HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Well we made it!  Finally arrived in Scotland on Monday morning after a 12.5 hour flight from Singapore to Amsterdam, a 4 hour wait in Amsterdam for our next flight and then a 1 hour flight to Glasgow.  Phew!  I was very proud of James and Kayla though - they slept for 9 hours of the first flight then happily played with their colouring books and crayons for the rest of the flight.  I couldn't believe how well behaved they were.  Wonder if I'll be that lucky on the way back?  Its another night time flight so fingers crossed!

As we touched down at Glasgow Airport - James said (in the tone of a old man he sometimes has) "Mummy its so good to be back in Scotland.  Scotland's not sweaty like Singapore"!!  How true!!

Spent Monday with Mum and Dad and it just felt like we'd never been away.  My Mum took the kids to the playpark while I went to the bank and the shops - just like a normal Monday!

On Tuesday James' wee friend Kristen's mum invited us over to play in the afternoon.  The weather was glorious (very very hot for Scotland) and Liz had brought the paddling pool out.  I didn't know she'd invited James' other wee friends over too - so we had a lovely surprise when David and Natalie (and Mummy Julie) and Andrew (and Mummy Karen) turned up too.  As you can see from the photos the kids had a ball.

On Wednesday we had a lazy morning (much needed as the kids insist on getting up anywhere between 3.30am and 5.30am - aarrgghh) then took James to his Gym Joeys gymnastics class.  It was lovely to see Julie (the teacher) and all the other kids and Mums.  

After Gym Joeys it was off to the park with James' friend Elliot and his Mum Joan.  The weather was still very hot so we didn't stay long.  Headed to Pizza Hut (James has been craving pasta cheese as he calls it) where Kayla conked out in her pram and James and Elliot amused themselves for ages colouring in and giggling away together while Joan and I had a talking competition!!

Back to Gym Joeys on Thursday morning for Kayla's first class.  She enjoyed some of it but was very tired and grumpy so it wasn't a huge success!  Never mind, we'll go again next week...

I hit the shops in the afternoon while the kids stayed with Gran and Grandpa.  Shopped til I dropped (almost literally as I was so tired!)  The kids now have lovely new clothes but I still didn't get anything for me :o(

Took Kayla for her first ever haircut today to the afro hairdresser in Glasgow.  She was as good as gold.  She sat on my lap and admired herself in the mirror while the lady cut her hair.  She's looking a wee bit boyish as its quite short but at least she doesn't look like Don King anymore and I also bought some products to use on her hair which will hopefully make her curls nice and springy!

Busy day today - after the hairdressers we dropped in on friends Susan and Michael and baby Luca who was born in February.  He is gorgeous!  A real wee sweetie who gave me a big smile as soon as I picked him up :o)

Our final stop was at my best friend's house.  It was so good to see Elizabeth and her Mum and Dad.  So nice to finally have one of those hugs we've only been able to pretend having over Skype over the last 8 months!