Well, they're back. Been down to Wales for a long weekend, and they've come back early because they're not very well. Nanna said they've been grumpy all weekend. Amanda says they'd run about for a while then just go quiet, wanting to lie down.

She practices typing on my laptop. She's been doing caps for the start of her name for a few days now. Today, she discovers caps lock, and it's got a light.

1367 Also posted to: Home page . At: 6:33:35 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Kids are back, Esme types on my laptop

Three Tonys. And one Bradley as he looks at the graphics and pictures for the planes.
More studies of pictures fro Bradley.
	As we couldn't find Cosford Auction Rooms, we have a look in the museum. Bradley starts telling Tony all about it cos he's been bedfore. Lots of times.

1365 Also posted to: Home page . At: 2:31:36 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Popped into Cosford with Tony

To get them out of the house I go and blow £25 at the fair for one hour. Mostly, we went on the rides, but Bradley wants to go on the wobbly house ride, where you have to walk around inside a strange house. But Esme's too scared. Bradley pleads, says he'll hold her hand... No go. He goes on himself. We wave as he arrives at the front or as he passes a window where we can see him. We can tell he's getting worried. I guess it's because he disappears from view to who knows where. Each time he disappears, when we see him again, he's a little more concerned. Soon, very soon, he's out the way he came in.

1364 Also posted to: Home page . At: 2:13:39 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Quick look at the fair in Dawley

We arrive at the same time at MacDonalds as Francis and Alex and their grandparents. Looks like great minds think alike for feeding after school. We council ourselves by saying we don't take them to fast food outlets too much, hardly ever, in fact. Have good video of Bradley doing spins, and his graceful bows to the audience and to the curtain.

Esme's playground at school.

1363 Also posted to: Home page . At: 1:52:03 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: At MacDonalds cousins play

Before getting ready to go out, she must practice her ballet poses.	This one starts like this then tiptoe runs across the kitchen. Very elegant. Very fairy like.
	Saturday mornings can be quite full. First we had to get the breaks fixed, and Esme doesn't like the loud noises from the mechanics, but is fascinated by all the contraptions and things going on at the garage. Then we go off to the car boot sales at Bridgenorth, and see the trains on the way home. Bradleys cold makes him grumpy most of the time, but we get by.
We finally end up at Bridgenorth, at the Severn Valley Railway. Wonderful coal burning smells, steam puffing from Victorian looking contraptions.

1362 Also posted to: Home page . At: 1:45:36 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Esme the mechanic and ballet dancer and train driver?

Grandad Frank.

We went to Hoo farm with Frank's camera. Here, she's making a dash for freedom. I couldn't believe them both riding the commando swing. Bradley wanted to ride the four wheel, petrol driven motorbikes, but he had to be six. Esme took a ride on the pony again.

1337 Also posted to: Home page . At: 1:12:56 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Grandad Frank and Hoo Farm

These are over the past few days. We often go here to throw stones into the River Severn. Today, Esme wants to learn how to skim stones. Her throwing's not quite up to it I decide. But still she wants to learn. I show her how to grip the flat stones, but still she just gets a plop, not a hop. Eventually, she does one! It skips twice, I think. She's pleased. After a few more plops, she does another two skips. Even better, shes going to tell Mum. Much later, she wants more lessons. I tell her about practicing, do a little today, a bit more next time... She wants to practice now. So more gripping lessons, and I think I've cracked how to show her how to grip. A few plops, then... Count them... FIVE hops. Amazing! She is so happy. I let out a, "I don't believe it!" She just smiles contentedly. I'm happy for her. She keeps smiling as I rave on and on. "Amazing! Five hops!" "Well, well, well. I never." She's gorgeous when she smiles like that.

1328 Also posted to: Home page . At: 1:59:28 PM  . .
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Other title(s) for this story: Ironbridge autumn stone throwing