Haircut

On Saturday we went to Bluet's English phonics class. After that we headed for haircuts, and then, as it been raining quite a lot recently, we took advantage of a dry spell and ate outside.



As you can see Ilona gave a masterclass in how to eat spaghetti bolognese.



And ice cream



And then she slept on the bus on the way home

What we've been up to

Well, just before New Year we took the train to a small town just outside Basel where there is a water park attached to a hotel (and little else). We stayed the night and the kids spent a good part of 2 days jumping into the pool with abandon (and armbands). This was enjoyable for all, but because of all the water, no photographs exist.

Anyway, here they are before we set off. (and a photo of Bluet when we went for a walk in the woods near home


Meanwhile we are now back in the swing of things.

A couple of weekends ago we bought a basketball to use in the school playground. It is almost as big as Bluet. Also, Ilona has been riding her bike.





Bluet had her haircut last weekend, I tried to do a before and after. Here is how it turned out (the before after, not really the haircut).

Another scorcher

Last weekend was almost as hot as the previous one. Anyway, on Saturday Bluet and Ilona had their hair cut (Ilona for the first ever time) and then on Sunday some friends came for brunch. Not as desperate a need to cool down in the river, but we did get the paddling pool out.

So here is Ilona playing in some sand at Sihl City

And here is Ilona at Sihl City another day (Saturday) post first haircut. Note plait

And here is Bluet at her playgroup, which she went to for the last time last week, as when the school year resumes she will be going to kindergarten every morning. She liked her playgroup (ever day she asks what day it is, and what we do on that day, except Tuesday and Thursday 'I go to playgroup' and Saturday and Sunday she plays with Mama and Dadn), so I expect she will like kindergarten just as much.

Just before we had visitors with kids we moved extra tables and chairs into the garden, including Bluet's painting table. Which went down a treat.

And as a treat, here is a happy Ilona the other morning,

So tomorrow we fly to Missouri. So the next post will be from there. (Today Maria and Andrew made a flying visit to Zurich, one night on their way to somewhere else, which was fun but all too brief. Too brief for photos, anyway. I didn't even get a picture of Bluet covered in spaghetti from her spaghetti and meatballs from spaghetti factory

Bon voyage!

Sun and water

Last Saturday we headed off into town to run some errands, and so Bluet could get her hair cut. It was hot and sunny, as you can see. Then on Sunday we headed over to a friends house where they had paddling pools - sadly the water was not quite as warm as Bluet would've liked, although this did not stop Ilona getting through 2 changes of clothes.

Ilona, in a moment on her own, decides to play with Bluet's Lego

Waiting for Bluet's hair cut

Happy New Year!

We are back. Not only online, but also as of this morning, back in Zurich (after an overnight flight where no-one got much sleep, so we might go to bed very soon). The weather here is almost springlike, you don't need a hat, coat or gloves, or even a jumper, really. However, in Missouri and New York on our way home it was very very very cold. Over the next day or two I will put up some pictures of our last week in the U.S. and you will discover whether or not Bluet finally met some snow she could jump in.

To start, here are some more pictures from Nana and Wayne's house, last week just after we returned from the winter float trip (canoeing in the new year). Whilst we were away on the 30th and 31st December, Emily's sister Abatha kindly looked after both our kids and two of her own. It was much appreciated by us, and they both had lots of fun (you can see more here). Afterwards whenever Ilona saw a photo of Abatha, she would say 'Abba' and a photo of Lila would elicit a 'Yaya'. Nate is perhaps a little too difficult but we think she said Scott one time. In fact her talking is coming along almost better than the walking - she says 'Nana' every morning around breakfast time when she sees a banana, says 'Mama' and 'Dadn' (obviously), attempts Bluet, says 'ball' and almost certainly some others I forgot. Also she seems to understand almost everything (including 'suck your thumb, which is v. useful when she is tired) and has started to identify body parts.

Bluet upstairs, Ilona downstairs. Neither can get past the barrier alone, both want to. 

Bluet in her Christmas dress, drinking hot chocolate for the first time

Ilona eating breakfast

Ilona and her wheeled elephant. Mainly used to walk around

Bluet getting her nails cut

Bluet post new haircut

Cambridge (sun)

It has been hot and sunny here now for several days, blue skies everywhere. This is ideal for Bluet to play outside - Tuesday morning we headed to the paddling pool in Newnham where I used to play as a kid - it has been renovated slightly, but the pool and roundabout in the playground bought back happy childhood memories of playing there back in the day. I remember the paddling pool being very big, and it still is

Meanwhile we have also been several times to an orchard right next to Gran Helen's house, which was not there when I was a kid, so consequently evoked no memories - it is nice, though. Good for ball games (but watch out for the nettles Bluet).

And then, after a hard day of play, back home.

Oh, and Bluet got a haircut, after which we went and ate sandwiches/a sausage roll at a trendy cafe nearby with plants growing in jeans. A great idea for any plant and/or trousers lovers out there