Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas everyone! Hope you're having a good one. Yesterday we went to see grandma and grandpa along with auntie Jane. For a while we weren't sure if we'd make it down to see them as it snowed quite a bit on Wednesday night. Thankfully once we got out of our road, it was fine. We had a fab day that consisted of food, presents, food, drink and more food (just as it should be)!

For a bit of exercise we went to the park with the sledge. There wasn't a huge amount of snow but there was enough snow and crispy stuff to keep it running. Toby wasn't too bothered; I think he liked the idea more than the actual act. Beth on the other hand loved it and just wanted to go "faster, faster". Both Steve and Jane between them took both kids down the big hill in the village - I lost my bottle a bit and had visions of hitting a bush and being catapulted across the park . . .

Christmas lunch was lurvly! Despite vowing not to over indulge, I overindulged (but not too much)! We got to open some presents from auntie Jane; a little early but hey, we thought she'd like to see how much we liked them and since we wouldn't be seeing her today it was a favour! In all a great day.

Today amazingly Beth didn't wake up till 6:30 and Toby 7am so it was quite a civilized morning. Beth wasn't fussed what was inside her presents, she just wanted to open, open, open. Toby was the opposite and wanted to see exactly what everyone got and how it worked. They got some pretty good presents (and there are still a few hanging round to be opened after naptime).

We had a lovely walk before lunch, especially since there was nobody else about. Lunch must have been the quickest ever for Christmas Day since we had leftovers from yesterday followed by lots of chocolate. :) Steve was very impressed with his presents from the kids - new masterpieces to replace the ones done last year.Hope you all had as good a Christmas as us - we're not quite done as it's being extended while we go to gran and grandads!

Santa!

Just another quick post so it doesn't get lost in the upcoming Christmas postings. Santa visited the Children's Centre yesterday so I thought it was a good opportunity to go and meet him. Beth and I talked about it beforehand and she decided what she would say, including what she would ask for as well as finding out what Santa would like to eat (cake v. mince pie). She did not want to sit on his lap but thought she would stand by his side. I mentioned to Toby that we would be meeting Santa but he didn't seem too interested. :)

Thankfully we only had to wait for one other family before going into the grotto and you could see Santa through the window so Beth and Toby could see what awaited them. Well, poor Santa got well and truly shunned. Neither would go anywhere near him and Beth wouldn't even look at him. Toby wasn't too sure what to think but was perfectly clear in the fact that he did not want to be too close to anyone but Steve and I. Even so they both were quite happy to accept their gifts from Santa (though Beth was a bit put out that it wasn't just what she wanted!!).

Tomorrow we're off to grandma and grandpa's for Christmas Eve and our Christmas dinner, yum. We'll be back home for Christmas Day with lots of pressies, chocolate and leftovers then on Boxing Day we're off to see gran and grandad to see if Santa visited them. Have to say that Beth isn't nearly as excited as I thought she'd be, think I'm more excited. I suppose it's a good thing as she might sleep tomorrow night and isn't bouncing off the walls. Even more surprising, all presents under the tree are still intact! I'm not sure if this indicates that my kids are totally oblivious and haven't noticed them or if they are just so well behaved they do as they're asked or if they are too scared of the consequences (I'd like to think the middle option . . . )!

Snow

Just a quick one so I can post some snowy winter pictures! We haven't had huge amounts - just enough to make things awkward but not enough to do much with! We did however go and see gran and grandad yesterday and they had quite a bit more. Unfortunately it was too powdery to build a snowman but we still had fun (for about 10 minutes before there were tears!).

It's also pretty cold around -2°C/28°F but at one point on our journey it got to -14°C/7°F! I don't think I can ever remember it getting that chilly.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a very Happy Christmas. :)

The Woods and Christmas is Coming!

We seem to have had loads of things going on (hence the lack of blogs) but I can't actually think what they were. Anyway, I'll try now to put a few bits on showing what we've been up to.

A couple of weeks ago we went with Carl and Tim to the woods for a run and play. We haven't seen Carl since September as he goes to a different nursery and goes in the afternoon so there is no time to meet up. It was great to get together, this was the first time that Toby wasn't in the pushchair and he loved being one of the gang.

It was pretty muddy not that they were bothered. We found some 'houses' which they all helped to improve. I think it must be a boy thing with sticks as Toby searched for the one that looked like it could do most damage (how do they know???) and both Carl and Tim were dragging logs around!

Of course we stopped for a picnic of sorts though it was a little chilly to stay still for too long. Poor Meadow (Carl's little sister) was bundled up so well I'm surprised she could stay on her feet - she reminded me of Maggie Simpson when they dress her up for the snow. It was a lovely morning but I was glad to get back in the warmth. Quick pic of Toby, couldn't resist as it makes me laugh!

We put our Christmas tree and decorations up the first weekend of December and it definitely added a festive feel. Steve has also managed to work out how to trick the Internet into thinking we're still in the US so we can listen to KOST 103.2 and their month of non-stop holiday tunes. :) The only problem with all this is I forget that it isn't Christmas but I'm eating and drinking thinking it is, not good!

