There’s always a slight melancholy with the gradual chill of autumn.
Sadness over another fabulous Australian summer being over. For me, there’s also the regret in bitching and moaning over sunburnt days and still, sleepless nights, when I should’ve been appreciating how heavenly we get it here.
Tuesdays are my only days with the twinions and every week I would jokingly call them “my hump day”.
Now, that there’s less than 10 months – roughly 3 seasons – until they start “big school”, come Tuesday, there’s less of that bitching and moaning.
This past week, we had a rare free day. No swimming lessons, no doctor’s appointments, with only a parcel pick up from the local post office.
Along with their scooters, the twinions and I took a leisurely walk there.
Passing along familiar footpaths where I used to jog, while pushing the heavy double City Jogger, completely relying on the motion to keep them sound asleep.
Stopping by the playground where my heart often stopped when they fell off the slide, kissing their grazed toddler knees, wiping their tears away.
Finally, we stopped for morning tea. While the cafe has changed owners many times since, the world still looked familiar from the same corner table I used to sit with my newborns 5 years ago.
Sitting at that corner, so many seasons have passed, just as countless milestones have been reached.
This year, I started a gratitude journal – a diary to record something everyday – anything, significant or otherwise.
How they introduce themselves to “big people” by throwing their arms around each other while announcing: “We’re twins”
The sound of their incessant giggles drifting over to neighbouring campers from watching YouTube clips of The Muppets’ Swedish Chef before slipping into their sleeping bags.
I jot down their current favourite songs (“The Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book and Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock).
I figure, if this isn’t the year I document it all, everything will come and go unappreciated like the seasons.
And I don’t want that. I want to be reminded of the daily blessings. No matter how mundane.
I want to make the most of my Tuesdays. Every day.
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Gorgeous Grace.
Gratitude is the true key to happiness …
Happy journelling!
That journal will become your legacy.
L
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted..Day 2010 – When the writing stops
That’s such a great idea. I’ve done something similar in the past and it makes me really stop and focus on the ‘good’ each day. I also love the idea of gratitude jars which were a bit of a thing a few years ago!
Deb
Deborah recently posted..Book review: Missing You by Kylie Kaden
Our situations are eerily similar Grace – I only have Tuesdays with my youngest too and she’s also off to school next year! I’ve been trying to do more with her on a Tuesday just to enjoy her company while I can, although I love having those days we can just stick around at home and just be. A gratitude journal is a lovely way to record those special memories while also being thankful for all that you have – continue to enjoy and savour your “hump days” Grace x
Kirsty @ My Home Truths recently posted..Family Holiday A to Z: Anxiety
Oh, Grace. This is so gorgeous. What beautiful memories. I always forget everything unless I write it down – I think the gratitude journal is such an ace idea. I’ve had a gratitude journal for about a year, and keep forgetting to write in it, but I think i’m going to dig it out right now and make a start! I love the way the twinions introduce themselves? I need to see that – just thinking about it makes me want to smile! Here’s to Terrific Tuesdays and a wonderful weekend xx
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid recently posted..She’s So Inspiring – Chantelle Ellem
That’s beautiful Grace. Those cherished memories are so precious aren’t they? We keep jars with individual names on them to celebrate significant days throughout the year and read them out on New Years Eve. It’s priceless. Wow! 10 months until the twinions start school?? Where has the time gone?
Neets recently posted..So What Are FODMAPS?
Yes I feel the same way Grace. My daughter will start school in 2016 as well. I am trying to cherish every moment of our time together as next year I know it will be completely different. I too look at things and see how far we have come. It has been an amazing 5 years!!!
Shelley@MoneyMummy recently posted..How Interest Free Deals Work
Yes, these seasons do pass so quickly. Time doesn’t ever apologise or refund anything. There is so much beauty in the everyday with children which I wonder how much I take for granted. Having a gratitude journal or book for kiddy notes is a great idea. In years to come it will be so treasured and for the now it must be making you stop and take note. Lovely post Grace x
Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad recently posted..The Nameless Vick
That’s lovely Grace – as you know we sent Little Yang off to school this year and so I have to sneak more of those moments in around our everyday lives. I love the early starts when he jumps into bed with us (or just me if hubby is on shift).
