Last week

The Game Fair in England that Alisdair went to last weekend. Bushwear's first stand at one.
The wonders of large graphic design printing!
Jim and his wee shadow
"Getting bad weeds out of the garden".....the answer to her question "Jim, whatchyou doing?" 900 MILLION times.

Okay, it's Tuesday and I'm just getting around to writing about last week....it wasn't that exciting and we don't really have any pictures. Alisdair had been away the entire weekend previously, so in a very un-Alisdair like move, he took Tuesday off!!! It was great.

Alisdair was also home ALL this weekend and we went up to the attic and pulled all the baby stuff down. Isla thought it was great fun to get to be up in the third floor (she usually gets in trouble for venturing up there). We spent the rest of the time having a lazy weekend. Alisdair was the human trampoline for Isla and mom took naps. It was great!

Isla has started swimming lessons, which she LOVES. We had another dinner with her Australian relatives, Jock and Mavis. Isla went around the table asking everyone (including Jock) if his ponytail was growing because he ate his food (she is a little obsessed with her hair growing right now).

Grannie took her to soccer on Tuesday as mom had another doctor's appointment. We've been given the "green light" to have the baby at Perth if we want (it's a midwife unit with no medical side and they only let you give birth if you are "low risk"--if there is a problem they put you in an ambulance and it's about 30 minutes to Dundee). It's a new unit though in Perth with private bathrooms and some other "perks" that Ninewells doesn't have, so we think we're going to go there regardless. The other option is Stirling, but as it's a different health authority they can't transfer blood results (so Kenna has to go get a whole new set of blood work taken). It's where Alisdair was born (as one of the first babies born there) and they are shutting it this summer and transferring maternity to Larbert and the new hospital there, so there is some "nostalgia" to Stirling, but they were slated by the HMI in their inspection (of things like cleanliness, which is scary) so we're not too keen on going there. Logistically however, it is much closer and has a midwife unit as well as a medical unit. Decisions, decisions....Stirling is where Alisdair works and obviously if we have to drop Isla off at Grannie's on the way to the hosptial, it's in the right direction.

Thursday Grannie left for Shetland on a boat (and a train to Aberdeen to catch the overnight ferry). Due to the volcano issues the ferry had been full and she was to go on a freight/cargo ship (which we were all looking forward to the pictures of), but in the end they said she could fly (but then closed the airport again when the volcano erupted a second time), but she ended up with a berth on the real passenger ferry. Isla was so excited to see Grannie, but cried hysterically when we dropped Grannie off at the train station and isla didn't get to go with her.

To try and rectify the situation on Friday mum and Isla took the train to Glasgow for the Baby Show. Isla enjoyed her little expedition (Elmo was at the fair!) and Kenna looked at it as the last time she'll probably venture through for awhile. Isla liked the taxis and the strange people she met on the train. The conductor did draw a smiley face on her ticket, so that was pretty cool in her book.

This week, Monday we did laundry as the sun was out and we have learned to make the most of any dry day! Jim also came up to work in the garden and his little shadow followed him around asking a million questions, giving him useful advice and telling him to pull up his trousers if she could see his back at any point. Ah, he must LOVE working up here! Uncle Micheal was also back and as we missed his birthday because he was stuck in Poland (due to the volcano flight restrictions) Isla and mum made him some belated birthday cupcakes. We went to the pool (to give Jim's ears a rest) and walked the dogs at Grannie's and tried to clean our house after a weekend of lounging.

Today was soccer and Uncle Michael agreed to come help chase Isla as mom is getting slower (and bigger) by the day. Unfortunately Isla threw a tizzy and wouldn't do anything at soccer, so we left and came home. (then she cried all the way home because Michael had left...ah, she is a 2 year old!) We tried to go through the stuff in the baby's room, but Isla was less than helpful.