At the weekend we went down to grandma and grandpa's to 'help' them decorate their tree and cake. I thought Beth and Toby did a great job between them on the tree, much better than last year though I believe that grandma may have made a few adjustments after we left . . . Before I forget, in that picture Beth is holding 'Bethlehem Jesus' (please don't ask . . . ). Beth also helped to decorate the Christmas cake along with some Christmas buns. While there I also got a bit crafty made a holiday wreath for the door. For a first attempt I didn't think it was too bad. Think it's a bit like pumpkin carving - you always think of other ideas once you're finished and want to do another.

Fun Holiday Time

We are just back from a very fun and relaxing few days at Centerparcs down in Elveden Forest, Suffolk with grandma and grandpa. We didn't take very many photos since we spent the majority of our time in the swimming pool (sorry, the tropical swimming paradise!). Toby took to the water staight away and just walked down the steps into the water and floated on his way. Beth was a little more hesitant but once she got a feel for things she would have happily stayed in there all day.

The villa was very nice with the best feature (for Beth anyway) was a huge chalkboard where she spent ages getting us to draw around her then she added the features. There was lots of wildlife about and the squirrels and ducks were very friendly. A couple of muntjak deer kept appearing in the early morning and a heron came to see what goodies the ducks were being fed. We didn't do many adventure walks this year but they did enjoy taking their torches outside for night walks.

Despite the rest of the country having horrid weather and being a few feet under water, we were extremely lucky and didn't see a spot of rain the whole time we were there. It was a little windy a couple of days but it didn't stop us doing anything. Steve and I, courtesy of grandma and grandpa, got to spend some time alone. We played a round of golf (my first in about five years) which was very relaxing since we expected to play hideously and only played awfully! We also went for two night swims (the pool was open until 10pm), very nice since it was a lot quieter than in the day, there were less children and we also didn't have to queue for the chutes and slides. :)

When walking about, Beth seemed very interested in people playing mini tennis. We thought we'd book a court and let her have a go. She loved the idea but the reality was slightly different . . . She was not impressed to find she wasn't an automatic professional and after two minutes just wanted to sit on the side. However, grandma stepped in and quickly got her hitting the ball and happily 'playing'. Toby did not have the same expectations and as such was very happy, racket in hand, chasing the ball all over. Not quite sure what the other players on the courts thought of our game, personally I suspect they were jealous of our lack of rules and wanted to join in the fun!!

It was a fantastic week - we're trying to decide whether to book for next year - we would perhaps go sooner but I doubt grandma and grandpa will have quite recovered! ;)

A Binky-Free Boy!

We are happy to report that for the last few weeks Toby has been binky free. We noticed that his teeth were starting to suffer (along with the fact that soon he'll be two and it's rather obscene to see older kids wandering about with one) so it was confiscated. He was surprisingly calm about it. He asked for it a few times but seems to accept that 'D' has gone for good. This is a pic of his lovely smile . . . binky free. :)

Beth has started going to dance classes (ballet and tap) and seems to enjoy it though she wants all the gear. After the first class she said she liked it but didn't want to go again. When I questioned her a bit more it seems she didn't want to be left out and wanted the outfit, the pretty pink ballet shoes and the cool red tap shoes. So far we've got the outfit but are still working on the shoes. I see this getting expensive, especially at the rate she grows (anyone want to sponsor a future dance star???)!

Next week we're off for a few days holiday to Centerparcs - we went this time last year and thought we'd try it again since both kids were sick. Hopefully the weather will be lovely for us . . .

Happy Halloween

I did a couple of carved pumpkins this year, two from mum and dad's garden and one that I was given at bootcamp after having used it in place of a medicine ball! That's the one in the photo - I opted for a pretty rather than scary design to grace our door this year.

We don't normally go trick or treating but Beth got her first taste of it this year with grandma and grandpa. She dressed up as a fairy witch (I didn't ask . . .) and spent a happy evening gathering treats (from pre-approved candidates). That was until she encountered a man (an unapproved daddy) with a 'dead arm'. From what we can gather, she wasn't scared of it but just didn't like it. Anyway, she is still talking about it today. Perhaps I need to find something that shocks her more than that so she stops talking about it, though it would have to be shocking enough to stop her talking at all or else there would be no point!

While Beth was doing that, I was at the Halloween hen party of a school friend, Katie. It was very relaxed and good fun. I went as a witch/wizard type in semi homemade garb (thanks mum and sorry, no pics) and Katie was a ghoulish bride. Poor girl, she knew it was her party but didn't know about the dressing up, etc. I'm sure she was looking forward to a glamorous night out on the tiles! :)

Two Country Houses

Just a quick entry. On Saturday evening we went to Brodsworth Hall and Gardens for their annual Enchanted Gardens. We were a bit concerned as we thought it perhaps would be spooks jumping out from behind bushes, etc. but were reassured that it was not particularly connected to Halloween.

