Snowman!

Hiya, here’s your midweek Ned update.
Last Wednesday my usually pretty uneventful shopping trip was cheered up by everyone’s favourite double-act, Nanny and Aunty Chris who were also pounding the aisles with a trolley full of goodness.
Thursday was ace, it snowed again but there was much, much more this time. Mum took me to nursery in the car rather than slide down the big hill. She drove really slowly, I told her daddy drives fast! I had a great time at nursery (thanks to Mum remembering to take my wellies, the kids without wellies weren’t allowed out to play!) and we threw snowballs at each other and everything. In the afternoon we had to take Nanny to the Doctors again for some tests (they confirmed she was in fact, still Nanny, that’s a relief). After that, Dad and I made my first ever snowman:

I started off helping, but soon realised the snow was really cold on my delicate little hands and the big fool would make it anyway….sucker. I made the finishing touches by adding his carrot nose and cherry tomato eyes. I then demanded he have a hat and scarf to complete the creation. He’s melted away now, but there was still a slight trace of him visible up until Monday.
Friday night Slim and Trace came round in the evening to see me. Great fun as usual, Slim looked really silly in Mum’s winter hat (mum looks pretty silly in too to be honest). I got to stay up really late…..
So I was a bit grumpy on Saturday morning. I cheered up once we got to the model railway exhibition though:

There were all sorts of trains and tracks but the best one had Thomas and his friends running around a track covered in Teletubbies, Noddy and other toys I could recognise. We sat and watched them going round for ages and I didn’t want to go home. In the afternoon we went to the shops and they got me some new curtains, a bedside rug and laundry bin for my ‘new’ bedroom….which is still to be completed and is still shrouded in secrecy. It had better be worth the wait!
Sunday we played several games of Thomas the Tank engine Dominoes. I’m getting really good at it as long as I win, I don’t like losing one little bit…. We went to the pub for lunch, it was great. Everyone was there, Abi, Yanna and Fen (oh, and all the grown-ups too). Thanks Melissa for letting me run up and down the muddy chute in the garden, it was great fun!
Monday back to nursery, I was pretty tired when I got home so I ordered Dad onto the sofa with me for a cuddle and a bit of C-Beebies. When mum got home we played some more dominoes and my slightly odd tactics seemed to pay off (much to mum’s disgust) and I won loads of games. Might have to start playing for money I think….
Tuesday, Joshi shut my finger in the play oven door at nursery in the morning and I made sure everyone knew about it every opportunity. We had to take the car into the garage to have a dent in the door fixed, it’s obviously really urgent as it’s been there since before I was born. We had a loan car from the garage that’s so big I can barely see Dad sat up front but I can see loads out of the window so that makes a nice change and i’ve quite enjoyed it. We went down the big park with my bike for a bit later in the afternoon. I rode the thing like a lunatic and took a few tumbles but got back on it and still gave it plenty!

Animals!

Here’s the latest then….
Last Wednesday was fun at nursery. Most of the kids have a post lunch nap at nursery but Alastair and I decided that they should all be woken up! We got told off for that, and I told dad all about it on the way home. He seemed to find it funny. I always tell tales on what the other kids have been up to, I need to keep a lid on my own activities though I think.
Thursday night we went to see Grandma, Alan turned up as well. I hadn’t seen him for ages so that was nice, he’s good fun.
Friday we took Nanny to the doctors and then drove her across town to get some medicine. She had got me a really smart monster truck that zooms across the floor really fast.
Mum went to work on Saturday….that’s last Sunday and this Saturday. With all this extra work I’ll be expecting some lavish birthday presents this year! We met her fort lunch and because the weather was so sunny and nice we went to eat our pasties by the canal…it was lovely! Dad and I had a lazy afternoon, well I slept on the sofa while dad was doing something in the old office room which is apparently going to be my new bedroom? I don’t know what he’s up to in there but I’m not allowed in to have a look so it must be really good.
Sunday I was given the choice of trains or animals. I played it smart and got a trip to Marwell which has both!

