Meet the (grand)parents...

grand

/ɡrand/
adjective

1. magnificent and imposing in appearance, size, or style.
2. denoting the largest or most important item of its kind.
3. informal very good or enjoyable; excellent.
4. (in names of family relationships) denoting one generation removed in ascent or descent.

Grandparents are a wonderful thing. They're able to give a whole lot of love and fun to a young girl's life. They like to spoil; giving gifts, time and treats (and to us as well). They give stories and experience which make kids feel special and parents feel like the craziness is just 'normal'. Most importantly for me they give an "old school charm" which re-enforces to me that many of the trappings of modern society are nothing more than frills - and that the best thing you can give to kids is your attention, time and love.

So, when it comes to grandparents all of the above definitions of 'grand' can apply. Niomi's been settling in really well so we thought it time she met them all. She's lucky as she has 4 wonderful senior relatives in the shape of Nana, Baba, Grandma and Grandad. And even though they don't live round the corner, she took to them all a treat and, unlike Emily, she seemed to have a particularly penchant to the male species of grandparent.

Delight at meeting the "magnificent, important, enjoyable one generation removed"

First up was Nana and Baba and we had a lovely time which included our annual trip back to the snowdrops of Gargunnock where we got married. Then Grandma and Grandad came, bringing with them Storm Doris which was kind of apt as my Mum shares one of her names with the storm. All of the visits were a great success which is great to see as Niomi joins our family story.

Breakfast with Nana

A walk in the woods with Nana and Baba

Storytime with Grandad

And tower building with Grandma

Niomi has brought with her some of her uniqueness to add to the growing Rooke tapestry of oddities. Her favourite thing at present is dressing up. Not in the traditional sense of witches outfits or princess dresses, but in whatever and whoever's clothes she can find lying around (and in her house there's always plenty of props to hand). Turn your back and she's wearing my pants on her head. Turn your back again and she has Tanya's wellies on. Turn your back for a little longer and she has a whole range of gear on. It's a constant source of amusement just now. That said, she's a fast mover. No sooner is something on, and its off again - so pretty hard to capture on camera. Great practice for a future career on the stage or as a super-hero. It's giving us all lots of laughter though - even if our drawers are constantly being emptied. But for now, at least we know she can dress herself - one less hurdle we have to overcome.

Swimming costume over clothes - future super-hero look

 Soulful yet sporty

Emily assisting too - pants, socks the works

5 years on - Gargunnock with 2 additions :-)

I'd like to teach the world to sing...

I really would like to teach the world to sing (in perfect harmony) but, being a little short in the musicality department, I've probably got more chance of doing that in the way that the New Seekers intended it, than in any sort of melodic capacity. Still, god loves a trier, and in the Rooke household we do love to try.

We regularly have sing-alongs and dance-alongs. Everyone joins in. No-one in the house can carry a tune - the young ones are too young to have mastered it, and the older ones are beyond hope. But still we approach it, as best we can, with gusto and enthusiasm, and we all 'seem' to have a lovely time. Instruments are festooned around the house for anyone and everyone to pick up, bash, blow or do whatever takes their fancy. Early weekend mornings are a real treat if you're ever passing. Mummy and Daddy, fuelled by far too much caffeine, are usually to be found dancing and singing away, whilst the girls just look on shocked until they are resigned to join in. It normally ends in some sort of pyjama disco-tastic extravaganza. Or at least that's how it is in our heads...

 Mummy Daddy NO!

No really Mummy Daddy - NO, NO, NO!!!

And so if you've truly never sung and danced your heart out when no-ones looking - then it comes highly recommended. Go for it - it's very good for the soul. And we all need that from time to time.

Videoclip: Puff the Magic Dragon

Trumpet Eating

Videoclip: Musical genius is born

Talking of good for the soul. We are increasingly becoming a bit of a hippy family. Flowers (look out for the campervan's new additions later in the year), meditation, peace and love are starting to find their way more and more into our lives. What could be better? And so now that you're all singing and dancing away when no-ones looking - go back and listen to the New Seekers. There's a valuable lesson for us all in there...

I'd like to build the world a home
And furnish it with love
Grow apple trees and honey bees
And snow white turtle doves

I'd like to teach the world to sing
In perfect harmony
I'd like to hold it in my arms
And keep it company

I'd like to see the world for once
All standing hand in hand
And hear them echo through the hills
For peace through out the land
(That's the song I hear)

Enough said 😊

Family...

Our Family by Emily

We don't have much of monetary value in our family, but we do value the wealth of our story. The tapestry we weave and the legacy we leave behind. And with Niomi joining our tale - the narrative just got a whole heap richer. I'm not saying we under-estimated the challenge of suddenly having a 2 year old live with you full time who doesn't know you at all, but, along with the many joys it brings, there has been a whole lot of bedding in, understanding and accommodating all our differences, and re-balancing all the relationships so that our story can continue.

 Our Family by Nikon

 Sister chat

 Daddy and daughter bonding

So the last few weeks have been a big learning curve all round. We've learned to appreciate the restorative joy that coffee brings after another 5am start. We've learned that Niomi is definitely entering the 'twos' and starting to exert her views and independence. We've learned she's also a great explorer and incredibly inquisitive about what life has to offer. We've learned the art of communication with someone who doesn't yet speak but still wants to talk. And we've re-learned just how much joy children can bring, and that family really is the most important thing.

And in amongst all this we've had plenty of visits from our wider family to further introduce Niomi to the wonderful story she is now a part of - with another few planned over the next few weeks. There's also been Chinese New Year, and, to top it off, Niomi actually hit two proper - which was celebrated with lots of games, cake and giggles. 

Family truly is a wonderful thing. 

"A happy family is but an earlier heaven" (Sir John Bowring)

And whilst we're not perfect, we're doing our best to try and be happy.

Birthday races in the garden

 Two candles with one puff

 A horse called John

Cousins :-)

Bubble-tastic in the garden

 Learning to smile for the camera

 Exploring - did I really just unravel the whole roll?

Lanterns for a Happy Chinese New Year