Bonfire Night

I didn't take any photographs this year, I'm afraid... sometimes it's nice to just stand and enjoy the fireworks with your eyes. And they were amazing fireworks. It's a good job, though, because in York they've banned all bonfires, so the fireworks were all we got. We went with my Mum, Dad and Joe down to the Acorn Rugby League grounds in Foxwood, where 'York's Best Firework Display' was being held, for £1 entrance. Lots of people were standing just outside the grounds, but I was really glad we went in, because standing right in front of where they were launching the rockets was a breathtaking visual experience. I suppose in our age where we're so impressed by large-screen TV's, a firework display several hundred feet of colour into the night sky, really reminds you how good 'real life' can look.

Cara and Felicity both watched with great interest. Looking back at the crowd behind us showed about the same expression on everyone's faces. It's great to be out on Bonfire Night!

Something Special

Cara has loved watching the CBeebies show Something Special for quite a while now, but Felicity now seems to really like it too. I think it's because she gets to join in. The presenter Justin uses Makaton while speaking. Felicity likes to wave hello and move her hands around. I've been trying to use a few of the signs such as 'Please' and 'Thank you' that maybe Felicity will pick it up. We'll see, I'm not that good at always being consistent. It's great that she's starting to communicate with us though. Another of her favourite things to join in with is the song 'Wind the Bobbin Up' I need to take some video of that.

A Morning Out Shopping Together

After an hour or so looking around the clothes shops at Designer Outlet, York, we all decided it was time to get a bite to eat. On the menu:

Andrew: Pret BLT sandwich
Cara and Helen: Pizza Hut margerita pizza and orange juice.

Slurp Slurp!

2009 So Far

First of all - sorry to those who might be reading this blog for not updating it more frequently. It's certainly not to say that exciting things haven't been happening for the Munzer family. Since this year began we've all been growing - Felicity is almost standing up on her own now, and Cara is more conversationally sophisticated than her father was at age eighteen. Helen has become deeply and significantly involved in the local network of children's centres and has begun the process of searching for a career fitting her considerable and varied skills. Andrew has finished a Master's degree, and begun doctoral research at the University here in York.

Aunty Hannah has got back from a mission, and Uncle Ben has left on one. The seasons have almost all rolled round another time. One thing I can say for all of us - we're so happy to have each other, and grateful for each new and exciting opportunity life gives us. What's coming next? Chances are the next few months will have something exciting in store, if previous years are anything to go by:

2006: Andrew and Helen get married
2007: Cara is born
2008: Felicity is born
2009: ?

I intend to keep you all up to date a bit better, right here!

Cute butterfly!

Cute butterfly!, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

We went to the Inspire to Independence Day on the 4th of July, which was a summer event for those who work for i-2-i and their families. Andrew's dad works there and they invited us along.

It was a lovely sunny day, and they had hired loads of bouncy castles and other inflatables. Cara absolutely loved it. When we first got there she had some of them all to herself. She also got her face painted with a beautiful butterfly, she really didn't want to have it washed off! And we all got yummy food, including some HUGE muffins with even too much icing on for me to manage. There was also candy floss, pop-corn and ice-creams. It was like being at a free fair!

i-2-i is owned by some members of our church, so a lot of people in our ward happen to be employed by them... it kind of felt like a ward activity, but where loads of money had been spent - it was kind of weird.

Mama ma...

I'm pretty sure that the last couple of days, especially in the morning, that Felicity has said, "Mama mama ma" and similar. It's lovely to hear, and when I repeat it back, she smiles her gorgeous smile. She really is the source of happiness! Our little Felicity.

Laughing Felicity

Laughing Felicity, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

Felicity is such a happy baby. She loves to laugh, especially at people jumping.. and most of all Cara jumping. It cheers her up almost every time. I love this photo of my beautiful baby girl.

Photographer in the making

P5200206, originally uploaded by caramunzer.

Mummy's old camera, is now Cara's camera. She loves to take photos. It took a while before she could press the button down enough to actually take a photo, but she's doing great now. We decided that she should have her own flickr to capture her photos. So a selection will be available to view here. Felicity is one of her favourite subjects.

Photographer in the making

Mummy's old camera, is now Cara's camera. She loves to take photos. It took a while before she could press the button down enough to actually take a photo, but she's doing great now. We decided that she should have her own flickr to capture her photos. So a selection will be avaliable to view here.

