Only six days to go and we are busy busy busy

Today was Daisy's last day at school as she now has two weeks off for Christmas, it was also Sam's last day at playgroup and they put on a little show of songs, unfortunately Sam wasnt that keen to take part and spent most of the time picking his nose or running to me for a cuddle.

After the little people had been picked up from school and playgroup we headed up to London with Nanny Maureen and met Uncle Murphy and Aunty Jo and Cousins Cala and Jay at Uncle Davids as we were picking up cousins Mia and Bob to go ice skating at Hampton Court Palace. We promised Daisy that we would go ice skating when we were in New York but unfortunately we ran out of time so Aunty Jo said that we had to go before Christmas.

We arrived at Hampton Court Palace and hit the ice straight away. Uncle Murphy and Nanny Maureen looked after Sam whilst Daisy, Cala, Jo, Mia, Bob, Jay, Kelly and I dazzeled the crowds with our skating skills. Everyone did really well and no one fell over. It was a beautiful setting, the palace was lit up and after lots of fun on the ice it was time for the yummist hot chocolate and a ride on the merry go round. Unfortunately as we were approaching the merry go round I slipped down a step and my heel snapped off my boots...greatttt!

We then headed back to David and Dawn's for dinner and playtime for the little people before heading home.

Unfortunately Daddy couldnt come with us as he had work and then a party in the evening.

Sammy boy far right in the checked shirt and jeans

Daisy with her skates on

First time on the ice and she did a great job, although she didnt manage to skate on her own, I did a great job of keeping her up (even if I say so myself). The move we are doing here is the ice curtsey by Daisy.

Aunty Jo, Daisy and I on the ice

Aunty Jo showing everyone how it is done

Me, Daisy, Jay, Mia, Bob, Jo and Murphy hanging out by the rink

Sammy boy enjoying his hot chocolate

Daisy and Bob on the merry go round

Sam and 'My Cala' as he calls Cala

Sam entertaining the crowds before dinner at Uncle David's and Aunty Dawn's, above is the picture my Dad painted of Hemingway

The big feast.... unfortunately without a nice little salad!! Everyone did comment on how a salad would have just finished the evening off nicely!!! Oh well maybe next time.... only joking Dawn.

It's getting closer...

Today is meant to be a work/school/nursery day today but as Sam is still alittle poorly Sam and I stayed off for the day. We dropped daddy off at the airport to pick up his car and then we headed to a super dupa supermarket local to the airport and did a big shop although we did have to evcuate half way through... which is a first for me. We picked Daisy up from school and then Nanny Maureen came over to watch the little people as Tim and I both had the dentist.

As Daisy has been such a good girl recently I got the photos from our trip to New York put in a hard back book like an annual with a picture of her on the back and then on all the photos inside and as I knew she would she loves it and will hopefully keep it for many years to come.

Aunty Angela and Alan came over for dinner and we exchanged presents, Sammy got a Thomas train that when you blow the whistle it goes along which keeps him amused he also got a Thomas book and a mini London bus. Daisy got a paint your own kit, some HSM shampoo and a HSM clock and watch which she is over the moon about. Mummy and Daddy got a candle and a voucher to WHSmith to buy some mags... great present for us as we both love magazines and books.

After dinner there was lots of wedding talk as not long now, only four months until they tie the knott.


Daisy opening her book with Nanny Maureen


She spots a photo of herself

Sam, Daisy and I

Sam giving Alan his Christmas present

Samuel and Daisy get their first musical card

Sam loving his Thomas

Looks like he is begging for presents

Daisy with her clock and watch

Our first Christmas day...

Today was our first Christmas day for 2008. Friends and family day at Nanny Maureen's. We had a great day with lots of presents and spending time with our family. Day in photos below:

Nanny's Christmas village


Aunty Gill, Daddy, Sam and cousin Beckie


Nanny Maureen giving out the presents

Martin, cousin Cala, Daisy and cousin Bob

Cousin Cala, daisy, Cousin Bob, Second cousin Elsie, cousins Kelly and Mia

Not sure what Daisy and Bob are gossiping about, Cala trying to ear wig in the background

Daisy and Aunty Jo atarting the wrapping paper fight!

