Tunnock's tea cakes

Sticky fingers!

For those not in the know, Tunnock's tea cakes are a Scottish institution.  It's like Utah's obsession with fry sauce and Jello.  Glaswegians like their tea cakes, but I think even more importantly they like to be known for liking their tea cakes.  You might think there are several brand of tea cakes, but let's be honest -- only Tunnock's really matters.  The Tunnocks wrapper has become an inspiration for artwork and even the opening ceremonies at the Commonwealth games in Glasgow last summer.  

Photo source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/tunnocks-tea-cakes-from-commonwealth-games-2014-opening-ceremony-up-for-sale-9634286.html  -- Yes, those are dancers dressed as tea cakes.  Like I said, there is some serious tea cake love going down in Glasgow.

I've had teacakes before, and I have to admit, I wasn't super impressed.  They are just chocolate dipped marshmallows and chocolate.  But then I had them again this past week, and it was like a rebirth.  I have been reborn into a Tunnock's lover.  

So when Wobbles waltzed into the kitchen at 6.30 tonight asking what was for dessert (we only really do dessert on Sundays), everyone was thrilled when I answered "tea cakes!"  

Happy New Year!

Okay, maybe we'll eventually get this blog-posting thing down.  Maybe.

We're going to keep it simple.  Here are some cute photos, and highlights from the past few weeks. 

Thumper and George LOVED Grandma's keyboard.  They had rhythm and blues.  Maybe a double act is in their future?

George was a little overwhelmed on Christmas morning.  She like things simple, not too much over-stimulation.  Poor child.  I think she'll learn to forgive us in time. 

Obligatory Glasgow puddle picture.  You'll probably see a lot of these.  But isn't Wobbles cute? 

Thumper is learning to style herself.  Yes, those are Daddy's shoes.  And, no this isn't the weirdest ensemble she's concocted.   She insisted on wearing her sunglasses to church a few weeks ago.  It was a typical dreek day, but I think she brightened everyone's mood. 



Look closely and you'll see Thumper's new use for her brand new dumptruck.  That's right!  It's the perfect place to store sweeties.  She's so intuitive, it was the first thing she did with her truck

In other news,

• Wobbles has now lost two teeth.  She has a sweet little inadvertent whistle. 
• We're debating on giving George a haircut.  Her hair is most of the way down her back, but I just think she's adorable with her long hair.
• Thumper pulled a shoe cabinet down on herself today.  Pretty scary for all of us.  Thankfully she only has a few scratches.  Anyone want a shoe cupboard?  I can't have it attacking one of my babies again. 
• I'm (Mannie) getting over a tummy bug.  Nothing major, but Mike has been a great nurse.  And the girls were considerate and only jumped on me in bed when it was absolutely necessary.   



We've enjoyed the Holidays immensely.  It's been nice to have so much time together as a family.  

 

Puddles

A few times a week you can find us doing this...taking baby dolls for walks in their buggies. 



Of course, we always come prepared with wellies for jumping in big Glasgow puddles. 

Mike was working from home a few weeks ago.  I took the girls out for a walk, and was gone for two hours.  When we returned he asked where we'd gone for so long.  "Around the block, once" I answered.  It takes a while when there's so much to see! 

Just some cute pics...

Hopefully I won't jinx it, but now that a certain someone (ahem, Thumper) is sleeping better and everyone is relatively healthy, I might just get around to posting more.  In the meantime, here are a few of our recent favourite pictures of your prized grand-babies.  

Our annual day-out to Largs

Wobbles teaching Thumper how to ride a scooter 

Yay for Nardini's!  Best ice cream in Scotland, with an Italian/Californian atmosphere

George delicately eats her ice cream

Mama's massive sundae -- it was amaze-balls.  

Thumper finishes her ice cream and promptly steals the rest of mine.  

Wobbles has a "Little Mermaid" moment on the beach.  

What better way to beat the "all-day school blues" than making sugar cookies after school?  

George's new obsession is putting nappies on all of the dolls.  Poor Cindy, this won't keep her dry at all!

George models one of Mummy's old dresses.  Yay for 80s lace and ruffles.  She even has the pink converse just like mama!

  Thanks Auntie Ashley!

In summer...

I know, it's been a while.  I have a rule that if I don't get at least 6 hours of sleep a night, I go into survival mode and no blog.  That and we were having so much fun in America, it seemed a complete waste to turn on a computer.  Here's a photo re-cap of our summer:

Wobbles finished her second year of nursery school (pre-school).  Here she is with her two main teachers, Jennifer and Rebecca.

Let's pack (and unpack, and repack, and unpack) to go to Grandma's!  

No school?  Let's do face paint every day!

Sundance: Grandma's Happy Place

I'm a sucker for Sundance suckers.  

Excuse me, I need to take this.  

So, I'm supposed to wave these?  Happy Birthday America (at the Freedom Festival). 

Spot the George. 

Visiting where Mummy and Daddy got married.  

Wobbles adds her bit of art to the Provo Farmer's Market

Nickel City.  The lights, the noise, the excitement.  

How we spent most of our summer.  Otter pops and a kiddy pool in Grandma's back garden.  Everyone is happy.  

Fun with Uncle Mike.  Definitely more for another post.  

Making s'mores at Cousin Wendy's house.  

I forgot to take a camera with me to America.  Seriously?  Who does that?  There are lots of things I wish I would have gotten pictures of: more of the Freedom Festival, family, the mountains, splash pads, OPUB, Wobbles swimming lessons...  I would love it if anyone wants to share pics with me.  

I know I'm terrible at documenting things, but genuinely, we set out to have a laid-back, easy-going summer, and that's exactly what we did.  We went to my favourite library countless times, saw good friends, went to the cheap cinema loads, and had lots of tacos and milkshakes.  Bliss.  And to top it off, we got to stay with doting grandparents for five weeks.  It was our perfect summer (besides Mike being locked away working on his dissertation), and was even worth being named the "spew crew" on our journey home.  More on that later.  

It's a lovely holiday

We're down in Southerness, Dumfries this week with Grandma and Granddad Green and Uncle David and Aunt Jennifer. 

It's so nice to be out of the city.  On the drive down Mike, Wobbles and I were in awe of the beauty of the countryside.  Thumper and George slept through (thankfully). 

We spent Monday afternoon on the beach.  These aren't the smooth beaches of Oceanside, but are covered in seashells and steep rocks. 



Uncle David's Dragon



One of the jellyfish we found on the beach

Wobbles' mermaid with seaweed hair, white top and mussel shell tail



Exploring the rock pools

Thumper enjoys using a spade

Sneaky little sisters

"Dear Wobbles, Thanks for getting such great birthday presents.  We love your new glasses and hat.  You have great friends!  Love Thumper and George" 

 

George about three seconds before she was found-out by Wobbles.