March

F: Well, another month has flashed past. March was really busy and fun. We started off with a visit to the Aquarium. I liked the fish and especially stroking the starfish. Katy was also pretty keen. 

 

 K: After the Aquarium, Frances and Daddy went home and Mummy and I went to meet Helen and had a nice lunch. I flirted shamelessly with her and all sorts of other people. I am getting very jolly.

 I am also quite bouncy now.

 F: The next exciting thing was that Uncle John and Granny Mary and Uncle Mark all came round, and Graham and Mette (who stayed to look after me when everyone went out). Granny read me stories;

 and I entertained everyone in the bath, while people drank champagne.

The next day Mary and Sameer and Asha and Isaac came to see us. It was lots of fun - all together, we were quite loud, and I think the parents had a nice time too. 

After that, the next big event was ballet. I went for a trial lesson. At ballet, there are no Mummies and Daddies. Mummy said they would let her in for the first lesson if I wanted but I rejected this offer with scorn, as clearly it is much the best to do it without Mummies and Daddies. I got a star. Ballet is my best. You have to do pointy toes. Sometimes you have to jump on stars or run on your tiptoes. At first I didn't have the same clothes as everyone else but I did have my hair in a bun (this is me in the park after my first ballet lesson): 

 But Mummy got on ebay and soon I had all the right bits and pieces. This is how a ballerina sits down, you know:

K: We are having a lot of fun in parks at the moment. I still like swings a lot. We've also been to 'gym' a lot. This is a place where I sit on mats while Frances hares off into the distance, pursued by any available adult:

F: We also went to St James's Park and met Kirsty, Leo and Genevieve, which was brilliant. I made cakes the day before so we could take some: 

 Leo and I admired the pelicans and fed the ducks with a lot of bread.

 K: Genevieve and I also admired one another (and threw food around together later on). We were born on exactly the same day.

 F: Then Leo and I played picturesquely in the daffodils. Mummy said we couldn't pick any that were standing up but if they were already lying on the ground it was ok, so we collected bunches of somewhat scraggy ex-daffs.

I enjoyed playing with Leo a lot and would like to do it again. Mummy seemed to like seeing Kirsty too, which was a bonus.

What else have we been up to? I've been round to Gen and Alastair's a few times, which I like a lot. 

 
K: Mainly for me it has been all about eating. I like eating quite a lot - mainly bread and fruit, for choice. I am particularly enthusiastic about oranges. But basically I will have a go at most things. Oddly, I wasn't that bothered about pancakes on pancake day, (though we had some) but I am getting increasingly competent in the eating department. 

 I've also been to see my friends Cosmo and Matilda - we are all getting lots bigger: 

 F: We've also been taking advantage of the weather to spend time in the garden. I continue to hunt worms a lot, and gently potter around the garden with trowels and saucers of this and that: 

I also feel that the ideal garb for mowing is a witch's hat. 

And we've also started enjoying Mile End Children's Park now there's some sun. Daddy is best for going down the big slide with, and Katy and I like the big swing.

K: Last Friday was my half-birthday. Mummy and Daddy and Cessy even sang 'Happy Half-Birthday to You', and Mummy took a whole lot of video of me and Frances doing ordinary sorts of things which she's planning to do every half-birthday.

F: Last weekend we had another big treat, because Granny Jenny and Colin came to see us again. We had such a nice time together - we went to the City Farm after Colourstrings on Saturday.

 

K:   In the afternoon we went to see Daddy's rehearsal and then had a nice meal. I met a very nice person called Pat who entertained me excellently. 

Unfortunately due to a combination of protests and the Central line falling over, the journey home was something of an epic. I chose to spend it largely asleep, and Frances was brilliant and cuddled and kissed me gently without waking me, and did just as Mummy asked even though it was late and very very crowded on the bus we eventually rammed our way onto.

Then on Sunday we went to the Great Big Slides in Victoria Park (which we have discovered because the other play-park there is shut for rebuilding). It was a shame when they had to go on Monday - I really enjoyed seeing them a lot. 

This week we went to meet Helen Dawes and on the way we went on the Big Wheel again, which was great.

On Friday we went to Ikea and I went in the playing place that is just for children, not Mummies and Daddies. I liked it so much that when Mummy came to get me I asked to stay longer. We bought a big kitchen for Mummy and Daddy and a little kitchen for me, but neither of them are ready yet. Mummy says when the big kitchen is built, they will build my little kitchen. 


On Saturday we went to see Uncle John at his old flat. It was great, apart from the unfortunate incident involving Uncle John's pink pills. I will never, ever, do it again, I promise...


Today we have been doing a lot of packing, because we are going to Lanzarote. It is hot there, and they might have ice cream that you hold. We have to go on an aeroplane for a long time, but not as long as Thailand. More news when we return...


K: I am obviously not very aware that we are going to Lanzarote, but I am getting quite clued up about other things. I understand quite a lot of Mummy's strange vocalisations, especially when they are accompanied by signs. I am trying very hard to say 'Hello' (I say Eeeh-yurhg, but I really mean Hello) and I know that it goes with enthusiastic waving. If you clap, I will slap my knees. And I can play 'peekaboo' all by myself, with a towel or a t-shirt or indeed a pair of Daddy's boxer short (clean, naturally). I am very pleased with myself, all in all: