If I was in the habit of putting titles to each blog post, this one would have to be "MORE neeeeew shoeeesss???!!" (as Great Grandma would say), or maybe even "Look shoes coming to dinner!"....

On Friday evening we drove down to Dorset, to stay with Granny and Granpa for the weekend. Fidget normally is fast asleep when we arrive, but this time she woke bright awake, and was having a good nosey about as we put her into her cot, fortunately she soon was back to sleep. When she realised where she was next morning, she was very happy to explore and have a good run round.

We all got dressed up nice, as a photographer was coming to the house to take a family portrait. It was a lovely morning, so we went out into the garden for the pictures.

(pictures not from the real shoot)

After that, we went to a shoe shop, but surprisingly with Daddy, who normally stays behind on Fidget - Granny shopping trips, came with us. Daddy ended up buying some new everyday boots, some really smart shoes and some slippers, as all of his old shoes (amounting to 2 pairs), had holes in and were getting his feet wet. Granny bought Fidget some super pink boots, that will be lovely and warm for the winter. But no shoes for mummy!

We then popped into Matalan and Granny bought Fidget some lovely clothes. Fidget was mainly interested in restacking the clothes rails with items from different places in the shop, but she was very grateful for the new threads.

After lunch, Granny, Fidget and I walked to the Park, it was a lovely bright afternoon, and Fidget had a great time playing and looking at all the other children running about.

Just before bed, Fidget and Daddy went for a swim. Fidget was entirely unimpressed at first, and protested violently. She then realised that she could walk around the edge and proceeded to cheer up enourmously and had a great time splashing and organising the pool toys.

Sunday was very quiet. Fidget had a great time with Grandpa in his study, she pulled the cables out of his computer, riffled through his draws, they looked at and listened to animal noise clips on the internet and then played running round the house. M and I took it easy as far as possible.

After saying hello to Aunty M and Uncle A who were down for the night, to have dinner with the Cannon (they are getting married soon!), TeamChallis set off for home (with a boot full of shoes).

This week I went back to work 4 days. I did prefer the 3 day week, and miss my time with Fidget, but she seems ok with an extra day at nursery. We'll see how we go.

On Saturday we had a brilliant family day out to the zoo. We saw flamingos...
The lion was very impressive and had Fidget trying to copy his roar...

We enjoyed looking at the fish, and Fidget kept doing the sign for fish, (though that is difficult to catch on camera!)

Fidget walked for most of the morning, she was really keen to explore...

She had great fun monkeying about with Daddy....

and checking out some proper monkeys...

My favourite was the penguins, no penguins in this picture, but Fidget and Daddy looking cute...

we stopped for lunch and all had jacket potatoes and shared a berry muffin...

we then saw the gorrilas...

and had more fun horsing around....

In the aviary, the crowned pigeon, posed very helpfully by his info board...

but by this time, Fidget was pretty zoo-poooped-out, so we headed back home. Our boiler hasn't been working, so M lit a fire when we got back and we all enjoyed sitting and playing in the front room.

We have been having some bad nights with Fidget recently and a whole lot of slaver, which prompted us to say that she must be teething, but no sign of new teeth besides her 4 nippers. But on Sunday, when giving Fidget a tickle, I noticed that she had two of her top molars coming through right to the sides, bypassing the rest of her front teeth. So that does explain the grizzling, and her chewing skills.

Grandpa came up to visit us this weekend and help M out with the far deck. Fidget and I went into Bristol on the bus, which was a great adventure. Fidget loved looking out the window and smiling at the other passengers, then stroking the arm of the lady who sat down next to us, and giving her big grins!

We then walked along to a craft fair to see a lady about the ring M bought for me when I was pregnant with Fidget...http://www.shivanipatel.co.uk/ the ring had broken, so Shivani had suggested I come to see her when she came to Bristol to exhibit. Fidget was very patient while we discussed it and got it all sorted out. We then had a walk round the rest of the craft fair. I didn't realise but while I was looking at one of the stalls, Fidget had swiped a ring of leather and thread samples and was happily chewing away! I finally found my way back to the owner, who fortunately saw the funny side.

