The start of Nanny Maureen's birthday celebrations

This weekend was the start of Nanny Maureen's 70th birthday celebrations so all of the family headed off to Nash Farm in Highcliffe Dorset for a weekend of stepping back in time! This is where mum used to take us on holiday when I was little (and my brothers and sisters not so little). We had booked seven chalets for the weekend for all my brother and sisters and their children, Daisy was very excited as she was going to spend the weekend with her cousins

We set off from home at midday and arrived just in time to help Dawn, David, Mia and Bob decorate all the chalets with balloons. Then Carl and the girls arrived with flowers for all the chalets and then Debs arrived with baskets packed with delicious treats for all the chalets. Mum arrived late afternoon with Jo and Murphy to the chalet fully decorated for her birthday weekend. After lots of cuddles, fun, photos and a toast we headed down to the club house for suppa, lots of drinking and a boogie.


Mum's chalet


Mum arrives and starts the conga to her chalet


It keeps on growing! (Jo is at the back with her own routine)


With some of her grandchildren, check out Bob's pose at the back

With her lovely children trying to look glam in the wind (Jo, David, mum, me, Carl & Debs)

And with the in-laws

Daisy and Bob throwing some shapes on the dance floor! I think Daisy is doing the wipe the nose move and Bob grab your shoulder move!

Check out those moves!

The Good Life! & Snow

We have started growing our own salad! Grandad Frank gave us some rocket to start with and it is growing very fast, we had some for dinner last night. We are also growing another form of lettuce in a small capsule (pic posted last weekend) and today we planned to plant some seeds for tomatoes, cucumbers and some more lettuce leaves... we like our leaves... but it snowed and snowed and snowed, we must have had at least three inches.

Daddy had a great idea... to go snowboarding!! So we all wrapped up warm and headed out to found a steep hill. It was like a ghost town driving around at 10am as the snow was quite thick and the radio was saying don't go out unless you have too. We tried out Hove Park first and then moved on to Stanmer Park.

Daddy met another like minded snowboarding Daddy and they started to build ramps, etc. Daisy was near enough crying from the moment she got out of the car as she didnt like the snow in her face, it was coming down quite thick (Tim's dreams of her being a world champion snowboarder have been dashed) and Sammy boy loved it, running round in the snow. The little people and I retired to the car to watch Daddy but then we left him at Stanmer Park as he wanted to spend the afternoon there. Who would have thought it, Tim snowboarding on real snow outside in Brighton!


Practising before we go!


Out on the road at 10am


Try out at Hove Park, decide to move on to Stanmer Park


Daisy looking forward to playing in the snow (shame the enjoyment didnt last)


Sammy boy wondering where his wellies have disappeared too!


The smile before the tears!


The boys and the snowboard

Yesterday Daisy went to the cinema to see Horton, Hears A Who with Nanny Maureen and Daddy but she didnt like it that much. Whilst they were at the cinema Sam got the short end of the straw and had to come food shopping with me. When we got home whilst I was sorting out the washing in the kitchen and Sam got the eggs out of the bag in the hallway! Well I think you can guess what happened next... our hall way was decorated with six eggs (all broken and then rubbed into the wall, floor and rug - that's boys for you!

Ohhh new duvet for Daisy!

Today is my only day off this week, so we were really lazy and didnt meet up with any friends this morning but hung out at home playing with the toys and watching tv - how does the house get so untidy when you are at home doing nothing?

After lunch, Sam had his hearing test (which he has every three months) and great news his hearing has improved (he can hear fine just not the high notes), he is stil not perfect but they think it is all linked to his chest problems which seem to be clearing up so hopefully he should be ok by the end of the summer. They also said his speech was very good for his age - he is such a clever boy!

Nanny Maureen paid us a visit and then we all went off to Holmbush where Sam scored a new Thomas the Tank engine puzzel and a swim all in one for the summer and Daisy got some new vests, 'Dore the Explorar' knickers and a new duvet from Marks and Spencers. Daddy, nanny and I, all having slept in Daisy bed said that her duvet wasnt very nice or comfy and Daisy has been having broken sleep the past week so we thought it might be down to her duvet, Nanny Maureen very kindly treated her to a supa dupa top of the range one which she is very pleased with and currently fast asleep under it as I update the blog!

