Saturday out and about

Had some nice time with F in the morning making a 'stage' - she had drawn numbered instruction pictures for this project during the week. We found a cardboard box, I did most of the cutting and sticking under her instruction, and she did some of it. She drew the 'set' or backdrop for part of it that she wanted in one corner, designing and drawing it very carefully.

Then she and I went off into Lewes to buy very very late birthday prezzies for J and J as G and S have had their adoption finalized last week legally (don't quite know all the ins and outs but this seems to be finally 'it' now) so they were hosting an open house afternoon with nibbles and cake and wine in Brighton.
F helped me choose the prezzies and really focused on it, suggesting things and talking about what J and J like to play with and (possibly for the first time!) not saying anything on the lines of 'Can I have something too?' or 'Why can't I have a present?' at the toy shop. The small independent toy shop was closing down, as it happened, and everything was half price! F was also really good at going to get me a drink from the chiller in another shop when I was already in the queue - she is getting into going off independently a short distance to do specific things like that now and I am building up my tolerance of it too! I bought her some Smarties to eat while I wrapped the presents.

Then we went to the station, past the small independent sweet shop, which is also apparently closing (do they know something about the demographic in Lewes - are all the children about to leave?) and got a train into Brighton and it was a glorious day - sky was just beautiful and the fluffy white clouds threw pretty shadows on the rolling Downs. F was in the mindset to comment on scenery a lot, she had already looked at the flint and other stone in an old wall and looked at buildings on our way into town, commented on trees and the sky. On the train she looked out at the landscape and we chatted a bit about it.

After getting off the train we went through the barrier - she is getting the hang of that now (another independent thing) - and just as we were heading down the hill J rang to say he would see us at G and S's, having been originally unsure whether he would come.
At G and S's, there were quite a lot of people, including a dozen or so children I think, and I sat outside and had nice nibbles. F went off to play now and then, came back, drifted off again, etc. I knew some people from previous visits and managed to make friends with others via Dozy Mog, who was in a mood to shout 'bum' now and then at random. G and S's house is so nice for a sunny day, as they have a spacious kitchen, with a dining area at the end of it, with double doors opening straight onto their patio, so that their is an uninterrupted space at equal height all the way through. There was a lovely punch to drink, followed later by Cava. F had cake later too, after J had turned up. Nice to catch up with a few old friends and hang out chatting. After cake, the children sat and watched a DVD, winding them down a bit. Made vague plans with G to see more of them over summer, although they are away a lot. G is starting her course next year now, deferring for a year, which is probably wise, give J and J a year more of adapting/adjusting.

We left there about 6, having decided to go for dinner at Terre a Terre. We haven't been for ages, not sure if it's 3 years or just feels like it. It was lovely - delicious, beautiful vegan food. J and I had:

Hoisin Tofu with pickled ginger and wasabi

Tamari drenched oven roasted Pumpkin & Sunflower Seeds

Sweet ginger sushi reverse roll in Szechwan chilli flakes, served with roast yellow pepper and white miso dressing, soused Enoki mushrooms, lime and tamari ketchup, cashew and coriander salad gazpacho, and hot and sour soup and dry miso powder

Sweet potato fritters served with a poke chipotle gazpacho, avocado mousse, lime oil and warm spice corn

followed by:
Rain Vodka Cherry Chocolate Churros - Dipping chocolate served with cinnamon dusted doughnut straws and Rain Vodka cherries

Fairly restrained and comprehensible food descriptions by Terre a Terre standards!
F had plain old cheesy bread and steamed veg. followed by ice-cream.
It was really nice to do something celebratory as just the three of us as we had shared all F's various birthday events with other family members and friends. This felt like a fitting end to a prolonged birthday week.

After that, we walked back to the station along the lively streets - Brighton on a summer evening is lovely. There was the beginning of a beautiful sunset to gaze at from the train. F had done a lot of walking but wasn't whiney or moany at all, and we all got home and flopped.
F went to bed very late, but was soon asleep and J and I watched Shaun of the Dead (he had seen it but I hadn't) with wine and a snuggly duvet on the sofa.