Half term fun

So, we are half way through half term, and haven't we been busy! Today's adventures included the usual clean up and tidy in the morning, followed by a quick visit to the Sling Library at Kiddicare, Chanel gave us some gorgeous clothes for Joshua, including a coat, a jumper and some lovely jeans and a pair of cord trousers.  It is very kind of her, so thank you Chanel!

Then we were on our way to Blaise Castle again for a walk!  We then popped over to Tesco's to get Oliver a drink, and I popped in to Costa to get a Chai latte, to take with me!

At Blaise today, we went up a muddy stairway, to find one of the caves, Butchers cave, which is a man-made cave, which looks a bit spooky!  We followed the path upwards and came out on the grassy hill where the 'Castle' or 'Folly' is.  Oliver has been inside before a few years ago, but it wasn't open to go inside today, but still looked lovely from the outside.

We then walked down to the main path, and walked alongside the river for another 20 mins or so.  It was nice, and I feel its been good for us to get the fresh air.

We then went to Oliver's dental appointment, and guess what? It turns out my big 6 year old is the one that is teething!  The dentist saw that his adult teeth at the back have cut through!  He hasn't been complaining though!  

My friend Serena had mentioned that you can buy Chai latte from Tesco's, so we popped into get some, before heading home.

More half term fun!

Oliver on deck of SS Great Britain

Its been a nice couple of days spent with my children. Yesterday we went to the SS Great Britain.   I thought Oliver would find it really interesting, however he was just so terrified of the models, and couldn't wait to get off the ship!  We saw Oliver's friend Genevieve which was nice.

We did have a nice time though in the main!  We went to collect Mikey afterwards and then all went back home.  It was nice to have Mikey off work.

Oliver feeding Joshua like a little lamb at the farm!

Today has been a really lovely sunny day.  I did cleaning in the morning, Mike left about 10am, as he had to go back to his flat to sleep as working tonight. Oliver and I had some early lunch and then we decided to go to Tyntesfield for a walk around.

It was really nice, and relaxing to walk around the gardens, and we went in the house and chapel, which we couldn't do last time, so it was a great day!  Oliver also was able to make a snail out of willow in the orangery.  It was lovely to sit in the rose garden while Oliver explored. We were both very tired from all the walking, we were only there from about 1pm - 3.30pm, but it made a very nice afternoon indeed.  

This evening we saw the International Space Station again, it was a great pass, lasting about 5 mins!

A delightful sunny day! At Last!

Today has been a gorgeous sunny day!  It's been a long time since we've seen a sunny dry day, with all this rainy weather and I had to make the most of it!

Well; we did have to go to Tesco's to get some nappies and food, but after lunch I took Joshua (As Oliver has been with his father today), to Blaise Castle Estate.  It's one of those places that we have been to so many times, and it kind of bores me as its the same old place, however it was particularly glorious today.

We sat on the steps by the house, basking in the sun, Joshua was asleep for a bit in the sling but then woke up, and he really enjoyed feeling the warmth from the sun, and watching all the kids playing and dogs running around.  I had nipped to Costa on way, so I was enjoying a Chai Latte, which is a new drink they do that I have taken a fancy too.  Kind of a milky spicy drink, with no coffee.  

We sat there for over an hour, just enjoying the sun.  Then about 3.30pm we decided to go for a little walk down into the woods and the river.  We went a bit further than we had intended too, but only half an hour in total.  We could have definitely have stayed later, but it was getting late so I thought best to get Joshie home for his tea.

Mike has been sleeping today, so regrettably has missed out on this gorgeous day out.   

I had been feeling, and still am to a degree a little sad, and I really haven't felt like this since before Joshua was born.  Just feel a little low.  The sun has helped, I feel a little better, but still feel a bit shadowed by the cloud at the moment.  I hope it passes soon.

My friend Nick just made me aware on facebook that the International  Space Station will be passing over tonight at 6.30pm, so we went out to see it, and it was amazing, I have never seen it before, it just few across the sky, I am so pleased I saw it, however really gutted that Oliver had just arrived home, as it was almost gone completely, and then was asleep so didnt get out of the car quickly enough.  What a shame.

