Heel, toe, heel, toe...

Daisy had her first Tap dancing class today and loved it. After an early breakfast at Grandad and Nanny Anne's house, Daddy took Daisy to her ballet and tap classes and met Nanny Maureen as I was helping out today at a church event. It was then back home for the afternoon where we stayed in the warm playing with trains, updating the blog, watching tv, wrapping some Christmas presents and generally hanging out.

Daddy headed off to Birmingham for a night of snowboarding at the snowdome.


Daddy was meant to be having a relaxing bath but was joined by two little people splashing around! First pic of the new bathroom (which is now about five months old).


Trying to hid in Daisy's wardrobe

Happy Thanksgiving

to our lovely friends Sylvia and Jane. We all miss seeing you. Hope you have a lovely day with your families. xxxx

Big cook little cook

Wednesday is the only day in the week where Sam and I have nothing on, unfortunately (for us) Daisy has to go to school until lunch time. So this morning Sam and I hung out waiting for the boiler man to come and repair our hot water boiler. Whilst waiting I thought I would get on with some cooking, as soon as I started to get some ingrediants out Sam was by my side saying 'Mammal did it' which means 'Samuel do it' so my little helper got his stool and was a great help. Stirring, turning the blender on and off - I didnt realise my little fella would enjoy cooking so much. Before you all tut in horror that he has not cooked before I mean more than cakes, he loves making cakes as he knows he gets to lick the spoon/bowl at the end but savoury I didnt think he would be that interested!

Daisy wanted to hang out at home this afternoon so that is what we did, watching tv, drinking hot chocolate and having a nap!

My little helper

Sam with his new friend, Bob the Builder

Adventures

We have all had adventures this week;

Mummy & Daddy - I had my last event of the year last Thursday which is great as it means I get to spend most of my time at home now. Daddy and I had the hottest ticket in television on Saturday night, we went to see Strictly Come Dancing being filmed at the BBC television studios in White City. It was a lovely evening as we got to spend some time together, we also got to watch the dancing live and spotting lots of celebrities was also fun. We were seated a couple of rows behind Zara Philips (the Queen's granddaughter) and you could see Tim on tv when it was shown on Sunday night.

Daisy & Samuel - They had a sleepover at their Nan & Grandad's on Saturday night and they had a great time, espically Sam as he had another trip to Bluebell Railway and being the train spotter he is he loved it. We then joined them on Sunday to celebrate Grandad's birthday. Daisy also went out on an adventure with Nanny Maureen after school on Tuesday. They went into Brighton and saw the christmas lights followed by dinner in one of Daisy's favourite restaurants which serves Italian food. We think Daisy is having a growing spurt at the moment as she is eating so much which isnt normally like her plus all her tops are becoming cropped tops where she has grown.

Daisy on her adventure with Nanny Maureen

Topsy and Tim visit the Dentist today...

well they didn't but this story book prepares the little people for going and most people know The Parker's love a Topsy and Tim book!

Today was Samuel's first time at the dentist and I was very proud of him as he wouldnt open his mouth once. He was a happy chappy going in saying "Hello" as soon as he sat in the chair would he open his mouth, no, not even when he was asked to poke his tonge out. Anyway he still got a sticker and was told to come back in six months. As soon as he got off the chair he was back to chatting away!!

It was Daisy's third visit to the dentist and she was great, hopped right into the chair and was very relaxed whilst the dentist counted her teeth and checked them out. He informed her that she had very clean teeth and to keep up with the good brushing - she also scored a sticker and was told to come back in six months.

It is my (god knows how many) visits to the dentist, I was also good and hopped right into the chair and was really pleased when the dentist offered to build up one of my side teeth to even my smile which took ten minutes and didn't cost much at all, result. I too also scored a sticker as Daisy kept telling the dentist how brave I was but unfortunately I have to go back in two weeks for a good clean!!

Thank goodness we met Nanny Maureen in town as she took Sam off after he had seen the dentist whilst Daisy and I had our check ups. Afterwards we all did a spot of Christmas shopping, Samuel and Daisy got to see Father Christmas with nanny and then it was hometime.


First father Christmas visit of the year 2008 at the shopping centre in Brighton with Nanny Maureen

Geee whizz what a week!

