SUN Days

Yesterday was the first really nice day we have had in ages. We opened up the pool and by the end of the day Riley was swimming up a storm.

She had to take a break to enjoy the sun too though.

We spent the afternoon in Balito, looking forward to the arrival of the Londoners.

Riley spent a lot of time in the pool there too, and is most definately swimming much better as a result. 

Happy Christmas to YOU

We finally have a camera back, so we hope to be posting again soon... Just this time of the year gets a bit hectic.

Anyway, we all hope that you all have a wonderful Festvive Season and a Prosperous New Year.

Loads of Love

Mark, Claudia, Riley, Ethan and Nona

Riley and Ethan Play Nicely

This is a short clip showing how nicely Riley and Ethan play (when they are in the mood).

Ethan is also getting much better at saying "Riley"...

Cheese Sauce Addict

A few days ago we gave Ethan cheese sauce again for the first time in quite a while.

Riley have never been partial to cheese sauce (surprise, surprise), so we have never really tried it with Ethan.

I suppose predictably, he loved it. He won't eat anything else on his plate till the sauce is finished - and smeared all over his face.

This evening he went one step further...

Once we had packed the dishes in the washer, he decided to go and investigate - only to pick up the spoon we used to serve - he licked that clean then found the dish, and walked around the house cleaning that too.

Riley still chooses "blob" over cheese sauce.

Grill Fear

Last time we were in Johannesburg (at Chris and Stacie), Riley was just walking like Ethan. She was also very nervous of walking over the grill in fron of the garage doors.

Ethan reacted exactly the same...

Nana's Ninetieth - Happy Birthday

I promised to post some more from our week-end in Johannesburg for Nana's 90th.

It turns out that we filmed and photographed so much it is taking quite some time to process all of it.

This clip is of everyone singing Happy Birthday - all plenty takes.

Heritage Day 2010

Last Friday was Heritage Day.

Khosi arrived for work on Thursday, which was the day we left for Johannesburg in her traditional outfit - which made Riley really happy.

The following photograph was taken just before we left.

As you can see, both kids are very happy with Khosi, which we are really happy about.

Nana's Birthday

This week-end we went up to Johannesburg to celebrate Nana's 90th birthday.

It was a great week-end and I have not had a chance yet to sort through all the pictures and videos, but this picture was too good to wait...

Nana is very well and as always up to date on what is going on with all of us and in the world - definately a role model for us all!

Our son with a sense of humour.

I will post some more as soon as time allows.

A day in the life...

The Inspector!

Today Ethan developed a new "trick". He has started walking around with his hands behind his back.

I am not sure where this comes from, but he looks like a real inspector marching around the house holding his hands behind his back.

Today has been exceptionally hot - hence the lack of shirts. We had just come inside from running around and playing "soccer".

Ice Cream Attack

On Saturday we went down to the beach for bike ride and to let the kids play in the sand.

When we got the it was very windy and blustery, but we braved the beach anyway.

After playing in the sand and getting a bit wind swept it was time for a soft serve.

This is a slide show of the pictures... Looks like fun was had by all.

Ethan thought it was great fun to drop ice cream on Grannie!

Spring has Sprung...

Spring has sprung, the grass is ris... What a wonderful day this is.

Today is Spring Day 2010. Riley's school encourage the kids to dress up and bring flowers to school, so Riley chose her spring outfit and we collected some flowers in the garden to make a bouquet.

Riley has also been talking about the chicks and eggs at school. The story is that they have been incubating some chicken eggs which were due to hatch today or tomorow. When we got to school today we found one chick already hatched and another on the way. Riley also said that there were quite a few by the end of the day.

We love SPRING!

Jungle Gym @ 33 Meadow

On Saturday we had the official opening of the 33 Meadow Jungle Gym...

Construction was running behind schedule, and was only completed a few seconds before the first patron took to the ladder...

