22/52

 A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2014.

22/52

22/52

Catching a breath of fresh air amongst fields and buttercups.  Got to love a bit of sunshine!

Happily joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity and this year's 52 Project.

The Week That Was - Paddling & Partying...

Last week, my week went a little something like this:

Monday - Walked Biscuit to school in beautiful glorious sunshine. Got home, then we went to my lovely neighbour Jill's so the children could play in her paddling pool. I took ice creams, it was lovely! Sat chatting in the warm. 

For some reason I seem to have gone for the Spanish Widow look!! Came home, Wiggles napped until we picked Biscuit up. 

Tuesday -  Wiggles and I went to baby group, Mr Husband had the day off so he stayed at home. We had lunch together then after Wiggles had napped I went into town with Mum to buy her some new shoes. Biscuit had gone to her friend Ellie's house for tea, so we didn't have to pick her up. Wiggles got the cutest shoes! 

Biscuit had such a lovely time with her friend, she was all excited when she came home.

Wednesday - Work. Ugh. On my way home I stopped off at a BBQ being held in honour of my old neighbour. It was lovely to see everyone I used to live so near again. It was a lovely evening. After coming home I carried on with a bit more crochet. I'm fivakky getting somewhere with my blanket:

Thursday -  Not a particularly remarkable day, but perfectly pleasant. Spent the morning cleaning and tidying the house. Bits of wool were everywhere!! Once I finished I decided I was bored do I invited Jill round for a cuppa. Once Mr Husnand got home and we'd eaten tea we wandered around to our village polling station to place our votes. It took ages as we bumped into about forty people! 

Friday - A marvellous day off work, for pretty much no reason! Wiggles and I went to the supermarket to buy her some new juice bottles. She keeps spitting little bits out of hers into the cups from her tea set. Everything gets wet! Well no more! After picking up Biscuit from school we went to Woolly's birthday picnic at the park. It was a bit chilly, but they all had a lovely time. I ate my bodyweight in sausage rolls, which was excellent! They were worn out by bedtime!

The Bumps...

Saturday - My Mum, Dad and Brother were all in London for the weekend for we had a lovely quiet house! We had a lazy morning, getting up slowly. I whipped out to pick up an internet order whilst Wiggles napped, then we went to get more wool (for my blankety nemesis). I've finished my squares, but now it's the monumental task of joining them all and creating the border. 

Ugh...

We went to Homebase to buy the paint for Wiggles' bedroom, thankfully the chap from Homebase was brilliant and understood all my nonsensical ramblings. He mixed up everything that we needed, hurrah! Plus there was a sale in so we saved over thirty quid! Yay! Lastly we went to the supermarket and bought duck pancakes for tea. Everyone else had doughnuts too, but I think they're the work of the devil. Spent the evening square joining and watching The Woman in Black. 

Sunday - A lazy start for me, followed by a delicious breakfast cooked by Mr Husband. We all went for a walk in sunshine to burn off the bacon.

Spent the afternoon joining squares (again) Skyping Auntie Poppy and generally enjoying each other's company.

Well that was mine, how was yours?

Love, love,

21/52

 A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2014.

21/52

21/52

Hair!  We finally have a full head covering of hair!  Oh it has been such a long time coming, this time last year my little one was bald as a coot, but not any more!  Admittedly it is still in that weird baby mullet style, but soon, soon my friends, I will be able to apply hair ornaments! Ha!

Biscuit looks sympathetic in this picture, smiling because she feels it's polite.  Wearing her new Frozen "sisters" t shirt, which she pretty much refuses to take off.  Such pretty brown eyes.

Happily joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity and this year's 52 Project.

The Week That Was - Slides, Showers and Sunshine...

Last week, my week went a little something like this:

Monday - After dropping Biscuit off at school Wiggles and I drove my lovely neighbour Jill and her little boy Ned to soft play. We met Tilly and Em, Mrs Robinson and Hank there. It was the first time a Wiggles had been, to say she lived it would be an understatement! She was haring about chucking herself into the balls and generally having a whale of a time! She particularly loved the massive wobbly slide, she insisted I come down with her (many, many times) and at the bottom yelled "Again! Again!"

We all stayed for lunch before heading back home. I assumed Wifgles would be pooped but she only had a short nap before we headed back out to collect Biscuit. It rained so hard on the walk back from school I let them have hot chocolate and Easter Eggs to warm themselves back up. It got a little messy! 

Because Biscuit's bedroom was being decorated she slept on a spare bed in Wiggles bedroom. Super cute. I whipped out to buy her paint and done tester pots for Wiggles room when we decorate hers. I came home to the smell of Mr Husband's delicious pecan pie which we are egoist watching Game of Thrones. 

Tuesday -  Biscuit to school, Wiggles and I to baby group. Wiggles was pretty well behaved and we had a lovely time. We came home and scoffed brocolli and Stilton soup for our lunch, I love the way Wiggles wolfs down soup!

Wednesday - Work for me, I took some soup in for Carlos the Jackal which she seemed pleased with. Went to get weighed again lunchtime, then completely failed to post my Weight Loss Wednesday post (I lost two pounds, yay!) Nothing else remotely interesting happened.  

Thursday - Impressive E popped over with Beetle after the school run to measure up Wiggles room ready to have done shelved put up. Once we'd finished we all walked over to Tilly's house where we met Lucky and Dinky. We sat in the sunshine and had a lovely cuppa and a good yap!! Tilly made us all an amazing lunch and we had such a relaxing afternoon. The kids played in the sandpit and on the slide and steadfastly refused to nap!!

I'd eaten so much lunch I was too stuffed for tea!! 

Friday - Work for me, amazing curry for lunch!! It was a lovely sunny day and it seemed a real shame to be indoors. Bought a fab dress at lunchtime and wandered around in the warm breeze. 

Saturday - In the morning I took Wiggles and Biscuit to the supermarket to buy some bits for a BBQ. When we got home we walked round to Impressive E's and then we took all the kids to a Community Woodland morning in our village. It was great, they were big hunting, butterfly making and all sorts of things. Afterwards we nipped home, picked up the lunch stiff and headed up to the allotment for a fantastic BBQ afternoon in the sunshine. Mr Husband came home to watch the FA Cup Final and was thrilled to bits that Arsenal won! I sorted out my summer/winter wardrobe in the evening, hate that job!! 

Sunday - I got the lay in, yay!  After getting up at my leisure and having a wonderful hot bath we set about putting Biscuit's bedroom back together.  Her newly painted walls look marvellous, fresh and clean.  I nipped out to the nearest town to buy  her a matching bedside lamp and also came back with ice lollies to enjoy in the sunshine.  In the evening I drove my Dad to the station, came home and did some more crochet to unwind. 

Well that was mine, how was yours?

Love, love,

20/52

 A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2014.

20/52

20/52

What a pair!  They're so different!  Biscuit serenely plants seeds at the allotment and Wiggles finds further mischief to plant herself in. Love those two.

Happily joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity and this year's 52 Project.

The Week That Was - Every Cloud Has a Little Star Wars

Last week, my week went a little something like this:

Monday - We woke up early showered and headed off to visit my friend Berg, his wife and gorgeous little girl. They live near Canary Wharf, so we were all brave and walked to their apartment. We had a lovely chat, cake and a catch up. We left, headed back to the apartment on the bus, the made our way back home. We stopped for a dirty burger and at the supermarket on the way and got presents for the girls. It was lovely to see them and give them a big cuddle. We were pooped in the evening so we settled down with a beer and caught up in Game of Thrones. 

Tuesday -  School run in the rain, then came home to tidy up. Lucky rang me with some devastating news that one of the little girls in Biscuit's class has been diagnosed with an inoperable, life limiting brain tumour. Couldn't think straight after that. It's just so desperately sad. Took Wiggles to baby group. Felt I should. We home, she napped, the school run. After coming home I took Biscuit out to buy new school shoes. Gran had lost hers over the weekend. Ugh! Still she was pleased, which in turn pleased me. 

Wednesday - Work for me. More horrible news; my lovely friend Carlos the Jackal is having some rotten things to deal with at home. I think she's so great, I just want her to have a little sunshine in her life, not constant bloody rain. Mr Husband kept me awake most of the night either coughing or groaning in his sleep. I'd really like him to get better soon, poor lad. Still, sleep us for the weak, right? 

Thursday - After the school run we went to Impressive E's house for tea, then lunch to celebrate Nark's 40th Birthday. Impressive E had made the most amazing lunch, really yummy, she's an amazing cook. I did tuck in, it's rude to turn down someone's birthday cake, but I did skip tea as that felt excessive!!! I don't think I overdid it though, so fingers crossed the diet will still be on track! Lunch was so lovely we stayed put and missed Messy Play!!! I assisted with the cheese and pineapple hedgehog:

Look at that bloomin lovely quiche! 

This was BOUND to happen...

We had such a lovely afternoon! 

Once Mr Husband arrived home I whizzed out to pick my car up from the garage following repair. It looks gorgeous now -like new! I also popped to the shop to buy some wool. Spent the evening working on a new baby blanket for Key at work's little one. 

Friday - Work for me, cheered up by an amazing curry at lunchtime. Apart from that a wholly unremarkable day. Spot of crochet in the ebony and an early night. 

Saturday - I woke up early and let Mr Husband sleep in, hoping it might help shift his cough. Once he'd woken up I tidied the house, popped some washing in and we all headed to the shops to stock up and the billions of things we seem to have run out of. Such rubbish weather we couldn't go to the allotment as planned so instead we watched Star Wars together. After the children had gone to bed I crocheted and we watched  Endeavour. 

Sunday - A far better night's sleep for me, my Mum armed me with ear plugs to combat Mr Coughy-Groan. I even got a lay in, hurrah! I let him go back for an extra hour once I was up though, aren't I kind? I made carrot and coriander soup for lunch. Again the weather was so bloomin awful we were housebound so another Star Wars went on! Afterwards we emptied Biscuit's room ready for if to be decorated tomorrow. Mr Husband made one of his amazing Pecan Pies and the small children had a bath. Who doesn't love a Sunday?

Well that was mine, how was yours?

Love, love,

19/52

 A portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2014.

19/52

"Big Beds" are currently a source of fascination to Wiggles, any chance she get she'll hop into her sister's or ours and squeak with glee.  I'm not sure whether it's the combination of sheer space in which she can play, or the blankets, or just the fact that it's different to what she's used to.  This week I turned a corner upstairs and heard some pretty exciting noises coming from my room.  I entered to discover two cheeky girls all tucked up peeking over the top.  I love how similar both sister's look in this.  Cheeky scamps!

Happily joining in with Jodi at Practising Simplicity and this year's 52 Project.

Weight Loss Wednesday....#2

Happy Wednesday! I'm finding it hard to comprehend that a week has passed since my first post for #WeightLossWednesday! I'm joining in with Nat and Bel over at Twice The Mum again this week. 

I promised myself when doing these posts I wouldn't just trot out a string of excuses, but I do think I should point out that I was away in London all weekend and didn't "diet". I refuse to nibble in a lettuce leaf whilst enjoying a little break, it's not normal. That said I have been eating well the rest of the time and here are the results of this week's weigh in:

Start weight: 10st 8lb

Current Weight: 10st 7lb

Lose, Gain or Stay the Same: Loss (-1lb)

Total Loss: 1lb

I don't think I mentioned last week, but I would like to (eventually) reach a goal weight of 9st 7lbs. Though right now, a round 10st would make me very happy!

Today I feel like I've wasted a lot of calories on eating "snacky" food at work. It's all been good healthy stuff, but it does add up! I've eaten plenty of fruit and veg today, but the breakdown of my intake (via MyFitnessPal) suggests quite a lot of that was carb based. This is something I'd like to work on.

It also seems that I need to up my fat and protein intake a little too. 

So here's to what I hope will be a good week. Fingers crossed for a little more progress next week!! 

The Week That Was - Farms, Football and The Big Smoke...

Last week, my week went a little something like this:

Monday - Oh Monday! Monday! Monday! Usually so dull, but not today! After dropping Biscuit off we took a trip to the supermarket to buy drinks and nibbly snacks for the evening. We came hone and Wiggles slept then we headed out to meet my lovely friend Nettle and her three  gorgeous girls. I have known Nettle since Biscuit was a baby and it's lovely that we still manage to meet up and catch up. This time we went for an after school trip around the farm. All the girls enjoyed the tractors and the animals. Oh yes, and the welly wanging!

Afterwards we scooted back super-quick to scoff down our smug slow cooker sausage casserole before putting the girls to bed. Because Mr Husband was out at the football I invited Lucky, Tilly and Impressive E over for a couple of drinks. We were distinctly well behaved!  No one did a sick!  Although when Mr Husband arrived home he was greeted by the sight of me on all fours with my bum in the air cleaning up a glass of water knocked over by Tilly Butterfingers! It wouldn't be a Tilly if something didn't go flying! Eventually we turned in at around half one.

Tuesday -  Woke up tired, but not hung over. Yay! A bloomin pneumatic drill was digging up the road directly outside my bedroom window which was a delight to wake up to. Wiggles and I went to baby group, no babies were biffed. Result! There were lots of new mummies and babies to chat to which was lovely. We came home and I joined Wiggles for a nap. After collecting Biscuit from school I had to race into town to colder a courtesy car and take my car in to be repaired. In the evening Mr Husband and I watched Game of Thrones then headed to bed. We were both sleepy and in need of an early night. 

