30/52

Two!

Dappled light at the zoo, the day before his birthday.

Wild hair, on the march, apple in hand.

Looking very much like a storybook character.

Another post is due to celebrate two!

Joining in with Jodi.

You can see the whole series of portraits here.

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'Put the camera down, Mama!'

Soft curls and painted light.

Lining up animals on the window sill, so they can look at the view.

Wearing his 'marching band leader hat'. I have no idea where this bandanna came from, but it's been a hit this week in our marching band of two.

And demanding my presence, sans camera.

We have been savouring the last week of one! And working out this new territory without a daytime nap.

Joining in with Jodi.

You can see the whole series of portraits here.

28/52

Chasing seagulls.

I really like the idea of trying to capture spirit and personality through portraiture. 

After swimming, this is probably his favourite thing to do at the beach! What almost-two-year-old doesn't like chasing birds?

Joining in with Jodi. (Thanks Jodi for featuring last week's portrait on Che and Fidel!)

You can see the series of portraits here.

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I must also apologise (again) for my lack of response to comments - the boy has not slept before 10pm for over a week. There is light - and an end - he has dropped his day nap and we are happily reclaiming some badly-needed adult time in the evenings. Huzzah!

27/52

Throwing pebbles into the lagoon.

The weeks are flying by. 

We are relishing the return of the sun after a patch of very cold, dramatic weather.

Saying goodbyes, and welcoming new friends.

Logistics planning and major purchase shopping.

Herb planting and star-gazing.

But most of all, just trying to enjoy the small moments.

He is loving throwing pebbles and seedpods into water and hearing the 'plop'. I think this must make him officially a small boy.

Joining in with Jodi.

You can see the whole series of portraits here.

26/52

Winter light and a soaring imagination

We've had a lot of indoors weather. I'm posting this (late) from the depths of a subtropical low - lots of howling wind and relentless rain. Extreme weather is part of life on an island Cape, that's for sure.

One of his favourite things to do inside is sit with his basket of empty jars and spice containers and make a big curry or stew in a pot. He loves opening and closing the lids and offering me tastes from his spoon.

Joining in with Jodi.

You can see the whole series of portraits here. I cannot believe the year is half done! And in four more portraits, we'll have a two-year-old!

Also must say a big thank you to everyone who has left lovely comments - the last few weeks have been super busy and involved travel, so I am still catching up.

25/52

My boy, becoming quite the confident adventurer.

His confidence is growing and he's often happiest bustling off in front, wherever the whim takes him. And clearly he's happy about this. I think we've finally shaken the worst of the wobbly days of me-do-it frustrations.

I'm grateful for his curiosity about the natural world. And it's been lovely to watch him adventure with my Mum, the self-taught naturalist. Both of them with their noses in a shell, inspecting an insect, or just wandering. It's for these moments I'm most grateful.

I hope he gets to spend many more days with her like this.

Joining in with Jodi.

You can see the whole series of portraits here.

24/52

Bubble delight with Grandma!

It's not often we get visits from his interstate Grands.

So this early morning bubble play with Grandma in the front yard is extra special.

Especially when Grandma teaches you how to blow your first bubble!

Thanks Grandma and Pop for making the very long road trip to see us - we love having you here!

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Oh and may I count the ways in which we love winter? One, for the chance to wear woollens and retro Hawaiian shirts (which makes it our most fabulous weather in my books). Two, for the quiet chilly beaches, and winter beaches always remind me of this amazing roadtrip. And three, for the respite from our very long, dastardly summer.

Joining in with Jodi.

You can see the whole series of portraits here.