Riley van Gelder aged 3 going on 21 loved the experience but was a bit dissapointed by the tools etc still littereing the upper deck and demanded that they be removed before leaving the ladder on this level!

Due to popular demand the slide (courtesy of Greg Parnell) has been painted violet.



Final clearing up and planting are underway and expected to be completed in the next two weeks.

He walks...

At last Ethan has decided that he will walk... He actually seems to love the idea and doesn't get too upset when he falls.

Since he seems to be so far behind Riley in this department we have been pushing quite hard, but as everone tells us - "Boys are LAZY".

Ethan's Car

You may recall that Nona gave Ethan a ride on car for his birthday...

Riley seems to hog it whenever she is around, probably because she had one too and is pretty expert at riding.

Ethan has also mastered the vehicle and even has the sound effects down.

So... Whos IS the baby then?

After work today Claudia and I were talking in the kitchen and the kids were playing in the lounge, next thing they came out of the lounge...



Makes you wonder who the baby is...

Ethan had a ball though and at least he is getting encouraged to WALK!

Ethan's Birthday Week-end

Last week-end was Ethan's birthday and in my last post I promised some videos.

One of the presents Ethan got (from Nona) was a little ride on car, which he loves. He has not quite got the knack yet but he can get it to move, though very slowly. He does love to be pushed on it though.



On Saturday we had a little party. Ethan loved thos and spent a lot of time at the treats table. He even managed to stand on his own when he was distracted by the edibles.



Then there was the cake. Janet our neighbour made it to the them of "Chuggintons", which is Ethan's favourite tune. As you will see the cake went down a treat.

Riley was also very "helpful" blowing out the candles as Ethan woudl not be able to...



On Sunday we took a drive down to the beach front to do the tourist thing.

Being Durban and all Riley and Claudia took a riksha ride along the promenade.

The area is looking amazing - it is clean and open, a great improvement on before. Lets just hope it will be maintained.

Ethan One Year Check Up

On Friday we took Ethan for his ONE YEAR check up with Dr Kara. The appointment was for 09h00, which is pretty much the time he was born.

We took Riley along too for a follow up on her low iron levels.

Dr Kara was very happy with Ethan. He said that he is "very average" on a weight and height chart. He was however impressed with his speech skills saying that he seems to "talk" very well.

The staistics are:

• Weight: 9.9kg
• Length: 74cm
• Head Circ: 46cm

Dr Kara was also very happy with Riley. He has suggested we continue with the Iron Supplement and has suggested that we add a multi-vitamen (Vi-Daylin). He is not usually a fan of vitamens but said that due to her disinterest in food, a multi-vitamen might be a good idea.

According to the charts Riley is of small build, but could be taken as underweight, however she is very happy and healthy otherwise, so no need for concern. Just continue with what we have been doing and give her dairy  rather than juice etc. Avoid snacks and just try to get her eating "proper" food.

The staistics are:

• Weight: 9.9kg
• Length: 74cm

Strangley enough she seems to have heard what he had to say and has been a bit better with trying to eat, but early days yet.

Dr Kara did also have a chat to Claudia about the "emotional" link that mothers apply to feeding etc. He is quite adamant that kids do not have to be forced to eat at every meal. He said that we should try and limit the conflict and use bribery when desperate.

Ethan's Birthday 09-07-2010

Friday was Ethan's First Birthday - hard to believe how time flies.

We have had a wonderfull week-end, Ethan having a small party on Saturday with family and a friend of Riley's and his.

Janet (our neighbour) got roped into making the birthday cake, which was truly magnificent, and got devoured almost completely.

Ethan really enjoyed his "first" taste of cake (Claudia could not resist geving him a taste on Friday too). As usual the smile was evident, just shows what a nice day he had...

Then , to join in the soccer spirit, we took a trip down to the beachfront today and took a walk towards the new stadium. We could not resist the temptation to do the tourist thing and pose with the "jabulani" ball.