Wednesday - Work, work, work.  At lunchtime I went and got my fat ass weighed in Boots, as reported in this post. In the evening Uncle Schubert, Auntie Schubert and Baby Schubert came over to see us, they brought Biscuit and I birthday presents, bless them!  Poor Baby Schubert was feeling windy and a little grumpy so they couldn't stay that long but it was lovely to see them anyway. Mr Husband was feeling poorly so went to bed early, leaving me to stay up far too late watching Orphan Black episodes on iPlayer.  Naughty!

Thursday - It chucked it down first thing, it was grey and horrible like a winter's day. We went to Biscuit's church assembly, which was nice. After coming home we did house jobs, made soup and had lunch. It was the first time I'd had soup for ages and I used my new soup bowl, kindly bought for my birthday by Lucky. How cool is this? 

After lunch Wiggles had her nap. The weather eventually cleared up and because we were feeling a little stir crazy we took Pearl the Pug out for a walk. Biscuit went to ballet with her Gran straight after school so we didn't need to be back home. It was really nice to get done air. Mr Husband came gone still feeling a little poorly so we has tea and a quiet night. 

Friday - A wholly unremarkable day, even lunchtime was dull, I went to the shops to buy hits to prepare for the weekend. Me Husband was still feeling poorly when I got home, so we threw a couple of things  into a case ready for Saturday. 

Saturday - I woke up early and gave the children breakfast, then a quick bath and off we went to London to begin a weekend away just Mr Husband and I. It was hard leaving the kids, but lovely to spend some time alone. We travelled up and got the tube, eventually arriving at Liverpool Street where we met my Dad. Weirdly just as we arrived they were evacuating, so we had find Pa in a crowd outside. We made our way to his apartment and he showed us around before heading off. 

It's beautiful, but it's a looooomg way down! The balcony have us the heebie jeebies! After sorting ourselves out we headed to Spitalfields for a butchers. There was a big vintage market on, but nothing really took my eye. We had a very healthy lunch at Leon, Thai green chicken and Moroccan meatballs which we shared between us. Once we finished we headed over to Southbank, had a wander and bought tickets for Titus Andronicus at The Globe that evening.

We headed back to the apartment, got ready and then headed to the apartment building's club for dinner. After we'd eaten we set out for The Globe again. We prefer to walk most places rather than relying on public transport as we always think you stumble across things you'd otherwise miss.

I LOVE The Globe. Our seats were ok, plus we hired cushions and we had chocolate - yay!

Titus Andronicus was great. All the reviews have said it's really grisly telling tales if audience members fainting. It WAS grisly, I can't deny it, but nothing that bad! We decided that the audience member that fainted (yes, there was one) early wasn't used to watching Game of Thrones like us! Anyway, if you get the chance I'd recommend it. Afterwards we headed sleepily back to the apartment and to bed. 

Sunday - We woke up early to a strange buzzing sound. Annoying as being childless we didn't NEED to be up early. Grrr. We had breakfast in bed and watched telly which was delightfully decadent. After taking ages to get up and get ready we headed out to Arsenal football ground. We popped into my favourite shop in the world in the way; Vivien of Holloway, but sadly just as we arrived a group of bridesmaids arrived and occupied each of the three changing rooms. I knew they were going to be there ages as they had no clue about sizes and were very general about what they wanted to try on. Sadly this meant I couldn't try on the dress I'd had my eye on (that I was 99% sure I wanted to buy) so we forced to leave empty handed. A real shame. At least the sun was shining! We made our way to our seats in the ground and soaked up the atmosphere 

I'm not really much of a football fan. Not at all of truth be told, but it was the last home game of the season so there was a happy feel about the place, especially as we beat West Bromwich Albion 1-0. 

Afterwards we walked back to our apartment stopping off for a delicious four seasons pizza and antipasti near Liverpool Street. It was YUMMERS! And I enjoyed a lovely pink glass of wine too. Cheeky! 

Once we'd finished we hot footed it back to our apartment as we'd booked the private cinema for 6pm. We ordered a drink, took our seats and watched Insomnia with Al Pacino and Robin Wiliams. It was good. The cinema was great though! If I'd lived there I'd never go to a public cinema again! We were pretty shattered after that so headed back for an early night. We drank tea snuggled in bed and watched old episodes of QI. Lovely!! 

Well that was mine, how was yours?

Love, love,