Last weekend

The first thing we did last weekend was to go and get Bluet a haircut (see pictures).

Last weekend was less ridiculously hot than usual so we were able to go and sit outside and eat breakfast. We went to a place that has food and tables to sit at for parents, and food and a sand pit for children. Bluet loved the sandpit and was particularly fond of the funnel. If only all restaurants had a sand pit we would be able to eat lots of delicious food with the minimum of fuss. If anyone knows of a sushi restaurant with such a feature, please let me know.

Other non-pictorial things Bluet is into at the moment are 1) asking what letter different words begin with (and not always remembering correctly) and 2) determining whether everyone we walk past on the street is a man or a lady. This is usually fine except in circumstances where she thinks a man with a ponytail is a lady.

 

Extra Cambridge Photos

I found these photos the other day of Bluet in Cambridge, looking at this rather strange clock on Bene't Street - it has replaced the Nat West where I used to do my banking when I was a student across the road at King's College. Anyway, the clock has been there a few years and is rather a tourist attraction - as Bluet climbed the clock and read all the letters and numbers, many people stood behind taking pictures of the clock. Their photos were no doubt enhanced by Bluet's presence.

Astronaut

Last night Bluet ran around the house pretending to be an astronaut

Visitors

This weekend Nana and Wayne came to visit from Missouri. On Friday I was at work, so I don't have any photos myself, but I have it on good authority that Bluet went to the Zoo and pushed the button that makes the sound of a bob cat - or as Bluet said 'I push the bobcat button'. It makes a roar that used to startle her, but somehow she now enjoys that. Also, she saw this snake.

Then on Saturday we went in search of wildlife to the San Bernard Wildlife reserve. Some of you may remember we went there earlier this year and saw a real Bobcat, many alligators, a giant woodpecker of some kind and a cottonmouth snake. This time it was a bit hot, and aside from all the 'squitos (which bit me more than they bit Bluet), we managed only to see one Gator. 

Bluet, however, still found plenty of rocks

Spot the gator

Once we were home Bluet had lots of fun playing at home, and being a little bit silly

she also discovered a new game at the pool where she lies on the chair and is covered with a towel. Here she is a few days ago; on Saturday she tried to repeat the trick all by herself, and lay on the chair wrapped in a towel for many minutes. Maybe she was exhausted from all these activities

Cambridge

After a little more motorway driving from York we parked the car and spent the last few days of our trip in Cambridge with Gran Helen. I think Bluet's favourite activity here was walking by the Cam and feeding the swans, followed by talking on Gran Helen's phone (pictured above) which somehow she knows how to talk into even though she's only ever seen an iPhone before. She definitely enjoyed spending lots of time with Gran Helen, and in the end wanted Gran Helen to do stuff with her more than with either Of us. I enjoyed showing Bluet places I knew from growing up and going to university, and it was very nice to be able to walk around and not have to get into the car for a couple of days. All in all, visiting Gran Helen in Cambridge made the perfect ending to a very pleasurable two weeks.

Bluet eats a 'pernanna'

Bluet tries on rubber gloves (a lot of fun for her)

Out for a walk

 

Back to the UK

So, back to the greatest trip ever made. When I left you, we were in Glasgow, breaking our journey from Aberdeen to York. Wednesday morning, we headed from Scotland to England, arriving in the early afternoon. After a sandwich, Bluet, Caroline and Della were able to spend the afternoon playing happily together in the garden. In fact, this was one of the most rewarding bits of the whole trip - getting to see Bluet playing with other children her own age - something we don't usually get to see.

Whilst I don't have a video of the three of them playing in York, here is one from Aberdeen, a few days earlier.

While in York, we visited the railway museum (of course), and Bluet got to pick apples at Uncle Simon's allotment. In York they have it good - the allotment is right next to a playground, so fun for everyone. The Museum was a big hit as the girls could run around (and ride the Bullet train) and there were no guards around to stop them.

I think we might go back.

(you can read more about our visit to York here and here)

Waiting for the bus to see the trains