Living Arrows 33/34/35/36
September 12, 2014 by Jenni Clutten | 0 comments
The summer seems to have disappeared into the distance, somewhere between now and July, the time just evaporated. I remember when it was just beyond reach, Neil preparing to pack up his things for the end of term. The prospect of those six weeks stretching out in front of us, days and days of time that we thought would last forever. We were feeling the sense of anticipation, tempting, weeks just the four of us. Of course now, just in the blink of an eye it’s over and we are drawing ourselves back into our old routines. It was a wonderful summer, so many bright days, lots of visiting friends and family and exploring everything the Cotswolds has to offer. Here are some more of the memories we will keep.
33/52 Once we had returned from our trips to see family we visited the lovely Cotswold Country Park for the second time. I remember our last visit so clearly, it happened to be just a few days before we made an offer on our house, I have phone snaps of the brightest of blue skys. What a difference a year makes, from one child to two; two busy babies splashing in the water and running their hands through the sand. It was so beautifully sunny, a big bright and blue sky stretching out in front of us. Then, without warning there came a sudden chill in the air followed by rain, rain and more rain lashing down. We ran for cover, and found ourselves sat huddled in the boot of the car, waiting for it to pass with only some smarties to sustain us.
34/52 Lovely days at home, pottering, organising, making messes, tidying the messes and then making more mess. Cuddles and kisses on the sofa, making play dough in the kitchen and listening to ‘let it go’ on repeat. Amidst this, they still continue to grow, your very first tooth came through Evie, less than 1mm of a razor-sharp blade, just another reminder of the first year of your life slipping on by. Then there was the potty training success (after 3 failed attempts), the time was right and with a sticker chart in hand, you did it Nye. We started the first few days giving you treats after you had been on the potty 5 times, but after a few days it was just second nature to you. No need for stickers or treats, just done. Another milestone been and gone and we barely even noticed it.
35/52 The next week we had our perfect little holiday, just a few days of exploring the Isle of Wight. Adventures to some culinary gems and trips to the beach to look for shells, crabs and driftwood. Evie you took it all in from the comfort of your carrier, happy to go along for the ride, whilst you Nye enjoyed every second of exploring, running, playing and digging. You were slightly uneasy about staying in a new house at first, but still slept well every night. Over the summer you have really blossomed into a little human, we no longer have to worry about you sleeping during car journeys as you are happy to sing and chat in the car. Evie on the other hand, eludes sleep like a master, you want to be awake, crawling, interacting and prefer to sleep cuddled up in our arms, especially in the day time.
You both tried Lobster for the first time, cooked simply with pasta in our holiday house. It’s amazing to give you the tastes of you things and see how you like them. Of course we had busy days but we were able to relax too, and just before we headed to the ferry to go home we took a pit stop at the park where you were able to push Evie on the swing for the first time. It wasn’t quite as smooth as I would have liked, but to be honest, Evie loved it and just loves being a part of the games you play.
36/52 We are back at home and the start of the new term is looming over us. Autumn appears to have arrived, the nights are suddenly getting darker and there can be a bite in the air. The moon has been out, so big and bright in the sky, sometimes we can see it, morning and night and Nye, you just love it. It’s funny you’ve slept so well even when it’s light when you go to bed, but there seems to be something about it getting dark that you like. Now when it does get dark, you tell us it is bed time and head upstairs, you ask to see the moon every night and I lift you up to look out the window.
Evie you are a super speed crawler, it just suddenly happened that we can be in the living room, but before I know it you’ve chased the dog into the kitchen. you’ll head full speed for her, weaving your way under the dining table. I head off to find where on earth you’ve gone and imagine what you’ve been able to get up to in the 1 minute I took my eye off you. You amuse yourself now by picking things up and throwing them, so impressed by your own ability to let go, the sounds you can make and how far you can throw things. Another favourite activity is pulling books off shelves, I think I had forgotten this stage. And of course as soon as I tidy up you’re back at it, it’s so much fun for you.
Over the next few weeks they’ll be plenty of playhouse updates, as I’ve taken up the Waltons Playhouse Challenge, to decorate a playhouse for just £50.
