A toddler friendly visit to Stirling Castle

David wanted to see the castles and he really wanted to show them to Ellie. Ellie is a bit young for them and Max is especially young for them. We also had a busy agenda while in Stirling, while trying to steal away our night in Edinburgh and also enjoy reminiscing visits, etc. So, it turns out we decided to take the last bus up to the top of Stirling to visit the outside of the castle and take a few photos late on a Saturday night.

It’s a funny thing being a tourist in a local’s kind of place. Sara and Sebastian joined us, and had the pleasure of acting as a local in a home town for them. I appreciate the oddity of taking a bus in your local town, but we convinced them to join us. I’m really glad we did.

We caught the local 4:35 number 17 bus up the hill to the castle just around the corner from Margaret’s. Ellie and Sebastian ran to the back of the bus with Grannie and David. Sara helped me keep Max safe in his stroller in the front. The ride is bumpy, basically straight up hill on an old cobblestone street. The kids sat in the back of the bus and laughed the whole way up the hill. The bus didn’t stop and I believe the young man driving the bus was enjoying the laughter coming from the rear, because he didn’t do anything to keep it smooth.

Anyway, when we arrived, everyone was leaving. We took lots of photos. Sebastian pointed out his house over the hills below the castle walls in Alva. We explored the mote around the castle and looked inside. The kids were able to see just nearly enough of the castle. Perhaps 10 more minutes just in the gates would’ve been perfect. I am convinced our money will be better spent in about 3 years’ time. It was a good experience. Ellie was mildly amused and David was able to have his fix for the short term.

At one point Sarah and I had the kids convinced that Alligators lived in the holes under the castle wall where the mote is. Hazel had to ruin in by telling them we were only kidding because Ellie was a little concerned. I had to remind her that she was the Mum who told her son if he knocked the TV and broke it, that the TB monster would suck him inside of it! (ha ha ha Hazel… it’s a parents privilege to mess with our children just a little bit :-) )

We walked back down the hill – gravity is very helpful. It was a pleasant trip downhill.

We ended our time in Stirling with a family dinner out to the local. It was nice to have everyone together. I only wish we could do this with the Cummings/ Gray side of the family more often. It’s a little sad to know it will be many years before we can see Margaret, Sara, Brian, Sebastian and the others again. Ellie would have so much fun (Max too) to be able to grow up close to her cousins. My hope is that we can make this a regular trip – somehow. If only the American vacation wasn’t so short on time!

First full day in Stirling - Meeting Cousins

Today was a good day for the kids and the family.

We were finally able to get Max to the doctor. He hasn't been feeling well and having trouble with his ears and a cough, even after having a course of antibiotics already. It wasn't easy getting seen. Thanks to Hazel for persisting. Max is sleeping much better right now then he has the past few nights. We will see how it goes later.

The highlight of the day was for Ellie meeting Sebastian who she has heard all about for years from Grannie. She was so excited waiting for him. She kept looking out the window. She finally went outside to run around with Grannie while waiting. When he arrived, she was so excited. Sebastian was pretty shy, but he came around after a while. They spent the whole day playing together. In the morning, they got to play at the local playground. In the afternoon, it was a family outting. In between was running around Nana's house and getting to know each other. By the end of the day, they were both exhausted, but had so much fun. I wasn't really able to get many pictures. There was a bit of photo shy and anriness going on... perhaps tomorrow.

The cool bucket swing is fun for two!

The slides at this park were amazing!

Each cushion plays a different note when you jump on it!

Grannie helped Ellie enjoy the big slides!

As a big outting for the day, we went to see Gargunic - the town where Hazel grew up and David remembered visiting. We walked around a 'castle' and some woods. We saw some petrified stone trees and many cute quinticential photo ops, which of course I took. Max slept on my back most of the time. Ellie got carried a lot by Daddy and Millar.

This tree is huge and extremely soft - like padded carpet. This is when Max was actually awake.

Daddy and Ellie in front of the little castle that is now flats. This is where they all played and walked in kids.

Here are the hills they used to run up.

Millar and Ellie lead the way!

Petrofied trees!

Auntie Hazel tries to get Sebastian to pose for a photo... no success.

We returned home where Sebastian and Ellie kept playing. Max and Mommy took a walk through town to a few shops. Max was such a champ. He loves looking around. I love when I stop and sit down and talk with him and kiss him. He smiles so much when I talk with him and kiss his hands. He's a great boy and such wonderful company!

We had a nice dinner with everyone and got to meet Sarah as well. It was really a lovely evening.

Arriving to Stirling

Today, Ellie finally got to see Grannie (and Max too.)

There were two noticable differences it atmosphere when arriving into Scotland: first, the sun went behind the clouds for the first time since arriving and second, the people on the train were so helpful - they found the spot where we could keep Max in the stroller (instead of having to collaspe it) and helped David load the luggage into the train. So nice!

