Grandma & Pop Pop

We've had a busy couple of days.  First of all I have started spreading my wings, meaning that I went to Storytime at an Ingleton cafe on Thursday afternoon, which went quite well - Tom did actually concentrate for a little while.  Then on Friday we set off in the torrential rain to an outside swimming pool in Ingleton for a swimming lesson (luckily it did stop raining for the actual lesson, plus the fact that it was cool meant the water felt warm).  Anyway, everyone was very friendly and welcoming which was good.

We rushed back after swimming as mum and dad were making their way up.  They set off on Thursday, stayed overnight in a hotel in Stafford and eventually arrived up here around 1pm.  A long journey, they have now seen sense and will come up on the train next time - far more sensible.  Tom went completely loopy when he saw them - can't say his behaviour was very good, but you can't blame him for being excited.  It rained for the rest of the day on Friday, but mum and dad were keen to look around and stretch their legs, so Tom and I took them to Kirkby Lonsdale for a damp walk around and coffee.

Transfixed boys!

Saturday dawned miserable, but it didn't matter - we had plans as it was the model railway weekend at Carnforth railway station.  So off we went.  Tom absolutely loved it, he was transfixed by quite a number of the sets.  I could see Matt thinking seriously about his model railway project - Tom would certainly like a 'proper one' - although I don't think he is ready yet - he would destroy it.  Dad enjoyed it too - but it was Tom that was the 'anorak' he stood watching them for hours, and would have spent the whole day there given a chance.  I have a feeling this is going to be a regular event here.  In fact we took down details of another model railway exhibition in September.  (Where shall we buy our anoraks - they should be matching shouldn't they?).  We managed to drag the boy away for lunch in the cafe (on condition he could go back) then a last few looks at them all as the weather was looking good and we thought we would go and find some seaside.

Family Photo 

Matt decided it would be a good idea to go to Grange Over Sands as an alternative to Morecambe which we did.  It was very nice - lots of money around: high street included an artisan bakers, the best butchers in the country (although I have seen that claim around a lot up here), antique shops, a chocolatier etc etc - all very nice.  We found the promenade and Tom took off on his orange bike - he is very confident on it now when he is on the flat.  When we got to the promenade, I was expecting to see a beach, but there wasn't one - just salt marsh on which is most likely quick sand.  I guess the only beach around here is in Morecambe (not a problem, I quite like the place)  We walked to the end of the promenade and back again - stopping for ice-cream on the way under a beautiful blue sky.  Came back home to a cassoulet which we ate outside.  Fab end to the day.

River walk

Sunday dawned a nice morning, but the weather forecast wasn't great for the afternoon, so we decided to show mum and dad the Yorkshire Dales.  We took the road to Dent (via Barbon) and did a little circular walk around Dent - including a long pause by the river so we could throw stones and skim stones (got a little competitive around the adults at one point!).  We then headed into the village for lunch.  During lunch the rain came down - it stayed quite miserable for the rest of the day, however, we managed a nice afternoon - we drove to Ingleton and had tea and a bun at Neptis.  Rachel was there (lady from the swimming and to whom Matt has been talking too) she made us feel at home immediately and asked how things were going - very nice and very friendly.  Sunday evening Matt and I went into Kirkby Lonsdale for dinner (very lovely tapas at Plato's - don't think there is a bad eatery here!) whilst mum and dad babysat.  I put on a smarter than normal top, walked into the kitchen - Tom noticed immediately and said that he liked my T-shirt and that I looked like a Princess - I immediately welled up - it was completely unsolicited and unexpected and very heart warming.

See Saw

Monday, mum and dad had a day off whilst Tom and I went down to Preston to meet up with Rachel, Mae and Lucy who were doing a tour of the North visiting family and friends.  I told Tom in the car where we were going, but he wouldn't believe me.  Rachel got the most almighty hug when he saw her, followed by Mae.  We started off in a soft play area - it was drizzling, cloudy and miserable outside.  Mae and Tom went off and played together really nicely - very good too as it was very busy and very noisy.  I couldn't believe the change in Lucy, in three weeks she has gone from baby to toddler.  Last time I saw her she didn't show any desire to move, she is now crawling and trying to walk - wow!

Young love

and more cuddles

Cuddles

After a couple of hours in the soft play area, we headed off to a park we were recommended by one of the mums for a picnic, play on the bikes and play on the equipment.  It was a lovely afternoon and we all had a lovely time - felt completely normal - as if this is something we will do every week!  We left with plans to meet up again at half term.  

Playing in muddy puddles

Cuddles with Granma after a long day

Tuesday the weather looked bad - the forecast was rain, rain, rain and more rain.  We decided to explore Greenlands - a farm shop, farm, soft play area, cafe, pottery etc which isn't that far from us.  It was a bit pricey so Tom was given the choice of soft play or farm, he chose the farm and to be fair to him he had a really good time.  He was interested in the animals, spent quite a while on the pedal tractors, fed a lamb some milk and even sat still with 'Biscuit' the Guinea Pig on his lap and stroked him (he was obsessed with how small his eyes were!)  We went to the cafe twice - morning coffee and then again for lunch - dad and I both went for the Lancashire Rarebit which was to die for - they also had some very good looking cakes which we managed to avoid.  

The weather forecasters got it wrong, the weather got better and better, to the extent that there was blue sky and sunshine, so we decided to pop along to Morecambe - so mum and dad could visit and Tom could go bonkers on his red bike.  This we did, we walked along the prom to the stone jetty then up to the end of the jetty and tea and a bun at the cafe there, before returning home via Booths for some sausages.  Tom fell asleep (almost mid sentence) on the way home so let him sleep (he did have a long day) and then a late dinner and late to bed.  Today was one of those days - he was the best behaved, gorgeous boy you could ask for - I could have eaten him up - a true angel, meaning we all had the most enjoyable day.

  

Wednesday, mum and dad went home, Tom and I went to Asda to fill up on food and then spent the afternoon playing - the railway got completely re made - it now goes across the door to the guest bedroom into the kitchen area - oh and about 20 paintings - mostly of his hands - he seems to like getting dirty now:0)