Yes it's only a day away

And our total collection of Advent Calendars has reached to 4 this year.

I bought this one thinking I could refill it every year with different treats and gifts.

Then I saw this huge one and had to have it - I've yet to fill all 24 pockets so I guess I'll be busy tomorrow shopping!

And then Granny D sent the grandkiddies their own chocolate Advent Calender

Guess I'll have to buy 24 presents for myself to fill the Santa Clause calendar?

Emily Looking Like Grandad Scott

Ahhh reading time with Daddy

Reasons why I never became a Hairdresser

Parties galore

It's been a hectic week to say the least. I'm sorry that all our plans to meet with our friends on Friday fell through but then again it was probably for the best as I ended up taking Drew's car in for a slightly overdue MOT. I then picked up the car after its MOT, did some last minute pressie shopping at Tesco. Unloaded shopping, gave Emily milk, nap and then some lunch, whilst I hoovered and tidied up Phoebe's bedroom for her sleepover party. We had to go out buy a cake, some candles and drop it off at the restaurant. And all this done before 3.30pm.

Phoebe's party at Il Girasole was fun. The girls chatted away, played with their mobiles (yep it's sad when you watch them bluetoothing pictures across the table! They're only 10!). Then we embarrassed Phoebe with the waitress putting on a "Happy Birthday" tune and bringing out the birthday cake. She did look a little embarrassed - but hey that's what birthdays are for.

Count Dracula

Well after all those hissy fits that we thought were Emily "just growing up" I think they actually were due to the now appearing molars (3 have come though) and another lower right incisor.

Well done Emily for once again being able to sleep through the night despite molars coming through!

Why did I leave it so late

Ok I've got less than 7 days to get Phoebe an awesome birthday pressie. She wants a laptop and/or a puppy. Can't have both because:
a) both are expensive
and
b) I can't be bothered with the hassle of cleaning them up (dogs make poo and laptops get virus's)

I need some ideas?

Meanwhile Emily enjoys watching "in the Night Garden"

Whilst I enjoy hot chocolate covered with cream and toffee waffles

Talking of exercise

Here's Emily showing me how to do it...

Yoga first

Stretch
Hold
and relax, ahh

Oh yeah

and I have chilblains!

Update

So sorry I've been busy and not able to blog. I've been getting up really early (6.15 am), to give myself a longer lunchtime at work. This gives me more time for running, which is about the only exercise I get these days. I'm now able to run just over 5 miles at the weekend and I keep my lunchtime runs to about 4 miles. My times aren't bad, still not great, but my heart rate is improving and so is my stamina. I'm running 12-15 miles a week and I think this is a vast improvement from this time last year where i was really struggling to do 2-4 miles.

Other news : Phoebe is bored with Brownies and I've talked to Brown Owl about her leaving and she agrees that maybe Phoebe would have more fun at Guides. I've contacted our local Offices to find a suitable pack in St Neots - I'm still waiting for a phone call! Phoebe would prefer to join the Youth Club in town and I'm all for it. For about £1 she gets 2 hours of fun activities at the Town Hall, and most of her peer group are attending too so it's only natural that she want's to join them.

I attended an Xmas Fair on Saturday in Cambourne. It wasn't a great success as I only managed to sell 4 items (all of which where my friends items), so total profit £0!!!

I finally got my car's excess money paid back to me on Saturday - woohoo that means I have some cash to pay off the old credit card again. It's only taken them 5 months!

Everyday

There are miracles everday, sometimes you just have to find them
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/7079706.stm

Wimpole Hall

On Wednesday I took Emily, Phoebe and her friend Greg to Wimpole Hall and Farm. It was a cold day, but we enjoyed a short walk to the farm where we were able to see lots of different types of pigs, sheep and chickens. The kids got to stroke some of the farm animals, and we even said hello to one of the wild roaming cats - check out this ball of fluff that we caught sleeping in the bushes. He was all so cosy curled up that even our stroking him didn't wake him!

Kids point to the sleeping wild beast

Sickly

prepare to shield your eyes! They're bright I know!

Other news: work on the garden has started. So far the Dude has removed all the fencing on our side. Only to find out that the neighbours landlord is being an arse and not doing anything about their fence! Some people eh! So we've gone ahead and purchased some fencing and posts. Next the Dude needs to get a Kanga hammer to knock out some concrete that used to hold the original posts. So anyone got one spare let us know as it would save us £30.

Only discovered yesterday that Emily has cut another tooth, and no complaining about it either. Whilst her older sister is having problems with a baby tooth that is very wobbly but is causing some discomfort.

The Dude is fine - his fingers look like they've been sliced and skinned but that's manual labour for you.

Me - I have a freaking annoying skin rash that causes me to itch and break out in big welts. Doctor says I'm allergic to something (no! really!) I figured out with some help from t'interweb that is was caused by co-codamol. Doc agreed on this point and then advised me to purchase non drowsy anti-histamines, calamine lotion and E45 body wash. So I'm pilled up to the max again.