So, Sunday night,  going to watch 'Call the Midwife' and have some soup in a bit after I have made Ollie some tea.  Night night!

Valentines day 2014

Ah Valentines day.....(well yesterday)

This morning I took Joshua to Little Hedgehogs play group and it was really lovely.  We came home with a single red rose, which was a lovely gesture.  It might be the only flower I get this year, as I told Mikey not to bother with anything this 14th February, other than a card.  Mikey is on his way to me now, so we will soon find out!

* * *

No.....no flowers.  Sad. lol

Thoughts of the day

I was hoping today that the photographs that mum has printed and sent to me, would arrive, so I could get on with making my scrap book pages of Joshua's birth, they didn't come, but hopefully will tomorrow.

The day started off rainy and miserable, I came home straight away after the school run, and had a nice bowl of Dorset Cereal, which felt more healthy than the maple pancakes I had yesterday!

I Joshua had a bad night last night, he woke up about five times or more, so after the school run he was so tired, he fell asleep for almost two and a half hours!  I must admit I had a little snooze in bed too for the last hours of his nap :)

In the afternoon, Anna asked if I wanted to go to Tesco's, which I did feel like getting out of the house for half an hour, so we met at tesco's.  I got some a cauli and a broccoli to make more of Joshua's favourite (Broc and Cauli cheese!).

I called the the vicar at St Chad's church, to ask about potentially getting Joshua christened.  He said it should be fine as we are linked to the church through the school, however he needs to check to see if Bradley Stoke church were okay with it, as its not my parish.

Oliver had his cello lesson this afternoon and he did fantastically, he is really coming along.  I think we will have to purchase a cello sooner or later as hiring it per month is really pricey.

Mike is at work yet again, as is the usual situation.  He is off Friday, which is valentines day.  We have said not to bother with presents this year, but hopefully I will get a card ;) and maybe some flowers? ;)

Tried to start my 1200 calorie diet today, currently have 6 calories left, and haven't had tea yet....however I am starving, so cooking some pasta, so will be over my calorie goal today...!

Got both boys to bed just before 7pm, going to watch Eastenders now, night x

A lovely day in the end

Well, despite feeling a little blue earlier, the day turned out to be very lovely indeed.  I had forgotten that I had a hair appointment, so went over to Trish's next door, who got rid of all my dark roots, so that was good!  Then I went over to Anna's who had a lovely Polish salad and bread waiting for me, it was so delicious!  Had a lovely catch up with Anna, and the babies played :)

Joshie's new balaclava

Anna gave me a lovely blue baby balaclava for Joshua it is so cute!

Oliver's Cello Practice 

I then picked up Ollie from after school club (Multi sports). We came home, Oliver had a shower, had a biscuit and then he did a good cello practice without moaning at all. He practised to the music cd and did really well.

I am now feeding the boys, Oliver is having roast dinner cooked by Grandma E, delicious! Joshua is also having chicken, in a purée :)   I will have my roast dinner later on tonight when boys are in bed.

I do love my boys so much.   Mikey is at work tonight, so it's just me and the boys tonight.  

Joshua ate the whole pot of tomato chicken purée tonight!  He must have been hungry.  He didn't think much of his lovely Lentils this afternoon at Anna's house!

Feeling blue

I have just gone over to the nursery that Joshua will be going to in May, to pay the deposit, well most of it.  £625 to be precise, thank you Mikey for dropping round the £500 notes this morning!

Anyway, feeling so sad that I am going to be leaving our little Joshie there to go to work.  I wish I could just stay with him and didn't have to go back to work....   I am worried that I haven't chosen the right nursery, although it has good reviews from friends.  I can't help feeling sad he isn't going to the same nursery that Oliver went to, however I didn't choose that one due to the location.

