Friends in the Cotswolds

We went to visit Pat and Sarah at the weekend. Unfortunately Sarah was ill in bed with the flu so it was left to Pat to keep us all entertained [he did a grand job :-) ]. We had lunch at the Priory Inn in Tetbury on Saturday. This place specialises in homemade pizzas baked in wood-fired ovens so it only seemed right to order a child's one for Olivia. It was only supposed to be 1/2 size but it clearly was a good deal bigger and succeeded in raising a laugh at a neighbouring table. Olivia in particular was quite shocked:

but she soon tucked in and managed to eat a surprising amount:

Saturday evening we went to Westonbirt Arboretum to see their Enchanted Christmas event. I tried to take some photos but as it was dark and I didn't have a tripod none of the pictures came out well, as you can see:

Olivia had a great time playing with her old friend Emma and getting the Dads to do piggy-backs:

Anyone for tennis?

Off to the Dentist's

Last Tuesday, Olivia and I went to see the dentist. This was the first time for her and so naturally she was somewhat apprehensive when we went in, spending most of my consultation standing by our coats and looking nervous. Mr Borratt then encouraged her to sit on my lap while he finished poking about in my mouth so that she could see what was happening. Once he'd finished she declared that it was "All gone!", shouted out "Cleaner!" and mimicked a polishing action. She also let Mr Borratt have a very quick look at her teeth and was rewarded with a sticker for her efforts.

Christmas Party

Yesterday, Olivia, my Mum and I went to Longdon-On-Tern Village Christmas party. Olivia seemed to enjoy herself quite a bit. We played Pass-the-Parcel; ate party food and Olivia got to meet Father Christmas and have a present.

She then made short work of a chocolate tea-cake!

First Nativity

Tiddleywinks Praise Toddler Group held their nativity play on Wednesday and Olivia was picked to be an angel. I think it must have been the blue eyes, blond hair and her general photogenic qualities which got her the part - I certainly never landed such a plum role in nativity productions! She looked lovely in the fairy outfit that Angie provided, however, she was a bit under-the-weather and wasn't in the least bit cooperative. When it was her turn to go up and join the set she refused and I ended up having to take her myself....By the end of it though she was a lot happier and enjoyed decorating a gingerbread man and we even managed to track down the real photo of her on the tree so that we could take it home.

Cheese Scones

Today Olivia and I had a go at some baking and set-to to make some cheese scones. Some of the mix ended up in the floor and in her mouth but plenty was left to make 10 scones. When they were done I gave her one of them but she seemed more interested in the idea of cooking them for a second time on the hob!

Bradley Nurseries Again

The display of Christmas decorations at Bradley Nurseries are well known locally and it's always worth a journey just to go and look at them. Chris and Tim took Olivia to see them last year; this year I went with Chris and Olivia after church.
Olivia was quite taken with the whole thing and squealed very excitedly every few minutes, pointing at displays and shouting "Uck Uck!" ("Look Look!").
She was especially taken with a pile of white teddy bears which she kissed very liberally
and a set of rubber inter-locking play-mats:

Christmas Tree Festival

Lilleshall Church had their Christmas Tree Festival last weekend where various church and village groups get to decorate a tree for display in the church. Olivia goes up there every second Wednesday to the Tiddleywinks Praise Toddler Group and as they had a tree as well with all the childrens faces on baubles. I thought it would make a nice trip out to see if we could spot her photograph. The trees looked fabulous and Olivia enjoyed the cakes which were on sale!


To be honest I struggled to spot her photograph and ended up taking a picture of the wrong child! Hmm...some mother I am?!