Ethan’s School Journey
I remember taking Ethan to his very first day of Grade 00 at CBC Boksburg – “Big School”- thinking that this was the first of endless days to come. 14 years seemed like the LONGEST time. It felt like school was going to last forever! And yet here we are, at the end of those 14 years and they have flown by! I feel like I blinked and missed them!
Daunting Task
I have been trying to write this post for 6 months. It was initially going to be an 18th birthday post. But I have SO many pictures and so many memories of the past 18 years with this special child of ours that it’s just felt like such a daunting task. So I’ve changed it to his ‘last-weeks-of-school’ post.
It felt like the perfect time, as he embarks on his final exams and says farewell to his school career, to share with you pictures from his last 14 years. I loved watching him play sports and thrive at it. Excel in the classroom. Thrive amongst his peers. Take a leadership role in kids church. So many, many happy memories. I have to stop myself from getting all emotional and rambling on and on about all his achievements. But as a post dedicated to Ethan, it would be remiss of me not to mention a few of his highlights.
Exciting Ride
This boy – now a young man – that made me a mom, has taken us on a wild ride over the years. He’s pushed the boundaries, driven us crazy and had us bursting with pride. He’s been a stellar student…then a very lazy student…then back to being a stellar student.
He never failed to reach the goals he set for himself in the classroom, receiving his academic scroll every year of his prep school career and finishing prep school with an academic and sports scholarship for high school (neither of which we accepted as he had his heart set on attending boarding school at King Edward VII School).
On the sports field he loved anything that had a ball and a team. Playing provincial (or State) level hockey and cricket and representing South Africa in the Invitational team at the Indoor Cricket World Series in 2012. Taking up rowing and being awarded the most improved oarsman in his first season. Playing basketball and scoring goals for the team in every match. He embraced our move to Australia with such enthusiasm and has taken to our new home like a duck to water.
Starting over in Aus
He got a part time job, bought himself his first car, got back into studying hard for his trials (scoring the highest marks on the maths paper and a perfect score for his English creative writing essay!!) …And I was fortunate enough to be there for all of it. There’s never been a dull moment and I am so very blessed to have him call me mom. I hope you enjoy looking through a few of his highlights. In and out of school.
His life chronicled in pictures. Not all of them great, but memories all the same. Because of a robbery at our house just before we left for Australia I have lost a lot of my originals and some of these are from my Facebook albums – so not the best quality. But I needed to include them because they were some of my very favourite memories of those special times.
So Proud
Ethan – you make us so proud angel. We know that you have so many amazing opportunities just waiting for you to grab them. You’ve studied hard and are ready for the upcoming HSC. The world is your oyster and the journey has only just begun!!
All my love always,
Mom!!!
xxx
35 Comments on Ethan’s School Journey | 14 years later | Sydney Lifestyle Photographer
Ahh my friend, what a great post and an amazing journey! Congrats to Ethan on turning 18!
Stunning, stunning memories! xxx
Thanks so much my friend!! It’s been an amazing journey so far!!
What a lovely post, I really enjoyed reading it and looking at all the wonderful memories that you have captured of Ethan π Well done Mands!
Thanks so much Tahra!!! I had such a wonderful time going through these pics. he was sooo little. :p
How awesome. Gorgeous pics and a great share from a moms heart
Good luck and God bless
Thanks so much Charmaine!!!
We are extremely proud of Ethan and are privileged to call him ‘grandson’ – Ethan, may your years going forward be as rich and satisfying as the years gone by and we wish you nothing but absolute good luck for the future. Luv ya young’un!!!
Thanks so much Pops!!! And he loves calling you Gramps…. :p
Itβs been a wonderful journey. Every step of the way an adventure, filled with fun and laughter. Iβm so proud of the young man youβve grown up to be. May your years be forever blessed. Looking forward to the next great adventure… lots of love … Lil Pensh. π₯°π₯°ππ
Aaaaaah, he can’t wait to see you in the new year lil’ Pensh. xxx π
Wow what wonderful memories with great photos. Wishing Ethan all good things for his true independent adult life.
Thanks so much Ats. They’ve been good years. Loads and loads of memories. π
Love this Janey!! An awesome tribute to a very special young man. Brings back sooooo many happy memories looking through these – we were truly blessed with beautiful boys.
Eth – you have made your aunty very proud! I know youβll be successful in anything you put your mind to. You have a gift in creatively putting your mind on paper too – donβt neglect that!! Love you β€οΈ
Thanks so much my sis. We are so very blessed to have such amazing boys!! We’ve had amazing memories over the years and I can’t wait to make new ones in all the exciting places we’re going to visit together. π
Such a awesome blog Mands! Ethan is blessed to have such an amazing mom and equally you are blessed to have such a talented young man as your son. Wishing Eth a successful and happy young adulthood!! Miss you guys heaps! β€οΈβ€οΈ
Aaaaah. Thank you so much Quey!! We love and miss you guys soooo much!!!!
Phew what a beautiful post with the pics Mands. Of course with all of that said you have all the right to be so very very proud of him my friend. He is a great young man. Wishing him Gods richest blessing and favour on his new journey through life. π
Thank you so much my friend!!! The years have flown by so fast, it was so awesome to be have these images to look back on. π
Such a lovely story my friend and beautifully written . Ethan is truly an amazing young man and he is blessed to call you his Mom. π₯°
Thank you so much hunny!!! You’ve been a part of so much of his journey!!! π
What a beautiful post and what amazing photos. Hard to believe our boys are adults now. The rowing photos definitely brought back wonderful memories of our days spent at Roodeplaat together aans how small thw boys looked only a few years ago. I miss those days. Good luck to Ethan in his finals and much love to you and the family.
Leanne.
Thanks so much Leanne!! Ah I miss those rowing days. I can’t believe how quickly our boys turned into men! Thanks so much for the good wishes and all the very best to Deaglan for his finals too!! We miss our KES family! Sending so much love to you all. xxx
Wow my friend what a beautiful tribute to Ethan! Beautifully written and beautiful photos. From a cute, adorable little boy into a very handsome young man. You and Brett have every reason to be Proud parents of this young gentleman. β€. Miss youβ€
Thank you so much my friend!!! We have so many memories of our boys together – they had such an amazing childhood!! Miss you everyday hunny!!!
Ok I may or may not be crying a little right now. π Love how you documented his childhood – so many wonderful memories! You have such a handsome and talented son!!
Thank you so much Sarah – he’s such a blessing :). I know you understand my mom heart on this one!!
What a great idea!! This is so awesome!!
Such a sweet post! Congrats Ethan! Heβs grown into such a handsome young man. Great posts, Momma! π
Thanks so much Alisha!!!
Hi Mandy
Thank you for sharing Ethans story from a mums heart. Your post was special and you captured the essence off this unique special,fearfully and wonderful made Boy called Ethan.
Wishing Ethan the very best as his story moves to a new chapter, new begginings, adventure and new career choice. May Gods hand of favour be on him always, pray God continues to cover him with precious blood
Thank you so much Rhoda!! Such a special blessing from you my friend!!
Such a beautiful blog! Love this β€οΈ
Thank you Kelly!! π
As a mother of a high schooler myself, this post gives me chills. How fast their childhood goes! I commend you for putting all these lovely storytelling photos together in this post. What a treasure! And, congratulations!
Thank you so much Kelly!!! It was such a labour of love, I’ve really loved all the activity and friendships that have been formed over all these years. It was awesome reminiscing, but also heartsore knowing it was coming to an end.