Heidi

As we are soon heading off to the Austrian mountains, I borrowed the classical Swiss story of Heidi from the library. I found it in a lovely abridged edition from Usborne, illustrated with watercolours by Alan Marks and a simple, accessible text from Susanna Davidson. It is based on the story by Johanna Spyri. The book is in a nice large hardback format, with two sentences per page. Perfect for 4-year-old DS1.

Here is a photo from the book, where Heidi spends her first night at her grandfather's.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Story-Heidi-Picture-Book-Classics/dp/0794517161/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1248603003&sr=8-1 The Amazon feature mentions a CD, which we do not have in the library's version of the book: this suits me, as I am not rushed by the pace of the CD and can add extra explanations where needed. For instance, the book does not explain why Heidi's parents are dead. I could not remember precisely, so I said: I think they very ill and since in those days they did not have as much good medication as now, Heidi's parents died from their illness. DS1 was satisfied with this explanation.

DS1 liked the book so much after we first read it this morning, he said he wants to read it after breakfast every day from now on! We will see... There are always many interesting things to do after breakfast.

In any case, I am even keener than before to breathe in fresh mountain air next week!

Day at the beach: Joss Bay, Broadstairs, Kent

A lovely day at the seaside! Blue sky and sea, lovely breeze, bright sunshine, and the exotic sounds of waves and seagulls. DS1 had not been at the seaside since he was 4 months old, and this was DS2's first contact with the sea. They both loved it. The water was cold enough to ensure they would not try to swim: they were both content to have water up to their knees.

Apologies for the quality of the pictures and video: DS2 had investigated what was hiding inside the camera's objective the evening before our trip...

Waves

Seagulls

Sandcastles (ours were more modest in scope and ambition)

Bouncy castle (a bit too bouncy for DSs' taste)

Ice cream (DS1 leaves the cone, DS2 starts with the cone...)

Treasures (crabs, seashells, seaweed, etc. and several long rusty nails, not on the photos)

And this morning, still some lovely sand seeping out of pockets, bags, etc.

Blooming

The seeds ("Fun to Grow Multi-Pot: Grow a Rainbow" set and RSPB Wildlife Attracting Seeds from Suttons Seeds) we had planted what seems like ages ago are now turning into delicate, colourful flowers.



Our new lavender plants are not thriving (yet), but then they were washed down with rain for almost 4 days after their arrival. Not what they are "used to" in the Provence...

The little eucalyptus tree we planted last week adds a lovely fragrance to its corner of the garden.

DS2 seems to have given up his habit of tearing out leaves randomly, presumably inspired by my weeding activities. He concentrates on the chives and parsley, which he nibbles happily while playing in the garden. He loves to spend some time in the garden before going to bed to check whether the ants have gone to sleep yet.

DS1 is very protective of the plants that are growing in the garden, and admiring every new petal...

Nature watch

We enjoyed the beautiful summer weather last week (and how right we were, given today's rain downpours...).

While gardening and watering, we found a friendly caterpillar who took residence at home overnight and at school the following day. We treated it to fresh leaves, including some of our home-grown lettuce.

Here is our friend in action:

There are now a few colourful flowers to observe in the garden.

Yesterday was not as sunny, but we received the delivery of several plants: eucalyptus, lavender, rhododendron and more. So we spent the end of the day gardening and finding a home for all these little treasures. Several are in the form of bulbs: they will teach us a good lesson of patience.