Riley have been well educated about  Fifa and the World Cup, so I think this was a worthwhile trip, and as much as I was going to do...

There is lots of other news and videos etc, but no time tonight... Will try and post some more in the next few days - time permiting.

Nothing is Safe

After being ill for the last few days (sore throat), Ethan seems to be doing much better. He is once again full of smiles and the happy chap that we all know him to be.

He is now very interested in opening and closing this, meaning that nothing is safe anymore.

He has even worked out how to get the TV cabinet open, which means that he has lots of buttons to press etc.



It is hard to beleive that Ethan will be 1 year old in less than a week... He still chosses not to walk etc, which is a bit strange as Riley was running at her first birthday, but I guess "boys will be boys", and being lazy is just part of that :-)

Food Glorious Food

One eats, the other does not...



But we love them just the same...

Father's Day at the Parnell's

We spent Sunday afternoon (after work) in Ballito with the Parnell's. We had a great time as usual and Riley and Ethan enjoyed the time away from home.

Riley often asks to see her cousins and enjoys the "farm life" when we go there.

This week-end she got to ride the quad (so did Ethan), see the fish, get weighed (12.95kg), rode the scooter and just generally play with her cousins.

Greg has also offered Riley a fiber glass slide, so that I can build her a jungle gym.

When asked as school why she loves her Dad, she said because I sleep with her (put her to bed) and am going to buy her a jungle gym (build a jungle gym).

Ethan also had a blast - he loves the animals, he rode on Romeo and terrorised the birds.

Riley Goes to Sleep

I am amazed almost daily by the kids and what they do. They grow up and learn so much so quickly, and routine seems to make a HUGE difference in making them happy!

Since Riley was much younger we have always (every night) read her a bed time story (or two, or three...). She now loves books and now even "reads" to herself once she is in bed.

We have had a CCTV camera in her room for a while to replace the baby monitor, so we are able to see what she does when she goes to bed.

She always wants her "monkey light" which is a night light that Melanie gave her, and since Claudia brought her a wind up torch she likes to have that too.

This clip shows her routine. She reads her book, puts away the torch, turns out the monkey light, throws something off the bed, pushes Melanie out the way and goes to sleep.

She went through a stage of leaving the monkey light on all night, wasting batteries, so I started to ask her every night to switch it off, which she now does every time.

Tonight, after this clip she actually got up and went to the loo and then back to bed...



The flashes etc on the video are from the CCTV and are impossible to prevent... Sorry.

Riley and her Bike

Looking very grown up, Riley still loves her bike. She also enjoys playing with her old school bag. She loves to back things in bags and "go shopping" etc. The house is full of bags with toys etc in them.

The problem obviously comes in when trying to find a specific toy... Can't just scan around for it.

Then ... Just because it was a nice picture... This is what I got from Melanie for my birthday. It is on the wall at the pool.

Riley Feeds Ethan

This morning Riley woke up in an exceptionally good mood.

While I was giving Ethan breakfast she decided she wanted to have a go. Since Ethan eats so well, this was not a problem at all.

Looks like they both had fun.

Riley School Photo

Recently Riley had photos taken at school, which we received this week. I dropped her at school on the day, so was asked to pose too.


I think the results are great...

The above is the class photo... Her teachers are Mrs Maharaj and Mrs Krummeck.

End of May week-end

Well, World Cup fever has struck...

On Saturday Claudia found a "cheap" vuvuzela while groccery shopping, so she bought it for Riley who has been talking about flags, the world cup etc. non stop due to the focus that is being given to the event at school.

Riley is quite a pro at "playing"  the vuvuzela, and Ethan thinks he is too.



The weather has turned a bit wintery this week-end, so we have been a bit cooped up, but this afternoon we decided to take a walk down to the park. Claudia had not seen Ethan climbing the jungle gym.

When we got there, we were the only ones, but as the time went on another three families arrived.

Riley made friends with some of the kids and they played happily.

