Oink.

It was half term last week and we spent most of it looking after Madeleine and Sullivan who both ended up very poorly with the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. They were both given the antiviral medication which has done a fantastic job of getting them well again. Poor Emilia spent most of the holiday being sent to friends houses to play...I bet she'd like Madeleine to be poorly again! She was very worried about her and kept asking if she'd have to go to hospital, it took a lot of reassurance to put her mind at rest.

Both girls were in their dance schools production this time round, Emilia had three dances - Ballet, Cowgirls dancing The Deadwood Stage from Calamity Jane, Tap - Penguins from Happy Feet and Modern - Catch a wave by The Beach Boys. Maddie had 2 dances - Ballet - We're off to see the Wizard and Tap - Penguins again. They were wonderful, I'm so proud of our girls having the confidence and stamina to perform on a professional stage in front of a full house. Well Done Girls! xxx

Jez is working hard, very busy with work and the gig club. He's training loads and is just about back to the weight and build he was at university.

Me? I'm okay. Not quite myself at the moment but on the advice of my Dr I have cut back the amount of hours I do at the Children's Centre. It's all voluntary so I can't be signed off and I feel like I am letting a lot of people down but maybe I should start pleasing myself a bit more and doing less to please others? Maybe, but I don't like it!

We went back to Hampshire this weekend. It was my brother Edward's 30th and my father-in-law's 65th. Crazy busy weekend, but fun. It was great to surprise Edd and to see Dad, Maisie, Laurie and Michelle too. Laurie was going to come back with us for a while but changed his mind :( I've made him promise to come down soon. We also got to meet my sister in law's new man, and a lovely man he is too. I think she has found someone who'll look after her.

We went round to see my dear friend Sharon for lunch on saturday. I wish her daughter would stop growing up, it's making me feel old! Such a lovely family, wish we saw more of each other.

The girls were back to school today, Maddie's class are already talking about the Christmas play - I'm so excited!

I'll leave you with a photo of Sullivan and I, taken at Mum and Barry's Wedding 18/04/08.

More photos soon, and hopefully a short video or two! Have a great week - I'm off to bed ready for a busy day tomorrow.

A busy time

Sullivan is Thomas mad at the moment. He has tantrums if he has to wear anything other than his Thomas Tshirts (although he seems to be happy with Mr Men this weekend, saying Bum Bum and pointing to his tshirt with Mr Bump on it). I bought him these jimjams from Sainsbury's yesterday - it was so busy, they even tannoyed that they had every till

open and would serve us as quickly as possible. It's not even that busy at Christmas! - He didn't want to get ready for bed but when I told him he had new jimjams he was up the stairs faster than a supersonic rocket. He loves them and has been carrying them around all day today. At least we know what to get him for his birthday...

On wednesday I attended an event hosted by NiftyThrifty at Lillico's here in Barnstaple. It was a great event featuring a diverse range of Devon based designer makers. I did really well, having only 4 bags left at the end of the evening. It was the first time I had sold my felted bags down here and it was great to know that people like the things I produce. I'm surprised that this bag didn't go though, but Halloween isn't such a big even over here as it is in the States, yet!

I'm next selling at the Barnstaple Children's Centres Christmas shopping evening on 13th November at St Johns Hall by Tesco and then on 22nd November in Barnstaple Pannier Market. Drop by and have a look!

Anybody getting Christmas excited yet...?

We had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. We travelled up to Cambridgeshire to spend the holidays with Mum and Barry. On the way up and the way home we stayed at our friends in Bicester which was great, their children are of a similar age to ours and get on very well. It also helped to break up the 5-6 hour journey from Mum’s to ours .

Can anyone tell me why this paragraph is underlined and in blue? I did all the text on word and copied it over.
It was lovely to see my beautiful sister Maisie, she is such a darling and so good with the girls. Sullivan was very happy to snuggle down to sleep with her. She’s magic with babies .

