5-day old haggis

This is a pic of our Burns Supper last Friday night. The last of the leftover haggis will be eaten tonight. We had a great time, thanks to Aubrey, Leo and Anita for the witty speeches, thanks to Bruno, Bethanne, Rita and Aubrey for all their help in the kitchen and assembling tables, etc. Thank you to everyone for all the wine and whiskey and songs and poems and jokes (even if the odd one was a trifle bizarre).

Get your skates on

L'equipe Olympique du patinage a venue a Glasgow le weekend passe. In thirty minutes they taught our children to skate like Stoico.

Fast track to relaxation

We were treated yesterday like royalty in Dumfries. Super slides, soothing facials, free babysitting while you go to the hairdresser, delicious roast dinners. Mmmm. Everyone should have Jennifer Cranmer as their best friend. But ha ha you don't. I do.

Gettin' down-n-arty





After a delayed flight, high winds and lost luggage, Opa and Oma arrived last Thursday. Their bags (with lots of presents for us, most importantly) arrived about 36 hours later. Ailsa and Heather have been harrassing them non-stop ever since. I want Opa to put my mittens on, I want Oma to read me my story, I want to sit beside Oma, I want Opa to take me to the toilet, I want Opa to cut up my spaghetti, Oma should take me to nursery. Oma should have her hair done (see pic). I have become almost redundant and I'm loving it.
The sun shone today and we had a great time at the playground of 'House for an Art Lover', which we all are, of course, and had a nice lunch there too. Opa and John have been fixing all sorts of things around the house and Oma pulls a Smartie/chocolate raisin out of her magic pocket at the slightest hint of an upset, warding off all sorts of tantrums.
Grandparents are heaven-sent helpers. I should be able to get some government grant for child care to pay for them to come for a fortnight every other month.

Happy Birthday Bruno!!

This is Bruno leaving his house for work this morning with the paparazzi hounding him on his birthday. Obviously Bruno's New Year resolution must have been to dress very smartly for work every day. A silk tie, a boutonierre, qu'il est beau!
Hope you have a fantastic day Monsieur Cool, I mean Coutty.

La neige, elle est belle

Look at this snow! A fine dusting has landed and it's a lovely cold night so maybe it will rest until the morning. It only snowed for 10 minutes and I might have missed it if John hadn't looked out the window. Pretty pretty flakes. Please send one more foot of the fluff.

Glasgow's redemption

This is the ticket to redemption, price paid in full.
After many days of depressing weather and dreary glasgowness, the whole city has been redeemed for me by the actions of two parking wardens. I could see it all happening in the distance as I slowly inched along at the pace of a 2-year old. The girls and I had come out of the shop and I could see, 30 metres away, the officers approaching my car and I knew I was out of time. I watched them look at my car, go to the ticket machine, put money in, print out a ticket and stick it on my windshield. They bought me an extra 30 minutes for 10 pence, out of their kindness, instead of slapping a fine on my windshield. Why? Why me? But thank you lovely meterpeople.
Other things to make you happy: Youtube. Go in and search for Sesame Street Johnny Cash or Sesame Street REM or Sesame Street Stevie Wonder or Sesame Street Andrea Bocelli. You can watch fantastic clips from the show. The above 4 are my favourites.
I hope someone out there is doing secret nice things to you all today too.

Winterlude



Pancakes this morning and 2 girls not
feeling well, but one happier with new glasses. So I took Ailsa swimming.

Proposals

This morning at breakfast Ailsa said, "I think when I'm a adult I will marry Heather". I said she ought to ask Heather. Her proposal was met with a surly "No". Then Ailsa said in the saddest voice, "But you look lovely Heather, I would like to marry you"

Little Flo

I think she's working on a magic trick involving a doll's high chair, Oma's quilt and a disappearing bunny.

Photo taken this week at Glen Etive

FEELGOOD

Courtesy of friends of ours (Patrick, Lisa, Thomas and Emily) who have consented and signed over copyright of this video of their kids playing with ours we present 'Giant Steps' (Produced + edited by Patrick). It is a cool feelgood video watching the kids in slow-mo. Apologies to all who think this blog stuff is all family self-obsession.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSBHlg8vuu8

HAPPY NEW YEAR

It was a sedate affair at the household this Hogmany - a wee party with the girls, party poppers and a howling gale. We contemplated the year ahead with Geoff, Jen and Mae in Dumfries - some pleasant weather, nice walks, good food and drink. Came across this village in Dumfrieshire (can't remember the name - Jen can you help?) with all this crazy wacky folk-art. Here's a pic of sunset on the Solway firth - but can you find Ailsa?