Running along the ridge

Nana and Ana discovered a forested ridge in the country park near our house.

With trees either side, it was the perfect natural tunnel through which to run.

See-saw

 Once togged up in about ten layers - tights, socks, trousers, dress... we hit the park running.

 Parks are so much less busy in sub-zero temperatures - you never have to wait for the swing! Here, Papa and Ana are trying to bounce Lara off the see-saw. 

Tiggers, the pair of them! 

Cake and Drink with Nana and Papa

 By Ana's fourth birthday celebration (yes, all for her second birthday), she was an old hand at blowing at, if not out, the candles. 

And the joy of sitting of sitting between your grandparents to eat the cake... matched by the pleasure of being able to drink water from a real glass, with a straw. Wonderful! 

New Cat!

 Much to Ana's delight, some of our neighbours have just got some new cats. 

What is interesting is that our next door neighbours (who don't have kids) have two cats, which Ana loves, but they don't really like her, at all. In fact, they are terrified of her. 

But these new cats who are owned by a family with a toddler themselves are much more friendly, and indeed, seem to even enjoy being rubbed up the wrong way and chased around the garden by our two year old. 

Playing Dress-Up

When Nana and Papa came to stay this weekend - and Papa fell asleep on the sofa, Ana decided to help herself to his shoes. Then when Nana came back from the car, Ana felt that her hat and gloves would make the perfect accompaniment.

Ana is just getting so independant. This morning I went upstairs to find her pouring more milk onto Mummy's (temporarily abandoned) cereal for her. She mostly missed the bowl, but thankfully the tray caught the rest.

I love my sister

 Ana loves Rose so much, and is rather aggressive with her hugs. Her jaw tightens, and her teeth grind with the emotion and physical exertion. 

Rose, for her part, doesn't seem to mind the onslaught of squashing hugs - and indeed, frequently smiles. She is a truely amazing little baby who redefines 'tolerant'.

Candlelit Birthday Girl

 Two candles. Two years. 

Time flies by so fast. Lara and I, not infrequently, comment to each other that sometimes it would be nice if they just stayed as little babies a little longer. Or at least each stage of babyhood a little longer. 

But that is tempered by the sheer excitement at the pace at which they grow and change. It is truely astonishing to think that Rose, in less than two years, will probably be running around, chattering and singing away, playing games, repeating most things you say, memorising books and so on... like her big sister is now. 

Utterly amazing.

Icing the cake

 With a toddler, it is my guess that it is just about as much fun making the "Happy Birthday Cake" (yes, that is what she calls it) as eating it. 

So, Ana was involved in the decorating of this yummy carrot cake. Rose didn't help much. 

Grampa and Rosebud

 I think our girls' grandparents are rather partial to holding and playing with them. 

But then, come to think of it, so are we! They are just such fun. Tiring sometime, perhaps, but such delights. 

Ana's Second Birthday

"What's inside?"

A phrase perfected by Ana over the Christmas and birthday period. And, inside this orange parcel was lots of paint!

Such fun - sticky, gooy, squishy-between-your-fingers fun.

Mes Frères

 Well, here we are again. Daniel, Me, Simon. Lovely.

Piano

 It was great having all the Farewells together over New Year. Here are Daniel and Esme playing a duet... so inspiring... particularly for Ana. One of the cutest moments of Ana's life so far has to have been shortly after this when Ana got down from the table, and started playing the piano and signing in the most wonderful way, completely oblivious the the rest of us in the room. We didn't get a picture of that - it was too perfect a moment to enjoy from behind a camera.

New Gloves

 Gran and Grampa gave Ana some new gloves for Christmas - and she seemed pretty happy with them!

Now eat up your dinner, Sophie

 It is, quite often, a bit of a struggle to get Ana to eat her supper. 

But she has no trouble what so ever feeding Sophie Dolly. What a good little eater she is.

Peak-a-boo with Daddy

 A bit of festive peak-a-boo from half way up Nana and Papa's staircase...

Playing teasets

 Ana and Rose received a present that keeps Ana amused for hours on end... the wondrous spotty teaset.

Here is Rose partaking of a particularly delicious cuppa, meticulously brewed and poured out by her caring sister.

One lump or two?

The new bobble hat of warmness

 Warmness? Should that be warmth? Possibly. Anyway, with this spell of exceptionally cold weather (for England) this hat has so come in handy. Lara troops up and down the highstreet (and most backstreets, sidestreets and to the park) with the girls, all togged up in the pushchair, so warm clothing has been rather essential. 

Hairclips

 Why wear one hairclip when you can wear six? And these are all the way from Australia - via her stocking.

Happy Christmas Mummy!

 Our bright and chirpy little Rosebud on Christmas morning. Such a happy little girl! 

Ana and Daddy were up WAY before the crack of dawn, and we had to wait and wait and wait and wait and wait and wait and wait untill everyone else decided they might get up... and open presents!

Oh Mummy, you're so funny

 So Lara might look calm and reserved here, but let's just say Ana thought Mummy pulling faces was very funny indeed!

Christmas Eve

So, Christmas Eve - yes, blogged in mid January. But what a fun day that was. Here are Ana and Lara enjoying a last cuddle before bathtime. After the now traditional reading of T'was the Night Before Christmas of course.

Baby carrying

 Here is Rose tied up in a very long and useful piece of material - a wonderful invention that leaves hands free to play with Ana and means Rose can be carried around at all the various toddler groups - marvellous!

Can I play too?

 Ana adores Rose, and consequently whenever Rose is lying on her playmat, Ana must be too.  This does lead to the occassional squishing of Rose, but thankfully she doesn't seem to mind too much!

Rose on the play-mat

Here is Rose having a good bash of some soft toys suspended above her little head... and being being distracted by the camera.

Making Mince Pies

So... as an indication of the craziness of life over the last few weeks, we're going back to the pre-Christmas season here... (mid December)

Ana (and of course Rose, too) really enjoyed making mince pies this year. We also made jam-tarts ("jam-hearts") and also a new addition to the Christmas repertoire... banofee tarts!