the siblings project {january}

Oh these babies of mine, where do I even start? I honestly cannot think of a single thing that makes me prouder than seeing the three of them together. I wonder if it ever gets old, if I'll get to a point one day where I won't feel like I have to pinch myself that they are mine. This little brood of mine just makes my heart so happy. 

And after the excitement of December, January has brought quiet; peaceful days at home, simple walks, new toys. It has been lovely. I didn't want the school holidays to end, and neither did they. Now don't get me wrong, I'm always a school holiday fan, but part of me always get twitchy to get back in routine as they draw to a close. But not this time. Our Christmas break was so slow paced, so full of honest, simple, not exciting, but totally perfect, family time. The children completely loved it just being together, and there were so many beautiful moments. Nothing monumental, just the kind of moments that make up family life, but when you stand back and really take them in, it makes you so proud. 

Dylan taking time to painstakingly teach Ashlyn to use her stacking rings. 

Everly offering, unprompted to share her Christmas chocolates with her big bro.

Ashlyn making a beeline for the older two whenever they are doing something together.

Both Dylan and Everly requesting sleepover after sleepover.

And then the sight of their limbs all tangled up together in slumber.

Everly constantly requesting that she wear the same clothes as her little sis.

Quinny coming over, stroking them, and saying "ahhhhh" whenever either of the older two are upset.

...It's in those simple, ordinary interaction that I feel like their relationships blossom, and I love watching that. Because month on month it feels like I say that they are closer, and yet some how the next month they seem closer still. 

I'm totally bombarding you with photos this month, not because they are particularly perfect or note-worthy in their setting or composure. But simply because I love them. We took them to the park and I just stepped back and captured what was happening, nothing posed and no practised smiles; just the three of them in their natural element. And I really like the results. The perfectionist in me can get so hung up on capturing some kind of perfect snap; all looking, all smiling. But I actually feel like these photos are happier somehow. And this is how I will remember my children at this stage... some one is always looking a different way to everyone else, someone is always talking or laughing or making a noise, someone is always poised to make a break for it. Thats our lives, and I wouldn't change it for the world.

I am beyond excited to be kicking off another year of The Siblings Project. I love taking a little time out of each month to really focus on these three "as a set" and the photos I have from over the past few years are some of my absolute favourites. So here I am, starting year FOUR of monthly photos. And I'm just as excited as the very first post on the very first year. 

This year, I'm yet again joined by some lovely cohosts that you should absolutely go and check out. There is Katie with her two girls and her baby boy; she takes the loveliest photos of her trio, often on some lovely far flung adventures; plus she's my bestie so you should check her out for that reason alone. There is Keri-Anne who takes the most stunning, dreaming and classic images of her two girls, every month it's like a little work of art. There is Carie, another one with two girls and a boy, who not only captures such beautiful photos of her little sibling set, but who also manages to find just the perfect words to sum up siblings through the eyes of a mother. There's Amber who has not one, but two sets of twins; a boy set, and a girl set; and who manages to captures all four of her really-very-little-ones with the most gorgeous imagery. And this year I've also asked two more lovely mamas onto the team; so we have Donna with her daughter and son, she always manages to get such a great variety of photos of her close little pair "in action" and I always love seeing what they've been up to. And finally we have Natalie who's mummy to four; two big sisters, a brother and their baby sister; she always captures the four of them so beautifully, and I love watching them all grow from month to month. 

And of course, there's you, because The Siblings Project is for anyone who wants to commit to photographing and sharing a sibling moment each month. And I do so love seeing all your photographs and stories linked up each time. Make sure you use #siblingsproject when you're sharing your photos on Instagram, and follow @siblings_project_ if you'd like to be featured.

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