Mini Beach.

When we were at Danna's last week we collected a load of oyster shells to use in the sandpit so today I cleared out all the plastic toys and got out the shells to see what Isaac made of them.

He loved digging with the really big one!

And spent ages dumping sand (initially over the side until I persuaded him that this wasn't such a good idea...). 

All in all it was a huge success. Although he did also reclaim some of the plastic toys.

I want to ride my bicycle

We've been doing a little painting and have been breaking Striker's rules by using two colours. Isaac was painting just with the blue as we've not done much art recently but he saw the red on top of the fridge and asked for it (using the sign for red) so I wasn't going to say no. I like Striker's ideas but I'm all for being child-led.

We spent a fun hour or so in the park this afternoon. Isaac loves the seesaw. And wouldn't get off it. As usual though he was doing lots of looking around whilst playing and kept taking his hands (and feet) off to point at something or make a sign or just bounce!

And then we went home and he got on his bike. His legs are long enough now that he can reach the pedals and make them move but he's been going backwards only until today. He still finds it harder to go forwards than backwards but he was getting better by the minute. 

Work, work, work..

Isaac's been a busy boy. 

Beach!

It was a little bit windy.

Isaac had his usual problem keeping his coat on... 

But it didn't stop him heading off...

With me in hot pursuit trying to get his windproof/waterproof all in one on...

I got there in the end though!

What's that?!?!

We did a bit of looking at the sea...

And other things...

Then some more looking...

A bit of digging...

And yet more looking...

The paddling isn't on camera as all hands were needed to keep him from going in!

All that and he was asleep at 6.30pm. Bliss!

Some of my favourite things.

Beach life - even on a windy windy day.

Searching for pebbles and shells.

Playing in the soft sand.

Feeling the sand beneath my feet.

Having it practically to ourselves (there was the one fisherman and then we saw 6 walkers passing through, otherwise we were on our own).

In both directions.

And best of all... is paddling on the waterline.

Made all the more fun by my son screeching every time the water covered my feet and then insisting on having a go himself (he'd have been in up to his armpits given a chance!). 

A Tractor and a Trip.

We had a long overdue visit to friends on Saturday and Isaac spent a lot of time on the tractor. The boy is loving his wheels at the moment and anything he can sit on and turn a wheel is heaven. 

And then on Sunday we set off East to the coast to stay with 'Danna' (my mum, Joanna) in Hunstanton. Perfect for a british bank holiday of traffic jams and bad weather. We do get to play in some different parks though and Danna gets to spend time with her favourite boy and practice with her new camera.

Dinosaur Wrangling.

Back before Christmas Danna got a remote controlled dino from the now defunct Woolworths and it's made an appearance on this visit. The dog is pretty unimpressed but as long as he's not under actual attack he doesn't mind. Isaac though thinks it's great fun.

He's been practicing his dinosaur sign. And enjoying the fact he's been given a remote control.

He's not at all scared of it!

A walk, a play in the park and the dino was all too much for the boys!

And then this afternoon it was a lesson in empathy and learning to walk in someone else's shoes...

Followed by a very windy walk to the sea. 

And a near deserted beach - the joy of a British bank holiday!