Cherry Girl

I bought Emily and I some matching PJ's from Crib Designs . Sweet Cherry! We went to Milton Maize today with Lisa and Tosha. There was a whole array of differing shapes and sizes of pumkins for carving, this is what Phoebe did.

And this is Emily playing Tractors and Diggers with Jack

It's that time of year again

when I dust off my old gothic style clothing and dress up to scare kids. I got together with some workpals and friends to organise a Halloween Play-date for the kids. This was a non-stop 2 hour session at Play-2-Day in Huntingdon. Here are some lovely piccies of the monsters

Lovey feelings and thoughts for today

Some pictures of my lovely friends, Lisa, Paul, Jack and Mia, with their grandparents

Things that made me laugh today

And things that made Emily cry - her inoculation :( only for 20 seconds :)

Subway subs galore

Years ago one of the local sports shopped shut, today it was replaced by the Subway sandwich shop. We trailed down this evening for our free sub sarnies, Steak and Cheese for me whilst Phoebe had the Chicken Breast. I have to say they were yummy and hurrah no cooking or cleaning up afterwards for me!

I've also uploaded more photos of Mia's special day here : Mia

Photo of our dinner tonight

Randon pictures

whilst looking at random pictures I happened to find a new halloween costume for your little 'uns!

Happy Naming Day!

Today was Mia's naming ceremony day. The sun shone, the Old Bridge Hotel looked beautiful, Mia was a happy bunny and we had lashings of tea, sandwiches (with the crusts cut off), scones with clotted cream and jam, profiteroles and a beautiful chocolate cheesecake - such a perfect day.

I feel very privilaged to have been asked to be a supporting parent for Mia. And I want to thank Paul and Lisa for bestowing me this great responsibility. But I must check the small print later (hehe - only joking).

How old?

Ok I turned 37 yesterday. And it wasn't too bad, in fact it was a hoot. My day started off with opening some cards, one contained a bar of Green and Blacks chocolate (nice one Tosha!). Next I headed off to work and had cakes at 10am, with more card opening, followed by an ok lunch at Aki-Teri in Cambridge. Quickly popped into Fopp and purchased a DVD.

Next I spent the afternoon trying to get my XenCenter to import images, which failed, and ended up just frustrating the hell out of me. So Matt and I played on the Wii for about 90 mins, now that was fun!

I left at 5.10, drove home, to be greeted by a great bunch of flowers (thanks Do), and then I fed Emily, gave her a bath and got her into her PJ's. I then managed to grab a shower and get changed just as our friends arrived. Pauline and Graham, followed by Nicky, Steve, Big Bird and Audrey. We chatted and drank, ordered a large Indian take away. Drank some more, laughed, ate a fantastic dinner, I even had a birthday cake, and I haven't had one of those years! I was happy. What a great day.

Today I got a pressie from my Mum and Dad - thanks for the bracelet it's nice.

I also received lots of goodies to test out this week, 2 boxes of unknown branded frosted flakes, and a lovely pack of new baby bum wipes.

Phoebe has received some early pressies as I had purchased a R4 micro sd card and 2Gig of memory that enables me to download a whole load of games for her Nintendo DS - I have to thank Inoyo for showing me the websites and tools. Nice one! Phoebe has been playing with her nintendo all weekend and has made a list of games she wants me to download for her.

Well that's all for now folks. Tomorrow we have a very busy day and I'm hoping to blog some photos about it too.

Ok I turned 37 yesterday. And it wasn't too bad, in fact it was a hoot. My day started off with opening some cards, one contained a bar of Green and Blacks chocolate (nice one Tosha!). Next I headed off to work and had cakes at 10am, with more card opening, followed by an ok lunch at Aki-Teri in Cambridge. Quickly popped into Fopp and purchased a DVD. Next I spent the afternoon trying to get my XenCenter to import images, which failed, and ended up just frustrating the hell out of me. So Matt and I played on the Wii for about 90 mins, now that was fun!

I left at 5.10, drove home, to be greeted by a great bunch of flowers (thanks Do), and then I fed Emily, gave her a bath and got her into her PJ's. I then managed to grab a shower and get changed just as our friends arrived. Pauline and Graham, followed by Nicky, Steve, Big Bird and Audrey. We chatted and drank, ordered a large Indian take away. Drank some more, laughed, ate a fantastic dinner, and I even had a birthday cake, and I haven't had one of those years! I was happy. What a great day.

Today I got a pressie from my Mum and Dad - thanks for the bracelet it's nice.

I also received lots of goodies to test out this week, 2 boxes of unknown branded frosted flakes, and a lovely pack of new baby bum wipes.

Phoebe has received some early pressies as I had purchased a R4 micro sd card and 2Gig of memory that enables me to download a whole load of games for her Nintendo DS - I have to thank Inoyo for showing me the websites and tools. Nice one! Phoebe has been playing with her nintendo all weekend and has made a list of games she wants me to download for her.

Well that's all for now folks. Tomorrow we have a very busy day and I'm hoping to blog some photos about it too.