It was a long trip, but we arrived safely to the house around 3pm. Ellie has settled in to Grannie land, not needing a bit of anything from Mommy and Daddy nearly since she arrived.

Again, we are being treated like kings and queens. Grannie had about 10 new toys for each child awaiting

Max is not feeling well right now. I hope he gets to the doctors in the morning and know it will be another long night. Last night, I was not a good mom. I finally let him him cry himself to sleep after about 3 hours of awake. Had we been home, I would've put him in the car and driven around to help him sleep.

Ellie is excited to meet Sebastian, who has left the house full of his mark in toys and spirit. That is also planned for tomorrow.

Time in York meeting the Gray's

We spent Monday afternoon through Wednesday morning in York with Alan, Julie, Anna and Lisa.

Ellie is very taken by Alan. He took her to her first park -real American style park with slides and swings -since leaving home. This was greatly appreciated by Ellie.

Both kids were exhausted Monday night and Ellie didn't make the late diner. Ellie actally told me at about 7:30pm, she was tired and wanted me to put her to bed now. She's never told me this before except when she was sick. She had her own big bed to sleep in and her own room. I think she enjoyed not listening to Max snoring, which she had commented on keeping her awake while in Oxford.

Tuesday morning we went into town around 10 am to see the city. First stop was a coffee shope for a lattee and a treat. Ellie had double fudge cake. She was supposed to share it with Mommy, but I think she got the biggest part of this treat. Max was exhausted and had to be evacuated from the shop. Once I got him onto my back into the Ergo, he passed out quickly and slept nearly an hour and a half. When he finally woke, he gave me a big smile to say Thanks Mom, I'm better now.

We enjoyed the shops and picking out some fun things. Our favorite shop was Octopus. it's the most colorful fun shop I've seen in a while. The kids each got a treat and so did Mommy (and Daddy) for the new exercise room.

This is the York Winstor Church. We wondered about a bit and Ellie said a prayer for "Mary and Vonita since they are in Heaven together."

We had a family photo in front of the Church.

Uncle Alan gave Ellie rides to help her through not getting to ride in the stroller. Ellie enjoyed it.

The Shambles... well named, but full of the fun shops I enjoyed.

We briefly looked on the Ouse River.

We took the kids back to the house around 1pm for lunch. Then they took naps and stayed with Lisa while Alan took us into town for a very nice lunch at The Living Room. We also had a little time to do a bit more shopping - but really just pick up a few gifts. I think that York's downtown is really cute. For the size of the city and the things available - little unique boutiques and all the cafes, it appears bigger then they say it is. I somewhat thought a little of Dublin when walkign around. That is a compliment to any city coming from me.

The kids were good for Lisa and no one crying when I returned. Good job Lisa! that's not easy considering the state Max has been in - not feeling well and having horrible diaper rash - thanks to the antibiotic that isn't working for him.

Tuesday night Ellie made it to the big dinner with the adults - nearly. At about 8:30 I found her lying on the floor exhausted after hours playing with Anna. Anna was great with Ellie. Ellie loved playing with Anna for hours - drawing, making paper airplanes and just messing around. Anna gave Ellie a few bracelts on Wednesday morning before leaving. She has been cherishing them.

Dinner was lovely again for the adults. Julie and Alan are fabluous cooks and the family is great company.

We had a caravan to the train station in the morning - Julie and Alan split us up and carted us to the station. I had just enough time to get a coffee and the kids travel ready with fresh diapers and potty breaks. We came running back to find Alan and David loading everything onto the train. It was a rushed fair well, but once in our seats, Ellie yelled Bye Alan and Julie so loudly about 5 times that everyone on the car was ready to turn around and say good bye too!

We are greatful for the chance to meet everyone (well - Julie, Ellie and Max it was meeting) and David to see them again. The hostpitality was fabulous. It's great putting faces and personalities with the names. We all had a great time. Now on to Stirling....

First Train Ride - Oxford to York

We ended our time in Oxford and headed to York on Monday moring via a 4 hour train ride. Ellie was really excited for her first train ride. When the train started moving, she was taken by how fast it was going. The excited lasted for about 30 minutes before she was ready to color.

We had some bits for lunch and encouraged her to rest. Finally, she and Max each got about 30 minutes of sleep before we arrived into York. The arrival happened very quickly. I was trying to rush off the train with the stroller and both kids while David grabbed the large amount of luggage. Thanks to the help of a stranger, we made it.

Alan was right there to collect us. He had brough some helpers with him as well, which was good. Apparently we travel with so much stuff, that we all, plus the luggage, can't fit in one UK sized car. Oh well. It was kind of his friend Dave to help out with the transfer.

Once at the house, we had a lovely lunch spread and then Ellie got to go to the local Kids park. This was a great adventure for Ellie. Meanwhile, Max and Mommy had a nap. Apparently the park was great fun. Alan said Ellie was quite adventurous trying to stretch and enjoy even the stuff for the big kids.

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.