Rolling Over

Felicity has a new skill.. but she is keeping it a secret for now. Her first roll was made while Mummy, Daddy and Cara were eating dinner. Felicity was playing on the play mat, rolled over, made lots of noise - then we all looked over and she was on her tummy. Well done Flissy!

Blowing bubbles

Blowing bubbles, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

Felicity blowing bubbles.. it's a funny face! I wish we'd caught her sucking her lips in funny face, but we haven't yet - that's a great one. Watch this space.

Cara and her chair

Cara and her chair, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

I wondered what Cara was up to.. walked into our bedroom, and what do I find? She'd managed to not only carry her chair from her bedroom into ours, but then had put it onto our bed, and was about to sit on it. Still not sure her reasoning behind this, but she does love little chairs, and our bed, so I guess the combination must be good.

With the little dolly

With the little dolly, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

Felicity is just so wonderful. She loves to hold and play with things. It's just great to see her growing and developing.

Big sister

Big sister, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

Cara reading to Felicity. It is so wonderful seeing sisters interacting. I hope that reading with each other will become a lovely family tradition.

Bath time smiles

Bath time smiles, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

Cara loves bath time, at least most of the time. Her hair goes really curly when it's wet, and she has the most gorgeous smile, dimples and those eyes! Love this photo. Love you, Cara!!! We always have lots of fun playing with the water, and scribbling on the sides of the bath.

Cara Ballerina

Cara Ballerina, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

Here she is, our little ballerina. She loves to dance, all kinds - we'll see if ballet makes it to her favourite kind. The tutu was a homemade gift from Anna - thank you! She loves it.

See more photos of our little ballerina here.

Prayers

There have been quite a few occasions now when I'll be watching Cara, and notice that she'll fold her arms and close her eyes, on her own accord and say she's praying.. but I think today was the first day that I heard her say something. I just thought it was so cute. I've only tried maybe twice to get her to say a prayer by repeating what I say, and it's never seemed to work. I wonder whether they do it with her in Nursery.. anyways.. this was with no prompting whatsoever.

She was sat at the table eating her breakfast, we'd already said our breakfast prayers and she was halfway through her cereal. I think I went back into the kitchen to make a bottle for Felicity. When I went back into the dining room I saw Cara praying.. I was planning on sneaking up on her and kissing her cheek while her eyes were closed. (I know - looking back on it now I realise that would not have taught her reverence during prayers.. actually the opposite). Anyways.. I didn't quite get to her when I heard her say.. 'Thank you for nursery, and thank you for snacks and thank you for water.' How cute! I love my little girl.

Felicity, Three Months

Felicity, Three Months, originally uploaded by Munzerr.

What beautiful eyes. My little Flissy. She doesn't really like being on her front that much yet.. however she is really trying to turn herself over when I put her down in the bathroom to change her nappy. She is such a cutie.

Beautiful Cara

Beautiful Cara, originally uploaded by Munzerr.

What a beautiful little girl. I think this is my most favourite photo of Cara so far. Gorgeous.

Matilda

Cara and I watched Matilda yesterday.  we watched it in a 4 or 5 different stints throughout the day, and Cara really enjoyed it!  So much so, that even after finishing the film we later went downstairs and I asked Cara if she wanted to watch CBeebies while I fed Felicity.  She kept saying something, but I couldn't figure it out, sounded like 'told her', the I thought maybe she was saying 'hold her', that she wanted to hold Felicity, but then I figured it out, she was saying 'Matilda'.  How cute!  I'm excited about the fact that we can watch something together that isn't CBeebies.  Matilda is such a great story - I've even started reading the book, as I haven't read it since I was little.  I love Roald Dahl.

We might watch Witches next.. but Cara may get a little scared.. although she didn't do too badly with Miss Truchball so we shall see.

Cara's Bath Fingers

Cara's Bath Fingers, originally uploaded by Munzerr.

Cara is loving baths so much at the moment. She'll stay in for so long - look at her little wrinkly fingers. It's great to watch her so intensely interested in what she's playing with. At the moment it is mostly filling and emptying old bottles, she plays with them way more than the proper bath toys.

