Two and Two Half-Pints: Checking in with Grandad

13 Jan- 15 Jan 2011

We rented the same hybrid that we drove to Andover in last Fall to make the 3 1/2 hour drive to Bolton--a Toyota Auris. Random note: We rented a "mid-sized" automatic at Christmas which, in America, means VW Passat or similar. Here it means VW Golf or similar, which in the U.S. classifies as compact. Can you believe they actually have a smaller model? Yes! It's the VW Polo. Thankfully we haven't opted for that, especially when we have a 5th passenger. As it is I could barely squeeze my hips between the 2 car seats.

Grandad Fearnley is in superb shape and he got to spend a lot of quality time with his two youngest grandsons. He still gets frustrated when he can't find words, which are mostly proper nouns, but it is becoming less and less frequent.

We used our National Trust membership cards for the first time to visit the winter gardens at Dunham Massey in Altrincham (pronounced Alt-ring-um, silly Americans!) Also on the picturesque grounds was a large deer park, which was-- of course-- a hit with Bryce.

We had the luck of crisp, clear weather. Bryce was not really on his best behaviour, but Grandad was patient and sympathetic. Though he claims that Stephen, as a child, was "good as gold." "Seen and not heard." So. Jealous.

Stephen is pointing out that Bryce has not swung through the front window on the curtains, yet. I have a feeling Grandma and Grandad Fearnley saw and heard that one.

Said our goodbyes on Sunday afternoon and as droopy as Stephen and I were, I think Bryce was saddest of all. He really loves his Grandad and he asked repeatedly on the way home where he was.

Some of our drive home was during the light of day, so we had stunning views which couldn't be captured in a moving car. We drove in and out of a blinding pocket of fog that started and ended so abruptly you could see the car in front of you disappear completely into and out of it. Bryce enjoyed pointing out sheep, cows, planes, and birds. Ellis was a champ and slept most of the way-- a new and much appreciated talent of his.

Lastly, want to update everyone-- Ellis is a seasoned cruiser at the moment and we are thinking his first steps are imminent! Bryce has his second and last "settling-in" session at preschool on Friday and will be a full-fledged student at Ace Nursery School next week after he turns 2 1/2! More on that later!

Love and miss everyone! Hope you are keeping warm and healthy. XO