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The Gallery: Drink (Pretty in Pink)

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Have I got you singing now? I hope so!

That song is a big ‘ear-worm’ with me. Every time I hear the phrase: bang! There it  is, stuck in my head.

“But what the Furs has that got to do with drink? Isn’t that what this silly post is supposed to be about anyway? Get on with it, man!” I hear you cry. Or words to that effect. Probably.

Alright, since you asked so nicely, this:

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This is the source of much of my drinking activity. During the day, at least, especially mornings. I pretty much chain-drink coffee ’til lunchtime, then often indulge in 1 or 2 more in the afternoon.

My old cafetière broke, OK? Our kitchen is very small, we don’t have a dishwasher, so accidents happen. I needed my caffeine fix, & this was the only one I could find in town. Also: it was cheap. Which probably explains why it already has a crack at the top.

It’s my story, & I’m sticking to it.

Now I’m off to drink my pink brew and put on my Borat pinny* & marigolds to do the washing up while singing very loudly & very badly to Adele.

I am MetroDad, hear me roar!

* It was a gift, honest

This post is for Tara’s terrific ‘Gallery’ on her ‘Sticky Fingers’ blog.

It’s also for Emma of ‘Crazy With Twins’ who is having a hard time right now as she’s in isolation & away from her family while having treatment for cancer, so is in need of some cheering up.

To read more & to join in just click the pics:

TheGallery

Shoulder to Shoulder to Day
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An Active Weekend

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I’m joining in with this week’s ‘The Gallery’ on Tara’s ‘Sticky Fingers’ blog, as well as Fiona’s ‘Country Kids at Coombe Mill’ blog-link. The Gallery’s theme is ‘The Weekend’: it was a long one, & we had an active one!

We’re quite an active family. When the twins aren’t at pre-school we try to get out & about to do something active at least once a day, & often on school days too.

This last weekend was of course a Bank Holiday Weekend. And just to make it more interesting we made it a 4-dayer, starting Friday!

We’d both managed to make ourselves available all day &, after a great Monkey Music class, took them off from their afternoon pre-school. Why? There’s a fantastic place in Cardiff called Techniquest: basically a 2-storey hangar-sized space full of fun, interactive science-based exhibits.

Once a month they have a Toddler Day, each with a different theme, where they also have arts & crafts play, water-play, story-telling & the like. They love it! There’s so much to see & do, so many buttons to press, dials to turn, balls to throw: it’s always a fight to get them go home! And this time we had another first: face-painting!

Ellie was very pleased

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Jake however didn’t seem so sure

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Saturday, the Mummy took them to the excellent nearby soft-play place. I was very pleased to hear that Jake had made friends with a couple of boys there; usually it’s Ellie who does that, often finding a little gang of girls to run around with.

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click to enlarge

On Sunday, as the weather was getting progressively better, it was our favourite country park again. We went to a different part of it this time: past the 12th-century Monastery ruins & church & the 18th-century Orangery, & to the fairy-tale themed playground.

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Throwing stones into a fountain by the Orangery

The playground not only has the usual swings & slides, but also little houses each with nursery-rhyme themed exhibits, plus a child-scaled castle – complete with secret passages, moat & drawbridge. Needless to say, they love it there!

Monday was almost a scorcher! In the morning I took them on their scooters to the local playground, & for the afternoon we had planned to go to an indoor swimming pool but ended up in a nearby water-fountain & adventure playground instead. It would have been a shame to waste all that lovely sunshine! It was great to be able to go there again for the first time since last summer & they had a great time, even though it was very crowded.

The weekend ended with big ice-creams all ’round, & with everyone going to bed having been stimulated & exercised, tired but happy.

And that’s what this parenting thing is all about really, isn’t it?

For more ‘Gallery’ or ‘Country Kids’ posts just click the pics: 

TheGallery

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

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The Gallery: Expressions

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I love how expressive Jake & Ellie are.1-DSC00626

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3 photos – 2 from a country park on the weekend, 1 from after their first day of pre-school – 6 different facial expressions.

I love that they seem to have bags of personality, & are able to express themselves in this way.

With their faces they can express so many things: cheekiness, concentration, joy, thoughtfulness, sadness, anger, frustration.

I love that they are so able to be free with their faces, to not feel confined, to feel able to be themselves. I’m convinced that being this way makes for a happier life: reduces frustration, allows joys & sorrows to be shared: not locked up, or trapped inside.

Expressive children! Long may they be so.

I’m linking up with Tara’s ‘The Gallery’ feature on her ‘Sticky Fingers’ blog. For more, just click the pic:

TheGallery

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The Gallery: Together

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Jake & Ellie

Together

Conceived Together

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Born Together1-DSCF2720DSCF2772

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Babies Together

Learning Together

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Christmas Together

Um, I'm pretty sure it's cars you're meant to put in there, Ellie. But sure: we could try the big squeezy ball!

