Stardust!!!!!!!!!!

OMG Watch it!

Watch it!

I don’t care what else you do

but

                watch

                                    this

movie.

It’s amazing. I loved it.

10 out of 10.

Watch it

Away for the weekend … again…

I always seem to be posting this…. but yes… we are away for the weekend again. I’m at the folks alone tonight with Ella as tomorrow Rowan is going to her first ever birthday party back in Lincoln.

Tomorrow night (the whole reason we’re here) my folks are going to babysit - wait for it - for.the.whole.night….

I’ll let that sink in….

Yes. The.whole.night.

Celebration [she runs round the room singing Madonna-esque type songs about being happy] … celebrate good times come on!! wooo!! [that was singing just in case you didn't realise that....]

Yes - a whole night off….

We are going to a friend’s house for tea and that involves, going out, staying out and not coming home till the next day…. I just know I’m going to go and spoil the whole thing by getting terribly drunk and staying up till 5am or some such thing and coming back feeling way more shite than I ever have done before…. but hey… the point is I don’t *have* to be awake at 7am the next morning…. the point *is* that someone else does …

Grin. Grin. Grin.

So - I am here whilst Ella beats the crap out of a plastic xylophone with a plastic cup and the head of a doll [yes my child is a touch aggressive] watching a Peppa Pig DVD for the 100 milionth time whilst she stinks of poo that I’m putting off changing [which only means that it's getting more ground in....]

But none of this matters… for tomorrow I am childless for 18 hours and I can’t wipe the smile from my smug face..

ha

Catherine Gee - is no longer a Z List Celebrity.

Nearly a year ago - I wrote this post…. Post!!

I was v happy that I had come across a minor celebrity … and had to take a picture…. … erm… what with my life being so invariably….. erm….. ’scant’ of celebrity.

Now - can you believe that almost 12 months later… and this picture

Is the single most viewed picture on my entire Flickr account - simply because it mentions Catherine Gee?

It’s not even a good picture (explanation at Flickr)

Daily - my blog attracts people that are interested to know whether or not Catherine Gee is, in fact, pregnant. Daily people come to the LNT to see whether or not she has had a baby.

On a daily basis, I disappoint people as, unfortunately, I do not hold the answers to the questions regarding the size, shape or contents of her tummy

So - if you do happen to know whether or not Catherine Gee is pregnant - you should really put a lot of people out of their misery and let everybody know

We have poo!!!!!

Magic Cream! We love you!

We went shopping today for ‘Magic Cream’ … I have seen it before on the shelf in Boots. Avent actually do a cream … a hypoallergenic moisturiser for dry skin and many other claims… and have called it ‘Magic Cream’.

She was totally up for it   

We bought some and talked about it all afternoon.

One of the consistent claims she has made is that her bottom hurts. I’m almost ashamed to say that I have dismissed it out of hand because I just thought that she was saying whatever she thought it would take to get out of having to poo in the toilet.

But - after tonight I think I do believe her.

She did do a poo on the loo - the magic cream was enough to tempt her. She’s flinched at cold cream on her bum before and says it stings (whatever it is) so I left it floating in the bath for 5 minutes before we tried to apply and then put it on before she sat on the loo.

She was v impressed it was warm and that totally brought her round. 1 point to me!

I could tell she was curious. Last night she hopped off the loo after a few minutes and clearly wasn’t up for it but tonight she stayed there and I offered a towel to wrap around her thinking that perhaps if she had some privacy that might help….?

So she dropped the towel after a coupla minutes and said it was coming.

Lucky me - got full view - her eyes did water quite a lot to be fair and she said it was stinging so I think she may indeed have a sore tushy.

More magic cream afterwards.

Suitably proud of herself but a little reticent - she agreed to tell Daddy what had happened. We went to find him and when she backed out of saying, I brought BN up to date. He offered congratulations and gave her a kiss and Rowan replied…

‘But I’m not impressed though!’

I think it might be my anniversary…

I think today might be my anniversary of blogging… at some point I shall get round to checking to see if that’s correct… but not just now…

The thought did just occur to me though … that perhaps the LNT was 1 today….

Happy Birthday LNT!!

Moving on..

Then there was wedding stuff…

The week ended with a manager’s meeting in Rotherham… a rushed journey home and a dash to catch a train to the folks this weekend.

We were meeting Sarah there (of brown dress maid of honour fame) in order to visit our venue on the wedding fayre thingy they were holding for people booked in next year.

We had a great weekend. Mum and Dad babysat last night and we went out drinking. I mean really went out … like I haven’t been out for months and months. We drank … LOADS! and stayed out till 1am (ooh the daredevil I am I know) and ate bad greasy food at the end of the night and collapsed into bed at 2 in the morning.

It was great! Loved it loved it loved it!

