15/05/2022
The week started with Eloise back in her spooky Minnie Halloween costume. The kids were full of energy for the day. The weather was not cooperative, but that has never stopped them.
Eloise had been nagging Dad to finish work all day. When he eventually clocked off it was time to pick up her new dance uniform. Eloise had been excited about this for weeks. After completing her two come and try dance sessions and convincing Super Mum she would commit, it was off to get her “special shoes” which we had heard so much about.
Tuesday morning, Super Mum helped look after someone else’s child for the first time while keeping an eye on our two. Eloise was quick to bed Monday night because she knew Juju was coming early Tuesday morning to help her with baking. Lachlan made it a bit easier by sleeping through Juju’s playdate.
Afterwards, Eloise was off to her first dance lesson in her new uniform. Lachlan continued where he left off last week downstairs in the library.
The big one-year-old is starting to eat more and more, often the spoon is not fast enough.
Wednesday morning, poor Lachie was off to get x4 vaccinations. He was a super star and the crying stopped as soon as he got his sticker. Eloise made sure that he understood how special stickers were. Lachlan did not seem to be phased by them so Eloise used that as her cue to nick them off him.
After work, Dad needed a haircut. Eloise was excited about a haircut too, rushing out to set up her chair. There was a fat chance of that happening, Super Mum was not impressed.
Thursday morning, Dad woke up bright and early with two munchkins pushing him out of bed. Lachlan usually comes into our bed around 05:00 in hope that he will get another half hour of sleep. Lachnado tends to sleep in the Jesus position and for a little guy takes up a large proportion of the bed.
After Gymboree Lachlan lucked out with a new biscuit tin to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, “those looking for something more special can opt for the third option – a rotating musical shortbread selection tin that plays, “God Save the Queen”. Lachlan could not get enough of Nathan’s M&S rotating Christmas tree musical tin, he was quick to the shops. There is certainly a lot of Royal merch kickin’ about at the moment, a divisive topic in Scotland. Next month we get an extra bank holiday to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, which was on the 6th February 2022. Works for us, call us Royalists!
Weather-wise it was turning into a bleak week. It had to be a quick dash to the playground. The football training was going swell before Dad over-enthusiastically delivered a pin point cross into Eloise’s forehead. After reminding Dad that Eloise was only two we dusted ourselves off and headed home.
On the theme of Royals, on Thursday “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have met crowds and visited local projects during a visit to the west of Scotland, [Glagsow]”. It was surprisingly quiet Thursday afternoon as “Celtic have won the Scottish Premiership title for the 10th time in 11 seasons after drawing with a gutsy Dundee United at Tannadice”. There were reports of the usual football hooligan riots all throughout town and to the East. I would say “good one Ange”, but still resisting the pressure to pick a side here.
Friday morning, Lachlan had a special delivery. A birthday postcard from the other side of the world. Thank you again Linda! Eloise offered to help him with the words, but Lachlan was having none of that. Off he was, scooting around the living room on it.
After a midday treat, Sophie and the kids were off for a playdate at Emma’s house. Eloise was buzzing all morning, we were surprised she had any energy left by the time she arrived at Emma’s house.
The kids had such a great time, Eloise was very quick to make herself at home and was gobbling down snacks. Lachlan was happy to play in the sandpit.
After an action-packed afternoon, Eloise put on her new Peppa Pig helmet and tuned into Peppa’s recent adventures.
Saturday morning, Lachnado was in a mischievous mood. It was on with Eloise’s new wellies, thanks Emma and Jo and we were off North.
It was almost an hour’s drive before we arrived at Blair Drummond Safari Park. We had heard great things about the Safari Park and it had been on our bucket list for a while. The Safari Park was gigantic. It was like a wee Monarto (in South Australia) with a theme park surrounding it.
Eloise was reeling off the animals she was hoping to see and Lachlan had woken up just in time. The kids seemed happy in their seats so we started with the Animal Reserve. Let’s hope this car has rhino ramming insurance?
