Kevin and Kate in the lakes

We were able to get away for 2 and a half days, which we decided to spend in the Lake District. Grandma Marilyn was nice enough to watch Amelia, which I think they both enjoyed.

We stayed in a town called Bowness-on-(lake)Windermere. The first picture is a picture of the bed and breakfast we stayed in .

These are pictures from some of our walks in Bowness, Windermere and Ambleside.

Our first afternoon we walked to Biskey Howe, then missed a turn so returned to Bowness.

That evening, we walked to Orrest Head with great views of Lake Windermere.

The following day we took a boat to Ambleside and did a walk just outside the town to Stockghyll Force and towards Kirkstone Pass. Then had a break with a cruise all the way to the other end of Lake Windermere with a stop in Ambleside to be bothered by the swans. As you can see, we were lucky with the weather.

Amelia in England

We all had a nice time in England. Kate and Amelia were over there for 2 weeks and Kevin joined them for the last week. Amelia liked the beach and was a regular at various playgrounds. She also enjoyed taking the local train into town with Grandma. And of course, she loved the shopping in town.

During the visit she met a son of Kate's friend. His name was Noah and they got along well.

The last picture is Amelia emulating her Mum, and don't worry, the straightener was not on.

Easter

We had a lovely Easter weekend with the Waukee Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, followed by egg decorating (a new experience for Mummy). The Easter Bunny visited after church on Sunday with a kite, space hopper, and a few other trinkets as well as hiding eggs in the garden.

Look who smiled for the Easter Bunny

In an Amelia first, we had no screaming and even smiles when visiting a strange big character. We started with the train then bribed sitting with the Easter Bunny for another train ride.

Shopping!

We had a trip to Williamsburg to meet up with Tom, Abby, Auntie Suzie & Grandma Marilyn. Tom & Amelia had fun playing . . . and Mummy may have shopped for a little too long. This was Amelia in Gymboree.

Chocolate Pudding

Amelia and I decided to make chocolate pudding one night. She enjoyed putting the ingredients into the bowl and stirring. Although her favorite part was "testing" the pudding and licking the spoon/bowl.

Ameliaisms

For some reason, we've not taken too many pictures lately. However, after a slow start to talking, we now have a little chatterbox on our hands so here's a few of the things she's said recently that make us giggle. . . Sorry if the humo(u)r doesn't quite come across. I fear some of them may fall into the category of "you had to be there".

On the phone to Daddy on a school night, after telling him about her day, Amelia suddenly says "ok, well I'm playing Uno with Mummy and Grandma right now, so I'm going to let you go. . . bye".

When picking out books to read at bedtime: "So here's the deal, you can pick Topsy & Tim, or the Dolly book or the Animal book".

There's a strong possibility that Mummy tells people on the phone that "I'll have to let you go", tries to organize Amelia by saying "So here's the deal" and various other little things that Amelia likes to repeat. I swear though, I may not have been the most respectful of my mother but I'm sure I didn't give her disdainful looks and start telling her how to do stuff at 2 1/2. . . maybe 12.

After pulling clothes off the hangers in Mummy's closet "for Pooh Bear" and Mummy attempting to get across that this is not a good thing to do: "But Mummy, you have to share with Pooh bear". How do you even come up with an answer to that??

So a little background on Pooh Bear. Mummy was given Pooh Bear as a gift when she was 6 months old. He was her favourite toy for longer than she should admit, was Mummy and Daddy's practice baby when trying out slings and bouncy seats, and is now Amelia's favorite bear. Many years ago he lost his red sweater so Mummy recently crocheted him a new one. Amelia refuses to keep it on him as "Pooh Bear doesn't want to wear it" . . . . great.