The return of the native..

After a fulfilling, yet chilly year in Manchester, we have now returned to Mysore and we are finally a family again. I have hit the ground running and within moments of arriving I was exploring my new room and re-acquainting myself with the cupboards and the washing machine - so many tantalising buttons! I certainly am unphased and have been waving at everyone, and am even enjoying having my cheeks pinched. We have said hello again to our old friends who have welcomed me back with open arms! It is still hot, noisy, colourful and anarchic, but our home is our sanctuary. Here is a selection of photos and videos from the last few months. Much love and kisses Joseph-Ji xxxx

We're back!

Hello Happy New Year everyone! I'm sorry it has been a while since we posted some of our news and pics. Nevertheless, my life has been full of fun and discovery which these photos will show! We had a wonderful time over Christmas as Papa came back from India for a whole month! We stayed at Aunty Em's lovely flat in London - it was so much fun investigating new cupboards and wardrobes, and learning how to use a new washing machine! Santa Claus was very generous this Christmas and gave me lots of new toys and clothes to enjoy - thank you. We returned to Manchester mid January as Mama has started University again. I still really enjoy nursery and have found my creative streak - I love to paint! The exciting news here is that it has started to snow, or "no" as I like to call it. We are really wrapped up and looking forward to playing in it tomorrow!

We hope you enjoy my retrospective gallery! All my love, Joseph Picasso xxxxxx

London fun

We have just returned from a wonderul mini-break in London! I had loads of play time with Granny, Grandpa and Aunty Emma, in particular playing with leaves, walking sticks and my new bike! My new words in English and Spanish are tumbling out daily, I can say "agua", "llave" (key), "jugo" (juice) and "asno" (my toy donkey) and digger, Emma and I am trying to say "abuela" which means Grandma. Phew, that is a lot of information processing! I have recently discovered that throwing little tantrums is a brilliant tactic to get my own way, Mama seems quite exasperated however! Enjoy the videos and new photos. All my love Joseph xxxxxxxx

Back in the saddle

We're back! Mama has had a moment to look up from her studying to update our blog! Well I am very happy to report that I am back in the saddle at nursery, there are no more histrionics now when Mama drops me off. I have discovered that I have a creative streak as I enjoy painting and making creations out of sand - both of which are a messy business! Mama and I are really well settled now and we have worked out a good routine. We have been back to Nanny and Grandad's in Shrewsbury a few times as it is so close and Grandma Sandra has visited us too which was great fun. It is starting to get a bit cooler now (hence my Inca hat and gloves) and all the leaves are falling from the trees which I love to collect on my way to nursery.
We send you lots of hugs and kissy from rainy Manchester! xxxx

Tiny Dancer

Hello

The last week has been a rollercoaster of emotions as I am settling into nursery. The first week was quite a novelty and I enjoyed playing with the other children and playing in the sand pit, but last week the novelty wore off and I soon realised that I would be coming here most days. I am just so used to being with Mama that I only really want to be where she is. I suppose it is a transitional period for both of us. I still love music and dancing and I am even singing along now, Mama took this video of me yesterday dancing to our Indian music. As you can see I am nothing if not a multitasker as I manage to dance and turn the lamp on/off - fun fun fun!

Northern cool

Our discovery of Manchester continues apace. We have settled well into the flat and I have now, rather satisfyingly, explored every cupboard and wardrobe in our new home. I started "settling in" to my nursery this week. I just go for an hour for the next two weeks but on day 1 I hit the ground running and didn't give Mama a backward glance and I raced over to the painting easel and got stuck in. I was too fast for the nursery staff and had painted my jeans before they could get my apron on! Ha ha! The nursery is full of fun things for me to play with, there are mostly boys in my group, there is even another Joseph which is a little confusing for me. The main toys I like to play with are a calculator (a career in accountancy maybe?) and a kettle (erm?), I have even been pushing a pram round with a another little boy. Fun fun fun. Each morning after nursery we hit the Manchester bus network and explore. We have visited a couple of galleries, an arthouse cinema, and of course some clothes shops! Dadda is here tomorrow - hip hip hooray. Let's hope he brings some sunshine as it has been raining every day.....! xxxxxx

North by Northwest

Hello

We have been busy bees since I wrote last week. I have helped Mama move our things up to Manchester, to our new home in the North. I even tried to climb into the removal van, into the front and the back! My efforts were not in vain as I did help Mama and Nanna move a bedstead, I was even huffing and puffing with my exertions. Our new home in "The Cube", is perfect for us. I have my own bedroom with all my books on display and my lovely toy chest which is just big enough for me to sit in. My little taxi takes pride of place in the living room too. We have been exploring the city on the buses and have discovered how to get to my nursery and Mama's university. I start nursery on 5th September and bought my very first little school bag today in preparation. I have been pottering around the house with it on and discovering how the zip works. I Can't wait for Papa's visit next week to show him round our new home. Lots of love xxxxxx ps more updates once we have moved in this weekend - yippee!

The Great Outdoors

Hello everyone

Life is ticking along well in Shrewsbury. The great event this week is that I saw my beautiful cousin Ava before she returned to Italy with Tia Faye and Tio Gian. We had so much fun playing in their van which Faye and Gian had driven all the way from Italy! Needless to say I was in the driving seat and just loved the big steering wheel and the hazard lights! Mama took me to the beautiful National Trust home, Attingham Park, this week, I played in the sand pit, played with the giant chess pieces and loved seeing the cows in the field. My favourite game was chasing Mama round the big oak trees, oh, and I also tried to eat a ladybird, it was just to pretty and climbed onto my hand so I thought I would give it a go. Yummie. My other big "first" is that I can now say "Dadda", "Nanna" and "Ba Ba" which means "bunny" and I say something which sounds like "all gone" but I just need to work on that pronunciation a bit more! Nanna took me on a Rupert Bear toy car at the supermarket the other day, I loved it, I actually loved it more when it was stationary. As you can Rupert Bear made a cuddly passenger. I miss Dadda lots and can't wait until he visits us in Manchester, there are so many new things I want to show him. Love you lots Dadda, Mama and Champ xxxxxxx

Champ takes to the streets in his own car!

Vrooom, vroom

Hello everyone

We have been back 2 weeks now and I am readjusting remarkably quickly! I have been up to Manchester with Mama 3 times this week, flat-hunting, and I am so happy that we have now found somewhere called "The Cube" on the outskirts of the city centre. I am so pleased that we will be living there as there is already a big teddy bear on my bed - I love him! The flat is on the 3rd floor, no balconies and no monkeys, so we will be safe. It is only a short bus ride into the city, Mama's university and most importantly, my nursery. I can't wait. As Nanny has broken ribs she is mostly bedbound, so luckly for me and Mama, Mama is insured on Nanny's mini - oooh, I love it! My favourite sound is "broom, broom" and I love getting in the driving seat and pressing all the buttons, levers and especially the hazard lights! Shhh, don't tell Nanny!

I'm so excited as Mama told me that Papa is visiting in only a few weeks, it will be so much fun to explore Manchester with him and take him to my new nursery. I love you Daddy and can't wait to be on your shoulders again! xxxxxxxxxx