28 July 2011

Miro seems to have a beautiful day today,

Dreamily munching carrots in the shade of our Kauai picnic,

And after a long walk up the mountain, squealing with joy

In unison with Tai as they throw volcanic mud at each other and

Dance with the lagoon waves.

But before bed, Daddy asks him if he had a nice day,

And Miro says sadly, "No".

"Why?" says Daddy.

"Because we did a long walk up the mountain. It wasn't a short walk, it was a long walk."

"But you went to the beach afterwards. Wasn't that nice?"

"No," says Miro despondently.

"Why no?"

"Because I burnt my feet on the sand," says Miro.

"But you went swimming afterwards. You loved that, didn't you?"

"No," Miro says again. "Because in the water, sometimes it goes high, and then you can't breathe."

Woe is us !

In Miro's opinion, he didn't have a nice day at all.

27 July 2011

Big cuddles for daddy on his very special birthday in Hawaii...

26th July 2011

A Loooooong day travelling on planes...

25 July 2011

After a drive-thru trip to the Zoo

We retreat to the warmth of our Black Bear cottage

And watch more movies, read and draw

For our last night in Alaska.

24 July 2011

After a rainy day driving

We postpone a trip to the zoo,

Instead tempting Miro with Aristocats and old Disney songs

On the old-school VHS, while Daddy builds

A cosy roaring fire.

23 July 2011

Checking out the super sick truck

Right before the owner came out, and offered him

A sit in the driver's seat, and a play with the hydraulic seats!

22 July 2011

Something very special Miro has learnt about this trip

Is barnacles

And he is thrilled to find them on the beach

As if waiting for a small boy to recognise them.

21 July 2011

Marvelling at the

Sleek showy sea lion

Swimming extroverted circles

Before a wondrous Miro.

20 July 2011

After Tai falls into the river

While Mummy is washing plums

Miro can't help himself either...

And frantically strips off, throwing his socks and knickers in every direction,

Before tiptoeing through the icy waters

With fresh and pure glee !

19 July 2011

Attacked by swarms of flies! On our walk to Exit Glacier

Miro can't help himself (as always) and attempts a bit of bouldering

But doesn't understand the meaning of circuit routes, and screams and cries

"Not That Way! This Way!" all the way back, till the car park

Where the sight of his car leaves him stunned and silently sooky.

18 July 2011

Keeping himself busy with colouring in (very well!) and animal stickers

As we take the long car ferry to Whittier.

17 July 2011

Taking the boat to the glacier

Seeing porpoise, otter, whale and seal...

And convincing Mummy to read and re-read

Pete Puffin's Wild Ride

With love, insistence, and plenty of coercive kisses!

16 July 2011

Best friends, bonding over rock chucking at the glacier...

15 July 2011

Trying on his crampons

Miro can't wait to walk on the "neige"

As he's been wanting to do the whole time we've been in Alaska.

Imagine then his disappointment,

When, after walking all the way to the glacier,

The guide can't work out how to fit them on!

Luckily, on Daddy's back, Miro still finds a thrill

And ends up loving the adventure,

As well as walking all the way there and back (5 miles!) on his own.

Whatta trooper!

14 July 2011

Driving us Crazy!

Running, whooping, screaming and banging

Through restaurants, museums and suchlike.

13 July 2011

Miro walks more than 2 miles today

To a beautiful lookout

Where he finally turns the binoculars the right way 'round

And his fingers reach out for waving leaves that seem so close...

12 July 2011

Mr July, posing in his "Axa" (Alaska) hat

Bounds outside full of enthusiasm

Before turning, face fallen:

"Where is the snow?"

Later we scale fallen logs to stand by Liberty Falls,

Throwing stones into the river

As it speeds over pebbles.

Finally, Mummy gets a photo

But Miro will only look up

If she says "Oh my God Miro, I see a dinosaur!"

He's looking for it in the resulting picture!

11 July 2011

Two peas in a pod, Papa and Miro,

Eating Thai while gatecrashing the Bible Study University.

And later, Miro can't stop smiling

When he lets him steer circles around the parking lot.

10 July 2011

Flowers for Mummy

As we stop for a picnic lunch beside the rushing river

On the Old Denali Highway.

9 July 2011

Skipping stones and searching marmots at Savage River,

Spotting caribou on the way back, beside the car...

And learning consequences, patiently cleaning the glass

Made dirty with curious sausage.

8 July 2011

When Tai falls asleep in the mid-morning, mid-wHinge,

Miro asks if he can have his nounou

And lies beside him, watching him calmly,

Twisting his hair in his fingers.

After a relaxing lunch and afternoon in the garden,

We venture out to the Salmon Bake for dinner,

And Miro delights in crunching ice

And munching on apples nachos.

7 July 2011

Big bus trip into Denali Park

Where we see a bear, the beautiful mountain,

And Daddy does some flying!

6 July 2011

A sunshiney morning playing in the buzzy grass

While Daddy spots with archery

And Goo loses his shoes.

Followed by ~ a picnic at Otto Lake

Pushed ever-higher by Mummy on the swings

And orangesy running through dandelions to covet stray toy boats

And tempt mini leeches with swinging willy.

Later, learning to play putt putt

And getting the hang of it quickly,

But sad about losing his ball to the long grass.

His first regret at losing something that wasn't his! He is racked by guilt

And when we tell him we forgive him, says "No! I am bad!"

Little sweetheart!

5 July 2011

Miro exploring the original bus

That the wild boy inhabited in Into The Wild.

4 July 2011

4th July celebrations in Anchorage...

Reindeer hot dogs and Alaskan salmon patties.

YUM!

3 July 2011

A glorious last day with Dave and Michelle at the duck pond

Where Miro goes off and sooks for fifteen minutes by himself

And even cupcakes only begrudgingly bring back a smile...

2 July 2011

4th July BBQ at Dave and Michelle's house

Sees Miro vying for "big boy" status with Noah;

Learning about "terrorscopes" made out of croquet sticks;

And climbing trees apples, the way he likes best!

1 July 2011

Miro is SO excited by Disneyland

And stares, open-mouthed, at the dancing princesses when we arrive;

Loves the tea-cups, rollicking Roger Rabbit ride and Buzz Lightyear;

And after dinner, comes back for more!

Daddy and Miro sneak out around 9pm and don't get home till 1am,

Watching the fireworks as Miro claps wildly,

And re-riding all the games they can find.

30 June 2011

Miro is so happy now that we've arrived in L.A.

What with Dave and Michelle's puppies, festive fanfare,

Patriotic cupcakes and Fireman Sam on television.

This boy was born to be in the U.S.A. !

29 June 2011

While walking through the futuristic city of Shanghai

A sudden gust of wind picks up Daddy where he walks...

28 June 2011

Miro loves Suzhou so much

That the return to Shanghai leaves him a little fragile

And a breakdown over Daddy snapping his stick

Is only recovered by aforementioned Daddy

Creating a superb "ittle" house out of said broken sticks.