Three Men and a Little Lady

We've had a super chilled out, fun weekend with old friends. Walking to work yesterday morning across beautiful, autumnal Bristol I had a spring in my step. I felt very chipper as I walked up the steps next to the cathedral as golden leaves fluttered down from the trees around me.

Saying that though, the weather on Saturday was atrocious, non-stop rain, wind and general grey-ness. Thankfully we had a cheery day and drove to the other side of Bristol for Jilly's birthday.

It was great when we arrived as we were greeted by some old friends that we hadn't seen for a year or so. Eve had a great time playing with toys, and getting up to her usual antics with Agnes - they are the same age and fight over toys each time they see each other ;-)

Eve at Jilly's house 

Jilly's daughter Lamorna is ten months old and a real cutie pie. Chrissie was there with her daughter Stella (3 years), and Agnes' sister Elodie who is the eldest was there keeping a watchful eye over the shenanigans. I think us mums were quite thrilled at having our girls together.

Lamorna

Eve was delighted playing with this shape sorting toy.

She is so good at naming all the shapes.

Sam's friends Mike and Barney had arrived at our house whilst we had been out at the party, so it was really good to see them when we arrived home. Sam made the boys drinks; the Old Fashioned is the favourite of recent times. Whilst Daddy was cutting the huge oranges Eve spied them and wanted to eat some. Sam tried to give her a little slice, but no, she wanted to munch on a piece which was half the size of her face. Funny girl.

Eve was a really good girl all weekend, and for the first time ever, went to bed without a drink at all on Saturday evening. I sat with her as usual to give her a drink but she said 'bed,' and lay down in her bed playing with a toy, all snuggled in her blanket. She did the same the last couple of nights as well.

The clocks had changed when we woke up on Sunday morning (it confuses me every time, no matter that it happens twice a year!), Eve had slept well and woke up at 7am. Waking up to day light was great. The last few weeks getting up in darkness has felt a bit wearying. When Mike came downstairs she was thrilled being able to play with him. He popped bubble wrap with her and they had a good laugh together. I think she became quite attached to him as she gave him a hug when he left in the afternoon.

The boys and I took her to the park and then for her usual fail-safe nap in the woods - we walk down a path and she falls asleep almost immediately. It's so relaxing with light glinting through the trees, the tweeting of birds and the lovely, earthy smell of the woodland floor.

Daddy and Eve enjoying Sunday breakfast together

On Sunday afternoon our friends Duncan, Anne and Huey stopped by to see us. We hadn't seen them in almost a year. We saw them quite frequently when Eve and Huey were small. These two seemed comfortable with each other and enjoyed playing in the lounge together. It took a bit of persuasion to get Eve to share her tractor with Huey, but she did in the end, which is a step in the right direction.

Huey and Eve

It was simply heavenly being able to spend lots of quality time with Eve this weekend, and I could see the difference this made when it came to bath time on Sunday night. We had a bath together, sang songs and generally had a lovely time. She let me wash her and even said to me, 'Mummy share yes.'

Friday night bath-time was the most traumatic one we've had so far. Eve got herself so worked up and didn't want to be washed at all. After 45 minutes of crying, during each stage of the bathing process, I was close to tears as well. As much as she loves nursery and we love her going there, it makes me feel guilty. I am aware that the reasons for upsets such as this are because I am not there for the majority of the day. I can tell that she feels more confident and trusts us more when we share quality time together, which is of course, only natural. Because of the washing agenda I'm considering having Eve's hair cut to make things easier, but I love her curls and don't really want to do it. Decisions, decisions...