Daisy and I returned from New York on an overnight flight arriving at Gatwick on Tuesday morning and was met by a very excited Sam and Daddy. Sam and Daisy ran to each and gave each other a big hug before Sam spotted me and ran to me for the biggest hug. I cannot believe how much he is talking, all he keeps saying is 'Mammel do it, no mammel do it' as he cannot yet say Samuel. He has also grown so tall.

We were only home for a couple of hours before Daisy went off to school as they had a visit to the Build a bear shop today which she did not want to miss and I had to work as I had back to back events this week on Wednesday and Thursday. The jet lag kicked in for Daisy on Thursday and Nanny Maureen came to the rescue and spent the afternoon cuddling Daisy whilst she slept as I was away working.

This weekend has been a bit of a non event as we have all been very tired. Sammy boy was sick on Friday, must have been something he eat. Saturday morning Daisy returned to her dance school as she has missed going so we said that she could go back and then she had Maisy's party. In the afternoon we went to ToysRus to get some ideas for Father Christmas and then the little people had an early night and I cooked a nice meal for my man! Sunday Tim took the little people to the beach and I went to church and met them back at some friends before we had an afternoon of laying on the sofa watching tv, ironing, etc! Sammy helped me cook dinner and loved stirring although he did try to put eggs in everything, everytime I asked him to do something he said 'eggs mamma'. I don't want my little fella to grow up.

Our last day before we come home

Today (Sunday) was Daisy and I last day in the city so we all went in together today and walked from Port Authority to Grand Central Station which must be the most beautiful train station in the world, we then walked up 4th Avenue checking out the market before crossing over to walk up 5th Avenue to American Girl, which is a store where you can pick out a doll that looks like you then you buy the outfits to match the dolls. Daisy was a very lucky girl as Aunty Jo brought her a doll for Christmas and Cala and I got the doll some outfits (also for Christmas). It is the latest craze here. We then went over to the Rockfella Centre and watched the ice skating before going to the Top of the Rocks, the weather was nice and clear today so the view was fantastic.

We then stopped off for some lunch before some more retail therapy on 5th Avenue although I am proud to say I did not make any purchases. We finished off in FAO toy shop before heading over to Central Park where we had a horse ride. I had promised Daisy that we would go ice skating but it was getting late and we had to be at the theatre for the Radio City Christmas Show so it was all agreed that we would go skating back in London with Daddy. After a stroll around the park we stopped off for hot chocolate before Cala, Nanny, Daisy and I went off to see the show which was fantastic. A great way to end the day.

I apologies for any mistakes but it is late here now and I am shattered for the day but wanted to upload the blog for when Daddy and Sammy boy wake up. We miss you loads and cannot wait to see you, not long now.

The girls outside Central Station

Here comes the Forbes express...

A sneaky pad thia at the market

Daisy and I at Top of the Rocks

Daisy with her bits from American Girl

In the crystal shop (on the crystal sofe) in the Rockfella Centre

Daisy gets to meet Arial today at the Disney Store

On the Piano in FAO, it is the same one that was in the film 'Big'

Horse and carriage round Central Park

Nanny, Cala and Daisy outside Radio City

Christmas Show

On the way back to Port Authority

Another day in the big apple

Today whilst the Ireland's hit another shopping mall Daisy, Nanny Maureen and I ventured into the city with a suggested itinerary from Daddy, so first stop was Washington Square Park which is beautiful but unfortunately most of it was closed for a refurb but Daisy did get to go in the playground. We then started to walk up Fifth Avenue and called Daddy and Sam to say hi (which made us miss them even more), it then started to spit so we were popping in and out of shops but unfortunately the rain did not let up and it poured and poured for about three hours but we still carried on walking, first to see the Flat Iron building and then on to the Empire Diner for lunch.

Nanny Maureen decided to head back to the hotel as she was so wet whilst Daisy and I went on to the Whole Food Market to get some fruit before heading to Macy's to see the Christmas windows which are based on one of Daisy's favourite films 'Mircle on 34th Street'.

We popped in Macy's and saw the Big Apple that is dropped on New Year's Eve in Times Square. It was then over to the top of 5th Avenue for the Disney store, the windows were done out beautifully but unfortunately they did not have much HSM stuff which was a disappointment but Daisy did get to meet Jasmine which was a total surprise and she was a little in aure of her.

