You can leave your hat on

This boy is changing so much. Not big things but enough that they add up to a whole lotta change. He's playing in such a different way and speaking in a different way that it's hard to see my baby any more. It's tiring playing all the time (for me) - I can't sustain the imagination for very long and still keep on top of the house etc. But I'm trying to play with focus for short periods every day.

Last night he took baby on a bus....

Miss Bel is helping with household tasks.

If ever I need someone to get into the dishwasher she's my girl.

It's got very cold again here. We've started a pattern where Matthew takes her out when he takes the dog so that Isaac gets some time just with me (although often he then doesn't actually want me...) but trying to get her to keep her hat on is a nightmare. Even if it fastens under her chin she manages to get it off.

We were playing with dressing up hats tonight and it was the same - hat on, hat straight off again...

it was there when I picked up the camera...

The boy was easier to picture.

Oh no it's gone again...

Maybe the dog will keep it on...

Maybe not...

Look look look it's there...

but not for long!

One of the joys of childhood

Cleaning out the baking bowl.

10 Months

Note the double standards of a second time parent who couldn't understand parents feeding babies chocolate cake but was happy to share his chocolate mousse....

Who is this boy?

The toddler is well and truly gone and sometimes I get a glimpse of the 6-year-old-to-be or even the teenager he may one day become. He seems to be growing taller by the day.

(photo by Matthew)

Strawberry tickles

It's great when friends without children visit - there's so much energy! (It also helps when they bring home made tiramisu and chocolate mousse....)

There were lots of tickled toes, hair cuts (pretend ones) and some hospital play.

And the animals had so much fun they all had to have a big sleep...

And then today was strawberries for breakfast. I'm not a fan of out of season fruit but sometimes you have to go with the child's request.

Isabel finished them off for tea as well (after spaghetti and pesto).

Reunited

It's only a small lead but without it the laptop doesn't work for very long. On the plus side we didn't have Chuggington for a while but it also meant no blogging.

Isabel would live on a diet of newspaper given the choice.

She's sort of got the idea of wraps.

Isaac has been taking photos again.

When he's not been a knight...

Miss Bel has worked out the bike and is very pleased with herself.

She is obsessed with putting things round her neck - at least this time it was a necklace.

It's January, it's cold, so where else to go but the beach...

And then this afternoon there was some pop up fun. Danna has a whole collection of amazing pop up books including this Winnie the Pooh one.

Rainy day

I've been trying for ages to get some photos for Kazik of the lovely top Isabel got for Christmas - finally here it is. We love it (although we did exchange it for the next size up).

She spotted the camera.

Guess who has food....

The indoor play barn at Norfolk Lavender is finally open so was the perfect place for a wet day.

Fun was had.

And then we went out in the rain. Madam started out with her hat on...

And then she took it off... again and again. And tried to take mine off. She does try to get it on again but isn't that successful.