Is this it?

Rainbows are such lovely things,
They wipe away the tears,
And bring a glint of sunshine
To the grey robed somber years.
For what is life without a dream
To hold, to live, to see
The colors of God's lovely world
As it was meant to be?
Time is a rainbow passing by.
Just see how fast it flees,
Leaving just a silver cloud
With its golden memories.
Hope is a rainbow out of reach ...
Needs courage to go on,
To climb the mountains, ford the streams
To reach the dream beyond.
And memory is a bright rainbow,
All lovely lights that glow,
Recalling all the happy times,
No rain clouds spoil the show.
So, dreams are rainbows unfulfilled.
But reflect the heart's pure ray,
Thus make them arch around your life,
Add color to your day.
Happiness is the brightest one,
A prayer without an end,
To seek the treasures of your life
Where all the colors blend.

Anne Kaye

Rainbows are lovely things ....... [can't remember any more!]

Praise where praise is needed!

Unusual but very necessary!

We got rid of the children on Saturday to Grandma and Grandad's (until today - they deserve praise too!) so that Nick and I could do a "spot" of spring cleaning. When I say spot, we both spent nine hours cleaning the rest of the house on Saturday and then I spent five hours cleaning the kitchen yesterday! Dirty house! So whilst I was slaving in the kitchen, Nick was slaving in the garden and boy did it need it! I forgot to take "before" photos but suffice to say the thistles were at least a foot high and you couldn't see shrubs for 2 inch high grass and weeds!

So there's no before photos but here are some "after" shots. WELL DONE NICK!

A new and significantly improved garden! 

A flower bed once more!

A veggie patch once more!

The cavalry cometh!

The cavalry being Nick and Me, those requiring the cavalry being Janet and Richard. They needed to go to a funeral in Telford on Friday so we offered to look after Hannah and Duncan. It was great fun... but also quite hard work! We played games, chased and terrorized the cats (D & M), walked to the shops to buy lunch, climbed on the highchair (D), played more games, argued a bit (the children that is, not us for once!), climbed on the highchair (D), made puppets, watched "Koala Brothers" and climbed on the highchair (D). We're thinking we'll have to take our enormous wooden highchair to Glasgow next weekend to give him something to do!

Anyway, Madeline went to sleep for a while which made life easier but suffice to say, there's a reason why these age gaps (4 & 1/2, 3 & 1/2, 19 months and 14 months) are not all physically possible from one mother!

The biggies

And the littlies 

Feeding time at the ...

Climbing

Getting down

Drawing (Pre-puppets!)

I'm a livin' in a box

The Gaskells

As the title suggests, we went to see the Gaskell family this weekend. We descended upon them on Saturday afternoon and left this afternoon after lots of jolliping and japes, mainly created by Honorary Uncle Andrew and Jessica.

We had a lovely time although I'm not sure Joseph would totally agree. Upon arrival Joseph took exception to the noisy rabble (rightly so) and squawked after; Nick guffawed, Jessica squealed and Madeline made some odd noise (obviously I was as quiet as a mouse) but he seemed to warm to us and managed lots of smiles and even cooing by the end of today!

The general theme seemed to be (wait for it....) eating! We ate a lovely child free dinner, and this morning the girls managed to have two attempts at breakfast. Cereal and toast, followed later by a brunch of sausage sandwiches. You can only imagine the Wylie's response to such offerings. It went quiet giving Joseph some time on centre stage!!

We had a very wet visit to a nearby park where babies slept and Jessica had ample attention. Then... we hadn't eaten for about an hour, so... dinner at Pizza Express! Followed by hasty retreats all round, Gaskells and Wylies both homeward.

That's about it really. Fun and frolics here.... How about you?

Rain 

Cuddles 

Honoraries - Uncle and Niece 

Mother and Son 

Breakfast 

Kisses

Brunch

Rainy Park

Action shot

She ate well!

And so did she!

Think about it! 

Praise indeed!

We were honored with a visit from a small portion of the Canadian coningent yesterday, namely Marsha - Courtney's Mum, Brian - Courtney's Step-Dad, and her Aunty Sharon (AKA Aunty Woodstock) which was very pleasant, aside from the fact that they met Jessica and Madeline on true, tired and grumpy form. Fights available without request! Anyway, at least they've now seen that the girls aren't perfect and are normal!

A short but sweet visit for tea and chat, although Marsha STILL had no voice (which proves a problem when trying to have a conversation!). I don't know what she was doing on Saturday night but I think she shouldn't have!!!!!!

Anyway, thanks for the visit.

[Have you worked out the caption yet folks?]

Take Two

So, the second wedding took place on Saturday and a lovely day was had by all (certainly in this house and I think elsewhere judging by the hangovers the next day).

The ceremony was lovely, a great balance between "the formalities" and "inside knowledge" as Janet's close friend Yvonne was set the task. They managed NOT to set fire to the church (or Yvonnes robes!) and it was just lovely (as I said before... can't think of a better word!).

Then people ate... very much, drank... very much and were merry.... very much(?)!!!!! The champagne flowed, the food flowed and the cracking tunes jiggled it all down where it needed to go! (How delightful!). Nick and I had a fantastic night, I danced all night, Nick drank all night, nice combination!

I need to say a huge thankyou to several people. I suppose most importantly, Pete and Courtney, because if it wasn't for them none of this would have happened. Also the Wylies for stumping up most of the cash required (The Wylie sponsorship continues!!!). And of course my parents, specifically for rescuing us on Saturday night so that we could enjoy a stonking good party! We couldn't have done it without any of you so...

Cheers!

X

Flower arranging class 

Busy