manic mundays

The Other Side of the Fence

2012-02-04T11:34:00.001Z

Ok, RANT ALERT! Not complaining about my life, but suffering from the whole "the grass is greener on the other side of the fence" syndrome. I am sure if I searched long enough there would be a post by Stay-At-Home Me crying out at the injustice of a working mother's life! "Boo hoo" I imagine myself saying, " If I could go out to work I could talk to grown ups, I could go to the toilet, ON MY OWN! Blah, blah, whine, whine!". Now, I am a working mother, and I DO get to talk to grown ups, really nice ones and not the catty Yummy Mummys who stalk the toddler groups. And yes I do get to go to the toilet ON MY OWN, AND I can have a drink ON MY OWN in a room where children have to knock before the enter! I work my butt off when I go to work and I get PAID and sometimes I get THANKED and I have a really sweet deal...BUT
my home is neglected, I don't have time between Beavers and Brownies and Street Dance and a home tutor (Caitlin's) and College work and Book Club (are you kidding? I don't have time for that!!) to do much of anything that is FUN, I spend most of my weekend cleaning up after Hurricane Get Out The Door We Are Late Again! And I find myself wishing for the different pace of the other side of the fence, and anytime I say this out loud I am rewarded by husband saying "I don't want you to got to work, I want you to stay home." *sigh*
I know I have a fantastic life, but I am so ready for half term 5 more days to go :)

Spring cleaning

2012-01-28T08:35:00.001Z

I am still sick. I don't know if it is that which is spurring me to scrub the house from top to bottom, or just because when I do the afternoon school run it is still light when I get home, but the call to spring clean is strong right now! Whenever I think about spring cleaning it always reminds me of this little mole with his bucket of whitewash, a very treasured memory from my childhood...

"The Mole had been working very hard all the morning, spring- cleaning his little home. First with brooms, then with dusters; then on ladders and steps and chairs, with a brush and a pail of whitewash; till he had dust in his throat and eyes, and splashes of whitewash all over his black fur, and an aching back and weary arms. Spring was moving in the air above and in the earth below and around him, penetrating even his dark and lowly little house with its spirit of divine discontent and longing. It was small wonder, then, that he suddenly flung down his brush on the floor, said 'Bother!' and 'O blow!' and also 'Hang spring-cleaning!' and bolted out of the house without even waiting to put on his coat."
Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

www.rrm.co.uk

Sick again

2012-01-26T21:36:00.000Z

Just had a funny text conversation with Lewis, which is generally the only way we communicate these days since we are rarely in the house at the same time, it went like this...

Me: Full of cold AGAIN, what the heck is going on!!!?

Lewis: :( So sorry my love

Me: I just can't believe I am sick again! Doesn't my body know I've got stuff to do??

Lewis: He he, apparently your body is thinking "has she not got the message yet - slow down!" xx

My husband, he's such a sweetheart!

But seriously... WHAT THE HECK!? It is the 26th of Jan and so far I have had one tummy bug and two colds! I have been taking vitamins daily for almost two months now, I am eating oranges like they are going out of fashion and I am spending enough on Lemsip to keep at least on of their employees in a job! Aaaaghhh! Rant over, bring on the weekend!

Boys in Suits

2012-01-08T19:37:00.000Z

Sadly Caitlin was poorly this morning so we didn't get to Church, instead we stayed in bed playing with Caitlin's hair and painting our nails. But these handsome looking fellows did make it to Church.

I bought Esaias this suit in the sales and I have to say I am so pleased that both of the boys have a suit to wear to Church, they look so dashing!

New Year's Eve Party 2011/2012

2012-01-03T08:02:00.000Z

Lighting the fire works

Pete and Jodie celebrating Jodie's birthday

Aiden celebrating with champagne, we had lemonade of course!

Jodie's Birthday cake

Happy New Year

2012-01-02T18:21:00.000Z

Happy New Year!

I have made only one New Year's Resolution, well maybe two...possibly more of a 1a, because the two are linked.

1) to be more sensible with our financial resources, and this mostly means saving for things BEFORE buying, something Lewis and I are not fantastic at, which is probably why Heavenly Father has not given us vast wealth despite our pleas!

1a) is to be more sensible with my health resources and actually take care of myself. I won't go into details, but you would not believe some of the very basic ways that I neglect myself! After being on iron tablets for a couple of weeks my mind is a LOT clearer and I seem to have more energy (£4.50 for a box of iron tablets what a small price to pay, and what a simple solution to the many health problems I have had!) and I have realised how very foolish I have been.

Lewis and I have some plans for the future which we are both excited about and I feel very optimistic that things are taking a turn for the better! Hurrah! 2011 taught me the importance of not being proud, but also that I am in charge of my life, and I feel so liberated!

My only sadness is that Jamie is determined to have Dylan in the US to start school, and while I respect her wish I will feel the loss of the Gilbert's friendship keenly...suppose I'll have to visit the USA at some point... humph! (he he)

Happy Christmas

2011-12-27T10:34:00.000Z

We had a lovely, lovely day on Christmas day. Watching the children open their presents at 3:30 am was just magical, going to Church and singing hymns was so special especially because the Gilbert family were there to, and having Christmas dinner at home with just our little family was so much fun. No drama, no stress, bliss! Here are some pictures...

Father Christmas and Rudolph have been!

Our little Christmas tree.

Esaias's reaction when he opened his ipod!!

It's almost Christmas...

2011-12-23T13:05:00.000Z

It's the day before Christmas Eve and it's getting a bit exciting here!

Today we baked some Christmas biscuits for Santa.

And for the first time ever, I have made some mince pies.

And now the house smells of Christmas and we are cuddled up watching a pantomime on TV ...oh yes we are!

Birthday cake and nativity plays

2011-12-18T19:14:00.000Z

Nathan and his football birthday cake

Esaias as Joseph in the school nativity

Caitlin as the Bethlehem star also in the school nativity

Dylan, Nathan and Lincoln as the shepherd's in the church nativity play

Almost Nathan's 5th birthday

2011-12-11T21:59:00.000Z

We'll just scoot on by the fact that I turned 31 this week and go right on to...

Nathan's 5th birthday!

He has being going on, and on and on about this Harry Potter book since a little girl at school brought it in and he LOVES his. When he opened it he shouted "It's just what I always wanted!" "Yessss!" declared his jubilant mother!

To celebrate we went to see Puss in Boots at the cinema with family and one of Nathan's school friends, followed by a McDonalds. It was a lovely day.

On each of the children's birthdays I always think back to the day they were born, I remember venturing out in the middle of the frosty night to drop Caitlin and Esaias off at Mum's while we made the second trip to the hospital. It was a crazy and comical 12 hours after that, but he was worth it all. Happy Birthday Nathan :)

Aiden and Sarah

2011-12-11T21:48:00.000Z

On Friday night (9.12.11) we went to Aiden and Sarah's engagement party. I am so delighted for them both :)

My family means the world to me and though my life is centred mostly around Lewis and the children, I absolutely adore my two little brothers, Joe and Aiden.

