Brisbane, QLD


Saturday, April 9, 2022

OUR GRANDSONS ARE GROWING UP WITHOUT US

Our grandsons Fox and Banjo live in Melbourne, Victoria. We haven't seen them for a long time. During the worst of the Covid pandemic our state borders were closed and travel restricted. So we kept in touch with video chats. Their mum, Sonya, sends us lots of photos of the boys so we can see them growing up.

They spent a lot of time in lockdown and homeschooling but now they are free to spend time at their family's beach house and going boating and fishing. Their parents have bought a new house and they have been busy renovating it and that happened over the end of year school holidays so they were too busy to visit us then. Now they have started a new school and have just finished their first term there. It was their first term at school full time since the 2020/21 lockdowns. 

The good news they are coming to visit us in June for my 80th birthday. Carol and David are coming too and we hope to spend a week on the Gold Coast together.

Banjo caught a shark

Sonya and Bernie

First day at a new school. Banjo is 9 and Fox is 11.

Banjo loves art lessons. He drew this flying fox. 

Fox like his father enjoys acting. He has already appeared in a few movies. Here he is filming a new series. (the one on the left))

Sonya loves her dog "Chief". He is good at helping her destress after work and when the boys have been difficult. Both boys have ADHD and Fox also has high functioning autism. Parenting is very hard.

Chief is good for keeping Fox calm.

Banjo loves him too.

Fox finds it very hard to go to sleep so Chief helps him but Chief also needs his ball with him.

During lockdown in their old house, Chief joined in with home schooling.

20 comments:

  1. What great news that you will have the whole family with you for your significant birthday. How quickly the boys have grown. You should hang around long enough to see them reach 21.

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  2. It will be a grand reunion when the grandsons come to visit! We feel fortunate that by moving to NH we have become part of the lives of our two oldest granddaughters. Wish the other two lived closer but maybe one day that will happen too.

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  3. I sat and careful looked at each of these photos. it is amazing to me to see Fox and Banjo so grown up. I had no idea they were 9 and 11 and how much they have grown. Bob's son is autistic, he is 62 and lives in a home. your family if just beautiful and they all look happy and healthy. you know I love Chief

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  4. You must be excited to finally have a full family get together to celebrate your birthday. It has been a very strange couple of years but finally we seem to be out of it now and able to travel freely.

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  5. I'm so glad you will finally get to be together again. It will be such a precious time with these adorable boys.
    Great photos of their very busy and sometimes difficult lives.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Sue

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  6. They have grown so much, I wouldn't like it if I didn't see my grandchildren very often. Tim said yesterday he misses seeing Leo as we haven't seen him since last Wednesday.......such a long time NOT

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  7. It was nice to read this update and see photos of your grandsons and their parents, Diane. But even better to read that you will all be together to celebrate your birthday in a few months!

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  8. The boys are growing up so fast! Video chats are nice, but they can't match being in the same room with someone. I'm glad you'll be able to be with the boys and your entire family in June.

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  9. your grandons are so handsome. Love from Poland

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  10. I feel the same way, having missed over two years of my grandsons’ lives. And they do grow up so much so quickly. Yours look very busy and talented. What a wonderful birthday present for you to look forward to seeing them in June.

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  11. It must make you really happy to know that they will be visiting again and especially to celebrate a big birthday. A great set of photos. Keep safe and I hope all goes as planned. Cheers t'other Diane

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  12. Something exciting to look forward to - a visit from the family to celebrate a great milestone!
    Your grandkids are very talented, love the flying fox that Banjo drew. Chief is very cute too :)

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  13. Something to look forward to, at least. I think we all feel we've 'lost' a chunk of our grandchildren's lives.

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  14. That's great to hear they will be spending your birthday with you Diane. Loved all these super photos and so very nice to catch up on the family news.

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  15. Thank you for sharing these lovely photographs.
    Good to read that you will have the family with you for your birthday celebrations later this year.

    All the best Jan

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  16. I know it is hard to be separated from your grandboys, Diane. Even though my grandchildren live close Covid kept is separated on and off and we feel like we missed out on a lot of their growing years and events. I'm so glad that you will see them and your daughter and son-in-law soon! Fox and Banjo are very handsome boys!

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  17. hi Diane. you must miss your family very much. they are the most beautiful boys and the photos are lovely. Chief is a hero and home schooling as well. clever boy. :)

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  18. Your Grandsons are growing up quickly, handsome boys. I like the cute dog Chief.
    It will be nice to have them for a visit on your birthday! Great photos.
    Have a happy new week!

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  19. I'm so happy you will get to celebrate with the grandboys (and their parents of course;>) ) on your Birthday. Parenting is hard, but your daughter can do it. She learned how to be a grown-up from the best.

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  20. I love my grandchildren's company and fortunately four of them live only 3 streets away in Melbourne. We had an excellent Mother's Day lunch today in an outside restaurant - grey skies but lots of flowers.
    Hels

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