1st May Bank Holiday Weekend 2015

Sian thought about participating in a Women's White Collar Boxing event, but her buddy dropped out. On Saturday night we went to see the event she would have been in. Unexpectedly, I found it utterly compelling! Maybe next year...

On Monday we went to Paradise Park. I had never been before. The inside part was very English circa 1986. Rather charming, in a crap kind of way. The outside had some lovely gardens though. Not that the boys were particularly interested.

More keen on scaring Mummy Siany:

And driving their boats.

It was a nice break from the X-Box.

Weekend with (some) Gees

One of the things that has spelt success for this summer holiday is not going anywhere. Luckily, not ever everyone in my family is quite so rigid. Rachel came down with Adam and Rosie and we had lots of fun! Tweens are a good reason to re-acquaint with Brighton pier, Groomsbridge Place, and a tonne of summer fair junk food. 

It was also teddy's birthday.

Perhaps a sign of too much of a good thing -- look what they chose for snacks on the last morning:

Gratitude Tuesday: Virgin Active

 

All through the school holidays I've been making extensive use of Virgin Active. For a parent like me that shudders in horror at the thought of 13 hours of unstructured time with zero me-time, having a two hour block in the morning for exercise and e-mail is perfect. 

I can then manage to be reasonably "present" for a picnic and playtime in the woods. They don't mind the phone coming out when the purpose is taking their picture. Today, mostly monkeys in trees. 

I'm Back & Baking

We've missed having a log of life, so I'm back. Not a lot has changed. 

Weekend in the Sun

"I think I'll go for a walk outside now, the summer sun's calling my name! I hear you now, I just can't stay inside all day, I gotta get out, get me some of those ray-ay-ays!"

Whoever places the lyric first, will be showered with public praise and admiration.

Anyway, we have been having fantastic weather! Mum came down this past weekend, and we did lots of outdoor playing.



Tom and Grandma bonded over rocks.



Isn't this photo adorable? Not so much in reality, the bib wasn't ours.



Go carts, go! Me, not so much.









Harry getting as close as possible to Grandma to have a giggle over chips.

Good times.

Characateur

I am exhausted. The under fives have not been sleeping well. I have been busy at work. And I have spent the evening preparing for tomorrow's bake sale. I am a living stereotype.

Thank goodness evolution made sure they are damn cute.

Jealous

I will admit that most of the time I am really happy that our boys are in nursery 3 days per week (rather than 5), and really happy that I am not the one at home those 2 days.

But I will admit to a pang of jealousy when I received this pic of the boys on the beach. We are having such gorgeous weather! Yay Spring.

Milestone

Harry's, not mine. My next is menopause, and thankfully I'm not there just yet. Anyway. Harry had a friend over all afternoon sans her parents - and it was nicer than it would have been without her! Middle childhood here we come. My favourite stage.

Friday Night Bliss

There was chicken pie. There were 3 Episodes of Corrie. And I cast on for a new shawl. Life doesn't get much better than this.

Cupcake Class

I demanded a cupcake class for Christmas. Tonight was the night! I was not disappointed. There were just two of us, and I got my money's worth by asking lots of questions. I'm such a dorky, keen student.

The place was a treasure trove.

We started by making the cakes.

I loved making messes and then magically a clean bowl would appear at my work station.

I was expecting to learn about piping and other decorative techniques. I did. But I learnt a couple of other good tips. Curious? Beat the heck out of the butter and sugar at the beginning. Get plenty of air in, and get that sugar totally broken down. Don't mix in the flour for too long. Make icing/frosting with a whole lot less icing sugar than I have been if you want to be able to pipe etc well, and get the decorations to stick. Hold a tea-towel over the bowl when mixing the butter and icing sugar. Don't under-estimate the power of a palate knife.

And here's the grand reveal:

OK, I know that last picture isn't great, but they're better than usual, right? iPhone 4S is not disappointing.

Happy Birthday Tom!

Tom's 1st birthday is actually tomorrow, but we celebrated over the weekend.

Readers, all 3 of you, you will be very pleased to hear that Oxford Grandma was in residence, and she brought her camera.

It was a lovely family party. Oh so much more fun for the adults when we outnumber the children, and we are related to them all. I hope we'll be able to get away with it for two more of Tom's birthdays. Just sayin'.

I'm not usually one for sentimentality, but really, how damned lucky are we?

HOWEVER. What is with everyone saying that they can't believe it's been a whole year since Tom was born? All those people who talk about how the time flies when your kids are young -- ARE YOU ALL SMOKING CRACK? I love my kids and all, and I wouldn't want things any different, but these have been the S.L.O.W.E.S.T 4 years of my life.