Happy New Year from Joe

Between Christmas and New Year we were visited by Frances, Christopher and our adorable (and, it has to be said, increasingly adventurous) grandson.  These shots were taken at the Foxton recreation ground, where Joe had a wonderful time in the children's playground.

Just like his dad, Joe can't survive long without eating.  Sure enough, he brought a sandwich with him to the playground...

His face says it all, having been bundled back into the pushchair and about to go home.

Isla was sporting an injured back leg, but this didn't stop her wanting to run around like a mad thing chasing a ball.

Baby Joe hits Harston Rec

Baby Joe is visiting this weekend, and we'll be having a big family meal for my birthday tomorrow.  This afternoon we took him to the playground at Harston Rec, which he thoroughly enjoyed.  The facilities have improved immeasurably since Frances and Issy were young, and now there's plenty to amuse children of all ages (see the climbing wall below).

After Joe had gone off for his afternoon nap, it was Isla's turn for some playtime...

Baby Joe meets Suzy

Frances, Christopher and Baby Joe are visiting Harston for the Bank Holiday, and they came to visit during the afternoon when we were also looking after three mad dogs.  Joe was fast asleep when he arrived, so the dogs and I were banished outside until he had woken up.

Also visiting us this weekened were Charlotte, Harriet's sister, and Suzy, her daughter, my niece, Frances's cousin and (therefore) Joe's first cousin once removed.

Joe is growing all the time: at 5 months he is wearing clothes designed for a 9+ month old.

This was a flying visit, so Joe has now gone back to Bristol.  Luckily I need to go for a two day meeting at the Royal Photographic Society (also in Bristol) in early June, so I'll get to see him again very soon.

Baby Joe at four months

Frances, Christopher and Baby Joe came to Cambridge over the Easter period, and it was astonishing to see how much Joe had grown since we last saw him back in February.  He's a big lad, and is already wearing clothes aimed at babies who are considerably older.  Probably the biggest change, other than his sheer size, was that he now gives everyone big, beaming smiles which melt the heart.

On Easter Sunday, Harriet and I were on "grandparent duty", looking after Joe while Frances and Christopher went to have tea at the newly re-vamped University Arms hotel.  We took him to the Botanic Gardens, which he seemed to enjoy.  We certainly did.