In retrospect we think, we know (!), it would have been more relaxing to stay at home..... Two young boys is a lot of work :o)

Hamish enjoyed himself very much and kept telling us he was on his holidays, he enjoyed the pool, the soft play area and the novelty of being somewhere totally different. On our journey up to Aviemore we stopped at Aberfeldy and did a lovely walk which takes in a huge waterfall. Hamish walked the whole route, his sturdy little legs kept him going for an hour and a half. We were very impressed. It was fairly steep to start with, but he managed, and then he ran and jumped his way down - spurred on by the incentive that he could have a snack when he got to the car. I didn't take any pictures as I had to hang on to him the whole way, he is faster than me already!

Finlay is still desperately trying to crawl, and you can see him longing to follow us all around. We will keep practicing with him! His big achievement over the weekend was he clapped for the first time. He was a bit unsettled one evening so we brought him through with us to help him nod off and in the dark lying between us we watched as he clapped his hands together, then he fell asleep as if it had taken it out of him!

Everyone was happy to be home on Sunday afternoon. Hotels are definitely only good for a few nights, it is self catering for us in June. The joys of children!

Hope you are all well.
xx

Finlay has started to play peeka boo with us! He lifts his bib up to hide behind then pulls it down with a big grin :o) We could hug him all day. Talking of which, Hamish has taken to hugging Finlay and asking for a goodnight kiss from him, long may the brotherly love continue.

Life is busy, busy here. Finlay is on the move more and more and is desperate to crawl. He looks at Hamish running around and just wants to follow him and join in the fun. Richard has him training every day behind his walker, practice makes perfect!

We finally get to go away to Aviemore tomorrow to see the reindeers, take Finlay swimming for the first time and to perhaps go sledging if there is any snow left. We've also found a lovely cottage to visit in June for a week up near Loch Ness.

I have signed up to a flower work shop at Lily West again, so am looking forward to bringing home more dazzling flower creations!! Also started knitting last week, my casting on is not so good, but otherwise it does look like a scarf - whenever I get it out Richard calls me Granny Semple :o( Hopefully by the end of the year I can make jumpers for the boys.

Hope you are all well.
Ali x

Where do I start?! Richard and I haven't slept all night in a long time because Hamish and Finlay have been poorly for a few months now. Today it was straight down the doctors and we got some medicine which we hope will make everyone better so that things can get back to normal. A sick baby and a poorly toddler is not a lot of fun :o(

As everyone has been under the weather we didn't get away to Aviemore to see the Reindeers and play in the snow, but we have rebooked to go again in a few week's time. Snow actually arrived today in Edinburgh, lots of it fell but not much of it has stuck. We were all cosy inside while we saw on the news the chaos that a few inches brings to the roads, airports and trains. Rob, we hope you got back from Tokyo ok!

Finlay has started to wave at us, whenever we say 'hi' or 'bye' he waves his arm at us and looks very happy with himself. He also loves to pull his hat and socks off - all baby milestones in his life. Hamish is doing very well with his jigsaw puzzles, if we ignore what he's doing he finishes it without our help. He will soon be as good as his friend Nikolai!

I hope you are all well. I'll try and post some photos on this page soon.
Love and hugs
xx