In the latest of our afternoon outings with the Halford boys, we went up to Donington castle last Wednesday:

I was a right little busy bee, marching all over the place but particularly in the puddles. I love puddles. Sadly my feet are too small for wellies, the only shoes I have are my rather non-waterproof sandals. Oh dear, soggy sock time!
Max and I formulated several plans:

Before we tried to overthrow the castle, using some old sticks. After that we had a walk to see the horses and stand on the bridge over the fast road, I love to watch the cars and lorries zoom underneath!
Thursday evening we had a sneaky visit to the park after dinner as Ned actually managed to stop talking for long enough to eat his meal while it was still light outside. It turned out to be rather brilliant because all the doggies were being taken for their evening walk!
Friday was dress up as a nursery rhyme character day at school, here I am representing Incey Wincey Spider:

Smart or what? It was great fun and we got to have a parade around the hall all dressed up.
The Halford boys paid an unexpected visit on Friday afternoon, we entertained them for a bit and then once they'd gone we headed off to meet Mum who was walkign home from work. I decided to dress as a pirate for the occasion. In retrospect the eye patch was something of a hinderance while on the bike......

Friday night was Rock Band night at Owen's. After having a go at the drums I decided to settle on being the frontman of this otherwise rather ageing boyband:

Ned was sacked though as it was felt the band needed a bit more glamour, i've got that by the shedload, even in my bedclothes:

Saturday was quiet by our standards after fridays late night. We went to town for a walk, I bought a model of a praying mantis that you have to make with my pocket money (Mum and I put it together, it looks really good).
We saw James on his own, carrying all of Laura's shopping back from town on the way down too, she has him well trained already!
We had a barbecue in the evening while the grown up's watched some football match or another on telly. I had a great time playing with Kimi and those Halford boys once again.
So sunday then, and after another late night with the barbecue, we had another quiet one.
We did pop to some open day or another at the library in the afternoon though. They had a fire engine in the carpark that I got to sit in:

And there were various arty things to do inside, I made a lollystick man with funny hair.
Then we got to go to the park for a bit, I loved it. Climbing the stairs and going down the slide all on my own.
I got to display a lot of my new roundabout dismount techniques, some of them didn't even remove any skin from my knees!
Monday then, I was picked up from school and dragged down town to meet Mum at he bike shop, it was new bike time!!!! As usual with this sort of thing, Dad was more excited than me, however I did enjoy riding it into the Kennet Centre and then into the multi storey carpark lift!
I'm glad he's got a new bike as I reckon it won't be long before i'll be able to ride his old one.
By the time we got home I didn't fancy riding it really, just a cosy up on the sofa.....
...I made up for it Tuesday though. As soon as we got home from school I told Dad I had a surprise for him, took the bike out of the garage and zoomed straight off up the street on it!
He looked good on it too considering it is quite a bit bigger than his old one!
We packed up and went to the big new park before the kids from school got up there:

The trampoline made an excellent wrestling ring!
And wasn't bad as a trampoline either:

The big basket swing was fun:

And I got to try out the cornering ability of my new bike:

I loved the park as well, especially all the muddy, gravelly yucky bits. I made sure I was filthy by the time we left!

We still do a good line in humdrum everyday boring things you know. It's still shopping on Wednesday afternoons for example, it's a bit of a squeeze with both of us in the trolley seats these days but it's still pretty fun.
We've also had our fair share of wet afternoons watching Cbeebies, we love the animal programmes in particular.
Leo dropped by for the afternoon on Thursday, we had some fun, played with some toys, watched a bit of telly, y'know how it is:

We went down the park in a break in the rain to, i've really found my feet lately:

Friday lunchtime we met up with Mum and took Grandma for a walk by the canal and to feed the ducks. We attracted about three thousand of them I think and between me and the ducks themselves we made short work of the loaf.

Friday afternoon we went for a walk up at Greenham common with the Halfords. We walked miles and miles and I got to try out my new power rangers wellies.

We found an old rusty pretend aeroplane to have a look at:

But i was more interested in digging about in the dirt and gravel.

Max and I were busy being cool:

Friday night Auntie Tracey and Uncle Slim came round to see us. We hadn't seen them for ages and ages and ages so that was really nice. Trace seems to be well on the mend too.

So then it was the weekend! It was a relativley early start, off to the Coral Reef for some swimming. This place is the real deal and while the one in Thatcham is okay, this one is much better.

