The Renouf Family Newsletter for 2001

Dear Friends and family,

Welcome to our third edition of the Renouf Family newsletter, first of all I should probably take this opportunity to thank those of you who have read the last two and for your positive feedback, and say that again we would like to share some of the highlights of the last year with you.

Somehow the year has just whizzed by, we celebrated Philip and Rebecca’s second birthday back in May, and have now accomplished potty training – so no more nappies (daytime) which was last years aim, and now we are bracing ourselves for Jacob’s fourth birthday, and can’t believe that he will be starting school in the coming year.

We have visited numerous attractions from the Alice in Wonderland theme park near Bournemouth, Cadburys Chocolate Factory in Birmingham, several farms, Longleat Safari Park, the new Aquarium in Bournemouth to the odd historic house. The children have had a wonderful time exploring and learning from the environment and as the year’s progressed it has become so much easier as we have left the pushchair behind.

We even managed to get in the odd camping trip to the forest despite the Foot and mouth restrictions earlier this year. Our furthest daytrip this year was to France, Jacob studied a French audio tape and was able to say ‘Merci’ and ‘Mecredi’ to anyone who spoke to him, and was thrilled that he saw a shark as we travelled through the Channel Tunnel (he had imagined it would be like an aquarium). We then discovered the joys of French food, and brought some biscuits back for Pre-school.

Jacob recommends the chocolate factory you get to make your own chocolate,
Philip says park your car in the train as France was exciting,
and Rebecca enjoyed camping with the caravan

This year has been a challenging one, with both Philip and Rebecca having to go to hospital within the same week. Rebecca was diagnosed as suffering from a moderate hearing loss, which caused some concern and her speech was delayed, she then had one grommet inserted and a on going ear infection treated, and is now catching up, and Philip not to miss out broke his big toe a week later.

If there wasn’t enough we had to sadly say farewell to Badger this year, he has gone for an extended holiday in Cornwall – Granny and Grandpa’s new home. As he had bad arthritis, had to loose weight (and impossible task) and needed more rest. He is having a wonderful time, playing with their dogs, sheep, geese and other animals. We also sadly lost the budgies this year, but have taken on Bill and Ben, a guinea pig and a rabbit to share our busy lives.

The biggest change this year took place in June, when Matt decided to give up catering. This was a hard family decision to make, but with Matt working longer and longer hours, the lack of weekends off and all the children attending school soon, we wanted eventually to have weekends off and holidays during the school holidays. The perfect opportunity came along and Matt began work for himself two days a week, and worked for a local builder three days a week building a new house, before working full time for himself in September.

All the work Matt has put into our home in the last few years has paid off and he is now painting, decorating, building and maintaining other people’s homes and gardens. He is building up his own successful business, working the hours he choices and enabling us to spend more family time together. It was a really hard and tough decision to make, but I would urge all those thinking about it, to go for it (though perhaps not on our doorstep!).

The building work hasn’t stopped at work at home with the children’s help, we have been making, painting, cooking and creating a huge variety of things, including own our lollipop stop signs.

The coming year is sure to be busy, with Matt building up his business, the twins starting Pre-school in February (Jacob will still be there), but hopefully we will find time to visit, but if we don’t please remember you are always welcome here, and I can hardly wait to share it with you

But for now we would like to take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy, relaxing and prosperous New Year and hope that you have enjoyed sharing some of our highlights.

Lots of Love

Helen, Matt, Jacob, Philip and Rebecca

(c) The Renouf Family 2001