The worst part of the day was when mom was washing dishes and she looked down on the kitchen floor to see Charlie sitting on Isla's chest (not that abnormal on the heated kitchen floor), however, Isla had Charlie's tail in her hand...which seemed innocent enough, until Isla, every so innocently lifted up Charlie's tail and decided to insert her finger....we had to have a little talk about not touching Charlie's "poo hole" in addition to washing Isla's fingers THOROUGHLY. We're just waiting for her to share that "advice" with people as well (like "we don't look in Tom's windows" or "we don't touch other people's nipples"...things that make sense if you know when they were said, but she likes to repeat at awkward moments to random people). It's slightly unfortunate she speaks as clearly as she does as most people understand when she says things like that and just think we're the world's most bizarre parents. She's also decided it's HILARIOUS to do voices...we can only assume she learned it from us reading to her, but she goes around doing this baritone/monster voice of "I have a ponytail" and "my name is EYE la"....it's hard not to laugh at her.

So, that's what we've been up to lately!

"Oh my goodness!"

Kiwi: A rare moment off the lead or out of her cage this week. The little stinker has been on a "lets run away" phase that mom is none to pleased about!
A great way to have some peace to cook dinner! Give Isla a big bucket full of water, a scrubber and a pitcher. She was THRILLED!!! The waterproof Peter Rabbitt apron was a great purchase.
Some of her books. It was 17 degrees on Monday, 19 degrees on Tuesday and 3 degrees today. Wisely, she chose her "warm dress" to wear to church.

Isla this week has started using a new phrase, "Oh my goodness"...it is slightly funny to hear and she usually gets it in the correct context, but still makes us laugh. She woke up this morning with "We don't look in Tom's windows", which took mum a minute to figure out, but then realised she'd spent a lot of time with Grannie this week and the man who lives in the cottage's name is Tom. Obviously Grannie gave her a little talk about privacy. She and Grannie have been playing football, tag, enjoying sparkly play-dough, and helping out Carlos (the gardner) while mom's been at dentist and doctor's appointments. Mom made the mistake of telling Isla that when the new baby comes, Isla will get to stay with Grannie. Today at church Isla tried to tell Grannie that mom had to go to the doctor's again for the baby (which she doesn't), so couldn't she please go to Grannie's? Isla is more excited about a possible overnight at the farm than any new sibling. John Denver's "Grandma's Feather Bed" song isn't helping either, but Isla loves the song, so we listen to it a lot.

Isla is great now at singing her alphabet (Thanks to Auntie Erin's CD) and has taken to reading "Once upon a time" stories to Charlie and her dolls. Her Aunt Mavis and Uncle Jock have been in town from Australia and they brought her all kinds of new books that she's enjoyed reading. Tree frogs, Cockatoos, Pelicans, Kangaroos, etc..

We've also learned not to let Isla entertain guests. Jock and Mavis came up for dinner and as Kiwi had run away (twice this week!) and mom had just carried her back, mom was a few minutes late getting dinner on the table and asked Isla to show the guests to the front room. She found them instead all in the playroom where Isla was giving them a speech on how "Mummie said we had to tidy up before you came over" and showing them all her toys. (

We've had fairly decent weather and have spent a lot of time outdoors, which has been great. Isla's friend Eva has met us a few days at the games park for our dog walk and she and Isla have had a wonderful time hunting for rabbits in the hundreds of holes. We also realised that under Scottish Education, Isla qualifies for a nursery spot after Easter next year (the cut off date is 28 February!) so we're debating what to do about that. Mom thinks she'd miss Isla too much to send her to school 5 mornings a week.

Alisdair is back from a three day trip to England where Bushwear did a stand at a gamefair. He's glad to be home and mom is glad to have him back. Single parenting just isn't for me! Thank goodness for Neighbour Anne this weekend or the dogs never would have made it out. The new baby is kicking like crazy (kicked the remote off mom's stomach twice last night) and Isla has informed us it's a "sister"...so we'll see! 5 weeks to go.

SUN!