Ethan enjoyed the time too.





I don't remember when Riley was doing this, but she was walking at the age Ethan is now (10 months 2 weeks).

There was also an 18 month old boy there and he and Ethan were fascinated by each other.

Ethan on Swing

I took a day off today to get some stuff done, so after picking Riley up from school and watching playball, we went to the park for a while.

As usual it was great fun, and Ethan especially enjoyed the outing.

He had his first swing experience... And then decided he could climb up the jungle gym ladder.

I managed to record the swing session, but not the climbing. The recording is poor quality as I used my cell.

Garden Fun

Today we spent quite some time playing in the garden. It is still pretty warm and does not feel like mid-winter.

It was really nice to spend some quality time outside as I normally only get home at 17h30, at sun down now days is at about 17h00, so no time to play... all rushing to get dinner done and kids off to bed etc.

Riley and Ethan play well together as you will see. Ethan loves ring a rosy, and loves the all fall down.

And Riley can be a real madam... Check the pose while she is talking to Grannie and inviting them to come down for a visit to play "scarey monsters" and have some "cupcakes" as made by her highness.

She definately seems to copy her parents... The prowling the hands etc.

Ethan gets more mobile

Ethan has finally started to crawl "properly". He is now very mobile and even manages to get up the stairs etc. He is quite happy to climb the stairs to Nona's house. Obviously we still follow closely, just in case.

He seems to know that he cannot just go down stairs "face first", but does not seem sure what to do. With a little prompting though he gets it right and goes "feet first".

He also seems mobile with the walker, the same one Riley used. It is fairly stable, just not easy to turn etc.

As you will see in the video, he also manages to move between supports. He is cautious too, which is nice.

The other day he even managed to climb up on to the toilet using the step stool that we leave out for Riley. We found him happily sitting there playing with the toilet spray.

He is still not keen on standing. If you can get him distracted, he will stand for a few seconds, but if he is aware that he is standing, he tries to sit down.

Sunday with the Cousins

On Sunday we were invited to the cousins to celebrate Nick's birthday (70). Before leaving Riley wanted to bake, so Claudia and her cooked up some chocolate muffins.

We then went off to Westville to have tea with the cousins. When we got there Noah was very excited to play with Ethan, and Noah, Riley and Ethan played for a while before hte older two went off to play outside.

It was really nice to see the three of them playing so nicely - hopefully a sign of the future. Riley and Noah have always played well, especially if they are left to their own devices.

Noah then took Riley outside and the spent a wonderful afternoon catching bugs with Gareth, "laying pipes" in the garden, which they have seen so much of in our area lately... Then came the cement.

They found one of Teressa's new flower pots and started "making cement". Lots of sand and water were mixed in but great fun was had.

When we moved inside, they found an old multiplug and some caps and started playing "electricians...

Liquorice

When Riley was younger, and even now, she LOVED liquorice, whch is NOT my favourite, or Claudia's for that matter.

It seems though that Ethan loves it too...

As part or our incentive program to get Riley to eat, she has been getting a piece of liquorice if she eats all her dinner, so we decided to give Ethan a piece too... The result speaks for itself!

What amazes me is that they both really love the stuff.

Riley's eating also seems to be a bit better. We had her Iron levels checked this week, and they are much improved, though not 100%, so she will continue the Feremed for another 3 months tille Ethan goes for his 1 year check up and then discuss with Dr. Kara.

He has however suggested that we give her a supplement, which is nto to replace any meals. We are using Pediassure, which seems to be working so far.

Since her first dose on Saturday she has eaten really well, even though the supplement could be expected to cause her to want to skip a meal!

Then and Now

This morning Riley and I were looking at some old blog entries, going all the way back to when she was born. I was amazed at how much she has changed, her face has gotten much leaner and she is most certainly not the "huge" baby that she was.

At the time she was a "big" baby, but now she is a "small" girl...