Love that your twins hug and announce their twinship- that’s adorable! And I hear you- bring back summer!
Amy @ HandbagMafia recently posted..Tantrums: Theirs and Mine
A truly touching post Grace. I loathe the passage of time. As I see each new sparkle of growth in my children, I feel joy and a trace of grief for the moments passed before it. Enjoy those babies. Xx
JodY At Six Little Hearts recently posted..Jazslings Baby Slings Review and Giveaway #SLHFeaturedThursdays
Beautiful post and so full of memories. I met you first when Mr Surfer was still Stay At Home Dad..time has flown. I am thinking i need to journal this year …I do in fits and starts and one reason I am blogging every day is kind of to keep a record of this year of change. It’s been a hard time transitioning and finding the balance is slowly happening. The seasons is one thing I relate to so well as you know! From me in the WINTER of her life! Dxx
Denyse recently posted..This. Just This. Too Awful. 98/365.
I’ve tried to do this a bit on my blog each week, but the past few weeks have been very hard so I’ve outright skipped it!! More for my own relaxation than anything else.
I’m loving the change into Autumn – nice to have a break from the persistent humidity.
Vanessa recently posted..If I Was To Run A Diet Scam
Just beautiful Grace. It really is life’s little moments that have the most meaning I find. Enjoy the next 10 months of Tuesdays xx
Mumma McD recently posted..ICYMI… Introducing Toilets aren’t for Turtles
Oh Grace, what a beautiful post. My eldest is starting school next year too and it’s really made me look at those ‘days off’ with the boys differently. He’ll be at school five days a week next year!! I keep reminding myself there’ll be school holidays too though:-)
Bec @ Seeing the Lighter Side recently posted..Breaking up with daylight savings
Love it Grace. I write a letter to my kids on their birthdays (I must admit I have forgotten a few) and in the letter I write what they are up to that year. I seal it and put it in their box of goodies, just in case one day I am not here.
natalie @ Our Parallel Connection recently posted..Domestic violence in Australia – honour our women
Ahhh yes Grace – noticing all the little things to be grateful for = the key to happiness! Love that you have a journal and you’re noting down all these important things while your boys are little. They’ll be memories captured forever to look back on rather than forgotten memories. Time sure does fly. My twin boys are now 22 and it seems like only yesterday they were little boys. x
Min@WriteoftheMiddle recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Easter Succulents
Gratitude is everything – love this post Grace. I think blogging does help document the everyday in a beautiful way.
Trish recently posted..Taking Stock – April
I’ve often thought about writing a journal. I think it could be quite cathartic. I’m grateful for so much in my life, but hardly ever take the time to acknowledge that…thanks for the reminder.
Mandy Barbie Bieber Beyond recently posted..3 Years On – Missing You Are You Watching Over Us?
Lovely idea with the gratitude journal. I’ve tried to do that in the past (pre-kid) and only lasted a few days! I have a google doc where I jot down everything when I remember, so it’s a bit less pressure than having to try and write something every day.
Christine @ Adventure, Baby! recently posted..Brewtown Newtown: The Best Sydney Inner West Cafes
Beautiful Grace. I really get this, I started a book to record things recently but keep going off to sleep before updating it. I really need to document things though because I forget everything so easily.
Becky from BeckyandJames recently posted..Overwhelm
I love the idea of a journal Grace. I’m sure it’s something the twinions will love to read when they get older – plus their own kids will get a kick out of reading it (now that’s a scary thought – they grow up so fast!). We’re also a huge fans of Swedish Chef clips on You Tube. Carving the pumpkin and Popcorn are two favourites that have myself and the tornadoes in giggles every time!
Tash @ Gift Grapevine recently posted..My gift memories – Mummy, Wife, Me
I’ve been thinking similar thoughts Grace. The moments just disappear if you let them. You really need to take a moment to drink them in.
EssentiallyJess recently posted..Along Came George
A gratitude journal – What a lovely concept to celebrate our blessings!
We love the Swedish Chef here too!
Kaz @ Melting Moments recently posted..WWU – Birthdays and stuff…
Sometimes it’s hard not to wish your life away, bringing up kids isn’t it? Slowing down and just being with hem is great when I let it happen.