A family wedding created lots of beautiful photo opportunities in the lovely Lincolnshire countryside. We were so proud of how well behaved you both were, which made for a relaxed weekend. (Helped enormously by the fact that you, my little 2 and a half year old fell asleep on my lap before the bride even arrived!) It was a tad windy, and your hair in this photo makes me smile.
Darling Evie, oh boy are you finding your feet and your voice and basically everything! You crawl, pull up, sit up, chatter and are even starting to throw strops. Aside from that you are happy and busy and growing into a child in front of my eyes. Those hairs on your head grow ever longer, they are strawberry blonde when they catch the light.
Those two big blue eyes are commented on every day when we go out. You are intrigued by the world, always watching, eyes wide open. Forever learning and analysing how things work and drawing us in. You are using your hands to manipulate things, shaking, grabbing and banging things together and this week I even let you lick the spoon. You are a sneaky, determined one, you want to stay up and party late into the night, especially when away from home. Thankfully we are back now and you are settling back into some sort of bed time routine.
A few days away from home gave us an opportunity to explore grandad’s farm yard, just like I did when I was your age. Throwing stones, climbing in trailers and jumping up and down just for the hell of it. Your face just lit up when you got a chance to sit in grandad’s teleporter and turn the big wheel and survey the views from on high.
We laugh daily at your theatrical nature, recounting your version of events with your eyes, words and body. I cherish our little chats, especially as you start to remember friends and family and understanding the passing of time. I told you the story of little red riding hood from my memory a few weeks ago and you often ask ‘story mummy’. The story has changed quite a lot now, but the current version involves Nye, who is bringing a buzzby cake to his grandma, the wolf steals it, Grandad says ‘shoo away wolf’, then he says sorry and has tea and cake. When not chatting, you are ‘making cakes’ in the mud outside, offering out stones and rolling out play dough. It’s safe to say you like cake!
Water plays a major part in our life, it is always such a great way of keeping you happy. You make up your own games and sing songs, making up tunes and words if you can’t quite remember them. You love to splash yourself and shock yourself with the cold water, screaming out with joy. Today you sang humpty dumpty like we do at your swimming lessons and jumped into the bucket. You so want to splash that you jump in when you sing ‘wall’ because you can’t wait for the ‘fall’. 
A blissful moment of silence in what has been an exhausting week. I barely dared to press the shutter to capture you, terrified that I would disturb you. You continue to grow up, strong, enquiring and happy (when you’re not causing havoc by refusing to settle in your cot). You are most vocal at the dinner table. When the food runs out, or others are eating without you, you crumple your nose up and inhale and exhale deeply to show your dissatisfaction with the situation. You do it so often now that Nye does impressions of you, laughing to himself saying ‘Evie talking’.
Tutti Fruity Lolly Ingredients:
Berry Blast Lolly Ingredients:
This weekend you spent lots of time with Daddy, including helping to make pizza dough for our lunch. Weighing out the ingredients, mixing them together then kneading dough ready for it to rise. You are a great cook, and can tell us lots of the ingredients needed to make things, even if you aren’t yet patient enough to understand that things do take time to cook. You already know and understand such a wide range of things that it feels like there aren’t enough things in the world for you to learn. Your language is developing wonderfully and you have started to use new phrases like ‘join in’ and this week have learnt your surname. Your imagination makes me smile and laugh. I asked if you were going to fly planes when you were older and you told me that yes you are, but not in the sky, in space! To the cheesy moon! You are imaginative, joyful, expressive and opinionated.
This week we took out first adventure to Oxford to visit the Oxford Story Museum, based right in the center of town. It just happened to be the first thing that came up when I googled ‘things to do with kids in Oxford’. And I feel very fortunate that it was because it turned out to be one of the best places we have taken Nye.
Oh my goodness Evie, you have learnt to crawl! Not necessarily with all limbs moving in a coordinated manor but who cares, you can get from A to B. Nothing can stop you from getting to where you want to be and you even managed to go backwards and wedge yourself under the sofa the other day. Of course your brother thought it was hilarious and had to copy you and he shouts ‘Evie funny’.