I really threw myself into it, literally, again and again!

We had a great time before heading off for a KFC (mum's favourite), I didn't like the chicken much....

...and I didn't like the chips really. Maybe we could share a meal next time.

We all agreed on the ice cream with smarties though. It was lovely.

So we were having a great day, so what posessed them to spoil it all by making us go shopping I don't know!!!

Still, it wasn't all bad as I got a nice new book 'A lark in the ark'

And I got a lovely set of stacking cups to play with.

That night we once again met up with the Halfords, Max and I spent hours drawing fantastically detailed pictures in near silence while the grown ups stuffed their faces with curry, beer, wine and coke. Dullards.

I had a bit of a play with Leo before turning in for the night.

Then Max and I also turned in for the night in his massive bed. When it was time to go home, Mum came to get me, Dad reckoned we looked like Morecambe and Wise in bed together, who ever they are?

Sunday then, very rainy, we stayed in and watched films, read books and ate roasted dinners.

We did have a quick trip out to the office shop where we got some stickers (racing cars for me, Dogs for Ellis).

Back to school on Monday, it's still brilliant! We learned all about safari animals, I was well clued up on all this obviously. We had even watched big cat diary on telly on Sunday like my teacher Mrs Fright.

I'd been asking about going to the BMX track for a while, Monday afternoon was dry so we made the most of it and got out and about:

I was brilliant as usual.

Ned insisted i got in on the act this time around and made sure Dad took his bike with the seat on the back:

I whooped and giggled and laughed all the way down the hill over all the bumps and lumps!

Tuesday at school was Italy day, I made an Italian flag, learned about the Colosseum and even made a pizza! We've got loads of other things planned for the rest of the week so i'll fill you in on those next week no doubt!

Another big one tuesday, my first parents evening at nursery. Mum and Dad (and Ned came too) were filled in on m what I get up to during the day. They told them that i'm a right tom-boy, I love running around the garden, splashing in puddles, digging in mucky mud and riding the scooters about. It's not all rough and tumble though, I like to cuddle my teddies, give out cuddles and kisses and that I also like to sit and comfort other children that are unhappy. I also never cry unless i'm really upset about something. Sounds like i'm too good to be true doesn't it? I am still having trouble with my spoon at meal times, I hold it in one hand and then shovel the food in with the other....not quite sure I have the hang of it yet!

I had a lovely time, I got to see all the ladies who used to look after me, especially Roses who was really surprised to see me and didn't recognise me in my school uniform!

First things first, they've finally got there hands in their pockets and sorted me out a new crash helmet:

Pretty cool or what?

Yup, i've been out on the bike again. We went up Snelsmore common, saw the bulls eating all the trees, rather them than me, we had chocolate bars that Dad bought with us:

I did a few funny walks:

We had a visit from the newly married Laura and James on friday night. They had just got back from their honeymoon on safari in Africa.

Yes they had, and even with an African tan they weren't as dark as me!

It sounds like they had a brilliant time though, seeing all the animals, staying in a posh tent and even going up in a balloon.

Inspied by all the animal talk we went to Marwell on saturday. Penguins are always a firm favourite of course:

As is the train ride:

......but this time it was all different, it took a while for me to work out why at
first and then I realised...the sun was out and it was a lovely day. We only ever seem to go to the zoo in the depths of winter when it's freezing cold and the animals are all, rather understandably tucked up in their houses. Today however they were all out and about getting up to all their animal business. Even the normally very lazy tigers were out for a stroll:

We had a look at a load of funny little creatures that I had never seen before:

But best of all was walking, in which ever direction I fancied. This was seldom the same direction as the rest of the party were going but they made allowances for me. Well, it was either that or try and wrestle me into the buggy with special 'stiff as a board' back move. I was more easily persuaded come ice cream time though:

Here I am getting up close and personal with a Kookaburra:

We saw the hippos in their pools, one of them climbed in and then had a poo under water!!!! Don't think i'll try that in the bath eh?

They even had a tame one you could have a sit on:

Fortunatley it wasn't hungry!

The excitement didn't let up once we were home either, it was Auntie Christines turn to babysit on Saturday night....hooray!!!! She bought us a smart voice changing mask:

We had all the usual fun and games....

....And a lovely lie in on Sunday to recover!

Before Leo's second birthday party:

Pizza, sausages, ice cream and birthday cake. What could be better?

