The last day of 2007, and Holly and I went out for a wander in the park while Helen took Louis to see the doctor about his perpetual chest cold. We chased seagulls, built an imaginary snowman, went to an imaginary cinema (behind some bushes) and fixed some sick trees. This consisted mostly of rubbing them with leaves until they were better.
Monday, December 31, 2007
After Dark
Sunday afternoon, and to road-test my solo parenting skills (I'm working 4 days a week in the new year, taking one day to look after the kiddies when Helen returns to work) I took the nippers up to the funfair on Market Street, at he back of the Bank of Scotland building. Lots of scary rides, flashing lights, people and noise. They were transfixed, but Holly drew the line at the Ghost Train, and wouldn't get closer than 10m or so.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Christmas Part II
A follow-up Christmas celebration chez Millar on the 29th, where Louis and Holly were showered with excellent gifts from all directions. More pictures of the day from Scott here.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Aftermath
Boxing Day, and a relatively relaxed time for all concerned. Holly got stuck into her new (percussive) musical instruments dressed in her new nightie. Louis chewed a balloon (pro photography on a phone by Mick!) and later on we took Holly out to the park for a breath of fresh air. The day after, we spent the day driving home at the same time as nearly everyone else in England was either driving home or to the sales. We made it though, and are gradually returning to normal. Tomorrow we're off chez Millar for Christmas Mk II...
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Merry Christmas!
Holly and Louis were up early, not a major change from the normal routine for Louis and definitely not unexpected for Holly. She arose and opened her "Santa" pressies in her jammies, then later changed into her nice red Christmas dress for a spot of festive visiting. Later on, she changed again, this time into her little Santa outfit to dispense gifts among the assembled grownups. At dinner, Louis (looking very grown up in his new shirt) found the cracker hat a little large...
Monday, December 24, 2007
'Twas The Day Before Christmas
And all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even Louis who was left to his own devices on a huge sofa when we visited some of Pat & John's neighbours for a festive drink. Earlier today, Holly tried on the rather splendid Santa costume she was given by Kate and Mick.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
If Santa Ran A Miniature Railway...
Visited Audley End Miniature Railway today, with none other than Santa Claus himself in attendance. Louis was pretty much nonplussed, but Holly was entranced, and it was a delight to see her wee face as Santa came to talk to her. If anything, the previously unmentioned Mrs. Claus was even more of a treat, and we headed homeward with a happy wee girl in our midst, not least because Santa added yet another wee teddy to the ever-expanding roll of her "babies".
Countdown to Christmas
The countdown has begun. I finished work on Wednesday, and on Thursday Holly and I took a brief stroll in the park before we all clambered into the car. We had a looonnnggg drive to Saffron Walden for the Christmas Holidays, and we were welcomed by Grandma Pat, Granddad John and a well-deserved beer. Here are a few pics of the first few days. Running fans, check out my Nike+ stats down to the right, I've been running every day so far!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Weird
A slighty creepy Christmas greeting from the Millar family:
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1489701159
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http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1489701159
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Monday, December 17, 2007
Another Hiatus
"Damn and blast British Telecom" exclaimed Dirk, the words coming easily from force of habit.
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
Douglas Adams
We switched to BT Total Broadband two or three months ago, and it's taken that long to arrange the transfer of our phone number from our previous supplier. The big day came for the switch last week, and we ended up with two dead phone lines and no broadband. Nearly five days and innumerable frustrating and lengthy calls to miscellaneous geographically diverse and defiantly unhelpful help desks later, and we're back online. Rant over.
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
Douglas Adams
We switched to BT Total Broadband two or three months ago, and it's taken that long to arrange the transfer of our phone number from our previous supplier. The big day came for the switch last week, and we ended up with two dead phone lines and no broadband. Nearly five days and innumerable frustrating and lengthy calls to miscellaneous geographically diverse and defiantly unhelpful help desks later, and we're back online. Rant over.
In the meantime, Holly has been conducting weird experiments with makeup, Helen and Holly took a ride on Santa's Christmas Express in Princes Street Gardens, and the three horsemen of the apocalypse rode into town on their trusty bed.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Chapeau!
Sunday morning, the usual Commonwealth Pool routine. They have overshoes available for parents to wear while viewing their waterlogged offspring from the poolside. Holly picked up an overshoe and decided it would work better as a hat...
Saturday, December 08, 2007
An Afternoon With Dad
Standard Saturday morning routine at the Funny Little Park, then to give Helen a wee break, I took the weans to the EICA at Ratho for a couple of hours in the afternoon. They had a great time in the soft play area, and when we emerged after dark, Holly was delighted to find it had snowed while we were inside. Alas like all Edinburgh snow, it was soggy and short-lived.
Friday, December 07, 2007
December Lodges
Pat and John were up visiting this week, here are a few highlights from John's camera. On Wednesday, they took Holly to Edinburgh's Christmas in Princes Street, lunch at the Gallery of Modern Art, Molly's at Ocean Terminal in the afternoon, then all of us to Pizza Express for dinner. A busy day for all!
Painting - Job Done
Cutting a long story short, the hall is done at last. It's better than it was. Suffice to say I shall heartily endorse any future move to a house with smaller rooms, lower ceilings and fewer period features...
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Painting - Day 2
I finished the prep and painted the ceiling today. Holly arrived just as I was testing the white paint for the woodwork, so obviously I let her have a go. It was a nervous time, with gloss paint dripping everywhere and everyone's clothes at risk. Holly picked up on all the anxiety, and decided she didn't want her door painted, but not before she'd had a good go at it herself.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Painting - Day 1
Washing, plastering and sanding were the tasks for day one of our week of hall-painting. Holly got her old jeans and her "painting t-shirt" on, and got stuck right in. I strongly suspect she enjoyed climbing the ladder more than she enjoyed the actual sanding... and who wouldn't?
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Manchester
"Manchester, so much to answer for" sang Morrissey, but we didn't run into the miserable old warbler when we visited Kate in his town this weekend. We did meet Carmen though, and Holly had a tremendous time with her at her house, in the park, and in Aunty Kate's Toddler Cookery School. Us grownups had a lovely time too, but were glad to get our feet up on Sunday night after such a busy little weekend...
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