Decisions, decisions....

2011-11-30T16:49:00.000Z

There is a very uncertain environment at work at the moment, without going into detail in this public forum, a chance has presented itself to me to be redeployed within the local authority. It is possible for me to be redeployed to social services. Lewis is not keen on the idea at all. In an ideal world he would like to see me a full time stay at home mum, but I know I could not be happy doing that forever. Lewis's job has no provision for any kind of promotion, and mine has very little chance to. So basically we could stay like this for the rest of our working lives. Always scrimping, struggling to make ends meet. I think Lewis is happy with this, but more and more I have realised I am not.
I kind of feel like I have a choice; obey my husband's counsel (though I don't think he has considered me at all in his advice) or go after my own happiness and try to make things more comfortable for my children.... I've never been one to obey ;)
Please excuse my very mixed up logic, my brain is a whirlwind at the moment!

A load more annoying, and a nice day

2011-11-26T20:14:00.000Z

So you'd think it couldn't get much worse... but it did. Cam belt has snapped on the car and is most likely not repairable. Am I cursing myself for selling a perfectly working car? Yes I am.
So with all this stress piled on top of an already run down and iron deficient me, I woke up on Thursday morning unable to breath and unable to do anything. It was an uphill struggle to get dressed and I spent the rest of the day laying on Auntie Sue's sofa crying...very pathetic.
I did manage to get to work on Friday, but wasn't up to going to see Breaking Dawn with Jamie, which means of the two films I was supposed to see this week I saw none. :(
Luckily I have a very supportive family and a very supportive set of work colleagues who have in their own way picked me up, dusted me down and set me on my way again. Aiden took me and the boys to see the seals at Donna Nook this morning and it was nice to forget everything for a while. I bought a couple of gifts on the way home and almost felt a little positive about Christmas.

So beyond annoying

2011-11-23T20:00:00.000Z

Well the "miracle" car just died on us... in the middle of Scunthorpe... at rush hour. I can honestly say me and the man upstairs are not speaking right now. It seems every time we catch a break something twice as horrible comes to wreck it, and I suppose technically that is the man downstairs doing, but I can't help but wonder when it's our turn to have the peaceful drama free life our non Christian, long term unemployed, smoking, drinking neighbours do. Do I sound a little bitter? Well that's because I am.
So all fun is cancelled, just in time for my birthday and Christmas...awesome.

It's not much to look at...

2011-11-19T19:27:00.000Z

We're not the best gardeners, we lack time, Lewis lacks desire and I lack physical strength to turn our garden into a mini Eden. However, I still enjoy our garden.

When I was a little girl I used to love following my Auntie Katrina who is 7 years older than me. One of my favourite places to follow her was to feed her rabbits, which were kept in what looked liked a old and dilapidated wooden caravan. It was full of rabbit hutches. I loved the smell of the saw dust (she had an endless supply since my Grandad was a carpenter) and I can recall the shopping basket of water bottles we used to carry over there.

Perhaps that's where my love of animals came from? It gives me a great sense of peace to plod round the garden feeding the various animals we have accumulated. The latest two to our collection are Bubbles and Smiley. These guinea pigs were given to us because their previous owner didn't have time to look after them. It was a hard decision for them, but I have promised they can visit!

The kittens are keen to explore, and are just starting to peek over the fence to the wider world!

"Chad" the rabbit is all snuggled into his winter hutch and has become a very cuddly rabbit. I hope that in summer we can put Chad, Bubbles and Smiley in the run so they can make friends and stop Chad from being lonely!

Dash follows me round the garden, and is so loyal, despite being called annoying several times in a day.

Even Max will meander round the garden, but he is getting slower, grumpier and sleepier these days.

Alas, Muffin is a rare visitor these days. It is so sad, but cats are very fickle and I strongly suspect she is being fed elsewhere. She pops in every now and then for a cuddle but I think I am going to have to keep her in for a couple of weeks next time so she remembers where home is.

Not acting my age this week!

2011-11-14T12:42:00.000Z

I DO try to behave like a responsible grown up most of the time, but if you asked me whether I am more excited about going to see Breaking Dawn on Thursday night or Christmas, it would be a tough call right now! I am really looking forward to it, but I am not looking forward to work the next day...fingers crossed I will stay awake!

I am sleeping through most of today so I hope I will be plenty rested by Thursday. I have spent all weekend being barely able to speak above a squeak, which has been so annoying, but not as annoying as the real hacking cough I have now that makes me sound like I am a chain smoker...yuck! I did go into work, but the head decided, wisely, that I would be better at home, so here I am enjoying what daytime TV has to offer! Fun times!

11.11.11

2011-11-12T09:28:00.001Z

It was a real surprise to get an invite to Jen and Howard's wedding, but it was really nice to share their day with them. They really compliment each other, and they both looked so happy.

It was really nice to have an evening out with Lewis, and I just happened to have a pretty purple dress, so I even fitted in with the theme of the wedding!

I also made a friend and I spent the evening chatting away to her despite my very sore throat...so much so that by the time I got home last night I had actually lost my voice! This morning I can manage a whisper, but little else! It's going to be a quiet weekend.

In other news, it was nice to have a pleasant evening out, because this last week has been rough. There is a possibility that I may not have a job after Christmas and for those of you who know how my contract works, you will know the reason behind that. And that reason breaks my heart. The Head has told me I will be welcome to stay on voluntarily so I can finish my course, but I will be sad since I love my job so much. How we will manage financially is also a really big concern, but we have managed before and I have no doubt we will get through again. Thank goodness I didn't give up my dinner lady job, or this really would have left us in trouble!

Grandma's 60th Birthday Party

2011-11-12T09:13:00.000Z

Having spent the morning in Scunthorpe A & E with a very painful attack of SPD, I was on crutches and unable to bowl, but it gave me a chance to sit and play with my camera. Now for some reason I seem to have a lot of pictures that look like the one below...

...after 7 and a half year of marriage the sight of my husband stills draw my attention!

I loved how small Nathan's bowling shoes were, so cute!

Esaias selects a ball. I have to say watching my kids walking around carrying bowling balls set my nerves on edge a little, but they were very careful and squashed toes were avoided...phew!

An emotional reunion between Laren and Fran. Laren has been away on his training with the RAF and Fran didn't know he was coming, it was a lovely surprise!

Nathan and his cousin Grace aiming for a strike.

And the suspense gets a bit much for Caitlin!

In this picture are all 8 of Fran's children and all 14 of her grandchildren. It was a little chaotic!

Ladies ( and a gent) who lunch

2011-10-28T19:40:00.001+01:00

It's been a stressful half term mostly due to the gathering numbers of in-laws, so it was lovely to get away from it all and have lunch at the Pink Pig with some work colleagues. I had a really lovely time.

