It's that time of year again when we take our photo of Imogens's tree. It was planted on Imogen's 1st birthday to mark an incredible year. Generally, it blossoms on her birthday on 9th April, but with the stupidly warm March, seems to have come two weeks early. Both Imogen and tree are thriving!

 Some earlier photos of the tree
                                                                                                                                                                             

Imogen and her best friend; Elena.

February Half Term Holidays

 Emma, Immie and Lindsey

Hey up. We've been to Nanny's again in High Wycombe. As usual we spent a day with the Cooper family. We went to Slough Ice arena which Imogen seems to enjoy. We did it in Scotland last year and she seems to do fine. Never fell over once.

 Here too with Lisa and Ben

Whilst down south, we decided on another trip to London. It was only October since we were last there but enjoyed it alot. We didn't do as much touroidy things as last time. In the morning, we first headed to Princess Diana's memorial garden in Kensington Park. It was a great play park that for some reason had some negative publicity but we thought it was fab. They had security guards on the gates and locked fencing so very secure.

 Lovely pic of my girls.

We then headed to the British Science museum which appeared really good. However, it was chocca. Full of kids off school - how inconvenient! We didn't have too long there but took in some floors. It's a full day visit, our hour and half barely scratched the surface. Well recommended though.

And then came the highlight of the day. Cirque de Soleil, Totem at the Royal Albert Hall. That has been my ambition for years to go to the hall. It had a massive wow factor just thinking of the history behind it and knowing how many famous gigs and shows have been performed there. To Imogen, it was likely no big deal but she really enjoyed the show. Some of the acts were edge of the seat stuff that should be watched through fingers. Real heart in the mouth stuff. If you get chance, go and see it.

 Imogen and Linz outside Albert Hall

After the show, we headed off to Chinatown and met up with a friend; Jonnie. He took us to a lovely restaurant. Can't remember the name but it was fab. we over did it on the beers. Nearly £4 for a tin like the size of a tin of coke. The bill was a few quid short of £100!! Thanks Jonnie. It was alovely meal though. Southern prices, I blame fuel prices.

The rest of the week, we spent relaxing with Nanny which was lovely.We went to visit Grandad's garden and left him some really nice roses. Then we went back on our last day to say bye, but the Muntjack dears had eaten the roses and trampled over the cemetry. Anyway, we replaced them with tulips. Apparently they don't get eaten. Loads of Muntjacks down on Buckinghamshire.

So, back to school she goes after a wonderful week. Then guess what. She starts with Chicken Pox! And then another week off school. Seems it's been rife through school, but it's good to get them out of the way. Imogen wasn't poorly with them, just a bit itchy and annoying. She is fine now. We are really proud with how she is doing at school. Imogen is reading fantastically and is always keen to get her nose into a book.

Just a few weeks until her 7th birthday. Yikes, scary. See yas.

 Erm, Imogen with "Chicken Pox".

And finally, we live in a place where the post arrives quicker than the Police.

Christmas 2011

Away in a Manger

Sorry we have not updated for a while, just dont know where the time goes to be honest. We had a lovely Christmas, Imogen got far too much as usual from Father Christmas, we did the usual Christmas get together, Mum and Phil came for Christmas lunch then we headed to Aunt Deborahs for the Dyson get together.
Since Christmas though Imogen seems to have a constant cold, even having to have a few nebulizers to help with the coughing. There is alot of colds going around at the mo but hopefully this one is now on its way out. The eating definately goes off when she is snuffly.
Anyway I will put bit more of an update on in a few days as its getting late now and time for bed.
Tarra folks
Check out the video of Imogen singing Away in a Manger below after the photos.

Imogen and her teddies having a party for "Carla"

Some of Imogens many presents

Away in a Manger, please click to watch the video

Immie's trip to London

Emma and Imogen

Hi all,
this is a post of our trip to see Nanny down in High Wycombe. Whilst there we had a day out in London as Imogen had been learning about at school.

We did all the touroidy things whilst there including going on the London Eye, going to Buckingham Palace to see the Queen, (she stood us up and went to Australia - she must have forgotten we were coming). We went to Westminster Abbey, covent Garden and took a cruise down the Thames.

We walked miles, Imogen less so and spent a mile or two on my shoulders. For Imogen, the highlight was a visit to Hamley's toy shop where she spent sixty quid of her own money on 2 dolls. Yes, 2 blinkin dolls!

Whilst we were down in Wycombe, we called in at the Coopers. Linz's step sister. We had an afternoon  out swimming at Aylesbury with Emma and Ben (Im's step cousins, if there is such a thing).



And Ben



On the train to London



On the London Eye

On the Thames

Outside Buckingham Palace

With Big Ben and Big Baz

Outside Westminster Abbey

Oxford Circus





Eating Update

Imogen over the last week or so has done really well with her eating. It is still a very small portion, about 1 good size table spoon, but she has been trying different things and just generally doing better. Its all just small steps but touch wood all in the right direction.
We have a appointment in Manchester in October so will see if they are pleased with the progress.
Will keep you posted on the appoinment as and when we have been.
We need to get over the flu jab next week first which Imogen has already started to worry about. Hopefully will not be too bad.

Imogen's swimming unaided video

Imogen's first length, nearly!!

It has taken months to be able to upload videos again to the blog, it just wouldn't work, however it has been Baz that has been trying(say no more)!

Anyway the video may take a few seconds to load so please be patient.

Imogen as you may know has been swimming a bit without her arm bands on but would only swim across the width but she plucked up courage last Wednesday to do the length.

Second video is of Imogen jumping in the pool on her own and with no arm bands for the first time. A huge step forward in her confidence.

