Poorly Florence

Well poorly Florence has got another ear infection... I feel so guilty that we only realise she's ill when she has it seeping out of her ear but she's such a good girl and never really cries so we don't realise! Back on antibiotics and in bed by 6.30 tonight bless her...

Maxwell on the other hand... he's still awake now - little tike!

Winkworth Arboretum

Well, in the spirit of making the most of the weekends, we took ourselves out to a supposed "Wonderland" at Winkworth Arboretum. The promise of tea pot painting, joining the mad hatters tea party, a treasure trail to find the white rabbit had me incredibly excited and I thought it would be right up Maxwell's street! The reality was a little different... it was essentially just a walk round a national trust park and they had stuck a few "clues" on trees. Still, if it hadn't been for Matty's whingeing about walking it probably would have been very enjoyable!!!

Not really... it was nice to be out in the fresh air and nice to be all together without football being on! And in the back of my head I kept thinking fresh air will make them sleep fresh air will make them sleep....

Click here for photos

Park, Ice Cream and FOOTBALL!

What a lovely sunny day! I love the weather like this - nice and bright but not hot enough that I can't breathe! Perfect opportunity to get over to the park for a run about though... unfortunately at the entrance to the park today the ice cream vans were giving out free ice creams... SIGH. An ice cream was thrust into my dairy intolerent child's hand before I had chance to say no and then a full tantrum was about to ensue had I tried to take it away. Now, before you think I'm an irresposible parent, I have been trying him back on dairy the last few weeks and there's been no ill effects to my knowledge - so if anything, the ice cream was an experiment! You'll be pleased to hear, he's still alive and actually very much enjoyed the ice cream. Back down the park again tomorrow to burn off the energy!

Click here to see pics of my messy boy!

Today was a great day

Wednesdays are my favourite day of the week (apart from weekends of course). Every Wednesday morning I meet up with the girls I met on the antenatal course while pregnant with Florence. Today we were at Jo's who lives just across the park so we took a walk over, Maxwell mostly enjoyed running at the birds and making them fly off. Though I think he actually wanted to go and see them and was a bit put out that they kept flying off! We got to Jo's and had tea and cake - NOT the ONLY reason for liking Wednesday's so much! Maxwell was a treasure the whole morning and only attempted a tantrum once which I managed to nip in the bud for a change!

After Maxwell's nap we played with his Animal Boogie story sack. The story sack is the most brilliant thing. We got it from the sure start library and it contains a story, a CD of the story, some puppets to go with it and a DVD with dance moves and a warm up/warm down. Maxwell absolutely LOVES it. In fact I'm dreading taking it back to swap for another story! Click here to see a couple of pics of Maxwell doing his warm down!

The other reason for loving Wednesday's is we hang out with one of my oldest (in time I've known her - not age!) friends Mel and her two girls who Maxwell ADORES. We can spend hours with them and he is just occupied and happy the whole time just playing. Today however, they did mix the playdoh colours when my attention was diverted (by more tea and cake in the kitchen) which is enough to give me a nervous breakdown... off to the ELC tomorrow to buy fresh!

Painting!

This afternoon we had a LOT of fun painting with our hands and feet! Although Florence wasn't as keen as we were! Click here for some more pics...