Henny 5!

Another birthday, they keep adding up, the latest count 5. Happy Birthday Henny!

Magical number 7

So much more than just a birthday, Maud had a huge day in her life today, is there anything better than number 7.
Presents before breakfast and then jump in the car to Stange to visit Martinus who we haven't seen for a year.

The day turned out to be so much more than we could possibly have imagined, we got the usual fabulous welcome and even a birthday cake for Maud.

a play in the snow

and then something that Martinus had seemingly been thinking about for a while - he proposed to Maud, which she accepted, so there had to be wedding there and then. Martinus ran upstairs to get his sunday best on, and there was a wedding. Rings were exchanged, Martinus declared his undying love for Maud and it was all very moving. So 7th birthday and Married on the same day!

 

 

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