Christmas Blessings

I would appear so ungrateful if I did not mention a blessing that our family were given yesterday. Last night as we were sitting upstairs I heard something put through our letter box. I must admit the first thing I thought was 'Oh no it's one of the neighbours and I haven't written their cards yet.' But as Spencer came back up stairs he opened a card that contained a gift and a lovely message. It was one of the many blessings that we as a family and me personally have received over this Christmas season. And if our Secret Santa is reading this, I hope you know how much of a blessing you are to us and the joy that you have added to our Christmas this year.

My Mum has an ornament very similar to this and I have always loved it. To me it sums up the true meaning of Christmas.

Catch up part 2

Phoebe had her school Christmas play where this year she was a Spanish bull fighter. (it's amazing what they can get into a Christmas play)

So after over 2 weeks of rehearsals at school the day of the play was here. So there I was saying how excited I was and how I was going to be there in the front row with my camera and I wanted to see the biggest smile ever.

You can imagine my surprise when she turned round to me and said

"But my smiles gone on a trip, it won't be there today." A little shocked I turned round to her and said

"Is there any chance that it will be back in time for the play?" To which she replied

"I don't know. I'll give it a call and see what it says." So off she went up stairs to phone her smile. She came back and said

"It's quite a long way away but it's going to do it's best" Where this girl get's it from is beyond me.

Well she did a wonderful job and smiled from beginning to end. When I saw her at the end of the play I gave her a hug and told her how wonderful she was, when she looked at me and with the cheekiest grin on her face she said

"My smile got back just in time".

Faith's year did a wonderful Carol concert and Faith read a poem which she learn't off by heart in just 2 days. I was so proud.

We had our church nativity and after another freak snow storm half of the children weren't there as they couldn't get to church. So Faith was one of the lead angels, Phoebe was a star and Elijah was promoted from a camel to a Wise man. Quite a jump and although he wouldn't wear the cloak when I told him that Father Christmas was watching and he wanted him to go and give Baby Jesus his present, he 'happily' wore the crown. And although it wasn't quite the right time in the nativity, Baby Jesus got his gift.

Here's some other pictures of the lead up to Christmas.

Elijah meeting Santa at playgroup.
The girls being attacked by Daddy with the snow.

Faith's reorganised 7th birthday

This year Faith's birthday fell on a Thursday and as the school decided to have 2 inset days on the Thursday and Friday of that week I had made plans. As a surprise for her birthday we were giving her, her own bedroom. So Spence had taken Wednesday off and he and his Dad were redecorating her room while she was at school.

Faith's face when she saw her new room
We were then going to head down to my parents for a long weekend. On Thursday we were heading into London to do the Natural History and the Science museums while they would be quiet during school time. We were then heading to Hamley's, on to see the Christmas lights and on to the London Eye. Then meeting up with Auntie Kathy (Faith's birthday buddy as her birthday is the day before) for dinner. Then on Friday to the London Temple to see the Nativity and Saturday on to our friends little boy's birthday party. It was going to be a fun filled weekend until, the snow hit. Can you believe it. The South East of England was hit with such a snow storm that my parents couldn't get to the garage at the end of their garden. So after some VERY QUICK re thinking, we went to see Father Christmas, shopping to buy her some new boots from Auntie Teresa and Auntie Becky. Then Bowling and dinner with our family up here in the evening.

Just after Phoebe scored a strike :)

Not quite the day I was planning for her but she had a great day all the same.

Wow has it really been 3 months

WOW has it really been nearly 3 months since I have been on here. I am such a slacker. But here goes on a a quick catch up.

We have had Halloween. Which was great fun as we are finally starting to get into it in this country. All the kids did their own pumpkins which were put out on the balcony. However when we came home from church well over a week later Phoebe suddenly anounced "Where's my pumpkin?" I was so shocked that she hadn't noticed that they had been thrown out nearly a week ago I just blurted out "It's in the bin" Looking back this might have been a mistake and I maybe should have been a bit more sensitive. She came in the house cried for nearly an hour and then phoned my parents and told them all about it. She really is too sensitive.

We have had bonfire night which was great. We went to West Park with Spencer's sister's and although it was pouring with rain the fireworks were amazing.

(Sorry Tres I know you hate this picture but I love it)

However the evening didn't end to well. As we were all COVERED in mud, when we walked in the door I got everyone to get changed and give me their coats and trousers to wash straight away. About half and hour later Spence said "Susie have you seen my phone?" How was I to know that he had some secret pocket in his coat where he kept his phone. He was very good about it but that's the last time I try and be a good organized house wife :(

The Joys of Dressing Up

Today was the last day of Book Week at the girls school, which means dressing up day.

We got the letter with the theme about two weeks ago and of course the letter had the added note of 'it would be great if the costumes were home made'. Well as I have 2 children to sort out and I actually had nightmares about the costumes I made the girls last year, I really wasn't that stressed about making them from scratch. So after a visit to auntie Julie's to see what she had and raiding my mum's and ours, here's what we came up with.

Super Girl and Maid Marian

I did make the hat for Maid Marian and as she won best in her class, I'm glad I put in a little bit of effort.
Unfortunately Spence and I missed the assembly as we already had another appointment. But after explaining to the girls where we had been when I picked them up from school, they really didn't mind.
Baby Piper number 4 due to make his/her big entrance on the 25th April 2011.

A Little Surprise Day Out the Prequel

As you would have read in the previous blog, it was a surprise to the kids where we were going. Just as we were about to pull into the Safari Park Spence told them to close their eyes. At this time we were listening to the soundtrack of Annie and anyone who knows Phoebe knows her favourite thing to do is sing. As I turned round to check they had closed their eyes, this is what I saw.

