Oliver's first haircut!

Oliver's hair had finally got just a little out of hand and messy so yesterday we decided to take him for his first haircut :) We went to a kids hair salon in Maple Grove which was great. There were toys to entertain the kids while they waited, colourful chairs to sit on and a little TV to watch while their hair was being cut. All the children are given an Adventure Pass as well. We weren't sure what this was until we saw other children use it after their haircuts. They put it into a machine and they got a prize!! Oliver was so good during the whole thing and just looks so grown up now. He wasn't too sure about the prize machine but he did win some crayons so that was nice :) There is one downside about the whole thing though - I asked the girl cutting Oliver's hair to save some of it (especially the curly bits from the back!!) because it won't be blonde or curly forever. She did this and we put it in a ziploc bag and put it in his changing bag. Anyway, when I went to get it at home later it was gone :((( I am so distraught (probably irrationally so). Jon even phoned the restaurant where we had lunch to see if it was there but no :( We'll just have to cut another piece off I suppose but it's not the same *sigh*.

Oliver turned 15 months old this past week and is growing up so fast. He now likes to come down the stairs like a big boy - holding onto the bannisters and actually stepping down each stair! He understands a lot of what we say and if we ask him to pick up a particular toy he usually does it. Of course he is learning the word "no" as well - from when we say it and when he doesn't want something!! He said "no" quite clearly one day this week at dinnertime :) He likes to play with Scoop and throw the ball for her. He thinks it's hilarious when Scoop chases the ball and slips all over the laminate floor! And his new favourite cupboard is the one with the saucepans in it - give him a wooden spoon and a pan and he's happy!

It has been soooooo cold here the past few days as well. We are happy today because it's warmed up by 20 degrees and is in the 40s (Fahrenheit). The wind was so nasty at times that I described it to Mum as like having my face scraped along loose gravel!! It's not like it's been snowy or icy at all - just very very very cold (for me!!). Apparently that is what it's like in January so can't wait for the New Year, LOL!!

This week Oliver gets to have his 15 month check at the docs so more vaccinations. But it's also Thanksgiving on Thursday so Jon only has to work 3 days and then has a nice long weekend. We are off to Grandpa and Grandma's house for my first taste of Thanksgiving - looking forward to it :))

Oliver just looked so cute with his hood up!

Oliver starting his own rock band with wooden spoon and tupperware!

Oliver is actually a morning person despite the look on his face! I wanted a picture of his super cosy dinosaur PJs!

Whenever I put Oliver's hat on he does this really cute face :)

And the finished article before going on a Scoop walk!

Mid hand-clap! And wearing a cute Christmas jumper that cost me less than $5 - see, Sis, I can find bargains too :))

The before haircut look......

.....and after

Daddy and Oliver doing cheesy grins together - so cute :))

Nanna Pan's visit

Well, Nanna Pan's visit is over and she's probably walking through the door at home as I write. We had a great 10 days with her but the time went very quickly. On the day she arrived the temperature was 70 but four days later she got to see some snow and experience somewhat colder weather!! We did lots of shopping (Mall of America, Ridgedale, Albertville) and had one day being cultural visiting the State Capitol in St Paul and Lake Calhoun :) She made a wonderful Christmas/Thanksgiving dinner on the Sunday and we had Ray, Sandy, Matt, Jennifer and Mikayla over to celebrate early with us. Obviously Nanna and Oliver had some great bonding time and he even managed to say Nanna a couple of times while she was here! We also went to the theatre - Sandy, Mum and I went to see Menopause the Musical, LOL!!! It was pretty funny. Then we went over to Macy's to see their Christmas display (A Day in the Life of an Elf). We may try to take Oliver to see it as I'm sure he'd love the bright lights and moving figures. Apart from that, we did lots of eating out!!

Mum coped with the flight very well and didn't suffer too much with jetlag. The language barrier proved a slight problem at the start but it was all fine by the end of the week. Here's why..... we were in Target and this is what happened:

Target employee: Are you finding everything ok?

Mum: Yes, are you??

