christmas with my cousins...

Hello! Oh I had so much fun during my family time away at my cousins!!! Just watch me...enjoying some quality time with my uncle Andrew, daddy and Reuben while mummy had a kids free ish day around shops....
sliding my new best thing!
boxing day walk with my cousins, mummy and uncle Andrew, beautiful sunshine and loads of skimming stones.....wow new best activity!! yay!
Granny got me this annual well she did get it for Reuben but I got to enjoy it first as my brother has moved on to bigger and brighter things like daddy's IPAD2.
Bestest present ...:) who cares about the present when a box can be so much fun....
loads of fun we had in the box!
yummy Christmas lunch by aunty Helen!!! yummmm
here we go I keep telling everyone about CHOOO CHOOO!!!
Being introduced to crackers just as I woke up from my nap:))) they put this thing on my head saying it suits me....whatcha think?

my mum's poor attempt to cook some goodies for Tajana who 's bday was on the 22nd!!! I loved loved the yummy flower and all exciting games with it.....decorating, cooking and such...bring it on any day my friends.

Zackie Zackie Zac

Christmas so close...Advent has not yet been what I imagined it to be however this amazing picture (painting) on the walls of the cathedral grounds says it all. It moved me to tears. I was just taking children home from a very chaotic time out and came across this lovley artwork. I was thinking of my own Advent a bit of a journey...heavy loads, gifts, tiredness, darkness and possibly coldness....hopefullness and soldiering on to meet HIM!:)So blessed to be living in the walking distance of one of England's oldest cathedrals (second oldest) and an amazing castle from ancient times. I always loved to talk to my kids about heritage....and history although am not very good at it. HEre we are taking a stroll at the Dickensian Winter Festival and just spotted the fake snow...We also have a winter market at the castle and many kids rides which they had just enjoyed. Zackie I guess has surprised me in that he wants to go on all rides and has no fear at all. Sits very well on each ride ....and even been up on a very scary ride with me....held his arms out as we spinned and pretended to be an airplane.This year I had done something different...boys were to have their Christmas tree outside..we had dressed it the first weekend in December! yap a little early but it was so nice. I really enjoyed it...boys did too...as they put up all the Christmas Decs.Zackie does have a very very high interest in everything Reuben does....its sometimes so annoying for Reuben but he is watching big brother 24/24. So so very very nearly completing things like his brother. Speach is wonderfully coming along I am yet to understand some of the words he keeps repeating.....and well also trying to understand second child syndromes...:)))

Generally Zackie is happy to muck in....I am loving that they can play well together. Zackie can be very very happy and good company for Reuben....and himself.

Loves slides and park time and just generally enjoys adventre toooo. I am thankful as this year Zackie has shown huge milestones. Not only is he fantastic at walking, he is very independent, he figures things out and have to be so so careful as he only needs to see something once and wants to copy it. I am learning more and more about Zac as I spend time with him. He tends to respond well to well structured days. He hates and feels when things are done in rush and also when he is not prepared for certain activities. We had experimented with swimming and although he gets terribly excited he is very delicate I find. He gets stressed and cold very rapidly.

He is an amazing actor....makes all funny faces that are possible....and can really really act out what he wants and the emotions he feels. He has some friends but playing at the moment is more individual even at play dates. Loves Messy Play and Jasper Jingles. he loves loves the HOKEY KOKEY song?!:))he also also loves one to one time. He loves being asked things often answers NES (to yes) and when does not want something he will give a definate NOOOOOOO with a real twist. Anyways, he is a real treasure. We love him dearly and really looking forward to the milestone of 2 years old in February!!:)) what will taht bring?! Who knows?!:)) Well its time for terrible twos and we are witnessing it. So if we don;t see you and manage to otherwise talk to you MAY WE WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED 2012!

attitude?!:)

Yap! Loads of attitude and tantrums welcome terrible twos?! Dont know but Mr Angelic has turned into Mr Tantrum and Mr Attitude...however I find it most often cute and funny to his dismay. Its been a normal week ....for us with a few difficult nights as he seemed to have come down with a cold.I have tried to do some pre Christmas Shopping with my kids but its been difficult instead we shopped for us and well....played and had coffees out....I don;t think I have ever found it this hard to get ready for Christmas. This year its gotta be small little things to all whom we love and care for....and really it should always be like that....maybe then we would work less on paying hefty credit card charges and actually enjoy life more. I was watching R and Zac and enjoy looking around but not wanting anything badly and I felt so proud. They were happy to just look and come away. I am blessed I know I am. Seems somewhere kids learn to sometimes let go when its less important....cool I like that.Zac has so far walked with Reuben to school most mornings....he loves seeing Reuben in big school and enjoys his little play there. Then he either goes to aunty Ivetta (Monday and Fridays) or comes home to go for playdates or paygroups...win win...and win for mummy too most times.We had a stay and play at R's school this week on Thursday it was really good...Zac got to see what big school is like. I was so happy to see Reuben with his friends. He seems well into the group and considering they had only just started they made good team....and Zac seems so comfortable there tooo. I am now def considering that nursery for Zac once he is three. Next year this time I will be getting him used to nursery....hurraaay! Looking very much forward to it....and off course to all the learning and excitment... for now we are staying with the great seeminly well woorking routine....and hope for less attitude and tantrums....:)

