Haircuts and Halloween

Sam having his hair cut for the first time


The new hair style


The party goers all dressed up


Lucas wrapping his mummy Martine up like a mummy!


Reach for the stars... musical bumps


Happy 3rd Birthday Libby and congratulations on the birth of your brother William who was the youngest person at the party at 8 days old! Well done Rach.


Callum enjoying his jelly


Two scary businessmen that gate crashed our party (Dan & Tim)


Our little cat ... Sammy boy enjoying himself


Daisy apple bobbing

Yesterday was spent indoors as the weather was so wet and daddy was still recovering from his hangover from Friday night. In the evening Tim and I went to a black tie dinner. We had been invited by a venue that I take events too and had a lovely evening. The meal was served in their restaurant and the entertainment was interactive opera which was better than it sounds. We were seated on a table by ourselves (like alot of other couples) and it was like going out for a lovely dinner and some entertainment but somebody else paid - fantastic! The little people stayed at home with Nanny Maureen.

Today Tim started his new job (same company different department) so hopefully he will be a much happier young man. Daisy was back at playgroup this morning after half term and Sam slept whilst I did some work. After picking Daisy up and heading to the supermarket for some supplies for our Halloween party on Wednesday, we dropped Daisy off at ballet and Sam and I went into town to do some errands. All the Parker's seemed very tired tonight so it was an early night for all of us.

Sammy boy's new hairstyle

I remember when my sister Jo used to do this to my hair when I was a child

Busy three days

The last two days of the week both Tim and I were working so the little people were at nursery on Thursday and with Nanny Maureen on Friday afternoon.

This morning Tim was recovering from his hangover from last night - he had his leaving do at work (he is changing departments). Daisy had her swimming lesson this morning and got a certificate - Teddy Bear no 2 so we are very proud of her. She then went disco dancing and for some lunch with Nanny Maureen, whilst the Parker boys took a nap and I tried to sort out all our photos that I have just had printed - all 429 of them!

Sam and Daisy went to Libby's 3rd birthday party at Funplex (sort play/climbing area) this afternoon and had a great time charging about the place. Sam sat at the childrens for the first time and loved eating his lunch with everyone. Unfortunately no photos as I left the memory card in the computer! Durrr!

After watching 'Strictly Come Dancing' and joining in with the dancing, the little people were put to bed and we treated ourselves to an Indian takeaway!

The presents keep on coming...

We spent the day at Drusillas with our friends Karen and Jake. Sam had a great time as it was the first time we have been since he has been walking, he would have spent hours walking around and looking at all the animals.

When we got home there was a parcel for Sam from America, a belated birthday present from Syvlia and her family. Thank you for the lovely night ware it will keep him nice and warm and he loves the bedtime book. Then we popped down to Nanny Maureen's hotel (The Metropole) and saw Gill and Bernard (family friends) who also had a b-day present for Sam, a great book on tractors and a puzzel. So a huge THANK YOU for the lovely birthday presents.

I escaped to the movies this evening with Cala to see The Heartbreak Kid - a no brainer funny movie!


Sam looking at the animals


With Thomas - his new friend


Riding on the train


Daisy asleep in the supermarket trolley and she stayed asleep all through the shop and the journey home!


Sam's parcel from America, he loves opening presents

Happy 10th Birthday Mia

Happy Birthday to our cousin Mia. Daisy and Sam spent the afternoon with their cousins Mia and Bob, Aunty Dawn, Uncle David and Aunty Jo. We all met for lunch at Pizza Express with Nanny Maureen and then we headed off to the Palace Pier - what great weather we had ok a little cold but the sun was shining. I ventured on to the big roller coaster with Mia, which I love but always have a fear of something going wrong. Daisy went on the bumper cars for the first time and Sam walked along the pier for the very first time.

After the pier it was back to our house where cousin Cala joined us and we had a fish'n' chip suppa, birthday cake, tea and birthday bumps for Mia.

A huge thank you to Aunty Dawn, Uncle David, Mia and Bob for Sam's belated birthday present - a cool pair of Coverse shoes!


The clan in Pizza Express (birthday girl in green at the front)


The little chocolate soldier using his new pepper grinder, early christmas present from his mummy


Sammy boy enjoying an ice cream all on his own


Bob and Daisy in the tea cups


Sam's walking along the pier


Sam and Uncle David


Birthday girl... I remember when she was born where does the time go?

Splish splash splosh

This morning we were up and out early as we needed to get Sam a pair of shoes and a warm winter coat and wanted to miss the crowds what with it being half term. We managed to get Sam a really cool pair of shoes and a coat, although when walking about it looks like a giant coat with a head poking out.

After shopping we went swimming, unfortunately we have not been for a while so Sam wasnt keen at first but once we started splashing he loved it. Back home for lunch and boy did the two little people eat, so much that they both had a nap after lunch.

On the beach in October!

Today was a lovely sunny day so whilst Daisy and I went to church, Daddy walked up to meet us with Sam and we headed off to the beach with our bucket and spades. ITs great as generally Sam stays on the sandy bit so we get to sit and relax for a bit instead of being up and down all the time. On the way home we popped into our friends Martine and Richards for a cuppa and Daisy was over the moon as she got to see and play with Lucas.

Nanny Maureen came over to join us for roast beef and yorkshire pud which having cooked it all, I then did not fancy eating. Daisy had helped me make an apple crumble though which was delicious.

Daisy getting the hang of taking pics with my camera


Throwing pebbles in the sea


Sammy boy having a great time digging

Come on England...

This morning was the usual for a Saturday, Daisy had her swimming lesson and Tim went to the gym.

We recently won entrance tickets to Hever Castle in Kent (a thirteenth century castle that was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn) in a raffle so after lunch as the sun was shining we headed off to see where the princesses live!

I have fond memories of Hever Castle from visits as a child but I did not remember just how stunning and beautiful the grounds are - some of the views really blow you away. Daisy and Sam had a great time walking, running and rambling around the grounds. We did a very quick tour of the castle and I mean quick as Sam thought it was great fun to run the other side of the ropes in most of the rooms! Tim and Daisy tried out the maze and had more trouble getting out than finding the middle. All in all a great place to visit if the weather is good.

This evening Tim and I are cheering on England in the Rugby 2007 World Cup final against South Africa in Paris! How different to the 2003 world cup final when we were travelling the world without children and cheered England to victory on the steps of the Sydney Opera House, Australia. Tonight, the 2007 final we are tucked up in our warm home in Hove, England with our two little beautiful people asleep upstairs.


Entrance to the castle


Walking to the water maze


Beautiful views


Daddy, Sam and Daisy


The gates to the princess castle (in Daisy's world)


Daddy and Daisy made it out of the maze


Daisy took her first picture of her Mummy and Daddy with our digital camera

Aunty Dawn is another year older!

Happy Birthday to Aunty Dawn, hope you have a lovely day.

I dropped Daisy off at Nanny Maureen's this morning as they were going off on an adventure. I then as Chairperson of Daisy's playgroup had to sit in on some interviews for a new member of staff. After that Sam had the excitment of the weekly supermarket shop. Mind you his eyes were popping out of his head going past all the toy and christmas decoration displays that have suddenly appeared.

When we got back, whilst I was hanging out the washing in the garden (on this lovely sunny day we are having), Sam thought he would be just like his Daddy and try his hand at skate boarding.

Normal Thursday

Daisy and Sam went to nursery today, it was Sam's second time and he was fine and enjoyed playing with the other children. He is still our little heavy breather but seems to be coping with it very well. Mummy and Daddy were at work so not much to report.

After lots of play time, dinner and cuddles the little people were put to bed. Daddy went out for a drink with Dan to celebrate him (Dan) getting a new job today whilst I stayed at home and gossiped to my friends on the phone.

What an exciting day!

In the morning we hung out at home doing chores until Nanny Anne and Grandad came to rescue Daisy and Sam and took them off for a walk along the seafront whilst I carried on with the housework and did some errands. I also got a call from our friend Jason saying that he had a few tickets for Disney on Ice at the O2 areana if we wanted them - of course we did. So a quick call to Nanny Maureen to see if she was free and we were set to go.

