Kielder Kraziness

We had a lovely four nights at Kielder Lake over the long weekend, courtesy of Nonno and Nonna. We shared a comfy lodge with Team Tipping – great to have Shaun and Jess about to take care of Savvy. And, after over two years absence, we got to see the Dobson Clan who live most South – Chris, Liz, Jack, and Thomas (the that last of whom we had not even met yet). Savvy got right into the spirit. She learned the word "holiday":

- Pointed to her cousins - "holiday?" "Yes, Sav."
- Pointed to the bikes - "holiday?" "Yes, Sav."
- Made a big sweeping motion of the whole cabin - "holiday?" "Yes, Sav."

Highlights included:

- Freedom for Glen and I on the bikes as Sav was taken to Hadrian’s Wall on a day trip http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadrian%27s_Wall.

- A night out with Glen’s brother and sister and partners sans enfants. (Nonno and Nonna took on all five grandkids in a wee lodge for the night – commendable!)

- Watching Savage cope with her own self imposed 9-10am starts and midnight finishes, without naps. It was pretty intense (and also strangely interesting) to watch a totally sleep deprived toddler cope with 10 foot ladders, hilly walks, river fishing and water pistols.

- Tartiflette.

- A shot with Uncle Chris in the Dobson's lovely sail boat in Lake Kielder.

- The beautiful sunshine, scenery and family fun.

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As I write, I am paying the price for Sav’s break in routine. It’s 9.25pm and I have been putting her to bed for over 2 hours. Glen’s shot out on the bikes so I am solo in my quest. She has now heard her last story and worked my last nerve. I am at the PC in the hall outside her room, strategically positioned so that I can make a quick scoop and chuck her back in bed. She is allowed to play in her room quietly if she wants but she insists on opening the door, and inching toward the doorway coming up with excuses for why she should stay up:

- I hungry
- I thirsty
- Nappy change
- Baby nappy change
- Knee sore (replace “knee” with all other body parts)
- Cuddle
- Presentation of a book that needs reading
- Presentation of a train that needs choo choo-ing

And of course, the ever effective classic,

- Appear naked, pjs and nappy off.

I am now on my 30th+ trip to take her back to bed. I am inventing a toddler cot as we speak, with 6 foot sides, a roof, and possibly a trap window through which I could push through some water and a few peanuts.