Ha ha ha!!! Mum thought he was asking her if she was OK :) Sorry Mum, had to put that on here as it was hilarious!!

I am missing Mum being around as she was fantastic with Oliver when I had jobs to do. Now I have baby permanently wrapped around my legs again!! And his new thing is screaming at the top of his lungs to get attention or something he wants. It's driving me crazy and I hope it doesn't last too long!

Here are some pics of the visit. We hope you come back again Nanna Pan :))

Oliver found a new toy - a tin that previously had a bottle of perfume in it!

What's in here??!

Mummy and Oliver

Playing at the Ridgedale Centre

I had to take Oliver outside to play in the snow - too bad he wouldn't keep his gloves on so we weren't out there long!


Nanna discovered a new tea time game - yoghurt pot and spoon!

Ready for dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's house

Daddy, Oliver and Scoop - not too sure what Oliver's trying to do here!

Mikayla being her usual cutie!

Grandma, Mikayla and Oliver


Christmas dinner


Silly hat time!

Even Scoop took part!

And Mikayla of course (Oliver had turned crabby by this point and was in bed!!)


A lovely morning at Lake Calhoun

Being cultural at the State Capitol!

Mum standing on a map of Minnesota in Hennepin County (where we live)

You can see who rules the roost when it comes to getting some warmth in our house!!

A snowy morning in Champlin!

Myrtle Beach and Halloween

Hi everyone!! We made it back safely from South Carolina on Thursday evening after a lovely week. Jason and Jamie's wedding on the beach was wonderful although I spent most of the time trying to keep Oliver out of the sea :) He did perform his ringbearer duties though before realising that sand and the ocean were new and very exciting things!! Both Mikayla and Oliver passed out at the reception and had good naps despite all the noise in the room.

The day after the wedding we took the kids back to the beach and Oliver just loved paddling in the sea. Every time a wave came in he would squeal with delight and stamp his feet with excitement. He walked for ages along the sand and just loved it (until we left the beach which he didn't like so much!!). The rest of the week was a bit chilly so we took Oliver swimming indoors instead. The pool at the hotel was as warm as a bath so he loved that.

One evening we carved pumpkins - something I had never done before!! I had to dedicate mine to Oliver and there is a picture of the finished article below. I think Oliver will have great fun doing that when he's older.

So it seems the weather in Minnesota is being as crazy as ever. While we were away I think we missed the first snow. When we came back on Thursday it was 70 degrees (warmer than Myrtle Beach). It has been warm like that all weekend and again today. But it may snow again my Friday so we are preparing for a 30 degree temperature drop in 4 days. It's no wonder people get sick out here all the time. Oliver and I both had colds at the beginning of our holiday so hopefully it doesn't happen again.

Friday was Halloween and we had LOTS of callers. Put it this way, I bought 5 bags of funs size sweets and we have one bar left!! We had to switch the lights off to deter any more callers for fear of running out!! Next year I will be more prepared! It was good fun though and nice to actually enjoy the event rather than dread it like I did in England.

Today is the big day of Nanna Pan's arrival!! She is in the air as I write and is due to arrive in about 3 hours. Oliver and I are very excited and can't wait to hear how she enjoyed the flight :))

Almost forgot - while we were away Oliver said Daddy very clearly!! Apart from car, that was his first clear word :)

Oliver was very willing to wear the mask at Margaritaville as you can see because Jon is holding his arms back!

Oliver's Halloween shirt - this had to be bought because Mummy is spelled the English way :)

Fast asleep on Grandpa's shoulder at the wedding

Mikayla passed out at the reception

And Oliver didn't last too much longer either!!

Grandma and Grandpa entertaining Oliver

All dressed up as the ringbearer playing the maracas (Mikayla's toy!)

Looking so smart before the wedding (and eating a comb.....)

This was just so cute - seconds after the picture was taken Mikayla rolled right over!!

The happy couple covering each other with cake!!

The day after the wedding and Oliver looks exhausted!

Oliver with his lovely blanket - a present for being the ringbearer - made by Jamie's mum

Pumpkin carving evening

And the finished article by me :))