Water babies

I seem to have produced two aquanautic children (aquanaut - underwater swimmers or explorers). Miss A has shown much enthusiasm for swimming since her intensive lessons, so today we were back at the leisure centre early in the morning. Today she insisted she needed goggles. Not wishing to dampen this new found interest, we purchased a pink pair. Then unpacked them and realised we'd bought age 6-14. Well she does have a big head. Spent one hour prancing in the pool adorned in new goggles and armbands, and pleased to borrow some floats from the lifeguard too. There is no stopping her. We did have a lot of 'but Granny did it like this'. So Mummy had to do it like that too.

Miss I meanwhile was out with Daddy at the market and in the M&S cafe beaming at lots of old ladies and eating toasted tea cakes. After a hectic day of eating, swings and sand eating in the park, and polishing off a large quantity of fish cakes and pancakes, Miss I was ready for her aquatic adventure. The bath. I have never seen so much kicking and splashing. She practically shouted at me when I tried to remove her from the bath. Miss A then climbed in and wore her goggles in the bath too.

I like water too, being an Aquarian. But would prefer a hot tub, steam room or heated swimming pool. Or the sea. Actually.

Back home

A whole week away, as a family holiday, enjoying a slower pace of life up on the north Norfolk coast. Favourite activities included the absolutely stunning beaches at Holkham and Brancaster, a trip down memory lane to Norwich (featuring breakfast in Jarrolds - wonderful old fashioned service), playing pooh sticks in the River Nar at the end of our lane, picking mulberries from the orchard behind our cottage, flying the kite (proving that pigs really can fly), visiting friends at the Dower House campsite in Thetford Forest complete with 5 week old baby (theirs, not ours), and stopping in the Old Cannon Brewery in Bury St Edmunds on the way home. My favourite activity? Three lie-ins. Two breakfast in bed. I was playing Mr Large in Charge. Oh, and the fact that Miss I slept through every single night. HURRAH.

Now back at home, and we've been swimming, over to Hundred Acre Wood and are looking forward to catching up with friends and Granny and Grandpa this week.

Highs . . . . .and lows . . . .

(Low - just spending 15 minutes typing in blog words and then accidentally closing it before publishing it. Doh). Here goes again:

Yay . . . 

• to the 700 bus trip to Littlehampton. Despite the fact we had to wait for 40 minutes at the bus stop for an 'every 15 minutes service' (well to be fair it was only 30 minutes until Miss A refused to get on a single decker, holding out for a double decker), I got to sit down for a WHOLE HOUR. Miss I gazed around from her lofty perch, and Miss A gave me a running commentary on road signs, speed limits, and other bus numbers. And the best bit? I got to sit down for a WHOLE HOUR on the way home as well!! And my husband wonders why I didn't take the car. 
• To the man we chatted to on the bus, who was 81, and still liked to go on holiday while he could. He takes the train from Paris all the way to Spain. I want to be like him when I'm 81. 

Nay . . . . . .

• to the Ship Hotel and C&H fabrics, both of whom have their Christmas displays and advertising up already. At least let us enjoy the summer holidays before mentioning the dreaded C word. Shame on you both. Herumph. 
• to my husband, who at 7am was issuing instructions on how to deal with the leaky toilet valve. Well you just need to flush it with the screwdriver and then turn it off at the inlet valve like this. Hmmmm. There are some things in life I don't need to know. We just used the other loo. 

I'm resigned to the fact that . . . . .

• when I go on a bus trip with Miss A, she is adorned in a slightly too large pair of waterproof dungarees, clutching a fairy umbrella and waving a pair of flip flops. I think she has the measure of the English weather. I drew the line at holding the fairy wings however. 

I'm pleased that . . . . 

• My efforts to remove the cradle cap from Miss I's scalp is working, with nightly application of olive oil. Miss A likes applying the oil. Miss I loves the additional morning bath needed. Now I've realised you do actually need to comb out the scalp, it's almost all gone. 
• Our two favourite parks are about to have new cafes opening in their grounds. It will be my duty and pleasure to inspect and report back on the quality of the refreshments offered. I am hopeful that the provision of sustenance in dry surroundings may extend our winter park visits. 

