another country.
Each month, I am going to do a short post with photos of the things Mum has got to see and do on her mission. She is not the first in my family to go. I have 4 young nephews serving in various parts of the world, but she is the first senior member of my family to go. (other than Simon's Nan and Pop before we were married) I love that Mum finally gets to do something for herself. She has spent a great deal of her life doing selfless things for other people.
I think this sums up what Mum wants to achieve on her mission. And too... to thank and acknowledge Him for everything He has done for her in her life.
We love you Mum and we are proud of everything you will do, even before you do it. This is not goodbye, just see.you.later. Preferably in Hawaii ;)
