Christmas blessings

Although all the family could not be together we enjoyed the day with Chris, Maki and the boys and spoke on the phone to the rest of the family. One year perhaps we can all be in the same place at the same time.

After our usual morning visit to Nanny Iris we returned home to prepare the meal; Roast Chicken and all the trimmings for everyone else and plain boiled potatoes, veg and lean chicken for me. (Gallstones are no fun!) Chisato enjoyed his presents and Michika loves a cuddle with Grandad.

Then the evening was spent curled up in front of the TV, relaxing with the dogs.

Whirlwind visit

Belinda and Lily flew in last week for a whirlwind week. It was great to see them but the week went very quickly. We were joined for the weekend by Lawrence and Thierry; Thierry enjoying a long weekend with his favourite cousin. Lily was supposed to be a bridesmaid on the Saturday but after finally persuding her to get dressed she then refused to carry out her bridemsmaid duties and wanted to stay home with Thierry rather than go to the wedding party.

Lily was desperate to see snow so when none came we took her to the City Centre where there was a special photographic opportunity .... a large plastic globe complete with fake snow. She had a wonderful time playing inside with her mum and their friends, Alecia and Mark ..... and I enjoyed looking after Alecia and Mark's new baby Amelie.

Sebastian Pickard

Our nephew Liam invited us on Sunday to the christening of his son, Seb. We had a good time and enjoyed meeting Seb for the first time. He was so good and very friendly, happily being passed from guest to guest without any fuss. He has a certain mischievous look about him so I am sure he is going to be a handful but will also bring lots of joy and love to his parents.

We were so pleased to be able to take my mother, Iris with us. Here she is in St Mary's Church, Wavendon with her grandson Liam, Gemma and great-grandson Sebastian. As you can see Seb was particularly interested in Nanny Iris' hair and looks as if he is about to take the pins from her bun.

Sparrow Hawk

It's times like this that I wish I had a more technical camera. This morning we watched as a Sparrow Hawk sat on our lawn and plucked the feathers from it's prey, a Collared Dove. I managed to take a few pictures through the window but could not really get close enough. Have tried cropping the picture so that there is more bird and less background. I also managed to take a short video clip. Once it had finished plucking the feathers out the Sparrow Hawk flew off with the carcass and left us a mess of feathers on the grass.

Our boys

We have had a great week this week with our grandsons. Chisato has spent the week with us and so I took him to visit his cousin Thierry. They had a great time playing together .. I'm not sure who got worn out first but I don't think it was the boys.

Chisato was very happy to see his brother when they came to collect him today.

Last few days

This last few days in Florida have gone very fast. On Monday I went with Belinda's friends and their children to Young At Art. Lily and Thierry had a great time and didn't want to leave at lunchtime when the other children had had enough. It's a very hands on place with interesting exhibits and activities.

In the afternoon Kelly and arthur took the children fishing. Grandad was the only one to get a catch but they had a good time.

Thierry has got stronger and stronger in the pool (when he concentrates!). Arthur and I enjoyed the pool last week when the children were at Summer Camp ... and a quiet time reading in the sun. It always seems a shame to spend so much time indoors when we are here but it is often too hot to spend long outside.

Summer Fun

Lily and Thierry are having a wonderful time.

This week they have been going to a daily Summer Camp at Nova Gymnastics which has given us some relaxing time during the day. Every day camp has had a different theme and they have dressed accordingly. Today they had to go dressed in favourite sports jersey so they both wore their England football kits.