Park, Park, Park & Park

A while back, C got a gift- a piggy bank ( see here ). As we were adding more coins, it fell to its death. Bells in her quick thinking ordered the camera for the postmortem. It was heavy- leaden with pound coins and that funny American money. We haven't counted the contents yet, but it will be a fair contribution to his US Presidential campaign.

Ah, our walk down a country road ended with this view: The Swiss Normandie region.

The French do quirky museums really well. We found three. The first was a museum devoted to antique fire engines. Housed in an old church. Run by these two sweet people. Our guide had fought in WWII, and then served in the fire brigade for 40 years. Typically French- opened late in the afternoon and we were the only ones there.

C started teething early. Here's a post on it . D seems to have started as well over Holiday.

In Normandy, there isn't much wine produced. Apple cider (about the same alcohol content as beer) is the toast of the region. As we drove down one country lane, we stumbled on a farmer selling fresh, homemade butter. Of course, we bought some, and asked where we could get cidre (the French spelling). She directed us to this guy: We got a full tour of his process and orchard- all in French- and his barn, built during the Hundred Years War (1400's).

We decided to take the car ferry to France for several reasons, and it worked brilliantly. C had quite an experience as well. After loading the car, we went straight to our cabin- much like an old fashioned train car, with fold down beds. Pulling out of the dock, we passed several ships from the British Navy.

Fresh back from a week in Normandy, France- hence the lack of posts recently. Many stories and pictures, so I'll space them out over the next few days.

Georgina's father and my father shared a flat in the sixties and have been great friends ever since. And it's amazing to think that Ophelia, Georgina's number three is exactly six weeks older than Dorothy. Here they are - neither of them at their most gorgeous (Ophelia was due a feed!), but fun to see anyway!

Dorothy did her first laugh today. We were up sorting laundry and I noticed that she gurgled whenever I waved anything bright at her. So I did a little dance with Adam's boxer shorts - result: a giggle ... and then another one.

C is using the word "why?" with a great deal of frequency now. This is a symptom of a larger issue: He is now asking more questions. Two days ago, it was: What is time, Daddy? Today it was, Who are the gods? The context for the second one: We were at the allotment, eating handfuls of raspberries. I said flippantly "Let's stop eating now. We need to save some for the Gods, so that we have a good harvest next year." Hence the question. The explanation was a bit Roman, Druidic, and American Indian, all tied to our courgette and raspberry crops.

C has figured out the concept of talking on the phone. So, he had a little chat with Grand-dad Park mid-week. And then Grandpa Wigan came for dinner on Wednesday. He and C had a little cuddle just before bedtime.

As some of you know, Uncle Nate is staying with us while he looks for suitable employment in Europe. Part of the free-rent-deal is "Au Pair Services." Here he's up to his eyeballs in child care. We have restrained him from giving lessons on smoking Dunhills and drinking Jack Daniels. Americans: Notice the Cubs sweatshirt.

Well… quickly touch wood somewhere… Dorothy is now sleeping soundly through the night. It’s happened the last 3 nights, so no more 3am bottle feeds. Christian did this at about the same time- both started sleeping through the night at a little over 11lb. We’ll now have a few years of peaceful rest before we start staying up all night worrying about what the kids are up to.

Dorothy had her 8 week check-up today and passed with flying colours. She weighed in at 11lbs, 6 oz and is 57cm long. Here are C's dimensions at 8 weeks. Christian is very proud of his little sister.