She also loves her teddy, who she insists is her friend. Teddy had a bath this morning (a few minutes in the washing machine), which is the only reason he is so clean.

Mobile Man

You may recall that we were bemoaining Ethan's lack of desire to crawl properly... Well it seems that he is quite capable, but is just not interested.

When he is outside on the lawn, he mostly crawls on all fours, however when inside on a solid surface, he prefers to leopard crawl.

Ethan is also quite mobile, he is able to go up stairs with little effort. He is not sure about down stairs and the need to turn around yet, but we are working on that.

New Bike

Last week we bought Riley a 12" BMX bike. She was getting too "old" (can't say big) for her tricycle and was battling to ride it.

She is quite the expert on the proper bike and loves to go down to the beach front to ride. She especially likes the downhills because she can cruise at a speed and freewheel down the hill.

She has also never had a problem with the helmet, in fact she suggested getting it at the time calling it her safety helmet. I guess this is becuase they have to use them at school.

Idols Meadow Lane

Riley does not often perform for the camera, but on Saturday afternoon she decided to sing (like Hanna Fontana) using the microphone which she got for Christmas.

Not sure what the song is, probably made up, but the moves are genuine, maybe from watching too much Idols with her mother? She has also taken to Brum, and likes to sing the song at the end... Brum Brum etc etc.

Ethan also started to clap hands late last week... He is very good at it too.

Is it in the blood...

Once again a video of Ethan eating... It is just amazing having a child who loves to eat.

This clip shows him having a go at Rice, Sphaghetti and Roast Potatoes with Veges.

Ethan has the pasta slurp down pat, he also copies Riley when doing this.

This week we stopped giving him a separate dinner, he now eats what we get which makes life a bit easier. Riley also seems to be doing a bit better - maybe copying him.

You really need sound to get the most out if this clip - all the slurps etc. are the best.

I even managed to get a "Dada" and a wave.

Ethan at NINE Months

Hard to believe, but Ethan will be NINE months old tomorow!

We took him for his check up and Measles shot today. Des and us are very happy with his progress. He is doing all the right things and developing nicely.

The only "concern" is that he does nto seem to be too keen to crawl properly. Des is a proponent of a proper crawl on all fours, which he has yet to do. He is however perfectly mobile, just too lazy to lift his bum and move.

We no longer offer the walking ring (especially since he realised that he could climb out of it), and are trying to get him up and moving.

He is also moving around with the support of furniture etc, and loves to be upright which is quite natural.

The vital statistics from today are:

• 
  
  Weight                          8.48kg    Gained 890g
• 
  
  Length                           72cm      Shorter than me by 1m
• 
  
  Head Circumfrence     45cm

He also loves his food and much prefers feeding himself even if he leaves a huge mess!

All in all a happy little fellow!

Life's a Beach, then you eat it.

Yesterday we spent the day with Norman and Julie. They extended a very kind invitation for Easter Lunch.

Ethan got to spend some time on the beach, eating sand and trying to carry a bucket like Riley can...

The weather was not great (hence the background noise), but we still had a great day.

Please Sir, can I have some more...

It is so strange having a child that eats...

This is the huge difference between Riley and Ethan. He loves to eat, which has never been Riley's best thing. We have also never managed to persuade her to eat mash.

Ethan on the other hand seems to love mash (in fact any food).

While this video was going on I was trying to cajole, bribe, threaten and beg Riley to just finish her supper so that she could have a stick of licorice.



Another difference is that Ethan will sit for periods of time as long as he has food or something to entertain him. Riley would sit for seconds and then move on.

Otherwise the two are on track with each other. Ethan is very mobile and pulling up etc. His crawling is not great yet... he still drags along, but as I recall Riley did exactly the same.

Do they look similar???

Some time back Lara and Emma commented that there was a picture of Emma which looked a lot like Ethan.

We think it is this one, where they look quite similar... What do you think?

Easter Bonnet Day

Easter is here again and for the last day of school the kids were asked to make "easter bonnets".

