Snow is a wonderful and entertaining thing at the weekend; come Monday morning it takes on a less appealing aspect, when the road outside is undrivable and the school is closed. Today Helen walked to work (and quite nice it was too apparently, 45 minutes of crunchy strolling with the iPod on) and I looked after Holly and Eloise as well as Louis. We had an epic hike to Tesco along the cycle path in a variety of weathers, with diversions for snowballing and sledging. (Remind me never to take three children to the supermarket again). By the time we got back, more than one of the party were hungry and fractious (self included) but a plate of warm lunch and a couple of Wallace and Gromit movies had us all cheered up again. The schools are closed again tomorrow, but I for one am going to work come hell or high water...
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
November Rain
Last week, on the other hand, was a more typical rainy November weekend. We met the Evanses at the Botanics, where the new(ish) gateway centre thing provides an indoor alternative for when it all just gets a bit too chilly and intolerable.
Snow
There's not *that* much in the grand scheme of things, but it *is* only November and the recent snowfall has certainly dominated the weekend, one way or another. The kids loved it, and we've had plenty of time mucking about in the back garden and sledging. Louis and I even cycled to Tesco along the cycle path, we got many "are you mad?" looks from people slipping and sliding on foot but he did incredibly well and rode it like a pro.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Strictly Come Dining
Eating in front of the TV. I guess we can rule out the "good parenting" award this year...
We ♥ NY Part 4
Better late than never, here are the snaps from the last few days of our summer holiday in Sandsend. Left to our own devices again, we headed back to Whitby for some traditional seaside fun, including pedal go-karts. In the evenings, Holly started reading Louis' bedtime books to him, leaving Helen and I to relax and quaff wine. We headed to Monk Park Farm, with plenty of animals to play with. Their USP is that the kids get to feed the lambs at certain times of day. This was summer though, and when the now-reasonably-mature "lambs" were released from their pen and came thundering across the grass towards us, more than one little person had second thoughts about the whole idea. There were plenty of more benign animals to pat and stroke too though. Holly was quite taken by the high waves we found crashing against the sea wall on our return to Sandsend. We ended the trip with another visit to the beach, and then ice cream at Beacon Farm, where they make the stuff. A cracking trip, and is all seems like a long time ago. Oh wait, it *was* a long time ago.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Birthday
Last Sunday saw a gathering of the Edinburgh Millars to celebrate the second birthday of the newest addition to the clan. The birthday girl took the sudden influx of well-wishers in her stride, and was a model hostess. Holly and Louis idolised cousin Calum, and barely left him alone the whole time. Gifts were exchanged, and grub and grog consumed. Holly even gave us a wee dance at the end. It was all very jolly. Niall has more pictures of the birthday week here.
Cammo Redux
A sunny Saturday afternoon, and we headed out to Cammo for a walk and a ride and a bit of fresh air. Nice golden sunlight as the sun descended inexorably towards the horizon.
Sunny Ride
Every Monday, Louis and I ride round to the local supermarket for a spot of food shopping. I used to take him in the trailer, but now he prefers to ride himself. What's more, he likes to potter on the way, riding up and down kerbs, through muddy puddles, and down leafy slopes. On a sunny day like Monday, I'm happy to indulge him and take a few snaps. Sunny it may have been, but it was icy too, and he took his first ice-related tumble on a frozen puddle. We had some tears, but he was back on the bike and looking for the next puddle in no time.
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Meanwhile in West Lothian
On Wednesday, Grandma and Papa took Louis to Almondell Country Park in West Lothian for a wee pedal among the autumnal hues. I can't post the image on the blog, but you can see the pics here.
EICA
We start with a couple of pictures from Monday, when Louis went down to Cramond with Will, who has just started riding without stabilisers. Louis was vocal in his support, shouting "good work, Will" as he chased him along the promenade. This morning, we met the Evanses at the EICA for a session in Scrambles, and the kids had lunch overlooking the main arena. Dave and Paula turned up, and we took a stroll along the canal to the Bridge Inn at Ratho, where the grown-ups had lunch and beer. Very pleasant it was too. After that, we headed off to see Grandma and Papa, having not had a Sunday visit there for ages. Grandma dug out the ancient Lego, which brought back many happy memories for me. The kids really enjoyed it too, but not as much as the game of Who Knows Whose Nose which degenerated into a game of "make up a name for the composite animal" under Holly's leadership. She does enjoy a play on words, and ended the soiree declaring that she and Louis with plums on their noses should be called "Plolly and Plouis".
Dew Bug
OK, I've got a new camera and I like playing with it. Saturday morning was sunny but cold, and after an equally cold night there was plenty of dew on the (uncut) grass in the back garden. I was moved - while emptying the vegetable trimmings into the compost bin - to prostrate myself to get a few low-angle dewdrop shots. I like this one because there's also a wee bug caught in silhouette on the central blade of grass.
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