Strawberries and chocolate

2011-10-28T19:32:00.000+01:00

Nathan classics

2011-10-26T18:00:00.001+01:00

Me: Good Morning Caitlin
Caitlin: (has Sylvanians lined up on balcony of the Sylvanian House) I am taking the Sylvanians winter photo!
Me: What? That's so weird...I'm going to say good morning to my normal children (opens Boys' bedroom door)
Nathan: Hey Mum the sky is pink
(at which point, bemused by my odd children, I went back to bed!!)

All sat at the table having lunch
Lewis: Hey Nathan, what are you doing?
Nathan: I'm clapping my feet!

(All sat watching a baby dragon hatching on Merlin)
Very old and wise dragon: A dragon birth is monumental....( and other dramatic build up) What will you call him, Merlin?
Nathan: Call him Eggbert!!

Me: Who was Jesus?
Nathan: The sword of God! (He meant Son of God...bless him)

You just can't beat the things kids say, it's what keeps me going :)

Biking around

2011-10-26T11:00:00.000+01:00

We bought Nathan some stabilizers yesterday and he loves to bike around. In other news, I let Caitlin bike around the "block" yesterday by herself, she was so excited, I felt sick. However, it is important, I feel, that she learns to be independent or she is going to end up as an 18 year old that can't cross a road!

Randoms

2011-10-16T21:32:00.000+01:00

Peso my favourite of the kittens with us at the moment.

An apple from our tree with a cheeky boy ready to munch it.

Karaoke in the wash basket!

My handsome little boy, who turns into a little man every time his Daddy goes out to work. He looks after me so well!

Quiet time

2011-10-16T21:18:00.000+01:00

Sweet dreams

2011-10-13T14:25:00.000+01:00

One of my favourite parts of being a Mummy...

is seeing my children all snuggled up, fast asleep...

and without a care in the world!

(side note, that's a CBeebies sticker on Nathan's belly button...I don't know why!)

13 weeks

2011-10-08T22:11:00.000+01:00

How time has flown!

The kittens are now 13 weeks and will be going for their first vaccinations this week (should be interesting!) I suspect they may be with us for a while as not many people are coming forward looking for a kitten, but that's ok because they have become part of the furniture here!

October paddling

2011-10-08T22:06:00.000+01:00

This photo was taken on the 1st of October 2011! I can not believe the difference in the weather. One week ago today my children were splashing around in a paddling pool. Last night, we dug out the hats and scarves to go and visit my Mum's art exhibition at St Andrews Church in Wootton. While most are complaining about the shift from sunshine to showers, I couldn't be happier! I am ready for the cosy nights in, wrapped up in blankets and drinking hot chocolate. There is no better feeling than coming in from the cold to a warm house and a bowl of soup. But very best of all Hallo'ween is fast approaching, followed by Bonfire night, my birthday, Nathan's birthday and Christmas! I love this time of year!

Hard work

2011-10-05T14:44:00.000+01:00

Life continues to be hard going! Enrolling at college yesterday "officially" was a nightmare, but I am really enjoying my course so it makes it worth while!
Today I went to see the Orthopedic consultant. He had some good news and some less than good news. The good news is that he confirmed I have SPD, he wants me to continue physio but would like me to have an injection to relieve the pain. The less than good news was that this will affect me for the rest of my life. The injection and physio may improve my condition, but they can't offer anything that will cure it. I kind of knew that anyway, but it's hard to hear it from a medical professional.
I am trying not to think about what I can't do and more of what I can do to make life easier for me. I'm finding it hard though, because my brain is more active than my body will allow!

Life is stressful

2011-10-03T07:34:00.000+01:00

I just haven't had the energy to post just recently because life has just got on top of me at the minute. No matter how much I do I can never quite get caught up and the PMDD is really making everything twice as hard on top of that.
I know this is the point where I should count my blessings, but I'm afraid if I start counting anything I will nod off to sleep!
We are really plagues by illness at the moment, nothing serious, just coughs and colds but enough to drag us down. Caitlin gets a heat rash whenever she is ill, but I have never known her to have one as bad as it is now. She is struggling to sleep at night and she spent most of last night screaming at me while I tried every method and lotion to try and reduce her discomfort, it was heartbreaking and exhausting.

2011-09-19T21:22:00.001+01:00

Sunday Afternoon

2011-09-19T21:03:00.000+01:00

My niece Rebecca enjoying some chocolate cake.

A toast to my sister-in-law; soon to be Mrs Rachel Leah MA!

Nathan serenades Rebecca, so cute!

Church Pirate Party

2011-09-11T15:08:00.000+01:00

Full of all kinds of piratey goodness and suitable pirate games, the children had a great time.

First Day at School

2011-09-11T15:01:00.000+01:00

Don't they look so beautiful? Here they are on the first day of school. And so that's it! All of my children are in full time school. Yes I did have a little cry and a general sense of abandonment, but I am so proud of them, and feel excited to start on this new chapter of our lives :)

Gingerbread

2011-09-05T19:43:00.000+01:00

http://www.cookuk.co.uk/children/ginger_bread_men.htm

Caistor Park

2011-09-02T18:47:00.000+01:00

A re-enactment of Three Billy Goats Gruff

Tai chi in the park!!

Introducing...

2011-08-30T19:41:00.001+01:00

Captain Barnacles

Quasi

Peso

This is the bit where you start humming the Octonauts theme song!

Before and after the hairdressers

2011-08-30T19:32:00.000+01:00

Just another task done before the children go back to school!

Tiger Mothers...

2011-08-30T14:19:00.000+01:00

You may remember a few days I posted about Amy Chua's Book The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother
http://manicmundays.blogspot.com/2011/08/battle-hymn-ofwellme.html
well seems her book caused a bit of a tizz, I found a Chinese Mother's view of Amy Chua's book and thought her comments were interesting, follow the link...
http://www.bmbblog.co.uk/

In other news, as they say, the lovely Cromwell has left us after only 2 days! Luckily his owners saw NELAR's advert in the Grimsby Telegraph so they came to collect him yesterday. So pleased that Cromwell has a happy ending. We had kind of got into the mind set that Cromwell would be around for a while so we asked NELAR if they would like us to foster another cat since we were all set up for it...WELL, what happened next was unexpected! They brought us their most pressing case to get socialised at our house because for the last seven weeks they have been kept in a cage, so now we have not one, not two, but three little kittens running around. It is crazy here!! They are not very sociable animals and we have not let the children handle them yet, but we are hoping that by the time it comes to them being rehomed they will be well used to other cats, children and dogs! We're mulling over names for the little kitties, who are all boys, so suggestions are welcome! I will post pictures when I can take some, at the moment they are moving too fast for even my new camera to catch them!

The randomness that is Nathan!

