20/02/2022
Welcome back everybody to this week’s episode of ‘We cannot believe it is not COVID-19’.
In last week’s thrilling episode, we left you at the Glasgow Science Centre. There were hundreds of kids running around licking every surface. In their defence, they also had a large team constantly cleaning everything. However, it was no surprise Eloise and Lachlan were feeling unwell last Sunday. By the evening we all felt pretty flat, uh oh, we have had a good run. Sophie and Liam returned negative lateral flow tests, at least we could go pick up some food. Well not quite, Eloise had to test her babies and once all-clear it was shopping time.

It was an inside kind of day, looks like Lachlan has worked out Eloise’s toys, look out Eloise.
Monday morning, the kids were outside trying to lap up some of that sweet sweet 5°C sunshine. Eloise had devised a cunning plan, to be coined, operation Catch Simon. Simon the squirrel that is.



Once the trap had been set it was time to sit back with noble sidekick Lachnado ready to pounce.


We were all still feeling a wee unwell so it was a romantic Valentine’s dinner at home. Super Mum had nailed the roast and crackling. Believe it or not, Sophie does not like crackling. Liam was preparing for his crackling feast. Not so fast Dad, Eloise made sure she got her fair share and some.



While keeping an eye on her Simon squirrel trap, Eloise had managed to bake some love heart-shaped cookies. During dinner she had become so addicted to crackling, she almost forgot about them.




There was not much sleep last night. The kids: Eloise, Lachlan and Liam had a shocker. Super Mum who was doing a great job fending off the cold was operating on three hours of sleep.

After surviving Storm Dudley last night, Sophie and the kids dashed to the shops to prepare for Storm Eunice, “Storm Eunice is coming Friday in the wake of Storm Dudley where, in Scotland, the storm will bring snow, ice and wind”.


With Storm Malik (Danish Meteorological Institute) and Storm Corrie passing through recently, Storm Dudley last night and Storm Eunice Friday. We are tearing through these names like there is no tomorrow.


By Wednesday, Liam’s cold had developed into a serious case of full-on man flu. Oh no! Seeing he was now next to useless, Lachnado stepped up to the plate, literally, with some of the daily chores while Super Mum started the mass production of chicken soup for the family.





Thursday morning, Eloise said she was too sick for Gymboree and coffee with her friends. She must not be feeling right. That is now two Gymboree sessions she needs to catch up. Super Mum took Eloise to the doctor who loaded her up with medication for an ear infection, poor girl. The biggest challenge was Eloise needed to take her antibiotics on an empty stomach. Eloise and an empty stomach is not a thing, she usually has a biscuit in one hand and another in her pocket for backup.
After a nap, she realised she was sad she had missed Gymboree and her friends, so it was lounge room Gymbo today.


Even Lachnado was getting in on the action. Over the past week, Lachnado has worked out how to pull himself up. He can now reach the next level of Eloise’s toys. Kirrie this is the coffee table you can have if you want? Lachlan has headbutted that corner more than enough times.
Friday morning, “Snow brought school closures and some travel disruption across Scotland as Storm Eunice hit the country”. Although the majority of the damage was in England, with the O2 Arena coming off second best.

I think you jinxed it Federer, who definitely reads FIK.

The kids had finally bounced back. How we wish we had some of their energy.

Our day, started as it usually does, raising the blinds with fingers crossed for snow. Although none of us particularly felt like backyard snow angels today. It is always nice watching snowflakes falling from Eloise’s perch.
Lachndao was showing off again. Eloise has been concerned about how much he has tumbled the past fortnight learning how to pull himself up. Such a helpful sister.
Liam status: Still nowhere to be seen, must be nice.
There was one in the family who had to check the snow out closer. Our real Christmas tree has finally made it out of the house. It was in the background of Liam’s work video calls and the questions started to become too frequent. Curious George “Australia has a lot of public holidays, didn’t know they still celebrated Christmas in February hahaha”, NO.

After being cooped up inside all week the koala was going cuckoo, we found some energy for an afternoon slippery snowy scenic drive.
Approximately ten minutes north we reached Strathblane where the backdrop never fails to disappoint.




Lachnado’s dinner throne was starting to grow all sorts of mould and was threatening to kick start another global pandemic. It has about one hundred parts that are too complex to clean in this state of mind. It was quite novel having him join us at the table. It still did not stop him from dropping everything onto the ground. Eloise was on the case, up, down, up, down, “Lachlan, no, Mum! Lachlan keeps dropping, ahhh, Lachlan”.

Saturday morning, started with “naked baby coming!” as Eloise came crashing into our bed at full speed, looks like she is firing on all cylinders. The morning was missing one thing, Foxie on the bike. We thought after a week some fresh air would do us some good and headed to the local ducks before they submitted missing people reports. We had to be careful as “most of Scotland [was] covered by a warning for ice”, perfect conditions for cycling.



We are trying not to push it and sticking with the early bedtimes. Although book time was interrupted by Lachnado and his new standing skills.


Sunday was another quiet one as we watched Storm Franklin roll through, it is like Groundhog Day here. We have to update our Storm naming image already as “third named storm in a week to bring further strong winds and heavy rain to Britain”. It certainly has been windy, with periods of rain here and there. None of these storms have been significant where we are, touch wood. Well, we still have our original roof, so that is a win. It will take a lot more than rain and snow to stop Eloise from running around the backyard.


Surprisingly our lateral flow tests are still negative, Lachlan has a nasty cough now. Unfortunately, the Queen was not so lucky.
Lachlan is getting frustrated that Eloise is running circles around him. He has given up on walking and is going straight to cycling.


Eloise’s hair is also getting very very very long. Lachlan is still trying. Bless him.



Anyways, we do not want you to overdose on our waffling, there is plenty more time for that. Until next week…
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