December! How did that happen? It’s seems no time at all since last Christmas and here we are preparing for the festivities again.
But, what a year it has been. Full of change and growth, fun and laughter.
Watching the dynamic between the three shift and alter, as each of them has got used to their changing worlds, has been both wonderful and challenging.
It has been a year of new activities, new friends, new commitments; at times exhausting, but always interesting.
The beginning of the year saw the wee girl turn three and become an even stronger member of the sibling team. Her personality jumping out, and at times overwhelming her brothers.
Heading into the summer the three continued to enjoy their time together, although summer vacation did see the start of some fairly impressive bickering as they jostled for position.
September came around and the wee girl started preschool. It took us all a while to get used to the new routine, but now we’re settled and life has calmed again.
This past month has been full of excitement. The impending arrival of Granny and the run up to Christmas giving everyone a much needed boost.
The dynamic between the three has shifted again and I have been more aware than ever that they are all growing up.
Four months of preschool have done little to dull the wee girl’s extrovert personality, but school has provided a positive structure and far more awareness of the consequences of her actions. This has, in turn, reduced the level of sibling bickering hugely.
Not completely of course, but I’ll take it.
[I suspect she’ll still be amusing and infuriating her brothers, in equal measure, when they’re all in their forties…]
Looking at this year’s Santa photo, something of a tradition since moving to the US, I am struck by the changes in all three. Not just in how they look (but, goodness they are all getting tall!), but also in how calm and patient they were when getting the photo taken. And, they’re all smiling!
Despite the chaos that can descend during December, this month has felt much less frantic, and I have loved watching the three together. We have played, taken walks, gone out for lunch, had play dates. Even a last minute business trip for their dad didn’t throw us off track.
It’s been a good few weeks.
Now, the excitement for Christmas is building and I am genuinely looking forward to the vacation; it’s going to be fun!
The three continue to amuse, amaze and drive me nuts, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Sharing this post with Siblings.
I wonder how Santa manages to keep that smile on his face all day?
So do I, but he was doing a great job :)
Oh these are lovely photos Sarah. I really want to take part in Siblings but trying to take a photo of mine together is easier said than done!
Thank you Louise. To be honest, I started the year trying to get the ‘perfect’ photo and gave up. I embraced the silliness and now every month my post is more of an ‘out take’ affair, and I love it. I may get one where they are all smiling and looking at the camera, but the rest are just fun :) And, that’s what I want to remember x
Oh it’s so lovely to see all the photos from the year in one place. Have a wonderful Christmas x
Thank you, it’s lovely looking back, isn’t it? You have a wonderful Christmas too Donna x
How lovely to look back over your year of Siblings photos and see how your little trio have grown over the year. They always look like they have so much fun together in your photos and the bond between them shines out so strongly. I love this year’s Santa photos of the three of them too. Hope you and your lovely family have a very merry Christmas :-)
They do have fun, and I have loved capturing that in my Siblings photos. Each month is a lot of fun :) Hope you have a wonderful Christmas too x
Aww love seeing all the photos from the year and all the shots of their happy faces. The father Christmas shots are gorgeous too. Glad to hear you’re having a good few weeks. Hope you have a lovely Christmas! Xx
December has been good so far :) I was really pleased with this years Santa photos, the kids were great! I hope you have a lovely Christmas too x
Such lovely photos. I’m loving all the yearly collages – nice to be able to look back on the changes.
It is lovely to look back, you don’t notice the changes so much each month, but looking back at January you can really see it!
You have beautiful children. Congratulations!
Oh, thank you! That’s very kind of you x
I love seeing all the previous photos you have taken throughout the year. Lovely memories. Enjoy your Christmas.
Thank you, it was lovely putting the collage together. I hope you have a lovely Christmas too x
So lovely to look back on the year together and see them all as a whole and how much they have changed along the way isn’t it? I love these. Time is flying by I can’t believe another year is gone. Happy holidays. #siblings
It is lovely to look back, this is such a wonderful project :) And, you’re right , the year has gone sooo fast! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas too Jenny x
I am wildly impressed at them all smiling – we took pictures of our three visiting Father Christmas and the girls are just about smiling and Pip looks like he’s trying to eat a finger!!
I was quite impressed this year, the previous years have been a bit more hit and miss with the smiles :)
“but also in how calm and patient they were when getting the photo taken. And, they’re all smiling!” – This has made my day – my three hate having their photo taken but I’ll hold on to the hope that they’ll get patient as they get older.
Your eldest boy seems to have changed so much since the January picture, and he’s so tall isn’t he – so handsome!
I’m a little late with the comments this month but I really do hope you all had a lovely christmas.
xxx #siblings