2011-08-28T18:35:00.002+01:00

A little visitor

2011-08-28T18:22:00.000+01:00

Meet Cromwell! Isn't he lovely? I am so excited because Cromwell is our first foster cat! For as long as I remember (and my parents will confirm this!) I have wanted an animal sanctuary...well that just didn't work out, so this is the closest I can get! North East Lincolnshire Animal Rescue (NELAR) is where we got Max and Muffin from, and they are currently bursting at the seams. They told me that people are dumping cats constantly, but very few kittens seem to be being adopted. At the moment they have close to sixty cats between a small number of volunteers. So while this is a really sad situation, I was happy to be able to open our home to one of their cats, especially because taking in this one cat meant that the NELAR people can take in two kittens that had been abandoned instead.

Cromwell (found on Cromwell Road, Grimsby) is a beautiful and loving cat and obviously has owners somewhere, fingers crossed they can be found, but if not he will be looking for a new home. It will be hard to part with him, because he is such a lovely cat, but obviously that's part of fostering, and we have explained to the children that Cromwell is a temporary visitor. At the moment though he is enjoying being fussed over and is quite happy following us around and exploring.

Carribean Party

2011-08-28T01:00:00.002+01:00

Battle Hymn of...well...me!

2011-08-25T21:23:00.001+01:00

I have recently read a book called "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother" which is one mother's views on Chinese parenting styles compared to those of "Western" mothers. It was a very interesting read, and I have to say it has made me tweak my parenting style a little. There were parts of the book that shocked me to the core and had me hoping someone called social services on behalf of her two daughters. Other parts had me laughing so hard I actually cried (something along the lines of "If you don't practice the violin, I am going to burn all of your soft toys!)

I'm so pleased with the children and how they behave (most of the time!) and I am really enjoying spending time with them over the summer holiday, and without sounding big headed, the reason the children are so well behaved is because of the way Lewis and I do parenting! Now I'm not saying that we are experts, nor I am saying that there isn't a fair amount of good DNA and "sheer dumb luck" (said in a Professor McGonagall accent) involved in our parenting (thus far) success.

I do have high expectations though and, like anything I agree to take on in life, I put my heart and soul into parenting (which also means that from time to time I crash and burn with exhaustion) and I am constantly observing, reading and tweaking how I raise my children. This book gave me some more ideas on how to help my children. I have every respect for the author, Amy Chua, who is so driven to ensure that her children not only succeed, but excel in everything they do. It made me realise how lax I have been in teaching my children to play musical instruments, and I have now become more determined to make sure they practice daily - though perhaps not for 90 minutes and definitely not after 7pm! It also made me feel less guilty about pushing my children, because I consider it good preparation for the working world they will enter, which appears to get more cut throat on a daily basis. I have informed Caitlin that she may well cry every time we sit down to work on her times tables, but we will work on them until I am happy and that crying is wasting her time and mine -sounds harsh, made me feel horrible, but we have already saved, time, effort and a whole load of tissue paper since I adopted this attitude!
I also disagree with Amy Chua, because children do need fun, or they will crash and burn just like her daughter did, and like so many of the children at Caistor Grammar School did. Pressure helps children to progress, but apply too much and they crumple or rebel.

And just for the record I am also keeping the TV, because I am not able to access the limitless amounts of energy that Mrs Chua is!

I am also grateful to have a husband who compliments and balances me perfectly, he is just a star!

Keelby Park

2011-08-24T21:27:00.000+01:00

We took the children on a "mystery tour" to Keelby Park today. It was lovely and sunny and the best part of all...totally relaxed.

A first attempt...

2011-08-23T14:39:00.002+01:00

This is my very first attempt at digital scrapbooking. It is a very simple layout, but I have to say I am really pleased with the results! There are LOADS more tools on my software to use and I can't wait to learn how to use them!

2011-08-19T12:40:00.000+01:00

Tiles

2011-08-16T19:14:00.000+01:00

Nathan's caterpillar

Esaias's seed pod

Esaias's feather

Caitlin's teasel, feather and leaf picture.

The children made these tiles after going on a nature walk to find "inspiration" around the Far Ings Nature Reserve. The tiles are really beautiful and so detailed, I can't wait until they have been fired and we can collect them! The lady who ran the session said they make ideal coasters, so now the children have their coasters to match the breakfast bowls they painted themselves to!

Going Wild with Tiles

2011-08-16T18:02:00.001+01:00

Far Ings

2011-08-16T17:31:00.002+01:00

A day at the beach

2011-08-13T18:58:00.001+01:00

Little Visitors

2011-08-11T13:57:00.000+01:00

Probably troubled by a degree of mother's indecision ( see to leave or not to leave post!) Jamie seemed a little anxious to leave Dylan and Edith here overnight, so I sent these pictures to her and Martin to reassure her that "Dylith" were tucked in bed having followed the same routine they are used to at home (oh how I envy mothers with routines) They were little angels and played so nicely with our children. I have always had a soft spot for Dylan, and now Edith has passed her second birthday I have a soft spot for her to (I'm afraid I don't like babies no matter how cute!), so it's always nice to have them over because they are like family to me. I don't know how many nieces and nephews I have, but Dylan and Edith actually treat me like an Auntie and it always makes me feel special :)

The pets

2011-08-11T13:50:00.000+01:00

Dash just couldn't watch! We were watching Ghost Whisperer so I don't blame him!!

Muffin's favourite sleeping place.

To leave or not to leave?

2011-08-11T13:46:00.000+01:00

The children have had quite a productive morning! Caitlin and Esaias went to a craft session at New Holland School, while Nathan and I sat at the table and drew each other pictures. He was also helped by Lewis to make a puppet using one of my Creative Memories pens; you know the ones that retail around £3 a pen!! Anyhow, when I dropped Caitlin and Esaias off at the craft session I was struck with terrible indecision...should I stay or should I go? All the other parents were leaving their children; but being so used to having three young children who require parental supervision at these types of events, I am finding it difficult to cope with leaving children, because of course they are no longer small children! Excited by the idea of leaving them and spending some one to one time with Nathan, but torn by the prospect of crafting with them, I wish I could be cloned like Dolly the Sheep. So I did the grown up thing....I passed the buck and asked Caitlin and Esaias what to do! "You can go Mum," they both replied, without looking up from the rows of basket filled with pebbles, sticks, twigs...darn it, now I feel rejected!

I have come to realise when you make a decision as a parent there is not always a right and a wrong answer and whichever way you go you are likely to be guilty or anxious...good luck to you Mr Cameron I can't even make decisions for 3 children!

A little random gesture

2011-08-10T13:20:00.000+01:00

I was asked why I keep a blog just recently, and I couldn't really think of an answer. Jamie keeps her blog so she can let her family know how she is doing in the UK, another friends seems to use it as a photo journal, someone else uses it (not well because she is always too busy to blog!) to promote her business.

I don't really know why I blog, an element of being too lazy to scrapbook my photos (it's so much easier to put them on here and Creative Memories really sucked the fun out of scrapbooking for me), an element of it is I need a place to vent my frustration so that I don't offend people with my strong and often unfounded opinions, and another element is to preserve a part of myself for my children, and yet another to collect random bits of my thoughts.