The girls were great and didn’t wake up till 6.50am… can’t believe they woke up before 7am! Damn the children!! 

We then went to Coombe Abbey this afternoon and looked around the fayre and had a laugh and a giggle at the all the weirdly dressed medieval people

(You can have a medieval themed wedding there.. stressing the *can* as this is not a direction we will be taking!)

It was really good to see it all set out like we will have it and I can’t wait for the big day now!

The best thing of all?! The best friend ever has offered to have the girls for 2 weeks after the wedding so we can have a honeymoon!!!!

WOW!!

I just never thought I would get a honeymoon like everyone else because I suppose you just accept that when you have kids, they come first and that there’s no way we would be able to leave them anywhere for that length of time… but she has offered … and maintained that offer post alcohol!

Her husband has confirmed this morning that he thinks she’s brave for offering but doesn’t object… so we’re on!

Time to start looking at brochures!!

Took a couple of photos today… so here is the front view of the venue… bearing in mind, it’s winter and it’s cold and dreary… I think it looks way better than this in the summer!

Front View - Coombe Abbey

Fountain in the main entrance area.. we can have photos taken here on the day.

So… that’s it really. Have still worked all weekend as still have this big contract going on that would be worth a lot of money for me next year… and that’s been a bit of a bind to be honest as I kind of just wanted a weekend off but it is important and means a lot for the future of my business next year. Not to mention BONUS!

I have got some photos of the table decoration but I think I’ll keep some things secret so you can all be wowed next year when I post the pictures!

Happy Birthday Rowan…

Dear Rowan..

Today was your 3rd birthday. I have so looked forward to today and to see you so excited about being a big girl.

We wake up usual time.. which I have to say I’m relieved about. I had some horrible vision of you waking up at 5am or something .. desperate to see your presents and unable to contain the anticipation any longer. But you were really good.

You and Ella shared a room at Granny and Grampty’s house for the first time and you both woke up about 7am. You both played and chattered for a bit and then started to get rowdy about 7.15…

Both Granny and Grampty had to go out this morning so we opened your presents really early and you were reasonably pleased.. as pleased as a 3 year old can be … to get some socks and hair bobbles, bracelets and rings and a new top. I chose a moses basket for you for your dolls…. That didn’t seem to be the favourite of the day although I’m confident that’ll get played with a lot in the coming months. I think if it doesn’t turn on, flash or make noise when you’re 3, it’s pretty much out of the running for masses of attention at first.

You were thrilled to get your Backyardigan toys, thanks Aunty Merry, and they have instantly been promoted to bedtime companions

We took you shopping for the morning and you got to take two rides on a bus which you love! We sang the wheels on the bus at the tops of our voices to your delight and got some ‘appreciateive’ glances from a few of the passengers. Most were completely in love with your happy mood I think though..

We took you to Woolworths and you played with loads of things in there and eventually chose a fairy dress that has little lights in its bodice. You haven’t worn that yet but I’m sure it’ll get tried on tomorrow.

We bought Ella a little Bumble toy from Fifi and she’s been in love with him for the rest of the day.

We pootled around Loughborough for a bit and took you to MacDonalds where you naturally ate practically nothing (your usual) and then got back for a sleep in the afternoon. You have loved seeing your Nana and then started to get excited about your party tea when Granny got home from work. Grampty and I went out to get you some fancy bits for your tea and you very much enjoyed that… although now I cast my mind back I don’t actually think you ate anything savoury at all!!!

You finally got your big presents that you were so patient for a ELC Checkout and hoover. I swear I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so happy!

So. My big girl. Well done for having a lovely day and being absolutely adorable and well behaved for the whole thing. Congratulations on being three. A big girl.

I love you so much and you make me proud every single day with your intelligence and your generosity and your manners and your loving, kind hearted nature. Always ready with a smile and giggle and a cuddle and always so thoughtful of others.

Love you with all my heart

Mummy x

Er.. I know! Let’s teach our kids to pinch each other!

Is it just me… or is the ad for this doll a little alarming?!? I saw it on TV this morning.. and I was like… errrr….  WTF?

The idea is … that the doll cries real tears… yup great great… loved those when I was little… but this doll cries when you pinch its arm…

Yes. That’s correct.

Cause this baby pain and it will cry.

Go and test that on your baby brother….

Bizarre

Today’s the day…

Wish us luck…

We have paid for both girls to be in nursery for the day… so we can have a day off together….

I’m really hoping we get the whole day…..

Fingers crossed x

So .. I missed out on yesterday

because I got a brand new phone to play with and I got all gadgety distracted!! It’s the Nokia N95 and it does loads of stuff … video calling and stuff like that, upload straight to Flickr (way cool) proper internet browsing blah blah blah…

I am gadgety .. I am not ashamed… So yes… I didn’t post because I was playing with my mobile.