We got up close and personal with the penguins (they smelled funny).
We rode on the train, ate our lunch watching the tigers and rode on a tractor. I had a good go in the playground, and saw some really huge rhino’s:

The Giraffe’s were far too big to be indoors and I didn’t like being in their house at all (and it smelled funny in there).
We stayed for ages and I had a great time.
Mum was off Monday, I drove her mad with my limitless energy levels. She was glad when Dad came home and we went off to the swimming pool I think. I had a great swim and managed to get from the slide by the changing rooms all the way out into the open water of the main pool entirely under my own steam. I did loads of jumping in from the side with another young lad and made dad take me in all the bubbly pools that I’m usually a bit wary of. We were in the water for ages and we had all gone wrinkly when it was time to get out.
Back to nursery today, Alastair had been pining for me yesterday by all accounts so I’m sure he was glad I was back. Dad and I went to the big park for an hour before we picked mum up from work which was an unexpected surprise.
Toilet News:
I still think gong to the toilet is brilliant fun, especially since mum got me some of my very own Kandoo soap to wash my hands with when I’ve finished my business……

Snow!

Is it that time again? Middle of the week for all you working types.
All the way back to last Wednesday and it snowed! When I got up in the morning everything was white, when we left for nursery I could see the footprints Dad made in the snow on when he went to work earlier in the morning. I took my wellies into nursery and we spent the morning playing in the snow and having snowball fights, it was excellent. I think dad was a bit disappointed that it had all melted by the time he came to pick me up.
Thursday we went to meet mum for lunch. We also bumped into Owen. He asked me what I’d been doing at nursery so I told him I did a burp! He liked the idea of that I think.
Friday and once we picked mum up from work we went to Pizza Hup(!) after a bit of to and fro-ing. The garlic bread with cheese is almost as good as the ice-cream factory. Once we were home Andy, Rach and Ben came round to see us and as if that wasn’t enough excitement so did Aunty Chris. I was pretty disappointed Mum and Dad didn’t go out to be honest. Never the less I did get Andy to read my nursery rhyme book from cover to cover before I turned in for the night.
We went up the woods on Saturday, I rode my bike through some really big puddles:

After that we went home for some lovely sandwiches and then into town. Mum and I got some smart new clothes and dad got nothing…ha! We went to see Aunty Chris at work and managed to get a load of chocolate eggs…they’re really very nice.
Mum had to go to work on Sunday as a one off. I was up bright and early to see her off when Sarah came to pick her up.

Dad and I played with my Lego for a while before he suggested we go down the big park with our bikes…..good idea Dad! We loaded both our bikes into the car and off we went. I found the whole thing really exciting and I raced him all the way round the park, I obviously won. We even had a go on the skatepark and I rode up and down the ramps and everything. Dad started showing off so I left him and headed off to the swings….. We went round to see the cards playing gang at Chard’s in the afternoon and I got to play with Abi’s toys, showing her (and Dad) what they all did. Mum was home soon after so we headed home for a bit of a cuddle up session.
Monday afternoon and we took mum to see the doctor about her baby. I made a bit of a fuss when she was called into the doctors room, so I was allowed to go with her (dragged Dad along too). He asked her a few questions and then pulled up her jumper, stuck a weird looking thing on her belly and then a picture of the baby came up on a telly screen….it was great! I got a bit confused though as I thought the doctor was going to get the baby out there and then, apparently it isn’t quite ready yet and I’ll have to wait a little bit longer.
On the way to nursery this morning I got really excited when I saw a cement mixer coming along the road, I stood watching it intently as it went past but it caused such a gust of wind all my hair stood up and quite honestly it frightened the life out of me.
A general update on the toilet front, I am now demanding that I go to the toilet alone in the house. I’ve got a nice little set up with a foot stool and padded toilet seat thingy and when I’ve finished my business I have a little wipe with my Kandoo’s (which are now on top of the radiator to keep them nice and warm) and flush it all away. I then drag my foot stool to the sink to wash my hands before attempting to put my trousers and pants back on. Sometimes I even get them the right way round.

More bike....

