Ruby's Birthday

Ruby had a great day on Friday, celebrating her 2nd birthday. After she got up, she came downstairs to find a new table and her, very own, Robin Day chair, a present from Uncle Stephen. After a birthday breakfast and opening her cards and other gifts, we all set off to the Science Museum but had to go to the Natural History instead, as the SM was closed for a special function. Ruby loved the NH, not for all the stuffed animals and displays but was just a wonderful and interesting place for her to run around; giggling the whole time, as I tried to keep up with her. Afterwards we had lunch in Carluccio's and in the afternoon, Maisie came round and the two of them had a great time playing with a big box.

Ruby is 2

My incredible, beautiful, amazing, little girl Ruby is two years old today. Here she is just a few moments after she was born; battered and bruised after the long ordeal to bring her into the world. And here she is a couple of weeks ago, the little girl who astounds me everyday and fills Ibolya and I with so much pride, happiness and joy. And who makes me melt, every night, when I return home; and greets me, saying 'hello Daddy'.

Smiley

Super excited today to see this first still of Gary Oldman as George Smiley from the Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy movie. He's even wearing the same glasses Guinness wore in the TV show!

Birthday Party

Ruby is two on Friday but we held a joint birthday party for her, and her friends Maisie and Ava, on Sunday morning. We had the very good sense to: not host it at our house but at Hopscotch nursery in Queen's Park; spread the load with two other families and hold it in the morning, when little ones tend to be at their best.
And it turned out really well; children and adults all seemed to have a really good time. Everything got eaten and there was loads of things for the children to do.

Hoddesdon

I had to work out of town on Saturday!It hurt; but I did get time to have a quick walk in the Hertfordshire countryside, which was very beautiful.

A Dog's Heart

Sara and I went to see our big sister Jane and our brother in law Matthew perform in ENO's, new production, of Raskatov's 'A Dog's Heart', on Wednesday evening. It's an extraordinary opera, visually striking and I'm always immensely proud to see Jane and Matthew taking their curtain calls. It was also a real treat to have tea with my sisters at Les Deux Salons before the show.

Inside in Bedfordshire

Outside in Bedfordshire

It was really good to get into the fresh air and wintery countryside on Saturday afternoon and to watch George play rugby on a very cold Sunday morning.

Ruby

I finally got my photo mojo back this weekend and took some snaps I really like, while at my sister's place in Bedfordshire. Going to take a few days though to sort through and post. But in the meantime, here's my favourite of the weekend; an emotional Ruby, on the rugby field, watching her cousin George score 2 tries and being comforted by her mother's arm.