Food miles? More like food metres

Yesterday we visited our friends E, D and E, where we enjoyed freshly made chocolate fairy cakes, and I 'enjoyed' having my face painted by the ever creative Miss A. 'Mummy you make a lovely angel'. I resembled the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz. Fortunately I was allowed to clean my face before we cycled to the canal in the afternoon to feed the ducks, otherwise the ducks might have been scared off. Made it for a run last night, despite the threat of rain. I always sleep well after an evening run. Which was just as well, as while Miss I slept through for over 11 hours (HURRAH) Miss A decided to wake frequently (BOO). Reasons varied, from maybe needing a wee, to being too hot, to her hair bunches needing adjusting . . . . .after the 7th time I lost any enthusiasm. 

Today our friends T, Z and R came over to play. Miss A and Miss Z dressed up as Rapunzel and Cinderella. They attracted a number of glances as we walked to the park, but they were oblivious. Fortunately they agreed to leave their glass (plastic) slippers at home. I think slippers on the swings could have been tricky. 

On the way home the eagle eyed Miss A noticed windfall apples and blackberries. We collected handfuls of both. The apples had their woodlice removed, and were made into an apple crumble. The blackberries were eaten as they were, and consumed with great enthusiasm by Miss I, who looked rather purple afterwards. So less food miles, more food metres as the apples and blackberries came from our road! We also found raspberries and a couple of blueberries in the garden, so we have done well today. 

Neighbour J came over tonight and we planned the autumn programme of activities for Young Transition. Delights include blackberry picking and making crumble, cooking dampers over a campfire, leaf printing and other natural art, and Christmas wreath and decorations. Miss A will be very enthusiastic. 

And I'm very proud as I'm a published columnist! Well, as a one off. In the Chichester Observer on page 99, a half page opinion column (or rant) on the limits of 'pink versus blue'. 

An expedition to Hampshire

Beautiful butterfly display

Today we went on an expedition. We ventured into Hampshire. The first excitement was the train journey - Miss I sat shredding the newspaper, while Miss A carefully cut out pictures she liked. I was interested to see the Royal Mail is issuing stamps with Morris Minors on them, and amused to see a picture of the Chief Executive of Thames Water (quoting his salary while pointing out by how much the water bills were going to increase) wearing a Southern Water fleece (from a previous role)! They didn't try very hard to find a current picture!

On arrival in Portsmouth we met our friends J, J and S, and hopped on a bus to Southsea. Our first stop was Southsea Castle. It was Free. Excellent. Ramparts to run around, sea views,hidden tunnels to venture into, and the most lovely cafe I've been to at an attraction. The Yellow Kite cafe was superb, well priced with great quality food and such a relaxed setting. Then we marched along the sea front to the Canoe Lake where we had our picnic, before trying out the play area. We popped into the new Community Garden which is a great venture, before finishing at the newly refurbished natural history museum. There was a most beautiful butterfly wall (see photo of the ones made by a local school), and the butterflies flying were startlingly big. Our return bus journey and train journey were uneventful.

Miss I needed her bath as she looked suspiciously orange - like an Oompa Loompa after eating all her curry for tea. Having done so much walking today they were both ready for bed. I now have the fun tasks of creating birthday thank you cards, and sewing on school uniform name tapes. Why do these things fall to the mothers? Answers on a postcard please . . . .

Home sweet home

It's busy in Dorset

  We had a very happy week away and were kept amused right up to the    end of our stay. Highlights of the last couple of days included:

  More bus trips taking us to early morning paddles at the beach (Miss A   was heard to enquire how many beaches Granny actually had)

  Repeated visits to the Pebbles Cafe, which surely should win an award     for the cafe with the best view. 

  An athletic experience at the Adidas Outdoor fitness play park - an    Olympic legacy, woefully underused, but a great resource and I'd love to have one locally

A train ride home. Look out for a future blog post on how to manage small children on a long train journey. 

