Love is in the air...

I Love Daddy (14th Feb 2018)

Despite the very snowy winter it seems the last few weeks have been full of love. We've had Valentines Day, our 6th Wedding Anniversary and Tanya and I escaped for a weekend to celebrate Tanya's birthday (our second night away in over 5 years).

Emily's been obsessed with hearts recently which has been really nice as it means I've had regular homemade cards and messages full of love, hearts and kisses. Niomi is currently a little more restrained on the matter but I did get a big hug when she came back from staying with Nana and Baba which was very nice.

Things like this can be a little fleeting however, as both of them can also be a little patchy on their Daddy affection. Its the curse of a working Dad versus a stay at home Mum. One minute you're really cool - Mr Fix-anything, do-anything, go-anywhere Daddy...then the other 59 in the hour it can be like you don't exist. Niomi had a brief period after she came to us when she really thought Daddy was cool but then, like everything else, she has just copied her big sister and I've been cast aside. And this is them at 3 and 5 - god help me when teenage-hood arrives!

Still, at least Tanya sometimes loves me - particularly when I bring her doughnuts.

 Doughnut love

 Gargunnock House - the scene of the wedding crime

The Shadow Rooke Family

And then we had our weekend away in the Trossachs courtesy of my brother and sister-in-law. We spent the time ambling up hills, round lochs and eating fine food - all at our own pace with no moaning or tears. It was heaven... Emily and Niomi I think had similar fun - doing lots of things they're not normally allowed to do including copious Peppa Pig to watch and chips to eat - all of that probably reduced the moaning and tears. So all in all it was a grand success...

Climbing hills, like life before kids

Sitting on benches, practising for when the kids are grown up

All change...

With February it seems there is always change. The last few years have brought new houses, new kitchens, big birthdays, pregnancy...to name a few. And this year there seems to be more change in the air.

First up Niomi was 3. It was celebrated with our usual homemade style coupled with a large dose of Peppa Pig who is very much Niomi's favourite. There was a Peppa cake, tablecloth, plates, cups and napkins but no straws. In a definite effort to cut down on plastics we've forced the kids to go strawless.

The Birthday Girl

Umbrella birthday joy

 3rd cake (non-Peppa)

Videoclip: Happy 3rd Birthday Niomi

And then there were other changes. Niomi started nursery which seems to be going ok so far. She's also getting far more into her arts and crafts then ever before which is a great sign. Emily's started reading and loving school which is also a great sign. And all these signs mean that it's all change in the Rooke household - the kids are growing up!!

Can you tell they're not real fish fingers?

Rampaging at nursery and at home

Videoclip: Reading is coming along

Hearing voices…

Voice

noun: voice; plural noun: voices
1. the sound produced in a person's larynx and uttered through the mouth, as speech or song.
2. a particular opinion or attitude expressed.

verb: voice; 3rd person present: voices; past tense: voiced; past participle: voiced; gerund or present participle: voicing
1. express in words.
2. phonetics - utter (a speech sound) with resonance of the vocal cords (e.g. b, d, g, v, z ).

It's a well known fact amongst parents that sometimes your child can actually hear your voice but, bizarrely, they’re just not listening. In fact, by pointedly ignoring your orders, they’re accomplishing two of their most important goals: testing your authority and asserting their independence. Your child is caught up in the excitement – and frustration – that comes with their growing autonomy. They just want to explore their own world and test their own limits. At the same time they’re struggling to learn how to control their actions, impulses, and feelings. This is the story of 2 to 3 year olds and getting their voice heard.

The girl in question

Niomi happy as she is, is no stranger to any of this. She is curious and exploratory but not always with any due regard to safety. She is independent and wants to do everything herself but with no regard to how hard it is or how long it may take. And she is determined to carry out a task until it all gets too much and she just becomes frustrated. It’s hard being nearly 3. Coupled into all this is she’s still really learning to communicate – so she doesn’t always have the words to explain to us, or maybe us adults just don’t understand her (that’s sounds like teenagers too). Ah, the joys of it all. Still, it can be very cute and fun watching her develop her voice both in words and feelings.