Must be nice to fit so easily through the gates!
Stirling Castle and the carse, from Bridge of Allan. Couldn't have asked for nicer weather
Having great fun running around the garden. We laughed that this dress is one she got last year and still fits around the chest, but instead of being mid-calf on her, it's now above her knees. 1 to 2 is definitely a growth spurt UP! Although it was technically only 63 (17 C), it felt warmer--or perhaps it's just because it so rarely gets warm here, that seems tropical. Camo crocs are just more comfy than Sunday shoes :)
Showing her soccer speed in the garden
Grannie, Isla and Cassie in the Landie.
Doing her part to round up the lambies....

One of our weekly "fun" activities is washing the car. She is scared of the big roller brushes at Sainsbury's (the gas station that is part of the grocery chain), but loves the "shiny" car that just had a bath!
She's a character...and with her Redneck hat, sunglasses and Carharrts, I don't always wonder why people are confused if she is a girl or a boy....
Isla's "strip" from Little Kicks (her soccer/football) class. She was refusing to wear it, but Luke told her it was neat and she'd gotten so wet falling in a puddle on her dog walk that this was the only dry set of clothes downstairs, so we managed to convince her to put it on.
Grannie had a traditional chair made for Isla in Orkney (one of the set of northern island from Scotland). Isla thinks it's great and she and Grannie can put their feet up on their sheep foot-rests and watch "Little Miss Naughty" (one of Isla's favourite pastimes at the farm). There's a small drawer under the seat for all her "important" things as well.


For the past two days we've had temperatures in the high 60s and bright sunshine. It's been fantastic!!! As Alisdair worked yesterday, Mummy and Isla went down to the farm to hang out with Grannie. We worked on potty training efforts and let Isla run around nappy-less in the great Scottish outdoors. She loved it. Grannie has a bubble machine, an outdoor play tent and so much room to run that Isla has tired herself out both days. It's been a struggle to keep her awake long enough to get home to put her to bed, (and give her a badly needed bath). She looks like a proper kid in the summer; bug bites, skinned knees, slight sunburn, flushed cheeks, crazy hair, stained face from ice cream or juice, but happy as can be. We're enjoying the sun while we have it.

She's been making up more of her own words lately and is still enjoying "fibbing," but now that we all know she's doing it, we're a bit less convinced of the things she tells us.

It's also been school holidays week and so on Monday and Tuesday her" friends" Sarah and Rachel (who are 12 and 10 and the daughters of mum's friend) came up to stay and paid so much attention to Isla that she thought it was wonderful. Sarah took over "motherly" duties at football (soccer) on Tuesday, which was a fantastic treat for Mum as crawling on her hands and knees on a gym floor is getting to be a little bit of a chore in her present condition. Also, Luke and Ewan (9 and 7), friends of Neighbour Anne were up and took Isla out on dog walks in the wagon, ran around the back garden for hours with her, played with the dogs, and baked cookies with her. She's really enjoyed this week!

Today it was church at the Cathedral and then finally time to move the lambs out to the fields. Isla is actually really good at helping and with a quick lesson from Grannie on "flapping your arms" and shouting to get the sheep to move, Isla was fearless. While Alisdair and Grannie were up dropping off one load, Isla and Mum managed to round up another set into the small pens. Isla actually follows directions quite well and took on the lambs when they tried to escape. She's a natural! On the last load, she and Grannie rode in the back of the Landie (another BIG treat) up to the field. We've decided that a Landie with a sunroof (like Grannie's Suburu) is Isla's ideal car!

It was "open garden day" at a friend of Grannie's as well who lives on one of the hills opposite the farm, so we headed up there to support the local hospice (where Grannie used to volunteer--they charge an admission, but the money goes to charity). Isla had a great time walking the paths and playing on the lawn.

