A lovely visit from some old Newie friends

In July, after we had moved into our new home, we had some visitors ... Valerie and Elise, our old neighbours from Newcastle who had returned to their home country, France, the previous July.

For our first full day together - it was sunny and warm, so unlike the normal British weather! We got a picnic together and headed off to one of the nice parks in Derby, Marketon Park. Plenty of fun for Jacob and Elise, lots of slides, swings, see-saws and other playground favourites. The picnic went down a treat with us all and Elise tried to show Jacob how well she was toilet trained. Though she couldn't understand why Jacob didn't know what to do when she took him to the bushes!!!

On our second day, the British weather was back to normal and it was raining! So instead of taking Valerie and Elise into the Peak District, we ended up at the local Westfield. The children were reasonably behaved until we headed into Thorntons chocolate shop and then it all went pearshaped! Too much chocolate for either of them to cope with, so a quick grab of some gifts and we were out of there.

On the third day, Valerie and Elise were up very early in the morning to drive back London to catch their return flight. I can't believe how quick the time went.

It was lovely to see them both, and even though it was a very short visit, it was great.

We're hoping to make a return visit in December. As they live in the French Alps, I think it will be extra lovely for us all but especially Jacob as he hasn't seen any snow yet.

How fast five months have gone ...

I can't believe how quickly the last five months have gone. We left Australia at the beginning of April and we're now half way through September. So much has happened too. We had a lovely long holiday in Spain during April, May was spent looking for a house, June was spent waiting for the house, mid July we finally moved in and the rest of July and some of August was spent cleaning, decorating and settling ourselves in and of course lots of antenatal appointment for me and the arrival of Daniel on Wednesday 19th August.

Dave started his new contract in Wrexham in May which is due to finish at the end of November. The only problem with Wrexham is it isn't in commutable distance from Hatton. So off Dave leaves on a Monday morning, returns for Wednesday night and then doesn't return again until Friday afternoon. I think we've all adjusted to this situation but we don't like it and can only hope the next contract is either something closer to home, or somewhere we can all be together again, just like Newcastle was.

Jacob has adjusted to his many moves really well. He moved from everything he knew in Australia, with all his friends, to having a quick weekend at my parents before flying off to Spain. We returned from Spain and stayed at our mates - Lewis & Ju's house for a couple of weeks before returning to my parents house. I think we were there from mid May until mid July! A long time that was for sure. He's also adjusted to sleeping in a big bed and the arrival of his baby brother. I can't believe what a lovely and clever little boy he is. Not only all of the above, I also introduced him to nursery for two mornings a week. I think I was more worried and scared than he was. When Jacob returned after the school holidays, it was bye Mummy and that was it! He asks on a regular basis about going to nursery in the mornings. Bless him.

I will upload some photos but need to find out which external hard drive Dave has put them on first.