We spent the last week in Albury at Chris' parents for a well deserved holiday. Since Christmas, we had barely had a chance to catch a breath between the renovation which lasted about four months and having Eloise. It has been an intense six months which I only really realised once we got there.
Life in Albury follows an easy rhythm where the days are regularly punctuated with breaks revolving around food from breakfast to morning coffee to lunch to afternoon tea to dinner. Basically the perfect routine with children who like to eat, play and rest at regular intervals.
Making life super easy for us, Chris' parents are the perfect babysitters. From the moment Hugo woke up, they took over. All rugged up, hats, gloves and boots on, Hugo would wander off with either of his grandparents not to be seen for the next few hours. They went and collected the eggs from the chooks, patted the dog, played in the sandpit and on the swings, dug around in the dirt and even planted a bonsai, officially making Hugo John's youngest bonsai apprentice to date.
For us it was heaven. Having extra hands always makes life easier but what makes it great is when the extra hands are caring, patient and enthusiastic. Hugo was perfectly at ease and we were too, able to take it easy with Eloise.
Hugo also enjoyed playing with his cousins Harry (4), Jinty (2 1/2) and Zarah (9 months). Initially Harry took Hugo under his wing, gently bossing him around as they played with trucks and sticks and ran around in the sandpit. Hugo happily followed Harry around wide eyed and grinning. He looked like a little puppy lighting bouncing around trying to keep up with his new friend. At first, Jinty was a little left out but she soon joined in and our little toddlers got closer. When they played at chasing each other, Hugo and Jinty would give each other a big hug every time they caught up to one another. They would then sit together on a pouf on the floor to watch TV before dinner. It was all rather adorable.
Meanwhile, we didn't have to do much and even managed to get away for a few hours each day when Hugo was napping.
Once upon a time, a holiday might have meant going somewhere new and exotic. I hope we get to do that too one day but for now, a stay-cation away from home is the best of both worlds.
Life in Albury follows an easy rhythm where the days are regularly punctuated with breaks revolving around food from breakfast to morning coffee to lunch to afternoon tea to dinner. Basically the perfect routine with children who like to eat, play and rest at regular intervals.
Making life super easy for us, Chris' parents are the perfect babysitters. From the moment Hugo woke up, they took over. All rugged up, hats, gloves and boots on, Hugo would wander off with either of his grandparents not to be seen for the next few hours. They went and collected the eggs from the chooks, patted the dog, played in the sandpit and on the swings, dug around in the dirt and even planted a bonsai, officially making Hugo John's youngest bonsai apprentice to date.
For us it was heaven. Having extra hands always makes life easier but what makes it great is when the extra hands are caring, patient and enthusiastic. Hugo was perfectly at ease and we were too, able to take it easy with Eloise.
Hugo also enjoyed playing with his cousins Harry (4), Jinty (2 1/2) and Zarah (9 months). Initially Harry took Hugo under his wing, gently bossing him around as they played with trucks and sticks and ran around in the sandpit. Hugo happily followed Harry around wide eyed and grinning. He looked like a little puppy lighting bouncing around trying to keep up with his new friend. At first, Jinty was a little left out but she soon joined in and our little toddlers got closer. When they played at chasing each other, Hugo and Jinty would give each other a big hug every time they caught up to one another. They would then sit together on a pouf on the floor to watch TV before dinner. It was all rather adorable.
Meanwhile, we didn't have to do much and even managed to get away for a few hours each day when Hugo was napping.
Once upon a time, a holiday might have meant going somewhere new and exotic. I hope we get to do that too one day but for now, a stay-cation away from home is the best of both worlds.
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| We also made a small detour via Bright, a small town at the bottom of the Victorian Alps, to visit our friends Carolinna & Simon and their 7 month old baby girl. As we lugged our three children around, our carefree university days suddenly felt quite distant. |
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| And our obligatory overnight stop in Camden with these guys on the way back. |
This was clearly a week of Triple Generational Paradise and though it may not feel "exotic" to you, it certainly would seem so to some people with its bonsai planting (and a private tutorial at that) and chook egg collecting.
ReplyDeleteThis is how roots are planted in preparation for future adventures. Good solid care and family loving go a long way and a yummy chocolate slice does too!