Isobel is 3 and other things...

Hi all, thought it had been a reasonable time in between blogs now! Life sure is hectic in Burton!

Tom is settling in remarkably well to his new school, is becoming quite the comedian! On a recent parent evening I was told that on hearing another little girl had been written to by none other than the Prime Minister, Tom said "wow! I'm going to write to the King and, wait for it.... Harry Hill!" Obviously 2 of his biggest mentors!

Isobel on the other hand, is becoming cheekier and cheekier! She is at daddy's school kindergarten twice a week, and is still speaking in an Eastern European accent!

She will contradict absolutely ANYTHING you say, but is a very cute little thing really!

The house is coming along, albeit slowly! Have finished the downstairs cloakroom, our kitchen blind is ready for picking up, and we are now concentrating a little bit on our exciting new project (which will probably last 5 mins!) the Veggy patch!!! In an attempt to get Tom to eat tomatoes we are growing our own, along with frenchbeans, lettuce, cabbages and carrots. Any hints or tips will be much appreciated!

We had our first visitors as well on Izzy's birthday weekend, The Evans from the Wirral came to stay and we had another dump of snow which was brilliant! Ended up sledging on Sunday morning before eating an enormous rib of beef that I had entirely miscalculated the size of! It was delicious though!

Anyway, lots going on between now and Easter, too much to touch on now, but will hopefully keep you posted!

New Home!!

Yes, I know, it's definitely been a while since I posted anything up here, but then I have been REALLY busy! (haven't we all!) Anyway thought I could at least pop a few photos up showing you the new house and all the work that we are doing on it!

We have some horses that graze in the field behind our house which Tom and Isobel have been feeding apples to! (we have an apple tree, runner beans, a greenhouse full of tomatoes and a very generous neighbour who has a damson tree!) In fact it is taking all of my time just to keep on top of the Harvest!!

We have painted Izzy and Tom's rooms and now are tackling the bathrooms. Kitchen should be in in November, and still loads of wallpaper to come off!

Children have been fairly busy, they've already been to 2 parties, and Tom seems to be settling in nicely at his new school. Hasn't had any red cards yet, and they adore his whoopee cushion (honestly)!

I've joined a few choirs, and the gym and am keeping myself busy as always! Really nice having ma and pa down the road for last minute babysitting services! They're enjoying it too I'm sure!!

Went out for mum's birthday for the first time without the children for years, which was really good fun, (we didn't drink anything obviously!)

We've got Tom's 5th Birthday coming up on Halloween, but apart from that DIY seems to be the name of the game! Haven't done any for 2 years so we're going to be maxing out!

Hopefully will manage to put something together before Xmas!!

Tom's First Nativity Play
Well, I have to say that this video clip really doesn't do it justice! Tom was first the innkeeper and had lots of lines to say, and then he was also Santa Claus, and had to get stuck in a chimney and sing to at least 40 grown ups! For a first time he was amazing! He sang so loudly and clearly, and even though he was a bit under the weather, he was the Star of the show (and I'm not just saying that!!) Thought you'd like to see it anyway - the reason I lost sight of him at the end is because I was almost crying and had to pull myself together!! (so sad!!)

Remember remember....the 5th November...

Sledging in Berkhamsted!

Tom's 4th Birthday

Sorry I forgot to put up some piccies of Tom's latest birthday party! He has now turned 4, and is even more cheeky! When reading his latest report at preschool it said, Tom has been teaching us all Bob Marley songs! not many 4 yr olds can claim that their favourite song is Buffalo Soldier!

We had a classic Pirate Party on his birthday and then made the most of half term by travelling southwards to visit inlaws, best friends and gramma and grappa!

We also had time to meet up with Isobel's godfather Charlie, his wife Zoe and James their 2 yr old, at Chatsworth.

Halloween and Bonfire Night as well.

School Photo

Just a little picture of Isobel and Tom taken a few weeks ago at preschool. Izzy is now walking for all those interested, and the consultant has said we don't need to see him for a whole year, so that is good news! Will post a few more pics after someones 4th birthday in a few weeks time. xx

Mum's 60th!

Da Kidz
Me, doing a Rowley Birkin impression (vere,vere drunk!)
The workers having a break before the party (just testing the wine!)

Yes, she had just received her new toy, no it isn't Les Dawson!!!!
Can't believe the purple fleece managed to make an appearance over her party clothes!! MUMMMMY, what are you like!

Well the big event has been and gone, and I know that I can speak for everyone when I say " I guessed she liked the Prop Cycle then!!" The party was fantastic, amazing that I can actually remember any of it, but the hangover got me out of cleaning up!!! Highlights of the evening being Little Tom's spontaneous Happy Birthday on the microphone, and mummy's reaction to the present!!!

The barbequed lamb for 60 was out of this world, so a huge thank you goes out to Ben and Dad who spent most of the party in BARBY corner! Here are just a few pictures for those of you who couldn't make it, or who just weren't invited!!! ha ha!

Picnic on the Thames, ra ra!!

The Thames Family Picnic

It didn't rain - much....

The Alch-ies Boat! (Obviously no room for me as well, or I would've been on it!)

Ahh, what a nice day!

Captain Mark and Charby getting her 18th birthday drop of bubbly!

Locks a go go and Aunty Ali enjoying a spot of sun!! What with my chocolate brownies that weren't horrible at all surprisingly, and an obligatory game of french cricket, it was a great day out!