Easter

Hunt not even over but the Kindereggs were opened!
A full basket and a happy Isla!
Auntie Erin made Isla a CD full of her reading books. This is Isla's favourite "Chika Chika Boom Boom." The first day we had to listen to the CD THREE times and now Isla goes around singing her alphabet. Aunts are the best!!!! (she's not even out of her pj's yet in this picture but was already asking for the CD)

Bonnie and Clyde and their getaway vehicle....She actually put Charlie in it and pushed her around the houses, then got in with her and you'll notice has her collar as Charlie wasn't keen on "sharing" the driver's seat.The Easter Labrador!!!
Another humiliating moment for Cassie...but she puts up with anything! (another VERY patient dog who loves Isla)
Someone LOVES Easter card kits from Tesco...glue sticks, pre-cut shapes, and bright colours...she'll be scrapbooking before she's 3 at this rate. Best part is, she's QUIET when she does it (as long as Kenny Rogers is on)
The Terrible Twosome catching bubbles in the kitchen (notice Charlie's mouth!) Never met a kid and a dog who are more alike in what entertains them. They are the best of mates and equally horrible to each other, but neither will run away from the harrassment or attention. Isla's favourite phrase is "Charlie's crazy!" (and she is, but you couldn't ask for a more patient animal!)
Auntie Erin sent Easter Bunny Ears, so someone spent the afternoon hopping around the house singing "Hop little rabbit, hop, hop, hop..."
Notice the LOVELY necklaces...thanks to Auntie Erin even Monkey wore one!
Our little Sunday hiker...lambie rucksack, girl scout whistle, vacuum extra piece (used it as a trumpet to yell at the dogs), and dryer ball in hand. She did all 60 steps up the big hill by herself and was gitty with excitment when she realised there was still snow lying at the top of the big hill.



This week was another spring week in Scotland. Monday found us at the pooLa, and another snowstorm came to town. Tuesday was Kenna's scan in Perth and more snow. The scan went fine. The baby is measuring bigger than its age, but the consultant said considering Isla was a big baby, this one probably will be too. (She also asked if Isla was vaccinated with a gramaphone needle as she was a little chatty during the entire appointment...nothing surprising there!). Tuesday Kenna and Isla also went down for Kenna's last day at work.

Wednesday found us cleaning the downstairs, and opening a superfun package from Auntie Erin and making Easter crafts for Grannie. Isla and Charlie decided that because the weather was bad and we couldn't go out very easily, the bubble machine INSIDE was a good idea. It started off in the kitchen, but after a few slips, we moved it to the mudroom and just mopped the bubbles in the end and called it "washing the floor." It is frightening how entertaining Charlie finds the bubble machine and in two days we wore out another set of batteries from The Terrible Twosome using it so much.

Thursday was cleaning the upstairs (Isla is still VERY good at tubs, bathrooms and now floors!) and Friday was Toddlers. We're slowly getting back into a routine and may instigate nap time again as Isla will fall asleep in the car if we're out and about after 1pm, but tries to fight it if you make her go to her bed after lunch for a nap.

Saturday we enjoyed Daddy being home and Sunday had an Easter egg hunt in the front room and a family walk around the hills above town.

Kenna is also very excited that she's found a private dental "spa" here that does digital xrays, white fillings as standard and has all kinds of "extras"! The government has just started a "Health in Pregnancy" grant for pregnant mothers and although not a lot of money, it's a one off payment that is supposed to be used for keeping mothers "healthy". Being pregnant you already get free NHS dental care here for one year after the baby is born, but to be honest, it's a little scary (and not exactly top quality---a "cleaning" usually takes less than 10 minutes). Kenna, having worked for a dentist, has always been a little overly conscious of her teeth, and is releaved to find what could be "American standard of care" over here. Sad, but it really has made her week, and means that 2x a year visits to NH aren't consumed with dentist appointments. Between having eye surgery and finding a possible "great" dentist, she is slowly learning to fill the "gaps" that have made living in Scotland more difficult than the US....if only we could find a Taco Bell, Girl Scout cookies, Target, Coldstone Ice Cream, and an Aveda Spa!!! BUT in fantastic news, our container from the States should be here in a few weeks and it has TIDE, refried beans, Alisdair's Coffeemate and some other much missed goodies in it. Hoorah for International Shipping :)