where to?

janu is always helping us out.

newton abbot

his bike continues to be his best friend. he is getting keener to use pedals, so we tell him we'll get him pedals for christmas...I can appreciate now why mum and dad tied a big plank of wood to the back of our bikes - saving thier backs from endless pushing and keeping little fellas upright! We have inherited a pedal bike, so he does use that sometimes. But as Adrian is quick to point out - he has inherited my unusually short legs!

fridays

polly and elmo are the only ones missing from this wonderful mix of arms, legs and smiles.  maude's move to staverton finds her in a sunny, odd house (the sink is in a different room from the cooker, and the fridge) that we all tumbled into on friday. sun, the aga, tea, jobs to sift through, snacks to make, a piano to move, floors to wash, flowers just coming into bud, daffodils showing shy heads in the borders, blossom braving the frosty nights and shyly sunny days.  These are such wonderful friends.

t'brush

adventures with toothbrushes, and pale winter sun on a full, freshly-bathed belly.

hide'n'seek

big bed

From this, to this and this... Janu was really pleased to move into his bed bed, kindly given to us in pieces by a friend.  He helped AA put it together, and was really excited to sleep in it.  and sleeps in it most of time, except when the floor is more comfy.  Look at his legs still crossed over as if he was back in the womb. 

snoz

a few times lately he's performed the rarely seen act of falling-asleep-while-eating. amazingly, his hand keeps feeding food into his little mouth for quite some time after his eyes are closed - what a great skill to have! Here he has almost flopped off his seat, so he came onto my lap till i'd finished. it's quite a treat to have him snuggled close asleep in my arms now, as during the day he gets sick of me manhandling him for cuddles every few minutes.  Notice my woollen & fleece jacket and wooly scarf worn nattily indoors (plus 100 layers underneath). sigh.

friends

janu travels with his friends, all around in thier big blue bath...

snow

not real this time, but this 'snow' keeps janu happy for ages and ages... i can hear him mumbling to himself about crashes and road closures and bollards and workmen on the way....

loo

I don't know why I find pics of him on the loo so cute.  I think my hand is out to recieve a gift of a peice of snot that he had removed. (too much detail?) we painted his face as a rabbit just for fun one day, and it was so good - every time I looked at him I couldn't help but smile. I should have done a big HAPPY FACE on him when he was a very grumpy baby, or written in big writing on his forehead: ' I love you mum'. Sis, maybe you should try it when Niamh has a bad day..

mad hair

my camera ran out of batteries, but lovely friend becci had a 'mad hair' party. great idea for fancy dress, as most people can manage a wig or some spikes but (I know I do) baulk at full fancy dress. was fun to dance to 80s tunes without Janu! although he is a pretty good mover himself...

snowdrops

ode to snowdrops...

sprung..

slowly springing sprung. snowdrops are the first brave flowers to emerge. janu watches a huge swollen river (yes, he wanted to paddle in it).

flos

janu's friend floss turned 3, and she had a lovely party. this picture reminds me of the photos we have of our birthday parties when we were growing up in america. flossie is the one next to janu, and her gorgeous sis penny is next to her.  they live in an amazing community land trust right on the coast at east portlemouth.  floss's mum is an amazing artist, and partner is a wooden boat builder, very clever!  

yogi

3 generations of bottoms in the air

playdough

playdough made with dollops of hand cream (nice smelling and soft to play with!) and coffee grounds - endless fun!

treehouse

freya has built a treehouse at the allotment, and dad helps janu up. see janu's 'smile'. now we tell him 'you don't need to smile for pictures'!

Jack

Union Jacks handed out, suits on, cucumber sandwiches out, certificates got! I felt very odd (and underdressed) for my UK Citizenship Ceremony. Luckily I sat next to a Kiwi similarly attired - we do try our best! People from over 30 different countries joined in an oath, and I admit I did feel a bit different afterwoods - I think I preferred being an outsider! But I've forgotten all about it now, and hopefully it will just make life a bit easier.  I had to pass an exam all about arcane facts every UK citizen should know, including 'what is the grand national?'

Mr Bike

I'm surprised he hasn't asked if he can sleep with it yet....

teignmouth

beaches in england are so different to home. in australia I remember sand, surf and sun.  in england there are roads, shops, piers, people, beach huts, rocks, grey skies and coats. more to look at, sure, but not the quintessential experience of 'beach'.  To give you a sense of the sun's strength, Janu asks 'why is the moon up in the daytime?'... Janu luckily loves a windswept beach, and we caught up with Adrian's old friend Baan and partner Jonathon for a teignmouth afternoon.

garra rock

Welcoming in the New Year with a trip to Garra Rock, on the coast of South Hams. A cold sunshiney day. Janu pretended he was a billy goat and walked most of way from the beach to the top of the cliff himself (unusual for Mr 'carry-me' Porter)

balance boy

precarious fun