Christmas 2009

Overall quite good. Fighting was handleable. Tried big Christmas 'dinner' at lunchtime - but neither youngster wanted to eat. In fact they both went to bed within 5min of sitting down! George was a little under the weather with an ear ache and took a couple of uncharacteristic naps. The rest of the time they really enjoyed playing with all their new toys, and with some of mummy's and daddy's too. They are lucky boys.

Decorating the House...

... helped put us all in the mood. :)

Festivities

The boys are getting into the Christmas spirit, well at least what a typical toddler/preschooler thinks Christmas is all about.

Hilltop in Worcestershire. Definitely muddy, but not too cold or windy.

Family Portrait

George's perspective...
Daddy (longer legs), Henry, Mummy, George

Silly glasses

Funny how even broken toys can be interesting to young ones. These glasses have been missing one 'lens' for 8 months or so, but both boys still think they're fun to wear.

Camera back in action

A recent day at a bird reserve. The boys preferred stuffing grass down each others' clothes.

Halloween

It starts! George and Henry's first trick or treat outing, with their older cousins. George excited about his Batman costume. Henry refusing to dress up. Both apprehensive about going up to the houses but by the end they were running to the next one. Personally, I feel uneasy about the 2year old getting choccies without dressing up, but at least he said 'Tick eh eeet'.
Now how to ration out the goodies...

Happy 2nd Bday

Happy Birthday, Henry! What a boy you've become.... Here's your 'bobbie' cake - the cake being merely the vehicle for delivering out-of-season berries. He dove into the festivities without really understanding why - good for him!

Pictureless

My camera is broken! So during the weeks it takes to have it mended, I will have to suffice with written updates.
The boys are definitely brothers now - both holding their own during the 'MINE!' tug-o-wars they have over, well, anything. But they also comfort each other with their favorite stuffed toy, and enjoy singing songs together. And DH adds that neither one stops talking! They're lucky to have each other.

Another day, another park

Canalside Walk

Childhood

It's inevitable that at the end of the day, their precious items have a 'bath' in the frontloading washing machine. George's Sharkie and blue blankey (aka 'manny'), Henry's chicken and wabbit. Minutes before bedtime I can hear George in the utility room watching manny go round and round. "Oh! Manny, manny, manny... awwwwwww. There's chicken... Ooooh! Manny! manny!....Awwwww. There's rabbit. Ooooh! Manny! Manny! Mann... awwwww...."

Here are a few shots from a day at Plantasia, Warwickshire.

Henry is talking a lot and making his wishes quite well known. George oscillates between being the caring and jealous older brother. Both of them love berries and running around outside.

Ahhh - to be young - at not so young - again!

Henry's classic frown

Growing Up

George has been learning(?) about fiscal responsibility. He helps me fold the laundry and hang nappies to dry, and in return he gets enough pence to buy 'chewies' (gummy bears) at the corner shop. (It's only happened twice, and he hasn't really seemed to get the idea that real money is different from pretend money, but we persevere.)
So George and his brother and I were walking to the corner shop to get chewies, and he was reminded to keep the money safe several times so as not to lose it. The boys were playing with stones and sticks, as they do, and stopped to drop things into the street drains. They like the plops. Plop... plop... plop... - plink! And the coin was gone, and tears in its place. So we walked the long two blocks back home, empty handed.
What do you do?
Fortunately, it was laundry day again (yup, lots of laundry in this household!) and I found some socks that needed sorting. So he earned some more money, carefully put it in his pocket (rather than clutching it), and got his chewies. The real test will be what happens next time...?
In other news, Henry has now been graduated to counting discipline and the naughty step. He is 21 months old, and knows he shouldn't pour his milk onto his plate so, there it is. Hope he figures it out soon. He is also mad on anything with buttons, and loves to push them on the CD player to "Nance!" :)

Back from a week's camping trip in Anglesey, much thanks to the weather! Beach, castles, hills, tractor rides, animal petting, play areas and bird watching. Oh yeah, and lots of picnics. Me thinks we all had a good time.

Inspector George

 

Lots of creepy crawlie mini-beasts in the woods!

In the last 3 days, we've been fighting a Brummy accent in DS1. I've realized he's doomed as he headed for either a Brummy accent or an American one, neither of which is looked upon favorably in these parts. What is one to do?

WSM

Weston-Super-Mare gave us plenty of sunshine and a strong breeze. It wasn't quite what I had thought it would be, but it was great fun nonetheless.

Local park

 

Air Museum

 

The eldest boy (Daddy) enjoyed the visit to the Air Museum, and the other 2 seemed to find things to entertain themselves too. This was taken in the War Planes hangar.

 

Air Show

George and his Daddy attended an airshow in Oxford. Little brother and mummy stayed home. Weather cooperated and they appear to have had a good time. At least, there are plans for more shows in the future! This is George in front of a P51...

Beach scene part 2

 

George's mixed media piece of work, under mummy's instruction. N.B. I think it looks better on film than in real life! Also, those are magnets on the perimeter holding it onto the 'fridge.

New Brighton

 

We drove 2+ hours one way to make the most of the fine weather. Unfortunately, clouds forecast for 2pm and they came in at 12:30, so only 30mins of sunshine. This was taken during the sun. All in all, a good trial run for another trip to a beach. Boys said they enjoyed it!

Our first Easter Egg hunt

A dry Easter Sunday in our garden. George knew what to do because they'd done one at nursery. Apparently they teach how to share. Henry seemed more interested in his basket, but luckily George kept him supplied with the other eggs he'd found. Chocolate in the plastic egg is a good incentive. Happy Easter!

Just pictures

What color are these?

I'm guessing Henry's eyes are in transition... although they've been like this for at least a year now.... Any other guesses?


On the other hand, George has been busy with arts and crafts with the Nor-wester blowing through. Blast off! (Pieces prepared by mummy and assembled then painted by George)

Proof that Henry was once able to stand in the trunk/boot of the car.

Imagination

Things oughtta be fun for the next couple of years. Their imaginations are working full-time. Henry on his horse/car/trike whatever and George showing his best monster roar.

Beach

Sure it's February, sure it's England, but that doesn't stop making the most of dry weather and low tide to play in the sand at the beach. As Henry gets older, they are both able to broadly enjoy the same activity.
George made sand castles and ran from the waves, while Henry delights in throwing shovel fulls of sand into the air, and onto his head.

First shoes

Not comparing them, but George's first shoe was a 4G and Henry's first shoe is a 4 1/2 J. But then George was 13m and Henry is 15m.

Car ride

Two very different sons in their car seats.

Snow - more

Lots of snow this year. Usually only a couple of days, but it's been a few cm each day for the past week. This was the best snowman we could muster...
My inkling is that the news reports making it across the Pond are a bit sensational... life is mostly as per usual, with pockets of disruption. Here we had nursery shut a few hours early so staff could make it home, otherwise normal routines.