So it was shopping day on Wednesday. Dad let me go free range and I was allowed to walk around the shop rather than get strapped in the trolley. It was great until he made me get in the trolley while he packed and paid and I howled like mad all the way back to the car…..
Thursday and Mum came to get me from nursery early and we went home to find Grandad and Anne had come around to play. Dad then turned up and him and Mum went off and left us to get on with it. Anne made me a lovely extensive luncheon, we played with my fishing game and watched the bin lorry collect our rubbish. I think the whole world pretty much knows that I’m going to be getting a brother or sister and Mum and Dad had gone to have a scan to have a look at the baby:

And here he/she is….scary or what! There are some other less scary pictures too, but this one’s the best. Mum asked me what we should call the new baby and I told her we should call it either ‘Brother Baby’ if it’s a boy or ‘Sister Baby’ if it’s a girl, see it’s easy. I’m quite excited about the whole thing at the moment to the extent that I’ve been claiming I have my very own baby in my tummy too. It even kicked Dad the other day (with a little help from me).
Friday afternoon and I told Dad in no uncertain terms that I wanted to go to the big park. He loaded me and my bike in the car and off we went. I rode all the way around the park under my own steam before doing a few laps of the playground itself before finally dismounting for a go on the swings and slides. There were plenty of other kids to play with so I had a good time. We then rode all the way back to the car before picking Mum up from work. In the evening Auntie Chris came round to babysit. I introduced her to my imaginary baby friend ‘Mary’ who I wrapped up in a muzzy and put nicely to bed amongst other things…..it was our little secret and no-one else needs to know.
Saturday Dad decided that all the furniture in the front room should be moved around, so I decided to take cover and go to sleep until he had sorted it all out:

Once the dust had settled we got off to the park with my bike again. I had to show Mum how good I was, she couldn’t believe her eyes!
Sunday we went to sunny Bournemouth with Andy, Owen and Nikki.

We even braved a picnic, it wasn’t too cold down behind the wall.

I rode my bike miles and miles up the seafront before pounding on the pedals all the way back into a strong headwind. Common sense prevailed for once and neither Andy or Dad went in the sea, even though the waves looked really good. I even got to have a go on the trampolines and bounced like a lunatic. When we got home I made the most of dad’s furniture re-arranging by playing on the computer which is now downstairs:

I was best at the Tweenines football game I think.
Monday and after nursery we went to get Nanny before heading off to the swimming pool. I wasn’t quite up to my usual standard but Nanny enjoyed watching from her nice warm vantage point. I did decide to have a go at proper swimming all on my own which impressed her and Dad though. After that Nanny came home with us for tea and helped me deprive dad of sausage sandwiches from the following day’s sandwich box.
Tuesday and I was pretty much done for after such a busy few days. When I got home from nursery dad and I cuddled up on the sofa for the afternoon watching telly. By the time Mum got home from work I was fully re-charged and made the most of it, I think I wore her out in about 15 minutes…..

Pedal Power

First of all, here’s a late Christmas picture to please Auntie Chris:

It shows all of us except poor old Uncle Slim who had to take the pucture.
Wednesday and after we had been shopping, dad and I went outside to play as it had actually stopped raining. Dad got the bike out, put me in the seat and we went to the little park:

It’s a bit rubbish compared to the big park in town so we went for a bit of a ride and to say hello to the horses. When we got home the sun was still shining so dad got my bike out. I hadn’t been on it for ages so I was really excited:

Dad was really pleased as I’ve now got the hang of pedalling it all by myself. Seeing as I was on a roll with the pedalling, dad got the tractor out for me to have a go on as well:

I struggled getting up the hill a bit though.
Grandad and Anne came round on Thursday afternoon for a quick visit, I made Grandad play trains with me, he loves it.
On Friday we met mum for lunch, obviously we went to the pasty shop. I paid some Christmas money into my building society account which I thought was really exciting. After mum had gone back to work we went to see Auntie Chris. She came for a walk with us up the street and we watched a real life Bob the Builder in his big yellow digger digging the road up outside Mum’s shop, he even gave me a little wave. I recommended Chris get her lunch from the pasty shop and we went home (I should get commission). That night I got myself into a bit of a state at bedtime which culminated in me being sick on my sheets….oh dear. I climbed into bed with mum for a cuddle while dad sorted it out for me.
Saturday, and we were going to Auntie Chris’s for a get together! It was really exciting, I got to meet my cousins Ben and Josh, there was birthday cake, presents and everything:

Obviously, I had some competition on the grandchildren front and had to pull out all the stops. I think I managed it. While we were sat around the table I called for Nanny’s attention, held her hand and then told her I loved her. That’s how you keep em sweet, watch and learn….. We had a great time, and I got to have all my Aunties and Uncles (from Dad’s side) together for the first time ever. We must do it again some time!
Sunday we had Grandma over for lunch. We have great conversations about everything and anything, wittering on in our own little world.

