Friday = Isabella Day (80)

Some dinosaurs had arrived in the post, together with some paints. So Isabella got kitted up for a bit of fun. She started with the Brontosaurus and moved on to the Dimetrodon.

Rodney Rabbit joined in for a while, and Sue had a go at the Stegosaurus.

Then there was a lot of misbehaviour amongst the farm animals to sort out.

Isabella has taken to awarding herself medals from our 'trophy cabinet'. This one is for sorting out all the naughty farm animals.

This is what she thinks of grandad's intrusive camera work.

"I want to go out!"

So Sue took her on her balance bike to our local soft play 'Antz in your Pantz' area. The hill was quite interesting as she hasn't worked out how to use the brake.

There was lots of fun to be had here.

Grandma took these pictures, or was it Rodney, who had his own channel on the slide. Meanwhile grandad stayed at home, cooked lunch, and didn't intrude any further with his camera during the showing of Octonauts and the painting of a rather grey T rex, before the campervan family were put to bed and Isabella was returned to Didsbury for her tea.

What a lovely day.

Friday = Isabella Day (79)

Eagerly awaiting toast. It's always snack time when we reach Timperley.

Today, after a quick snack, we zoomed off in the little red car to 'Jump Heaven' in Hazel Grove.
 

We were back home for a lunch of beans and fish fingers. Then Isabella, after a few episodes of Octonauts, made some chocolate chip cookies. She's previewing them here with the help of a telescope.

She has become expert at putting the cookies in the oven for 20 minutes, then transfering the cooked items from the baking sheets to a cooling tray .

After testing one small cookie, we all adjourned to the campervan family and the four year old pulled funny faces at Grandad whilst putting the family to bed.

Then we went home, with a few cookies that later returned to Timperley in order to avoid a feeding frenzy tantrum in Didsbury. Future cooking with Isabella will involve more fruit and less sugar!

Saturday/Sunday 9/10 November - Isabella's Second Sleepover

It doesn't seem like three months since Isabella's last sleepover, but she was raring to go again in November. The pictures are incomplete and somewhat lacking, partly due to my being harassed by a lion that didn't really want its picture taking by what at the time was considered to be a tiger..

Here's what triggered the lion episode, thanks to leaves collected on the towpath.

"I don't need a coat to go to the park." Progress from last week is that the scooter has been replaced by a balance bike (see above) that we've been trying for ages to get her to use. "In my own time." "And by the way, I'm cold, I need your fleece Grandma."

We played on the roundabout for ages while the children now on it were waiting patiently. They were very polite when we finished and checked to confirm that fact before having their own brand of roundabout fun.

Meanwhile, Isabella had moved on to catching Grandma on the slide.

An early night follwed as the poor girl was shattered. Asleep by 7:45. Last time it was much later than that.

Sunday morning brought out the Duplo house and the Playmobil campervan, who joined forces to provide a massive picnic and much entertainment.

Apart from that, we played a lot, watched lots of Octonaut cartoons (educational!) and made some tasty biscuits to take home for mummy and daddy.

Friday = Isabella Day (78)

After a nice ride in her new car seat with drinks holder that will stay in my car, obviating the need for recovery expeditions when the seat gets accidentally left in another car, Isabella spent some time with the campervan and it occupants.

Then the farmyard was visited, together with some of its naughty animals who didn't undersand the meaning of the fence.

After that, it was time to paint her nails to match today's pink outfit.

Then, while Grandad went for a coffee and chat with Fechin and Mike, Grandma and Isabella went 'scootering' at Wythenshawe Park. Fresh air and fun as usual, but no pictures.

Lots of beans and fish fingers later, a drawer in the living room yielded a fold out haunted house. This new toy provided endless fun, and it finished up at Isabella's house in Didsbury.

The campervan lady with the pink hat did lots of exploring.

Strange things were afoot at the back of the haunted house.

Jenga is always around in our house. Isabella hasn't got the hang of the actual game, but the tiles are good for making towers.

And what do children really enjoy?

Isabella decided a dance floor, with suitable music, was needed for the campervan family to enjoy their holiday.

Then there was time for some colouring - Isabella has got much better at this over the past couple of months - before she went home. She had been awake since 5:30am so we were instructed to avoid napping, and we managed that thanks to light traffic for the 20 minute journey and much rendering of  'There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly'. We hope she woke a bit later on Saturday...

Friday = Isabella Day (77)

18 October 2024

The campervan stayed in its box today, whilst the Brio train set enjoyed a resurgence of interest.

A pesky lion caused havoc all morning.

Grandma helped to make a very comfy den.

After lunch some cupcakes were made, every last drop in the bowl being put to good use.

Did I really make all these?

Some delicately placed chocolate shavings provided a final touch of decoration.

Exhausted from her cooking duties, Isabella zonked out in the car, before reviving to test her mum's shoes back at home.

The cupcakes were later consumed by some of Saturday morning's parkrunners. "Thank you Isabella" they all said.