Evie's new top and a visit from a friend

Evie's school did an art project this week. We took in a t-shirt and the children tie-dyed them! Evie was so excited by her new creation. We were pretty impressed with it as according to Ms. Celeste, Evie did all the knots herself.  He she is modeling her new style!

 This is fairly amusing. Evie pops wanted to help Daddy do some gardening but naturally would not demean herself to wearing "garden clothes" so she did the weeding and rose pruning in her Spanish girl dress. That's my girl!! It didn't seem to matter all that much as Daddy did the lion's share of the work and Evie tried to take credit for it all.

 Evie wanted a bun on the top of her head. So I did one. Then she decided it would be a problem for nap time and had something of strop about it. So like all good parents should, we took a photo. She looks vaguely ghost like on this too which is a bit weird.

Last weekend we were treated with a visit from Evie's Godfather, Chris, and his son, Dakoda. They played very nicely together, especially when Dakoda did exactly what Evie wanted him to do.  Here Evie is issuing specific instruction as to how one should correctly pay the puppiepiano.

And finally, here's a snap to highlight Auggie's gladiatorial strength. Evie likes to do her "hip hip hurray" jumps with Daddy which started when she weighed in the region of 22 pounds and are more of a work out now that she tops that scale at 38. Thankfully Auggie is man enough for the task and as you can see from the look on her face, there are few things more fun. I'm wondering if her form is a good indicator of her future as in pairs figure skating??





I heard baby boy's heartbeat today after 5 minutes of failed attempts and a change of machinery. He did NOT want to corporate. Naughty boy.  Once he did though, we heard a nice healthy heartbeat. No more appointments for 4 weeks. I miss my ultrasounds!

On that note . . . until next time xxxx

Baby!

For all of his future admirers . . 

Some new adventures

 

This past weekend Evie was invited to Damien's birthday party - a little boy in her class at school. They started out bowling.  After attaching herself to me for a while, Auggie was able to coax Evie into trying in and she LOVED it!! I think she and Auggie are talking strategy. As you can see from the picture, bowling alleys have moved on rather from the last time I went bowling. 

 

 

We next moved onto the games. Auggie enjoyed the snowmobile, but Evie was not having it at all. She had to be removed, screaming!

 

Evie wanted me to talk a photo of her princess gloves. I am not sure why.  She likes to wear them at home for slightly random activities including caring for Lelly, making tea, and making medicine for when she decides I am sick!

 SAM has been with us for a few days! Among other fun events, they have been sword fighting.  They have also played with water pistols, gone on a train, carousel, and spent a day at the Schlitterbahn water park. We wish he could stay longer! 

 This is just a cute picture :-)

 

Evie's latest favorite thing to do is to make "books."  They usually have multiple pages which we stick together. Magically, the stories change each time we read them, varying from adventures of the "Stegasaurus" to Princesses getting married. She's started writing some words too which is exciting! Here she is showing off her work for you in this picture.

I hope that there are enough photos for now. Since Evie likes me to take random photos of her, I should have more for the blog.  As for baby boy, I hope that I will get a photo from tomorrow's ultrasound and if so, I will post it on here!! He's being a good boy and not making me feel sick any more although I could still happily spend most of the day sleeping! If only . . .

xxx

So, what has Evie been up to?

 

 

Since our most recent post in December (!! sorry!!), Evie has been up to all kinds of fun.  There is obviously too much to list here, but I thought I would add a few recent photos you may not have seen. Since we are now expecting baby number 2, we thought it was about time we got around to updating.  

 

 Last weekend Evie and I went to the Aquarium with Evie's friend Abby and Abby's mum, Michelle. Evie liked the tigers best - the real ones and the fake photo op one!

 You notice a theme from Evie's birthday. Fairies are still a huge favourite and this dress was just perfect for her! Evie likes to fly around the room with her magic wings.  I'm going to be honest here, I really do wish that things like this had been available in New Ash Green around 1984 or so. Perhaps Santa will bring me one for Christmas.

 Auggie and I took Evie for her first brewery visit while our friend Robert was staying with us.  Evie was a big fan of the "beer" - root beer that is - and had a lot of fun.  A girl after her Daddy's heart, perhaps?

 We wish you a merry . . .

 

Evie is already excited about Christmas. I suspect this is more to do with mince pies and Santa than anything that occurred in Bethlehem. Even so, Auggie and I keep forgetting to confiscate the Mickey Mouse that plays "we wish you a merry Christmas" and Evie has been doing her best to wear out his batteries.  Sadly (for us), these batteries appear to have some kind of magic power that allows them to last years longer than any other battery known to the human race. Deep joy.  Here is a sweet candid shot of Evie doing some Christmas ballet to the theme of Christmas Mickey.

 

 

Cat anyone? This guy showed up at our house last week. I thought there was a package on the doorstep but it turned out to be a kitty.  Because I'm stupid, I fed him and guess what?? Now he thinks he lives here!! Evie is highly amused by our new friend but we will have to find him a home. He's a sweet kitty though who likes to snuggly up against our house.  I will not give in to his cute face though - our house is a cat free zone!

 

And moving on to "bean." He is now 11 weeks and has been dancing on the last two ultrasounds.  He even waved to Nana at the last one.  I have not really felt sick but I'm tired most of the time and my tummy is massive! I know "they" say that with the second one you show faster, but this is just silly. So much so, in fact, I have no intention of sharing a photo!!   We are excited to be almost out of the first trimester and look forward to seeing baby boy at our next ultrasound :-)

 

Until next time. . . .

 

 

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