09 Saturday Aug 2014
09 Saturday Aug 2014
Posted in 365
This morning Sx had organised a training session for those who wanted it. He used some of the drills from his rugby preseason training Some of the children joined in too but I think everyone was glad (and exhausted) when the session finished after about 45 minutes.
And then the rain which has been promised since the weekend arrived big time. I felt lousy as I was coming down with a cold so when some of the family suggested taking my children off to the beach (where the weather was better) I thought it was a great plan.
They had a wonderful time at the beach and I went back to bed for a while. I got up to find the house pretty much deserted as people had fled to supermarkets National Trust properties and local towns. But the rain had returned and was absolutely throwing it down. Luckily by the time they returned at dinner time – the rain had stopped and they got straight out of the cars – and into the pool!!
09 Saturday Aug 2014
Posted in Uncategorized
Yep – we’ve had a birthday celebrations and the official birthday – and now Birthday #2? Yep today was my brother’s birthday. 
We all hung out at home in the pool in the garden and enjoyed more sunshine before more birthday cake (the cupcake part of my Mum’s cake – yesterday we ate the chocolate base cake – today the red velvet cupcake itself)
Some of the people couldn’t keep up with Sx’s energy! After endless jumping into the pool he invented a tackle challenge game with the American football which wore everyone out
Dx likes to jump in – but is happy to potter about gently too!
I also got some great cuddles with my newest great nephew.
08 Friday Aug 2014
Posted in 365
Tags
365, childhood, children, cocktails, family, hen, holiday, photography, photos, postaday, somerset
As my nephew is getting married in a few weeks and he and his fiancee are on holiday with us all, it seemed appropriate for us to have a hen day. So today all the ladies headed to nearby Cedar Falls for some pampering
We returned in time for a cocktail lesson by a French barman booked to come to the house for a couple of hours. We learnt how to wield bottles like a pro – although from the spillages it’s a good job his demo was outdoors!!
Even Lx got to join in – mixing a non alcoholic cocktail or two which she shared with her brother
We had some amazing Mojitos mixed en masse by the bride and groom to be.
…and finished with a team competition making our own recipe cocktails for judging by the hen (she chose the purple one – which contained blue curacao and cranberry juice among other things)
08 Friday Aug 2014
Posted in 365
Yes this year my Mum is like the Queen and has more than one birthday. Yesterday were the big celebrations but today was her actual birthday.
While the women and children relaxed by the pool, the men went out for some Go Karting fun locally as a “stag” celebration for my nephew who is getting married in a few weeks.
Then at 4pm it was “champagne and birthday cake”. The cake was made and decorated by my very clever niece (who is also doing her brothers wedding cake in a few weeks – both making and decorating it once she gets to Italy – brave girl!!)
05 Tuesday Aug 2014
Posted in Uncategorized
Today was the day for the big birthday party for Nan’s 80th birthday. The forecast wasnt great and we woke to grey skies. It brightened a little for us to take a tour of the (very VERY extensive grounds)…
and then for the children to try out the heated pool and find it was in fact lovely and warm. The sun continued till there was a mid afternoon downpour which made us think the sun was over – but then the sun reappeared and it was a beautiful sunny evening all evening.
Nan’s brother who lives nearby came over for the evening and after cocktails and nibbles we moved on to full barbecue. The theme was “Pirates of the Caribbean” to enable people to go for a Caribbean outfit or a pirate one.
Later we moved indoors for some bingo with a pirate twist. EVen Lx as bingo caller added “arr” to the end of ever call eg”5 of diamonds – arr”.
02 Saturday Aug 2014
Posted in Uncategorized
Today was the start of our first holiday of the summer (I know – how lucky are we!!). We are off to Somerset for a week with my family to celebrate my Mum’s 80th birthday.
We had hoped to go to the beach for the day on the way down but the weather wasn’t great so the kids voted instead for setting off later and having a carvery lunch instead.
We had a horrendous trip down the motorway with rain and traffic jams but it was all worth it when we arrived.
We are staying in a beautiful BIG house for the week. Here is the master bedroom (Nan and Pop’s)
These are our two rooms and our bathroom
And these are the sitting rooms and dining room.
The children enjoyed catching up with their cousin’s little boys and Lx got a late birthday present from Nan and Pop which was JUST what she was after – and which had nearly wrecked her birthday yesterday when she didn’t get it.
02 Saturday Aug 2014
Posted in 365
Today was Lx’s birthday but as is often the case for her, it wasn’t spent celebrating but was spent in holiday preparations. First though a photo of her at four minutes to nine in the morning – the time she was born.
Before we started packing I made pancakes for breakfast and attempted a special Mickey Mouse one for Lx. unfortunately it looked more like a koala but she enjoyed it and Dx has put in a request for one when it is his birthday.
At the end of the day, we went for a birthday trip to McD’s
Gx went up to order some more food as he and Sx were still hungry. He is still getting used to doing things like this on his own so I spied on him through the slats to check he was ok!
Then home for Matt to join us for Lx to open her presents – including a cake pop maker and all the necessary accessories.
And some caterpillar cake and a chance to make a birthday wish.
