Forty Fourth Month

In Ethan's Forty Fourth Month he celebrated his fourth Christmas. Somehow he still managed to squeeze himself into last years elf costume much to his delight and wore it to his school play despite the sweltering heat... This years show featured a Rudolph the red nose reindeer sing along and Ethan practiced hard then performed well on the day, he knew every word AND wore that red nose very well (we hope you will agree...).

Santa made a special appearance at Ethan's daycare, he is looking a little red faces as well, hopefully the heat not a bit of something stronger (VB in Oz, hic!).

On top of Christmas, December was a very busy month for Ethan with lots of outings and social gatherings. Early in the month he made a trip into Sydney to the aquarium to have his first viewing of the Dugongs, very cool! Mummy's friend Suzie joined him for the trip but still recovering from her foot operation, Ethan had to push her through round in wheel chair. For once it was Ethan doing the pushing round rather than him being pushed, must be a sign he is growing up.

Ethan had his first, second and third sleepovers this month. When you start something, why not keep doing if you enjoy, right? Elly stayed over twice, then Floyd, his two best friends over for dinner, evenings, then breakfast, what more could he ask for!!! He was a gentleman of course giving Elly the bed below (then Floyd when he stayed) while he took to the mattress on the floor.

All year he talked about it but FINALLY Mummy's work had another day out at Luna Park and this year Ethan was over the 106cm mark that gets him on the bigger rides.

Including the... dodgems (bumper cars for the Canadians reading...). He waited 45mins to get in that car but he and Daddy totally out bumped Mummy.

Of course then there was the Ferris wheel with a view, who could miss that. Samarra did not stay over but she came for a fun packed day with Ethan and Daddy, first to the zoo (below), then to the movies, then home for a swim on the beach... a very busy day indeed THEN her Mum, Dad and sister Georgia came round for dinner. Ethan made the most of the day since school was shut down for the holidays and Dad was home for 2 weeks, nice to have a break from Dad and play with a REAL kid...

Then his old friend Charlie (from his old school) came round for lunch and a play. It was cold and not much sun... but the boys could not resist heading down to the beach for a swim together.

Last but not least for the friend photos this month, Ethan and Floyd, another play date through the holidays and ended up in a sleepover as they were having such a great time.OK ... so maybe hangin' out with Dad wasn't too bad after all, he did take me to the Peats Ridge music festival for a day... that was pretty cool!

So back to Christmas... it was December after all. Ethan caught up with some old friends from his Parents group at the pub for a play. Here they are smiling for the camera only because that was what they had to do before we let them open up that sack full of pressies that Santa had left for them.It wasn't much longer to Christmas so to get into the spirit Ethan made a late night trip (has to be late night in the Southern hemisphere, only gets dark at 9...) to see the famous Christmas lights on Edwin street in Fairlight. Not quite as impressive as those he has heard of in Canada (Gramma Lana's house...) but the only ones he has seen so he was impressed.

Then it came... Christmas morning, seemed to take FOREVER as Ethan lay in bed Christmas eve thinking he would never be able to fall asleep but he did eventually and there it was, just what he had been hoping for, a tree with LOTS of presents underneath.

He had written Santa and Santa did not let him down, Buzz light year was under the tree.

But that was just one of the many presents he got as you can see... thank you Santa, Mummy, Daddy, Pa & Fran and Gramma Lana, so many fantastic gifts! Then followed by a great morning taking in all the sights in Sydney and a lunch back at home with Mummy, Daddy and Suzie that lasted ALL afternoon (so much food...). then last but not least a classic movie, 'A wonderful life', what better day could a boy ask for???
So on to New Years, another special event. This year Nicky joined us for dinner then out to the harbor to watch the fireworks in Manly.

This was the view... not quite Sydney but still pretty darn spectacular!

New Years day arrived (a little too early after the late night fireworks...) and another annual event, we spent the morning at Tarronga zoo. Not just any zoo, more to see than just the animals... (bridge & Opera house behind Ethan).

Last but not least, a quick dip after the zoo in Ethan's new 'bones' shirt. Start the year as we mean to continue, on the beach that is :-)

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!