Month 24

March was dominated by Finlay's 2nd birthday - where have the last 2 years gone? Finlay had a birthday weekend rather than just a birth-day. We met up with Rene (Finlay's godfather) and family on the Saturday and spent a very pleasant few hours in a café eating lots of cake and catching up. Finlay was very lucky and got a pedal-less bike from Rene. The idea is that children learn to glide with a walking motion and there is no need for stabilisers. We headed to Duthie Park for him to have his first test ride as it was such a beautiful day. Although he can only just touch the ground on the tip of his toes he absolutely loves it and has, with help, been heading out on his bike to see the horses.

On the Sunday we headed to Westhill for an afternoon ceilidh. Lots of Finlay's friends came along to help him celebrate his birthday. There was lots of birthday cake which was homemade carrot cake shaped and decorated as the Hahoos from In the Night Garden which Finlay instantly recognised which was cool! There were In the Night Garden biscuits too. He did lots of dancing and generally had a lovely time. Afterwards we headed to Ashvale's for a birthday fish and chips tea. He spent his actual birthday at nursery another excuse for a party with his nursery friends. Finlay would like to thank everyone for all his lovely cards and presents.

Annie's folks were up for 2 weeks to join in the birthday celebrations. Finlay loved having them around and they were amazed by how talkative he is now and what an outdoorsy boy he is, constantly on the go. They even got to watch him at his swimming session and how fast he goes down the slide. We had lots of little outings including a lunchtime fiddle concert and Annie's end of term SC&T (Scottish Culture and Tradition) music concert where Annie's class played Neil Gow's Lament to his second wife (which is actually about a fiddle). Finlay was rather mesmerised seeing Annie playing on the stage and did little dances during all the other performances.

Other big news this month is that Nik started his new job, which seems to be going well, and Finlay has moved up to the 2-4s section of his nursery - he loves all the extra space but looks very little compared to all the older boys and girls….April's blog will be a little late appearing on the 10th May so watch this space.

Finlay on his new bike with Rene

Finlay's Harhoo birthday cakes

Finlay's friends at the Ceilidh

Finlay opening his birthday presents

Finlay on Grandad T's shoulders

Finlay feeding the ducks at Haddo

Finlay and Granny T on the swings

Finlay tries Daddy's new boots on...

Month 23

Finlay has continued to settle in really well at his new nursery and has had great fun out in the snow.

We have had lots of busy weekends. We went to the camping and caravan show at Glasgow Exhibition Centre and had a good look at some campervans. Finlay liked looking out of the train on the way there and back and generally gawping at everyone on the train and then was very excited getting lots of balloons and stickers at the show.

The next days we went to Holly's 2nd birthday party. It was great fun - lots of balloons, toys, birthday cake, drawing and a lot of Finlay's friends equals one very happy boy.

We had three trips to the Lemon Tree to listen to some traditional Scottish music. Finlay loves it swaying along to the music and clapping loudly afterwards and on Saturdays there is craft, a train set and face painting too. Finlay and Holly ended up as two little cats.

We had our annual pancake afternoon at Ruth's with Rob and Claire. Finlay and Lizzie had great fun playing hide and seek and eating pancakes to keep their energy reserves up.

Finlay is also lucky enough to have one of the staff from his old nursery as a babysitter so we have had two nights out - music hall and cinema - luxury! Swimming classes have started again and Finlay likes the slide and songs we sing, while spkashing about. He's usually too busy looking at all the babies to kick much, but he can blow bubbles in the water now.

We have also had outings to Pets' Corner with Matthew and Rosa and a soft play session for toddlers at the sports centre. Finlay was in his element clambering over everything and crawling through tunnels. And on a cold blustery day we met up with Christina and her Mummy and Daddy at the beach for a play at the park followed by lunch. It was lovely and Finlay had his 1st ever childs portion (he normally just has some of Mummy's) and had a good attempt at polishing it off but still found enough room for the ice-cream afters!

Ellen pushes Finlay around...

Finlay and the wee ones painting at Holly's birthday party

Everyone loved playing with all the balloons in the kitchen

Finlay loved seeing some of the winter olympics and his own cardboard skis

Lizzie takes Finlay off to play hide and seek

Lizzie and Finlay hiding in Ruth's bed

Finaly and Holly with their cat faces

Finlay and Christina playing in a boat

Finlay has been helping Daddy with DIY and likes to keep a pencil handy

Finlay's first full child's dish eating out

Month 22

January 2010 started and finished very snowy. Finlay loves the white stuff and we have made the most of sledging and generally playing in the snow. After a lovely New Year's Eve spent with Imogen, Ken and Harvey News Year's Day started with a fry up and a walk. Finlay started at his new nursery this month and after four taster sessions started 3 full days on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. He seems to be really enjoying it and he thinks Daddy sits in the big red bus that is outside which is a big hit.

All the wee ones birthday parties started with a bang with a combined party for Finn, Innes and Ellen at Ceramic Experience. Finlay had a ball in the soft play corner they have there and we were really impressed with his confidence of going in with much older kids and not looking round for us. Finlay also painted Sarah's birthday present - watch out Sarah. The next day Nik took Annie to a Tango workshop for her Christmas present and Claire and Dougal kindly looked after Finlay who had great fun playing with Charley.

The wee ones all met up again round at Ellen's house and despite loads of lovely toys they all had the most fun with a big box. Easily pleased! They all made their own pizzas for tea which was very brave of Steve and Michelle, hope there is not sweetcorn everywhere!

As there was going to be lots of snow we headed over to the Cairngorms for a weekend for the annual husky race. It was great fun seeing them racing in the snow and Finlay clapped all the dogs coming over the finish line saying "doggy faster". We printed a photo of the huskies for Finlay to take into nursery for him and one of the girls drew a fab husky dog for them all to colour in copies. Finlay also had a great time sledging and even achieved take-off - funnily enough that was when Nik was going down not Annie…

Finlay was very brave at the end of the month and didn't cry at all getting his swine flu jab and was very pleased with the chocolate button they gave him afterwards. And the last day in January saw Nik running the Lumphanan 10km de-tox run which had been postponed from January 2nd because of too much snow. There was however, still loads of snow but he did it in a fabulous time despite conditions and having not run since the marathon.

Imogen, Ken and wee Harvey, on New Year's Day

Finlay unwrapping his trainset Christmas present

Cross country skiing into Newmachar to go to the shops, Finlay in tow

Finlay and Mummy sledging

"Again, Again Daddy!!"

The frozen River Dee - with icebergs on the tidal section

Finaly and Nik get airbourne sledging in Aviemore

Finlay loved the dog-sled racing

More sledging...

How much fun can you have in a box?