A Blustery Day

Today looked good at the start, so I figured I would get the kids and the dog out for a walk on the beach. It was nice, but summer is definitely behind us. The tide was out, and at Godrevy, it gives you about a quarter mile of extra beach. I was thinking of surfing today, but when we got down there, I am glad I left the board at home. There were only two guys foolish enough to go out into the double overhead high waves, and it didn't look like they were doing too well. I am not sure who had more fun at the beach, the kids or the dog. From October until April, dogs are allowed off leash on the beach so Maggie got a good run in. We are slowly coming out of a tough week... Olivia had pink eye (both eyes) and the flu, Laura has a bad flu, Miah has ??? that has her coughing all night and keeping her (and mom and dad) up as well. Lochlan is the man... no problems there. He is still having a lot of fun with school and I think he is pretty excited about reading. He has got quite a slew of phonics sounds under his belt and he is starting to put it all together. Although, to be honest, I think if all they did was swimming lessons and P.E. (gym class) he would be just as happy. Other than that, Laura and I finally managed to get out to a real event. They celebrate the battle of Trafalgar here each year with a very formal dinner. Basically, the Brits totally kicked French ass two hundred years ago (33 French ships sunk, zero British) and the Brits are still pretty pleased with themselves about this fact. It was also the battle where Nelson lost his life. Anyways, a very good time. Funny to see the guest of honour smash up a model French ship with his gavel! Take care all. M

Bustin a Move

Here's a video I thought was too cute too pass up!

Jimmy Visits

It was good to have some Canadian company again... Jimmy (a.k.a James Alexander Schauer) worked as hard as anyone to get down to see us. Delayed planes in Italy, missed flights from London, redirected to Plymouth and and unscheduled bus brought Jimmy here safe and sound. Jimmy is with RIM, as far as we can tell, having a great time traveling the globe and doing ??? to market the blackberry. Always very interesting conversations when Jimmy is down... happy to see that he still can pick a tune on the old guitar as well. On day 2 I took Jimmy out to Gwithian to catch a few waves. Kind of a washed out day, but we managed to get a few good rides. I was pretty warm, but I think Jim was in stage 2 hypothermia by the time we got out. A bite to eat, and a quick trip out to Loe Bar to see some bigger waves. A good trip out, and of course it had to end with Jimmy missing his train out and having to fork out $$$ for a last minute ticket. Getting a bit chillier here now, sad to say I think winter is coming. Can get a bit dreary here as it never snows, just kind of drizzles for 6 months. Laura and the kiddies are good... I put a short clip of Olivia playing with her walker-toy on for your viewing pleasure. I tried to get her off of that thing this evening and I found out that my #3 has a bit of a temper! Of course she ended up getting her own way. I hope this finds you all well. M

10 Mos. Old!

Olivia turned 10 mos old on Sunday. She's growing well. She weighs 17lbs 2oz. and is 28 1/4" tall. She's small but mighty! She has six teeth now and it has changed her appearance, she looks older, more toddlerish and less baby. Her hair is grown long enough that I've started pinning back her fringe with a barrett. Otherwise it gets coated in food and hangs in her eyes! It's kind of bazarre as I don't even pin Miah's back, but then her hair is curly. I checked Miah's baby book and it turns out Olivia and Miah weighed exactly the same to the ounce at 9 mos. There was a 1/4" difference in height but that's it! Olivia has taken her first steps but still prefers to crawl as she is much faster at it. She started waving hello and bye a few weeks ago and is much more vocal about what she wants! She is also eating more on her own and loves to feed herself. I'm going to start her on cows milk soon and start weening her. She's not a big fan of bottles but is good with a straw cup or a beaker, so I'm hoping it goes OK. Rather than that she's still our busy, happy babe. Here she is: