Jessica's 5th and Madeline's 3rd birthday party!

Nick took the girls to ballet before hand and by the time they got back it was touch and go whether Jessica was going to be allowed to go - she was beside herself with excitement! But allowed she was - after an oath that she wouldn't show us up, then it was Maddy's turn to be hungry and therefore painfully grumpy! They were absolutely fine once they got into the swing of it though and all went without a hitch (although it wasn't heavily planned so would be quite hard to go wrong!). We danced, played games, danced some more, ate pizza etc, ate chocolate, ate more chocolate, and a few people had tears as they "didn't win". The joys of having children old enough to understand the point of the activity I guess... the littlies were just thrilled to be given ANOTHER chocolate and be allowed to eat it!

Nick was the games organiser and did a sterling job (I think), Janice and Peter were an excellent catering crew (with some assistance from John - although he was slightly deterred from helping by his youngest - Houdini!). A million thanks go to them and I hope the Chinese part made up for it! And what did I do I hear you cry? I was party planner and ensured the smooth running...... The honest answer is that I don't really know! Hovered, nagged, delegated and I suppose a bit of getting in everyone's way! Oh and some humiliation by making Nick join in the best dancer competition to U can't touch this although the only running man I saw was John's - perhaps he should have won instead of other Maddy! Chocolate in the post John!

So that was that for another year - hopefully it'll be bowling/cinema/or somesuchthing and a SMALL sleepover next year! Fingers crossed!

The cake (ALL made with my own fair hands!)

Half of the catering crew - don't know where the other half was.... on a break maybe?!!!

Empty, then full!

Some awful photos of the cake (if anyone has any un-blurred, please email them!)

Just 'coz it's cute!

Musical Chairs (and other activities).... Definate cheating from Mrs Gaskell

Best Dancer Competition

Half term...

was fairly non-eventful on account of the arrival of the Pox part II. We just bumbled around, venturing out and trying to keep Maddy quiet and inconspicuous so people didn't judge us too harshly! We had to do something with our time! Abby and Erin came round for a couple of hours, we had lunch with Daddy (to avoid a date with some Mormons who'd taken me under their wing), that's about it I think. And then on Thursday morning we retreated "oop North" for a bit of entertainment, both child and adult to blow away the blues. With the Pox on its way out we felt fine about going into the big wide world, mainly dog walking and bike riding. We went for a visit to see Julia Donaldson perform some of her stories (including "The Gruffalo"). It was great fun and I'd recommend it. Oh! We also had a bit of a disco (to make up for the fact that Hannah was missing her school one on Friday night!) - well I say disco... more, the lights were turned off some music was played and we had a little tuck shop! Excellent! Then on Sunday we had to return for school and work. That was it really. A lovely time was had by all. Ta muchly!

Join the dots!

The Travellers

Disco Inferno

Parklife

My POOR, POOR baby...

Pancakes, birthdays and more spots

So we've had a run of the mill week. Jessica went back to school on Tuesday (so that she didn't have to flash her spots changing for P.E. on Monday!), and we all had pancakes for pudding. The girls weren't really up for hot pans, so they just stuck to the bit they're good at, eating (or if you're Maddy, wiping all the toppings off with your finger and giving the actual pancake to anyone who'll have it... nice!). We then had another couple of days normality before the girls were off for half-term! A long week for Jess! A visit to Harry's house, nothing much else until phone calls to Grandma and Courtney with singing a-plenty and bed.

We went to ballet classes, bumbled around for a bit and then headed off to Nana's for the night. The girls stayed there while Nick and I went for dinner to celebrate Janet's 60th birthday, and by all accounts, while we were living it up, Maddy was having her own special kind of party resulting in Nana and Grampy sleeping separately on account of the lack of room. Then last night our reasoning for such an awful night became a reality. Madeline now has the pox too so we all breathe a sigh of relief and feel better for the decision to keep the girls and Courtney separate!

Anyway, off to find the Piriton and calomine lotion!....

"The" Pox - Part II

"The" Babysitter (.... well half of it!)

"The" Meal

"The" Gift

"The" Cake

Pancakes