This one one of those random posts! I have been listening to this song a lot (it's from Glee of course!) and I just love the lyrics, particularly the last little bit. It's funny how when I have Lewis with me I feel so strong and able, when he is away I feel like a half person...I can cope with out him but, not as well, like a portion of my brain is missing and I can' think things through properly! He often says he doesn't know how I do what I do, but I always tell him I take of everyone because he takes care of me. Thank you Mr M x

"You're not alone
Together we stand
I'll be by your side, you know I'll take your hand
When it gets cold
And it feels like the end
There's no place to go
You know I won't give in
No I won't give in

Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

So far away
I wish you were here
Before it's too late, this could all disappear
Before the doors close
And it comes to an end
With you by my side I will fight and defend
I'll fight and defend"

Riots: a Country Bumpkin's view

2011-08-10T12:51:00.000+01:00

So as far as I see it, I live in a bubble. I love my family, and my friends, and unless something affects them directly it doesn't normally get on my radar. But the riots that are taking place have forced their way in, and all I can say is I am disgusted. I don't know what the answer is, and I am glad that I am not in the shoes of David Cameron and his colleagues right now, because no matter what they do they will be damned for it afterwards.
I am delighted to hear that the police are being told they can have what they like to bring this situation under control, and I hope that lessons are learned from this so that next time the government looks at spending cuts they think twice before removing officers from the streets.
I guess what I really wanted to express is that I am British, I am proud of that and this is not us, this is not who the British people are, and this is not what the British people want.
Other than that life in rural North Lincolnshire carries on, the acts of these people have not affected us in our daily life and if they are trying to make some big statement, it's not getting through because I have no clue what they are rioting about!

Nerf Gun War!

2011-08-05T23:02:00.000+01:00

Poor Lewis being led in to Play Towers, completely unaware he is about to be shot at by our friends and family armed to the teeth with nerf guns!

Lewis wearing his target t-shirt, hi-vis vest and "pig" mask is allowed a nerf gun to defend himself!

Lewis being held at gun point!

Two years ago, Lewis flippantly said, "Wouldn't it be great to have a huge nerf gun war?" Unknown to him, mischievous little cogs began to turn in my brain! This is the result! Lewis knew we were having a party, but he had no idea where or what we would be doing. I even made him close his eyes while I dressed him in a t-shirt with a target on it, the hi-vis vest and the pig mask (at Sam's request!). I think the scariest moment for him was when I pulled up outside Play Towers (he had his eyes closed at this point) and jumped out of the car with the kids, leaving him sat in a car with the engine running and no one in the driving seat! What he didn't realise was I was sending the children to join the ambush waiting for Lewis in the entrance to Play Towers!

It was a really great party, and I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as Lewis and I did. We were so grateful that people traveled from near and far, kept their children up past their bed time, left work early, spent money on the nerf guns...just to help make it such a great night! So thanks everyone :)

Lewis's 30th Birthday Party

2011-08-05T22:51:00.000+01:00

Laying in wait for the Birthday boy!

Lewis at the bottom of "Play Towers", kind of gives you a clue of how big the place was!

Me being held at gun point!

Ice cream and the musical car wash

2011-08-05T22:38:00.000+01:00

A couple more pictures of the BBQ we had on Wednesday.

Today we had to make a trip to Tesco, Esaias's friend Joseph was along for the ride. A few girls were outside Tesco singing and playing guitar and advertising the "musical car wash" their theatre group was having at the Rope Walk. Along we went, intrigued by the idea of a "musical" car wash. We sat back and watched the car get a good scrub, while being serenaded with Glee songs (they took requests!). They are trying to raise funds for a trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I left with £3.50 less in my pocket, but with a clean car, and a good feeling in my heart!

Early mornings at the park

2011-08-03T15:36:00.000+01:00

The boys have had swimming lessons at 9am this week and Lewis has been at work at 8am, so we have been killing some time in the park. It has been really nice to have all the equipment to ourselves, and at that time of day the temperature is just right!

The boys are doing so well, especially Nathan! We went swimming all together straight after their lesson today and Nathan swam 2 lengths of the pool! They have taught him to do doggy paddle, I'm guessing that is the base of going on to front crawl. It's so amazing to watch my youngest swimming around. He still has his swim jacket on, but we are gradually reducing the floats in it as he gets stronger. Time passes so fast and my children amaze me every day!

BBQ times

2011-08-03T15:22:00.000+01:00

We had a lovely visit today from Lewis's best friend John and two of his daughters, Grace and Jess. It was really nice to see them and the kids have had a lovely time cooling off in the paddling pool, while I relaxed knowing I didn't have to cook tea...hurray!

Chocolate and more chocolate!

2011-07-24T08:47:00.000+01:00

Nathan and Esaias enjoying the benefits of a home made birthday cake!

Anyone who knows Lewis, knows he has a very sweet tooth (and still remains slim it's so unfair!) So I made his birthday cake to reflect this. It's not the best looking cake ever, but with four layers of chocolate sponge sandwiched with chocolate filling (which is just melted galaxy chocolate with double cream) I think Lewis will enjoy it! Happy Birthday Lewis for tomorrow, you get more handsome with age and I love you lots x

Chalk and cheese

2011-07-14T18:28:00.000+01:00

I have been following a kind of house work schedule I discovered at www.flylady.com for a few weeks now. I get bored very easily, so I find myself making up routines and schedules to make the house work less dull and overwhelming! This one actually seems to be sticking...anyhow I digress. Each day I am supposed to spend 15 minutes decluttering, so today I have spent my time cleaning off the kitchen book shelves. They were heaped up with bits of paper (mostly with recipes Jamie has written down for me!), recipes from magazines and cook books I never use (sorry Jamie Oliver, but you're just no Hugh!). As I looked at all the bits of paper I have filed into wipe clean pockets it made me think of something my Mum said. I was admiring some wipe clean recipe cards a while back from Phoenix Traders. They all came in a pretty box. I imagined carefully writing down my recipes on to cards and wiping them over after any spills to be stored neatly back in the box. At some point I imagines handing the box over to Caitlin when she moved to her own home. I said this to Mum. Why!!! She proclaimed would I want wipe clean recipes? Surely it would be much nicer to pass on to Caitlin a set or recipe cards complete with the splodges and splashes from meals cooked for my family. A valid point...but that's just not me. I like to have a clutter free and clean life (although I can see how it would be hard to tell this from my house!). It dawned on me that this is essentially why Mum and I don't get on. In some ways we are the same, but in many ways completely different and though we exist happily in the same world it is better if we keep apart. I'm not a bad person and neither is she, we're just different. I'm not bitter about this, I am at peace with it.

Barton Bike Nite 2011

2011-07-06T20:58:00.000+01:00

Some rather sticky waifs and strays I found on the street corner...

...and a rather handsome PCSO I saw lurking about

We had a quick potter round Barton Bike Nite tonight. It always amazes me how many bikes cram into Barton for one night, and as we left at around 7pm, bikes were still pouring in! The children had a lovely time admiring the bikes, but I have to say I felt very nervous. As I looked around at all the people in the pubs, it made me feel so uneasy to leave my husband knowing he will have to deal with them later on. To be fair, the bikers aren't usually the problem, it's the usual suspects but tonight they ALL pile into Barton. Silly, really because this is Lewis's job, but I will be happier when he returns home tonight.

