We meet Grampa's friends and Uncle Dolan comes to visit

Today was a busy day in Oxford for meeting people. Bob had many friends to introduce us to and uncle Dolan also spend the afternoon and evening with us.

After Max refusing to take his morning nap again, we kicked off the first adventure with a trip to Starbucks for breakfast where we embarrased Bob by acting like Americans becuase we ordered for carry out and sat down at a table to enjoy some of what we bought - specifically Ellie's lovely Berry Scone (which is much better here.)

After our breakfast we tried taking the kids to the Theater. Bob likes to culture us. It was Thomas the Tank and Friends. This was great for Ellie, but not so much for Max. This was our first meeting - Grampa's friends Shameus, Nicky and Hester (5) - went to the theater with us. Nicky said Max was a doll and Max went to her easily without any fussing. It was a bit impressive for Max.

As we sat down to our seats, I smelled Max had a problem. I had warned Bob Max and I should stay home. I didn't realize the reason would be so smelly. Max had made a royal mess. I am lucky they were thick jeans he was wearing. The bathroom was not fit for changing. I managed to get Max semi cleaned and into a long sleeve onesie. I took him to Daddy and went back to clean up. When I returned, Max and I lasted 5 more minutes in the Theater before I decided it was time to take Max home. He enjoyed seeing Thomas from afar - until he realized the lady in front with the lovely looking hair was much closer and looked lovely for pulling. That was that.

Ellie seemed to really enjoy the show. That was great. Max ended up getting a much needed nap until they all returned to the flat - including Uncle Dolan and Grampa's gregarious friend Roger. (I've never met anyone who was the word Gregarious before - wonderful fun man.)

The kids had a bit of a nap and then we met Grampa, Uncle Dolan and Daddy at a pub for Dinner. The kids did great. Max even managed to spill grampa's pint of ale on him - about 5 minutes after I warned him he would gladly do this if given the opporunity. Only about 5 hours later, I had a half naked Max again to take home.

This was just before Max pulled the pint over on Bob and himself... as I had warned would happen.

Such a happy boy!

Ellie demanded dessert, so it was a nice opportunity to stop back at the local on the way home for one more pint and some chocolate sponge cake with yellow sugar sauce. Max was quite a sport and spent some time chilling out with Uncle Dolan - another amazing feat since this was the first time meeting.

Ellie was exhausted when we arrived.

And quite happy when we pulled the rest of the cake from her 30 minutes later.
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We took a few photos of our half naked son. David claimed we would show them to him when he's 18 and explain - he's already lost his pants in a pub and doesn't need to aspire to this any time soon

Max went to Uncle Dolan for a few minutes without any frowning or scare. It is unusual for him to go to men he doesn't know well easily. So this was a nice moment. Good job Max!

Now the kids are going to bed and we are packing up for our move to York tomorrow. Bob has just finished reading Cinderella to Ellie and is pointing out that she has the same color hair as Cinderella. This is exciting to Ellie. However, she still goes back to her dress - rags dress and her pretty dress. Grandma finally got her little princess she's wanted since she started having kids a long time ago. :-)

For the next few days we will stay with Uncle Alan (Hazel's brother). Who knows if I will have internet access or not. The adventures continue. Good night.

PS. I think I taught Ellie a bad blast from the past today. Max was fussy when we were getting ready to go - so I sang to him the old rap "Chill Baby, Baby, Chill Baby Baby, Chill." Ellie has been going around all night singing it and dancing too it. If only blogs could share video.