Sammy boy with what looks like a rather large pair of trousers (Kelly and Elsie to the left and Uncle Keith to the right)

Daisy getting even more presents

Cousins Becks, Charlie, Jenny and Katie

Bob, Lynn and Nanny Maureen

Nanny Maureen, Sam and Daisy looking at the singing Christmas tree

Clap and the tree sings

Mircles do happen... the boys washing up - Uncle Murphy, Uncle Carl and Uncle David

The sick and tired household!

It's been a funny old week as Sammy boy has been very poorly with a chest infection so has been off nursery and playgroup and just wants cuddles from his Mumma and Daddy he has also slept most of the day and night but waking in the night with a cough so we havent had a decent nights sleep in about four nights...hence Tim asleep whilst I am updating the blog.

We did manage to decorate our Christmas tree though and my friends Julie and Karen came round for dinner on Wednesday. Big THANK YOU to Karen for the children's presents. It was lovely to see them although I wasnt on form what with being so tired. Karen also treated me to a magazine and some smellies so I had a long soak in the bath last night enjoying my magazine.

Yesterday was Sam's playgroups Christmas fair which I happen to organise, he is still poorly so he slept through the whole thing in his buggy which was a shame as he didnt get to enjoy it, but there is always next year. Anyway it was a lovely afternoon and we raised just over £500 which is brillant considering we only have 35 children there.

Today we had a pj day at home which was great although Daisy did escape and was taken to see the show 'The Wizard of Oz' as her christmas treat from Martine and Lucas which was lovely so a big thank you to them.

Tonight we have some friends coming round for dinner so I need to go and wake Tim up now so I can pop to the store! I also have a stonking cold now and could just do with going to bed!


Daddy putting the finishing touches to our tree... the star


Our Christmas tree, thankfully it looks a lot healthier than the one we had last year


With the lights on

The photos below are from last Saturday at Daisy's dance school, we get to watch the last lesson of each term:

Ballet

Tap (Above: Daisy at the back, Below: Daisy in the middle)

opp's a Daisy Angel

Today was the first performance of "opp's a Daisy Angel" at Daisy's school. Daisy had been cast as a snow girl and did a fantastic job, the play was very good, all the children did a fantastic job none of them needed to be told what to do or went wrong. The story was about an angel called opp's a Daisy and the birth of Jesus!


Daisy far left in the pink striped scarf


Daisy dancing with in her circle


Daisy with some of her class mates

The cast

Daisy singing

then throwing in some hand actions

with her friend Nancy

Posh Father Christmas that was not that posh!

After school we made a quick dash to the train as we were going up to London to see Father Christmas at Harrods.

We met Angela at Brighton and had lunch on the train, Sam was very excited about going on the train and got to see lots of other trains which made his day. Once we reached London we went to Fortnum and Mason to get a couple of Christmas presents and then we started out mammoth walk (Daisy was great and kept up all the way and didnt moan once) ... first it was Piccadily Circus to see the flash boards, then up Regent Street admiring the lights and windows of Hamleys (and of course taking a quick look in Hamleys). Then on to Oxford Circus and down Oxford Street to Marble Arh where we popped in a couple of shops and admired the lights and windows of Selfridges.

We then got a bus at Marble Arch to Knightsbridge as we had a 6pm slot booked for Father Christmas at Harrods, last year we did the same at Selfridges and it as brillant. Harrods were advertising it as 100yrs of Father Christmas and unfortunately the whole thing was rather cheap and disappointing!! The Father Christmas we saw was about 25 and had no idea how to be FC, Sam and Daisy would not go near him which is unsual as all the others they have seen they would! Anyway they had a good time and scored a book and badge each. We then walked through Hyde Park as they had a winter wonderland which was mainly a fair and some eating stalls. Our last route was back to Victoria Station where we stopped and had dinner before heading home on the train.


Daisy at the sweet counter in Fortnum & Mason


Sam and Daisy outside the windows at Hamleys


Daisy with the Hamleys bear






One of Selfridges windows




Enjoying a sugar rush in Harrods


Waiting to see FC



Daisy hadnt been on her best behaviour today and got worried when I said I was going to tell FC!


Angel and Sam at Winter Wonder Land in Hyde Park