Dell Boy (and Girl)

DSC_8839, a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

The weather's been pretty miserable this weekend, but we took the opportunity of a sunny spell to go for a stroll in Colinton (strictly speaking Craiglockhart) Dell. We took the usual rope along just in case, and found a splendid tree leaning over the river and did a bit of swinging.

White Stuff

DSC_8733, a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

The transport shenanigans that follow a bit of snow falling "across the country" have been dominating the news of late, and yesterday we got a wee dusting in Edinburgh. As always, it didn't amount to much, and didn't last for long, but we did manage a short visit to the almost-bare sledging pistes of Val D'rylaw. More importantly, this morning Holly had her first ski lesson at Hillend, where the snow had lain a litle longer and added a spot of alpine ambience to the proceedings. Louis, alas, was unable to ski. The classes for 4-5 year olds are booked up, and they won't let us ski with him as he's a beginner. It's Council health and safety gone mad, I tell you! Still, he was quite happy running and rolling downhill on the golf course next door. Holly, meanwhile, took to skiing quite nicely, and in a couple of hours was sidestepping, schussing (including touching heads, shoulders, knees and toes) and snowploughing down the nursery slopes. Best of all, she enjoyed it! This bodes well for Val Thorens in March, just need to find a way to get Louis on the planks now...

Merci Tout Le Monde

And so it came to pass that, after twelve days and nights had passed, the innkeeper chucked Mary and Joseph and their new baby out of the stable, saying "clear off, the Council will be round to pick up the decorations and wrapping paper tomorrow." And lo, Mary quoth unto our Lord "that reminds me, you should write some thank you cards." And verily, and in due course, the three wise men did receive cards thanking them for the gold, frankincense and myrrh, and the Lord needed a bit of help with the spelling because those are really quite tricky words. Much like Louis, really, except I'm sure Jesus didn't have an older sister prancing around distractingly in the background.

Pepparkaka Hus

DSC_8710, a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

Holly began construction of her gingerbread house with Grandma & Grandad during the Christmas hols, but it took something of a back seat once school started again. Today she finished the job, sticking the chimney on top and meticulously sticking dozens of dolly mixtures and other confections onto the gently collapsing roof. She finished off with a few royal icing designs on the gable ends, and only a few short minutes expired before the whole shebang went under the knife, and was cruelly reduced to rubble as the kids shoveled gingerbread and dolly mixtures into their hungry maws.

Armpits, Ears and Bum Cheeks

DSC_8702, a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

One of Holly's Christmas presents was a rather splendid science kit. Two weeks ago, we filled petri dishes with a substrate made from gelatin and sugar, and Holly took swabs from various parts of the family's anatomy. She was very methodical, and recorded the name, age, location and gender of each sample. The results speak for themselves, Louis' ear wins the bacteria competition, closely followed by grandma's armpit, with Holly's bum cheeks bringing up the - ahem - rear.

Into The Woods

DSC_8670, a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

In a desperate attempt to get a bit of fresh air and exercise, we headed up Corstorphine Hill for a stroll yesterday. As ever, the kids objected and then loved it once they were out. Louis flagged early, having had an upset tummy and a disrupted night, but once again the lure of trees to climb, mud to squelch in, and soggy leaves to slip on, kept them going until hometime.

Great Winter Runner

DSC_8646, a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

Each year, in the depths of January, BUPA sponsor the Great Winter Run around Arthur's Seat. You may recall Helen and I ran it to raise funds for the Sick Kids after Louis' stay there. In much happier circumstances, this time Holly ran the Junior race - her first timed race, and her first solo race - which was 2.5k round Holyrood Park. She set about it with great enthusiasm (helped slightly by the appearance of Gangnam Style in the warmup), ran the whole way without an adult helper, and even managed a sprint for the finish. Tucking straight into the sweeties in her finisher's goodie bag, she was rightly proud of herself. Her official time was 12:17, which is pretty blummen fast for 2.5k! Niall and I also ran the 5k shortly afterwards, I managed a 23:29 and Niall 28 something. It's a grand way to blow away the cobwebs after a festive season of booze and cheese.

Happy New Year!

DSC_8530, a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

Hogmanay saw the arrival of Catherine and Matt with Isabel and Sally for phase three of the festivities. We all met up with Dave & Paula for lunch at Pizza Express, then headed home to get ready for dinner with Pete, Anna, Leo and Nate. We fed the kids, then who should pop in for drinkies but Pat, John, Colin and Rosie. It was mob-handed, as these things should be. Us grownups stayed up well past our bedtimes for Cava in the garden at the bells. Next day, and surprisingly sprightly, we all gathered again for a nice brunch at the Cramond Brig and a stroll down the Almond, just the ticket to kick off the new year.