Monkey and me

After a good 2 or so frustrating (for us) months finding his balance and maybe taking a step or two before grabbing the nearest solid object Brand has finally decided he can now walk. So he is doing his old man style shuffle about the place grinning from ear to ear.

Monkey and me from matt on Vimeo.

MVI 4732 from matt on Vimeo.

Get up, stand up.

It's been coming for a long time, but only now has he finally decided that he wants to stand by himself, no steps yet, but can't be far away i'm sure.

1

The super important landmark that is the first birthday came Brands way today, following on from yesterdays celebrations at nursery see here for pictures, Brand had a bit of a lie in and awoke refreshed from the previous days festivities ready for the day ahead.

Big cheesy breakfast grin.

after which a birthday bath with sisters skinny. 

ready for a spot of present opening, closely watched by older sisters as ever. 

he was happy to see cake but couldn't be bothered to blow out the candle.

split camps for cake eating, Brand held court with the big kids...

the monkeys sat out in the kitchen

a spot of thinking time to let the cake, ice cream, cup cakes and pretty much quarter of a watermelon settle.......

and then it was time for a spot of playtime.

followed by a spot of film watching.

A successful day by all accounts and something which he didn't really want to end judging by the way he didn't want to go to bed.

First day at nursery

Racking up the milestones thick and fast at the moment, another new starter, Brand got his first taste of nursery, 11 months and 1 day old.

Settled in better than we could have hoped for, plenty of new toys to chew, and other kids to poke, but being the youngest he should be careful who he challenges.

We even managed to leave him there for 45 minutes without so much as a tear being shed, he then wolfed down 2 slices of bread for his lunch, kindly served up by his new minders.

While a few of the other kids screamed and wailed brand kept his composure and got the run of the toy box.

We decided toleave himalone for a bit, didn't even turn his head to say goodbye.

 

første skoledag!

Maud followed Henny's example and had a countdown to her first day at school, there has been a long build up and the day finally came. A new school bag was ready along with a stack of equipment such that the bag was heavy even before she got any books in it. An early start too, the school bell rings at 08:25
Maud was understandably suddenly a bit overcome by first day nerves and the scale of things when she first arrived but soon seemed to start enjoying the day as it unfolded. Safely home again her first ever homework was completed... only another 10 years of compulsory school to go.

 

assembled together with the bigger kids, ready to be called out to greet the headmaster and meet the teacher. Maud makes sure she keeps right up close to her new best friend Eira.

lost in the crowd, bit bigger than the nursery she was used to.

shaking hands with the headmaster

sorting out her new important books.

Her teacher Liv Bente

Classroom

 

Busy busy Ff

A move to Ff was supposed to be less hectic, fewer demands on our time.... First couple of hours in new nursery for Henny today, not entirely happy with having to go to new unknown territory, no tears but a couple of hours was enough, we were both with her for the short time there but 5 months in the safe arms of big sister Maud has made its mark.

 

Henrik celebrated his 7th birthday today, more cake and buns for the whole family...

even more impressively Janne had the party at her house just 4 days after giving birth to the newest member of the Fikka Tjorteland family, no name decided as yet.

 

On patrol

defending the family, all you need is a frisbee as a shield (or to hit yourself on the head with in this case) and a rake.

MVI 4251 from matt on Vimeo.

Happy Day

KA BOOM!

Nothing but not regular, every birthday is here, i think.
a day late due to being at the summer house but you can't have it all, thats what i'm told anyway.

4, not 3 but 4, that is 4.

Little Henny, after what seems like a countdown beginning in May, finally had her birthday. Eagerly aided by her sister at all times presents were unwrapped in her usual take it easy pace.

Ohhh since i posted last, which was erm and age agoe goolge have very kindly upgraded everything, i now know that this is post 600 of I&I ... fact.


Pictures.....

 

 

 

 

 

Suddenly Six

Been a lot of activity recently at I&I headquarters, which has give little time for bloggeing, as you may have noticed.

So indeed it may not be so suddenly six, but still suddenly six at the same time.

The Maudster.

Cake!

Exciting times at I&I towers, in fact we don't even own I&I towers anymore.
Cut a long story short the flat is sold, we are soon to invade in England for 3 months, i have quit my job, on our return to Norway we will start a whole new chapter living in Flekkefjord, so plenty to do and contemplate.
I should also maybe add a different view to the story too, something along the lines of:
We have 3 children, we are soon (1 st april) homeless, I am soon (1 june) unemployed, if you put it that way - Incompetent, quite possibily, Irresponsible, without a doubt.