nearly 2? shocking

Ah, what a long and difficult week....ahhhh still we managed quite a lot! Monday we went shopping at Dockside followed by big sleep. Both photos have been taken on Wednesday when we went to Messy Play. Elena and Andrei were there....Zackie gets ever so excited when he sees Elena....and gives her loads of attention....xxcuddles and kisses.Both boys are rather mad for Mario games....they really do get very passionate....poor daddy had to get another wheel and remote for Zackie who also insists in playing along. He does like R;s wheel so even though they are identical they both know which one is Reuben's. How does that happen?! So often its a lot of fighting over the wheel....This week even he has had some tummy bug issues and also his MOLARS are giving him grief....he has managed to smile and make us laugh. He loves big sandwiches.....and refuses to eat baby food. He is now 21 months and I am shocked cause only the other week when he seemed unwell we went to drs and dr said has Zac had his molars yet?! I thought to myself ups he is growing up. Looking back at some photos I can see how very much he has grown. Looking at Zac I can see how much more independent and able he has become. He loves chattering...says succesfully so many words....but loves pointing and not bothering saying the words he knows except when I make him.He does look so much like my mum (MAMA) and Jonathan (strangely). Well to me he does. And having mentioned daddy. he is big on daddy at the moment. he does get into a fit when daddy is around and does not give him the required attention. Having said that he also goes mad for mummy....bless....must be a stage.Watching his big brother swim....:))) he was ready to launch in....and very dissapointed he couldnt just jump in the water.Cake cooking was fun.....and he really enjoyed the decorating:))

I am trying to be as creative as possible with Zac. Although he loves sitting on the worktop and generally getting excited about washing up, cleaning, cooking (that especially) he has gotten to a stage where its hard to multitask I would have to watch him while I am also cooking or doing things. Often he grabs things and gets into things...:)))

Currently he sees aunty Ivetta and kids at Ivetta's on Mondays and Fridays and he does things with mummy and friends the rest of the week. We successfully dropped the morning sleep which allows us to rest mid day. I love when he sleeps longer but often he wakes then goes back again but only if I lie next to him. That I like....very much however sometimes its hard to fulfill that woderful task as I might have to get Reuben or have other chores. I love snuggling up to him...its so nice. He wakes he looks at me and he closes his eyes again...makes me feel as though he loves that and I do love it too. I am seeing some tantrums developping and I am scared. I don;t remember Reuben throwing himself down on the floor or such it was more of a case of screams....or just upsets but no real outrage. Zackie has learnt somewhere that throwing himself face down or putting his face in his palms and burring himself is how he should express his dissapointments....oh well I am teaching him a different action for SAD....:)))

He loves love splaying HIDE AND SEEK....he does this funny play of counting....then runs away then giggles and comes back with a booooooo:)))) if he plays with Reuben he cant contain himself he gives away their whereabouts easily by appearing before one gets to the HOTPOINT:))) He and Reuben have their funny moments.....half of the time Zackie wants what R has...which is very upsetting for Reuben but normally would give Zackie whatever it is Zackie screams for! - sometimes he tells Zackie NO and lectures Zackie that I LOVE.

this is a sweet conversation I recorded while I was driving them to a playgroup:

Z: screams, leans towards Reuben, points and screams some more

me: Whats the matter Zackie what are you up to there in the back

Z: continues to point, scream and gets louder and louder

R: Zackie if you don;t tell me what it is you want, I CAN NOT HELP YOU

Z: slience....then some pointing

R: This? This? This? (pointing at things around him)

Z: more noises......

R: Com on brother just tell me, this? this?

R: You are silly Zackie you know that don;t you?:)))

R: here you go, now say: RE-MOte CONTROLLLLL easy peasy

(yes, Zac was after the Remote to their dvd players)....there ....conversations....are such easy peasy things. Have a good week everyone.

Half term and brotherly love and hate?!

