Folks We Love with Daniella and Crystal from Summer + Storm
Who’s in your family? Ages? Names?
Daniella- Kannon (partner), Rio 9, Storm 2
Crystal- Justin
Jayden 15, Joe 13, Kyan 11, Summer 2
How did you choose your kids names?
Daniella– Kannon chose both of the boys names, I just gave him the green light.
Crystal– Not overly easy, but we eventually got to come to an agreement.
Location?
Daniella– For now Sydney, but we move around often. Rio grew up in New York and Storm has already been to around 8 countries.
Crystal– Byron Shire
Occupation?
Daniella – Photographer/ co owner of SUMMER + STORM
Crystal – Hairdresser, co owner of Summer + Storm
What’s on your manifest board?
Daniella – A house with land. That is my focus at the moment. I guess that means that i’m content with everything else in my life.
Crystal – I have been really fortunate the last couple of years to tick quiet a few things of my list of manifestations. Right at this moment I am visualising optimum health and fitness, and creating a loving positive family space. Having such a big family can be quiet hectic at times. Remembering to laugh and relax and be in that moment can take practice.
Tell us some of your most loved ways to spend the day with your clan?
Daniella– We love to travel so I absolutely love when I’m not cleaning and cooking and we just hang out at the beach all day and eat good food.
Crystal– The best things in life are free, we are always having the most fun at beaches, creeks and skate parks.
What are some silly/fun things that the kids do or say?
Daniella – I love it when they are still little and mispronounce words, Rio would say heart beep and Storm calls himself dorm.
Crystal – My boys are big fans of Jim Carey, I can laugh my head of to their reenactments of his characters.
When you were a teenager what did you dream of? Do things look different?
Daniella – I don’t really ever remember being overly driven as a teen, my drive to be successful kicked in when I was around 25. I know I didn’t plan having a family so young but I love having a young family and this defiantly gives me more drive.
Crystal– I think about this often. I always from a young age wanted to be a Mum. Have always been maternal and love love love having a big family.
What are some things you really believe in?
Daniella – the power of thought, learning to love yourself as doesn’t matter how many people love you you will never be happy unless you find it all with in. I’m still on this journey.
Crystal – Everyone has a story, I never judge and if I do the universe is quick to show me compassion. Always show love and be open to the variety of lifestyles in which we all have the pleasure to choose how we individually want to live it.
Where do your passions lie?
Daniella – building a business! I really do love this and it’s really an amazing experience.
Crystal – My family, my business and music. I love music.
Has your relationship with your other half changed since having kids?
Daniella– we had kids so early on that I don’t remember life before Rio. We spent the only year we have ever had along traveling the globe.
Crystal– Definitely, there is nothing more beautiful and bonding in the world then bringing a little life into the world. We laugh ,we cry ,we rejoice together over our children. We talk about the ever so wrinkly doting grandparents we will eventually be.
What are some of your favorite life lessons you’ve grown to love? (even if learning them at the time was hard)
Daniella – back to the loving myself, I always was looking for it externally but that is never going to be enough. Happiness is in our own hands.
Crystal– what you give out you receive. Don’t take negative people personal, smile and let them be them it’s not your stuff.
What do you wish you could’ve told yourself when you were a teenager?
Daniella– So much! But i probably wouldn’t of listened! Maybe that to have success you need is to A) love what you do and B) you need to work towards it, things don’t just come to you without you working for them unless it’s with a lesson.
Crystal– Everything is going to be ok ! It really is. Even the times when you feel you have hit the ground, it is all to teach you that you can get back up and you are in charge of where you want to go next.
What do you find most challenging about being somebody’s parent?
Daniella – when they start wanting to be independent and make adult decisions when they are 9 and they think you are a monster when you say no! Not sleeping and tantrums I can deal with.
Crystal – The more you have the more you realise there is not just one parenting style for all. They are unique and need their needs met in all different ways. Making the best choices you can whilst you are still making mistakes and forever growing yourself.
What do you want your kids to learn about the world?
Daniella– How lucky and blessed we are to have this life and be able to live it with so many blessing. Not everyone is born into this world with so much opportunity.
Crystal– I want them to learn and travel and experience as many different cultures as they can before they decide to settle.
What are 4 things you can’t live without as a parent?
Daniella – Alone time, one on one time with each sibling, time alone with Kannon and support from loved ones.
Crystal– yes time for just you and your partner is gold and a must !