FEATURE STORY
pakmag
PHOTO Spruik Photography
HOW DO YOU PLAN TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR? This year is the first year we will all be split up. I am taking Danielle and the two eldest kids to Japan to try their hand for the first time at skiing and the experience of a foreign culture. The two eldest kids are getting older and before we know it they will be leaving home. So we decided that it would be a good idea to spend some quality time with Athina and Dylan without the little ones on holiday because of the age gap and our desire to have some quality one on one time, which is hard with such a big family.
Anthony Mirotsos is the Managing Director, Principal Lawyer and Attorney at Omega Lawyers. He told PakMag about some of the challenges facing blended families and how they will be spending this Christmas. TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR FAMILY: Anthony and Danielle Mirotsos - our children are Dylan (16), Athina (14), Christian (11), Alexander and Nicholas (both 8), Portia (5) and Chloe – the one year old Cavoodle! My kids are Athina, Alexander and Portia and Danielle’s are Dylan, Christian and Nicholas, all from previous marriages. We are a six child blended family! But at least it is three children each to balance out the stresses.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAMILY TRADITIONS? At Christmas we are the typical blended family so every year we either have all the kids at Christmas or none. Family is very important to us so having grandparents present and any other family is something we try hard to include. Christmas is something we cherish. In the years we have all the children we try to make plans to take them away on a special family holiday no matter how humble or extravagant. It could be camping, a road trip or a flight to somewhere new; we work hard to give our kids a quality and diverse lifestyle where they get the chance to experience different things. WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT CHRISTMAS? Both Danielle and I love the look of the faces of the kids when they get to open their presents. Personally I get the role of playing Santa including the outfit and beard, which is something that embarrasses the kids I am sure but gives them a good reason to laugh and play up. For some reason as the years go by the need to pad out Santa’s suit for his belly is becoming less and less! WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS? A sleep in…….and maybe breakfast in bed.
HOW DO YOU PLAN TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR? We are going to open our gates & invite thousands of lovely people to come and enjoy our Christmas lights. 2014 will be the sixth year we have done so. We always loved driving around as a family looking at people’s homes at Christmas and now it’s our turn to share the joy. WHAT ARE YOUR FAMILY TRADITIONS? Our Christmas light bonanza has become our family tradition. We decorate our house and the yard with lots of lights, a nativity scene, deer, Santa and even a brass band. Our children love sharing their house and making everyone happy. They love to get out there and enjoy the atmosphere and the Spirit of Christmas.
Redlynch’s Swain family love nothing more than to share the Christmas spirit with the people of Cairns each December. Along with their six children, Dad Jody and Mum Tammy decorate their home each year and open it to the public and it also is party central for the Christmas PakClub on December 21. TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR FAMILY: We have six children Dakota (9), Makenzie (7), Phoenix (6), Indiana (3) and twins Chayse and Memphys (2).
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT CHRISTMAS? Christmas morning. To have six little people sitting excitedly on the floor taking turns at opening their presents and hearing the squeals of excitement. IS THERE SOMETHING YOU FIND CHALLENGING ABOUT CHRISTMAS? The sheer amount of work that goes into getting our Christmas display up and running along - not just the initial set up but every evening. Combine that with the daily busy life of having six kids - it puts a whole new spin on “the silly season.” WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS? Lots of laughter and good times… maybe some diamonds too haha!
www.pakmag.com.au DECEMBER 2014
9