Tattie Picking Holidays - 2012

This year, we had our first family of 5 holiday abroad, in Salobrena, Spain. The brief was to go away and spend some family time together, and ignore all the domestic chores that need doing just for a week. That's exactly what we did! For the first time since R was born, I read 2 books inside a week (I think the last time I did that was nightshift 2 platforms ago......how times have changed!).

This is where we stayed, the view was spectacular. What a difference from chilly Scotland - we ate breakfast outside almost every morning (as long as the sun cream policewoman was still sleeping....)

The beauty of a villa waaaaaay up a mountainside is that on cloudy days, brown boys just get even browner. Even 6 year olds seem to want to take it in.....



Most of the week was spent having fun by the pool for the boys. Most of this involved making big splashes. Dad was good at this, but obviously, mum was better! The lads were out of their depth in the pool, so it took a few days for the armbands to come off, but by the end of the week, R could swim a couple of lengths under his own steam, and O could just about swim across on his ownsome. Even Chunky, sitting watching below, was climbing in and out quite happily.

I'm just waiting on mum putting that bloody camera down so I can get in he says....



How old are you dad?

All boys together. Apparently, in the name of Health & Safety this is unsafe according to your friendly local authority. Quick, call childline!

I'll just splash mum.

Mum's too short in the leg, so had to sit on the steps with her brood.

Look - I can fly...

... I really really can fly!

Jumping off my Big Fat Dad is fun too though.

Even big brother wanted a go - (he's got half the bottle of this wee brother)

It wasn't all fun by the pool. You can't go to Spain and not have ice cream at the beach.

We had a wee wander down the road....not too far mind, what a climb back home.....

Where's the rain dad?



Reading is knowledge is power........

Meanwhile, back at the pool....little white boys need T shirts, otherwise they become little pink boys.
 

Off with the armbands, closely watch by my Big Fat Dad.

1-2-1 tuition.

Still trying to fly....honest, I didn't photoshop him in there.

Dad tried to lift mum like this. He failed.

Don't forget about me Dad. I had fun too.

Two peas from the same pod? Don't worry son, they said that about your big brother too and he's growing out of it.

So, all in all a fantastic trip. When you have three kids and the oldest has just turned six, sightseeing and late night meals are not the way forward. You just know that heated pools, early nights, and breakfast on the porch make sense. Jumping on dad whilst a) you're still light enough, and b) he's still young enough is fun. For dads too. Did I mention that Spanish people love kids too?

What's not to like?

Marathon Man

Today we bit the bullet and put all our hard days (all three of them) training into practise and did what is sure to become known as the Edzell Marathon in days to come.
Ever since watching our Olympic cyclists, R has had the bug. I sewed a wee seed about how a marathon distance would be an Olympic achievement for one so young, and he took that seed and made it grow. Each trip I returned from work to the call "can we practice for my marathon dad?"
Last trip, we made it up to 16+ miles on a lovely Sunday morning, and he didn't struggle, so we decided, all in the name of school fundraising (and now that's taken care of this year too after this!), to have a crack at the marathon itself.
The "loop" where we live measures 5.3 miles, therefore 5 easy laps takes us past that Herculean target with some to spare.....whilst never being too far from home or a cafe. Worked a treat too.....

Before we set off, some pre-start checks.

Off we go. It's about 4 degrees in the sunshine!

Lunch given free by a local cafe. A hearty plate of warm stovies and milkshake keeps a boy motivated.

Some well wishers en route offer their support

 One of the neighbours has an Olympic lap marker

He did ever so well today. The first 3-4 miles went ok, despite the cold, but then we hit a long straight in the shade. I must admit, it reminded me of cold winter days motorbiking, my hands were bitterly cold. He started to cry and I thought I had broken him. We pushed it the remainder of the lap home, changed the cycle gloves for wooly ones, and a few other winter warmers, and off we went. He managed very well afer that.

Well done Son.



I'm Usain Bolt

Instead of waiting in an speaking to MPLST, I took up an offer from the local yummy mummies to spend the afternoon by the river in the village. Much fun was had by all.

These should be the last pics for mum before she gets back. It'll no doubt be back to monthly blogs from now on.

One of the other mums gave O a sweet. I think he's holding it as if it came from God himself. Is that how little we spoil our kids?



C decided that the river was the pace to be. It was bloody freezing, but he had a ball. Obviously, the Olympics had an effect on him......

It strikes me that there are more naked pics than clothed ones of C on this blog recently. O also travelled home almost in his birthday suit. He "didn't leave himself enough time" and pissed his pants and followed that with a lecture from dad for another misdemeanour.  He ended up missing out on TV tonight, which I think is the first time he has been singled out. He went to bed happy though.





On picking R up from school, he is very much of the opinion that it is not fair that his brother get to play with their friends in the afternoon. That's the third time this week he has been less than impressed that his younger siblings have enjoyed some time with their pals whilst he has been at school.

Finally, a note to wife. 2 weeks, loads of pics of your boys as well as an MT ironing basket, MT washing basket. Pull yer finger oot - I'll be expecting the same in return!

Back to School

Pictures just for mum who is still about 4000 miles away.



O was all on his own today. The new teacher is Mrs Black. Our loon had a good morning, but I think some of his old mates from P1 came next door for a play at some point. He's come home with red paint in his hair (very rock'n roll!) but seems to have taken it all in his stride, as is his way.

Over The Hump

We're over the half way mark now. R and I have just worked out that it is 6 sleeps until mum comes home. If you apply North Sea logic to that, then you don't count your current shift, and you discard the last one too, so really it's just 4 to go!

The weekend has passed by quickly. Yesterday we had a party, but I didn't get many photos. The kids have mainly played outside as the weather has improved, though that is about to change. So all you're getting today is a few pics of your boys playing together in the garden.

I took them swimming today. O is now diving in head first, with or without armbands. His older brother is trying to copy him, but doesn't quite have the knack yet. Would have made some cracking photos, but no camera today.

Next blog will probably be start of P2 pic for R and back to nursery to O!