A Little Surprise Day Out

Last Friday I realised we had £40 worth of vouchers for a day trip out that had to be used by the following Thursday. So Saturday morning we got up, I made a packed lunch and off we headed to the Safari Park. This was all a big surprise to the kids as they had no idea where we were going and we wouldn't give them any clues. When we arrived they were very excited, especially Elijah and that was just him seeing the pictures of the animals. His little face when we saw the first real animal, which was a Rhino, was just adorable.

I was convinced his favourite animal would be the lions and tigers as he just loves seeing pictures of them. But when we saw the lions Spencer roared at him and he was so scared he tried to hide. So we then came across Elijah's new favourite animal. The giraffe. He LOVES them.

When we went into the rest of the park there was a special offer on the wrist bands for the rides so what was meant to be a couple of hours turned out to be a full 7 hour visit.

Faith being very brave with Daddy on the rapids.
Phoebe and Faith on Phoebe's favourite ride of the day.

Walking back to the car Elijah was practicality walking with his eyes closed so I said to Spence that we needed to find the nearest place to eat so that they could have some dinner before going to sleep. This turned out to be Pizza Hut which was kind of handy as the kids eat free.

As Spence took the kids to go and get their ice cream factory I sat there and it was one of those moments where you just realise how truly blessed you are, and I really am.

My Phoebe's first day

Well last week Phoebe started at big school.

To say I was worried about her would be an understatement. When Faith started she was one of the oldest in the class and although she still looked so small, she was ready after a year and a half in nursery. However, Phoebe had only been 4 years old for 7 weeks on her first day of school and she just looked so small and not ready for it at all.

But the big day arrived and at 10 am Phoebe, Spencer and I went to the school to meet Mr Sullivan the head teacher for our first day meeting. He is an amazing headmaster and meets with all the children and their parents on the first day for a little one on one interview, just to answer any questions the children might have and to calm worried parents.

He then took us down to Phoebe's class room to meet her new teacher Mr Crosthwaite (not the easiest name for a 4 year old to say). They were just getting ready for playtime when we arrived so she was paired up and off they all went to the toilets before going out to play. After speaking to her teacher for a few minutes we headed out but I was a bit upset that I didn't get to give her a kiss goodbye. So being the neurotic mother I was that day I waited around to see her in the playground. She came running out with the biggest smile on her face but she was on her own. Then one of her best friends from nursery, who had started the day before, came running up to her and gave her the biggest hug and off they ran holding hands. Suddenly everything was right with the world again, well in my eyes anyway.

We then walked down to the year 2 playground where Faith was playing. When she saw us she came running over and said

"It's ok Mum I've just seen Phoebe and she's fine, don't worry" Bless her.

Well we are now on day 3 and she went into school with big smile still on her face, fingers crossed it stays.

Kathy and John's big day (well one of them anyway)

On Bank Holiday Monday in August we went to a gorgeous hotel called Foxhills in Ottershaw for Kathy and John's wedding reception.

They actually got married on the 20th of August in Yosemite with 14 close friends, which from what I hear was a magical experience. But to be able to celebrate with friends and family who couldn't get to Yosemite they had the full works (apart from the service) over here.

We couldn't believe how lucky they were with the weather as it had been raining all week and August Bank Holiday is well known for being a wash out. But it was a beautiful day. It started off with us all outside having drinks waiting for the lucky couple to arrive.

They had garden games for the kids to play (and some adults) and the gardens were simply beautiful.



(Poor David who had broken his arm on Saturday night and was in pain most of the day, bless him)

When they arrived we had photos and then went over to the part of the hotel where we were having a full sit down meal. I have to say I wasn't looking forward to the food very much as the main course was lamb and I am not a fan of lamb at all. But oh my goodness, it was beautiful, absolutely gorgeous. This was followed by the speeches. Dad went first and did a great job and John followed with a lovely speech too. But then we got to the best man's speech. All I can say is I have never been to a wedding where the best man's speech received a standing ovation. Christian you real did an AMAZING job.
The night was finished with a live singer for and hour and followed by a DJ who helped us dance the night away.

They both looked so happy and Kathy looked simply stunning.

I haven't got the best pictures to put on here but it really was an event where you were simply having to much fun to stop and grab your camera.

Thank you Kathy and John for a great day. We love you both.

Faith's first day in year 2

Today was Faith's first day back at school after the summer holidays and her first day in year 2. She was really excited as she is going to have the teacher that she had when she was in foundation, Mr Oakley. She was also very excited to show everyone her new glasses that she got a couple of weeks ago. I have never seen anyone so happy to have glasses as Faith was. She looks ADORABLE in them. They are purple with Minnie Mouse on the arms. Let's hope the Novelty doesn't wear off too quickly.

Spencer's Birthday

Last week was Spencer's birthday and I somehow managed to organise a surprise dinner at this favourite restaurant with his family. (Not sure if he really didn't work it out or if he was just playing along for the kids but it was fun). As me and the kids went to work with him that day and we popped into see his grandad, I didn't get back in time to make his cake before we went to the restaurant. So Tres got him one there and we had a family one the next night.

We hope you had a great day Daddy.

WE LOVE YOU

Big summer catch up

Well we have been too busy enjoying ourselves for me to stop and put up some posts. SO this is catch up time. Forgive me but it's a lot easier to say it in pictures then to try and give a detailed post, so here they are.

We went to visit our friend who's dog had 6 puppies.

We went for walks in the rain.
Check out those wellies
We went for a day to the beach
Check out Ziah's face. Classic Ziah.
Grandad about to brave the sea.

Faith's first attempt at body boarding. Ayesha showing her how its done.
Our trip to Birmingham
Our trip to Himley Hall


It's been a great summer but coming to an end way to quickly. Well one more week left. Let's see what surprises it will bring.