Santa's gone back to the North Pole to rest, my room is full of new presents and we're going to beaches for swims in the sea. That means it's summer time, and almost the end of the year. Way back 12 months ago, I had just finished my first six months of school and was looking forward to the year ahead. But now that it's nearly over, what were some of the cool things I've done this year?
In March we had our big Australia holiday (or as I like to think of it, Ollie-day) with Grandma and Grandad. We visited an old gold mining town, a wildlife sanctuary and other cool places around Melbourne.
I also completed my first full year of primary school. By the end of year two I could read all by myself - whole books, only needing help with a few of the longer words. Now I sit in bed with William in the mornings reading his books to him.
During year two I even went to my first school disco and a school movie night, both with my friend Talia. When the last day of school came I was very sad to not see her for a couple of months.
I'm also an arm circles expert now! After a couple of years taking swimming lessons, I'm now able to swim really well. I can do the forward arm circles easily, and am getting pretty good at backstroke too - except when I try to move my arms the wrong way and end up sort of swimming backwards!
For a while through the year it seemed like we'd have somewhere new to live. First we were buying a bach up in Wapiu, then we weren't. Then we were buying a bach up in Mangawhai Heads, then we weren't. Then we were buying a new house with more space for everyone... might still happen, but not this year.
As you can see, I've achieved a lot this year. Certainly more than Dad, whose main achievement was spending far too much money on a pile of comics which have been annoying Mum by being piled up in their bedroom all year. What's next? We'll just have to turn the page to 2020 to find out...