I wish our week of half term would have been this blissful.....but....well....it was then it wasnt. We had Harrisons here (Zack's first causins from Lincoln) and then we had some visiting time at Hornby exhibition centre....and that was good too...and well will try and keep very postive as I think negatives are hardly worth concentrating on.Driving was fun at the Hornby Visitor Centre. It was really good....I really do recommend it to everyone. Ahh....its a short one as most of you do read Reuben;s and so wherever R has been and done R would have too so....here is some pics of exculisve Zackie time. He loves swimming although we must look for a really nice warm pool as this one is a bit cold. He loves the water but gets a bit worried at times....We have a not so happy situation...Zackie thinks he is 4 years old as well...and that he is entitled to everything that R is. So hard times....but we are trying to win win!!It always amazez me that Zackie is straight in at any party or children;s place. We went to a bday party with Reuben and Zackie just was joining in as though he was the main invited person...:)))

We did go to a really nice place called Hornby Visiting Centre in Margate and loved loved it....the boys even shared the buggy.Happy as Larry together for 5 minutes.

brrrrr colder much colder then last post:)))

My beautiful bubbles! From hot to cold...here we are after our Jasper JIngles on Thursday this last week we cuddled up in the swings and enjoyed a bit of fresh air! I love his cuddles...Playing in the morning with his brother ....he suddenly is copying Reuben in a really somewhat annoying way (to Reuben) he wants the same cup, the same everything. Poor Reuben....but how great to think that Zac thinks he can just do everything his big brother can. Sometimes his dissapointed face is too hard to look at. If he falls in his endless trials to copy Reuben;s hand stands or such.....he gets so upset. Its hard to explain to him he is still very young.Trading Reuben in for a few minutes and comparing Nicholas...:))) who has happily agreed to play with him at the park....:))First birthday party (Rufus's) he has been to for a long while on his own (without R). He loved it. Here sitting with best mate Andrei and Martha...a new girlfriend.His friend Henry (he is one of our neighbours) a boy that does take his time to do grand things like climbing or maybe he just knows his limitations:))). Here they had some fresh air fun at the park after Jasper Jingles on Thursday.Reading and crafts corner as it is now.....Zac loves loves his little Giraffe's chairs and table. Both boys love drawing and colouring....! All in all Zac had a good week. We had a few outings...at Cathedral Rooms as usual and then also we visited at Elena's house....then we had Noah and Luca around one afternoon and we had been at park, swimming and such. We had succesfully managed to drop am sleep however now he has a slight cold so he is going to bed much earlier 12ish. He started speaking a bit more but likes to point or take my hand and show me things....I guess it will come in its own time. Zac now goes to Ivetta's on Monday and Friday....unless unwell. This allows mummy to catch up with reality and chores...while he has fun with Harrison, Sunny, Beah and other kids who are with Ivetta. I think he loves it most times and so do I!! Still wakes rathear early in the mornings but I am hoping to tackle that too soon.....as its rather painful waking at 6ish (well for daddy as I get to lie in til 7ish) still....all good surviving well....enjoying Autumn!

October heat?!

It seems a miracle but we had 30%C in England this weekend. The week that has just passed we ad four at least really hot days....we had to reinstall the paddling pool and hide in the Vines for picknick....:)) boys were enjoying it and I think we did too. Sunday we had gone to the seaside (as well as the rest of London and South East ...yes we were stuck in traffic with brilliant kids) and we had our first proper swim in the sea!!! He was so excited and in love with this murky sea that he kept going in all the time...once even fell over and nearly scared the life out of us....but still that did not stop our little Zackie prevailing in getting into the big sea.Wondering how can he get closer to the sea....love love his love of sea something he must have gotten from his mummy.

Mr. running towrads the sea....love his pink swimming nappy from aunty Elena. His friend Andrei also sporting one of these cool pink nappies! I love love them.

This kid can pose ....he loves being photographed. Loved the sand too and helped very happily dig the biggest thing on the beach. We had three very very competitive men and about 6 older kids as well as some 4 younger ones....so everyone was at the digging stage....I think Zac was having a rest here.

Talk about Zackie being a monkey?! Well....in the last two months I have noticed huge changes he is making huge progress in speaking and he is becoming very cheeky. Although terribly clingy he is always after some nice mischief just like his brother. I have to watch out as he reads Reuben's mind way too well. Reuben only has to move towards an object and Mr raeady to snatch it off him arrives all equipped with flattering eyes and smiles and rapid movements. I am finding this stage a bit hard. he still wakes really early about 6ish and Jonathan keeps being the bestest dad ever and takes him down and entertains him while I have a lie in....still. He then comes with me to school to take Reuben there and I think this last week we had managed to move towards one nap a day....so often try and keep him up til 11ish but he then needs the bed. One or two days he has nearly fallen asleep at 9:30-10ish ....and although part of me thinks perhaps I should let him have two naps if he needs them the other part of me thinks....I just hope he would go just once for a nap and let me do things around the house. .....on that note I would like to mention its not easier since R has gone to school its somewhat harder as Zac does not get busy playing with Reuben while I need to do things...no he needs me constantly....

I am contemplating swimming lessons but as I am half way succesfull at a job interview I think I want to wait and see before making more committments. Its been generally nice weather, getting together with friends, some times spent together at home playing or choring:)) and off course we had started doing some singing at the library....will see what comes next. I think the four eye teeth are out (canines) and I can see just one more that looks that is on its way out. Sleeping is better but I could wish for just a longer sleep in the early mornings while its terribly dark and very very hard to wake for the adults.:)) But I cant compain as most evenings most boys are in bed by 7:30 which means I can get an evening to ourselves.