June 2013 - Summer begins and we have a Trullo Adventure in Puglia

The beginning of the month saw Philip and I take a trip away for our 5 year anniversary. We had a lovely weekend in Bilbao/San Sebastien, while Robin had a wonderful weekend with Nana and Nani.

Summer made a hint of an appearance finally!!! Robin and Daddy enjoyed some outdoor time.

The fountains at King's Cross and Robin's favourite little hut at Highbury Bandstand

Watching Peppa Pig with Noodle

Our Puglian Trulli adventure: After a little panic at Gatwick with overweight luggage and bit of a run to the plane, we had a great plane trip our to Bari and a wonderfully behaved little Robin, excited to go on a plane.
The journey the other side was fairly easy and before too long we arrived at our gorgeous trulli house which we rented for a week. We were greeted by several Italians, with varying English skills, all keen to show us round the lovely garden and pool and our "'ouse" for the next week.

The house was near Cisternino, a gorgeous little hill town, just the perfect size for us to wander around and Robin loved running through the little streets. We had ice cream in one of the squares nearly every evening and there were a couple of great places to eat and a wonderful wine shop. Really, a perfect small town to be right next to, with beautiful views of trullo and the local countryside.

I like this town!

Our little bench and some stairs which led to the roof of the Trulli. Robin didn't try to climb up them at all, despite us being slightly worried about the sheer drop!
She spend a lot of time trundling around our gorgeous garden and patio with her buggy and also another which some kind people had left behind before us. Fun was had playing with water and taps and stones as well as just being able to freely roam a large area of grass and of course, splash in the pool.

 The pool was a little chilly for me but these two are brave and had lots of fun splashing and swimming!

Outdoor nappy change with a view - Ostuni

We visited quite a few towns over the week but were never too far away from a lovely lunch at our villa or afternoon play around the pool. We think Cisternino was our favourite town (luckily) but also visted Martina Franca, Ostuni and Locorotondo. We had been to these last time we were in Puglia, in 2009 but the weather was very different in February!!



Shopping for amazing Buffalo Mozzarella and Burrata and the market in Martina Franca

 

 

About as deep as mummy got into the pool



Il Frantoio, a place we vowed to return to after our 2009 trip. Who would have known it would be with our gorgeous Robin!

We really were so sad to come home after a wonderful week, eating so well, Robin being an angel, sleeping well and loving her time with us both and the "'ouse". Plane journeys are easier now as long as we have a seat for Robin and enough entertainment and S-N-A-C-K-S to keep her occupied.She seemed to understand she couldn't just get up and run around which we were grateful for.


Masi arrived from Australia mid month! Robin was very excited to see her after having lots of facetime with her at Nana and Nani's house and perfected her school girl grin!

Daddy went to Glastonbury at the end of the month which left Robin and me to enjoy some solid time together. She is such a lovely joy to be with, we had an amazing weekend hanging out locally. We went to Abigail's house to have brunch with Charlie, our neighbour's son, Finely's birthday party, swimming and a lovely Sunday evening dinner with The Price's. Daddy returned home on Monday having been away since Thursday and was so happy to see Robin!

First Limbo at Finley's 3rd Birthday Party

First juice from a carton! Intense concentration needed



Reunited



A few random pictures from the month: 



May 2013 - Fun in the sun and a new addition join the Highbury crew!

May in lovely London. Quite a few activities, fun and "firsts" to report on!



Pretty Haircut



We had a fantastic lunch organised with the NHEHS girls this month but I can't believe I managed not to take a single photo! The pub chosen had a lovely outside function room, perfect for the tons of mini NHEHS kids running around.
We popped over to Richmond after lunch to visit another Robin in his garden.

It was a very exciting day when I met the new addition to our baby gang. Little Leo :) He is a gorgeous little boy and hugely anticipated and loved by everyone - especially his big brother!  

First trip to the London Transport museum and a surprise meet up with Dylan!

 

      
Robin meets a mannequin. Dylan asks granny, "where is she taking us?!"



