Welcome to this years newsletter. With this letter we would like to try and tell you some of the things that we have got up to in the last 12 months, some of the adventures and achievements of our family – again it has been a very exciting and busy year.
We
have had several new arrivals, again this year; the family has grown with
the addition of two Budgies named ‘Scope’ and ‘Pilchard’ named by Jacob after
characters in Bob the Builder which he loves.
We have extended the house, this time by purchasing a five birth caravan and awning, so that we can go off on holiday together, this year we have camped regularly locally in the Forest, spent a weekend in Warwickshire, and a week in Somerset and Salisbury. It has been great fun, the children have loved all the fresh air and rain, and so did Badger. Bedtime was somewhat tough though, as most nights we all ended up going to bed at the same time!
The highlights of
the year, have been the increased Mobility of Philip and Rebecca, Philip took
off first and was soon walking around, Rebecca quickly caught up, 
and
now they are both running around, climbing and exploring everything, there
has never been a dull moment. There have been a few close shaves – Philip
chipped his teeth by jumping off the dining table, and Rebecca has been spotted
standing on the kitchen worktop, but it has been great fun.
The departure of high chairs, and cots, as the twins have grown with family meals all sat round the table, and everyone in big beds at night, as emphasized to us how quickly they are growing up, and maybe next year we can say Goodbye to Nappies, as by Jacob’s 3rd Birthday we have been changing then for at least three years. Which is a horrifying thought!
Jacob has really grown up in the last year, he sometimes finds it tough having Philip and Rebecca more mobile, but he plays wonderfully with them, and he has gained some real independence this year by starting the local pre-school – where he loves to paint, sing, and play with the other children. He has also walked down to Grandma’s a couple of time on his own.
Jacob’s
imagination is in overdrive; he loves being Dot man,
which is who Jake pretends to be if you have ever watched the Tweenie’s –
I think our family lives on it! He loves drawing shapes, and pictures, and
I am convinced this year will be our most exciting Christmas yet, as he is
already going round the shops saying ‘Father Christmas will bring me that!’
Luckily for me, most of
the year the Kids have been sleeping really well, and that has meant I have
spent some time dong freelance work for a couple of internet based companies,
I have had features published on the Internet relating to the New Forest,
Hampshire, and activities for children, which I feel really pleased with, and
I have designed the odd web site, which I have also enjoyed.
As a family we have continued to childmind as well, and were pleased to welcome Tara back in September. She is five now, and has been with the family for over 4 years on and off. Jacob is thrilled as it is someone older and more sensible to play with, and Philip and Rebecca like playing with her too.
Matt
has been busy at work, with various projects, and has continued being head
chef. He has done much smaller projects at home this year; partly due to the
regular camping trips we have been enjoying, and partly because it becomes
extremely tricky to do anything with three little helpers. He has however
spent loads of time with the children, changed a great many nappies, and been
brilliant, which has enabled me to work a bit too.
We haven’t perhaps had the opportunity to catch up with everyone in the last year, but we hope to work our way to everyone eventually, the best way we feel to communicate now is the Internet, and I’m sorry to say that unless you have an email address, that we know about, communication is kind of limited. Even Jacob now understands he can draw a picture, mummy can put it on the computer and he can email it to one of his friends – the age of modern technology.
We are in the process of
trying to set up an additional family site, where Jacob, Philip and Rebecca
can participate in online chat, (as they get older) or leave messages for
their friends. If you want to join our online community, where you can take
part in live chat, add images or more, then please visit
http://communities.msn.co.uk/TheRenoufFamily/homepage, or if you feel
you want to catch up with us mid year then visit the family web site – www.renouf.co.uk.
We are sure the next year will be as busy as this, but our plans are to greet this, the 22nd Century with modern technology, so the children are prepared for there futures as much as possible, and we aim as a family to help them strive in this area as much as we can. Meanwhile we would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy Christmas, an enjoyable, active, and prosperous New Year.
Lots
of love
Helen, Matt, Jacob, Philip and Rebecca
xxxxx