Crawling Together

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Shopping Together

Holding up the wall TogetherDSCF5016 (2)Laughing Together

DSCF5333, Babies riding in laundry basket

Exploring Together

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Being happy Together

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Playing Together

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Eating Together

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Plotting Together

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Cooking Together

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Not moving Together

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Kissing Together

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Perching Together

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Holding hands Together1-At Peter's

Being serious Together

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Being silly Together

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Cwtching Together

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Best Friends Forever Together!1-DSC00456

 

This post is part of  ’The Gallery’ at the ‘Sticky Fingers’ blog. For more Togetherness click the pic:

Fun & Walks in a Country Park

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We went to one of our favourite places on Friday. We try to go there nearly every week, in all but the worst weather, & we never seem to tire of it. My ‘Silent Sunday‘ photo was from there.

It’s a nearby country park, & it’s huge. It has a big stately home (with a cafe) which looks like a castle, a lake full of ducks & swans, a playground with a castle & little houses that recreate nursery rhymes, monastery ruins & a church that date back to the 13th century, a Victorian Orangery, an adventure playground, farm animals, a little child-friendly train & more.

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click any image to enlarge

The train was always the first thing: it runs between the entrance & the Castle. They were always so excited wanting to get on on it, & were really upset in Autumn when it stopped for the season, especially Jake.

It’s started again, & yesterday they finally got to go on it again!

But you know what? They didn’t even seem to remember it! I know they were only 2 1/2 when it stopped, but given how much they loved it I was very surprised that they seemed to have forgotten about it.

Once on, Ellie at least seemed to enjoy herself. Jake: apparently not.

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Although there was a very cold wind I think he liked it really, & was probably just being a bit silly.

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With the train running we went back to our warm weather (ha!) routine of train, cafe, playing on the grass, feeding the ducks & swans, adventure playground, farm animals & walking back.

The walk back is great. The path winds & gently slopes downwards though beautiful woodlands & a over a lively stream. On the way there are wood sculptures made from tree-trunks, & trees sculpted into mushrooms that are perfect for hiding in or jumping on.

This gruesome one is a favourite:

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And is very useful for ‘Saturday is Caption Day‘ posts!

Jake & Ellie somehow decided that the croc was very thirsty & spent a ridiculous amount of time pouring the contents of their sippy cups into its mouth, eventually having to be dragged away protesting loudly!

While propping Ellie up there I managed to get in a good photo of the silhouetted trees:

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Then the bubbling brook from the bridge:

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All in all, a great day: and they both slept like babies in the car on the way home!

This post is part of these great blog links, just click the pics for more:

TheGallery Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

Learning for Life

Bond, the Sequel: The Twin Who Loved Me

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Last week I wrote a post for Tara’s Gallery on her terrific ‘Sticky Fingers’ blog about the special twin-bond between Jake & Ellie. It seemed at the time that Ellie, as they get older & more independent, had become a little distant from Jake as she was making new friends.

Well…

They go through phases, don’t they? Or maybe she had the lurgi & we didn’t notice so much. Or quite possibly Ellie just likes to prove me wrong!

Whatever the reason this week she’s been really loving & affectionate, not only with Jake but also with me.

I’ve been picking them up from their little playgroup this week. Usually when I do Jake gets really excited & runs towards me shouting “Daddy! Daddy! You’re back!” before jumping into my arms. Ellie is usually more reserved, but this week she’s been beating Jake to it, welcoming me with a big hug.

As usual this morning she woke up first & went downstairs ‘on her bum-bum’, then Jake followed a little later, in the same way. As soon as she saw him she ran up to him, saying happily: “Hello Jake! Are you alright?” then giving him a massive hug. Twice in the morning she hugged him again, saying “I love you, Jake”.

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It’s moments like that that make all this Daddying stuff worthwhile…

The “best friend” thing is still there, although I found out just after that post that only girls can be Ellie’s friends – I’m not even her friend now! – so I guess Jake & I shouldn’t take it too personally. At the moment Jake’s best friend seems to alternate between a boy at playgroup – who, by sheer coincidence, has an iPad that he lets Jake use* – and Wibley Pig. Who, as far as I know, doesn’t have an iPad.

Actually they’ve both been in unusually good spirits all week. Often there’s grumpiness & tantrums in the mornings & evenings but in the last few days there’s been very little. I’m not really sure what it is: recovering from illness, our having had a nice 3-day family weekend where we spent a lot of time & did a lot of fun things together.

In the light of the terrible tragedy of a fellow parent blogger who I’ve come to know over the years I’ve felt moved to give them extra care & attention, so that could well be a part of it.

Whatever the reason, long may it continue

* For short periods of time & under supervision

The name’s Jallie. Jake & Ellie

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Oh, Tara! Putting a howling pun in your latest ‘Gallery’ linky, & on a subject so close to my heart! You must know I couldn’t resist…

Yes, the subject this week is: ‘Bond’.

Not James Bond.

This bond:

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I know I’ve featured this before but it’s my all-time favourite photo. I’m overwhelmed with love & gratitude every time I see it. They’re 1 day old here.

The bond between twins is a bond like no other. I think only twins can really appreciate how precious, how special, it is. Although not a twin myself I have cousins around my age who are, & that’s just what they tell me. It’s a bond that will never be broken, a closeness unmatched.

