The last day of school, the first day of the long summer holidays, and the first day in absolute ages that I was just a mum.
Just a mum with a cooler fill of juice, towels, sunscreen, hot chips and my book. Just a mum in the shade taking pics and admiring tricks and enjoying watching her kids and their friends having a ball.
After months and months of desperately juggling work and parenting - trying never to let either job impact on the other, it was a gift to be just a mum, and a fun mum at that.
Then it was me time - my now annual retreat to Vortex. Last year it was everything I'd hoped it would be and more, this year just as great with more friends and the boud-car improved upon to attain peak comfort.
Favourite moment: A well meaning young thing remarked that it was 'so nice to see mature ladies at an outdoor party, how long have you been coming to Vortex for?'
My friend deadpanned in response: 'Since 1997'
Old dog = old tricks.
On the way home from Vortex we stopped off for another little forest adventure - a picnic under the trees for a bestie's birthday on an old established wine farm on a hot afternoon.
And home in time for a shower and Christmas carols under the bridge. See? Fun mum.
The first of our 3 trips out to Onrus. This one highlighted by Jeremy Loops live at Stanford Hills!
The girls loved it so much - their first 'rock concert' of someone they really like - dancing and singing along like crazy. Such a jol.
Home for Christmas Eve - pool, food, pressies and family. Every year I'm more grateful for them.
With nearly half of my poor man's family gone in the last couple of years that side is all a bit disjointed now, scattered around and not really sure how to regroup. Christmas Day resonated with the loss of his Mum, none of us could face trying to muster Xmas cheer without her, so we headed straight back to Onrus, to spend it with his chosen fam.
And to CHILL. Just to bloody well stay still and chill for a minute.
The holidays are over, the girls back at school, work is picking up - but it's still summer, and the good times are far from over.
Hello 2019.