Carolyn
My twins are now 15 and I recently shared an evening with them looking back through their lives to date through my photo album. I wish I had also kept a journal for more than just their first year. It also made me think about printing some photos out again. Looking back over digital photos doesn’t seem to happen as much or feel the same as looking through an actual album.
Ingrid @ Fabulous and Fun Life recently posted..Beauty Heaven Beauty Degustation Event
Oh Grace what a very sweet post, and I bet Tuesdays are such a nice gift to you. I need to document nice things more than I do, maybe I should dust off my journal and write an observation about each child every day…. thanks G. Happy Friday x
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..Why I turned down A Current Affair.
I’m rather late to the link up party. Playing a huge came of catch up this week. I love the idea of your gratitude journal. I’ve been thinking about doing something similar.
Raych aka Mystery Case recently posted..The Perfect LBD 52 Ways – Autumn Style
This is why I’m so glad I have a blog, because I have a record to look back on. Today by pure chance I stumbled across an old post I wrote to bub and it listed everything she was doing and loving when she was five months old and I’m so glad I wrote it all down because I can’t remember it all now. I love the idea of a daily gratitude journal it’d be so good to look back on later on 🙂
Toni @ Finding Myself Young recently posted..The toughest day of my life as a parent.
Wow! Big school next year? Already?! Time has gone sooo fast!
I doubt you are going to have to search for something to write in your journal every day, them boys give you tonnes to write about!
MC xo
Miss Cinders recently posted..things i know | return to meme land
I’m in love with that pic of the boys on the path and I love the idea of a gratitude journal, it’ll be such a wonderful thing to flick through later x
Bele @ BlahBlah recently posted..The perfect gift for Mother’s Day
Such a beautiful post Grace.
A gratitude journal sounds so precious , you’ve really got me thinking I should start one.
have a gorgeous weekend and keep enjoying the next 3 seasons of Tuesdays! xx
Dannielle @ Zamamabakes recently posted..Fabulous Foodie Fridays #46
I love the thought of having a book like that. I just need a separate book each for all the things I have going on just to keep my brain on track!
I just love the way they greet people, adorable 🙂
Alicia recently posted..Germs are just everywhere! – review and giveaway
Esther will start school next year. I can’t believe how fast they grow up. It feels really slow when they are babies! As for journaling I think I need to get one of those books. Where did you get yours from?
Bec @ The Plumbette recently posted..Your dreams aren’t just about you
Got mine from kikki.K, Bec! It was on sale at the end of last year but I noticed they have other ones too. Let me know how your journaling goes! x
Terrific tuesdays, love it, such a fabulous thing to be able to spend time with the little guys. Enjoy every second, writing about it is gorgeous, I often think, one day people might read special stuff like this an attic and pour through all the words, (or in a dusty box in the garage.) What a treat!
Happy weekend. x
sarah@tomfo recently posted..Introducing the Yamba Scandi Collection and a free printable
Thanks for reminding me about my Gratitude Journal! It got put somewhere and I need to start it again!!!
Smiling reading about your vacation last week! 🙂 Glad you all had a good time!
Mary Denman recently posted..Photo Tip Friday: Tips for Taking Unique Photos
I love this post Grace. I feel the same way with my girls, it’s going too fast and every day is precious. It’s part of the reason why I was really stoked to be able to do the Diploma this year. It means that I won’t be at Tafe next year, Punky’s last year before school, so I can dedicate the bulk of my time to soaking up her goodness before she’s off to school and my baby girl no more.
Kylie Purtell – A Study in Contradictions recently posted..Linky Lovin’ Friday {10th April 2015} | Reading
I’ve got a book to record things in for Charlie but I keep forgetting. I think I need to put it in a better place. I probably stopped filling it in when he was 10 months, and time is flying. Thanks for reminding me …
Peachy Keen Mumma – Jess recently posted..What to do with Almond Pulp? Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins!
THE FUNNY THING IS, I SPEND ALMOST EVERYDAY WITH MY GUYS – YET, THE OLDER THEY GET, THE LESS TIME IN THE CAFE WE SPEND. I CAN’T COMPLAIN – THEY HAVE DREAMS – AND THAT’S ALL A MOTHER COULD ASK FOR, DREAM…
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