Visits to the Eye Doctor

So, Isla loves glasses and has been insisting for a long time that she needs them. (Afterall, Grannie & her friend Eva have them). They do eye tests on kids here in nursery school, but as Isla goes to a private nursery, they don't get eye tests. Just to be sure, mom made her an appointment and braved the mall with all three kids today. (Arriving in time was a feat as 5 minutes before we were going to leave and mom was just changing Ailsa's nappy, she noticed Ailsa's scalp was black! Seems she and Isla'd had a dirt fight--although given the one sided nature of the dirt-in-hair--I suspect it was more like Isla covering Ailsa. Mom tried the quick solution of putting Ailsa in the mudroom shower--which only got us both soaked--so we had to give her a full bath and wash her hair--luckily in the baby tub--and redress her. But we still made it with 1 minute to spare!)

So, Isla was shy and didn't want to do all the stuff they asked, but in the end she cooperated and the great news is she DOESN'T need glasses! Being 4 however she was crushed by this news and rather than have her lie (that was her comment this morning...'I'll tell the lady I can't see the story so I can get glasses'), the nice ladies sold us an inexpensive pair and case (complete with a cleaning cloth) so Isla can continue her quest to be just like Grannie. She has her glasses (in their case) right next to her bed now 'so she can read stories'.

We survived the Mall, even doing some extra shopping (let's just say Isla is 4 and I think she's been there 3 times in her life, 1 being last week when we made the appointment and 1 being today)...we found a spring jacket and sun hat for Fergus, a new pacifier for Ailsa (so she stops using Fergus's out of desperation) and got a 'juice' (Ailsa's favourite word) at the only place I know of outside Glasgow that makes smoothies (dairy free for Ailsa ;)
All in all, a successful day! We'd spent the morning at a playground in Dunning and got a bit of house tidying done and the girls had a nice picnic outside...the haze of pregnancy & a new baby has lifted...

A good sport

 We've had beautiful weather and Grannie came up to our house. She's a good sport about playing with the girls!

Grannie is Back!

Grannie was away for a week up in Shetland, and the girls sure missed her. We helped feed the lambs and walk Dee while she was away, but it still didn't stop them asking EVERYDAY if we could go to the farm to see her. She came back on Monday night, and Wednesday came up to babysit so mom could go to the dentist--both little kids were sleeping when she arrived so she did some ironing (hoorah!), then watched kids (when they woke up) and helped us walk the dogs before she left. The girls love to race her in the park. We stopped by again on Friday as she took Ailsa so we could more easily run into town to get Fergus's passport pictures. It's a 'treat' for the girl who gets to stay at the farm, and the one who has to go with mom sees it as a punishment!

More Fun

 Emily and her friend came to visit and Isla was thrilled they went up the big hill with her (and Ailsa went too). Allyson took these pictures. I love the coloring on them.

 Daddy's been babysitting again!

Spring!!

 We've had almost 2 weeks of dry, bright weather and although it's hardly been warm, it;s still amazing what the prospect of spring can do.  Auntie Emily and her friend came to visit for three days and she brought some goodies, like these kites.  Isla got some new sparkly, pink wellies,,,,she loves them so much however, she won't get them muddy or dirty....but it was ok today, because it was dry out.

 Ailsa wasn't so much into the kite.  She prefers to find all the stone garden ornaments and play with them...we did manage to catch Charlie and strip her. Then Alisdair shaved the bits we didn't get and all of Kiwi...our dogs are ready for the season.

 Action shots

 Daddy, creatively, tied Ailsa's kite to the laundry post so it could fly itself.

Emily also taught Ailsa "Thru the pickle, tickle, tickle tickle."  a new favourite...

Auntie Erin sent St. Patrick's day outfits for everyone. We packed up the family and went through to Glasgow for some things. The Northern Ireland Tourism board was passing out lollipops shaped like shamrocks and thought Ailsa's shirt was adorable. 

Our happy 2 month old!

Fergus's first outing to the Castle.

We have a double buggy--most people don't even notice him in the back.

Enjoying the Sma glen

We dropped Isla at school, went to Glenalmond Tweed (where Ailsa loved the 'bok-boks), drove up the glen to Amulree, then on to Aberfeldy and over to House of Bruar for lunch, then home, got Isla at school and went to the farm to do chores. The little two will enjoy naps in their own beds tomorrow. It's been fun though to have a shake up to our routine and spend time with Emily and her 'magic bag' of entertainment in the car.

Stirling Castle

Auntie Emily and her friend have been in town so we've been out playing tour guide. Isla's been in school so Ailsa's been loving the attention.

March Fun

Today was Fergus's 8 week check up and first set of shots. He's now weighing over 14 pounds and is 25 inches long. Not too shabby to gain 4 pounds and "grow" (or "uncoil") 4 inches in 8 weeks!
These are some pictures of our latest adventures as well.

Isla turned 4 and wore her princess dress all day.  She got a camper van, a dress from Auntie Erin, and a book called "My Naughty Little Sister".....it's chapters instead of just big pictures and she really enjoys it.

 Hahaha

 The "little" kids having some cuddle time while Isla was at school.

 Fergus's favourite past time. .....staring at the balloon.

 Isla's artistic portrait shot

 Last Saturday we went on a family trip to a little farm park south of Edinburgh. The slides and playground bits were a big hit with the girls.

Attic treasures

The joy of a third child includes raiding the attic and finding lots of treasures, that are 'free'! :)

'Cultural fusion"

Look what I discovered today at the grocery store!! Delicious, but not very helpful to have in the house when trying to lose weight.

Haircut

Try as I did, I finally had to breakdown and cut Ailsa's hair...too bad Isla's still never had one!

Harrassment or Love?

We played at the farm yesterday, 'helpfully" filling grannie's puddles with rocks, but also having a grand time playing with Dee, who was put in a 'costume' of sawdust, wrestled with and taught 'tricks' by the girls. Luckily, she's not the brightest dog and puts up with it all.

One long kid

He seems to grow everyday!