Loch Cocksburn

Amazing weather today brought the best out of the Bridge and its residents. Flip flops, shades and sun burns everywhere. We went for a lovely cycle, the Ash Howard classic loop, stopping for a gorgeous picnic dinner/cerveza at Loch Cocksburn. MegaDob did all the riding with Savage. I still couldn't keep up but it was good at least to see him break a sweat on the climb. Savvy never stopped grinning. Tadpoles, ducklings, dragon flies, spiders and more.

We finished with the Uni Switchbacks and she shouted "I downhill" with every swoosh.

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.

Controversial?

Dad making trails/jumps with toddler on back. You decide...

Respec'

This little munchkin loves her accessories.

Quite the ordeal cycling her into "school" 3 days a week, although she's a bit more quick sharp now that she's outgrown her old helmet and gets to wear this flashy number. In addition to very long negotiations over which shoes, hoody and coat to wear, we must also pack baby, baby coat, baby wellies, baby bowl/soon/water, and mana's toastie. Sav can dress herself for most items now so true patience is needed (please note trousers which are on backgrounds and remained as such...)

Grumpy...But Cool

L'Art du Déplacement

With the long days, Sav is finding it harder and harder to put herself to sleep in the evenings. We've employed a night time play session to run her ragged, but with little gain. She climbed and climbed but still kept going until 10pm last night.

The picknic/play session was still worthwhile...I got to see my first Parkours live in action. I hadn't even heard of Parkours before, but MegaDob brought me up to speed. Wikipedia helps too: Parkour, PK, l'art du déplacement - an activity with the aim of moving from one point to another as smoothly, efficiently and quickly as possible, using principally the abilities of the human body. It is meant to help one overcome obstacles, which can be anything in the surrounding environment—from branches and rocks to rails and concrete walls—and can be practiced in both rural and urban areas. Parkour practitioners are referred to as traceurs, or traceuses for females.

We're talking backflips over ledges, springy twists and stuff. Very cool. Young skater-mod boys this time, Savvy as traceuse next. She has a penchant for balancing along stone walls, jumping down stairs, and flying out of play towers.

2 Minutes

A wee update on Savvy:

- She understands time: "2 minutes. 2 minutes" if she wants more time. And "NO minutes, NO minutes" if she wants something "now".

- She speaks in the third person all of the time and calls herself "Mana" for Savannah.

- A few weeks ago, her cot was converted into a proper bed. Bye bye toddler cage :(

- She reads stories to her dolls and has memorised enough little tales to be able to pull it off. "It's raining, it's pouring" and "humpty dumpty" are favourites.

- She can tell you when she is tired, when she's happy, and when she's hungry etc. This makes things much much easier.

- She is very honest: Mom asks: "Why is daddy sad, what happened?". Reply from Savage: "Mana pull daddy hair". "Mana push daddy; daddy all fall down".

- She will sway her tummy side to side and cuddle up with a gushing smile for at least 2 full minutes before asking you for what she really wants. "Open this" "More treats" "Outside". It's very effective.

- She will dish out a pish (kiss) to anyone who needs one and it is the cutest thing ever when dob has a sore back and she asks him to lean down so she can give his back a kiss. Then she says "that's better". This is also very effective.

A vid below of a toy that started out as Sav's, moved to MegaDob's and is now mine. It rules. This maserpiece used pretty much every piece in the box.