New Pics

Daniel's First Visit To Villa Park

Last Sunday we went to the Corner Flag restaurant for some Sunday lunch courtesy of my Mum! We had a decent lunch and then wondered round to the Holte End where we took some more photo's before heading off to the Holte Pub.

Daniel finally got to see what Villa Park looks like inside and out and even said "Wow" when he saw the view from inside. He'd seen Whaddon Road before and when asked which ground that was he keeps saying "Aston Villa"! He tried hard to remember all the new names and things he was seeing for the first time. We had to laugh when we asked him later to remember the name of the stand we walked up the steps to - instead of saying "Holte End" he replied "Was it the toilet"?!




We watched some of the Everton game but it had been a long day for the little guy and he soon fell asleep for the journey back while we listened to our exit from the FA Cup. He seemed to enjoy his day and now I'm wondering whether to bring him for a pre-season friendly or something like that. It would be interesting to hear other parents stories of taking their children to games at this sort of age - he'll be 4 and a bit by the summer....

It was a good day as I hope tomorrow night will be as we head back up again for the CSKA Moscow game.

Other pictures from the day..........

February Snow

Daniel Loved The Snow!

Danny boy has really enjoyed playing in the snow. He's been leaping around the bed at 6.30am in delight when he's realised that the snow has come and he'll be playing in it later!

On Friday it was at it's worst here and it took me 75 slippery minutes to get the 5 miles to work. Daniel on the other hand was busy building snowmen and throwing snowballs. On the Thursday I did manage to get home for a half hour play out the back but Friday was much worse so we had to wait till I got home before any more snow action!



These pictures were taken on the Thursday. This morning though was very cold and more dangerous on the roads - later on we took him for a walk and an opportunity to run through yet more snow. We are forecast more for next week....

My First Ground

Daniel's Visit To Cheltenham Town

Today we had to pop over to Whaddon Road first thing to grab some tickets for the Doncaster FA Cup game. The day's game with Millwall had been called off the night before due to freezing conditions and we got there just before the ticket office opened.

We took a couple of photo's as this was Daniel's first proper visit to a football ground as he was fast asleep when we were outside Villa Park a few months back!



After noticing an open gate we asked if we could nip in and show Daniel the inside and were told that was fine. To be fair there was no-one outside the ground except us anyway! The pitch was covered in frost and a third of it was covered by a huge black cover - we told Daniel where his Grampy normally sits and then went back out to get the tickets sorted.

I was slightly surprised you had to be a "fan member" to buy tickets in advance although it does save a few quid on buying them on the day of the game. Anyway, the form only took 2 minutes and that was sorted. I initially wondered if they were worried about Villa fans coming down as purchasing a ticket for the Donny game gives you a reasonable chance of getting one for the Villa game if Town win.

Anyway, local postcode so no problems - I'm desperate for Town to win this one as it would be a dream tie for a lot of Villa fans down here who obviously have connections with The Robins too. I never thought I'd see Town play the likes of Leeds & Leicester in League games but playing Aston Villa at Whaddon Road would just be something else.



Daniel seemed to enjoy seeing a football ground and I can't wait till he's old enough to go to a game with me!

Haircut & Training

Daniel's First Proper Haircut

He actually seemed to age before our eyes!

I took him to the guy who's been looking after my little bit of hair for the last twenty years and he looked after Daniel really well.

He sat on a booster seat in the main chair and had his hair cut properly for the first time since he was born. He was very good and kept pretty still throught and got a lollipop as a treat afterwards!



Daniel continues to learn very well and picks up anything and everyting he hears.

At 3 years and 7 months, his progress is pretty amazing.

His level of speech is unbelievable at times - whilst eating tea the other night he was after some of my food and had forgotten to say please. I said "what's the magic word?" to which he replied - "Abracadabra". Couldn't really refuse could I?!

Daniel is still enjoying training on a Saturday at the club and continues to do well under Kate's watchful eye! He doesn't realise that it's an English champion training him (after Kate beat Louise Tanner in their re-match last weekend). Anyway, he got his first first official GMA t-shirt the other week which he doesn't like taking off!



We got his school application form this week (how's that for making you feel old?) - another reminder of his progress. Now Christmas is approaching and he's aware of Santa, Advent calendars and all things festive!