A home-made multi-storey car park/parking lot!

Since James spends about 90% of his time "parking cars" around the house I decided this week that we should make our own multi-storey car park! James painted all the cardboard/tubes etc. and then today we stuck it all together.

I'm really pleased with how well it turned out and James has been playing with it on and off for most of the day! All these photos were taken today, despite all the different outfits (it's been one of those days!!) ;0)

Now all we need to do is keep it away from Bekah's curious-but-destructive little hands!

We made a couple of modifications during the day - a ramp, and some "humps" so that the cars didn't roll into the middle!

This was how James spent most of today ... I am so pleased this was such a hit! ;0)

We've spent the week playing with all Rebekah's presents. It's been great that they've both been able to play with them ...

They both REALLY enjoyed playing with the sand and water table from Nanny and Grandad. I think we're all going to have alot of fun with this!!

Bekah was soaked by the time we finished but she really enjoyed herself!

James was dead chuffed when he realized that the table cover was also a road to drive cars on!

Time to splash again (this time with big brothers' apron!)

While James and Daddy were out bowling today, Rebekah and I played with the sand and water table. Since cleaning up the wet sand from the kids last time was a pain I got Bekah to wear James' apron this time!

She looked very cute in the apron (and it worked!)

Looks like Mummy needs to get an apron too ...

(These are my knees ... just in case it's not obvious!)

Splishing splashing fun!

To start with she was gasping everytime she got splashed but by the time I got the video she'd obviously got used to it!

Taking Baby and Teletubbie (Po) for a walk around the garden ...

Rebekah's friends Katherine and Olivia gave her Po for her birthday. She (apparently Po is a she ...) has become quite the companion - Bekah tends to carry her around like a handbag/purse most of the time ... ;0)

Auntie Lin got James this Cars painting set which he really enjoyed doing - he loves to paint!

Playing with the caterpillar shape sorter from Auntie Lin

Next it was the wooden blocks (also from Auntie Lin)

I'm glad I took this photo because just after this all the blocks were dumped out of the tray and I can't get them back in without looking at the picture on the box!!! ;0) Rebekah is definitely at the "demolition" phase ... I did most of the building and she enjoyed knocking it over!

A thinking position?

This photo didn't come out great but for a while Bekah was sitting in this position with her leg sticking up while she played with the blocks ... not sure if she's trying out yoga or what ...

Then we decided to have a Puzzle-a-thon ... I think James did 3 before he got tired of that game!!!

(We've been housebound for most of the week because James hasn't been very well and so we've had just about every toy out at some point this week!)

Happyland Post Office

We got Bekah this cool Happyland Post Office set - complete with red phone box, and red pillar box! I think these sets are fantastic ... and I think James and Bekah do too. ;0)

Auntie Cat and Uncle Kev got some more Happyland playsets - the preschool and the toy shop ...

Of course, it wasn't long before James had converted them to car parks ... ;0)

But he also enjoyed setting up a whole town with his road too!

Playing house ...

Kezia, Auntie Sarah and Uncle Tris got Bekah some pots and pans to use in the playhouse. We've cooked up all sorts of culinary delights this week ... you wouldn't believe the ingredients we can find fresh in our garden .... dirt, stones, leaves, petals, sticks .....

"We're forever blowing bubbles!"

Playing with the bubble machine that I forgot to get out at the party ...

Rebekah tries out the lateset in hair care and facial product ... YOGHURT!!!

This girls hair is ALWAYS crazy ... and this is normally why... ;0)

Another brilliant Grandad-creation - a car ramp!!!

These photos were taken on Bekah's actual birthday a week ago - needless to say James LOVES it ... and so did Bekah! Thank you, Grandad. Is there no end to your talents with wood?!?!

The Birthday Girl!!!

Auntie Sarah and Uncle Tris got some great photos of Bekah's party and so I've stolen them from their blog! We love this photo of our special 1 year old!! ;0)

Grandad and the birthday girl!

Go fish!!! I made a magnetic fishing game ... and had lots of fun playing with my 2 sisters ... ;0)

I suppose we ought to let the kids have a go ....

I like this cake photo - good angle!

Kezia sneaks a bit of cake while no one (apart from Daddy with the camera!) is paying attention!!! ;0)

Grandad and the birthday girl (courtesy of Auntie Zoe!)

Bekah has been really enjoying taking her baby for lots of walks in the pushchair this week. ;0)

(This outfit was another cute birthday outfit from Auntie Caroline - as was the one the day we went to Legoland - can't remember if I said that .... Auntie Caroline definitely has an eye for baby/toddler fashion!)

Rebekah's first birthday party!!

We had a great time celebrating with all our family on Sunday afternoon.

Can you guess what the theme was?!?!?

Since Rebekah had so much fun with all the sea mammals at Discovery Kingdom when we were in America we decided to have an "Under the Sea" theme. And, true to form, Mummy got completely obsessed with the idea - even getting a 50ft "under the sea" scene setter which we pinned up along the garden fence!!!! James and I have also been busy making LOTS of fishy crafts over the last few weeks which you can see pinned to the fence too. More photos to come! I really enjoyed this theme!

I was particularly proud of these octopus utensil holders I made from cheap cups, felt and googley eyes!!

We got Rebekah and James this joint-birthday present - a cool play house!