Videolip: No dress

 Doing it her own way

 Mischief makers 1

Mischief makers 2

And then there are other ways to capture people’s voices, opinions and attitudes; and January has seen me wholeheartedly get stuck into finding out what the people of Kirkintilloch want from their town. Through my involvement in Kirkintilloch Community Council we’ve developed an online survey and are hosting a whole series of community conversations from 25th to 27th January and into February. A shameless plug I know but please, if you’re reading this and are living or have lived in Kirkintilloch then please fill this out or come to an event. Details can be found at:

www.kirkintillochcommunity.com

And if all that wasn't enough...we've celebrated our first family birthday, toilet trained Niomi, been to Edinburgh to stay with friends, been buried under a foot of snow and generally been far too busy in January. Phew...but ain't it great to use your voice!

First family birthday

Snowflakes, Stars and Santa...

Christmas this year was full of joy and magic. From the moment I arrived home from work on the 22nd to find the house full of a parliament of Rookes, to the moment the last of that parliament left, we had fun and laughter. And that is what Christmas is all about.

There was chatting and games, trips out and carol singing, jigsaws and laughter. Much food was consumed and much drink supped. Santa came and presents were opened. Stars were given out as rewards for achievement, good behaviour and general niceness. And then there came snow. What better way to top off the perfect Christmas than a sprinkling of the white stuff. Magic.

It truly was my best Christmas ever.

And beyond that there was Hogmanay - with more neighbourly parties and first footing craziness. 3 parties in under 24 hours. I've not done that since I was very young!

I was left with a very warm glow from it all, and a determination to smile because it happened not cry because it was over.

Rooke stars (minus a sleeping star)

Videoclip: A neighbourly band of carolers

Santa's little helper star 

The Cranium winning stars

 2 snowflake stars

Videoclip: Sledging star

 Excited star 1

 Excited star 2

Snowgirls stars 

It seems like everyone enjoyed it!

Your hosting star!

Merry Christmas everyone...

Videoclip: Jingle Bells

Christmas comes early...yet again!!

Officially a Rooke!

This time last year I posted that we had just received the news that we were going to foster Niomi with the prospect of adoption. This year I get to post the amazing news that as of yesterday we are officially Mum and Dad again, and Niomi Aysha Rooke is now our daughter. The judge, a man of few words, said only "Mr and Mrs Rooke......Congratulations!". And then stood up and left us to celebrate. Niomi, not knowing what she is letting herself in for, celebrated with Nana and Baba and painted Rudolph.

Christmas joy...

joy 

noun 1. a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.

There's something really special about this time of year, and this year the run up to the big day has done nothing to disappoint. Its been full of joy. For me the festive season is all about spending quality time with the people that you hold nearest and dearest. And even though we won't be actually seeing most of you over this period you are all in our thoughts and I hope you all are able to spend good time with those that you love.

Joy

As ever, I've packed our festive build up with good wholesome family experiences. We've been crafting and decorating to our hearts content. The house has been transformed to a sparkly beacon of Christmas light. Its great to have such a bright focus at the darkest time of the year. The tree's now up and fully decorated (although please remind me to ensure the lights are disentangled before we  commence next year), paper chains made, and the house covered in tinsel, lights and homemade decorations.

We've had the first nativity and Christmas fayre. We've had a Victorian Christmas and a visit to see Santa. We've had the neighbours round for mulled wine and exceedingly good cakes. And we've rocked Daddy Daughters Christmas Day with The Polar Express, a Christmas Foodbank Shop and a trip out to the theatre. The weather's been super frosty to add to the Christmas buzz. And I've had numerous tear in the eye moments with the joy of it all. Now...2 weeks to go till the great gathering of Rookes for Christmas..and this is one excited household. We can't wait :-).

More joy

A Christmas Tree

Another Christmas Tree (thanks Yvonne)

The crowning glory

And yet another Christmas Tree

 The many faces of Christmas joy

 An uncertain angel

 A pair of angels

Videoclip: Ho ho ho

Total joy