49 but 10 in Heaven

Two days before Christmas, Aaron would've been celebrating his 49th birthday.  He only got to celebrate 39 on Earth.  I actually look forward to his birthday as it's always a fun night with friends.  We met Simone and the kids and Tim and Helene and their kids at Punchbowl Reserve for tea and a play. 

There was a huge game of cricket going on between a group of adults. It was a heap of Indian men against others and they were so intense and hilarious, so it gave us a few laughs.  As we were leaving one of the guys spoke to us and said he hoped that they weren't too full on, because he said it was like the World Cup but it was India v the rest of the world. That cracked us up. 

Just before the sun started setting, we headed to the cemetery with Hawthorn coloured balloons and Pepsi. 

So grateful for these friends, who make it a day to look forward to. 

I love that Tim wore an Oasis T-shirt (Aaron's favourite band) and I wore a Beatles one (another one of his favourite bands). 

I'm not sure when I became a mum to these men! 

It was lovely to have Josie join us this year. 

Love these guys and so lucky to have them remember Aaron's birthday with us, especially as it's such a busy time of the year. 

Afterwards the boys and Josie and I went and looked at Christmas lights. It was a really fun night, and I'm so glad that it wasn't a sad day. 

Bachelor of Media

It only seems like it has been a couple of years since Jay started Uni, so it's hard to believe that he's just graduated with a Bachelor of Media specialising in Screen.   

I still remember clearly the day that we dropped him off at Christ College (his Uni accommodation).  I was trying to be brave for him, but there were tears from all of us as we drove home and left him in Hobart. 

During his first year he came home pretty much every weekend.  He stuck to himself and didn't socialise at all and didn't get to know anyone down there. 

Over the last two years he stayed down in Hobart a lot more, and we only saw him every couple of months.  He made so many friends over the last couple of years, and has been having the time of his life.  I didn't mind that we only saw him every couple of months as I knew he was happy.  

This year he's been the Communications Officer at Christ College and has been busy running Christ's social media pages, and helping to organise and promote events. 

In November we went to Hobart to help Jay bring all of his things home, as he had finished his degree.

 

A couple of weeks ago was Jalen's Uni graduation. It was a bit of a saga because they changed the time from 1pm to 8 am and we could only get two tickets to it.  Kobe was disappointed he couldn't be there in person, but booked a night in the hotel where the graduation was, so he stayed in bed and watched the live stream. 

I did tell Kobe and it would only be 30 seconds of excitement seeing Jay walk across the stage and then it would be like a very long, boring school assembly. 

Jay was actually one of the first ones to get up. 

As Kobe was just upstairs in the hotel room, he was able to meet us straight after.  Jay got his certificate framed straight away, and then we took lots of photos before going out for brunch. 

These guys always have to be clowns, before I can get a decent photo of them. 

I can't believe that I have a son who has a Uni degree! I'm so proud of him and hope he can find work doing something he loves very soon. He would love to do something in video editing, social media or advertising.  As it was only a 3 year course he's decided he's going to do a Masters in Marketing next year and will move back to Hobart with 3 of his friends who were at Christ College with him.   I'm happy for him to be back in Hobart next year, they just have the *little issue of finding a four bedroom rental. If anyone in Hobart knows of anything, please let us know.  They would be awesome tenants. 

Another school year is over

It's unbelievable how fast this year has gone.  I thought I'd better do a blog post to catch up (I still can't let it go, as I just love having my memories in one spot) and couldn't believe that it has been five months since my last post.

The last two terms of school has flown.  Last school holidays my brother Jared and his family came up and we spent some time with them. We had both planned on going to Sydney at different times to spend time with my brother Chrish (and to finally see Hamilton which was one of Kobe's birthday presents) but unfortunately we had to cancel two trips, thanks to Covid and Jared and Becky also had to cancel their trip. 

 We went to the Gorge with them in the morning and I braved the chairlift (chairlifts and Ferris wheels scare the crap out of me! I don't mind rollercoasters as they're fast, but going slow at a height freak me out). 

We then went to Liffey Falls where there had been snow falls overnight.  Most of it had melted when we got there, but there was enough to throw a few snowballs. 

Along with the rest of Tasmania, Mum, Kobe and I went to the tulip farm at Table Cape.  We hadn't been for a few years, and it was even more beautiful that I could remember. 

It's always lovely to have more time to catch up with friends during the holidays. 

There were some good things come out of Covid. Harri's dream came true and we got to watch the Giants play an AFL finals game in Launceston. 

We were to have a lot of extra AFL games in Tassie because we didn't have any Covid as the borders were closed.  We loved being able to go to extra games, but hated having to wear masks (something we are not used to in Tasmania). 

It's been a very busy term at school.  I love being the 'official' photographer at different school events.  One of my workmates took this sneaky photo of me, as I was trying to get a reflection in the puddles. 

I love being a part of the staff band, which is once a year.  This year we played 'You're the Voice' while the whole school sang it at the same time.  It was unreal having a bag piper come along to play the bagpipe part. 
 

I was very lazy and pulled out the same costume again for Book Week this year. 

Kobe loves coming along to support our school teams when they play in the Primary School Basketball Championship.  I'm not sure if it's because of the basketball, or because he gets to hang with my work friends and eat food all day with us ;) 

Kobe has become obsessed with ABBA since we went to see Mamma Mia with Mum, my Auntie Deidre and cousins Emily and Louse. 

He's loved playing school footy this year. 

All season he was waiting to play on the Aaron King Oval and his wish finally came true. 

Because he's usually the only one home, we spend a lot of time together (which he loves at the moment, but I keep reminding him that he won't in a few years). We were lucky to win tickets for unlimited rides at the Family Fun Fair and had a great time. 

Kobe improved in basketball so much this year.  He loved playing with his team this year and won the coaches award for the year. 

Harri's basketball season unfortunately ended when  got glandular fever.  He was so disappointed as he was chosen for the Division 1 team to represent his college in the College Basketball Championships. He sat on the bench with the team the whole championship and when they won the state championship, he was lucky enough to get a medal as well. 

Kobe loved representing his school in the High School Basketball Championship.  

We have loved having the NBL back in Tasmania and having our own team.  We went to watch two Jack Jumpers games during the NBL blitz. 

It's unbelievable that Jay has just finished his degree and has moved out of Christ College.  He absolutely loved the last two years at Christ College and made so many great friends. He's back home for the summer and will then head back to Hobart to live with friends. 

I know he's missing Hobart and hanging out with his mates, but he's enjoying being home and having someone cook for him again (although I was hoping that he would cook for me now!). 

Last week we went to see Harri's girlfriend Josie dressed up for her leavers' dinner, and also got to see Jai.   They both looked amazing. 

We are so glad to finally be on summer holidays.  I'm looking forward to no routines, sleep ins, lots of swimming, reading and sun.