Olympics

We (with Aunt Jo) went to Day 1 of the para-olympics. The excitements started by the (long, 3) train journey...

We arrived with flags at the ready

First up was goalball - we supported China - after having had Chinese for lunch -  they lost to Iran.

You have to be quiet (so players can hear the ball coming) this made Sam's audible poo that much more embarrasing!

Then we moved onto the far more enjoyable wheelchair basketball - Columbia (lost) V. Poland

Afterwards we went for a wander where Tristan was given his 'superman cape (flag)' as we watched a concert

and here's the stadium and Jo - the ground proved fun as we all tried to stick to walking on only certain colours. We got home at 10pm all exhausted (except for Sam who had slept through 3 train changes and most sports!)

Funfair

Samuel went on his first ride.

It was a bit too tame for Tristan! Our eldest thrill-seeker loved the dodgems (when we crashed) and terrifyingly (for us) the 'extreme' trampolines

... and this is just how chucked around he was (this was his second go on them he liked it so much!)

Sam's eating

/ sucking/ dribbling. He's still a bit young for food but he has been drooling when we eat so I gave him a rusk...

he got very stroppy when we took it away and seemed to like it...

I then tried various fruits and vegetables and he didn't seem keen at all. I think he may have a sweet erm gum!

Rolling and 'talking' (/spitting)

'Talking' with Manu

A bit of spitting and a roll (he only rolls from his right side onto his front so far)

...and here's a smile ahead of an exciting outing to the supermarket!

Manu...

... and his big digger (prep for the eventual and oversized climbing frame)

...and his boys having story time together

... and his birthday (36!) - please note the cake in the foreground!

Christchurch

One decent hot day (at last!) so we went down to Christchurch 

We did some cycling and found a water splash area and park (we were not well equipped though hence the pants!)

 At the park - my new haircut (without careful surveillance it turns into an afro, but at least there's less of it for Sam to pull out)

Building sandcastles - this didn't last long possibly because the people next to us had built and amazing sandcastle and shell city and we felt rather inadequate!

Manu and Tristan (his 3rd icecream of the weekend!) - note how Manu looks happy and relaxed - this is pre our parking ticket!

Sam was hidden from the sun most of the day but he did get some sensory sand experience (he pawed at it like a race horse!).

Please note there's no going swimming pic - Manu has finally learnt his lesson/ got old enough not to succumb to the temptation.

Sam at 13 weeks

Sam is now 3 months old amazingly and weighs in at 13lbs 8oz (6.15 kilos). He has just moved into his own bedroom and - not wanting to tempt fate - is sleeping really well and quite regularly manages 7 hours in a row at night (although we are comparing to Tristan who was terrible at sleeping).

Sam has very much discovered his thumb - the technique is very cute and involves the rest of his fingers evenly spread-out over is face. He has now rejected the dummy which I am glad about in many ways but was a very effective 'off-switch'.

The thumb is so powerful that it counteracts any other sleep disturbance...

Sam is great at batting things and grasping (particularly my hair) and seems to be teething as he is constantly chewing and dribbling (hence the 'drip-tray' disguised as a neckachief!).