I made sure I got my moneys worth from the crisp bowl too:

So thats about it for this week, except to say Mum got sent home monday for having a huge cold (which we apparently gave to her). She had Tuesday off as well and she's desperate to get back to work as she just cannot handle the pace in the afternoons!!!

Have a double dose of video to make up for last weeks no-show.....

By way of consolation after last week, there's plenty of pictures of me this week:

Here I am pulling my best stern food critic's face during a Masterchef inspired session playing with the tea set.
Here's one of my familiar pointing poses. I'm probably ordering my evening meal here, and demanding that it isn't so hot I have to sit and wait for it to cool down for hours and hours.

Friday afternoon we went to the park with Leo and Max, Leo and I had a lovely time:

There were even some pet rabbits 'enjoying' the swings and slides. I loved them.
And I was a proper misery guts, I kept on crying about everything. Sorry I wasn't much fun Max, a busy week at school must have taken it out of me. I still love it though, I come home singing loads of different songs and Mum and Dad think i've become even more confident and outgoing!
Back to me, back to food, yoghurt then, it's okay, but it isn't meat is it?

We went for a walk to the new park on Saturday morning to show Mum what we had found on our bike adventure last week.
I love to see motorbikes in the mornings on the way to nursery with Mum in the mornings almost as much as I like to see dogs, so I loved this:

I was still pretty tired so had a nice rest on a bench:

I kept trying to pinch Ned's bike, Dad finally relented (like he needed much persuading) and took me for a push around on it.....brilliant!

We hid in the play house at the top of the climbing frame:

But our cover was soon blown:

We headed off home for lunch and then in the afternoon we went Racing! We hadn't been for ages so I was really up for it. We had a couple of winners:

Kimi came along with Ben and Rach and Fen and Yanna bought Kin and Melissa along. We had a great time and Kin got us some lovely balloon model animals (as well as some candy floss).
Auntie Trish and Uncle Al were also there, they bought along Al's sister Karen:

She's my new best mate, even though she is a northern monkey and a Police-woman (with a real life Police dog and everything).
It was lovely in the sunshine, I got to max out my tan before Autumn. I'm hoping it'll last a while. I also got to make loads of clip clop noises:

Saturday night we ended up at Max's house for a bit of a play, it was ace because as well as Max and Leo, Abi was there too. The grownups were all watching some putting competition on telly or something so we got busy with the toys!

So Sunday then and the sun was still out! Summer at last. Dad and I set off for Tesco to get some barbecue goods for lunch while Mum and Ned stayed in and made a chocolate cake for pudding.....good work team!

We got some garden toys out and made the most of the weather:

My favourite Teddy had a wash and then got hung out to dry, which I found quite intriguing actually:

Then, once Dad had singed all the hairs from the backs of his hands once again it was time for lunch:

Once dinner was done and dusted we all adjourned to our favoured sleeping spots for a nap, Mum and I sat on a sun lounger, Dad took to the sofa....

......And I plumped for the cot.

We all awoke at pretty much the same time late afternoon and Dad decided we should head over to the Newbury Show ground to watch the hot air balloons take off. Mum was abviously feeling a bit bold and suggested we try and get into the show itself. We certainly got some funny looks driving through a stream of outward bound traffic but she made a good call, the ticket booths were empty and we walked straight in!

The balloons could wait, I wanted to go on the big wheel:

I had to go on with Mum, Dad didn't fancy it one little bit!

No, he seemed quite happy to stay with me!

The we headed over to the arena to watch the balloons take off:

It was pretty good actually, I couldn't believe the way they suddenly floated off up nto the sky.

Hmmm, I wasn't to sure about the noisy burners they used or the huge balloon that was hovvering all too close to us as they were trying to inflate it:

There was still enough people around and daylight to have a look at the quad bikes, I couldn't believe Dad didn't buy me one?

A man on a tractor stand also let me have a really smart book full of tractors to look at too, I read it all the way home.

We also managed to watch the end of the show jumping competition before clearing off home for a sarnie and yet another late night.

Right we're pretty light on pictures and video this week, so if reading isn't your strong point and you usually just scroll through fotr the pictures......UNLUCKY!!!

