Not So Manic Monday

This is what Louis and I get up to on Monday mornings.

So Much To Answer For

DSC_0030 a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

This weekend we drove south to visit Auntie Kate. I took the Friday off and we picked Holly up straight from school. Manchester felt like a different country with blue sky, sunshine and daffodils in bloom. We had a lovely time walking Matty the Dog in Alexandra Park, which was a nice introduction for the kids, who were a little nervous of him to begin with. At bedtime Auntie Kate read Not Now Bernard, which was very gracious of her considering the kids were in her bed, and she and Mick were displaced to the van outside. After an early start and pain au chocolat (which is Mancunian for breakfast) we headed to Chorlton Water Park for a nice lakeside walk (or ride for Louis, inevitably) and then to the Horse & Jockey on Chorlton Green for hot chocolate and cakes. After lunch, we visited Sophie, Carmen and wee brother Johnny. Once again the sun came out and the kids had a great time pottering in the garden. That's when Auntie Kate sprang her early birthday surprise on Helen, a trip to Cloud 23 for cocktails (complete with taxi service by Mick) on the 23rd floor of the Beetham Tower. There was a bit of a wait to get in, but the view across the city (and the cocktails) were spectacular. A great idea and a superb start to the birthday celebrations. Alas this morning, the Edinburgh weather had caught up with us, so we had a quick rainy trip to the park followed by a hot chocolate in - shudder - Mcdonald's. Another lovely lunch, and we had a good quick trip home. Louis slept on the way, and was refreshed enough to go for a few circuits of "excellent mountain biking" in D Mains Park. A nice way to round off a splendid weekend.

Two Front Teeth

IMG_0470 a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

The second of Holly's front teeth popped out this morning, after a helpful tweak from Helen. The tooth fairy will be visiting tonight, weather permitting. The new teeth aren't showing any signs of coming through yet though. Perhaps Holly will soon be lisping "All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth".

Riding the Suburban Mountains

DSC_0018 a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

A sprinkling of community councils have put forward proposals for mountain bike trails in some of Edinburgh's parks. Louis and I are well ahead of the game, and did a couple of woodland loops in Davidsons Mains park on Monday. We rode there and back too, a total of nearly three miles for the wee lad. He's getting more and more confident on the tricky stuff, and concluded the outing with a cheery thumbs-up and a "that was excellent mountain biking".

Multisport Millars

DSC_0007 a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

A busy day yesterday, starting with Holly's ballet as usual. In the afternoon, both Holly and Louis went to the first of their new swimming lessons, just along the road at the Royal High School. These are Louis' first lessons, and after an initial "I want my MUMMY" session, he was laughing and splashing along with the instructor, who's in the water with him. This hands-on small class approach seems to suit Holly too, who was backstroking up and down the length of the pool without a float in no time. It's good to see them back in the pool, and Holly re-enthused about lessons after she lost interest in the sessions at the Council pool. As if that wasn't enough, the sunshine inspired the kids to suggest a bike ride down to the BMX track at Drylaw park. With all Louis' single-minded enthusiasm - I won't call it obsession - for cycling, it's easy to forget that Holly's a great wee cyclist too. She rides to school most days, and in some ways has had to work harder than Louis to get to where she is. Either way, it's also good to see the pair of them chasing each other round the track, grinning away with tongues stuck out in concentration.

The inevitable clouds looming on the horizon drove us homeward, where we set about changing Louis' tyres. They're worn smooth and he gets no grip at all on muddy trails. Holly and Louis were both keen to help with the job, and even more keen to get the hose out and wash the bikes afterwards.

We all slept pretty well lastnight.

Cuisine Fini

DSC_0002
Originally uploaded by Fraser Millar

We've been back in the house for a week and a bit, and the kitchen feels good, as if it should always have been this way. The big windows and new skylight make it splendid in the sunshine, and it's lovely to be all in the same room when we're cooking/eating/doing homework. Today, the glass splashback was finally fitted, and it's stunning. It completes the room. One of the settees has also arrived for the new "family" room but there's still another one to come and we haven't quite figured that part out yet. The eagle-eyed among you will notice the different colour temperatures of the lights on the left and right, but Finishing Touches and their attention to detail are already on the case with that one. Highly recommended, by the way, if you've got a bit of work to do on the house.

BMX Bandit

DSC_0016
Originally uploaded by Fraser Millar

The sky was blue, the sun was shining, the spring was sprung and the grass was riz. We rode down to the Drylaw BMX track (I think we're the only ones who ever use it) to address the - ahem - dire shortage of pictures of Louis riding his bike. He's got a coughy, sniffly cold at the moment, but the combination of activity and fresh air seemed to make him feel better rather than worse. He'd have gone round and round the track for ever if it hadn't been time to collecty Holly from school.