We had a game of Thomas the Tank Engine dominoes (I won) and then we took her home again.
Monday, the rain held off again so it was back out on my bike. This time I managed to even ride up the hill myself and was going at such a speed on the way back down dad couldn’t keep up with me on foot and had to get his skateboard out. We drew quite a crowd, firstly with Amy from next door and her mum and then James over the road and his mum all marvelling at my pedalling skills and all out speed. It’s a good job neither of them saw my two high speed crashes….
At nursery on Tuesday I got an invite to Alistair’s birthday party at fantasy land next month….i’m so excited I can’t wait! In the afternoon I was pretty tired, so Dad and I had a lovely time on the sofa having a kip….it’s hard work!
Just one general note for this week, Coffee flavoured stuff is my favourite at the moment. From coffee cake (no walnuts though) through to mum’s posh coffee ice cream I love it all. Just a note for you all to get some in if I come round…..

Confused? Me?

All back to normal and it was shopping on Wednesday afternoon. When we got home, we made some stock for my shop:

Here you can see the fruits of our labour displayed on the counter. I’ve been doing a roaring trade to mum in the mornings, selling her chips and ice creams.
Mum had been telling me on the way to nursery on Friday morning that we would be meeting her for lunch tomorrow and going to the pasty shop….I got a bit confused and thought it was today! So when Dad picked me up from nursery and said we were going home I got pretty upset and demanded we go and see mum there and then. Dad made an emergency call to Mum and we did get to meet her. There was no pasty shop though and I had to make do with the library instead.
Saturday we took mum to work and then went to see nanny, she was still in her jim-jams! Once she was ready we took her to the shops to get her some dinners and then went back to her house to do some jigsaws. After that we picked mum up and went for lunch at a burger place, I don’t like burgers, chicken bits or any of that stuff….just the chips! We had a lazy afternoon at home before going round Chard and Kaz’s house so they could all play cards. I had a few left over Christmas chocolates and watched a transformers DVD with Chard after his early exit at cards. We had a very late night….
So I had a bit of a lay in on Sunday morning. When we were all up we went to Basingstoke shopping. I was a very good boy indeed and walked around the shops quite nicely. I did cause dad a few problems by over-shooting my porta-potty when I went for a wee though….ooops! We didn’t buy much but did have my favourite Marks and Spencers sandwiches for lunch. After the shopping was done, we went round to see Trish and Al. We haven’t been round to see there house even though they have lived there for a year! It was very nice and they had a lovely smooth wooden floor, ideal for zooming my bob the builder toys across. Even better than that though….they had a serving hatch!

Trish helped me burst the doors open time and time again, each time I found it hilarious! From my serving hatch vantage point I could also help myself to loads and loads of grapes, my favourite!
Mum was off Monday, and she’d told me on Sunday that we were going swimming. I woke up at 4am and made a loud request that we ought to set off for the pool there and then. It didn’t go down to well……I went back to sleep in the end and we had to wait for dad to come home from work before we could finally get going. I’ve been telling them ‘I get up early’ at every opportunity, but I think they probably already know that.

Christmas

Well, it’s been and gone…..what a great time I had, it was certainly worth the wait!
Going back all the way to the Wednesday before Christmas, we had our Nursery Christmas lunch. I made short work of it and even tried a sprout (it was revolting though, Dad was relieved as he doesn’t want me eating them). I thought I’d enter the spirit of the season by over indulging and when we met mum for lunch afterwards I still managed a jumbo sausage roll from the pasty shop!
Thursday afternoon Dad and I did the Christmas food shop. Why can’t Santa deliver the food when he does the presents? It’d save us the bother. The supermarket was packed full of casual once a year shoppers clogging the place up (not regulars like me and Dad). We did okay though and managed to get out in one piece with enough supplies to keep us going until August. In the evening, we went food shopping again, but this time we took Mum with us to get a few ‘bits’ from Waitrose. Shopping with Mum along for the ride is a very different experience, we get to buy loads of sweets, cakes and ice-creams! You can come along any time Mum. I made a really high tower out of coleslaw cartons in one of the fridges that I think Dad was particularly proud of.
Friday afternoon we had a surprise outing with Emma, Max and Leo to fantasy land. I’m getting a lot more confident with it all now and left Dad to sit in the comfy chairs drinking coffee like a real grown up rather than forcing his bulk through the children sized holes, although I did manage to get him down the particularly tight and twisty blue slide without getting stuck half way.
On the Saturday we had visits from Slim and Trace, James and then in the afternoon Ian. In the evening we went round to Nick, Carol and Abi’s house to play pre-christmas games. The whole gang was there and I had a great evening, except when Cousin Owen decided it was high time I received my first ‘Wedgie’
Sunday was Christmas eve apparently and I got to open the last door on the advent calendar at long last. We had Grandma, Alan, Sonia, Grandad and Anne around for a pre-Christmas Christmas Day. We had food and presents….

