SEASON'S GREETINGS FROM THE HILLS!
What a big year 2015 has been!
Sean, our big boy, is nearly 5 years old, and very much looking forward to starting kindergarten in the new year. Sean had a fantastic year at St Dunstan's Preschool in Eastwood, where he enjoyed learning new things every day, and has made some very good friends over the course of the year. His teachers are totally amazing and we are looking forward to returning to the preschool when it's Henry's turn. Sean is so active and full of life, with a huge imagination and a fabulous ability to make up stories and role play with his toys. He loves to play chasings and tip with his friends, or just run around like a mad thing at a playground. It's hard to keep up with him!
Henry will turn 2 in March next year, and he is such a cheeky and funny little man. He learned to walk just shy of his 1st birthday this year, and hasn't looked back since! He runs almost as fast as his big brother, and copies everything Sean does. He is an adorable and affectionate little man who loves a cuddle and a kiss. He is an engaging little man who loves to initiate play time, although his current favourite “game” is to jump up and down in Momma’s lap and dig his little toes into her thighs! The boys share a beautiful bond and they really do adore each other. Henry will start day care in the new year when Gloria returns to work after her maternity leave runs out in February 2016.
Jonathan has notched up another year at his job, with the 10-year mark almost in sight. The mid-year appointment of a new manager who is very engaged and engaging with the team has seen Jonathan become a lot happier with the work environment. This year saw Jonathan's working hours shift to start at 7am and finish at 3pm, which has meant more family time in the afternoons as he usually arrives home around 4pm. There may be some professional development opportunities come the new year - these opportunities have been in the pipeline for the past couple of years, and hopefully, the new manager will actually see these through.
Meanwhile, Gloria has enjoyed her final year of maternity leave, ever! Being able to spend this year at home, watching Henry grow from a lump to a fast-moving toddler has been so precious. She has also enjoyed being very actively involved in Sean’s preschool (she was a member of the preschool’s Management Committee and volunteered for kitchen duties and cooking duties at the preschool’s fetes), and is looking forward to being part of the primary school's community next year. To keep herself busy, Gloria set herself a cooking challenge at the beginning of 2015, to cook new recipes every week and eat something different every night. This week marks Week 49 of the cooking challenge and the whole family has benefited from all the different tasty and healthy meals whipped up by Masterchef G!
We didn’t manage to travel anywhere this year, as we did plenty of travelling last year. But a surprise announcement by our cousin Joy will see us travel to Hong Kong to be part of her wedding fun in January 2016. We are thrilled to be invited to join Joy and Fohn on their special day, and are excited to be jetting to Hong Kong for a short week of fun and food and fabulous family time.
2016 will be a huge year for one and all at the Hill Manor. Gloria returns to work in early February, Sean starts kindergarten on 3 February, and Henry starts day care at the end of January. The whole family will be diving into the deep end, to try and juggle before-school care, day care, after-school care, work, school and associated school activities. We are hoping we don’t sink!
We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. Dream big in 2016!
Photo Credits: All of our beautiful photos, with the exception of the Harvey Norman Santa Photo, were taken by the very talented and exceptionally patient Danielle Colley. To see more of her beautiful work, please visit http://www.keepingupwiththeholsbys.com/family-photographer/.
