Bex, Molly and George (10 June)

By the time Bex and Co visited again Olivia was no longer contagious and we were able to go over to my parents to see them. I hot-footed it over there after work so that we could join them at tea-time and leave just before bedtime. Molly and Olivia played together again very well and both decided that as they were both ready for bed by this point, it would be fun to try and go to sleep on the kitchen floor! Bex had other ideas and did a convincing impression of a dying fly (for those of you old enough to remember Tiswaz!).



Olivia also tried to convince us at one point that she was 'sad' using sign language (picked up from the Sing-and-Sign classes we used to go to when she was very small) but I don't think anyone was convinced :-)

Bear Necessities

Richard is now Head Chef of what was the Bear Inn in Stafford. It's been renamed, refurbished and relaunched as The Bear Grill. Here is a photo of the kitchen refit in progress. The chef in the white jacket is Matt Davis, exec chef of the Lewis Partnership (which owns the Moat House, The Bear Grill, The Greengate Deli and The Swan Hotel).

Visit to Aylesbury

A couple of weeks ago Olivia and I went to visit Peter and Lisa who used to be part of NCF and who I used to house-sit for before Richard and I got married. It was good to see them again but unfortunately we couldn't do a great deal because Olivia had caught chicken pox off Richard. Still, we managed to go for a short walk to see some ducks and managed to keep well away from any other members of the public.

Spots!

Richard contracted chicken pox - oh dear! And only 3 days into his new job...Fortunately he managed to get antiviral drugs from his GP which helped to take the edge of it slightly.

Payback Project Vans

Dan is now fitting out and converting VW T4 vans. Here is a pic of the inside of one of his latest conversions. He does some pretty cool stuff with them! If you're interested, take look at his profile for more ideas....

MSG Madness (11 May 2009)!

The three of us went to Tin Tins for dinner on my birthday. Part way through the meal Olivia started to behave SO badly that we had to leave really quickly - Richard was forced to abandon his beer - and take her for a run in the park opposite. She was manic for about 1 + 1/2 hours and I've never seen her like that before. We put it down to the MSG in our Chinese food.

Trip to Hoo Farm

Well I'd never been although this wasn't O's first visit at all. We went with my Mum and Dad and amongst other things, Olivia had a go at milking a fibreglass cow (for fibreglass milk perhaps?), adopting a 'Happy Face' on the Barney tractor (?!); stroking lambs, driving tractors (while being pushed by Grandad) and watching the sheep racing. Back at my parents' afterwards she, Aaron and Emma from next door played together on their trampoline.

New Sandpit (26/04/09)

This has proven to be a very popular buy. Olivia even insists sometimes on lying down and being covered in sand so that she can go to bed in it.

Amerton Working Farm

On Easter Monday we went to Amerton Working Farm with Tanya (ex Harper) who was on her way back from visiting her Father in London. We had a lovely day out looking at the farm animals and going on the various rides, including a little narrow gauge railway. Olivia spent some time stroking the nose of a Dexter cow and saying 'Meat, meat!'. Oh I wish I'd taken a picture at that point!




Olivia persisted in referring to Tanya as 'That One, Red One!'

Thomas turns 6

Thomas' birthday party was at Jungleland this year. Olivia had a lovely time - even more than last year now that she can run around. Not sure about the elephant mask though - she's more of a cheeky monkey like her cousin (!)

Blue and Golden Rats

Richard and Dan bought (for a song) and tidied up a Mk1 VW Jetta. Affectionately known as the 'Golden Rat', it quickly became a favourite play area for Olivia.


Unsurprisingly the VW Polo that Richard bought from N. Wales quickly became known as 'Daddy's Blue Rat'.

2 Today!

Olivia had her birthday breakfast at Eric and Toni's in Kinmel Bay (we'd gone to North Wales to pick up a blue VW Polo that Richard had bought on Ebay - it's a long story). She'd had a late night so wasn't entirely with it but did at least manage to blow out her candle. Thanks too to Toni for organising the 2-shaped candle and a present for her :)

Camel Ride

Trip to Gentleshaw Wildlife Rescue Centre in Eccleshall.

Glow-Baby-Glow

Orange appears to be one of Olivia's favourite colours, so as well as the orange coat that she mithered Richard into buying, Grandma decided that she should have a knitted cardigan and matching hat. You can see her a mile off, especially at dusk! Richard also likes to dress her in this on Wednesdays just to embarrass Angie our childminder. Angie tells me that she's thinking of having a t-shirt printed that says 'She's not mine!' on it, on account of all the comments and questions from other people that it attracts!

Fun at Church and after Church

Spot the orange coat that she pestered Daddy for over two weeks for ('I want orange coat Daddy!')