Riley and Claudia had a great time making Rileys version which "had" to be pink!

We had to use google to get some ideas as this is new to us, but there was a good turn out... Even the boys made an effort!

Raucus Laughter

Ethan has gotten to that "difficult" age where he thinks he in invincible and can climb up anything, go down anything head first etc. You need to have eyes on the back of your head to keep track of him.

He is always pulling himself up on the furniture and has even crawled outside to the pool, onto the net to touch the water.

He has a wonderful sense of humour and a raucus laugh. This video reminds me of Riley in the jolly jumper. He has always loved to make a noise - hence the great enjoyment that follows:

Animal Farm One Year Later

Yesterday was a Public Holiday, so we decided to go out to the "Duck 'n Deck animal farm in Hillcrest. This is the place that Riley went to last year for her 1st term end of term function, which she loved.

She has been "nagging" to go back ever since... We had planned to go a few weeks ago, but had to cancel as we all got colds/flue.

Once again we had a great time. Grannie Annie, Nona, Zia and Grandpa all came along... Grandpa could only get there after work though. Even though it was a scorcher day, I think we all had a good time.

Riley rode the ponies, fed the animals and Claudia, Riley and I had a ride on the donkey cart, but I think best of all for Riley was the dog.

She made fast friends with a little jack russel type dog which had a lead and was hannging around the tea garden. Riley played with it and even got taken for a walk. There was also a little kitten, similar to Toffee, which also got in on the action.

Riley Relaxing

We have had a bit or a rough week-end. Riley started to get sick last week. She was off school from Tuesday with high temperatures.

On Friday we thought that she was getting better but decided to keep her home and send her back on Monday... But Friday night it all start again. Even I have gotten ill too. Seems like a cold.

We took her to the doctor on Saturday, and she once again has an ear infection.

She has had spiked fevers since, but last night after fighting with her during the afternoon to get her sponged and cooled, she seemed to be feeling better and went out to Nona's stair to relax and eat her ice-cream.

Looks like she is lying on some ancient stair case - pity about the nestle bucket though.

We are hoping that the antibiotics will have kicked in and make her better SOON!

Bye Bye Baby

We are very proud of Riley!

This week she has given up on her one remaining baby "vice", her dummy.

One Monday we decided to clip the end off, to make it less puffy. We tried this a few months ago, but she ended up being sick that day, so it did not work.

This time, she was ready, partly due to some prompting at school too I guess.

On Tuesday she wanted to take it to bed, but declined to suck it and on Wednesday she actually brought it back to me and said she did nto want it.

She still has Teddy to keep her company though, but seems very happy.

Handy with a Hammer

This evening in the bath Riley had a great time playing after Ethan had been taken out. She was talking to herself and signing etc.

She showed how handy she can be with a hammer too.

Her construction went from being a face (needing a wash) to a tower.

Ethan's Antics

Ethan has started eating toast and other snacks, which he loves... I do not recall Riley ever loving food as much as he does.

He is also pretty mobile and loves anything with wheels.

On Tuesday morning he hoisted himself on Riley's swimming ring, and investigated Riley's bike pedals etc.

7 Month Update (Ethan)

I was hoping to get this post done last night, being Ethan's 7 month birthday, but time got away from me with all the videos etc.

Ethan is doing very well and seems to be tracking what Riley did (milestone wise) pretty well. The only difference we have spotted is that he has two teeth (front bottom) almost a month ahead of Riley.

He loves his food (still), but as with Riley does not really enjoy the home made versions with protien. He was fine with the butternut etc, but was not happy when we added meat, so we have resorted to Purity, which he loves.

Even Riley's eating seems to have improved. We no longer fight about food, but insist that she sits with us, if she does not eat that is OK, but no extras; not easy to enforce but it seems to be working.

This is a clip of the kids eating. Note Ethan and his cucumber - and the sound effects when he uses it to teethe.