Thank you …

Thank you to everyone who left me a comment to help me on my cruscade for 10 comments… I can’t believe I nearly reached 20!!! Thank you especially to Hojo for leaving me more than one!!! I’m so chuffed.. especially after a crappy day and being such a comment whore that I am!!!

Look what I did mummy!

Little Rowan moment today! She drew her first recognisable face!! And if I had a working digital camera… I would take a picture!!

But I don’t.. oops!

Soon… she’ll be drawing like her daddy!!

ps he’s really good, hence the reference.. I know that to all of you that don’t know … that last comment was a little irrelevant…

Oh my goodness..

Tonight on my way home from work, I called home, as I always do and spoke with BN for a bit and then I always have a quick chat with Rowan.

6 months ago these conversations were not so much that… but more of me just asking questions and Rowan giggling uncontrollably on the other end of the line..

Now..? They’re turning into proper talks. Proper get to know me and you time with my girl.

On the menu tonight? A little boy ‘C’ from nursery.. not sure whether I should say his name.. so I won’t…

Have you had a good day at nursery today?

Yesssss

What did you do? Did you play with C? (I had inside information )

Yes I did mummy, C is my friend!

Apparently they had a kiss and a cuddle when she left the garden! A boyfriend!!

I just think it’s absolutely amazing that she can tell me that someone is her friend.. it’s so cool… she’s moving on in this amazing way.. telling me not to worry when she uses something of mine cos she’s only borrowing it… telling me that I should ‘just’ come home now.. not come home, but just come home…. little English sayings and personal ways in which her language is developing and changing to become ‘family’ English.. she already drops her h’s like Daddy!

Things I don’t want to forget..

It occurred to me last night when I was looking at Rowan that the really cool thing about the Little Nut Tree is having this place to look back at all the things I don’t ever want to forget about my girls. Not just about them though.. but also about my life I suppose.

This house, where I live, what was important to me at this time.. my work.. my family.. all these things I don’t want to forget.

It’s amazing when we look back at our life.. or at least when I look back on mine that there are only so few memories that snap out of their own accord..

I have these little photograph snapshots of childhood or school or uni or even the birth of my kids.. where I don’t remember a whole day, as such, but just little pixels of the picture.

I remember the group photo we all took at school on our last day of 5th year before I left for 6th form college at 15. We were all convinced that we would know each other for ever and the truth is I don’t think I’ve spoken to more than two of them since then .. and in fact the last one I saw was probably 10 years ago.

When I think about my childhood.. there are a few things I don’t want to forget.. the day that we saw our great big new house and we ran through the overgrown garden through grasses so big that as three young children, we couldn’t even be seen! The day where my mum went to great lengths to get us to a surprise performance of The Hobbit. I was too young to remember anything of the actual play.. but I remember the cloak and dagger drive around town pretending we were lost so that we could get to the playhouse without her giving away her surprise.. all the time dressed in our best dresses and not knowing why.. well I didn’t know why anyway.

This is exactly the kind of thing I love to do for people and whenever I think about this .. I can’t help but grin with how excited she must have been to see it come off as she planned.

Another time at Christmas where she hid our ‘big’ presents down in the cellar and hid a clue in the Christmas Crackers so that when we pulled one, the joke inside instructed us to go downstairs… funnily.. the only thing I can remember about the presents was that my brother got a bike!! I have no idea what mine was.. but I’m sure it was lovely!

So when I think about this blog I think about all these things that are happening now that I just don’t want to forget..

……..the fact that Rowan says ‘we’re going all ready ‘ome now’ instead of ‘are we going home?’

The fact that she gave me a big kiss as we were walking to nursery this morning and told me that she loved me..

She was scared this morning when a dog yapped at her and I explained that he was just saying hello and she said ‘oh ‘ello dog!! woof woof’ I just loved the fact that she thought she had to talk to him in his own language .. made me giggle..

The fact that when I left her at nursery this morning she wanted to watch me from the window so she could wave goodbye..

That her and Ella now sit in the bath together and laugh wickedly.. both in on some joke that we don’t get. That they are excited to see each other in the morning and that they hug each other like their thick as thieves and absolutely have a sisterly identity that I hope they will have forever.

Then that Ella doesn’t seem to be interested in crawling as much as dragging herself along the floor in a caterpillar like fashion… seems to be working though to be fair!

That we got to sleep in till 7am this morning…!!! And the fact that I am so happy right now with my little family that if ever in the future I wonder how I got to where I am.. I’ll be able to read this journal and remind myself.

I’m hoping a revealing legacy for my daughters..

Right….

And the answer is…

The first animal represents what you think you’re really like….

The second animal’s words represent what you believe others perceive you to be.. and

The third set of words represent what you wish people would perceive you to be!

Mine were quite freaky!

A friend of mine did this to me the other day and I was pretty impressed with mine… what do yours say about you and are they right..?!