Out and About with Bumble

Here's Zachary enjoying a few recent sunny days out with Bumble (his Grandma on Mummy's side).

He has been to a few toddler groups and loves playing with new toys, singing (most of) the songs (there's one with lots of jumping and shouting that always makes him cry) and riding on little cars.

So engrossed he wouldn't look up for the camera

Zachary had a lovely day trip with Bumble to Crealy Adventure Park, especially enjoying  the rides.

Strapped in and ready to ride on the honey swing

Driving a car on the merry go round

Riding on the train to look at zoo animals

"Thanks, Bumble, for a wonderful time!"

Zachary's Little Habits

Before going to sleep, Zachary insists on making the noise for virtually every stuffed animal on the shelf in his room.

Zachary's animal wall display

Zachary has now claimed Daddy's armchair as his own. If Daddy is sat on it, Zachary pulls his hand to get him off before climbing up himself. 

King of the man chair

When Zachary is hungry and you suggest a certain snack for him to eat, he shakes his head until you run through a long list and finally reach the word 'satsuma', at which point he shouts "yes!".

If it's on Zachary's plate, it goes on the floor; if it's on Mummy or Daddy's plate, it goes in Zachary's mouth.

Zachary always wants to watch Noddy on TV. He can now press the correct button on the remote to play an episode again. He continues to do so until you turn it off. 

Zachary has worked out how to remove most of his clothes. When you attempt to catch him, he runs away at speed.

No need for potty training - he's found a good place

At the playground, Zachary always chooses the swing first. When he's bored of the swing and you ask what he wants to go on next, he always points to the next swing along.

Swinging with Daddy on his lunch break

Zachary repeatedly brings you the same book to read over and over until you hide it. Then he chooses a different one and the cycle continues.

Reading about Spot with Auntie Lucy

Zachary is well trained - no matter where he is, he always sits down to eat a snack.

Zachary loves numbers and always counts the stairs as he walks up (he can manage up to four, though not particularly clearly). He always points to our car number plate for you to read out each letter and number.

Every time he hears an aeroplane, without looking, Zachary points directly upwards into the sky.

Glamping and Grandparents

This half term Zachary enjoyed lots of attention from the Cardiff girls as we headed to a glamping ('posh' camping) location near Taunton. The site was lovely and Zachary could run around freely across a large grassy area, which he loved. Unfortunately the weather wasn't too great on the Saturday, but Zachary loved roaming around the glamping tent and reading stories with the girls.

Reading stories with Auntie Bev

 

Snuggling up on a rainy day

Zachary sees dinner coming

Swinging with Auntie Vickrum, Auntie Beckrum and a tiny baby!

Mummy and Zachary slept in this gypsy caravan which was nice and snug

Around the campfire

Tired out after a long day in Bridgwater, Zachary fell asleep holding a piece of cheese and a tub of tomatoes

After a few days of glamping, we headed up to Lancashire to visit Zachary's grandparents, plus Auntie Marilla and Uncle Bar.

Zachary spent ages stepping on and off this roundabout

Zachary eats a yogurt at the Longley Farm cafe in Holmfirth

On the last day we visited the beautiful Arley Hall Gardens in Cheshire. Zachary spent most of the time jumping in puddles in his wellies.

A tempting puddle

Pretty garden walk with Grandma Jeanette

Weee!

Just before he slid over trying to get down

Zachary's Day Out with Thomas

Zachary stayed with his Grandparents in Exeter last weekend, while Mummy and Daddy visited Cardiff for a birthday party. Zachary had a wonderful treat on the Saturday, as he visited the South Devon Railway for a day out with Thomas the Tank Engine (and with Bumble and Grandad). He had a ride on various steam trains, including Thomas himself and also got to meet the fat controller (Zachary LOVES Thomas)! They then travelled in one of the trains to a rare breeds farm and also visited the otters and butterflies at the Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary.

Zachary looks delighted as they are about to set off in the miniature train

The trains were all decorated as 'Thomas' characters - I'm not sure which this is.

Zachary looks very interested in the Fat Controller

Zachary loves owls and snakes, which he got to meet up close at the rare breeds farm.

Meanwhile, here's what Mummy and Daddy got up to at Dan Jones' 80s themed fancy dress party. And no, I'm not supposed to be a green chef (Bar!) - I am in fact the Smurfette and Swith is Arnold Schwarzenegger in Commando.

All ready to party

Easter in Leyland 2

Here's the second part of our time away in Leyland over Easter. 

Zachary had a wonderful time feeding some ducks, although he wasn't very good at throwing the bread and most of it landed at his feet. 

"Come closer and eat my bread!"

We visited several playgrounds, as they are Zachary's new favourite thing. He could have spent all day there if we'd let him:

Hiding in a house

Bouncing up and down with Auntie Marilla

He had to be dragged away from that playground...

Swinging at another playground

In charge of the battleship

We also enjoyed a wonderful orchid-filled walk up Warton Crag on a gloriously sunny day. The views at the top were fantastic. Zachary had a great time walking over the rocks (probably because they reminded him of walking on walls, which he so loves).

Nearly at the top

Zachary hasn't noticed the sheer drop behind him; Grandma Jeanette has!

Zachary acquired a stick and used it to hit Daddy on the back of the head whenever he stopped for a rest.

Here's Zachary enjoying himself at yet another playground...

Thanks to the Dobsons for a wonderful time once again.

This weekend Mummy and Daddy are going to Cardiff for the weekend, while Zachary is staying with Bumble and Grandad. Rumour has it that he may be seeing Thomas the Tank Engine...

Easter in Leyland 1

We spent the Easter holidays visiting Zachary's Grandparents in Leyland, Lancashire. Here's how Zachary spent most of his time...

Zachary spent ages emptying the cupboards, then putting it all away again.

Here we are at a nearby farm, where Zachary had a wonderful time petting farm animals, playing at the playground and even feeding a little lamb (Zachary cried because we wouldn't let him drink from the lamb's bottle).

Stroking a goat

Climbing on an amazing wooden tractor

Zachary didn't want to stop repeatedly climbing this ramp

Feeding the goat a glove

Feeding a very violent hungry lamb

We headed to Chester Zoo for the day and Zachary very much enjoyed seeing all sorts of animals, especially the lions at feeding time and the funny monkeys. The monorail passed by above our heads every 10 minutes and Zachary stopped each time to watch and wave.

Riding an elephant

Who's a cheeky monkey?

Zachary spent an afternoon at an indoor soft play area in Leyland. He loved climbing high with Grandma Jeanette (who had even more fun climbing through the small spaces), using the slides and bouncing on the trampoline.

He didn't realise he was quite so high until he reached this viewpoint

Weeee!

Driving the bus

Zachary found Uncle Bar hilarious in his pyjamas...

 See part 2 of our trip next week!

Fun With the Lewarnes

Zachary had a wonderful time on Mother's Day when we went for a bike ride along the canal with Bumble and Grandad. He wasn't too heavy on the back of Mummy's bike, although we couldn't quite make it up Stoke Hill on the way back.

All ready to go!

Stopping at Turf Locks for a rest

Zachary helps himself to Bumble's munch box

Here's Zachary at the soft play area, 'Bear Feet', in Kingsteignton. He could climb up to the top himself and sit down at the top of the slide but he decided he liked it up there and didn't want to slide down. It took a long time to coax him into taking the plunge.

Zachary almost gets stuck on the bump

Climbing to the top

Here are a couple of videos of his soft play adventures...