Tag: parents
Beach Fun at Kapiti Coast
The sun shone and the tide was high when we went to the beautiful Kapiti Coast for a day of running on the beach and jumping in the sea. Imogen loved it and ran freely into the ocean, so fast that we had to be quick to scoop her up as the waves splashed over her chest.
I’m writing this with sadness as I think about leaving my parents, sister and family in beautiful New Zealand. We make our return to London in 10 days time. The last seven weeks have literally flown by. My parents have loved every second with their grand-daughter and it’s going to be so hard living half a world away, the bond they have formed is immense.
As well as Kapiti’s stunning coastline the region is also famous for amazing ice cream and this is where Imogen tried her first ice cream cone.
Kapiti Island Nature Reserve lies in the background where you can visit little spotted kiwi which are now extinct on mainland New Zealand. It’s an amazing nature reserve which is doing a great deal for bird recovery, especially since rats were eradicated from the island.
The Photo Gallery: Bond
This week’s theme for The Photo Gallery is Bond. Not as in James Bond but as in the everlasting bond that is created between family, friends and pets.
I’ve been surprised at the amazingly strong bond created between Imogen and her cousin Baby Amber and with Molly my beloved rescue cat of 17 years.
The absolute beauty of these intense bonds is that they’ve developed in only four weeks since our arrival in New Zealand.
Imogen and Amber are the best of friends. They share toys (most of the time) and enjoy holding hands and running together, splashing in the paddling pool and most of all they both adore giving one another big hugs.
Imogen is so loving and gentle of Molly despite being a toddler and wanting to share her exuberant energy. Molly has an arthritic hip which makes her very slow to move and she likes to sleep a lot. Rather than running around the garden Imogen spends a lot of time talking to Molly and giving her plenty of strokes and many kisses.
My parents kindly took over the care of Molly the cat when I ventured from New Zealand to England in the summer of 2003. It was heart wrenching saying goodbye to Molly and I have been so fortunate to see her again, especially this time given she is such a ripe old age.
Sensory Play with Bubbles
Playing with bubbles is a simple and exciting game for babies, toddlers and children that helps to develop awareness of their senses. I love this game because it combines sensory play and the great outdoors which are important learning experiences for little ones.
If you’re looking for ideas on sensory play with your baby or child head over to The Imagination Tree which is one of my favourite blogs and a great resource for parents.
What’s your favourite idea for sensory play with babies and toddlers?
