Half-term Holiday

We just had a half-term holiday. It started on the 24th of October and ends tomorrow, the 6th of November which is fortunate...meant I could stay up ridiculously late to see the election results come in. Yeah, Obama!!!
I took Alf up to see his Gran and Papaw and to spend time with his cousins, Ede and Henry and their parents. We also got a few days with his Auntie Katie and Great Aunt Lucy and second cousin, Maddie. There was a mix up with the court scheduling so Bert managed to come up and join us for a few days. We all had a great time, eventhough it was very cold and damp. We had a day of snow flurries and although it didn't stick where we were, you can see it in a few of the photos. We went to Chester Zoo one day to stave off the stir craziness; we also carved pumpkins and made soup and fairy cakes.
Alf became obsessed with talking about bears while away. We still have endless conversations that go a bit like this:
'Look, bear! Come on! Quick! Run! Hide! Oh no!'
Over and over again.
He has a very active imagination and unfortunately a snotty nose in a a few of the photos.
Needless to say, Alfie is full of things to say and is very clearly not going to get quiet any time soon.

Art

Alf decided to do a bit of painting this morning, he enjoys having a big canvas to work with.

Lately

A few new pictures and videos

Autumn has definitely arrived and we have had some Asheville like sunny autumn days after a very wet summer.

Alfie spent his first night away from his mum and dad as they went off to Brighton for a night. He stayed with his cousins Edie and Henry and was not in the least bothered.

Alfie is into colours, counting and commands at the moment. He will say to Johanna or myself "sit", "walk", "dance", "up", "song" and so on.

A Morning out in Clevedon

Clevedon is a seaside town about 10 minutes down the motorway from our house. It wasn't exactly the most beautiful Saturday but it was warm enough to wear shorts and be out and about. Clevedon has a nice promenade down the seafront and the amusements where Alfie discovered Postman Pat and Jess. We have a video of him on the Postman Pat ride. Bertie showed it to him today and then Alf wanted to watch it over and over again. He just kept saying 'gain' until we made him stop to come and eat his lunch. He cried and cried but wolfed down that scrambled egg once he was told he could watch it one more time if he finished his food. We didn't pay the £1.50 per adult to walk the length of the pier but you can see it in the background. Alf enjoyed sorting through the pebbles on the beach.

It's been a good weekend. Today we went to church and Alfie lost his bouncy ball just before communion. I had to take him out until I could get him calmed back down. However, just about everyone was really kind and afterwards at least three people came to tell me he had been really well behaved. They obviously missed the part where we were kneeling for communion and the lay minister attempted to give Alfie a lovely blessing while touching his arm and Alfie just wailed and squirmed away.

Anyway, I'll ask Bert to upload the Pat video because it is very sweet.

Danny and Mel's Wedding Weekend in Wales

Last weekend, Danny married the woman of his dreams in North Wales. Danny is one of Bert's best friends from growing up and is also Alfie's godfather. The wedding was beautiful and the reception, in a marquee in Bert's parents' field, extremely fun and convenient for us. Alf had a ball. You'll see a not so good photo of him scoffing a brandy snap basket and dancing with his friend from up the lane, William. The couple pictured with Bertie and I after the wedding ceremony are Sam and Hannah, William's parents.
This trip to North Wales, Alf called Bert's mom, 'Gran' and Bert's dad, 'Papaw'. These were his own decisions. He also learned to say the names of the donkeys and often asks about Millie and Charlie.