Why do I always miss the fun??

Of course I'm glad that the earthquake wasn't more serious, but I feel really jealous that I missed the rumbling last night! Well I say miss, but my mum texted me at 1 o'clock in the morning from work to tell me about it! I felt quite relieved when I saw the news this morning 'cause in the middle of the night, I was slightly worried that she was losing her marbles!

And I loved Hilary's reaction - she woke up and of course was relieved her kids were safe...then worried about her Pampered Chef stoneware that she'd left on the side! He he! I'm happy to report that kids AND stoneware are safe!

Baby Shower for Gemma

All the girls in Liam's family went to Delores' yesterday for a baby shower for Gemma - her and Dan's baby is due in June.

There was plenty of yummy food, she got lots of lovely presents and it was nice to see everyone.

Today, a blanket, tomorrow...a blanket!

I'm feeling crafty this week - I'm in training to create a house full of soft furnishings (okay, maybe the odd pair of curtains!), but as I'm not that good with a sewing machine, and don't actually own one at the mo, I've borrowed Lorraines.

Luckily for me, two of Liam's cousins have, or are expecting a baby, so I used and abused the situation to make some tag blankets for them! Hope they don't look too closely at the wonky stiches!

Easy Fish Come, Easy Fish Go...

So the fish came, and the fish went...and the 8 frogs and a newt went too!

Liam decided that it was time get rid of the pond this weekend, despite our new arrivals! So at 7 o'clock on Saturday and Sunday mornings he was out with Megan and Leah (it was much too cold for Sam!) fishing for ...fish and other creatures!

The kids loved finding out what was lurking under the lily pads and they were thrilled to even find one frog, erm, riding on the back of another!!


The highlight of the pond, though was a lovely little newt that me and Leah and Megan REALLY would have loved as a pet! It was quite happy to sit on the girls hands and it had a fantastic spotty belly.

We took all the wild life to Danbury duck pond where they could have a much more fulfilling life! And we can have a big chunk of our garden back!

Laura got me in trouble AGAIN!

I can't believe she got me in trouble and she lives 200 miles away!

Laura rang this morning and through the course of the conversation she reminded me about our photography challenge. Last year we agreed that we would have a themed photography challenge - really I was hoping to tap in on some of Laura's VAST artistic talents and have to think a bit more about the photos I took.

So we've had 3 themes so far:

• Pies
• Bicycles
• Sleep

Laura of course quickly rattled off lovely pie and bike pictures while I was still carefully planning and considering different options!

Anyway, this morning she asked whether I'd done any sleep pictures which I have, but I remembered that I didn't yet do a pie picture. So I took my camera to Chelmsford Market with me this morning thinking I might see a nice pie stall.

I didn't, but in the shopping arcade, Cafe Alba caught my eye - a window full of pies! So I took a few snaps but then noticed that the ends of the sausage rolls looked nice. I stood right next to the window (where there happened to be a poster) and took some pictures of the ends of the sausage rolls - its all about angles, so a friend of mine told me (thanks for that Becks, I'm holding you responsible too!)

Then a fiery italian pie maker, with a look of Gino D'Acampo banged on the window and shouted "Whya you taka da pictures?". The whole, full cafe turned around while I tried to explain that it was for a very serious art and photography club and he'd got very lovely pies! (!! didn't mention it was just me and Laura). In a REALLY loud voice, all eyes watching, he said "Whya did you hide? taka da pictures off!"

I realise now that from inside it probably looked like I was hiding behind the poster and sneaking the photos in a trading standards fashion!

Very embarrasing but I must have had a innocent face because as I left he threw his hands in the air and said "Keepa da pictures but aska next time!"

Of course I hold Laura completely responsible! To make matters worse, I realised after that she would probably disqualify the picture 'cause its a roll not a pie, and worse, it was blurred!

My career as a pie paparazzi is over!

Learning Conferences

We've been to Megan and Sam's parents conferences tonight - both their teachers said lots of nice things about them - they seem to have settled well at St John's.

We were looking through Megan's work and noticed this poem - we think its a great summary of Sam!

My brother

Playstation lover

Has brown hair

Likes Football

Dad Cuddler

Massive player

Homework liker

Well done Megan!

New Additions to our Family!

Don't worry Dad, I'm not pregnant!

In our house, fish are right up there alongside family and friends in the pecking order, but Vicky, Rachel and Leanne obviously don't share that obsession with Liam! They have had enough of their three Christmas goldfish so they have come to a new home (the fish that is, not the cousins).

Hope its not too cold for them in the pond - we did have to move some ice to get them in!

I'm not sure how long they'll be there for 'cause we do intend to fill in the pond evenutally, but for now, we've doubled our fish family from 3 to 6!

Start of a blog...

I've always been a bit of a hit and miss journal keeper, but I'm gonna give blogging a go and see if I can last longer than this post!

I think the kids will love checking it to see what they've been doing!

Anyway, lets give it a go and see how we do...

xx