Clissold Park had a funfair and we had to take our daredevil Robin in for some rides....she picked some pretty hair raising ones!!

A lovely Sunday lunch with the Saints and gorgeous Willa

Bobo could't fit under the old jungle gym she used to kick about in when she was tiny!

Bobo Mummy, Noodle and Baba the White watching "Piddy"

The morning after a sleepover with Aoife! This was the first time Aoife stayed over without Chris and Amy and everything went very smoothly! Bobo was extremely have to see Aoife-mouse in the morning!

A very proud Mummy and Daddy return from Robin's first Parent's evening. "She is doing really well" ;)

April 2013 - A chilly spring but out on the swings and the bike

Philip and I took a little trip away in Early April to The Pig in The New Forest. A lovely weekend, if only the weather would have perked up a bit! Robin was back with Nana and Nani who returned form their long trip half way around the world, encompassing Malaysia, Australia, The Maldives, Sri Lanka and India for my cousin Amit's wedding.

Robin was so happy to see them and there was no hint of loss of memory on her part, she knew them straight away. It just took a few minutes to realise it really was them, in real life, not on and Ipad halfway across the world!

The Pig

Reunited after a couple of days for a trip to the Geffrye museum

Philip bought a new bike this month and was super excited to start to get Robin out and and about using his child seat I got him. Robin absolutely loved it straight away shouting "wheeeee" up and down Aubert Road for their little practice runs. We couldn't believe it but she actually kept her helmet on without to much complaining but the Flag never made it back home ;)

Robin was found out with Aoife her bestie in the park a lot this month. She also developed a huge love of the swings, so much so it was hard to get her away from them to enjoy any other park fun!

Highbury Bandstand "'Ello!"



Clissold Park



London Fields



Tron and Bo enter Number 10

Another very exciting first this month was Robin, Dylan and Jasper's first Disco! Jasper prepared by having slicked back hair and even brought Robin a little corsage. We were very sensible and made sure everyone had a good meal at the Trattoria before the big D.I.S.C.O. The kids absolutely loved it although wee found it all a bit loud. They lasted at least 20 minutes before one by one they started to flake out. A fun night out for us all :)

March 2013: Robin - What are YOU doing in Canada?!

Another month.....another holiday for the Rowlatts??? ;)

Our long planned ski trip to Whistler, Canada was finally here. The trip out went fairly smoothly, with a man sat near us swiftly vacating his seat on the plane once he realised he had a neighbour, Robin had her own Business class seat the whole way to Vancouver and made full use of the Highlife entertainment…Baby Jake, on a loop, headphones not needed!

That Baby Jake loves a good joke!

Sightseeing in Vancouver wasn’t easy as the weather was particularly miserable the first couple of days but we and Dan Powell made the most of our day to explore the city’s sights.

A short drive out of Vancouver took us to snowy Whistler and our lovely big house where we met with the rest of our “crew”. Robin loved all the group fun and attention. She made full use of a bunch of toys we borrowed for the house and especially loved trundling around with a buggy which wasn’t much fun for those trying to sleep in past 9am ;)

Breakfast with a backdrop

Robin with the Olympic RingS

Book and cuddle time with Uncle CP

Reading about why she loves her Daddy with Uncle Matthew

 Along with fun in and around the house, we went in to town for some sing a long fun at the library in Whistler and visited the local Squamish museum.

We’re going on a bear hunt

The first night back was not much fun at all. After a couple of hours sleep, I left for work with Bun and Bo sleeping like babies.

Some "firsts" in March

First trip to Columbia Road alone with Daddy

First trip to the National History Museum

CHEEEEESE!

A family pose following a trip round the Tate Modern with Chris, Amy and Aoife. Robin may have set an alarm or two off on her way round the exhibition…whoooops!

Easter was fun this year as we got involved in some real activities!! Robin made her first Easter cakes at nursery. She would not let go of this little cornflake cake all the way home or all evening, finally giving it up around bath time!

Our NCT friend, Ehryn organised the lovliest little Easter Egg hunt for the kids in a local secret garden. It was a chilly but lovely afternoon and we and kids loved it!