Advent 2015 - Day Sixteen

Rory has brought Claudius to open the calendar this morning.

Really is it my turn?  Claudius asks?  

Absolutely Claudius.  Rory says. See if you can find the number 16.

Claudius looks intently.  He looks up and down and across.

Finally he finds it.

Look!  Here it is.  He says as he opens the window.

This is exciting.

Ooh, what 'tis it?  He asks as he shows the boys.

Looks like fire!  

Where are you going to put it?  Rory asks.

Down here.  Claudius says as he gets down onto the floor to play.

The Sea Faring Family

My little red head family now all have sailor outfits thanks to Vicky.

The last to be made is this sweet little dress for Linda.

The group pose for a photo.

Love this group.

Blue Gingham and Sailors

A couple of weeks or so ago Laura put up a photo of her blue gingham girls on Facebook, I said I must get a photo of mine at some stage and finally got round to it!

Of course could I get them all looking the same way at the same time?

There were many grumbles about how cold it was and couldn't they pose inside instead.

From left to right:  Sara, Jane, Stevie, Victoria, Sally, Charlotte & Sasha

Strictly speaking, I am not sure Stevie was a blue gingham girl as she actually came in an older blue cord dress, but she decided she wanted to join the girls anyway.

Yesterday BJ's Sailor outfit arrived.  I now have my four red head siblings in sailor outfits thanks to Vicky who made three of them.  Claudius is of course wearing his original outfit.

Very proud they are as well.

Ahoy there Sailor

Having a son in the Merchant Navy, I couldn't resist getting a Sailors Uniform for Rory.

This great outfit is made by Vicky Chapman and I think Rory looks fabulous in it.

A young boy sailor.

His two siblings....Rory and Ginger George - who is also wearing an outfit made by Vicky

Sasha Festival CFA

Sasha & Claudius with some items for the UK Donation for the Sasha Festival CFA.

(Taken for Rosie who organised this fabulous donation)

It's been a red kind of day...

Claudius just adores his big brother Rory and follows him around everywhere if he gets the opportunity.  I think this photo sums up how much he looks up to him.

Getting the three boys together and still for a photo shoot takes some doing!

Even cheeky Ginger George behaved  himself....I was to find out later he must have been promised a ride in trolley in the garden as when I looked out later this is what I saw:

Cousin Hamish stepped up to the occassion by pulling the trolley.

I would have loved to have known what they were discussing, but could only guess as it was too cold for me outside!

I see both Kermit and Ginger George's monkey also went for the ride.

Ah, it looks like Claudius must have asked for a ride as well.

What great boys they are!

It also looks like Judie and Julie decided to go for a stroll in the garden as well.  I wonder what they were discussing?

Welcoming Claudius to the family.

Before we went to Devon we had been expecting a rather exciting parcel to arrive...however it didn't arrive until after we had left...what was in the package?  Well some goodies for Henry and Harry.  A pair of fabulous jeans each, some wellie boots, a couple of sleeping bags...I think the boys are planning on sleeping out tonight.  A gift from Harry for Henry (which he hasn't given Henry yet"  The lovely teddy bear that Harper gave the girls and of course some clothes for Harry.

There was also a little someone special in there...

A brother for Henry.  Yes that is right.

Henry takes the little toddler by the hand.

"Hello Claudius, I'm your new brother Henry and this is Simon" 

Harry wanders over.

"Hello Claudius, you will love it here it is great fun!"  Harry reassures Claudius, who is still looking up at Henry rather in awe of him.

"I thought we would play with the tram" Harry suggests.

Claudius and Simon watch the boys playing with the tram.

"This is like the tram we went on down in Devon"  Henry tells Claudius.  "It is such a shame your journey took so long, you would have loved it down there".

Simon and Claudius continue to watch the boys re-enact their tram journey.  Simon then wanders off to get some cars so that he and Claudius can join in the game.

He gives Claudius a little truck to play with and then gets down on the floor himself to join in the game.  Henry chooses a car to play with as well, while Harry sticks with the tram.  Claudius continues to watch the game shyly.

I don't think it will take him long to join in the fun.  It is such a lovely day out there today I am sure the boys will all be traipsing outside soon to set up their 'camp'.

Claudius: Arrival photos.