Better get the school update out of the way first I suppose, it's still brilliant. I've ahd a few 'clingy' moments if the truth be told, but on the whole i've loved it. We had football training last week by somebody from Reading Football Club (apparently they used to be good?). I've got a new nickname, Ned Flanders! I wasn't that happy about it until Dad told me it was a man from the Simpsons....that made it seem a a lot better. I now have my own book bag and got to bring home my first book for the week, a dinosaur one! I made Dad read it three times, Mum hasn't got off the hook either! I take my sandwiches to school in a Lightning Mcqueen lunch box (of course), trouble is, so do another five children...cue frequent home time mix ups! We also get to wave to Max on the way home as he is usually playing in the big kids playground, he seems to have settled in very nicely too! Here's the first fruits of my creative labours at school, a train and an aeroplane no less:

I get Mum to myself on the trip to nursery now, so instead of listening to Ned bump his gums all the way there I get to ask the questions...well gurgle and point excitedly anyway! Mum still does her professional tour guide bi tthoigh and points out everything and anything of interest on the way. I'm enjoying my new room at nursery too, Claire looks after me a lot which Mum and Dad like because she used to look after Ned when he first started at nursery. They wear me out though, i'm asleep in the cuddly book corner everytime Dad comes to get me. Did I mention the fact that i'm a snuggle monster at the moment? I love cuddling up with a blanket or anything else i can get my hands on. I really hit gold this week when I managed to open a cupboard in my bedroom and found it to be full up with loads and loads of teddies! They all fell on me and I had the time of life in a cuddling frenzy! I'm also now pretty much entirely self feeding, resistant to all but the most forcefull and persevering attempts at feeding me. Drinkign is another matter alltogether, there is nothing I like better than to fill my resevoir like cheeks up with as much water as I can manage to contain before letting it all dribble down my chin. I like to accompany this with a slight look of 'what are you going to do about it then' (to which they usualky take the cup off me very quickly).

Animals, I really love animals at the moment. Dogs especially, but pretty much any of them will do. Walking anywhere where there is likely to be dogs is a very time consuming event these days as we have to stop and have a really good look at them.

So then, Legoland anyone? AGAIN!!!!! You'd never guess we had a season ticket would you?

We didn't go an many rides this time, just the boats, the cars and the train before we had a picnic in the sunshine, there's a first this year! We had come to see the machines though, first off we watched a load of skateboarders, bmx'ers and roller bladers ride a big half pipe. I was moderatley interested for a little while, especially in the roller bladers which rather worried Dad I think. They went highest and did the most spins though!

I particularly liked this Ferrari, i'm saving my pocket money for one (well some of it anyway, there's sweets to buy too!):

It was really all about the monster trucks though:

I decided that I wanted to get close up to the action so took off through the crowd, leaving Dad and Ellis in my wake and Mum to give chase, here she is, as pointed out by the arrow (I was right against the barrier). Mum and a few others got told off by some grumpy people behind her for standing up and blocking their view, another lady gave them what for, I think she sounded even angrier than a monster truck!!! They were certainy loud and really monsterous! They even pulled a car in half in a game of tug of war!

Even I loved them, Dad thought their loud engines would make me cry but I just growled right back at them and gave them a wave!

We went home mid afternoon as we were pretty tired, Dad hated leaving a theme park that was still open ......

Sue came and babysat for us on saturday night, brilliant she hadn't been for a while! We talked about school and read our new books. Thanks Sue, hopefully they won't be quite so agrophobic and will call upon your services a bit sooner this time round.

Sunday was almost a complete washout, we went bike shopping for mum, great, except all the bike shops we went to were closed. How exciting, if it hadn't been for the great park we found and the McDonalds we had for lunch I would have been less than impressed.

So then on to Monday, the sun was out and we were up for adventure. The bikes came out and we went out to explore.

Yep, I got loaded up in the seat on the back of Dad's bike and we were off. I liked it much more than the first few times I went on it and loved watching Ned zoom alongside us.

First stop was the park, I whooped Dad around the track a few times before having a play. Then we saddled up again and went down through a dark woodland track, it was really muddy and our tyres slipped all ove the place. We both managed to stay upright though.

Yep, then we got to another park, had another play and made friends with the locals before moving on again.

We ended up on a gravel track, on a railway bridge over the track. We had a gane of 'guess which way the next train will come from' Ellis and I picked one way, Dad the other....of course we won! The train driver helped us celebrate our win with a little toot of his horn and a nice wave from his cab. We were thrilled with that!

I had a bit of the moment with the muddy tyres brushing up against my legs on the way home, Dad says this is how boys should look when they come in from a bike ride:

What would he know, he's usually limping, covered in dirt and complaining when he comes back from a bike ride!