The non-prodigal returns.

Our eldest returned to us alive and well - if a bit tired after a great week (less one day because of plumbing and snow). She seems to have had a great time. Though I expect it will take a while to get what she got up to out of her. Indeed, there will be things that she did that we will never know about. The weird thing is that these will get more and more frequent as she matures. Eventually to become completely independent of us - an exciting and yet daunting thought. Will we be able to provide her and train her in all the things she will need as she grows up? No. But we will be there for her (and our youngest) and will have to trust her and God with the rest.

Snow Photo

Here's a photo of the snow from my eldest's camera.

Snow joke

Well unfortunately it snowed more. Which is great for sledging but not so great for school. Add to this a plumbing disaster at school and transport chaos - this meant our eldest couldn't start her week away as planned - here's hoping for tomorrow.

Also in all the snow and multiple coats I have lost my camera - arrrrrgh! So no photo's until I find it.

All packed

Finally it is all in one bag. Ready to go. Our eldest has trouble getting to sleep but finally she is off to bed ready for her exciting week's adventure. However we are a bit worried as it has started to snow and the school is closed tomorrow because of a burst water main.

Woodrow

My eldest is off on a residential weekend away with her school. It will be the first time that she has been away from home on her own. She is apprehensive and we have to get a long list of stuff in one bag.

The dark brown one

The dark brown one.

Nice log.

Peekaboo!

Mum and child.

Back home

Back home and my wife's mother had made her a birthday cake with our children.

Birthday Trip To Lincoln

In order to celebrate my wife's birthday and to have a break in the gloomy January days we took a trip to Lincoln. We had a lovely meal in Pizza Express, lots of pottering in shops that are not buggy friendly and generally having a lovely time.

Hmmmm. Wine and pizza.
Picturesque cottage and large cathedral.

Getting dark - it was about now that we decided to walk to her Dad's house (where we were staying) It was a very long walk - we got a lot of exercise, had time to chat and were completely worn out by the time we arrived.

Happy Birthday

It is my beautiful wife's birthday today.

These were taken at our local pub/restaurant "The Green Man".

The grey one

Baby Hamsters - The Golden one.

Baby hamsters are quite good fun. They are still tiny, but seem to be getting used to being handled. Each of them has it's own personality which is quite amazing as they must have a brain the size of a peanut.

Vampire Hamster

Our hamster bit our eldest whilst she was "taming" her. There was blood everywhere and it will take a while before she forgives her rodent friend.

Probably we should wait until the babies are gone before any more taming occurs.

Hamster Emergence

The baby hamsters are becomming more adventerous, occasionally one or two pops out of their nest for a few moments before their mother realises and carries them back in.
Here is a photo of the latest escape attempt.

Piano Recital

Out eldest has been receiving piano lessons from a kind friend and today she played a piece she has been practicing to our guests. We are so proud.

Hamster Babies

Finally a picture of the babies, although it is not possible to see how many there are as we don't want to disturb them too much.

Hamster Photo Attempt 1

I tried to get a photo of the new hamsters but this is all I managed to get...

Curry

My wife went out for a curry and left me, the children and the hamster at home. She looked lovely in this photo I took before she left so I thought I would share it...

Emily close up.

Bath Reprise

We popped into Bath on the way home to get our eldest new shoes and for another coffee break. It's so hard to find nice, fitted, lace-up shoes that are the right size and in stock. Clark's are a bit rubbish in this regard if you ask me.

Our children enjoying a cup of froth.

A Cold Bath

We went to Bath for the day. Very cold and lovely memories. (One or two bargins as well.)