3 already!

 It might seem as if it was only three weeks ago that we welcomed Evie into the world but our Angel is 3!! She was pretty excited about her birthday this year and has been talking about it for ages.  She has a favourite book that I found her in a charity ship in Rochester that is about Violet - a fairy who had a secret birthday party. So, Evie decided that she wanted a secret birthday party. So, on the Saturday before her birthday, we took Evie to Moody Gardens in Galveston for the Festival of Lights but didn't tell her until we got there.  She was very excited and even more so when we provided a pair of light up wings!! I think a good time was had by all.

 On her birthday, we had a fun party at Nana's house.  Evie and Tori made jelly.

 And Mummy and Daddy decorated a cake. I'm glad we did it and it came out very nicely, but next year I might just stop being cheap and pay for the decorated cake.  The stars said "Evie".  Original, right?

We also had dinner and a champagne (or sprite in Evie's case) toast!

 

 Evie played her 3 year doctors appointment perfectly, telling Dr. Herman that she likes to eat peas and carrots and to drink milk. She also told him she can speak French and Spanish and talked the poor man's ear of for 10 minutes.  We were just pleased she didn't tell him how much she likes wine and champagne.  She measures in at around 39 inches tall and weighs about 35lbs 7oz.  This puts her around the 90th percentile for both weight and height so clearly she's still planning to be a linebacker. She could talk for England and LOVES to dance. In fact just today we went to hear Nana's choir sing and Evie treated the audience to so hula girl moves.  She also love ponies, princesses and cooking. She is often found in Papa's kitchen, telling him what to do and what he's doing wrong.  She is also very sweet but with a naughty streak (don't know where she gets that from?)  She's also pretty into puzzles (as long as they have pictures of Thomas the Tank Engine or Mickey Mouse on them) and likes to colour. She makes a lot of crafts at school from which we have selected examples on display. She is very proud of her acorn collage :-)

And here are a few Christmas pictures.  We dressed Evie up and went off in torrential rain at 9am this morning to the photographers only to be told there was no room for us. Nice of them to tell us in advance right? So, we went to Chez Cottam for some alternative studio shots.  Evie liked posing but insisted on me joining her for a few pictures. I tend to think that the ones of her alone are better.  Either way, we got some good ones so enjoy!!

We're off to see Grandma on Friday night and on to West Texas for the weekend and then back to see Grandma on Christmas Day. I think Evie is excited! I'm sure there will be lots and lots of photos to share after the festivities. 

Merry Christmas!

Busy September

 

I am sure most of my avid readers will agree that it seems insane that it is already the end of September! We have been unusually busy so the time has passed even faster than usual. Either that or we are just really old and turning into our parents :-)

 

 

 

 Evie baked some brownies and then had to try them out of course. She wouldn't pose for a photo though (huge change there then) so I had to make do with a fork across her face.   They were pretty tasty brownies though. Uncle Robert (or Uncle Robbie as Evie likes to call him) had one for breakfast!

Evie and Daddy did some watering in the garden. Some of our plants were looking a bit sad and Evie was concerned they had not had enough to eat. So off they went to put things right.   Note: Mummy did not cross into the great outdoors. Not even to take the photos.

 Saturday morning coffee!! Nana and Papa found this coffee shop some years back. It is located on the way to the supermarket.  Evie plays games while Daddy reads magazines. Pies also likes to share her opinions on the world with whoever is working behind the desk and has a customary melt down when it is time to put away the toys.   We noted today that we are looking forward to the day she learns to sulk because at least that will be quiet!

 On Saturday night we went to the Harris County Democratic Party fundraiser dinner with Nana and Papa. It was fun but would have been massively improved by there being some pudding!! Who has a dinner event that has no pudding??????  We are still scratching our heads.  There were cake pops but not enough for everyone and Nana and I had already snaffled two for the girls. Other than the dessert issue and the fact they briefly closed the bar (rude!), it was a good time with lots of other sensible democrats. Vote Obama!

 In lieu of pudding I also swiped the centerpiece from our table which included a Texas flag. Evie greatly enjoyed waving her her flag while eating her cake pop at breakfast (yeah yeah great parenting). As usual though, the flag had to be across her face.

Auggie's co-worker Jim is running for U.S. Congress. We wish his well in unseating the idiot who currently holds the seat!

Evie is still loving school although according to her teacher, her most recent excuse for not using the toilet is that her hair is too long. I think she will be 11 years old and still in nappies.  Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Jane xx

Brief update

We are still here! I am working on getting the photos from England organized. We took way to many so I'm weeding through the terrible ones. 

 

 

Evie is really liking school but is still stubbornly refusing to use the toilet. I think she knows how much it annoys me.  She has also told me that she is going to call me "mother".  I went into her room this evening to find her sitting in bed and commenting "Mother, I can't sleep. There simply isn't anything to be done." I don't where she comes up with this stuff.    Evie is also loving spending time with her cousin, Tori. They are going to be a right pair in a couple of years.