We then had a walk into town to see the new shopping centre, unfortunately I took a bit of a long route and couldn't really see what had changed, we were so fed up having to negotiate the busy shops and streets with the pram so got on the bus to come home. Only when on the bus did I then see where the new shops were - doh! But it looked even busier, so probably for the best.

We got home and found Daddy and Grandpa had made great progress on the deck. Fidget was entranced by the power tools.

Fidget has been getting really good feeding herself with a spoon or fork, she now eats her breakfast (porridge or wheatabix) entirely by herself, and enjoys practicing with all her other meals.

This weekend we have been up to Hull for the wedding of Fidget's great Aunt N to P. We went up on Thursday night and on Friday went with Grandma and Grandad into Hull to have a photo session. This was a present for Grandma's birthday. In Hull we met up with Uncle A and Aunty B who had come across to stay with Grandma and Grandad for the wedding.

We then popped in to meet P's family who are from South Africa and were all very lovely and friendly. Saturday morning was taken up with running around and getting ready.

Fidget was an honorary flower girl with a dress to match the other flower girls, but she didn't walk down the aisle with Aunty N and wasn't really up for standing still to be in the photos, but she did look really pretty with her new pink sequined shoes. The wedding was a great day, N has had a tough few years, when a tumor was found behind her ear, she has had to have surgery and radiotherapy and it has left her unable to smile on one side of her face. But she has been so strong and positive about it, supporting her local cancer charity at every opportunity http://box3.go-dedicated.com/~daisyapp/cgi-bin/news.shtml#topnavigation. And it was on a flight to South Africa when the chap next to her (P) leant over and asked her what was on her arm (a scar from where skin had been taken to cover the scar on her neck) that they got talking... and a year or so later...here they are getting married!

We were really lucky with the weather too, it was glorious... here's Grandma...
the beautiful bride...

Great Grandma with her fascinating fascinator and Great Great Uncle J...

The bride and groom...

Fidget the flower girl...

Grandma and her family...

Grandma and Fidget...

My cousin N and Fidget's Great Aunty J...

Fidget considering her options, and then having a sanger with Daddy...

P's mum and sister and one of the bridesmaids...

Cousin N and Fidget's Great Uncle I...

P's family...

Trying to get Fidget in a picture with the other bridesmaids...

best we could manage...

P's mum...

P's sister and brother-in-law...

Fidget and Daddy enjoy a drink in the sun...

Fidget had a super time exploring and saying hello to everyone...

Great Grandma again...

Me showing off my outfit...

Uncle A and Grandma...

The beautiful bride, (her dress was absolutely gorgeous too)...

with Fidget's Great Great Uncle D, who took the official wedding pictures...

The cutest cake in the world...

Uncle A and Aunty B...

After standing round enjoying the sun and watching photos be taken, we went in for the meal...

We were on a table with my cousins (N and D), J and J-J...

(the view...)

The favours were South African beaded keyrings in the shape of animals, in a little box with a bow on. The pink bow looked lovely as a Fidget accessory...

(she is singing)

Uncle A and Aunty B were also on our table...

After the meal, people headed back outside to enjoy the late afternoon sun. Fidget and one of the flowergirls (I) went across to explore the play area. They had a super time, and little I was really helpful with Fidget, holding her hand and looking after her...

and even pushing her on the swing...

Fidget couldn't keep away from the play area...

everytime Daddy bundled her up...

she got down and trotted back....

The groom...

Fidget's Great Grandad's family...

oh yeah back to the play area. She was happily going down the little slide, but then caught sight of the big slide, ran past me, along the climbing frame and then threw herself down it, laughing manically.

and then went round again...

and again...

The evening do was great fun, with a disco and a band, and much dancing

It really was a brilliant day, congratulations N and P!!