Sunny days

2011-07-04T21:10:00.000+01:00

Strawberry picking at Abbots farm, the strawberries were delicious.

Martin's 31st Birthday BBQ

Esaias was invested at Beavers tonight, we're so proud of him! He was only told right before they did it, but took it all on board and did so well that he got to take Billy Beaver home for the week!

Scunthorpe Museum

2011-07-04T20:59:00.000+01:00

A recreation of a picture we took last time we visited the museum, which was right after poor Nathan had had a pot put on his leg :(

Nathan would have happily looked at this exhibit all day! It was some dinosaur remains that had an image projected on to them to recreate what the dinosaur looked like!

Lewis's work of art!

Caitlin trying her hand at TV journalism!

Funny things

2011-07-01T18:51:00.000+01:00

Ok, so at the dinner table is not the best place to encourage my children to do funny things, but they have been doing these scenes from Ice Age 3 and Gnomeo and Juliet for weeks now. I couldn't help but capture it, and share it before they move on to something else!

My clever cousin the artist

2011-06-30T20:02:00.000+01:00

The artist herself, poses with her work.

A fairy house made by another student

Today Nathan and I went to visit the Grimsby Institute art exhibition. In particular to see Jess's work displayed. She is fabulously talented and I am so proud of her! Jessi is a wonderful young lady, I count her as a best friend as well as a cousin, and the children adore her! We left Jessi at the exhibition as she was meeting up with friends, and Nathan cried all the way home! He just wanted Auntie Jessi to come home with us! Bless!

It's all about who you know, you know?

2011-06-29T19:09:00.001+01:00

I had to share this experience because it made me chuckle! I have noticed that in North Lincolnshire as with many other places I'm sure, it's all about who you know. Jobs are found and businesses are recommended or condemned by word of mouth a lot round here. Today I am guilty of pulling a "it's who you know" stunt!

Our car went in for its MOT last week and failed miserably. We booked it back in on Tuesday to get repaired. It was in the garage from 8am until 5pm, but when we went to collect it, we were told it wasn't ready. I wasn't best pleased, since Lewis was at work today and the garage is a 16 mile round trip away...it meant a lot of hassle for me.
Now the only reason we use this particular garage is because my Grandad will moan for AGES if he finds out we took the car anywhere else. The owner is a friend of my grandparents. So today I used this to my advantage. Unable to collect the car by myself, and with Lewis at work, I called Grandad to ask him for a lift to the garage. I also mentioned that they had messed me about a bit and that I got the impression they were stretching it out a bit. I came home from work today to find Grandad sat in his car, in my driveway. Odd, I thought since I hadn't called the garage to see if the car was ready. Get in the car says Grandad (I censored that!) Err, ok but is my car ready?? Yes says Grandad...How do you know this? Says me. I called them this morning says Grandad. Uh oh me thinks!
We arrived at the garage to be met by the owner, I get out of the car with Grandad, to be greeted with "I didn't know she was one of your lasses John!" mechanics were scurrying, and my car was presented back to me, hurray! He he me thinks!
Now it absolutely should not make a difference whether I was one of "John's lasses" or not, but sometimes it does, and sometimes it pays to know people...you know?

Working away

2011-06-24T20:29:00.002+01:00

Working away

2011-06-24T20:14:00.000+01:00

I don't recall blogging about this, but I do repeat myself a LOT on a day to day basis, so please forgive me if I already have! In April I spent two days away with some of the children from New Holland School, including Caitlin. The scenery was lovely, and although I'm not much of a walker it was an experience! The bottom photo is of my bed... it was so weird sleeping in a single bed in a room on my own!

Even more randoms!

2011-06-24T20:09:00.002+01:00

More random bits

2011-06-24T20:03:00.002+01:00

More exploring for Caitlin and Nathan

And Uncle Oliver in a hole...it was the warmest spot on the beach!

Randoms from the past month!

2011-06-24T19:58:00.000+01:00

A visit to the cinema, thank goodness for Kids AM which means we can visit the cinema for less than £10!

Nathan ventures up the escalators, thumb in mouth as usual!

Esaias emerging from "the secret den" at Ulceby park...we can't tell you where it is, it's secret!

Hunting for potatoes.

2011-06-02T22:45:00.000+01:00

There is very little in life that is more magical than planting a seed and harvesting produce a few months later. Watching the children hunting for potatoes was so lovely. We had the potatoes for tea the same night, and they were delicious!

An observation...

2011-05-21T21:00:00.001+01:00

I biked (yes biked!) down to the shop tonight, to find that it was incredibly busy there! Apparently 7pm is rush hour on a Saturday night because it is full of people heading out for the night. There were a number of men who wore t-shirts with slogans on, which I observed seemed to run along two themes. The first, generally worn by younger men have witty catchphrases that are I suppose designed to replace chat up lines, their goal seems to be to entice pretty young ladies. The second theme, was mostly worn by older men, with catchphrases that belittled their wives.
Now make your mind up fellas which side you are on! You spend all this time and effort enticing a woman, to have a stag weekend in some hot country (or Newcastle), to get married and then moan about said woman!
I have to say that I am certain all men are not like this! My own very dear husband, has I know, always dreamed of marriage and children and appears to be contented.
Perhaps their is a niche in the market there...T-shirt slogans for the happily married men!

Aquafit!

2011-05-16T21:40:00.000+01:00

I have just done my second class of Aquafit and I am so pleased I have made myself go because I feel so much better for it! I leave the class feeling totally exhilarated. I want to do more exercise but I am finding it hard to find time to do it which is so frustrating because it helps me cope with "life".
I am also enjoying the shopping trip with Jamie after Aquafit. This week in an absolute determined effort to please Martin, Jamie fetched a broom from the household section of a Tesco to reach a bottle of Dr Pepper from the back of the top shelf. So funny! Martin, I hope you realise what a lucky man you are.

Full time...

2011-05-14T22:01:00.000+01:00

I have been wondering for a while about what to do when Nathan goes to school full time. It is a possible that I may be offered a full time TA position at school, but I'm not sure that I would want to.
For the last few days and next week I am working full time. So far it has been ok, but I am exhausted when I get home!
And though the extra money would be nice, I have been looking forward to having the afternoons to myself as a time I can start to get myself back in shape physically and mentally after being a stay at home Mum for about 6/7 years!
Hmmm!

Days at the park

2011-05-13T19:43:00.000+01:00

Nathan was so proud of himself because he learnt how to swing on his own!

Peek-a-boo!

My circus performers!

Cinema trip

2011-05-13T19:33:00.000+01:00

With Caitlin away at her Dad's house, and Lewis packed off to the beach, the boys and I decided on a visit to the cinema. We went to see Hop, which was very cute and fluffy. There were nine people in the cinema including us so it was nice to have some space. Nathan is such a cutie at the cinema; every time a song comes on during the film he gets up and dances. So you see why we need the space!