As we drove past the lionesses, Eloise made sure to tell Lachlan that he cannot open his door and window, “Lachlan no open window, no window Lachlan, window closed, lion, look, lion Lachlan, Mum, Lachlan no open window”. Thanks Eloise.
The past couple of months there has been strict ‘Eloise, don’t undo your car seat while we are driving’ lessons. All that progress was undone, as she was allowed to cruise about riding shotgun through the Safari Park. Well, she probably shouldn’t have, but she couldn’t see the animals.
After that excitement, the kids were now ready for action. The playgrounds just seem to be getting bigger and bigger.
After blowing off some steam it was time for Dinosaurs at Blair Drummond Safari Park. Throughout Lachlan’s first year he has had some scary encounters with animals. Especially the time a horse he thought was fake turned and looked at him with a big sniff. I guess they are about six times his height. We were concerned about how he was going to react to a series of animatronic dinosaurs. Although he was quite fond of the London one with the groovy Christmas sweater.
Lachlan was hypnotised by the dinosaurs, he did not seem to be too bothered by them.
After five days the sun had woken up and it was starting to get warm as we explored the Safari Park.
The giraffes were a big hit.
It was time to lifejacket up and board Swan One. Dad was a bit hesitant due to his tender hammy, Eloise promised to help with the pedalling.
We moved on quickly as Lachnado had spotted his favourite thing, another race kart.
After a lot of pedalling, we hobbled across the bridge to Lemur Land.
After exploring Lemur Land we started to think it was either completely empty or full of dholes. We finally found King Julien. It took one turn of King Julien and poor Lachlan had had enough, big nope! Lachlan still does not like animals. Caring Big Sister did her best to comfort Lachlan “me like animals Lachlan, Lachlan, animals me like animals”. Lachlan was not convinced and we moved on swiftly past a weird animal, tortoises and a zebra all of which were not moving to Eloise’s level of satisfaction.
After getting passive-aggressive at a tractor that would not start, it was a sign that it was time for lunch.
We continued to make our way around the animals, the tigers were another highlight.
This week, Pingu has been the show of the week for Eloise. It was fitting she bumped into some penguins.
After we had ticked off most of the animals it was time for the kids’ third Bird of Prey display. The show started with a wee friendly barn owl. Lachlan was loving crawling about, but when a pair of kites appeared, he decided to hide as he looks a bit like a rabbit shuffling about. The finale was a big scary Vulture swooping in. Kevin the Vulture came with his own safety brief, it was time to reel in our wee rabbit.
Just before the big day ended Eloise got to choose between an ice cream or a ride, she chose the mini Grandpa DAVE Land Rover Safari. She was a foot short to ride alone so Dad had to cram in with her.
After a fantastic family day out, it was time to head home for dinner. We think we will be back here again. The kids were exhausted, so tired in fact that Eloise fell asleep holding her biscuit.
After another messy dinner. The kids were in bed just in time for Liam to tune in for the last couple of penalty kicks and see Hendo lift the FA Cup. Two down, two to go for the quadruple.
It was a nice way to end a big day by tuning in to Eurovision Final, “Nearly nine million people in the UK watched the Eurovision Song Contest on BBC One on Saturday, which saw the UK come second to winners Ukraine… The Eurovision broadcast followed on the heels of BBC One’s coverage of the FA Cup final, which drew an average audience of nearly six million”. Australia came in 13th.
Sunday morning was a slower start to the day, for some, but not all. After a nice day yesterday, it was back to the Scottish weather. The girls did not need another excuse for shopping. Eloise led the charge.
Sadly it was dairy-free brownies for Lachlan.
After we had all eaten ourselves sick we had to do a few laps of the Braehead shopping centre, which is always larger than we expect.
In the afternoon the rain had dried up and it was back to the local park to work on our finishing. Hard and low crosses only Dad!
On Sunday, there were only “Six arrested as Celtic fans celebrated title win… Police have described the level of anti-social behaviour as “unacceptable” as Celtic fans celebrated the team’s title win on the streets of Glasgow”.
[…] weather has been much nicer this week compared to last. There have been plenty of laps of the local loch, we think it is getting close to duckling season. […]