dartmoor

We love Dartmoor and our children have grown up taking walks, paddling in streams and climbing tors. I'm not sure we will visit Dartmoor so often now that my Mum has moved from her house near Yelverton. But the twins and Gilby love to walk and climb and here are some photo's that my daughter took at the weekend.

Gilby looking at the girls and daddy up on Haytor

Primrose bringing up the rear

an amazing view

sweet children

Gilby's jumper is a perfect fit even though the measurements were for 3-4 year old. Here he is after a busy day :)

Here is Angel, the little girl that my daughter and son in law have to stay on occasion, they have just had her visit for the past week. She is HIV+ and when Vashti took her for her tests this week her CD4 count was so low that the virus was barely detectable...we are praying for complete healing.

a jumper for gilby

I have just finished this little jumper for Gilby...the colour shows up better in the bottom photo with the dinosaur buttons on the shoulder

Gilby Skipp

I thought I would post a few photo's of my youngest grandchild...Gilby Skipp. Apparently the top photo is taken of him having a cup of tea and biscuit while watching 'Little Bear' in order to prevent a post nap grump :) I think we all get those from time to time.

As someone who taught early years for some time, I love to watch him play, especially with toys which take imagination and creativity

I found this dinosaur fabric when the twins were small and thought it a good base for dinosaur play

 This wooden rainbow toy is great, I love how Gilby is  developing his colour sorting skills

 This photo was taken after a romp on Dartmoor...looking about ready for another nap

valentine treats

We have never much bothered with Valentines day because our wedding anniversary is just the week before. We take advantage of all those lovely 'heart' cards and gifts and give them to each other on our anniversary instead. 

But as regular readers will know, our youngest daughter loves a party and so I am sharing some of the lovely treats she made for their Valentines Tea Party. They invited their little friend from next door and as you can see, Gilby is chuffed to be sitting next to her on the sofa!

celebrations

 This week of February is a busy one, Monday was Gilby's 2nd birthday, today is his mummy's 34th birthday and Thursday is our 37th wedding anniversary!

Below are some photos of Gilby's party...if you usually read my blog you will know that my daughter loves doing birthday parties for her family.

Gilby talking to Grandma & Grandpa on the phone...we were wishing him 'happy birthday'

His party was based on his favourite book, Dancing at Grandpa's by Laura Ingalls Wilder. My daughter grew up reading Little House on the Prairie books.

his fantastic birthday cake

Gilby and his friend Tilda sharing some pop corn

 This display with the bird is taken from the first page of the book

The children made scented bags....

 and wool dolls

my daughter made each child a cross stitch with their initial...this is her first attempt at cross stitch after just one lesson from me on my last visit....she did a great job

she made little take home gifts from the cardboard cartons that come with her weekly veggi box delivery. These are to resemble picnic hampers....we would have loved to have been there...hopefully next year

a busy week

I have just returned from a few days in Devon helping my daughter while her husband was away on business. 

We had fun...I told the twins if they were especially good and helpful getting ready for school each day and laying the breakfast table the evening before then I would take them to the village shop and buy them sweets before I left.They rose to the challenge 

Here they are examining and chatting about the sweets they chose :)

Gilby loves to help Mummy unpack the vegetable delivery that arrives at their house each week

 Below is a lovely treat that hubby bought me while I was away. I have been looking for one to have in the sitting room with sewing  stuff at hand...he found this in the Oxfam shop which delights me even more, knowing that he didn't spend much on it

 I found this lovely piece of vintage fabric in the Oxfam shop in Kingsbridge 

Christmas Day

Christmas morning breakfast

 

Uncle Ben did some good wrapping

primrose loved the tinkerbell pom poms that Maggie made for her feet

princess dresses were a hit...thankfully

little elf Gilby ready for church

Grandpa's decorations made by the twins

Cath Kidston baby quilt

I had a great time in Devon with the grandchildren. It was lovely to do some school things which I never got to do with the twins while I was working in school as I was only able to visit during  school holidays. But this time I got to visit the twins' new school...it is lovely with a new eco friendly built building, lots of great outdoor activities and a toddler group on Monday mornings which is linked with nursery and reception class so Gilby gets to share some time there with the girls...not that they are particularly interested as they are busy playing 'chase'!

I was also able to visit Gilby's music group with him which was really good fun and it seemed he enjoyed having Mummy and Grandma all to himself :)

I have just started on the Cath Kidston baby quilt. I am going to use a 'new to me' method of layering and binding on this quilt. I wish I could find the link where I found this idea. I have printed off the actual method but didn't write the blog where I found it. Sorry. I will photograph and post the method as I go along. So far I have just joined and ironed the squares and cut out wadding and backing which is lovely, soft, white brushed cotton or as some call it, flannel. 

Devon Bound

So after church tomorrow I am off on the train to Devon until Friday...to see these little guys :)

making willow crowns

 cooking on an open fire

in on the act

maybe I will get to make a den in the forest

Fun

So the rainbow blankets are getting full use. 

So sweet how they are holding hands because its a bit dark in this Medieval Roundhouse

 

OK so I may not be very tall but I can do it without any help

Pottery

The twins have been having pottery lessons where they live in Devon, for about as long as they could walk. Now Gilby has joined them and it looks like he's really enjoying himself. 

And Grandpa's studio is a magnet for little potters!