Pretty things

2011-05-13T19:15:00.000+01:00

So I am pretty exhausted this week, but more of that later, but I was sat thinking to myself, I really should put some more pictures on the blog. So off I go to fetch my camera, which was in the car of course, and when I went outside it was throwing it down with rain! However, it was such a refreshing rain that I took a moment to take a couple of pictures of my tulips in the rain. It is so lovely to have some rain, the grass looks such a beautiful green when it is wet, and tha air is so much nicer to breath.

Royal weddings and pancakes

2011-05-02T21:43:00.000+01:00

So unless you have had your head in the sand you may have noticed that we recently celebrated the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. I'm not sure if all of the Primary schools did this but I know both Wootton and New Holland gave these cups to each of the children, which I thought was lovely. I celebrated by hanging out the Union Jack bunting and the Union Jack flag - though I don't need much of an exuse before I go to fetch my flag! I watched some of the wedding, but my Dad grumbled most of the way through it so I will sit and watch it tomorrow evening while Lewis is at work.

And so to pancakes. As we had a long day ahead of us yesterday, I decided to start the day off with some pancakes. Caitlin, ever the fearless one, had a go at flipping pancakes and did so rather sucessfully! More on our day in Chorley next time, when I am not so tired and have the laptop functioning!

Card making

2011-04-23T14:19:00.000+01:00

I made this card for my Dad. He has finally got himself his dream job as a park ranger type person in Scotland. I really hope this will give him a fresh start. I have used quilling on this card, it was my first attempt! Not bad me thinks! I like the effect and twizzling the paper is easy enough, it's the sticking down part that is tricky!

Nathan made us this Easter card at school. He brought it home and said "Mum! We painted with a potato!!" in a tone that implied he thought his teacher had gone a little crazy and had given them potatoes instead of paint brushes!

And finally, this one I made for a couple at church who have just had their baby 8 weeks before he was due. I can't imagine how hard it must be for them, but it made me incredibly thankful for my healthy and happy children!

Happy St George's Day!

2011-04-23T09:28:00.000+01:00

Wishing you all a very happy St George's Day! Especially to those ex-pats living here who just came a little closer to being English by passing their test ;)

Splashing

2011-04-19T20:31:00.000+01:00

Kiting

2011-04-19T20:28:00.002+01:00

A fun day at the beach

2011-04-19T20:25:00.000+01:00

My son the property developer.

2011-04-19T20:18:00.000+01:00

It's funny how each of my children have a unique personality, and despite having the same teaching about finances Caitlin and Esaias handle money differently. Esaias is definitely a saver, Caitlin is a spender! So there is little surprise when Esaias whoops us at Monopoly.

Girly sewing

2011-04-19T20:11:00.000+01:00

This morning Caitlin and I spent some time together sewing. It was really lovely. It prompted me to take some photographs of my sewing box, which was my (Great) Nanna's. It gives me great pleasure to look through all the things in it, it reminds me of the kind of person my Nanna was.

Do you ever feel unloved?

2011-04-19T09:17:00.000+01:00

I'm just having an off day today because life is just a little difficult at the moment, and I do mean that it's just a little difficult. Lewis has been and will be working most of the Easter holiday. I keep wishing the days away until he is off, but then I have realised that once he is off work for a couple of days I have to go back to work. I feel like we hardly see each other and so my main source or love and reassurance feels a little bit not there right now.
Of course I am at home with the children and I know they adore me so it's not all bad. But I've also begun to wonder about some friends who seem to be avoiding us, sure it's me being paranoid but I feel a little rejected today. To be honest I am not a very social person anyhow, but I always thought it was nice to have a couple of friends just so Lewis could get a break from me!
On the positive side we have some "new to us" sofas and blinds and the house looks really good. I have had PLENTY of time to give things a really good clean while I have been at home, and it's been really nice. The next half term is only four weeks long so I hope the house doesn't get in such a state again!

Foto Friday

2011-04-16T14:04:00.001+01:00

Over on the Renaissance blog

http://zeahrenaissance.blogspot.com/

the Foto Friday Challenge is Pets.

So here is Max one of our cats.

Max, as most of you will know had a rough start to life, so it lovely to see him all curled up and relaxed in the sunshine enjoying his life.

Muffin is our other cat. Totally mischievous, she is happy to climb on or in anyone's cars She has nearly gone on a trip with our neighbours in their car on more than one occasion! In this photo, Muffin had settled herself on the top of our car for a trip out!

Dash (on the right) is our dippy border collie dog. Originally he was sold as a pedigree puppy but when the owner discovered he had an overbite he was returned to my aunt and uncle. While 7 months pregnant with Nathan, my Uncle Pete (whose birthday it is today, Happy Birthday!) persuaded me to take on a puppy. Lewis, after watching the Incredibles movie was quite keen to call our unborn baby Dashiel. I was having none of it, and so the name went to the dog!

Yes it's a flower I know, but this is my Charlie dog's resting place. Charlie was yet another "reject" animal that found her way to our home. I got Charlie while I was still at university. She was a border collie to, and had had a really bad start to life. No vet ever gave me a clear estimate on her age, but she lived a long happy life with me. She was with me through thick and thin, and making the decision to end her life was THE most difficult decision of my life. Her ashes are in the bottom of the plant pot, and every time the Lilly flowers I think of my lovely loyal Charlie dog.

Manic Mundays

2011-04-14T20:53:00.001+01:00

I call this blog manic mundays, not because I am a manic depressive but because we always seem manically busy! Today has been no exception. I have felt a little spaced today for no particular reason and have been wandering around the house starting jobs and achieving nothing. I did however, organise to collect some pallets and some blinds from freecycle. My plan was to collect them after Lewis had got home and we had tea. At this point it all went a little crazy. Nathan coughed so much he made himself sick, funny little man washed his hands, asked me for a banana muffin and started wrestling with Esaias in the space of 5 minutes. Lewis arrived home and as we were having our "debriefing session" in the kitchen while I cooked tea, I noticed the boys jabbing something with a stick. With boys, that usually means there is something dead or weird looking at the end of the stick. I went outside to find them gently poking sticks at an injured bird who was "biting" down on the sticks with his beak. The boys seemed to be under the impression that birds ate sticks! Anyhow I gave them a quick lesson in the diet of a Mistle Thrush and they went off searching for bugs and snails. Muffin was eagerly eyeing the bird, so I figured I best move the bird to a place of safety. I spoon fed it some water from a medicine spoon, with Nathan watching anxiously and whispering to the bird, "Little bird you are my friend. Take medicine from Mummy it will make you all better!"
While hastily dishing tea up I arranged to take the bird to the vet at Brigg where the RSPCA would collect it. So off we went, bird in boot, boys in back. Got to the vet and the poor bird had died en route - very sad :(
By this point we were running late to pick up the pallets, but we got there eventually and managed to squeeze four pallets in the boot and two on the roof rack. Blyborough is a lovely village, which seems to have nothing by way of shops etc, but does have a football club! Strange.
Anyhow, we then pottered off to South Kelsey to pick up the blinds. The pallets made a real rattle on the roof which the boys found hilarious. They kept singing "It's raining Golden Nuggets! Hallelujah!" as Golden Nuggets are their favourite cereal at the moment.
The lady who we collected the blinds from must have thought we were crazy!! It was a lovely little ride back home, with Lewis looking all sad as we passed into Lincolnshire, complaining, "I've got no powers!" (it's outside the Humberside Police force boundary) and then gleefully exclaiming "I've got powers!" when we crossed back over the border into North Lincolnshire!
He's now trying to put blinds up so I don't get dazzled by the sun when I wash the dishes in the kitchen, and me? I think I need some rest so I'm going to put my feet up.
Just another crazy day after all!