New trick that Sam learnt today is that if he sings really loud (i.e. shouting) when Daisy is watching TV it annoys her. It was very funny to watch as he realised quite early on that Daisy wasnt too happy so he would sing, she would turn around and tell him to be quiet and he would start laughing but trying to carry on singing!

Daisy tackles the big box!

Where has she gone?

In bed with the old duvet... (trying to pull a sad face)

and in bed with th elovely new duvet!

The calm before the storm!

After a busy Easter spent with family and friends we have had a chilled week. Also April is a manic month for us as I am working near enough full time which will be interesting!

Today was spent hanging out at home other than going to Jake's fifth birthday party which Daisy loved as they had a bouncy slide and Sam loved as he got to play with big boy toys! We came home and Nanny Anne and Grandad paid a visit and Daisy and Grandad watered some special granuels that will grow into lettuce - will keep you updated on how we do. Nanny Maureen then very kindly babysit whilst Tim and I went to the movies.


Daisy extreme jumping on the slide (check out the force from the hair style)


Guess who didnt want her photo taken, hence false smile! The granuels that will become lettuce!


At John and Elaines on Easter Monday, this was taken from the kitchen through the window. Daisy and the three older boys were in the kitchen but we could hear the piano being played and there was our Sammy boy banging out his tunes!

Easter Sunday

The weather really has taken a turn for the worst so Saturday morning was spent at Westo's enjoying the soft play area with Carys and Aston. The rest of the afternoon was spent at home chilling out before Tim and I went out for dinner with some friends whilst Nanny Maureen babysat.

We had the luxury of nanny staying over so she got up with the little people whilst I got to have a lovely lie in until 9am! Tim was too hungover to make church so slept in whilst I went and the little people stayed with nanny.

In the afternoon we headed over to Nanny Anne and Grandad's for a lovely lunch followed by an egg hunt where Daisy and Sam scored some eggs. Nanny and Grandad had also brought them some cool easter eggs, Sam got Timmy Tractor a tractor made out of chocolate and Daisy got a Barbie one with a barbie notebook which she loved. We had a lovely afternoon with Nan, Grandad, Aunty Susie, Richard and Lucy before heading home for dinner and bath time.


Looking for eggs with Grandad



Daisy doing her best 'Kermit the frog' impression after the egg hunt



Sammy boy tucks into his easter egg from Nanny and Grandad

Good Friday 2008 - HAPPY EASTER

Our days in pictures (and a few words)...

We started off at Jo and Murphy's exchanging easter eggs and then putting the chickens away before we headed off on our adventure. Daisy got a great Dora the Explorer egg from Jo & Murp, a High School Musical one from Cala and a bag of chocs from Nanny Maureen. Sammy boy scored a Fireman Sam, Thomas and Bob Builder egg with egg cup, plate and cup from Jo & Murp, a Thomas one from Cala and a great bird house filled with choc from Nanny Maureen - a successful time on the easter egg front!


We arrived at out destination a National Trust house to do an Easter egg treasure hunt (behind the church)


Timmy and Nanny maureen are deep in thought as the egg hunt starts!


Daisy and Uncle Murphy have found some of the clues!


Sam finished the quiz first

and collects his prize

and shares it with Cala

Daisy collects her prize

Relaxing after our yummy picnic that Aunty Jo did

After our yummy lunch we went on a really really really long walk across Seven Sisters Country Park down to the beach and back again - it was really windy on the way back but the scenery was beautiful.

We then went on to Charlie Hatch's first birthday and Daisy was stoked as she got to play with her buddies for a few hours. We finally got home around 6.30pm, after a quick dinner the little people fell into bed and a deep sleep within minutes!

A great day spent with our family and friends!

Mommy and daddy make a boo boo!

Daisy normally goes to nursery on a Thursday but her playgroup had an easter fair with a egg hunt and bonnet parade on the same day i.e. today. As I was working Tim was going to take Daisy for a few hours but he had to go into work last minute so Daisy did not get to go. So as a treat she got to stay up late (after Sam had been put to bed) and make cakes to give out as her easter presents. She did it all by herself (other than the hot bit of melting the chocolate).


Put the ingrediants in


Mix it up


Hay presto... yummy cakes!

How cute, trying on dresses for when she is Angela's bridesmaid (this photo was actually taken a few weeks ago shopping with Angela)