Stir Up Sunday

Stir-up Sunday, the Sunday prior to the first of Advent, is the traditional day to begin preparing the Christmas Pudding.  Spices, dried fruit, alcohol and sugar - all mixed together and steamed gently for many hours - then reheated on Christmas Day.  Traditionally everyone in the house should stir the pudding - I think because it is jolly hard work to get it mixed together properly... but it is also meant to bring luck, and give you a wish too.

What a difference a year makes....

2011 - Madeleine aged 4 1/2 months

2012 - Madeleine at almost 17 months. This year she was mostly interested in tasting the ingredients, but became most proprietorial when she was given her own spoon!  

Nanna and Granddad are moving....

 I know it is too late to make this point, but for the record, Birmingham is definitely too far to drive with a hyper one year old.  I initially thought my parents had taken leave of their senses - instead of winding down to do bath time and stories they put me in the car, and drove for hours.  I protested vigorously and woke Mummy at frequent intervals thoughout the night to protest.  I enjoyed breakfast at the Premier Inn in the morning... all those choices, but that is all.  Long distance diriving is not my thing!

It was however wonderfully good fun to visit Nanna and Granddad before they pack up and move to St Albans.  I like playing with all of Nanna's ducks.  I enjoying grinding my food into the clean carpet.  I liked trying to turn their huge television on (and off).  I loved spending time with Nanna and Granddad.  Now that they have moved to St Albans I hope my parents have the good sense to fly!

Of Ducks and Dances.

Up on my feet!

Today, officially marking my transition to toddler-dom, Mummy and me attended my first professional dance class at Dance Base in the Grassmarket, the impressive Scottish National Centre for Dance, nestled in the shadow of the Castle in the Old Town.  With a mission to encourage the potential for dance in everyone, I certainly felt inspired to participate.  Having been on my feet for all of 4 weeks, I can now confidently totter across the room, though I am still stopping half way to allow my audience the opportunity to clap appreciatively.  Dance? Of course I can.  I'm already feeling I could have something of a talent.

It must be admitted that things did not start well.  I was a little unsure of the lift, the reception and the fabulous play area.  Who knows what might happen here, I thought, before letting off a piteous wail to make completely clear that I wasn't having any of it.  The play area looked harmless enough - a huge bright wall of interesting sounds and textures; a big play mat - and a big boy who came and nicked my toy.  It had all been a bit knife edge up until that point... but by the time we went into Studio One I was already at full pelt blub, and Mummy was beginning to wonder if it had all been a terrible mistake.  Now don't get me wrong - it is an amazing space.  So light, so airy, so VAST...   but who could know what terrible things might befall you there?

Then Gemma started the class - with hand shaking, body rolling, squibbling star jumps.  Oh boy - is that fabulous fun!  Isn't she the most exciting person in the entire world?  I was so delighted.  All smiles and giggles.  No tears at all.  We got to run away from scary snappy sharks; to scuttle like a crab; to row our boats and to jump and glide.  I was also the bravest small person in the world - not only did I go under the parachute, but I rode on top of it as the Mummies and Daddies pulled it round.  I had a whale of a time... boom boom.   As we left, Gemma concluded that I was a "very good dancer for a 16 month old".  There you go - a professional opinion - I just knew I had talent!

Afterwards we nipped into Helios on the Grassmarket - Mummy fondly remembers when they used to bake cakes on site, and had a little cafe full or delicious smells and cosy corners.  Anyway, I mention it because I found a fabulous duck - a pull along one.  Would you credit they have ducks you can pull along as you walk!  I really, really wanted to take it home, but Mummy said not today.  Sad Face.   I just want to make it clear that I can easily combine my new found interest in movement with my duck obsession and other more cerebral pursuits.  Christmas present anyone?

Dance Base offers drop in Dance and Play sessions for little ones every Wednesday morning at 10.45 am.  £3.50 for one adult and child.