Ride 'em Cowboy

We have this rather nice watercolour on our kitchen table at the moment by Lewis. He's been trying to get more subtle shades going in his painting, and his one works quite well.

We've been into Southampton Art Gallery this afternoon, and it's amazing what they have in there on display, including a beautiful Rodin that I'd not seen before.

We also walked the walls of Southampton, which was fun. So much history to discover on your own doorstep. After discovering that a certain voyage to America originated in fact, from West Quay in Southampton - and that's why our theatre is called the Mayflower!

Give us this day our daily bread

Miranda having a bread making lesson this morning as Lewis and I were just leaving for a bike ride. The photo is a bit uninspired due to time constraits, but it's a nice record of her getting stuck in. Greg made ciabatta which we had for our starter this evening with salsa and balsamic vinegar/olive oil dips - what can I say that's not already been said....

A whole lotta bread

Caroline has been on a breadmaking spree of late, with several new styles under construction. This one has been particularly interesting and tasty. Fabulous texture and goes well with cheese - or should I say gone well...?

Today has been a fabulous sunny day, we went for a walk at lunchtime, Miranda pedaling alongside. A bit cols to sit down for long on Shore Road, but we watched a cruise liner coming in and then beat a hasty retreat for home!

Toofy

Gregory has lost his second front tooth, and it makes him look rather gormless poor chap, and his speech has been knocked for six. So tonight he's been wrapping it with Miranda's help so that they could put it under his pillow for the tooth fairy!

The boys wanted to play grown up Scrabble so in the interests of harmony I took Miranda to play something more suitable. Postman Pat snap and Fuzzy Felt was the order of the day, followed by 'The Giant Jam Sandwich' and 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears'

Lewis ran in the cross country tournament today, the rain was falling heavily and it was terribly muddy - but he finished well up in the field and came home radiant with his performance.

Warlord

That look of concentration as he studies how to make the bullets fly off the wingtips of his aeroplane. He's been scooting around the floor nonchalantly flicking his thumbs, as he annihilates his imaginary enemy.

Greg is getting quite good at model making disappearing for a few hours and emerging with a finished object in his hands....

Focussed

After complaining about headaches especially at school, we had Lewis' eyes tested and unfortunately he needs to wear glasses for reading and near to mid sighted activities. He's been wearing them for a few days and seems to have taken to it without any problems.

Tonight I got Lewis to read a Paddington story, and quite by chance it was 'Riding High' the one about the school gymkhana. It was hilarious, and such a joy to be able to sit and listen to him reading it, even though I enjoy doing the honours myself.

Carry on Camping

Miranda in her tent in the kitchen, ...she's becoming obsessed that she's going on a trip shortly! This evening at bedtime she told me I couldn't wrap her in her 'igglepiggle' blanket because it was all packed to go camping...

"Yes OK Miranda!"

Barton on Sea

Packed a picnic and went for a walk today along the coast from Barton. We had intended going to Mudeford, but the path was closed due to subsidence, so we though we'd go the other way towards Hordle. There was huge landfalls along the way, and the blustery conditions made for quite an exciting walk. Took quite a few new photos for my 'Marginal' project which is starting to get me going!

Hello Gran

Miranda jabbering away to Gran on the phone this afternoon, the phone you will notice drifts far from her mouth, but they still seem to have no difficulty communicating! She was telling Gran all about her camping expedition to the kitchen this afternoon, and how she was practicing for trip later in the year.

Weekend Rundown

The kids have been on half term and the sun was shining brightly so we thought we'd have a run on the beach before the light went. We walked from Ashlett down Calshot, and there was lots to see. It looked as though it might snow any moment with brooding black clouds and bright sunny spells, but bitterly cold.

This was Greg as he just managed to get the gate closed in front of me. He can be a real toad when he's in the mood...

Lunch

Just wanted to post this picture of my lunch - with Burger made by Miranda and Bread Bun made by Gregory.

Very tasty indeed!

It's stuck...

Found this image on my Flickr stream from about four and a half years ago! Such a terrific spontaneity, captured when I'd be able not just get flat on the floor, but have a camera to hand.

Note to self - get down ion the floor more!

Wenty Eight.

The tell tale tongue appears when he's concentrating. I must try and find the drawing, I think it would be more interesting than my photo, but that's the best I can do for now!

