Today's the day

That Ilona finally mastered walking. We knew it was coming - here is a photo of Ilona standing by herself from a couple of days ago, but today she did her first real walking, back and forth between us as we held out our arms. It made her very very happy. Even when she had only one shoe on and walked like a pirate

Autumn

Here every day is an autumn day, with leaves falling from trees and fog in the mornings obscuring faraway places. These are both obsessions of Bluet's (along with convertible cars not having roofs, where the petrol goes in cars, and whether cars have run out of petrol or not, or if the bus/tram has broken down (usually no, it is just stopped to let people on and off). Every day we talk of these things.

We also got Bluet her first duvet, which she loved so much she got into bed during the day. Several times. With dirty feet.

Here, Bluet waits for the tram in a most sensible fashion

And we found that if we walk up the hill from our house, and to the right a bit, you can see cows, and then if you go a little further there is a restaurant with a spectacular view of Zurich (if it isn't too foggy). We have now been twice, once with fog, once without.

We also found some new playgrounds - one with a 'death slide' for beginners, and a swing which had Ilona on it first, and then Bluet asked to join her.

There is also, across the other side of the river, the biggest, fanciest model railway you have ever seen. Sadly it has never been running when we have walked past, but Bluet loves to look at the bridges, tracks and the engine shed where the trains sleep at night. She even asked whether the trains needed to keep the doors open at night to let in a little light, just how she likes it.

Then there is the park by the river, where we have been many times. The other day Ilona practiced for when she owns her first motorcycle, whilst Bluet watched the ducks

Or sometimes we play in the garden. Here Bluet is playing with her wheelbarrow under the quince tree

And finally today we went to a park by the side of the river that turned out to have wild animals, like pigs and chickens and goats, and plenty of places for Ilona to stand.

And then we go home

Ilona time

At last, Ilona and Bluet are (almost/sometimes) playing with each other. Admittedly it usually involves Ilona finding something of Bluet's, putting it in her mouth and then Bluet notices and pulls it out. Or they are both in the same vicinity, with Bluet ignoring Ilona - But sometimes Bluet gives Ilona a replacement toy. And occasionally Ilona makes Bluet laugh, or even asks to do the same thing as Ilona. This is progress.

Ilona at the slide, Bluet somewhere else in playground

Ilona standing and smiling; Bluet still in bed

Ilona and Bluet amusing themselves independently in the same sand

Here it looks like they are playing happily, but actually I think Bluet is about to 'rescue' one of her toys from Ilona's grasp

Ilona playing with Bluet's tea set. Bluet must be far away

Bluet in her tent. 

Ilona standing

At different ends of the playground

Ilona alone

And not alone

More fun from Zurich

Here are some other places we have been. Zurichorn park can be reached by water taxi, and has a Henry Moore sculpture which Bluet likes very much.

As does Ilona.

Meanwhile, Ilona now pulls herself up to stand anywhere and everywhere - here she is at a playground down by the river, which is known as the bird playground (by us) because there is a big bird cage of tropical birds there. Today she was standing in the living room and lifted her hands for half a second, standing free. She also takes steps if we hold her hands. Walking cannot be far off. She can also crawl very fast, and is interested in learning to go up (but not necessarily down) stairs. This is not my favourite game.

And then at the end of a long day of standing and crawling, eating and napping, nothing makes Ilona happier than the bath, because she knows shortly after that she will be able to go to bed, which is her favourite time of day.

Movie Night

Here is a selection of some recent videos to be used as an exciting 'movie night' of entertainment

First, evidence (and first evidence) of Bluet and Ilona playing together. Bluet actually sat down to join Ilona. Never mind that she then proceeds to try and feed her a leaf and a stone, as this is precisely what Ilona would eat if left to her own devices.

Next, there is a free* water taxi that can take you around the world famous Zurich pond. Here it is at high speed. A great way to entertain the kids.

*included in the tram/bus ticket

Now, here is Ilona standing up on a big rock, testing it for structural integrity. This is a short excerpt of at least 10 minutes expert standing

And finally, here is Ilona in her pram

Progress

Ilona is growing up very fast. This involves an increasing interest in whatever we are eating (today she even tried some of Emily's pasta), lots of sitting up (and playing with big lego (or Bluet's big lego, as Bluet would like it known)). She can even almost pull herself up, and from lying on her front she can push herself up into the almost crawling position. She is also very good at grabbing things and putting them in her mouth, as expected from a young person her age.

Bluet and Dora the Explorer balloon

Meanwhile, Bluet has somehow learned to use an old fashioned phone.