Poole, Lulworth Cove in Dorset

M and I went away for a night... to this lovely area in Dorset... the big arch is called the Durdle Door... and its all on whats called the Jurassic coast... as you can pick up your own fossils there!

Tea in Crookham Village

We took my cousin Brenda to a beautiful little teashop which backs onto the fields of Crookham Village, aptly named Crookham village teashop! If you ever get over here, get me to take you there as they serve the BEST bacon sandwiches on the softest bread ever, perfectly crisp. Yum.

Queen show and Greek dinner in London, Jan

Since my brother was with us and it was the first Chrismtas family gathering in so many years, my folks treated us to a lovely night out in London to see Queen and have a real Greek dinner at Konaki.... near the theatre. It was delicious... and the show was way better than I thought it would be... funny and with great moral undertones... Thanks folks for a night to remember....

New Years Eve 2009, The Elvetham Hotel

The images speak for themselves... there were 10 of us... at a lovely country house hotel down the drag called The Elvetham.... there was lots of lovely pink champagne, canapes, food and great music.... it was fun being out for once AND we stayed over!

Travis' 3rd birthday....

Happy Birthday our big boy! We weren't planning on a party, thought we could hold off another year but somehow a little seed got planted in your head and from Nov you started to talk about turning 3 and having 'my pahti'.... how could I resist? Then you helped yourself to my kiddie cake book and decided you wanted a 'wocket ship' cake. I obliged. It turned out okay... you were very very happy with it. On they day you woke up early and we all wished you happy birthday with loads of hugs and kisses... then told you to sit on our bed and close your eyes... with that your presents were brought in... including a thomas balloon and your first bicycle! Big sister lifted you up and on and off you went!



We had your party at a softplay, just 7 little kids... and lots of yummy food and running around... When we all sang happy birthday you looked completely enamoured and enchanted that it was all about you.. my heart melted. That night your nana and pops came over with a 'pwesent' and you loved all the attention... and now each time she comes over you think she is arriving with a gift! little rotter.... we love you Trav... happy 3rd birthday... XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Letter to my 3 year old...

To my darling little brown eyed boy.

Gasp, my breath is taken away... in the blink of an eye, a number of sleepless nights, and lots of laughter you have morphed from this....




into this....





at 3 years of age, you are chatty, have surges of testosterone which make you growl at me in frustration, or fun and happiness. We play catch the mommy monster... and you squeal in delight...that cute baby laugh I love to hear and I know in my heart that each day that passes, its coming to an end. The fat little bum I love to pinch after bathtime and those chubby little strong legs that run away and jump and hide under the covers of my bed. You and your sister love to make ' a tent' with anything and everything. Often all the pillows, blankets, dollies, giraffes from upstairs will be dragged, dropped, thrown downstairs and made into a huge pile upon which you both leap and flop in delight and breathlessness.

You have taken rolled up easel paper and made a 'skedawope' or telescope to the rest of us... and peer through it at us, or the window at people passing by, or vans and cars... Thanks to the nursery, you have learned your manners so well always saying 'mummy, please I have a froot bar?' or ' thank you very much' to things that please you. You are starting to dislike nappies... and I will be happy the day I dont need to buy a pack of them... your digger undies are waiting at the ready.

You and Julianne still love a bath together and clamber all over each other riding trains and going 'chuff chuff', its so nice to see. At bedtime you love having your two stories, milk in a fruit shoot bottle and then you are so good and climb the ladder into your cabin bed... snuggle down and scooch your shirt up so that I can tickle your back, all the while listening to 'animal' music or 'train' music or whichever cd is flavour of the moment. I kiss your cheeks goodnight, say a simple prayer to Jesus and then you try to grab my arms and say 'I got you' in a sing song voice... and that turns into a little game. My heart continually melts. My precious little boy... XX Mummy

Family Four Seasons lunch in the snow

My boetie, Dave


My awesome parents


Fireside snacks


Tromping through the snow


View of the Hotel

My folks decided to treat us and take us to lunch at the Four Seasons... especially in light of the fact that our little family was all together for the first time in so long. It was a fabulous afternoon. I had a yummy plate of beetroot gnocchi with winter vegetables and pumpkin seeds. So good. And all the more magical because of the snow...

Dinner with some neighbours....

In November we had a long overdue dinner with some friends and neighbours, Vicy and Roland and Caroline and Will. Can't remember what I cooked, but we all ate and enjoyed and then ploughed into the game of the moment... Singstar.... Our resident superstars Roland and Vicky blew us away with their singing... and of course we know that a couple of neighbours appreciated the music as well. Thanks for a fun night people...

Snow, Snow, snow

Woweeee, the images speak for themselves... Britains biggest snowfall in 40 years! We had about 7 inches here... it was awesome for the first 3 days! then just slush and annoying... but the initial magic made up for the pain later.....Kids are just not equipped... so I bought big snow boots in case of more this year... and so that they will last for next year.

2009, Christmas Day