30 day picture challenge...

2011-04-14T13:47:00.000+01:00

Day 16: A picture of someone who inspires me - William Wilberforce

This of course is not William Wilberforce, it is the rather lovely Ioan Gruffudd. But he played the part of William Wilberforce in the film Amazing Grace.

This is William Wilberforce.

Born in Hull, he lead the movement for the abolition of slavery in Britain as well as founding the RSPCA. He was a tormented soul, but he was just one man who changed so much despite much opposition. He's not the only person to have changed history, but I have a real affinity with Wilberforce. For a start he is a northerner (always a good start in my book!), not a very tall man, a great animal lover, someone who struggled with his religious beliefs, someone with strong morals, but most importantly a man who acted on his beliefs.

William Wilberforce was just one man but he helped the lives of many...makes you wonder what you could achieve if you put your mind to it doesn't it?

He was advised often by John Newton, author of the hymn Amazing Grace (hence the title of the film) and now every time I hear the song it reminds me of a small northern man who changed things for the better. Not to be morbid, but I have told Lewis I want this song playing at my funeral, and hopefully I will be remembered as a small northern girl who changed things for the better (though I'm sure not as much as Mr Wilberforce!)

The art of knitting!!

2011-04-13T15:18:00.000+01:00

Be kind! I am only a beginner with this knitting thing, but I do feel very pleased with the little square I have knitted. It is from a magazine subscription, and eventually I will have enough squares to make a blanket. But this is the first one, and the first knitting project I have ever finished so I am pleased with myself even though it is a little wonky in places!

30 day picture challenge...

2011-04-13T11:08:00.000+01:00

Day 15: A picture of something you want to do before you die. I enjoy having children, and I don't want to "wish their lives away", but before I die I hope I have grandchildren. My parents seem to resent being grandparents and it makes me so sad. But I am excited to help my children out with their children, and I am excited to take my grandchildren out and spoil them...and then hand them back!!

Pretty things in my garden

2011-04-12T20:40:00.000+01:00

Ignore the weeds you can see, and focus on the pretty daffodil, that I planted before the horrid snow, that I watched begin to grow in the Spring, that I have eagerly anticipated flowering for about two weeks now! I'm now waiting on the tulips popping open.

Potatoes are in and growing, as are the strawberries, mint, marigolds, carrots and My Charlie flower. But, I lost a lot of seeds in the windy weather (how foolish of me to leave them on the patio) so I think I am going to start again with the peas and beetroot and then cheat and buy tomato plants...shhh don't tell anyone!

Still climbing

2011-04-12T19:44:00.001+01:00

Caitlin at 6 years old climbing the wall at Waters Edge...

and again at 8 years old.

Caitlin loves to climb, always has and probably always will! Of course this wall is far too easy for her, even when she was playing on it at 6 years old. She has a real gift for figuring out the best way to climb things, and I can count on one hand the number of times she has fallen while climbing...in fact I can count it on one thumb!

30 day picture challenge...

2011-04-12T19:38:00.000+01:00

Day 14: A picture of something you couldn't live without. I couldn't live without my children, they are my world and everything I do is for them. Of course I couldn't be without my lovely husband either, but he's getting a lot of mentions in this challenge and I don't want his head to get too big!!

Space Project Munday

2011-04-12T19:07:00.000+01:00

I decided to do a little decorating over the Easter holidays, so first project was the boys' room. We decided on a space theme, so Nathan and Esaias set about designing aliens and monsters. Clever Auntie Jessi came and did her thing, and drew all of the design on to the wall. Yesterday, we spent the day painting and got it all finished. It looks fabulous, and the boys are really pleased with it. They like me to tell them stories using the pictures on the wall, it's so lovely!

30 day picture challenge...

2011-04-11T09:08:00.001+01:00

Day 13: A picture of your your favourite band/ artist. No matter who comes and who goes, Blur will always have a place in my heart because they were my favourite during my teenage years. My best friend and I would always get into heated debates (she liked Oasis, I liked Blur - I'm surprised we stayed friends as long as we did!!) and of course after Blur won the Country House vs Roll With it War in 1995 I had the opportunity to gloat forever more! Though Parklife is my favourite Blur song (at 30 I can still bounce indie style all the way through it!!!), Song 2 is one of the children's favourites and it always makes me smile to see my kids rocking out to one of Mum's songs. The day Song 2 is on the golden oldies on Radio 2 is the day I will officially be old, but for now I'm still bouncing :)

30 day picture challenge...

2011-04-10T12:54:00.001+01:00

Day 12: A picture of something you love...

this is a "picture" of my blog. The reason for this is that I love my life. It has it's ups and downs, and of course I'd rather have more ups than downs, but I still love my life. I love my marriage and being married to my best friend, I love my children dearly, I love the family, friends and work colleagues that surround me, I love my job, I love where I live and I love that I have reached a stage where I am old enough to learn new things without being too immature to appreciate them, and not so immersed in looking after children that I can't think straight!

30 day picture challenge...

2011-04-09T13:38:00.000+01:00

Ok, so I'm going to skip day 10 since it is "a picture of someone you do "crazy" things with"...well I don't really do crazy things, I'm a sensible-ish girl, I am a Mum to three children and I work in a school so I try and keep fairly low key-ish.
So on to Day 11, a picture of something you hate.

"NSPCC releases guide to help social workers avoid common mistakes"

This is not an especially negative headline, but it's painful to look for one that is. So my thing that I hate is negative headlines about social workers. Agreed, not all social workers are wonderful, but a lot are. And they try hard, they work more hours than they are paid for, they take abuse from their clients, their client's families, neighbours, dogs, cats, fleas etc! They take abuse from their managers who pile work on them and expect them to have it done by yesterday, and while the pay isn't bad, it doesn't make up for it when something goes wrong and everybody blames you including your manager even though you e-mailed them forty times to ask for support (not all managers are bad, my first one was amazing, my second one was useless!)

I'm so glad that there are now organisations who are fighting back and standing up for social workers, but I wouldn't go back to it I just don't have a thick enough skin.