It's spring and we're so lucky as the garden has been full of flowers for a few months already. When we moved here a couple of years ago we noticed that as spring progressed there were masses of spring bulbs that erupted as the year went on...and we've just added to that effect for a really, really colourful exit to winter and start to the gardening year. First came the snowdrops and crocuses, then the daffodils, muscari, scilla and tulips. We've a magnolia, cherry blossom, azaleas, rhododendrons, and many more, all just waiting to bring spring colours to lighten us up as we forget all about winter. I did a daffodil survey with Emily the other day, and we reckon there must be somewhere close to 1,000 daffodils with 15 different types in flower. It's quite a show...
First came the crocuses and snowdrops
Tiptoeing through the daffodils
Not to be outdone - DDU's being waiting patiently since Christmas for his floral facelift. And with the upturn in weather - his floralification is complete. Truly now he is a van of the 60's.
Flower Power 1
Flower Power 2
And with better weather comes better adventures. The Southern Rookes paid a visit (Niomi was quite taken by my brother), we've been to the seaside and the Gurney's in North Berwick, and to the farm near Stirling. More new experiences for the free spirited Niomi and more great family times for the memory banks. Now let's hope the weather just keeps getting warmer...
With Spring ebbing and flowing its way into 2017 this year, and my adoption leave drawing to an end, we decided to invest some quality time into Family Days. The basic premise being that as we are a newly formed unit we needed to make sure that we spent some time helping the 'Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing' process before Mummy was left flying solo...
The Forming stage was thrust upon us back at the beginning of January with the arrival of Niomi, and from there we've had plenty of Storming in one shape or other from all of us. But as we've moved through March we were definitely trying to get things as Norming as possible for my return to work.
And so we took to the road in a series of day trips...Niomi LOVES the outdoors, so this was sure to be a winner. The weather was pretty grim. Colds and tiredness were ever lurking in the shadows. But we were not for turning. And so armed with endless fruit, crisps, raisins, cheese and crackers - this family was undeterred to have to have a good time. And so we did, well...for most of it, and you can't expect perfection with a 2 and 4 year old. So despite the odd tantrum from all of us, much singing, cajoling and putting on our bravefaces to the weather - we hit the Trossachs and the Campsies, and introduced Niomi to the great Scottish outdoors.
And it must have been successful, as she still wants to spend every second she can exploring out there and beyond...which suits us fine :-). Oh....and the poor girl's also been stuck on a bike too...but she loved that as well :-). She's certainly one for an adventure bless her. Now just where exactly did I place my spare eyes in the back of my head....
First family selfie in the Trossachs
You can't beat trying to blow bubbles in a 'hoolie'
Stories are a big part of all our lives. Kids can tell amazing ones and certainly love hearing them. Emily's imagination is growing by the day and her love of fairies, dragons and castles is just fuelling her storytelling. As is her love of all things 'Frozen'. She's still writing to the fairies that moved in 9 months ago, and they're now regularly appearing in her pictures like 'one of the family' as well.
The downside of all this is I am now having to read endless 100+ page books to her everyday. What downside? This is wonderful I hear you cry. And on one level you're right, but having recently completed the first 42 books in the Rainbow Magic series I was somewhat relieved that we moved on. Each book consisted of the same two girls helping a fairy find something that it had lost, at the same time as avoiding Jack Frost's goblins, in order that Fairyland be saved. . And guess what? Each time they miraculously managed to retrieve said item and avoid said goblins. Never a plot twist or hidden turn. 100% predictable and quite hard to stay awake to read after a long day. Still, Emily never seemed to cotton on and each story miraculously held her gripped, so they must hold some magic for a 4 year old's imagination...
"Daddy, I hope the goblins don't get the girls this time", Emily stated excitedly.
"Emily - the goblins NEVER get the girls, they also find the missing object EVERY time and Fairyland is ALWAYS saved", Daddy replied. Or at least he did in his head...
Videoclip: A Story - by Emily Rooke
One of Jack Frost's goblins
In order to keep on integrating Niomi to full-on Rooke life, and to build on her musical introductions, we've been encouraging her to get downright dirty in her play. Her birthday treat was to somewhere called "The Messy Place" (does what it says on the tin really). We've also had the paints, crayons, glitter, glue, sticky paper and anything else you can lay your hands on, out big style. She's generally an outdoor kinda gal so can be quite vocal in her avoidance of such nonsense, but, with a little perseverance and persuasion she's coming on grand in the creativity stakes as well. So if she's not trying on men's clothes, she's now making odd art, as well. Plenty of people have made a living doing far worse in the last 50 years, so we have high hopes for her future career prospects in the 'retro' art field...
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
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)
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?