Being the smallest, I get the biggest presents:

Later on Trish and Al came to see as well, I love Christmas, you get to see so many people and not get stuck with boring old mum and dad all the time!
Now the serious business began:

Before I went to bed, I left a Mince Pie on the table for Santa, and a Carrot for the reindeer……
Then it was Chrismas day! I woke up to find my stocking bulging at the seams at the end of my bed:

It even had chocolate coins in it! After I’d gone through the stocking we went downstairs, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The mince pie had gone (all but a few crumbs) and all that was left of the carrot was the end with a big bite mark! I was amazed, and just stood pointing at them with my hand over my mouth. Then I looked under the tree and saw even more presents. We got busy unwrapping them, although to my disappointment a few were actually for mum and dad.

After we’d opened everything and dad had assembled and fitted batteries to everything and I’d given them all a proper once over we went to pick up Grandma before going to Chris and Ian’s for lunch. The pressure was on, I had 14 to entertain! I had more presents, I ate my lunch, I crashed out with mum:

I had some more presents, I crashed out in one of them:

But not for long. It was quite a day……
Then it was boxing day, we all had a nice lay in before getting up and having a lovely day playing with all my new toys and going down the park for a bit of fresh air.

My new favourite saying is now ‘Jim-lad’
Wednesday and Mum had to go back to work, we met her at lunch time though and just for a change we went to the pasty shop….
Thursday Nanny came round for the afternoon to play with my new toys and stay for tea, Aunty Chris must have smelt the pudding and turned up just in time.
Friday, and Dad couldn’t stand the prospect of another day in the house with me so he got all brave and took me to the Coral Reef single handed. We had a good time splashing about and going on the slide time and time again. When we got home Andy came around to put a plug socket in for the dishwasher, I made sure I helped him do the job using my own tool kit at every step of the operation. I’m sure he’d like my help on a regular basis at work.
Saturday we went to try out mum’s new wellies at the woods:

It was ideal conditions to test them to the max with so many puddles to investigate and they seemed to be fit for purpose.
Then it was New Years eve, the last day of the year! We had a quiet day and in the afternoon mum suggested we make some cookies. Mum and I had a lovely time getting flour everywhere and making a right old mess, we even managed to make some Christmas shaped cookies (although we put them a bit close together on the baking sheet and they came out as one big splodge). In the evening we had Rach, Ben, Andy, Chard, Kaz and Owen over, but I had to go to bed and sleep over the noise from downstairs.
New Years day and dad was a little delicate but we went out to Millets farm to see the animals before going on to the Pendon museum. It had some really big model railways with massive bridges, I hope granddads set up is as impressive as this when he’s finished it.
That brings us to today, when I had to go back to nursery and dad had to go back to work…..booo! I cried my eyes out when mum left me and in my haste to get to dad when he came to pick me up, I fell over and bumped my head on a chair, resulting in tears again. Oh dear. When we got home Dad and I made an ice-cream shop for me using a big old cardboard box. He even got the paints out in the house and let me paint it, he is getting brave.
I’d really like to thank everyone for the fantastic presents I got this year, and to everyone who fed, watered, read me a story or cuddled me over the last few hectic weeks. Happy new year!

Santa's Tree!

Still no sign of Christmas…..although we did have our Christmas party at nursery on Wednesday afternoon. Mum and Dad came along too, and we managed to catch the tail end of the food (cakes, the good bit!) before Uncle Charlie the children’s entertainer did his turn. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of him to be honest, the bigger kids certainly seemed to be really enjoying it. After all that excitement we had a visitor…Santa….With prezzies!

