Hot and spicy

(posted by Elizma)

Liam's preferred flavour crisps. He loves them and actually chooses them if offered the opportunity...

Last snow photos

(posted by Elizma)

Despite new snow of about 7cm falling today, we've had our fill taking photos of it - so here are the last ones.

They were taken at a frozen Virginia Water lake yesterday. It was so cold we didn't stay very long. Liam was also overrun by a dog much bigger than himself - hence the apprehension on the first photo. It gave him such a fright he also had a nightmare about it last night. Poor thing!

Cecile's Holiday

(posted by Elizma)

As you all know, my sister Cecile spent the last 3 weeks with us. It's really sad that she is leaving us on Thursday and no-one will be sadder to see her go than Liam. She's the chosen one now - especially when it comes to reading the bed time story.

Here are some highlights of her visit...

First day in the UK
Shopping on Christmas Eve in Guildford and Peppermint Hot Chocolate on the train on the way back.




Dinner at Jamie's Italian in Guildford
On Saturday evening we wanted to go to the movies but the timings weren't working out. As an alternative we decided to try out Jamie Oliver's new restaurant in Guildford. Amazing! The food was absolutely delicious and we couldn't get enough - in true style Leon ordered TWO starters and TWO desserts! It was the coldest night of her stay here and we were dressed like eskimos.








To Guildford on the toot-toot
Today we took Liam to Guildford by train. I know we've done this a few times before, but he loves it every time. As as he gets older, he even starts to look forward to it - and can be convinced to stay in his buggy for a long time in anticipation of the train ride. Without THAT as a carrot - it's an almost impossible task. I love this picture of them together...

Colder than cold...

(posted by Elizma)

This striking image taken by Nasa's Terra satellite on 7 January shows the UK deep in the clutches of the current cold snap - or as one good friend put it: Cold enough to freeze your goonies off ;-)

Some more snow photos

(posted by Elizma)

As promised, here are some more photos of us and the snow.

It's really cold at the moment and they predict even more snow over the next few days.

Neither Leon nor I have been able to go to work as the roads are pretty icy. We have ventured out on short trips - never more than 1 mile or 2 - only to replenish supplies.

We have been outside with Liam a couple of times in his Wellies, but he stuggles to walk on the soft snow. He does eat some of it every now and again.

For even more pictures, click here.

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

(posted by Elizma)

The snow if now coming down really thick and fast. The flakes are huge and we're loving it - especially Cecile - the last time she saw snow like this was in South Africa in September 1981!

It's about 5cm deep at the moment, but they are predicting up to 20cm. Luckily we went for a big grocery shop yesterday so we won't go hungry ;-)

Here are some photos - expect some more tomorrow...

Early evening snow



Really coming down later

New Year's Day - Mizen's Railway

(posted by Elizma)

On New Year's Day we took Liam (and my sister Cecile) to Mizen's Miniature Railway for a few rides. As always it was enjoyed by everyone - possibly more by the adults than the children ;-)

It was however FREEZING cold with temperatures hovering around -2C! We were glad to be indoors again and warm up with some muskadel (a sweet South African wine) and hot chocolate.

Liam's December Photos

(posted by Elizma)

As promised, here are some more photos of Liam from December. For even more, click here.

Liam at 19 months

(posted by Elizma)

Our beautiful boy is 19-months old and we can scarcely believe it. Slowly he is transitioning into a little boy (although there is still very much baby in him - even if he doesn't think so!)

This month his language skills has just exploded. The words are coming thick and fast and we can't keep up. He surprises us with new words every day - and has even started stringing 3 words together. He loves talking - non-stop! If he doesn't know the word, he just makes one up... Yesterday we went on the super tube / flume at Woking Leisure Centre. He calls it the supe-tupe-tupe-tupe-choop. And the word is always followed with 'more' - he absolutely loved it!

He keeps us very busy and it's now almost impossible to take him shopping. He wants to walk everywhere himself and is not content to walk where WE want/need to go. So going out for something specific is just pointless.

Here are some photos of him on the 1st of January when he actually turned 19 months. More photos of him from December will follow in a separate blog.