Evie is weighing in just under 35 pounds and is about 39 inches tall and starts dance at school next week. Cute

Jane xxx

A few more photos . . .

As promised, here are a few more photos!

Here we are at Earls Court for the Volleyball (go Team GB!) A kindly volunteer took this for us . . . sadly in front of the recycling bins but still, it is a nice photo!

Rings at Heathrow!

The Shard. Or at least that's what I think its called. Its not nearly as exciting as the press made it out to be.

Yummy ice cream at Cafe Rouge at London Bridge!

 Auggie and Evie inspecting Tower Bridge!

 We drove up to Washington to visit Nanina.  She was on good form :-)

Bodium Castle! We went by steam train with Claire, Yann and Louis! Evie thought we were on Thomas the Tank Engine so it was all very exciting

Evie and Louis checking out a fireplace!

 Family photo in Tenterden, Kent.  Claire's great great great grandfather was the rector at this Church way back when.

Feet measured in Bluewater!

Classy Bird

At Earls Court!!

Evie chose Wenlock as her Olympic present. He sleeps in her bed! I want a life size one from the Olympic Auction but Auggie thinks 10,000 quid is too much . . . poor me


More to follow!!

Jane xx

England photo preview

I know, the suspense is just too much!! I can't find the cord that attaches the camera to the computer (genius). I am blaming moving house.  But as you all know, we recently took a little trip to England. We had a really super time and Evie was well behaved for both flights (thank goodness).  Here are a few photos to preview the 1000 photo slide show to come . . .

Grandad and Granny Judy went to the Olympic Park on the first Saturday of the games and brought Evie home some fabulous Wenlock (the mascot) jimjams. Beautifully modelled by Miss Pie. 

 Reading time with Grandad!! Nice new book that Mummy found in a charity shop in Rochester (more tourist photos to follow)

Answers on a postcard for what is going on here . . .

 Evie entertained Uncle Andy and Uncle Alex with a few songs . . .

Evie forgot her name so we bought her a reminder . . . . and apparently that was more interesting than the swimming action on the telly

 Oh yeah . . . and we went to the Olympics.  This is us on the train after a looooooong day. Evie's hat has Wenlock on it. Notice a theme developing??

More Olympic photos to come too. Mainly for Nana's benefit because I know how much she likes sport . . .


It really was a non-stop, action packed holiday and we really didn't want to come home again.  Lots and lots to follow!!!

Janey xxx

Return to the Blog

To Auntie Jill and anyone else who might read this . . . .

I have new equipment and will be returning to the blog. Too much time has passed and too many opportunities to share cute photos have been wasted so . . . the plan (at least for now) is to stop being useless. I am starting with this very cute photo of Evie from July 4th! We spent the 4th with Charlotte and Russell in Round Top, Texas, which has a very cute parade. Evie LOVED it - she was really good at flag waving and collecting sweeties . She helped Auntie Charlotte pick tomatoes and eggplant after the parade. So much fun!

News from the family  . . .

I have a new job and as part of the benefits that come with the job is an on site school. So, starting in August Evie will be attending school 2 days a week. She is very excited!  I am hoping that they will potty train her since our efforts have been entirely futile thus far.  Potty training is important when you have a child the size of a 4 year old because to be honest, people judge me. Especially when we put her up on a public changing table and she asks whether we need her to hold her legs. Anyway, I wish the teachers well in this endeavor. 

Evie's vital statistics: Height: 38 inches, Weight 34 pounds, 9oz.  Evie knows all her colors and most shapes.  She likes reading and dancing. She likes Mummy and Daddy to do ballet with her!!!

More photos to follow as I add them to the computer!!

Jane xxx

to answer my critics . . .

Here is an Evangeline update. And to be fair, it was definitely time. We have been having some techincal issues with the blog so the photos are in a slightly random order :-)

Since October Evie has been developing opinions on all kinds of issues and is not afraid to tell you when she thinks you're wrong! It has also been confirmed that she is an amazon child, weighing in on the 86th percentile and lining up on the 94th for height at her 2 year appointment.

Of course, Evie also had a birthday! We had a super fun day with lots of friends at our house to celebrate. There was cake, ice cream and yummy appetizers. Evie was mainly interested in the cake - not entirely suprising as she announces almost every morning that she had dreams about cake. Evie wore her new maroon velvet dress


and did some colouring . . .

and got upset when we took the colouring away !!!

Birthday morning Evie opened some presents, including this favourite from Auntie Claire. The Polar Bear lives in Evie's room with her many other friends.

Evie also opened up a fabulous hobby horse from Ma and Pa.

Some slightly older photos from November. Looking back at these it appears that Evie's hair went on a growth fest over a couple of months. Its so long now she looks like a yetti most mornings.

I will write more when I find some more photos to upload - including some Christmas snaps of the whole family and our recent trip to Cousin Tori's birthday party

xxxxx