Time for a break

We're off on holiday tomorrow. A week by the sea, in Northumbria.

I can't wait, although we still have a lot to do.

I'm trying to meal plan so I don't spend too much on food, but it takes some organising, and this means i need to do a full online shop before I go to bed, for it to arrive next weekend. Booooorrrrrrrrrrrrrinnnng.

Ah well, I have Big Brother to watch/listen to to keep me from going crazy.

So, since time is at a premium, just some nice pics to show off the children at Max's party.

Blogs I have read recently

Partly for my own benefit, here are a couple of blogs that I have read recently. I wouldn't say they always make for enjoyable reading, but do give an insight into other things.

http://baldyblog.freshblogs.co.uk/ Is heartbreaking, but inspirational at the same time. I saw this guy on the telly, and have been reading ever since. For me, it has put my woes into perspective.

http://www.neenaw.co.uk/ Interesting reading, some of it horrific. I found this one after seeing it on a forum, where he wrote about an accident he was called to. It isn't for the faint hearted, but a good read.

http://www.dietgirl.org/ Is a bit of fun really, and again, inspirational as this lady has lost half her body weight but kept her humour.

http://greatbigvegchallenge.blogspot.com/ Great for veg recipes, and somewhere I shall probably have to look in the future if Oz's fussyness continues!

I keep finding good cupcake and foody blogs, but I don't always save them, but overall these are my favourites right now!

Ikea-tastic and decoration update

The last time I went to Ikea, was around the time I was pregnant (I think) I hated it. It was a weekend, stupidly busy, and we couldn't find what we were looking for.

It has taken me 4 years to brave it again. Thankfully, I went yesterday and really enjoyed it. I had a good long shopping list and things to browse so I ended up being there for 2 hours. Perhaps thats why I ended up getting the wrong bl00dy door that I went for in the first place! (sorry, Span!) I blame Ikeaexhaustion!

Apart from that, I found the following
Cream bathmat for 99p
Several frames for the photos I want to print
Some decorative glass bottles for the ensuite
Bowls, 4 for 19p each and 4 for 99p each.
Some plastic ups and cutlery 99p for each set.
a glass shelf for another bathroom cupboard
A gorgeous bedspread (riculously cheaper than the other ones I have seen!)

It's really got me going with thinking about the finishing details of our house. I think (biased, of course) that the house will look really nice, but I want it to be ours, with lots of personal touches. I am cracking on with photos of the children and getting some nice prints, and eventually I want to (somehow) frame some of the childrens' masterpieces so I can stick them up too.

My in-laws have offered to do some painting for us while we are on our holidays, so we need to make some colour decisions sharpish. Span is off to get some colours this evening, so that is another step done.

And on Friday, we lose our doors so they can be stripped and we can get rid of the horrible mustardy yellow panelling on them. Lord knows why the previous owners put them on in the first place. I think that might be the almost final nail in the previous owners' tastes. The final piece will be the rather dull (and now stained) carpet in Oscar's bedroom, which will be blue soon.

I CANNOT wait for this house to be done, but I think it will be a good 4 months before I can say that.

Oz begins a sparkling career in Photography

And these are the results.....













Lindy, I hope you're ready for some competition for best photographer I know.... he he

Free at last: time for trips!

We went to Smithills Farm near Bolton to meet up with some "internet weirdies" (!) and we had a really great time. Unfortunately the weather was awful, but fortunately that meant it was pleasantly unbusy for a half term.

We went to a milking session for the younger animals and we fed goats and lambs (which were really sheep in my opinion) Did you know a small sheep can drink a bottle in about 10 sec flat, while almost knocking your 3 year old over!
Then we saw teeny piglets, an owl and her owlet, a donkey, chicks (which i held) a 10 foot python, teeny lambs, guinea pigs and rabbits.

Next we went to the play area which had the old tractor that the children sat on.

Then we had lunch, which was fine. We nearly had nowhere to sit, but they let us sit in the school room (which was ideal really what with all our buggies and toddlers!)

Finally, Oz went on a Donkey ride. Jasmine flatly refused to get on, so she had to watch instead!

Since this is probably my last summer of freedom I am planning to go on as many day trips as I can face. I won't get as much opportunity from September as Oscar is in school full time. My plan is to go to Camelot soon as its open on Wednesdays and perhaps the zoo as well. And I'm planning a trip to see my friend who moved to Wales. I wonder how many I will actually do!!

So, here are the pics, in now particular order.

Rumbled

Oscar to daddy: Mummy said Bloody 'ell yesterday.

Next sentence:
Oscar to daddy: Mummy said Bloodycar.

Whooopsy

Darkwood or black wardrobes

IF anyone who reads this blog has a moment to spare, or some inspiration for us to find wardrobes for us, I would be most grateful.

I have seriously looked at hundreds of lovely wardrobes, but they are either the wrong colour, too big, too small, too expensive, too cheap (I know... its just the cheapo ones won't last, or just not quite right.

We have found this one http://www.elegantfurniture.co.uk/bentley_newhaven_darkoak_large_wardrobe.php but I am not convinced it will be enough. Yes, it is wide, but compared to what I have right now, it is a little small. We would order the 8 drawer chest, and two bedside cabinets. Expensive yes, but they are the only things we both like. I'm just not convinced it will be enough for both of us.

So, if you see any, drop me a line, before I go bog-eyed. he he.

We now have the walls decorated in our bedroom, and I am so happy. We have the carpet coming sometime next week and then we can move in. I am SO excited, it is going to look fantastic.