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I love the colours in these images.  Boxing Day and a trip to Maroondah Dam.  One day, if there ever is such a day, if I come into money, I will seek out an artist who paints sky/cloudscapes which are like lying on the grass gazing at the sky.  I love clouds, of all sorts.  On this day it was the white to dark grey and all the shades between that I loved so, somewhat mirroring the dam wall.

One of my most loved people is going through a very tough time and I'm so very far away from her.  I love her so, and it's torturous to not be able to hold her hand through this process.  I am a fixer, by nature, I find it hard to not be able to manage situations, to help people find a way through, but there are things we sometimes just have to do alone.  My love is always with her, I'm always here, if I'm not there.  There are clouds here and clouds where she is, so we will focus on those things somewhat joining us and I'll try my best to help her through the rest of it.

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 "A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Ella     At Nan & Pas.  Becoming a young woman, she's very composed (for the most part), a gentle soul.  Time is moving so fast.

Leila   Still my baby in many ways, but she is getting so tall and very elegant, not yet too big for morning cuddles in bed.  Christmas morning and the excitement of opening her stocking.

It has been challenging, at times, to get a weekly photo of the girls.  It shows how life changes as they grow and begin school.  When they are small you have nothing but time to focus on the smallest of their actions and generally capture them on film.  As they grow older it becomes harder to capture those moments and there can be a feeling that images are a little staged.

Most photos of Ella this year seem to have been of her reading, probably her absolute favourite pastime.  Leila is now an amazing reader, so expect more snapshots of her doing the same in 2014.

Thank you Jodi, for reminding me to take a moment to remember these small yet huge moments.  I love my family, my girls and am all too aware of how fast time is passing.  I will never enjoy a time in my life more than I am right now and these moments remind me of that.

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Merry Christmas 2013 x

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"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Another school year draws to an end.  Leila's finished her first year and Ella her fifth year.  I can't believe next year Ella goes into grade 5, leaving only two more years of primary school!

A successful year in terms of academic achievement, social development and friendship groups.  Both girls go from strength to strength in terms of knowing their own minds, having a strong sense of right and wrong, great empathy for all.  Their reports reflected that they are focused, respectful and caring.  We said that whilst it's wonderful to be bright, to do well academically, it's even more wonderful to read how engaged they are, that they worry about others and take care of their peers.

We're now excited about all the extra time we have together during our summer holidays.

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"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Leila    Patiently waiting for her turn with Santa at our prep picnic.
Ella      With Santa and one of our dear friends daughters.  Ella is very popular with the younger children, which she loves.  As we discussed today, everyone loves friends who listen to them, make a fuss of them and who they have fun with.  She ticks all those boxes.

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This past week was Leila's prep concert and they all did amazingly well.  The show was choreographed, no-one forgot their steps, they sang enthusiastically and Leila was one of a few children chosen to read a speech aloud to the audience.  We were so proud of her, so clear, confident and well spoken.  Behind the scenes she was explaining that her tummy felt all funny and her hands were shaky, but she hid that completely.

It's gorgeous to see not just your child, but all the classmates who you've come to know so well, also doing well, having gotten off to such a wonderful start of their long education journey.

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"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Leila    This cat of ours starts his days with love from all members of the family, but is especially peaceful with Leila.
Ella     A last one from holidays, just because she's so lovely.