24/52 : Reflection

A Portrait of my children once a month, every month in 2013 via Che and Fidel

I knew weekly Portraits would be too much of a challenge for me with the arrival of the 5th baby but I really thought monthly portraits would be achievable. Alas no. I've already missed doing a May Portrait and we are halfway through June already. I'm going to sneak a little Portrait in here today though.

I love taking photos but as soon as I feel like I'm doing anything out of obligation I start to feel a little resentful and that is how I felt a couple of weeks ago when I realised I was due to Post my May Portraits. There were many extra obligations last month that left me mentally and physically fatigued, and I didn't take the time to work out which ones I could have easily let go. And now more than ever I need to just do what I can, when I can, without putting extra pressure on myself so I have the energy to be the best Mum I can be to the Kids. It's the very least they deserve.

So I will continue the rest of the year doing just that, simply capturing moments as and when they arise, as was the case with this photo that I took of my biggest 4 last weekend on the Tasman Peninsula. I love it because the day was completely unplanned and it was fabulous. The Kids had so much fun and the light was just right for some beautiful reflections on the Tessellated Pavement - an amazing natural rock formation. Whilst looking at their reflections just now I've done a little reflecting myself and have vowed to be a little kinder to myself, to be mindful of what is truly important to me and to keep my space here the way I want it free of any obligations.

February

"A Portrait of my children once a month, every month, in 2013" via Che and Fidel

Oh February, you are such a tricksy month! The beginning of the new school year brings so much change and excitement with new routines and activities. If you have danced this dance before you know it is going to take a good month to get into the swing of things before everyone is fully up to speed with what's going on - which day to catch the bus home, which day is library day, news day, kinder day, swimming. If Mummy forgets to pop the slow cooker on in preparation for a busy Thursday afternoon then things can turn pear-shaped very quickly. February is the month where you realise whether or not you have bitten off more than you can chew. If you have then there is absolutely nothing you can do except chew like crazy until the end of term and re-jig things the following term. This year, I think I may have finally, finally found just the right balance and we are managing to find a decent amount of quiet time during the weekdays. 

Eleanor: Back into the new School Year.
Charles: Admiring the boats at The Wooden Boat Festival.
George: Mr Serious.
Noah: "Another feather for your collection Mum".
Flynn: 3 Months old, here mesmerised by the Oak Tree canopy above.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone!

Mel x

January Portraits.

January

"A Portrait of my children once a month, every month, in 2013."

Eleanor: Completely absorbed in "The Fleurville Trilogy" by Countess de Segur (Translated by Stephanie Smee)

Charles: When I look at this photo, for the first time I can imagine him as a teenager instead of the 6 year old he is.

Noah: The bit where Nemo's Mother and the other eggs are eaten by the Barracuda.

George: Loves to Whistle.

Flynn: 2 Months old. I could stare into those eyes and kiss those lips all day long.

January has come and gone and if there's anything I've learned about having a newborn it is that the first 12 months fly by faster than an F-18 Hornet. So I've decided to join Jodi in her 2013 weekly portrait series, except I will only be posting portraits of the kids once a month instead of every week. This will surely be enough of a challenge for me considering it has somehow ticked over to February and I am only just posting my January portraits now. It's also a good way to practise using my DSLR on manual as well as providing the Grandparents, who all live interstate, with a monthly snapshot of their Grandchildren and particularly baby Flynn who will change so much over the next 12 months.

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend.