Storybook Glen

So there's apparently a place in Aberdeen on 28 acres that brings all our well-known nursery rhyme characters to life (well, life-size at least). Since James was at a board-in conference for 3 days in the area, I decided to take Stella for a lunchtime visit with Da and then a follow up trip to Storybook Glen across the road.  More of a REALLY large park set in a forest like setting, this venue has a bit of everything.  Typical park rides (springy animal deals, swings, slides, etc).  Some of the characters are a bit more interactive than others.  There's a wobbly bridge for Jack Be Nimble and the 3 little pig houses with the brick still up for kids to explore, Cinderella's coach for little princesses to ride.  Some are more for show and photo ops.  There is a live animal farm though (Old MacDonalds) with a selection of easy to keep animals I suppose (roosters, sheep, not sure what else as we didn't really explore that area.  I did happen to see a cowie (Scottish cow somewhere between a cow and longhorn with bangs) on the hillside away from the general population.  All in all, Stella had fun, and she did the most un-reluctant walking she's done since she learned how.

Yup! She knows she's a princess.

Not sure what the mushrooms are from.

 

Apparently Teletubbies are from a Storybook and/or nursery rhyme?

Yay for the brick house that's still standing in spite of the big bad wolf so Stella has something to explore.

Ya...um...couldn't get her to come out of the darn brick house.

Ugh! Finally! She's out. Nope wrong again she proceeded to go back in several times.

Oh look! Humpty Dumpty! On... a... wall of all things.

 

Keeping Stella Entertained

Bedtime stories: it usually takes more than one or two or fifteen.

Art Class: Not always this clean

Sometimes it looks like this!

And she couldn't be any prouder.

  

We've learned to scour the local pages and websites for events (ANY events) to entertain the lil' one. Parade for Aberdeen International Youth Festival on Tartan Day

 

 

 

 

 

Playing Dress up: Belle

There's no such thing as too much tulle when you're 1.

"Da!! Read me a book. Again. Again. Again."

Stella loves grapes.  She loves eating them.  She loves sharing them. She loves squishing them. She loves hiding them under the coffee table, the ottomans, her toybox, mommy's shoes.  But most of all she loves hiding them in her mouth and then spitting them out after 10 minutes.

More castles. More walks.

And when we're too tired to keep her entertained she makes her own fun.  She gathered all the pillows to make herself a reading nook.

Getting settled in Aberdeen

So while Stella had a lot to say in her last post, its was not very coherent.  So from now on, for everyone's sanity, she will only be posting on special occasions or for very very important toddler news.

So we've made a habit of weekend woodland walks.  Once again, it's apparent that so long as Stella is constantly entertained or stimulated she can go hours without a peep.  Meanwhile, back at the farm (aka our family room), she can't go more than 15 minutes without needing a change of scenery or a tour of the house on her carriage (aka mommy's arms). So for the further sake of James and I having quiet weekends, we tote Stella along to explore Scotland's countryside, seaside, castle trails, and (eventually) whiskey trails.  Being as how summer's almost over here in Aberdeen (yep it's already dropping down to the 50s on average) we're trying to make our way to as many castles, B&B's, and beaches as possible.  We must have missed the dog days of summer while we were sleeping.  But "No. We do not long for the muggy, humid 100+ of Houston. Thanks for asking though."

 Dunnottar Castle Ruins, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire

 Dunnottar

 Dunnottar

 Countesswells Woods (Gairnhill & Kingwells Woods)

Castle Fraser Estate & Gardens, Miss Bristow's Trail

Stella's Blog

For those who have requested that Stella's blog actually be written by Stella, here it is:

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