A game of two halves

I've been indescribably tired of late and this morning was no exception. Either I am suffering from some kind of bug, my batteries are just flat, or it's old age. Never the less I still enjoyed a kick around with Greg and a bike ride with the guys earlier.

Greg loves making that ball dance above his head, he's lovely to watch - endless eye contact and knowing smilkes and he pulls off another bit of fancy footwork...

Stone Age Man

He was determined to pick this rock up, and drop it into the sea. Only problem was it was heavier than he thought. He put it down at first and then when he realised his credibility was at stake, decided that he would try it again!

Fast mover

Lewis has been cross country racing today for his school team. He was really chuffed to be picked for the team, and was proud to finish ahead of some of the Year 6 boys. It's amuses me that I've never actually seen him running competitively, although the image of him blazing the trail on his bike is incredibly vivid. This one's from the weekend.

The ancient ruins of Wales

I found this one in my photos from a week or so ago when we were in Wales with my Mum and Dad. The Towi valley is where I grew up, and this is Dryslwyn Castle with Paxton Tower in the background, as the gorgeous Towi oxbows it's way to the sea at Llanstephan.

Bob the Builder

It's been a little while since I photographed Lewis as Bob the Builder, and I certainly don't recall Greg ever really wanting to be 'bilder man'; however Miranda has a keen interest in getting her tools out and getting stuck into a bit of DIY. She even has a bit of a penchant for power tools, so hopefully any day soon I'll get home from work and find some chores have been tackled....

Arne

The kids had an insect day, so we thought how better to spend it than at Arne amidst the wildlife. We saw lots of interesting creatures on our walk around the reserve, and Lewis was able to identify quite a few birds from the hide on Poole water.

These are Sika deer, and they were quite tame. We also saw a large herd on the salt grass which reminded me of being on Safari.

We ended the day in Swanage with a walk down to the rocks at Peverill Point, and supper at our favourite Chippy on the waterfront. Kids gone to bed exhausted!

Spring is springing

At first light (well it was 8.45) Lewis arrived in the bedroom and disturbed our slumbers with a nice cup of tea. "I've asked Miranda what she wants to do today, and she says she wants to go for a bike ride...." So today we've re-established one of our routines after the winter recess.

It's been a lovely day, not too many people about and loads of wildlife to see. When we got back we called around to see Barry and Janis and found some frogspawn in their pond. ....Spring as they, has sprung!

Who is it?

Talking about family appearances, made me think about this image that I've had in the e-mippy folder looking for an opportunity!

So who is it?

The Lone Ranger

I've been having fun with Chris' Nikon Coolscan, and this one takes us back to when we went hiking through the slot canyons in Utah when Lewis was about eighteen months old. You might see a few more of these little gems before I'm done!

Light reading

Miranda can be quite particular about her reading, and who she's going to be doing it with. Not always a diplomatic position to take when nerves are at their shortest. Lewis and Greg have always been much more agreeable, but there you go.

Here's Bob!

Pooh Sticks

We had a long weekend with my Mum and Dad in Wales, to see the opening of Father Brown's exhibition in Tenby. This is us on the beach at Llansteffan playing Pooh sticks

Greg was telling me all about his swimming lesson today, he seems to be making good progress. He was also very excited about seeking Gran tomorrow, when I gave him his cuddle at bedtime.

Mr McIlhenny

Just in case anyone's not sure that teaching is a worthwhile job, take a look at Gregory's card that he made for his work placement teacher, who leaves on Friday. Greg clearly has been inspired by the collaboration with Mr McIllhenny, who has been proving that those who can, ...teach.

Life goes in a blurr sometimes

This one from the weekend watching the track racing at Calshot. The kids have great fun betting on who is going to win, or fantasising which bike they are riding!

Two by Two

The boys were busy doing Lego so Miranda decided to get her own toys out! Here she's loading the animals on to her train, and very particular she was about who shared a carriage with who...

Lego builders

There's lots of Lego going down at the moment, and this is a construction Lewis has been nagging me to record all week. I expect it might make an appearance on his blog too sometime soon.

Even Miranda has been joining in too, but getting them all in one photo (whilst fielding the calls for help) is a bigger challenge than I can rise to....!

Keyhaven

We had a fab walk along the salt marshes from Keyhaven back towards Lymington today. The sun was gently warming, but the icy winds created an interesting contrast. Loads of birds along the way, and some fantastic cloudscapes. Snow seemed sure to arrive, although it never did. We had chippies for our lunch, eating them to the magificent view of the needles from Milford in Sea.

Miss Happy

Just about to load a picture and Miranda awoke from her slumbers. She sounded rather grumpy but when I climbed the stairs, her voice had changed to laughey and chatty, as she preempted my arrival. It's nice when she's in a good mood, asks for a drink, and then returns back to sleep....

Quick photo of the boys constructing a snowman this morning before I left for Guildford.... Slightly misty effect due the camera being kept in the boot of the car all night!

Conditions have been very ropey today with Guildford still under about 12ins of snow in the main, barely able to walk the pavements as they were under at least two inches of solid ice. Had an absolutely horific journey home in blizzard conditions tonight, thought I'd be sleeping in the car. Not good....

It's been snowing

In the half light this morning as I was getting ready to leave the house, Lewis crept into the kitchen, and announced "Dad! ... it's been snowing...!" with all the magic of a boy's first Christmas. He was made up, and I guess I was slightly less so, faced with the prospect of navigating through it.

The kids have been in school today, even though 500 of Hampshire's 600 schools decided not to open. What did you do in school then Greg? "Oh we played snowball fights Dad....!"

Nice to know everyone's day wasn't wasted then Greg....