Baby jail

This is the scene every day when I pick up Charlie from Baby Jail:  The kids clot around the gate where the parents arrive and wait for their respective party to arrive.  Directly above from left to right is Kathryn, Charlie (the only kid with a bib still), some girl who's name I never remember, and Denith (who was in Baby Jail 1 with Charlie and so has known him since he was three month's old).

Sickness and health

So as luck would have it, Mama's big work project lasted well into Friday night... and then a full work day on Saturday and Sunday and then back to work on Monday.  So Mama's work week never ended.  At the same time, our poor cubs developed some Martian flu that knocked them both out all weekend and into the following week.  So Mama's work week never ended and Papa's childcare weekend never ended.  Above is Schuyler after the Doctor's visit asleep in various make shift beds in his office.  It wasn't fun.  Loads of X-rays and tests and basically pneumonia and asthma for both kids.  Oh, yeah, and we got sick as well :-).

the reading pouch

 

Schuyler has been working on reading this school year.  Her reading pouch is sent home twice a week with fresh stories.

good morning

 

The boy

Banging Papa's jemby drum.

Playing at Clearwater Playground.

Makin' a mess at Baby Jail.  That's m'boy.

drumming

 

 

 

 

 

Clearwater

Tea party ticket

So when we make tea, they always want some of their own (a vestige of their times with Kim).  Especially keen is Charlie.  But he never drinks it.  Still, it's fun to have a real tea party with them and not to have to make small talk with the dolls... and it's more fun than the strangle-yourself-with-neck-cushions game demonstrated below.

Mama and son

Now here is a real favourite:  Running Hugs.  In our new house, we actually have the space for kids to run and get exercise inside.  One favourite game is for Mama to sit in the living room while Charlie gets ready at the kitchen door and then runs (in his inimitable way) and collapses into a tackling hug with his Mum.  Papa has tried to instigate a similar game where Charlie runs and hugs Daddy but so far, no luck.

Playing "hiding" under the covers with Mama.

dancing

 

 

 

Playing nicely 2

Life sized outlined fill the morning.

Ummm... but is it "art"?

Charlie as Princess Charming.

Aiyliah comes for a play date after constant nagging from Schuyler on the subject.  Much playing of princesses ensued.

Is the flower still in my hair?

So Sky got this thing in her brain one day that she wanted a flower in her hair.  It seemed like a harmless request so we obliged not knowing that this would lead to an unending refrain of "Is the flower still in my hair?" and wanting to have such accessories every single day.   Still kinda cute.

happy together

 

 

 

spittal pond - different take

 

 

 

 

 

Spittal Pond

So we've been trying to ensure we take advantage of being in Bermuda in the winter and being able to be outside.  But our timing hasn't been ideal.  In this scene, we ventured across the street to explore Spittal Pond, a nature reserve and bird sanctuary a five minute walk away.  Unfortunately, we thought it would be a good idea to walk around the entire loop which must be over a mile in circumference.  And we decided to do this when (a) the kids were ill, (b) the kids were really tired; and (c) right before dinner when the kids were cranky and hungry.  But still, it was beautiful and different and a good family time overall.