Both kids also love the pool. Riley had a bad patch after the Christmas holidays. For two weeks she "hated" swimming lessons. On Saturday she went to play with her friend Meg, and came back a changed person.

She is now back to loving her swimming lessons with Joan (who also can't beleive the change). Long may it last.



This one is just a quick video of Ethan loving the noise he can make with the wind chimes.



And finally, Ethan crawlin/scooting. He is pretty mobile, and even comes when you call - if Misty is not too much of a distraction.

He does not seem too keen on the lawn in this clip but is normally OK. It is quite funny to see his reaction to the lawn though.

Ethan, Riley and Hudson

Claudia took Riley and Ethan to visit her school friend  - Louise on Sunday. The de Beers have a son who is 4 months old, so three months younger than Ethan.

These are the pictures which Louise took. I think they are great pics all round.

Not sure how the pose was achieved though... Ethan likes to be mobile, as does Riley.

Matchy Matchy

The other morning Nona came down dressed to match Ethan... All a coincidence, but quite funny none the less.

Riley also decided she wanted in on the action (she was wearing her yellow nighty I suppose).

Ethan is doing very well. He has taken well to his walking ring and loves to buzz around the house and unpack everything he can get his hands on - which is a lot.

Once again the pot plants are prime target... All kids LOVE to throw the potting soil around the house.

I have been through this with Crystin, Sydni, Maxine, Riley and now Ethan.

First Day in Grade 000

Today Riley attended her first day at Headway Pre Primary. A big step and after our previous experiences we were a bit concerned.

She did not sleep much last night - being concerned that she was nervous, we bent the rules and let her get away with more that usual. However eventually at about 04h00, I decided enough was enough and just sent her back to bed and told her that was it.

She eventually went to sleep, but was up at 06h00, happy as larry... Turned out she could not sleep because she was so excited to go to "pre-primary". We shoudl have realised as Claudia had to take her part the school on Saturday to show her that there was no one there.

Riley followed her usuall routine and dressed, ate and got her bags ready...

She left happily and was quite chatty on the way, she walked in on her own and Mrs Maharaj and Mrs Krummeck showed her her "symbol" - a window, as well as where to put her bags etc.

She was a little clingy and Mrs Krummeck had to take her when I left, however she immediately settled in and was occupied making cakes. I snuck this pic immediatley after she thought I was gone.

She had a good day, and the report back was very pleasing... Just shows that as parents we must be very carefull NOT to project our fears etc. on our children.

Riley did so well that she actually "adopted" a little boy who was  not happy. She went and told Mrs Maharaj "I think he is not very happy". She told me that he looked like Kamo - her friend from her old pay group. I have been invited to "come to the garden and see him".

And then Granny collected her - also quite a developement - Anne drove all the way to Headway and found her way back home too... Well Done!

So all in all a very successfull day!

Wow... Its 2010

Well its hard to beleive that it is already 2010... It has been six weeks since my last post, and a busy six weeks at that.

The Lononers have been and gone, Christmas, Boxing Day, Ethan's Baptism, New Year etc.

I was going to give up posting, but we have had some requests, so I will continue... It would be nice though to see some comments - good, bad or indifferent - all adds to the motivation.

This first picture was taken after Ethan's Christening, we had friends and family around for lunch, which was really nice and relaxed.

Then we get young Ethan, very keen on food so far and going well developement wise. He has just had his 6 month clinic check and all OK.

On boxing day we spent the day t the Parnell's. All the kids loved the pool, even Ethan spent time "swimming". The next picture is of most of the grandkids - Ethan was sleeping at the time though.

The young Sunningdale) van G's also love the water - and dad makes a good jungle gym.

We spent some time with the Calverts - to meet Troy. Ethan and Gareth had a great time too.

Ethan got a pewter mug from the Atkinsons - does this bode well for the future? He seems to know what it is for...

 

Well, that is all for now...