Paka Baba and Gaga

We had a lovely time with the grandparents and were happy to potter around in our routines, the highlight of which were mealtimes. They had their own coffee making facilities in their room which meant they didn't have to come all the way down two flights of stairs first thing. Alastair's room was next to theirs and he enjoyed showing them his books and being read to. Gregor moved temporarily to the room next to ours on the floor below and has got back into the habit of waking me up before he barely wakes himself.

We purchased a digital TV in honour of Baba and Gaga's stay and they happily watched all the CBeebies programmes with Gregor, who was less enthralled by the news and history channels.

Here they are discussing food. I think Gaga was translating some recipes for Nela which they have already replicate back in Kiev. On that favourite subject, we managed a great variety of, often British, dishes including: sausages in many forms (since Gaga is denied these in Kiev), roast chicken and Yorkshire pudding, shepherd's pie, kedgeree, steak and kidney, Misha's salads and soups, stuffed marrow, fish and chips, lamb danshak, roasted brill, wild sea bass, haddock, mackerel pate, prawn cocktail in avocado, spaghetti and a couple of barbeques when the weather was kind. All in all they were quite satisfied with the catering.

Here they are looking just that. The backdrop is the tablecloth that Misha's maternal grandmother, Marguerita, used to have on her table and carry him round it as a baby singing to him.

During their last week we all went to Norwich. While the grandparents went around the shops at Chapelfield, we took Alastair for his post-op checks with the surgeons who were both very pleased with his progress. Once we were all done we drove over to aunt Judy's for a barbeque and a luxurious break for me, to be cooked for!

Heathrow, Terminal 2. We arrived in good time, had a coffee and sandwiches, avoided the protesters gathering and said goodbye to a reinvigorated Baba and Gaga.

Carnival time

Time has flown. A couple of weeks ago the annual carnival came to town. We invited the usual suspects to join us and the grandparents in watching the parade from the front garden.

A bird's eye view taken from our bedroom. Our favourites were all the marching brass bands and the Samba band from Ipswich - full of a load of women showing off their rhythm and having right old laugh and a boogie in the street. Great.

Gregor, having moved on from diggers to fire engines in the past week, was most impressed with this "float".

The Belousovs. Gaga doesn't normally have such an expression. Perhaps his apple was a bit sour!

Alastair and I in our new Ukranian shirts.

From left to right, bottom to top.
Ben, Steven, Robert, boyfriend of Hannah, me and Gregor.
Alastair, Misha, Gaga and Baba.
Judy, Mick, Julie, sister Gill, second cousin Melanie, cousin Karen and Richard/
Abi must have taken the photo.

A day at the beach

The weather was finally kind to us at the weekend and provided a hot and sunny Saturday, with a very light breeze - perfect for us all to enjoy the beach.

Here's Gaga with Alastair.

Misha trying hard to restrain the boys, who are desperate to go. No, they can't swim. But once Alastair's neck has healed and we can get it wet, swimming lessons are a priority.

Babushka Nela concentrating on her tan.

Gregor having his fire hose filled up - a favourite toy from Pavlina and Patrick, not quite as popular with the parents with a limited sense of humour, however.

Summer hols

Alastair's recovery is continuing very well. We've been visited by the community nurse and she is happy with the way the wounds/scars are healing. Next week we go back to the hospital to be checked by Messrs Tsang and Bath, the Gastro and ENT consultants. In the meantime, entertaining the boys requires a little more effort and thought in the holidays than during term-time. Here's what we got up to while Allie was still here.

Every August at the zoo down the road from us the "Zulu Warriers" come to perform dance and music displays. Alastair was mesmerised by the drumming and, this time, they got us all up to "dance" with them.

Here they are in their favourite corner where they can stroke the animals.

We have a new Portage lady now, since the last one, Clair, is due to have a baby in a week. Here is Alastair with Emma, popping and blowing bubbles. Last time Clair did this he burst into tears.

Allie looking on as Marie, the speech and language therapist, tries to drum in a new sign. Shows how much I was paying attention, I can't recognise the word at all. Ho hum. At least I have bought a small Makaton signing book and learnt two words yesterday - more and biscuits!