A visit from Nanny and Grandad

My parents came up to visit us but they could only stay for the day since they had left their dogs at home.  Rowan is fond of their Yorkshire terrier, Molly, but the feeling isn't mutual.  Molly is 10 years old and would rather be left alone thank you very much. Since Rowan is too young to understand the concept of someone not wanting him in their face, my parents are sticking to day visits until he's a little older. Rowan is generally good with dogs but can be over-exuberant when he is over-tired (or simply showing off).
Mum and Dad kindly took us out for a pub meal. It was a really nice afternoon out, and Rowan was generally well behaved. There was some of the usual toddler throwing things on the floor that inevitably accompanies public outings, but overall I was proud of how he conducted himself. He occupied himself playing with ice cubes, completely ignoring the paper and crayons that were specifically for him.  However, if my Mum had brought her walking stick I expect Rowan would have invested all his time trying to get at it!

After a treat of brownie and ice-cream for pudding, Rowan had a lot of sugar to burn off. Fortunately, Grandad was an obliging accomplice to this veritable maelstrom and swiftly became Rowan's best buddy!  He even demanded Grandad at bath time, and told me to go away (usually it's a battle letting anyone else do the bath time routine in place of me).  He then insisted Grandad read him his story.

I'm glad all Rowan's grandparents live reasonably close.  It can be a bit challenging to visit in a day as it's a fair amount of driving but he's lucky that he gets to see them all regularly.

Rowan playing in the park outside the pub

Gareth told him we were leaving now. Rowan

wasn't on board with this suggestion 

 Fun with Nanny and Grandad!

 Grandad holding Rowan still for a photo -

the boy can't keep still!

Trips to the park

When we first took Rowan to the park, aged 8 months (to actually go on the swings instead of merely carrying around a floppy headed baby), he wasn't too thrilled.  Despite an obvious lack of enthusiasm, I was determined fun would be had so persisted with our family trip:

'I want to go home...

... Like, now.'

A good time was had by

all. Really.

Trip To The Park II was marginally more successful, with Rowan at least trying to look like he was enjoying himself.  I believe he cottoned on that if he made the right noises etc. the ordeal would be over quicker.  He cheered up considerably when we ventured away from the park equipment and let him go free-range on the grass.  

Aged 10 months

 A climbing wall that in years to come will give us

heart attacks watching Rowan climb it

'Let them eat grass'

Happiest in a field with his dog.  His mother's son

alright!