Busy, busy, busy

Ok, so it's been a while but we have achieved wuite a lot. We've spent a lot of money, made a few small (but expensive) mistakes, and we're still not quite finished.... but it's taken a lot of effort to get here.

- The utility/pantry/outside toilet; 3 has now become one with a little help from our neighbour Nigel.
- The kitchen has been dismantled (Ta muchly John!) and half returned. The only reason is not complete is down to yours truly and her equally foolish hubby. We ordered super-dooper, all singing - all dancing worktops........... the wrong size courtesy of a necessary change to new kitchen floor plan. So now we have to wait about 4 weeks to get some more. If you, or anyone you know needs some very nice walnut effect laminate worktops let us know, otherwise they're going on ebay with crossed fingers!
- We went to Warwick Uni to ffed the ducks where the girls had a whale of a time. They were both more into eating the bread themselves, but the ducks soon caught on and got very brave... and very close!
- We've planted summer bulbs in pots (just days before the smattering of snow. Great!) And made Mummy jump with our obsessions with creepy crawlies.
- We've also proved that our two daughters are a delight (most of the time). They have been very patient with their parents on the numerous "fun" trips to those "exciting" shops with "pretend rooms" that we can look at. (One Mummy desperate to "big up" another dull shopping excursion, usually without good result!)
- And finally, but possibly most importantly, amidst all this Madeline has all of a sudden learnt how to talk. Proper real live talking too - none of your disjointed words malarchy. Nick and I had a whole telephone conversation with her, and for the first few minutes we thought it was Jessica talking for her! Blimey - my ears really will be bleeding soon!

Enjoy the pictures - but don't bother if you're after lots of children shots - it's nearly all DIY. Child - worshipping photos coming soon!

Before

After - ish

Before

After - ish

Before

Everybody needs good neighbours!

After- ish

... When all at once, I saw a crowd,

A host of golden daffodils...

Duck feeding #1

Duck feeding #2

Planting bulbs

Wiggly Woo

Best Friends

Gosh it's erratic here!

So it was Madeline's second birthday and a weekend, therefore we must have cousins around to play..... So a double strength Nurofen later, here I am!

But seriously, we had a lovely afternoon/day and it's all thanks to Madeline's charming (if not challenging at times) personality, oh and the Senior Circuits, Junior Circuits and Thurlby's! The children, ran around the house, trashed both upstairs AND downstairs whilst parents stayed well out of the way - with Thomas - drinking tea. The photos say it all really so here goes!

Birthday Girl

ISN'T SHE GORGEOUS!

(I accept I'm slightly biased!)

The morning shift!

Thomas

Whose toy?

The afternoon shift!

Non-plussed!

Don't feel like dancing...?

A motley crew

Mmmmmm, new telly

Playing much needed "child - related" programme!

I'm back!

Here's a snap shot of events because it's been so long.

It snowed (see previous photos). The girls loved it, I didn't (never have!) but forced myself to be "into it" for their sakes and it was actually ok! So we built a snowman since I wasn't at work.

Then that weekend was Jessica and Madeline's birthday party. We had a good time and I think it was a success - sorry no decent photos of "the cake" structurally unsound as it was, so you'll have to imagine. A very pink, very wobbly cake. The Circuit men shook their heads and tutted! Anyway, no sickness this year which was a bonus - all quite uneventful really.

The following weekend was a trip to Bude for Liz (+ girls), Allison (+ Joseph) and Sarah (+ Alice). The "boys" had to go and play their games and win their trophies so we were left literally holding the babies. But moral support was the name of the day, especially when my children decided to show their truest colours, and wine helped A LOT too!

It was pancake day!

We then had a weekend of no children (Nick should be missing them really!) while we organised final kitchen bits and bought a new telly. We can actually see all the people in the picture now! It's a whole new world.

Then it was Nick's birthday - sorry no photos due to my uselessness - and here we are, just in time for another birthday extravaganza. Thank goodness this is the last one for six weeks!

That'll do for now. I'm back on track now!

x

Organised chaos!

Passing the parcel

Prize giving

Musical Islands

Nice touch Maddy!

Feeding time

More tea vicar?

The morning after the night before!

Peep - bo!

Tractor #1

Tractor #2

Go, go, go Joseph!

Balls #1

Balls #2

Slide 1

Slide 2 & 3

Daddy time

... and what did the worn/strung out mummies do? Stand at the window, criticse & take photos!

Pancakes

Making Grandad's birthday treats?

Apologies...

for the silence but most of you know why. On Saturday 3rd February Nanny Doris died. She will be missed but never forgotten. A much loved Mum, Nan and Great - Nanny. Hope you enjoyed the bedtime story from Jessica... Sleep tight.