The draw of Ada...

Ada drew this peafowl family picture for my birthday yesterday!

Then and now...

 

2022

2024

The joy of 'school run'...

 

Pauline had the joy of Ada this morning for the 'school run' on her own as I stayed behind to do a bit of gardening but I had that pleasure yesterday when it wasso bright Ada had to wear shades!

That was the week that was...

 

Our unexpected trip to Scotland last week to look after Ada due to Michael's bad arm break,repaired by two pins and a plate, turned out to be a real joy. Eileen put us up to give them some respite so we had to come up with some ideas to keep Ada entertained, she did a lot of this...

and a lot of this.

Sadly the bad weather we experienced meant that there were no long walks or visits to the park but Pauline and Fileen did manage an outing with her to the cinema to catch 'Kung-Fu Panda 4'

Which inspired this...

This was the longest period of time she had been away from her mum and dad,so a bit of a milestone but it proved simply to be a pleasure for us and hopefully her!

First day of Ada care...

 

Uncle Paul has joined us for a few days.

It is good that she now reads, as she says, 'in her head'.

Graunty Eileen has intoduced her to our favourite designer,Charles Rennie Mackintosh...

...with the addition of a colouring book. 

This is her first attempt,although I don't think it will be too long before she is doing her own designs.

When putting her to bed last night her delaying tactic on me included two questions, "who made the universe" and "why do some people believe the earth to be flat", she is six after all ! 

A detour for lunch... with Ada and her Grans & Papas

Before heading over to Edinburgh to spend our last few days in Scotland with Rose,Michael and Ada we took up a kind offer of lunch with Rose's mum and dad in Comrie a pretty village in Perthshire, west of Crieff. The village sits in a lovely location between Glen Lednock and Glen Artney. 

Ada and Rose came up from Edinburgh to join us and we had a lovely lunch and afternoon with Rose's parents and aunt.

 

Jigsaw girl...

Ada was delighted to receive this jigsaw from Graunty Eileen for Christmas, it won't be easy however!

 

The world is her oyster...first 'graduation'

 

Our granddaughter Ada 'graduated' from nursery today with her proud mum and dad there to witness it, even down to the cap throwing!

It was pleasure...

In Edinburgh last night to babysit Ada while Rose and Michael had a night out - as ever she was as good as gold and great at bedtime.

'They'll learn much more than I'll ever know'...

  

On Wednesday's visit to Chateau d'Oiron I snapped this mythical creature and forwarded it to Michael to show to Ada, knowing her love of unicorns.When shown it, she pointed out that it was not a unicorn but a Pegasus, a point that had escaped me.

Another day out with Ada...

Another good day out with Ada yesterday which started with a walk through Princes Street Gardens and a hello to the elephant.

Before lunch with unicorns

Followed by a visit to 'Camera Obscura' where Ada was on the menu!

She had a lot of fun - as did Gran and Papa!

She was amazing in the maze...

and had her own little castle where she and unicorn could view their kingdom.

Over to Edinburgh...

Arrived in Edinburgh yesterday with Paul in time to babysit Ada and allow Michael and Rose to continue with the birthday celebrations (officially) with a meal out. 

This morning she treated us to her reading skills which are amazing for someone at 4 1/2 !

 

With a Princess on Princes Street...

Took Ada into the city yesterday for fun in Princess Street Gardens and along the Royal Mile.

Aid from Ada...

 

Overnight babysitting duties as Rose and Michael over in Glasgow helping Rose's mum celebrate her birthday, then staying at Paul's.  Ada was, as ever, great at going down after a couple of stories and we were greeted by calls for 'Gran and Papa' as she awoke from her sleep - great way to start a day. Then it was getting ready for ballet. We walked her to the hall, though tried to take her the wrong way but fortunately she knew better and showed us the correct way - she is only 4 !

Had fun with the leaves on the way.

Family, friends, tests and travel

We head back to France today after a great visit where we crammed as much 'Ada time' as possible into our short stay. Day two PCR tests back negative so our due diligence has paid off though it has meant not being able to share in my sister Sally's and daughter Mari's birthday bash - which seems to have been a lot of fun!

Paul had joined us from Glasgow and Eileen had come up from Ayrshire to add to the quality time we had with Michael,Rose and Mara. We also had a lovely afternoon over in Leith as friends Bert and Geraldine happened to be over visiting family there, a happy coincidence and a good opportunity to introduce them to Ada.

It will be a last walk with her to nursery today before saying our goodbyes. Easy Jet have stolen a day from us by changing our flight to a day earlier so we are going to have an extra day in Paris - could be worse I suppose! 

Ada slightly out of her comfort zone...

We took Ada to 'Deep Sea World' under the Forth Railway Bridge  yesterday but all the bad press sharks get in kids animations made her "slightly terrified" (her words) but safe in Papa's arms did the trick.