Mum mentioned that he wasn’t the real Santa or something, I couldn’t care less, he got me the three little pigs book.
Thursday we met Mum for lunch and Dad tried to take me Christmas shopping afterwards. It didn’t last long, I cried like mad once mum had gone back to work and Dad soon abandoned the shopping trip and marched me back to the car.
Friday night Auntie Chris and Nanny came round to babysit for me while Mum and Dad went to Dad’s work party. It’s been a while since I’ve had those two to myself and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Saturday morning we were up bright and early and off to get our Santa’s tree:

It wasn’t as big as the one in the car park, but I suppose it’ll have to do. I looked after it in the back of the car on the way home. In the afternoon we went to see Yanna and Fen. We had early Christmas presents which were brilliant fun, then we had tea and didn’t even have to sit with the boring grown ups as we had our own little table. Shame there were no big displays of Christmas lights to look at this year, I even had my own coat to wear!
Sunday and after some colourful language from Dad, the tree was up and ready to decorate:

I stuck a few bits on but soon got bored and retired to the sofa leaving it to Mum and Dad. Once they had finished and asked for my opinion I told them in no uncertain terms that I didn’t like it! I’m sure I will when it’s got loads of presents stuck underneath it. In the afternoon we went to Chard and Kaz’s for the Christmas music quiz. I ate pastry from mince pies and chased the chocolates around the room. I even ended up on the naughty step for a little bit, which surprised Chard as he didn’t even know he had one!
Back to nursery Monday and a trip into town afterwards for another attempt at Dad’s Christmas shopping. I made it a bit easier for him this time by going to sleep in my buggy. I did however see enough of what was going on to notice Dad had got some nice chocolates for Mum and hidden them in the boot….I made sure I filled her in on the facts as soon as we picked her up from work! I don’t think he’ll take me again….
Tuesday Dad took me into his work in the afternoon. He issued the usual warning of ‘if you don’t work hard at school you’ll end up somewhere like this’ but it looked pretty good to me. There was a big tin of chocolates, loads of plasticine to play with and all sorts of interesting bits and pieces lying about. There were also another five jolly blokes to talk to and play with. Quite honestly it looked easier than going to nursery to me!
I got my first Christmas card from Vijay at nursery this week, I was a little confused and thought it was a birthday card. Never mind, it’s mine and I’m really proud of it!
That’s all for now, maybe Christmas will actually be here by the time I do my next update?

Book club

I may have mentioned a while back that I have given up on the post lunch sleep at nursery, now I’m getting some of the others onside too. When Dad came to pick me up last Wednesday I was out in the corridor with Ted, Hugo and Jude having a story while all the other children slept in our room. The reading theme continued when we met up with Mum and went to the library, I got lots of books about bears!
When Dad came to collect me on Thursday I had to show him a ‘Santa’s tree’ they had put up at nursery. It was really nicely decorated and everything, I think he was impressed. He isn’t quite so impressed with it now though as nearly a weeks worth of little fingers meddling with it have taken their toll. In the afternoon Owen came round and he and Dad raced motorbikes on the television meaning I couldn’t watch CBeebies! Never mind, I had plenty of fun ‘helping’ them out with their steering.
I had a surprise Friday afternoon when I came home to find Mum all poorly on the sofa. I made sure Dad and I looked after her good and proper….
She was still a bit icky on Saturday, so Dad and I went to the sea-side with Andy to give her some peace and quiet:

We made sandcastles……

I watched the world go by……

And I sat and pondered just what is my most favourite of all the cakes!
Andy had been promised 4 and a half stars worth of surf on the internet, as you can see in the pictures I think he only got the half….still he enjoyed himself.
At tea-time we had an indoor picnic (that was my idea):

I decided that ham sandwiches were just too much effort and decided I’d only eat the ham.
Sunday we went to see Grandad for lunch:

It was his birthday too, so he had presents! He had stuff for his model railway and I loved helping him unwrap and unpack it all. It did seem a lot more delicate than my wooden set up. Alan and Sonia also came over and I had a lovely cuddle with Sonia after my belly was full of cake. I also got to show Alan just how good I am on my potty, he loved that! A special thanks to Anne as well for making me some stuffing at such short notice.
Monday, mum was off work….she must have been feeling brave as we did painting:

