Tea and Dips in the Pool

Even in November, the cubs are still keen on dips in the frigid pool.  

Tea at Kim and Wardy Baby's temporary home,

Of brunch and bulldozers

So this is the construction equipment stage which seems sadly as unavoidable as the Princess phase for girls (although our son will happily dress up in a fancy ball gown if it means getting to play with his sister and her friends).  Charlie just digs these things.  It became so indelible for us that we would instinctively shout out with barely constrained enthusiasm "Charlie!  Digger!" whenever we saw one.  So when Charlie saw this big red beauty on the Elbow Beach property, it pretty much blew his natural mind.

But we were really here for brunch to get as much Kim and Wardy Baby time as we could before they left.

But some of us can't stay in their seats!

And so an infinitely patient Kim takes them out for a walk while we wait for food/distraction to arrive... she's pretty cool, your grandmother.

Charlie at the Ready

Charlie is a social guy.  He's only just turned 3 so it's not like he has deep friendships but he really gets energised by being around people.  He loves being around them.  He loves the attention he gets from them.  He gets really excited about upcoming events like parties, lunches, or just grocery shopping.  And one of his favourite things is to wait on these steps for people to arrive... even days in advance... or just waiting to go to lunch as in the below.

Rustico with Kim

A visit from Kim and Wardy Baby wouldn't be complete without a lunch at Rustico.  There aren't many kid friendly restaurants in Bermuda - especially down our end of the island on a Sunday but you Rustico is there for you.  This is a photo from the end of the meal.  The end of the meal can be great, a nice precursor to the heralded "quiet time" at home where they can watch a tv show.  Or it can be an all out war of break downs and tears and irrational needs and wants.  Much like the end of a night out at the pub.  But with shorter people who are legally in your charge.  We love these lunches.  

Beach daze

We hope these days stick.  These are the days that matter.  These are the days we hope are still rumbling around in the kids' memories when they are our age with their kids.  Your Mum and I often trade memories of being at the beach with our parents and our siblings for what seemed like weeks at a time just "playing tag with the waves" as Schuyler would say or digging to China in the sand.  At the moment, Schuyler is drawn to the thrill of the water (although she can get pretty stuck in any castle building too - especially if there is a moat that needs filling with seawater) and Charlie just likes the sand for the most part.  He's still too young to appreciate the fine and delicate architecture of the castles his Dad constructs and enjoys being the demolition team but, hey, isn't that part of the fun?

Playing tag with the waves

Beautiful day at Tucker's

Schuyler loves swimming... and she's getting really good and very brave which is inspiring to see.  But after a nice hard swim in the pool, she's equally keen to make her "bed" constructing an elaborate bed on the lounge chairs with a cover sheet and blankets made from towels.  It's pretty adorable. 

Carlito swimtime

Charlie clearly digs the water and, armed with his floaties, he's a little duck in the water furiously paddling his feet under the surface and having a grand old time.  We're so lucky to live in a place where we can do this in November!

The Tucker's Playground

Lucky enough to have Kim and Wardy Baby back in Bermuda, we arrive at Tucker's Point for lunch and a little hide and go seek.  You can tell we are meeting them for lunch because the kids are wearing clothes that don't have their characteristic stains and the kids themselves are reasonable bathed.

Carlito showing off the cheeky grin that lets him get away with a lot more than he should.

More adventures from Somersfield on the weekend

A balancing act

Charlie and Schuyler's make shift "kitchen" turns into a naptime sanctuary.

Clearly pleased with himself for climbing up the climbing wall and sliding down on the forbidden "big kid's playground" at Somersfield.