Now, as I was saying...

Miranda's been making burgers for their tea tonight, and I think I'm having some for my lunch tomorrow, and Gregory has kneaded and baked the bread rolls to go with them. What a team...

Less action

Miranda drawing some turtles, and as you will note she does not stop talking the whole time she is doing. She added a crocodile not long after but the subtlety of the pencil became lost, or maybe she intended it that way. Who knows?

What's on the box?

It's been Miranda's turn to be poorly today, she's claiming to have "what Lewis has got"

The sharp eyed will notice from the clothes that this is another alternate take culled from my archive, that I found earlier this week, too good never to see the light of day. I think I chose one that had all three in orginally, although this one has slightly better interplay. A fresh arty b+w process and Bob's yer Uncle...

New Forest Ponies

Just managed to get a scan of this watercolour pencil sketch that Lewis did for one of his teachers, as a leaving card. He's been a bit unwell on and off this week, complaining of headaches and sickness. Not sure of the cause of it, but it's unlike Lewis.

Point of view

We've had a similar image before but not this one - it's amazing what lies on the cutting room floor! Midway through loading his Lewis appeared on the stairs and was promptly sick, and Miranda (who still needs the odd prompt to visit the loo) threw a tantrum when I directed her in a similar direction. Oh Lordy Ten o'clock and all hell is breaking loose. Just like the photo then really, reality check....

Really sad to hear about Alexander McQueen this afternoon - why are the highs so high, and the lows sometimes so low? Watch Nick Night's revealing interview if you want to see the man himself.

Dazed and confused

There's something slightly uplifting about this picture, not that we really know what's going on. A bit like life really.

Racetrack Charlie

I have Miranda on my lap, and I ask her which picture I should put on the blog. She chose this one taken at Calshot velodrome, which  like but have not used as it conceals Greg's face.

Miranda came out for a bike ride lunchtime which impressed me as it was unbelievably cold. We even had some flurries of snow. Now that's all we need - more snow!

Saturday's Post really

Saturday had been an almost perfect afternoon on the beach; sunny, warm and idle. We'd walked for a few miles but now we were passing a hour watching the waves breaking rather heavily at Keyhaven.

Caroline had been at a training course, and we were just about ready to come back when Miranda decided that she'd had a little accident, well quite a big accident really. A quick clean up and I thought I really needed to rinse her debris before getting back to the car, so I tootled down to the water's edge and a huge wave appeared from nowhere and broke over the top of me. What felt like a ton of water, and I was bloody soaked! Looking at this photo which I'd taken earlier, makes me laugh, what a muppet. Didn't laugh at the time though.

Wait a minute Mr Postman!

Our day began this morning with Miranda wanting to play Post Office. I've seen the kids playing this game with her and thought it was about time I joined in.

She was soon bossing me around, berating me for not knowing what I was supposed to do, but it soon all became clear (as mud)

There was a time with Lewis when I felt like I was aware of all the things going on in his life, and it's a reminder of how far things can move on when you blink.

On the flipside, we had a nice walk in Rans Wood this afternoon. And whilst Lewis and I busied ourselves taking photographs, Greg and Miranda entertained themselves quite happily playing one game after the next.

Superman and Spiderman

I found this pic of Lewis and Greg in my out-takes recently and thought it was too good to miss - taken on the beach at Lepe.

Lewis has been practicing for 'talent show' in school, and I've been encouraging him to do one of his guitar and vocals pieces, but he's a bit shy. When he plays at home he's full of confidence but unfortunately peer pressure is putting him off

Extension of a Man

She has very good taste, our Mip! Asked to choose a CD produced this fine Donny Hathaway number - his last before his untimely demise at the age of just 33. I'm not sure if her choice was inspired by his music or maybe it was the knowledge that he has a daughter called Lalah... who knows?

I,m listening to Teddy Pendergrass - Only You

Cute

One of those butter wouldn't melt moments! I was taking this photo I could tell it had potential, and as I was dropping down to their level the kids mimicked my actions. Unfortunately I'm not as young and agile as I once may have been, and as proceeded to go lower rapidly shooting two or three frames, caved in and hit the deck....

Age, manual focus lenses, cantankerous kids; I can take them all in my stride!