I dropped Sam off at Tim's work and the boys hung out togetherfor the evening whilst Daisy, Nanny M and I sped up to London. Daisy fell asleep in the car so when we arrived and woke her up I think she was a little taken back on how big the place was and the amount of people and hustle and bustle. Daisy had left her jumper in Tim's car so she had to wear my cardigan hence it looking a little big in the photos. Nanny and I also did not think ice show means ice therefore will probably be cold and as the winter has not really hit yet we were not exactly dressed for cold. Anyway the show was great, Daisy loved it as she saw Cinderella, Snow white, Mickey and Minnie. The ice skating and effects were really good. A huge THANK YOU to Jason for sorting us out the tickets and parking.

Daisy had just woken up and out side the O2 arena

Nanny and Daisy enjoying dinner

Popcorn time

Daisy and mummy after the show

Wey hay Nanny Maureen is home...

This morning we woke up to rain, rain and more rain. Daisy went off to playgroup and Sam and I were at home, him sleeping and me doing some chores. We got a call from Nanny Maureen about 10.30am saying she had landed and was home safely from her holiday. Daisy is really looking forward to seeing her, she has been asking the past few days when she is coming home.

This afternoon Sammy boy had his hospital appointment. So we picked up Nanny Maureen on the way and whilst Sam was seen by the doctor, Daisy and Nanny hung out at the hospital and got to play with all the new toys they have. The doctor was thinking of admitting Sam as his breathing is still not on track but his oxygen levels are ok so we were allowed home. We have to monitor him and have to keep a detailed diary for the next six weeks, they have also put him on steriods for three days. If we have any concerns we are to go to A&E straight away but otherwise we have a check up in a few weeks.

After dropping Nanny off we came home to have a pizza feast with daddy, before bath, cuddle and bed time.

Sammy boy goes to hospital again...

They day started off as normal, Daisy was at playgroup and Sam and I popped into town to do some errands and pick up some bits that we needed. Sam wasn't his usual self but I thought that may be down to him not having his morning nap. We picked Daisy up and came home, when Sam would not go down for a nap again I thought something was up, but he was quite happy playing. I decided to have a quick shower which ended up with both Daisy and Sam joining me, which they both loved.

Sam was due to have his MMR jab this afternoon but when we got to the doctors his breathing was heavy and he had developed a really bad cough (within half an hour) anyway the doctor said that he was not well enough for his jab and sent us to the children's hospital as they were concerned about his breathing. Here we go again! We got to the hospital, once again they were fantastic and really looked after us, they checked him out and wanted to keep him in for a few hours (5hrs altogether). Thankfully his breathing improved and his oxygen levels are all good so we are back home - on the condition that we see the specialist tomorrow afternoon. They think there is no long term problem or damage to his lungs but unfortunately he seems to have a really low immune to these viruses that cause the breathing difficulties.

Lovely warm day in October

This morning we woke up to beautiful clear blue skys and warm sun... is it really the 14th October? Yes it is, so it is a Happy Birthday to Cousin Charlie.

As it was such a lovely day we decided to go for a walk at Seven Sisters Country Park before heading over to Nanny Anne's and Grandad's for lunch. There is a walk where you follow the river to the beach, Daisy could not believe how much pooh there was and kept reminding us for about an hour and a half (you walk through the cows and sheep), she is definatly a town girl! The scenery is beautiful and it was such a warm day we did not even need our coats.

After our morning walk, we went over to Nanny and Grandad's for a lovely lunch and then played in the garden most of the afternoon. Sammy boy had a great time exploring the summer house and running around the garden whilst also trying to escape down the side of the house!

Both the little people fell asleep on the way home, which is ok for Sam but Daisy always ends up staying up late if she sleeps in the afternoon. As she had quite a long nap I took her to see the new Disney movie 'Ratatouille' at 6pm. All started well, we had the popcorn, etc and as it went quiet in the cinema, Daisy pipes up "Mum, stop eating all the popcorn before the film" of course a few sniggers from around us. Then as it starts she asks if it is a film for adults, more sniggers and then half way through she says "It's not very good, there is no dancing, shall we go home and see Daddy." So unfortunately we did not get to see the end of the film and to be honest its more of an adult film than children's, not one of Disney's best!


Sam, Daisy and Daddy at Seven Sisters Country Park


Daisy having her morning snack!


Sammy boy enjoying a walk with mummy


Daddy hiding (at the back on the floor) reading the sunday papers in the summer house