After all, you can’t get much closer than this:

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They were born together, they live together. For nearly every moment of their lives, awake or asleep, they are together.

They were aware of each other even as little babies. They would reach out to touch each other, & try to communicate. Later on, at an age when children aren’t capable of much more than parallel play, they would try to play with each other. As soon as they were mobile enough they would chase each other. They’d hug & they’d kiss. Now they talk to each other, dance together, sing together, & yes: fight together.

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They’re nearly 3 now & are at an age where they are becoming more independent. They’ve always had quite distinct personalities but as they get older their differences seem to become accentuated. Jake has always been the more affectionate & empathic of the two; it’s usually he who initiates physical affection. Ellie is a little more individualistic; she usually prefers to play by herself & gets irritated when Jake joins in / interferes.

They’re starting to make friends with other children. Up until recently they have always said that the other is their “best friend”; Ellie however now says that a little girl they know from their pre-Nursery group is her best friend.

It’s sad. Especially as I think Jake would still like Ellie to be his best friend. He won’t say it now of course because he isn’t hers any more. I guess it’s just a part of growing up, even growing up together.

Yet despite this their special bond still shines through. When Jake was sick recently Ellie was clearly moved, trying to be as close to him as she could, stroking him, hugging him, trying to make him better. She became distressed when she had to stay with me while he saw doctors with the Mummy. Even this morning when he hurt his finger she was rubbing his arm, showing great concern. Jake is the same with her. They often spontaneously hug,  & dance or sing together.

No matter what I think the twin bond will always be there, & in one way or another they will always have each other.

Jallie: you only live twice. Shaken, not stirred…

Why not have a look at what other bloggers have to say about the bonds in their lives in Tara’s brilliant Gallery? It never disappoints! Just click the pic:

The Gallery: Yellow

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click to enlarge

This photo was taken in Stowe Gardens in Buckinghamshire, in July in the year 3BJ (“Before Jallie”). Probably known more widely as 2007.

They’re really beautiful gardens, & seem almost to be custom-designed for great pictures.

Lovely yellow flowers! And it was very nice of the honeybee to pop into frame for me.

Like great photos? Like yellow? Then you really should click the pic below for plenty of both:

Vote For Me!

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MAD Blog Awards 2012I am running a clean campaign this year.

There will be no dirt dished on my fellow candidates. Although I have plenty. Some of you really have to watch what you tweet on Saturday night after a few too many…

No, this year I am sticking to the issues. The issues that matter. The issues that affect you & me, the ordinary people. The issues that effect us in our day-to-day lives: where we live, here, now.

So let’s look at the blue-sky thinking that my team & I have brought to the table over the last year or so:

Sport & Leisure. We looked at the contentious issue of women’s role at football matches, & decided that they shouldn’t have one.  Yes, controversial I know, but never let it be said that your Candidate is afraid of making the tough calls! “This is all your fault!” Is the football stand really the place for your other half?

Women’s Issues have featured prominently in previous campaigns also & remain at the forefront of our thinking: The Gallery: Motherhood

Transport. Our policy of sticking cute twin toddlers on trikes & leaving them to it has had a few teething problems & is still in the formative stage, I will admit. Yes, mistakes have been made – but at least you know that your Candidate is an honest Candidate! And, rest assured, good people of Bloggonia: my team & I remain fully committed to our goal of getting more children on trikes as soon as is practicable.

Health & Wellbeing. In the past we have highlighted the dangers of men putting on weight during their partner’s pregnancy; promoting healthy living & eating retains a crucial place in our Manifesto. Our policies especially encourage getting more children involved in cooking and playing with bubbles in gardens. We believe in the Feel-Good Factor! Our goal is happiness for all though humour & cuteness!

Bringing People Together In Love & Unity is what we’re about here at the Whiskey For Aftershave campaign HQ! We admire & promote togetherness even from birth, & we encourage & highlight the importance of hugging & kissing - things we could do all do with more of, I think you’ll agree.

Overseas Aid. I have tried to highlight the needs of those less fortunate than ourselves & who have been affected by, for instance, earthquakes & famine & have tried to encourage giving aid where possible.

We have also tried to provide inspiration for Dads who find themselves looking after their children alone, & have outlined our thoughts on A Communications Strategy For The 21st Century & The Importance of Live Music.

And in the hope that you, my lovely Constituents, could get to know me, your Candidate, a little better I’ve tried to tell you all a little bit more about myself.

So, my good people, in Summary: a Vote for Me is a vote for Fun, a vote for Cuteness & Laughs, for Healthy Living Through Bubbles, a Vote for Hugging & Kissing & Spreading the Love, for Families & Music & Dancing!

And free Whiskey. Don’t forget the free Whiskey. For Everyone. Which you can even use for Aftershave.

Love & kisses from your friend & Candidate,

JallieDaddy

While I blog for fun & as a record of my beloved twins’ progress, it would be a nice bonus to at least be nominated in a category or 2, like Family Fun or Family Life. And today is the last day for voting in the MADS, so if you plan to vote you should do it now! Just click on the pic above :)