Crush

SmallerBean had her first swimming lesson last week and she LOVED it. It was just FAB watching her in the pool with five other Small People, splashing about, having fun and really listening to her teacher. Really making eye contact, taking in what MissusSwimmy ( let's just call her H) was saying and doing her utmost to follow the instructions. It was the first time I've seen or had the opportunity to watch Smaller in action in that sort of situation. She was a good pupil. I was very proud of her. (She was also quite fearless and scared me once or twice, diving down to pick up some stick thing.)

When we were on our way home, she asked endless questions about H, who happens to be a mumma up at SmallBean's school. Question after question. 'Why does H have girls?' 'Why is she a mummy?' 'Does H like swimming?' (Not always the brightest Bean...) 'Why is she going to be at school?' 'Where does H live?' 'Why was H wearing a t-shirt with writing on it?' etc etc. I switched off after a while. Stalking came to mind.

Up at school at pick up (no deer sighted recently) we saw H and Smaller had to go and say hello. And stare and stare. Stalking...?

Back at home at tea time, the marriage subject came up. 'Why do girls have to marry to boys mummy? Why can't girls marry to girls?' 'They can but usually girls marry boys.' 'I'm going to marry H then.'

Giveaway Update

Have realised that I put no 'time up' date on the post for the Back To School Blues giveaway.

I'll do a random selection on Friday 16 September. If you put a link on your blog, I'll pop your name in twice.

I've Got The Back To School Blues...

...and I can't help but cry.

I've got the back to school blues

And all I do is sigh.

Well. Not quite. But I am back to work (part time) after three years at home and I am a teeny bit nervous.

And there is that feeling of 'September' in the air. Are you feeling the blues too? You are?

So. To help everyone along, I thought a giveaway might be in order. Just to cheer up the mood.

How about some earrings?

Or a necklace?

Leave a little comment and what you'd like and I'll pull a rabbit, sorry, name out of the hat and send a Cheery September Parcel to someone.

PS. Sorry about the bad blues at the start.

PPS. This blogger spacing is really starting to annoy me.

Back Home

Our dreamy week is over and we are back to earth with a bump.

Loch Fyne living was magical.

Highlights were

SmallBean catching ten mackerel. (He equalled my highscore of five on one line of feathers, twice.)

SmallerBean playing musical chairs with her Grandpa and Great Uncle. It truly had to be seen to be believed.

SmallBean learning to skim (or as he calls it, skin) stones.

Seeing amazing sunrises.

Watching a thunderstorm roll in towards us one evening and then standing out in the torrential rain.

Eating the most delicious scallops, langoustine and mussels and the mackerel for supper one night surrounded by family.

Watching the Beansprouts pottering on the beach, lifting stones and catching crabs.

Putting the frozen mackerel guts into the sea and waiting and watching the crabs fight over their tea. This is excellent spectator sport if you have a strong stomach.

Going to Carnasserie Castle for a walk- the view along Kilmartin Glen from the top is incredible.

And here are a few sneaks of the week.

Edit: I have been googling the caterpillar and it appears to be from an elephant hawk moth. The caterpillar feed on rosebay willow herb, which was growing along the lochside and the moths are becoming more common in Scotland. Fab stuff.

(Page from UK Moths used for reference.)

Overheard in the kitchen...

SmallBean (getting the cereal out of the cupboard): Why have you got a packet of elastic bands in here?

Me: They're not elastic bands, they're noodles.

A Walk in the Woods

Yesterday, the Beans packed up a picnic, the two hammocks and a camera and went off here, to Eversden Woods. These are ancient woodlands just near the Wimpole Estate, a National Trust property just south of Cambridge. We drove past the car park where the hoards were queueing to get in to see the amazing house, farm and gardens. (It is a wonderful day out, but not on a sunny Sunday.) We had a more peaceful adventure planned. Up the hill we drove and parked the car- not a soul in sight. And off we went. Just a solitary hare and a shrew were spied, but plenty of insects and plants. Smaller was not impresssed by the waspy interest in our picnic...
A day of wandering, thinking, chatting, looking, laughing, planning and playing.

Aplogies for bizarre spacing but blogger is not doing as it is told.

Freaky Balloon Moment

I looked up from reading SmallerBean's bedtime story last night and spied this.

Recognise anyone?

Marge Simpson or what???