Notice how she has stripped me naked before I was allowed the messy stuff? Once Dad had come home from work and had some lunch we headed off to the Coral Reef for some splash action. When we arrived we were met with a big sign saying the pool was closed for maintenance until January! Oh dear…I was so distraught I fell back to sleep only to wake up in Guildford again! They had spotted another fun pool from the bus the week before. It took a while for me to warm up to the place as it was unfamiliar territory for me but I soon got into it and we had a great time. After the swimming we sat and had a burger watching people ice-skating which was pretty funny, maybe we’ll try that next time? When we got home we went to see Grandma, she'd had an operation on her eye and was wearing a patch that made her look like a pirate!
Tuesday afternoon I recharged my batteries by sleeping all afternoon and having an early night, it's a hard life isn't it.
On a final note, those doors on the advent calendar are opening really slowly.....

Advent Calendar!

Christmas is still coming…..taking a while isn’t it?
On Wednesday morning I decided to have my pre-breakfast, breakfast as a picnic:

I arranged my muzzy cloth and sat down with my drink, my apple and a Tuc biscuit with C-Beebies on for entertainment, what a great way to start the day.
Thursday afternoon I helped Dad rake up all the fallen leaves in the garden. He raked them up into a big pile, and I made sure I did my best to spread them out again….
Friday…the beginning of ‘advent’ whatever that is:

Well, it seems to mean a big picture of Santa and his reindeer with little doors to open every day. Mum has made it quite clear that Santa won’t be happy with me if I open more than one door a day so I’d better tow the line on this one. I don’t want him upset. In the evening, Andy, Ben and Rach came to look after me so Mum and Dad could go out….winner! Mum had promised me a cookie when Andy came round, so as soon as he arrived he was marched into the kitchen! We had a great night and I had a nice kip cuddled up with Rach before I went to bed really late…..
….Which mum and dad were really pleased about when I had a monster lie-in on Saturday morning. After we’d had lunch we picked up Andy and left for Emma, Dean, Max and Leo’s place in that there fancy London! We played with radio controlled cars, scooters and bikes in the afternoon before dad held a bit of a disco in the kitchen while he was cooking:

No comments on the dress code please, and I’m not telling you what we were dancing to either! I think Dad enjoyed the cooking and dancing a bit too much and ended up ‘going to sleep’ a little bit earlier than we’d all anticipated…oh dear!
Sunday and Dad was looking a little ill, good job mum can hold it all together isn’t it? After what seemed like a few hours of organisation we headed off for 100 Aker Wood (where Winnie the Pooh lives). I got proper grumpy when we had to get out of the car and cried that I was cold (even though I had my lovely new coat on). I topped this off by falling face first into a muddy puddle and stepping into a stream that went way over the top of my welly boot. I was brought back from the brink just in time with the lure of a trip to the pub for lunch! Mum always looks out for me, she asked the waiter if he could knock me up a ham sandwich and chips…winner! We went back Max’s house in the afternoon, Max and I had a jumping onto the bean bag frenzy while they watched football on the telly. Max and I decided to join in with the football watching and my special chant of ‘Come on West Ham sandwich’ seemed to go down well (although not well enough as they still lost the game).
Then it was Monday, but instead of nursery, mum and dad were off work. We went out in the car to the shops, I thought we were going to Tesco’s so I was quite excited about getting some grapes. We were in the car for ages, and when I woke up in Guildford I was quite concerned as the where I’d be getting my grapes from? We went to the park and ride…BUS! We parked up and walked to the bus stop where a big green bus was waiting for us. Just as we got to the door, it drove off! Mum was not very happy at all and used a word I’d never heard her say before…..so I duly repeated it for her. It’s a bad word apparently, you best ask her what it was. We didn’t have to wait long for another bus and we were soon on the move. I love going on the bus and grinned all the way into town. Once mum had gone and complained to the bus company it was off to Pizza Hut. I ate loads of garlic bread and cheese, over half of my pizza and a big old bowl of ice cream…..dad’s leftovers are getting few and far between these days. Then it was on with the shopping. I got a lovely new pair of shoes and had to test them out by racing dad around the shop. Later on when dad had gone to the loo, mum and I hid in a rack of coats and scared him half to death when we jumped out on him when he came looking for us!
That brings us right up to date and a nice surprise visit from Laura this afternoon. We had a really good time racing our mini’s up and down and up and down and up and down and up and down the front room before cuddling up on her lap to watch a little bit of telly.