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!

I can touch my toes at last!!!

Well Isobel has finally had her cast sawn off, traumatic but we got through it!!! She now has to wear a brace for 3 weeks, with time off for good behaviour (or a bath usually!!) but it is great to have her little legs out and access for cuddles is much easier!! She is, as usual, extremely happy, and has taken this all in her stride (well not quite, her muscles are very weak so will take a while to get used to this new support. The doctor said that her bones are growing which is a really good sign! thought I would add a few photies to prove it!!!

Roll on the Summer!!!

Well, it is finally the Summer Holidays and I am having to get used to Marky Mark being around the house for the next 6 weeks!! We have been madly busy as usual, I've been helping with our local NCT's Cheeky Monkeys Tea Party which is happening on Sunday at the Brimstage Maize Maze - if anyone knows it, come along!

We visited Stockley Farm in Cheshire, which was a fantastic farm, very clean and Tom even got to feed a lamb!!!

Mark was obviously very excited to be on a tractor ride!!!

We are off down to London soon, where I am meeting my prospective new boss! I am doing some freelance computer work over the summer holidays, which is VERY exciting, just don't know what to wear!!!
I have had all my hair cut off again (picture below is old, it's much shorter than that!! Carrie & Lou you would be proud!)

After London we are going to be going to Croyde for a few days with Jean & Laurence, after hopefully catching up with a few old friends in Teddington. Izzy is having her cast off finally in August, after which we will be going swimming A LOT!!! She has learnt how to stand up in it now, which is terrifying me, as she keeps needing rescuing!!

Sad to be missing the french holiday with mum, dad, Ben & Kelly, so love to them all, and am actually really starting to miss my bro!!! Hopefully him and Kel will get their arses over here permanently (wishful thinking!!)

Looking forward to the family picnic on the Thames in August, and another chance to try out the campervan in Abersoch with the Chesters, so it's busy busy busy!

To top it all off we've also been having tennis lessons (Tom and myself!) in case it is ever dry enough to play tennis again!! Here is Tom concentrating!!! Eat your heart out Nadal!!!Xxxxx

The Battle Axe Mark II and Abersoch Father's Day 08

Well, I finally allowed my darling husband to buy a VW camper!!! It was actually a bargain, so hopefully when we sell it we may actually make some money! And yes, we will be selling it, but maybe not yet! We decided, very last minute.com, to go to Abersoch in North Wales this weekend for a tester, and the weather was fantastic. What a way to spend Fathers Day!

It was actually a beautiful weekend and although it was hard work putting the awning up just for one night, it all worked really well. We found a fabulous child friendly tequila bar/mexican restaurant for dinner, and what with our fantastic view of Snowdon and the bay, it made for one of the best weekends ever! Lots more camping to be done this year me thinks!

Izzy has had a cast replacement last Thursday, and she is now in shocking pink!!!! It was good news as well, and the doctor said that her bones are now appearing to be forming correctly so hopefully when it comes off in July that should be it, fingers crossed!!!

We are also planning on going to the Dordogne in August, so if anyone fancies roughing it with us you would be more than welcome!!! Just bring a good box of wine!!! xxx

Our Little Trooper!!

As you can see from the photos, Isobel finally had her medial reduction and capsulloraphy on Thursday 1st May, and we were out on Friday evening!!! She was doing so well that they said we could go home, so after a preliminary night spent at the local hotel (i.e. mum and dads!!) we came back to the Wirral yesterday (Saturday!). Now we are just trying to get to grips with the hip spica cast which not only adds a huge weight to the little miss, but also completely restricts her from moving at all! (She also looks like some kind of mutant humbug, green legs, pink in the middle!!) But she seems to be taking it in her stride (or not as the case may be!!) and we are making the most of the Bank Holiday with daddy home for a couple more days.
Mark has been using seatbelts from our new campervan to modify our prams so that we can actually take her out for fresh air (at least it's coming in handy for something!!!) Anyway roll on 12 weeks!! xxx

Thomas Land!

No, Thomas Land isn't a place in Tom's head, it's the new Thomas the Tank Engine place at Drayton Manor!! We went there last weekend, for Anthony Vakis 5th birthday, and considering it was the middle of April we thought it might be relatively warm! How wrong we were! It was freezing, so mum and dad offered to have Izzy rather than drag her around with us for the day, which I think was a star decision! There were 15 adults and 16 children, so rather hectic, but fun! Tom went on the Jeremy aeroplane ride, Harold the Helicopter, and the Troublesome Truck Rollercoaster! (which I have to say was slightly scary!) But Tom took it all in his stride until we went on the Pirate Adventure which was a bit spooky even for me! When we eventually gave in to the cold and went home, Grandpa had made a delicious moussaka and we all had baths to thaw out a little!

Next day, Anthony had a Disney party, and Tom went as Lightning MacQueen from the Cars movie (it's amazing what you can get from Sainsburys these days!) It was a brilliant party, the disco was fantastic and Tom boogied to 'Show me the Way to Amarillo', with Buzz Lightyear and Snow White, which was nice! Pizza and wine was aplenty for the parents, and I had to be restrained from getting up and having a bop when 'Could it Be Magic' came on!

When we got home Izzy discovered a new hiding place!!