Achievements in September

Well all too soon the summer holidays are over and its back to school, work and the normal day to day routine. However Imogen has some new found confidence this week as she has done two things that she would never have attempted a couple of months ago.
First she has learnt to swim and last week at her swimming lesson she swam across the width a couple of times with no floats, Karen gave her a certificate and badge. Imogen was made up and really pleased with herself.

Secondly she has ridden her bike at weekend with no stabilisers! Last time we tried to take them off she wouldnt even get on the bike never mind try, so a huge step forward. Just need to keep taking her out and practising now as she still very wobbly. I will put some pics on here of her big achievements when I have taken some in the next week or so.

Over the summer some days she has been doing a little better with her eating, and she drinks her water in the day now instead of down Gaz( Imogens Gastrostomy, she has an over night feed) which is loads better. She also has been trying loads of different of new foods which is progress. We have been giving her 5p's for doing well with her eating so at least she gets rewarded for doing well.
Unfortunately now she is back at school, she no longer has support with her eating so she does not eat much pack lunch. However on the positive side it means she has progressed to not get support.


Imogens first day of year 2

Note from the Baz -
as Linz has done the blog, I thought I should chip in with a gag.
Ahem, "and finally"..
Last night I lay in bed looking up at the stars in the sky and I thought to myself, ... where the hells my ceiling gone.

James and Alistair from BBC's "The Restaurant"

On a weekend in August we all tootled on down to Blakedown near Worcester for a surprise party weekend for a very dear friend of ours Sharron. Her husband had arranged for her friends to come and stay at the most amazing Manor House that he had rented for the weekend to celebrate her birthday. He had also arranged for James and Alistair who starred in BBC's The Restaurant with Raymond Blanc, to come also and do the catering for all us guests. It was the most fabulous weekend, there was a swimming pool, games room, tennis courts, cinema room, you name it it had it!! It was lovely that the three of us could share Sharrons special day and Imogen had about 12 other children to play with all weekend and she had a ball. She was not in bed before midnight on either night!!

Daddy and Imogen





Us with the Gill family outside the Manor House




With James and Ali from The Restaurant



Fireworks for the party over Park Hall, Blakedown

Summer Holidays

Evening all, thought I had better get myself into gear and update Imogens blog with all the things she has been doing over the holidays, and believe me she has been busy.
First off the tooth fairy has been to our house twice. She had a wobbly tooth for ages and it looked like it was never coming out, then we got a shout one night after she had gone to bed to say it had dropped out!! Bless its just another sign that they grow up.

Caravan Holidays

We have had quite a few weekends away in the caravan going to various locations.
First we went to a lovely site in Chipping where Imogen made friends with two girls in the next caravan and played quite a bit with them.
Next we went to a site at Lakeland Maize farm which was brill, Imogen could go and play on the outdoor play area and for the first time she had enough courage to try the zip wire and loved it. She also met a little girl there who she played with loads. She was called Cydney and was with her baby sister and mum and dad. They were with another couple and when we had come home they invted us back up to the site for tea with them one night which was lovely.


Imogen and Cydney



On another weekend we went to Longridge in the Caravan, which was quite a busy weekend. Lucy from Huddersfield, Imogens friend, came to stay for one night in the caravan with us which was nice. They both had a really nice time. While Lucy was with us we went to visit some friends in Clitheroe who have a static van on a caravan park. We had a barbecue with them then went to a park on the way back, and Imogen went on another zip wire! think she really into them now its taken about 2 years to get her on one.

On the Sunday Micky, Simon, Ella and Joel came to the caravan for the day. We all went to Ribchester for a walk along the river and out for tea. So rather a busy weekend!!

We have also done two weekends at Bentham at Riverside caravan park, we have hardly been at home it seems reading this!

Torrevieja Spain - Our Holiday pics

Hola, I Think I went overboard with the amount of pics I put on. I'll skip the written stuff, let's face it, pics tell a thousand words.
If I get round to it, I'll put up a holiday report.
T'ra, Bazza


Imogen's first flight. (Blackpool airport)


(click the pics to enlarge, only if ya want to)

At Elche Zoo

Waiting for the evening bus into Torrevieja.

The Spaniards do not haggle.

Neither does this lass. She made a personialised Imogen bracelet for 3 euros.

Torrevieja beach

Checking out the view at our apartment

A real Spanish paella. We are not talking Bird's eye.

Thumbs up for a top night out.

The night view from our rooftop.

The rooftop by day - melting!

Dad's eye view of Spain.

Senorita - in her flamenco dress for a night out to Villa Salada - Torrevieja

Villa Salada, Torrevieja. Fab food, fab Flamenco dancers and top night out.

One for the boys!

And a sweaty one for the ladies.

Here he is again!

Authentic Spanish Flamenco dancer. (Aka Jordan from Bristol)

Alicante

Taken by Imogen

Alicante harbour

Alicante promenade.

Imogen Dyson from Morecambe

Err, who does she think she is?

The Yummy Mummy (to some).

Checking out the ....err, red flowers.

View fromAlicante Castle.

Back on the roof.

Out for tea.
Maison de something or other near San Miguel.

Outside Maison de something or other.

In the apartment.

Playing a game

Torrevieja beach, check out the sheath. Imogen wouldn't let a broken arm stand in her way.

Soaking up the rays. Don't panic she was well slapped up with cream and came back as white as a Dyson.

The Aquapolis splash park, Torrevieja.

Dad and Ims. She was fine on the rides until Mum tipped the ring over, then wouldn't go on again.

Spot Dad!

In Torrevieja at night.

Our apartment. Well not really ours but you know what I mean.

Oh hey up! Here's that Yummy Mummy again. Or is it Ursula Andres?

And here's Daniel Craig...Or Eric Morecambe...or a Beached whale?

Torrevieja again.

Mummy and Imogen.

Torrevieja at night.

Bernadette. Our neighbour.

Oh Bummer!