Exactly what has pippa been up to since returning from Paris?
Well, Pippa, James and Patrick have all settled back into their routines of life, school and sport. I wanted to leave Pippa’s beautiful blog post up before I posted anything else because it truly is gorgeous. She loved writing it, taking the photos, going through all her purchases and reflecting on everything we did. She really did enjoy every single day – in her words at school assembly when asked what she enjoyed the most, she said, “Well everyday we saw or did something different that was really good and every place was special”. Once again thank you to those who helped get us to Paris so quickly and also of course to the friends and communities who rallied around us last year working very hard with exactly that purpose in mind. I am eternally grateful to have been able to create this special memory for my family.
Pippa has now been back at school and aside from her breathing still being laboured we are really lucky that essentially for the time being on the outside she is not so different from any other ten year old. In fact, she has started back at tennis, dancing and drumming. At the moment we’re waiting for singing as at the end of the day her breathlessness limits how much she can speak and therefore sing. Pippa represented her school at regional basketball and although they didn’t make it through to the next round she rocked the defence and had a lot of fun being part of a team. Getting fouled when you’re ten is pretty cool actually 🙂 The school swimming program has started but that proved tricky as her breathing means she takes in water which makes her feel sick. Thus, in keeping with the “Everything Fun” theme she now plays happily in another pool capably swimming and duck diving at her own pace.
Fun times have also been spent with cousins – birthdays, lunches, dinners, catch ups, plays and even a harvest picnic dinner with the world’s greatest Grandfather, Tony – just don’t ever call him a Grandfather! We arrived home from Paris to information about a Rea Reunion at Christmas time so hopefully that will come around soon enough and more fun can be spent with many more cousins.
We spent last weekend in Queenscliff with cousins and lots of fun was had doing everything from crafts, to playing cricket, riding buggies, swimming, bashing a piñata, eating (of course) and going to the market. Lucky or unlucky for the piñata the good old cricket bat came in extra handy.
After Queenscliff we needed to be in Melbourne for Patrick to run in the state athletics so took the opportunity to catch up with more cousins…….So much fun and laughter and Pippa was even taken to kinder to “share”. Darcy & Alexander were full of cuddles for her and continually announced (and even sang) that they were going to keep Pippa for ever and ever! Apparently she’s going to live with them and never ever going to leave. Just ask them! So cute!
I agree with the boys. I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t want to keep her. I think keeping Pippa forever and ever is a perfect plan.
Not letting her go….ever
Pippa Rea 