I popped into Asda to get some electricity and bread afterwards.  My lovely friend Anna was going to pop in for tea and chat, but I totally forgot that I had a hair appointment with Trish and 12, so we've had to postpone.   

Joshua is upstairs asleep and I am eating maple pancakes, yum.

x

Getting Crafty!

After many years of neglecting all my crafty things and creative and artistic 'talents', I have decided to get it all out and start up again!  There's been some motivation from my mate Anna that's for sure, as if she hadn't shown an interest, and then spent a few hundreds on new equipment, I don't know whether I would have had the 'push' to start thinking about it all again!

So, today as mentioned in latest entry I bought an embossing machine, so I can add quality to plain cards with pretty patterns.  I tried it out, and did this little card as a quickie.

So I just have to hope one of my mates has a baby boy soon, so I can give it to some one, I don't know anyone expecting at the moment so it may be a while :)

I am just waiting for my big boy to come home, I have bathed Joshua and he is currently fallen asleep on my back in the sling, well in one of my slings! The Didymos Gecko's wrap to be precise.  

* * * 

Both boys are tucked up in bed now, and I am about to have some soup and watch 'Call the Midwife', which is usually very sad and has be blubbing.

Edge of Glory?

Well it's Sunday night and it's been a pleasant weekend spent with me and my boys, even though the weather has been diabolical.  Yesterday I stayed in all day, but got lots of house work done, today has been really busy, this is how it went....

This morning, we made a visit to 'Edge Church', after going to the Little Hedgehogs baby group for 4/5 months, which the lovely Edge ladies run, I thought I would go along and see what the Edge Church is all about.

I knew vaguely what to expect, as I had previously done research into what kind of church it is, largely pentecostal.  However, actually being thrown into it, was some what of a culture shock.

Joshua was lent some Ear Protectors, since the praise and worship is really loud.  Here is a picture of him from this morning.

Melissa and Joshie

So anyway, yes the music was loud, there was much audience participation throughout the teachings, lots of clapping and dancing.  Every one was very happy. Everyone was also extremely welcoming, so a big thank you.

Will I go again?  I am not sure, it's not what I am used to when it comes to church, and I feel some what closer to god in my own church, that I am familiar with.  Although I absolutely love music, I am not really a hugely outgoing person when it comes to joining in with dancing and singing, so I don't think I would ever particularly love this part of it.  Saying that, historically I have always been up front of gigs dancing, usually after a few drinks though lol.

It was a remarkable atmosphere, and there was lots of energy in the room, clearly.  Just not sure it's for us in all honesty.

So after church, I went shopping and I was a little naughty.... put it this way going into Hobby Craft, really is fatal lol.   I went in to merely grab and archivable pen for my journalling, I came out with an embossing machine! (Plus the pen and some cards!).    I have spent the afternoon looking through my craft stuff and trying out the embossing machine, very happy :)

I also bought a four draw storage unit from poundstretcher.

Happy Days x

Just a few years gone by!

So, it's been over two years that I last made an entry, and what a lot has changed since!

I now have a second son, Joshua, who is 6 months old, he is in my, probably biased opinion the most gorgeous, little thing imaginable, and such a content little pickle!

He came into the world on the 26th July 2013, and I am glad to say the experience of having him was a lot better than his big brother, and I got through it with just gas an air and no complications.

Oliver is now at school and doing wonderfully with his reading and writing.  He is also learning to play the cello now!

I am on maternity leave now, but am going back to work on the 1st May, feeling quite upset about this, but I know very well nursery will be good for Joshua.

I am just getting back into my crafting/scrap booking after having left all the equipment abandoned in the back room for several years!  I need to finish Oliver's book, and I made a start on some pages for Joshua tonight.  I've got the bug again - inspired by my friend Anna who is card making now!

Little Oliver is at his fathers tonight, always feel a little depressed when he's away. Joshie is asleep upstairs in his cot, I just watched the Voice UK.   Will go to bed soon and try to read some more of the Ronnie Biggs Auto Biog, I have nearly finished on the kindle.

Mike is at work.

xxx