While it's been lovely being away, it's always nice to return home again and find our own rhythm and pace again. Yesterday I had a lie in until 8am. This sounds wonderful, but should be put into context as Miss I was up three times in the night and perky at 5.37am. Miss A was keen to go swimming so we cycled to the leisure centre and paid £12 (!) for Miss I to loll in the splash pool, while Miss A and I ventured into the learner pool and she was very enthusiastic with her arm bands floating around and launching off the side. In the afternoon it was friend Z's birthday party - 31 small children made for a slightly over-whelming experience but Miss A enjoyed the balloons. 

Today the breaking news is that Miss I has finally cut her first tooth. Without much drama it would seem. We were in the kitchen, I was scrubbing potatoes, Miss A was grating cheese, and Miss I was helpfully and surreptitiously emptying the muesli jar all over the worktop. We had friend C to play all afternoon - the two girls had a lovely time and it is definitely easier as they can entertain each other. 

Another day, another beach

Pebbles on Weymouth Beach

Ready for anything!

This morning we caught the bus (always a highlight) and met an old college friend at the family-friendly Palm House Cafe. On the bus journey home we were lucky to catch a double decker so of course we had to sit on the top. After a picnic lunch in the garden, an amazing event occurred. Miss A declared she was tired and took herself off to the sofa for a lie-down, and fell asleep. Miss I and I (yes, that is correct) promptly took advantage of the situation for a little nap ourselves.

Once everyone was awake, we went to the beach for more splashing and swimming. It's great to see Miss A enjoying the water so much and jumping over waves. I had a swim and the water was so warm, it was lovely. I can't actually remember the last time I went swimming in the sea - must do it more often. Having a hydro-phobic husband doesn't help. Grandpa then earned Brownie points by arriving with fish and chips which were very popular - Misses A and I polished off an adult's portion between them. Needless to say, after all this fresh air, they were very tired and ready for bed.

testing

I seem to have lost my formatting! Just testing.

It's not water, it's the sea

Had a wonderful day today. We took Misses A and I to the sea, and rowed to a little 

beach on which we were the only family. After a picnic (top tip - never dress the baby in 

a white romper suit and then offer her tomatoes or strawberries), they both put on their

sun-suits and cavorted in the sea with Granny. I am not sure who had the most fun actually. 

Miss A was particularly excited by her new found rubber ring, and loved splashing in the sea

and floating on her own. Miss I placidly sat at the edge of the little waves, enjoying

the sensation of them breaking over her legs, and idly playing with sea weed. I think they 

would have spent all day there. When they were dry and cosy again, we set about finding 

interesting pebbles and sea glass to fill up the buckets. Miss A tried rowing on the way home. 

At bedtime, Miss A asked why she hadn't had a bath, and I said she'd already been in the 

water a lot today. But Mummy, she said, that wasn't the water, that was the sea. Hmmmm. 

I enjoyed reading about Project Wildthing and the benefits of children enjoying the outdoors, 

and why it's so important we give them the space and opportunity to play outside as much as 

possible. This week we are all benefiting from playing out in the garden and on the beach. 

It's lovely to see them being so free and exploring in their own little world.

Today I am enjoying - the latest issue of The Simple Things magazine. Inspiring photography and 

interesting articles - and not a lipstick in sight - hurrah. Best enjoyed outside with a 

beautiful sunset and a square (or two) of dark chocolate.  

More summer sunshine

Mountain Ash (Rowan)

    

Hydrangea

 







 Been away from the pc for a few days - too busy enjoying the summer sunshine. We are spending the week with family in Dorset. Misses A and I very excited to be here, Miss A because she gets her own pink bedroom, and Miss I because she gets a lot of cuddles. We've been on the bus which is always very popular, taken Miss A swimming (the lessons clearly paid off as her confidence is hugely increased), enjoyed Story Time at the library, and fed the birds at Weymouth RSPB Reserve.

 

It's often the simple activities which please Miss A the most, for example, she loved:

• Being given her own hammer and nails under Grandpa's supervision and building a wooden house.
• Collecting windfalls from the garden so Granny could make apple crumble
• Running around the garden in the pouring rain in just her swimsuit!

Today we travelled to Portland Bill. We had a wonderful time scrambling on the rocks, looking at all the boats, and enjoyed lunch at the Lobster Pot. It was so hot and the sea was so blue, it felt we were on a Mediterranean Island.

