Now we are 6...

Now we are 6!
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

Matthew turned 6 today! Lots of lovely pressies, mostly Power-Ranger orientated, an impromtu party with Jules Jodie and Max... and the main party is still to come on Saturday! Click on the photo for more related-pictures. Dad

When that cat's away....

When that cat's away....
Originally uploaded by Phil Haygarth.

The girls left the boys at home for a long-weekend, as Anne and Helen went to Milngavie to stay with Gran and see baby Laura. Meanwhile we boys have had some fun. Two nights were spent in the tent; we went cycling, both at Sourton and at Lydford cycle paths. Ice creams pervaded, as well as some swimming and some camping in the garden. The weather has been terrific again and the Devon countryside is magical, I enjoyed some snaps of everything looking so lush. England play Ecuador this afternoon, so must dash.... Click on the photograph to view the full set of piccies.

‘Balden Ham’ (and other aspects of Fathers Day)

Today is Father's day and it has been a cracker. We started bright and early with a bike ride all-together on the cycle path. Anne and Matthew went all the way to the station whilst Helen and Angus and I set a more modest pace because Angus is still on stabilisers and it was Helen’s first time out on the baby bike seat behind me. She seemed to love it and went all placid (unusual for Helen) and just smiled and took it all in. Matthew and I had a special moment filling in the world cup chart writing down the scores for all the groups and putting it on the wall. He gets much pleasure out of things like that and does them so well. Anne cut my hair today (you will see from the pictures it is a bit of a severe cut) and Angus says I am now ‘Balden’! Later this afternoon, he was ‘helping’ me fix Mum’s bike I happened to catch him playing with a toy plastic hammer and, whilst beating the floor shouted ‘Ham! Ham! Ham’ to match the blows. I never thought of that, how stupid of me not to think of it, yet you can see his logic! Balden Ham! Happy Fathers day.

Have a look at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/philhaygarth/tags/fathersday18thjune2006/

 

Driving lessons and other anecdotes from a balmy garden

It has been baking hot lately, life is all outdoors. The boys were delighted to get a grandstand view of the hay being made in the hay field (hay garth!) outside the back (well it was silage actually, but you know whet I mean). Matthew and Angus were delighted to play with Grandpa Norman’s Lionel Hudson Electric Train on the terrace. I have been foolishly protecting it and storing it in the garage for overly-sentimental reasons and suddenly thought (thanks to some prompting by Anne) ‘what the heck – let them play with it that is what it is for’. Helen on the other hand has taken to driving and the boys have been driving instructors. On one occasion Anne witnessed Helen speeding (breaking the limit) across the terrace at brake-neck speed with Matthew and Angus pushing her, screaming with laughter!

See the piccies on:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/philhaygarth/tags/june618garden/

Watching the footie....

Matthew, Angus and Helen have all been taking a passionate interest in the World Cup in Germany...



 

She's called Laura

We just found out that she is called Laura (nice name) and she weighed about 7.5 lbs (similar to the weight that Angus was when he was born). We still do not have a picture to post so here is one of the proud big brother with his Mum and Dad taken two years ago. Will post more upto date photo when someone emails me one (someone please.....when you have time?).
Phil

Heat wave

We have had nearly a 2 week run of uninterrupted blue sky and sunshine, great for walks, bike rides and garden parties (plus some good light for some people piccies!). Have a look at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/philhaygarth/tags/16june2006/

best

Phil

Its a girl!

Within the last hour Tracy gave birth to a baby girl! From what we can deduce from an excited phone call from Campbell, all went well. Congratulations to Campbell, Tracy and Greig - more news and piccies when they become available.....

UPDATE ! Picture now available courtesy of Gran!