Mummy has new hair

Me and my girls, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

I went to get my hair cut, while Daddy stayed at home with the girls. When I got home Cara had been napping, so when she woke up I went in to her. She sat up in bed and said, "Mummy" with a smile and then, "...oOoooo! Mummy! New hair!" It was sooo cute. I didn't even know that she knew the word 'new'. She is so clever, and complimentary. I asked her is she liked Mummy's hair and she said yes. Then she said, "Cara's hair not long", and I told her that it will grow.

Smiles from the Men

Smiles from the Men, originally uploaded by Munzerr.

Felicity's turn for a photo with her Dad, Grampi and Bampa. We have a very similar photo when Cara was a baby. I like our little baby girls surrounded by 3 generations of men. They are all so smiley too.

This is the one of Cara.

Cara & Daddy

Cara & Daddy-6, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

Just love this photo. Isn't it wonderful the relationship between a little girl and her Daddy.

Cara Sleeping

Cara Sleeping, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

A rare occurrence - Cara falls asleep not in her bed. This only really happens when she is ill.

Felicity is born

Just thought I'd post a link to Mummy's write up of the moment Felicity entered the real world.

Early Morning Laughter

It's been a while now, that my waking up in the morning has been due to Cara crying out for Mummy.  She doesn't sound too happy shouting out for me, but always smiles as soon as I walk in. She used to play as soon as she woke up, but now she is always still sitting in bed.. I'm not sure why that is, or when it started.. but this morning, I was actually already awake - had just finished feeding Felicity and was watching Alias in bed as I got her back off to sleep. Then I heard Cara laughing lots, calling 'Mummy' and then laughing some more.  I put Felicity to bed, and went to see what Cara was up to.  I walked in, and the first thing she said was, "I'm funny", when I asked her why she pointed to Teddy.  She had put her blanket over Teddy's head like a shawl and thought it was hilarious.  It was really funny to see her reaction.  What a great little girl!

Cara Digging

Cara Digging, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

It was York Resident's Festival, so we went into town to see what we could do. Mummy decided it might be fun to go to Dig, and Grandma and Granddad came too. There was a part where they had reconstructed archaeological digs that had taken place in York and the children where allowed to excavate the finds. Cara really liked the digging part, but to be honest, I wouldn't pay to go. I was expecting much better.

There was a bouncy castle, and Cara had really wanted to have a go. Mummy wouldn't let Cara on while she was the only one around, with Felicity in the carrier, but when Daddy was with us, we said she could. She had to wait ages to be allowed on.. and then after one little bounce decided it wasn't for her.. the other kids on there were a lot bigger and bouncing all over the place.. lol...

Cara's 2nd Birthday

Cara's Birthday, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

What a wonderful day we had. We went with lots of family to The Deep in Hull. It was lots of fun. There is sooo much to see there. Cara ran around, danced in a few places and generally just loved being with so many people that she loves.

She brought home a dolphin cup and shark plate that auntie Jean bought as a present while we were there and a magnetic fishing puzzle game from Mummy and Daddy. Lots more presents were opened at home, and Cara loved every minute of it.

In the morning when family arrived at the house we sang Happy Birthday - she knows the song so well now, and immediately wanted cake afterwards.. Cake had arrived for after our return from The Deep, but Cara had seen it, and knew that's what happens at Birthday's you sing, and then get cake.

Love you Cara!

Potty peepee...

I've been asking Cara for a while now if she wants to use the potty, but she always says no. I haven't made a big effort with it yet, as I kinda want to get everything sorted with Felicity now first. However, tonight I asked if she wanted to sit on the potty after brushing her teeth, and she said, yes.

She sat on the potty and I thought that would just be it. I asked if she wanted to do a wee wee, and made some noises like my Mum used to when she wanted me to go to the loo. A couple of seconds later I could hear something... she'd done her first wee in the potty. Woohoo!

We called for Daddy, so that he could see what a big girl Cara had been, and we had some extra playing time before bed. It was great. Hopefully the start of no nappies for Cara.

Also, starting on the 1st of January, we got rid of all the dummies. Cara has always slept with a dummy, and again I had kind of been holding off getting rid of it, first because we were moving, then going in a real bed, then I just kind of got used to it, and I liked how great she was at going to bed and sleeping so long, I didn't want to disturb it. Daddy decided it was time to say goodbye to the dummies, and Cara has been great. The first night there were a few tears, and since then only an ask occasionally, but not even very persistently.

Well done Cara - you are such a good girl. We love you sooooo much!