Happy 3 month birthday, Ilona

Bluet shares her toys

It doesn't happen often, but occasionally Bluet takes an interest in Ilona - for instance, she is quite amused when Ilona smiles at her, or here, Bluet asked whether she could show Ilona her toys

Also, here are some more pictures from last weekend, Ilona just chillin', Bluet focussing on blowing bubbles, and some Ilona smiles

Walking in the state park

Bluet standing on a tree

Bluet spots a turtle, can you?

How to Slide

This Sunday we went on a very successful family trip to Brazos Bend State Park. We saw a Bird of Prey (injured), lots of alligators (apparently they are so safe, it is ok to fish whilst standing almost on top of them, judging by the behaviour of others), and some turtles.

After our picnic, Bluet showed Ilona how to slide

Here is Ilona watching, raptly

And Bluet's demonstration


1) Swing to build up momentum

2) release and slide

3) jump off the end

First visit to the cinema

For the last couple of weeks the Lego movie trailer has been on the TV enough for Bluet to have noticed it, and started to ask to watch the Lego movie. I think she thought that 'watching the Lego movie' meant watching the trailer, but I leapt at the chance to take her to see a film for the first time, especially as it looked quite good. So we went to a tiny, empty cinema in Fort Pierce, Florida, with Nate and Scott, where it seemed to cost $15 for an adult and child, no matter what concessions you ordered. Anyway, I thought we were going to share the popcorn, but Bluet had other ideas (she did share plenty with the floor, however). The film is very good, and held Bluet's attention for at least the first 2/3 (after that, perhaps the popcorn was losing its magic). I asked her what it was about, and she told me there was a man and a lady and a unicorn, made out of lego, and that the lady was called 'Style wild', so some of it has gone in.

Also, Bluet is getting into learning which words rhyme. After asking her some easy rhymes (Wall/Fall/Ball etc) I asked her what rhymes with:

"Window?"

"Pindow"

"Orange"

"Porange"

"Bluet"

"Puet"

"Ilona"

"Pilona"

So perhaps now you see how to make anything rhyme

Bonus picture: Bluet at the airport on the way home

Ilona video

Ilona was smiling a lot in response to me talking or smiling, (and laughing too) so I tried to take a video. Unfortunately the camera was not as effective at eliciting these responses

The Beach

This weekend we were at the beach in Florida with the American half of Bluet and Ilona's family. On the plane the stewardess asked Bluet where she was going, and she replied 'the beach' - she had a great time playing with her cousins and in the sand, and particularly seemed to enjoy throwing a small ball around. Ilona isn't quite big enough to appreciate the beach, but she did get to spend some time lying on the beach, and enjoyed getting held and fed by various different people.

Winter Olympics

At school Bluet learnt all about the Olympics, and made an Olympic flame, which she held in the air as she ran around the house. Of course, she was very happy when Britain won our first medal in whatever event that was.

The Wasteland

Last weekend we went for a walk from our house to a nearby bit of land that is set aside to collect flood water in the event of torrential rain. Bluet loved it and ran about, and hid and played with sticks, whilst Ilona slept. The light was kind of weird, as you can see.

NB here Bluet chose her own clothes - as you may have noticed she loves the spotted grey/pink shirt she is wearing, and demands to wear it whenever the opportunity arises.

Bluet throws leaves in the air

Quiz Time

In the back of the car on the way to or from School, Bluet has started to come up with quiz questions, like:

"What has windows and doors and starts with 'C'"

"What starts with 'E' and jumps up and down"

"What lives in the ocean and starts with 'O' and has 8 legs?"

"What goes in the sea and you can sit on it?"

Feel free to put your answers in the comments below. You are welcome to get a small child to help you out.

Ilona Smiles