The world of a nearly three year old is marvelous with it's uncomplicated joy and simplicity...

Baba plays a big part in this world...
Picking flowers has become a must now when walking...
...but someone smart (not me!) has told La she can't pick garden flowers, only one's on the path - hence the sad, weedy looking stems!
Yay! If we're not at the park it's going for a run around the block - all that is missing is the leash! Seriously, La needs walking daily.
We've touched on the hairclips before. We have collected all in existence in the house and now line them up side by side or end to end. It keeps La entertained for hours...
Very precise.
And it doesn't end with hairclips - bought a pack of 4 socks for us both the other day and couldn't wear them for a week because they were being "ordered".
The Down family kiddies popped over the other day to play with the play dough...
And on their own play set - we housed it here while their own house was being built.

Some days La wants to do her own hair. Clips are all the rage at the moment, the brush not so much...



Dreads anyone?!?

Lucho and La sitting in a tree....

Hang on, I've seen this before...
...aha! About a year ago I think.
Playing in the cubby house can keep these two occupied for hours...

Guard dogs protecting their territory.
Dress ups of course. La looks mid whinge - not surprising by the end of the day.
Lucho in all his finery making his dad so incredibly proud!

It was so nice to have Yvette come to stay for a couple of days not that long ago...


...mind the weather kept us indoors for the most part but all was not lost - managed to head out to the look out for a peep between showers.

Here are some last minute Turkey shots that were left on the camera....

Final farewells to Babaanne - everyone is looking very wind swept...
Ferim and Serpil met Sami and La at the airport in Istanbul for one last goodbye...

...and brought along a feast!!! Love to you all xxo

Ellis was to have his birthday a few days after everyone was leaving so they brought the celebration forward.

A couple of cakes for the big boy.
Ellis the main man.
With Mum and Dad.
La finding her way closer and closer to the cake.
All together now.
Ferim helping blow out the candles.
Must be La's turn. She loves a good party our La!
There was singing too - video evidence to prove it!

Some group shots.
Clagged I think after a long day. It looks and sounds as though Sami and La had a wonderful time with his family - thanks everyone for helping out with La and for your hospitality!

As I had mentioned earlier, it was a very hot summer this year in Turkey. So, inevitably, most days were spent in the water.

Must have been pretty hot for Babanne to hop in. (Julz - you would be run off your feet over there - you'd need a staff of hundreds to keep up!!! Note - hairy man in background!)
Of course! What else would these two be doing?!?
Back at Sevil's apartment complex there is a lovely, refreshing pool which certainly got a workout from what I hear. Ellis, Sami and Sevil.
Ferim and La.


Hopefully, next trip those floaties will be a thing of the past. We are getting very close...

I'd like to think this was La when she was phoning home and talking to me every other day - but alas, she didn't seem too fussed at all to chat to me on the tefalone - too busy not missing me one bit! Not to mention that she quickly forgot her english and struggled to string two words together!!! Skype down at the local internet cafe was better for us - she would sit for a minute or two and try and remember who I was and then run amok and annoy all the other patrons. Curses for raising such a resilient child!!!