Ivor is two

years old!
So we had to celebrate of course, despite the fact that he is only really interested in the cake, to which he returned many times throughout the afternoon.  I couldnt resist making him a fish cake! only the shape was fishy, I promise.  He also managed to attack the cake with a knife before we even made it up to the farm!
We had a lovely afternoon up at the farm, with special guest being Nanna Joyce from England, and a massive package of beautiful clothes from Nanny Marian, the chickens played their part, and Ivor was covered in kisses and love! By the time we drove back down the hill, Ivor was slumped in his chair, staring into nowhere with a chocolate covered face, quietly content.  He is loved by so many people, and he went to bed like an angel! Salix and Fabien had their first piano lessons of the season, Fabien returning, and Salix changing from drums to piano.
Fabien, Ivor and I had a bit of a treasure hunt with potatoes being the goal, and the pepper plants and some of the beetroot seem to have done alright this season, which is surprising since the garden has been pretty much deserted this year! Amazing! There are tomatoes and chard. We are clearing around the newly planted fruit trees, and considering buying a scythe. The sickle is much used! I have cut back the brambles threatening the trees that are starting to produce, we had a few apples and plums, pears and a handful of olives - a different tree from last time! Exciting watching them begin to produce.
Just found this post in the drafts and have decided to add to it and publish
The boys are doing  very well with their piano lessons, we have a 'real' piano now, an upright, and they play every single day, sometimes every minute!!! Fabien can now sight read simple pieces, and Salix, who has only had four lessons (although three years of drums are helping) is advancing in leaps and bounds.
I had an interview with Salix's school teachers, and am oh so impressed with the feedback. He who tells me how rubbish he is (total lack of self confidence) is doing great, participates in class and the maths teacher (his worst subject very surprisingly, as he seems to understand it well) agrees he is capable and that he needs to put more effort in! typical i guess.
I have broken my new camera, so am back to the splodged pixel-losing old one... maybe i am not meant to be sharing my photos with you!
Ivor is progressing beautifully, speaking three word sentences, is happy to go visit his friends, and say goodbye to me... His favourite toy at the moment is a large floppy cow, which he hugs and makes us hug, puts to bed and runs around with screaming with laughter. He points at us and says STOP. just like mummy. It is wonderful hearing him speak french too of course, listening out for a better accent than mine!
In the garden, the greenhouse has been stripped and refilled with turnip (they have all been eaten) peas, broad beans, garlic, onion, echalotte, and I am taking cuttings of roses and fruit bushes, lavender and sage. I dont really get many hours a week in the garden, but the hours I have are well used!