Mum and Barry more than looked after us, their new home is beautiful. Mum is desperate to redecorate but is waiting until they have bought it in the hope that will keep the price down a bit! One room she mustn’t decorate however is the downstairs loo. It is resplendent in black floral wall paper and earthenware floor tiles. I think it may have a turquoise ceiling too…

We were all very spoilt at Christmas as you can see from this picture! They weren’t all for us though!

I did some spinning at Mum’s. It’s wonderful, frustrating and amazing all at the same time! I can’t wait to do more.


I have been knitting. I’ve finished Solace in Rowan Colourscape chunky, a hat for Jez in King Cole something or other and just about finished a fairisle hat and jacket set in Dream in Color Classy for Sullivan. Just need to do some swiss darning and sew on the buttons. Photos to follow.

I’ve just started a Rowan Denim tank top for Sullivan. It’s Target from Louisa Harding’s Book ‘Miss Bea’s Seaside’. I love denim yarn, it’s the way it changes from hard string to soft, worn cotton fabric after being washed. I have a jumper that Mum made for me about 16 years ago and is just gets better and better. I must take a photo of it – perhaps someone would know which pattern book it came from?


Sullivan is walking! He’s been taking a few steps since Christmas and is now spending half the time crawling and the other half walking. He’s getting very steady on his feet now but I’m not getting him any proper shoes yet, he doesn’t walk outside and he’d probably only take them off any way!

Emilia got herself into a bit of a state about going back to school after Christmas. She was so worried that she ended up being sick. I rang the school and told them she wouldn’t be there as she was petrified about school, that she isn’t the same little girl that left the infants school and that she isn’t even enjoying reading any more. The deputy head rang me that evening and said that she had spoken to all of Emilia’s teachers who say she is happy in class and were very concerned that she was unhappy. In fact her class teacher was ‘distraught’ that she was unhappy. Since that phone call Emilia seems a lot happier at school, coming out with a smile on her face instead of a scowl and we seem to have a lots less arguments over homework too! Her teacher seems to be showing her caring side too which I know Emilia needs. She needs her cuddles! I like her teacher now, she seems to have found her feet and the whole class is happier.

Maddie is doing well, she loves school and has made lots of friends. She is very tired by Thursday afternoon though and could do with a three day weekend. Couldn’t we all!

I’m off to do a little bit of knitting whilst Sullivan sleeps. Happy New Year everyone!

Christmas Play number 1!

Maddie was in her first school Christmas play today, the majority of the production is carried out by years 1 and 2 but reception took to the stage to sing and sign Jingle Bells. I didn't know she was doing this so I was very glad I took my camera! She was very tearful before and afterwards although she thoroughly enjoyed herself during the play. I think Christmas excitement is starting to take its toll :)

Sorry for the red eye in the above photo, forgot to edit before I uploaded it. You can see how tired she is looking in the video below.

Emilia has her Christingle Service this afternoon, not sure if she has a role or is just singing with the rest of the school. I love all these school things in the run up to Christmas, they are so special.

We've had another issue with Emilia's school. Bearing in mind that she is only 7, she brought home a reading book last week that was dealing with kissing, ending up pregnant and going to the family planning clinic at age 12. I was not happy. The school have apologised and the book has been reclassified both by the school library and the town library. Poor Emilia was really enjoying the book because it was written in diary form and was set in December. She's back to Clarice Bean and Malory Towers now. We want to keep our children as innocent as we can for as long as possible!

HELLO!

Above - Maddie and her friend had a rainbow birthday party, all the children dressed in their favourite colours and had a wonderful time.

It's been so busy here, Sullivan has turned one, Maddie has turned 5. Emilia has been slowly settling into her new school and I've been trying (and failing!) to keep a tidy home.

Christmas is almost here and we are so excited this year as we are travelling up to stay with Mum and Barry in their new home. We haven't had Christmas day with mum for years so this year is extra special :)

Oh Blimey, young Sullivan has just woken up so I had better go and sort him out.