It was a bit breezy but not too cold. As we walked around the gardens, trees and buildings had been lit up with beautiful colours (that kept changing). It was lovely and there was a nice atmosphere. We stopped off at the tearoom for a slice of cake and a drink - a big treat since it was after bedtime. With the clocks going back we thought it was a perfect opportunity to do something special and together and keep the kids up later in hope they wouldn't be up at 4am the next day!

The pictures of the house and gardens were courtesy of t'internet as mine were pretty awful. I think the kids enjoyed it though Beth didn't like 'the lady singing in the bushes' (dvd of an opera singer) and I'm sure Toby had no clue what was happening. All good fun.

Yesterday we made the most of it being half term and met gran and grandad at Nostell Priory and Parklands. It certainly had an autumnal feel to it and it was all I could do to stop myself jumping in the huge piles of leaves the staff were collecting up. Toby loved it - last year he looked longingly at Beth jumping and kicking the leaves so was very happy to join in this year.

Happy Halloween to everyone - I'm sure I'll have some sort of posting on that topic after the weekend.

Our Northumbrian Holiday

We're just back from spending a lovely week in Bamburgh with gran and grandad. The house we rented had a fantastic view of the castle and we could also just make out a lighthouse and the sea. The photo is the view from our bedroom - can't do much better than that!

The weather wasn't too bad (though could have been a bit better) so we only got to spend one morning at the beach. It started off a little damp with a bit of rain but cleared up nicely. Beth was more than happy to collect shells and stone (most of which are now piled up in our back garden) and wasn't particularly interested in the sea. On the other hand Toby was VERY interested in the water. I took him down for a little paddle (it was chilly) but that did not satisfy him and Steve took him down for something that ended up resembling a swim! I think the waves surprised them both so after a quick snack, we had to head back for baths all round.

On Sunday cousins Adam and William came to visit us for the day so we wandered down the road to the castle. It's pretty impressive and dominates the village. You can just make out the figures of Beth and Adam heading up the hill. The interior was impressive too but we didn't have time to fully appreciate it as we whipped round it at a fair rate of knots. The kids did however sit still long enough to devour ice cream at the tearoom after.

We managed to pack loads of visits into the week making it to Alnwick and the famous Barter Books bookshop. I would have been happy to spend the day browsing but two little souls prevented that! We also made it to Berwick Upon Tweed but only for a wander and short explore.

Our next big adventure was to a National Trust property, Cragside House and Gardens, the first house in the world to be lit using hydroelectric power. Steve's been wanting to visit for years - he went when he was younger and before it was of as much interest to him. I think him and grandad could have spent days exploring inside the house but again a couple of little souls prevented it. The gardens were equally as impressive with a bridge, rockeries, a formal garden and lots of space. I'm afraid much of the technical information related to the house was totally lost on me but it was still interesting and the gardens were lovely.

Thursday we indulged Toby and went to the Ford & Etal Estates where we got to ride on a (miniature) steam train. Amazingly we got to see a barn owl poking it's head out of a tree along with lots of cows, sheep and herons. After lunch at a very picturesque pub (thatched roof and all), we headed back on the train.

Our last trip was to the fishing village of Craster where we parked and walked along the coast to Dunstanburgh Castle. The sun was out and it would have been a beautiful walk except for the wind that nearly lifted Toby off the ground. It made it quite tiring but we all enjoyed it and Toby slept for ages after (I'll have to rent a wind tunnel to tire them out in future!!!).

It was a lovely week and Beth was very upset to be leaving, she did not want to go back to her house at all. Steve probably felt the same with work looming tomorrow but he was very restrained and didn't say so. :)

100th Post!

I can't believe I've posted 100 ramblings on here since starting it in January 2008. I'm quite impressed with myself to work out that's 88 weeks, so over a post a week. Who knew I had so much to say!

Anyway, this one will be a bit of a mish mash of outings and happenings. Last weekend we went to visit grandma and grandpa and made the most of one of the last days of summer. The weather was beautiful so both the sandpit and the paddling pool came out.

Both kids are such water babies had to eventually be physically removed from the pool - blue lips and all. Beth received a fab dress for her dressing up box from G&G, brought back from their holiday in Spain. Here she is posing in it and holding the maracas given to Toby.

Next week we're off on holiday to Northumbria to play on the beaches and look at the castles (fingers crossed for good weather). In preparation Steve bought a roof box for the car in hope we might actually have room for all the necessary equipment! It came in a huge box that was quickly fashioned (by talented daddy) into a (rather un-aerodynamic) car, windscreen, boot and doors included. It's been a enormous hit and is still dominating the living room. I'm sure there'll be great dismay tomorrow morning when it 'disappears' into the recycling.

This morning we took a picnic over to Clumber Park. Apart from a bit of wind it was a perfect day. We had a lovely walk through the woods and by the lake. The leaves are starting to fall so much time was spent waist deep in rotting foliage! It was pretty busy with loads of dog-walkers and cyclists; they obviously don't realise it's our park and we'd like a bit of space please . . .

Had to include this last picture. We planted our sunflower seeds back in May and it has taken until this week for the flowers to come out. They do look pretty good and you can see them over the fence from the street (much to Beth's delight).