Landmarks

It's been a busy time recently. Kids' illnesses and plenty of visitors are guaranteed to throw any routine out of line.

But it's settled down a bit now and given me a chance to reflect on a couple of important milestones.

On 22 August it was Ben's first birthday. His grandparents were up for the occasion. Ben himself was a little overwhelmed by all the attention and the new toys. Like most one year olds he was more interested in exploring the wrapping paper and boxes that things came in.

But that's him firmly set on the path from babyhood to toddlerhood. It can't be long now until he starts walking.

The other recent milestone was that Ellie has started at nursery. She attends the nursery attached to the local primary school and goes every afternoon. She loves it. I was quite prepared for tantrums and/or clinginess when we first took her there but quite the opposite - she didn't want to leave! It did feel a little odd leaving her in the care of other adults but we're getting used to it now too.

Happy Birthday Ellie

Ellie turned 3 on Sunday. She really is looking less and less like a toddler and more and more like a little girl.

I hate to say it, but they do grow up so fast, don't they?

Anyway... Happy Birthday Ellie!

Ellie's Third Birthday
[20 January 2013]

Life is so busy at the moment we decided not to organise a full scale party. We filled her room with balloons and hid her presents in various spots, and she loved this! She was still finding presents in the afternoon.

We bought her a shopping till.

Ellie's Shopping Till
[20 January 2013]

She had loads of other presents from friends and relatives. Her favourite was a playdough dessert making set from her Czech grandparents.

I took her to see her first ever movie at the cinema in the afternoon - Tinkerbell and the Secret of the Wings. She just about kept her concentration to the end. I love these moments as a parent when you discover you had start doing something new with your child.