By this time it was gone 6pm and our little lady was getting tired so we stopped off in Times Square for the biggest piece of Pizza before getting the bus back to the hotel.

I am not sure how she is coping at the moment as when we are at home she is in bed at 7am and normally wakes up around 6am, here she is in bed anytime from 8pm to 10pm and then up at 5am!!!!

Daisy drying off after her shower this morning


We arrived at Washington Square via the subway


Having fun in Washington Square Park which was beautiful esp with it being autume and the leaves falling



Outside the family head quarters

The Flat Iron building in the pouring rain and I mean pouring, Daisy was not too pleased with having to pose for this one!

We finally made it to the Empire Diner, where Daisy had a cocktail of OJ!! and sausages in blankets for lunch

Daisy in macy's under the Big Apple that is dropped in Times Square on New Year

Outside Macy's Christmas windows

With Jasmine in the Disney Store on 5th Avenue

Daisy with the biggest slice of pizza ever

Shop till you drop

Today we headed out to Woodbury Designer Mall for some retail therapy, it has over 200 shops so took most of the day looking around and I made quite a few purchases, they were things that I would buy in the UK (that's what I am telling myself anyway) i.e. clothes for Sammy boy and Tim so I got quite a few bargins although shopping in the US is not as cheap as it used to be due to the exhange rate (not the $2 exchange anymore)! After an exchasting day of shopping it was back to the hotel before heading out to the Red Lobster for dinner. Daisy again was great and didn't moan even though she spent the whole day shopping. Mind you she did score a box of lip gloss, etc from Aunty Jo so she was most pleased.

Nanny Maureen in her New York office



Just by Times Square before we boarded the bus for Woodbury Common



My cute little lady

Woodbury Common in the middle of no where and very quite, other than great shopping it had the most beautiful trees

Waiting for the bus back, some of our packages on show

Daisy and her partner in crime, Cala

Show and tell of purchases made that day

Daisy at dinner with her crab claws, about five minutes after this photo was taken she was fast asleep on my lap in the restaurant

Lovely yummy dinner of crab claws

The Parker ladies hit New York

Firstly big hello, kiss and cuddles for Daddy and Sammy boy as Daisy and I are missing you lots and lots and wish that you were here having fun with us.

Today we ventured into New York City, Jay and Kelly went off to do their own thing whilst Daisy, Nanny Maureen, Cala, Jo, Murphy and I explored the city. First stop was Canal Street, China town, etc and a stop off at the Burton flagship store (for Daddy). Then as it poured with rain and I mean poured we headed for the subway to take us to Ground Zero which was very sad to see. After lunch it was a walk to Battery Park to see the Statue of Liberty (or the lady with the toilet brush as Daisy called her - thank you Daddy). Then it was back on the subway uptown to Maddison Square Gardens where the Irelands brought tickets for the boxing and Daisy. Nanny and I got tickets to Radio City's Christmas show. Then... it was on to the Empire State building before finishing off at Time's Square in ToysRUs. Daisy was brillant and never once complained about walking so much.


Daisy and a 'cop'


Rsting our feet down the subway


Looking at Ground Zero


Ground Zero - I don't know what I was expecting but felt very sad finally seeing it having watched what happened so much on tv.

The Statue of Liberty in the distance

Cala

Talking to Daddy on the phone, standing on 34th Street

Me, Daisy and Nanny Maureen at the top of the Empire State building

Daisy and I inside just before you get your tickets


Murphy, Jo, Cala and Daisy in Times Square

Jo, Daisy and Murphy in the Barbie car on the Ferris Wheel in ToysRus

After such a busy day, our little lady was shattered

Wednesday 5th November.......was spent travelling to New York, Daisy and I left home at 2.30am in the morning and meet up with Uncle Murphy, Aunty Jo, Jay, Kelly, Cala and Nanny Maureen before heading off to Heathrow's new terminal 5. Everything went smoothly and Daisy was a very good girl on the flight. We arrived in New York at midday and made our way to our hotel which thankfully is very nice, it is in New Jersey so we over look Manhatten and set in an area with lots of restaurants and shops. The rest of the day was spent shopping in Walmart!! before having dinner and retiring for an early night in prep for our busy day ahead tomorrow.

Daisy waiting to get on the plane


At our hotel having dinner in New York