A rainbow party

A sparkly birthday banner

K's colourful rainbow cakes

Miss A decided the party should have a rainbow theme. We acquired a rainbow inflatable, rainbow napkins, stripey cups, 24 coloured balloons, rainbow stickers and many other multi-coloured items.

The party was a truly community affair as neighbour J made the bread dough, neighbour K has concocted a rainbow of fairy cakes, and friend J did the face painting. Really wonderful to see. It really feels like we are part of the community, and I noticed the number of cards give by our neighbours - from nos 6, 7, 9, 13, 19 and 21.

Preparations started early (5.40am to be precise) with rainbow crowns to decorate, party bags to inspect, fruit kebabs to prepare and rainbow lunch boxes to pack.

At 11am 5 eager friends came to join us. By 1pm they had made lava lamps, squished bread into shapes, played pass the parcel, laughed, made crowns, made glitter soup, put hula hoops on their fingers, loved the bubble machine, had their photos taken, and sung happy birthday twice - a proper 4th birthday party.

How to turn 4 in style

'Look Mummy - now I'm 4 I can undo my buttons by myself - even in the dark'. It was dark because it was still far too early in the morning. The birthday girl was wide awake and raring to go. She had decided exactly how she wanted to spend her birthday, and it went something like this:
Breakfast - potato waffles, eaten on the sofa. Then off to swimming in the bike trailer, with Daddy and Miss I. Back for flapjack with candles in, which were re-lit many times accompanied by multiple renditions of Happy Birthday. Off to Sainsbury's to buy items for the rainbow themed birthday party tomorrow, such as stripey cups, stripey straws and fruit to make rainbow kebabs. Lunch was baked beans on toast (I drew the line at eating that on the sofa). In the afternoon we cycled down to the canal (Miss A on the tagalong, Miss I on the bike seat) and enjoyed refreshments overlooking the water, followed by swan feeding. Tea was sausages and mash, eaten again on the sofa.
Interspersed with all this activity was a lot of card opening (amazing how many times the postman made deliveries to our letter box today), and present unwrapping. Particular favourites were the wooden skittles, books and lego. Blowing up the balloons was also quite exciting. The birthday girl is now sleeping, gathering energy for the party tomorrow.

We've been mostly . . . . playing

Having a lot of fun playing the past two days. On Wednesday after swimming we tested out the new bicycle trailer that fits two children in it - clearly very relaxing as Miss I fell asleep. Our friends T, Z and R came over for lunch so we made green risotto which was popular. We all walked to the Love Parks event in the Bishops Palace Garden, and enjoyed lots of sports and arts activities provided by the lovely Lisa at PlayMosaic. Miss A had such a fun time mastering the tricky lo-lo ball bouncing - took me back to my youth! In the evening I went to the Arun Speakers summer social at the Gribble Inn which was fun and friendly, and won the skittles which was a surprise.

Today was a scorcher. We cycled to swimming using the new bicycle trailer which worked well - although it's quite hard going up hill pulling two weights behind you. We spent the day at friend H's house, along with 4 other families who we've known since Miss A was just a few weeks old. With 6 mums and 12 children it was a lively affair, and they all enjoyed face painting, a treasure hunt, pass the parcel, a lucky dip present, as well as some of H's superb cake creations. The weather was glorious, and it's always relaxing to spend time at a warm and welcoming house where you can just help yourself to whatever is needed and you all get stuck in, and friendships are renewed. Home for tea, which was a popular vegetable curry (Miss I looked rather orange and needed her bath). In the evening had an interesting chat with neighbour J about some of the planned Young Transition activities, and have been invited to give a short presentation about Green Parenting at the forthcoming Green Fair.

And I haven't even mentioned the excitement of the new street lighting being installed (Miss A is really very interested and has been studying placement of new lamps, holes being dug and cherry pickers to install new bulbs). Or the dressing up as a vet which meant the whole farm was poorly and they all needed plasters applied, whatever their ailment.

Now the house is decorated and presents arranged and flowers placed on the table, ready for the 3 year old to turn 4.