Our final Bookbug..

Bittersweet.. our final bookbug storytime.. we've gone practically every week for over a year.. songs, Scottish rhymes and a story - the teachers know Ruby by name and are super sweet.. (and the fact that the mall where it takes place has a Reiss, Jo Malone and cafes for coffee.. just sayin') - I will really miss it.

Ruby (and all the other children) enjoy running around the Mall atrium before and after the session.

As always we got a Bookbug sticker.

Baby Love

Recently we said a Glasgow goodbye to our friends Tom and Sarah (from Nottingham England).  Tom was on the MFA course with Brent.. they have a daughter Martha (born in early March 2012).  It's actually been great to give them some of Ruby's clothes and other bits (including playmat below) - I enjoy paying it forward with baby items.

Ruby says hi to Martha.

 Some CPR tips with Tom and Sarah - here they are checking for Martha's pulse (might use this one for future marketing guys!)

 Brent and Tom pose with the girls.

Baby LOVE.

South of France for a VERY Special Day

Last month, Ruby and I went traveled to South West France to my good friend Claire's wedding. Those of you might know her as 'long haired Claire' as in London, I had 2 room mates both named Claire.  Claire married her lovely man Roger, who wore a kilt, in the most romantic, intimate fashion. She chose France because her family have a house there.. and ofcourse because of the wine and the food! Ruby and I went solo and Brent stayed in Glasgow. We had a true adventure. Here are some highlights:

Being told to Relax & Wait in the Southhampton England Airport (we took 2 planes to get to Bergerac France) - Glasgow to Southhampton (1 hour) and Southhampton to Bergerac France (1 hour 15) - then rented a car - yes, I drove on my own with Ruby in tow in France knowing no French, 45 minutes to our Airbnb Bed and Breakfast (on a farm!).

 The Happy Couple.. the wedding was on a private chateau.. we had the ceremony in a barn then the couple walked out and cocktail hour was on the back of the chateau overlooking vineyards and rivers.

 Posing with the beautiful bride.

 Ruby was happy there was entertainment during cocktail hour... the food was amazing!

 Here is my friend Claire (another London room mate) and her wee one Freddie (3 months older than Ruby!) they were good friends.

 Posing with the beautiful view..

 The next day was a pool party!  Here is Ruby trying out rugby by the pool.

 Posing with the bride the day after the wedding at the pool party.

 The next day Claire, Freddie and some other friends visited a lake.. we were the only ones there. It was lovely.

 This is the garden of our B&B it was amazing.. and had donkeys and goats in the rear field!

 Ruby loved the garden.

 Some vineyards.. they are everywhere in the Bordeux region (wouldn't you expect that?).

 In the Bergerac airport waiting for our flight home.. I've always dreamed of visiting this area of the world and now I have.. and what an unforgettable experience.. thank you Claire! x

A Ridge Family visit for a VERY special occasion

The special occasion? Brent's graduation! with merit! I couldn't be prouder of my wonderful husband. As our time here comes to fruition, we had some very special visitors .. Brent's Mom, Dad, Uncle Brad & Aunt Cathy (all the way from Ohio to join us). We had loads of family dinners and chilled out in Glasgow whilst the Ridge family did some touring of Scotland (Highlands, London, and more).. Brent had his final Masters Degree Art show which was simply amazing.  His work is incredible.. if you want more, check out his blog. Here are some highlights...

Tea Break! after some tourist activities Brent's Dad, Aunt Cathy, Mom & Uncle Brad.

The guys head to the seaside for some Scottish Golf.. on a very famous course, I might add... more here.

Brent looking rugged on the Ferry to the Isle of Arran (day trip with Grandma Susie)... Isle of Arran is known for its cheese, fudge (called tablet) and oatcake biscuits. We had a long, and fun day.

 On the Isle of Arran.. it was cloudy but warm(ish).

 Ruby looks at danger in the face down a cannon at a castle on the Isle of Arran.

A beach walk to the castle.

On a cute Ruby note, she now calls herself 'Bee' and it couldn't be more adorable.
Next post, Ruby and I explore southwest France.. Oh, yes we did! x

Stonehenge Bouncy Castle

How cool is this!? (An interactive art installation in the middle of Glasgow Green Park - the joy on everyone's face bouncing was immense - pure fun!).

Valencia!

From Barcelona, Ruby and I took at 4 hour train directly South along the coast of Spain to Valencia. The ride was along the water the whole way, it was mesmerizing to look out the window of the beautiful blue of the Mediterranean. This was my second time in Valencia. The first was in 2005 to visit my German friend Flo, whom was studying in Spain at the time - I met Flo in New Zealand - we went skydiving and had loads of other adventures (but that's another story)... This visit was to see my long time friend Rodolfo whom I became friends with in London. He moved to Valencia on a bit of a whim with his girlfriend 5 years ago and never looked back.
Valencia is called, the 2nd Barcelona.. and it's easy to see why.. it's gorgeous! It is by the sea.. loads of squares, architecture, culture and have you heard it is the HOME of paella?
I was so excited to see my friend Rodolfo, we saw each other briefly in London when I was pregnant and he was in town but it was wonderful to have him meet Ruby and spend some time together.
Here are some of the highlights of our trip.

Ruby and "Uncle Rod" play in the playground shortly after we arrived.

 An amazing food market with the freshest fish you have ever seen!

 Rod shows us this building close to the food market with columns, a garden and more.. it was a place of simple business back in the day.. no affiliation to religious worship.. which I found very interesting.

 Central Square in Valencia..

 Ruby playing horsey with Rod and Rod's gal Dora.

 Inside the longest fish tunnel in Europe's largest Aquarium (it is AMAZING). There is one for fish and one only for sharks and stingrays. It's super long and just mindblowing. Ruby and I are the only ones because we got there when the Aquarium opened and I rushed straight towards it to avoid a crowd and spend as much time possible being 'under the sea'.

 Then we checked out the dolphin show.. front row with a buggie!

 We also tasted some lovely sweets and pastries as Rod took us to his fav shop.

Thank you for the visit! If you want to do something.. just do it!

Spain part dos

After a few days in Barcelona, we were joined by our Glasgow friends Kim and her little boy Finlay (6 weeks younger than Ruby). They are our best friends in Glasgow and it was so awesome to share a holiday together.
Here we are at Park Guell - Gaudi's Park - on a sunny day. We didn't know what to do with ourselves with such lovely sun... a welcome change!

Here is Ruby and I at Park Guell. Ruby got a new sunhat!

We then did some more Barcelona touring.. played with the kids in the park La sagrada familia and visited the Lichtenstein Statue in Port Vell.

We were always followed by the sea. My friend Kika lives in an area 10 minutes from the ocean. People in Barcelona are super fit.. a Euro-LA with roller blades, bikes and runners.  Here is Ruby by the Mediterranean.

Ruby and I also went up to Montjuic Park and visited the Miro Museum.. Ruby enjoyed the art.. although she was needing a bit of a nap when we got to the Museum. Luckily, she fell asleep and I enjoyed a quiet lunch in the Museum Cafe in a statue garden. I live for moments like this.

Ruby really loves Barcelona.

Next stop, Valencia!