Tuesday, November 8, 2011

A week in England with cousins

We've been back from England for a week now, but Liam is still saying:  "no lua!" on a regular basis.  It was a fun and hectic time altogether.  Mostly it's great to see the cousins grow together and know each other, but there were some moments when Liam and Lua really managed to get on each others nerves.  Perhaps it was a game that us adults didn't get.

We were so busy running errands for new baby stuff, and trying to keep the kids occupied and happy that we didn't get a whole lot of photos, but we managed to spend a morning at a soft play place in Banbury where all three were able to really let loose a little and run about.


Lua with the fish pillar at Rugrats
Liam tackles a big truck while Leo plays house
Having a bit of jumping around time before bath time

We also had a lovely visit with Char and Otto who came up for the day to hang out.  It was so nice chatting and catching up with Char and of course seeing her own belly swelling!
I love how Leo managed to squeeze into the photo!
We had one really nice afternoon of good weather so the kids could finally spend some time outside.  It seems it was much needed after a few days of being couped up indoors.  Liam tried Lua's wellies on for size, and they all spent a good hour shuffling about outside!
Liam wearing Lua's shoes, and Lua not so sure about it!
I thought Leo was so funny!  I don't know if he knew what he was doing when he put together this look, but it somehow looks like a funny downhill skier!

Lua as happy as can be pushing her shopping cart around
Liam chose to dig in the dirt with a stick
  Sonja managed to also come up and spend a full day and 2 nights, which was a real treat.  We got to sample some paleo desserts and put the pressure on her to start her own brood!
Lua getting some Sonja snuggles in pretty light
This bus/truck was Liam's favorite AGAIN

Video of Liam and Stirling Holding Hands

Friends, birthdays and other gatherings

It's been a busy fall so far for all of us but despite it all we have managed to continue to get together with other moms and tots on a regular basis each week. 

We were lucky to have some unusually warm weather for the beginning of October which did a world of good for the little ones.  They love being outside and playing, so it was always a good time getting together at various neighbourhood playgrounds.  I love that Liam and Stirling have remained buddies despite her starting asilo this fall.  These photos of the two of them holding hands and walking are just a snippet of the cutest moment. 
Kat, Leigh, Grayson, Stirling, Drake, Isla and Liam
Stirling and Liam hand in hand

Stirling and Liam dashing about
 Drake is still one of Liam's best friends, and this past October he turned 2!  We went to a great and very hectic soft play place near Como to celebrate with him and some of the other little friends and I think the kids all had a great time. 
At the soft play place Liam in heaven with a motorbike
At the food table - Drake's party
Drake and Liam playing in the bouncy castle
   We had a little birthday celebration and get together at our house for Leigh's birthday a couple of weeks ago.  Somehow we managed to get all the kids there to sit for a photo at the same time.  It was kind of miraculous, though I won't say the photos turned out perfectly!
The tots lined up for a photo shoot! - Grayson, Stirling, Cassidy, Liam, Isla, Drake