We heart the Blue Mountains

Noo and I have been back from our 12 day holiday at my parent's house in Sydney's Blue Mountains for a couple of days now. We had a lovely time up there in the bush and because of that the time went by very quickly.

Living in the city has definitely got its perks: Sydney Harbour, easy access to our favourite playgrounds, museums, libraries, cafes, shops and friends to name a few. I love that I'm able to raise my son right here at the historical heart of Sydney. Right where our ancestors came ashore off a tall ship in the First Fleet and walked around this land over 220 years ago.

But I am also grateful that we get to 'go bush' and hang out with my parents in a setting that is completely different from our urban home. Where we get to see stars at night, watch lizards play under our feet on the deck, breathe clean Mountain air. I love it when we go to the Mountains we don't have to leave the house every single day. We stay in our jammies until lunchtime, go to bed when we want to and wake up when we feel like it.

From top left: Noo and me in the back seat driving to Lithgow, Santa left pressies for Noo in the Mountains, fun in the sun, the view over Katoomba from the new Arts Centre, some bush of some kind (I'm not into gardening!), Noo tearing at presents, Noo Cat and his cat family, Noo's new haircut, Christmas pudding on the deck, tree change

If you hadn't noticed, I spent a lot of time writing while we were away. I wrote my retrospective of the year that was 2012 in two posts you can find here and here. And I almost completed the story of how I came to meet Noo's father and why he isn't in our life now. All five parts can now be found on this page here.

Noo painted and played and scooted and had a lovely time with his family. He is so amazing at entertaining himself. He never complains that he is bored and when he is doing something he loves he can focus for hours without being distracted.

From top left to right: Me waking up with very bouffy hair, first skim pic of the year, New Year's pavlova, Buddha and the snake scarer, Noo with his Nanna painting, a Blue Mountains sunset, my massive lasagne, another tree photo, Spider-Man at work, me on the deck

We had a couple of trips into Lithgow and a couple to Katoomba to pick up supplies and get out of the house. Other than that we were home actually relaxing. You know, like you should on a holiday.

In the past I didn't really look forward to the two week summer break from daycare because it meant I didn't get time off to do anything for myself. But this year was so different. As Noo gets older and his independence and his personality grow he becomes even more of a pleasure to be around. And we don't have to be around each other all the time. He is happy playing in his own world with his superheroes, or out in the garden with his Nanna digging out weeds, or following his Grandpa around with his wheelbarrow.

From top left: Asian style BBQ prawn salad, me, Lizzy the lizard, Batman, Noo, Noo and me, Noo, me and my new hat, some lovely yellow Marigolds and my foot

From top left: Noo playing ball, Nanna and her BBQ pizza, Noo splashing in his Aussie pool, superhero games, Batman pushes the wheelbarrow around, Noo the scooter champion

Tomorrow Noo goes back to preschool while I have time to myself to prepare for the year ahead. Twenty thirteen is going to be a big one. I have some resolutions I will share later in the week. Noo and I are both really excited.

As Noo says:

"Let's do this thing!"

Have you got 2013 started yet? Or are you still in holiday mode?


V.