Good morning Kirsten

You’re four today: happy birthday!

3 v. 4

In accordance with tradition, this was you on your third birthday:

And this was you a few days ago…

Updates from the year?

There has been a lot of change for you this year. Perhaps the most significant change that’s Kirsten-specific is that you have started a new Nursery / School / Pre-School / Kindergarten (we’re still not sure what to call it).

We and you were very happy with your original nursery. However, after careful thought, we decided that sending you to TGA for ‘proper’ school was the right move. Having decided that, it made sense for you to start Pre-School there, so you’d be geared up for starting P1. You seem to be enjoying Pre-School, albeit there has been a bit of a settling in period and you haven’t always been brilliant about eating (which isn’t like you). You’ve been learning French, going to PE lessons and spending time as an Outdoor Adventurer. So far, so good.

We haven’t been on many holidays this year, primarily because there’s been plenty happening at home. However, we did manage two trips: to Center Parcs (in November) and to Spain (in May) for Aunty Jenny’s wedding:

We also haven’t been away because we’re saving for a new house. We move a week today! Although it will mean a fairly tight budget for a while, we’re hoping that it will make a big and positive difference for you: you’ll have a bigger bedroom; there’ll be a play room; we’ll have a big garden (possibly with a trampoline… jury’s out on that); and it’ll be a two-minute walk to school.

There’s been some trepidation on your part about the move e.g., because you’re concerned that something will be left behind. We’ve spent quite a lot of time running through everything that’s coming: you, the cats, your toys, etc. etc. I think we’ve just about got you comfortable with it.

Family

Cooper’s arrival in October was of course also a major change. However, took that in your stride, including by using it as leverage to rinse us for presents and chocolate. I had three months off work and that hopefully made the transition a bit easier. We built a lot of Lego together to pass the time.

You have been brilliant with Cooper and he adores you (see my prediction from last year…). You’re gentle and patient with him, and you seem to genuinely enjoy playing with him.

Family time has definitely been the focus this year, especially with the rest of Team Anderson. You usually see Gran and Pappi on Wednesday afternoons (I’m still not sure I’m spelling your name for Dave-Dawg correctly); we see Uncle Mark on Saturday mornings; and we often see Gran, Pappi and Uncle Mark together on Sundays. Any time with them is always a highlight for you.

Mum and I also spend one-on-one time with you on Saturday or Sunday, while Cooper has a nap. If I hang out with you on Saturday, Mum hangs out with you on Sunday, or vice versa. I really enjoy that time. It’s great when the four of us are together, of course, but you and I tend to go into town by train, go to a cafe and/or swing by the Lego shop – it’s great.

A major family-related event was also our trip to Spain. Uncle Mark flew us there and introduced himself to the whole plane as “Captain Mark Anderson – although some of you know me as Uncle Mark“. You also got to sit in Uncle Mark’s seat (after landing). It was very cool.

Wading in the water, trying not to crack, under the pressure

A song that’s been playing more-or-less non-stop this year is “Under The Pressure” by The War on Drugs. You’ve heard it so often that, when it starts, you say “Is this Under The Pressshaaah” (you even know how the singer says the title of the song in the final chorus…)

I’ve been particularly enjoying that song because this year has been a challenge. It’s actually been several challenges all at the same time.

We knew this time last year that we would have a newborn in the house. Our attitude to that was: “well we managed ok last time, in the middle of global pandemic – we can handle a second“. But we didn’t know that there would be complications when Cooper arrived, or what they would entail (hopefully they’ll be far behind us by the time either of you reads this); we didn’t know that I would have various work-related things to shoot for and then deal with; and we didn’t know that we’d be moving house. I thought in the past that we were working hard but it’s gone to a new level this year.

“So what, Dad” I hear you ask. Well, the reason we’re putting ourselves “under the presshaaah” is to give you and Cooper the best opportunities we possibly can. Who knows what things will be like when you’re my age but, right now, private school is hard to pay for; so is a decent sized house – I don’t it’s feasible to do those things without kicking the arse out of work, etc.. But we want you and Cooper to have those things, so we’re acting accordingly.

And, by the way, we wouldn’t have it any other way: these are all good problems to have. You’ll see from the video below that being Under The Presshaaah is not a bad thing – woooooow!.

One day you’ll need to think about these things (or at least some of them) for yourself. Perhaps by jotting this stuff down now, before I forget what it’s been like, you’ll be able to look back and use it as part of your own decision making processes… Or you can use it to tell where I’ve gone wrong! We shall see!

In any event, the moments with you and your brother make everything worthwhile. How could they not!?

I have high hopes for 2025, and beyond. Meantime, more of this please:

Until next year, pal.

Love,

Your Dad.