blimin' marvellous weekend

We've enjoyed a fabulous half term week and am feeling a little sad that the kids are going back to school tomorrow (yes, I'll get over it as soon as they're through the school gates I know). 

It's felt like a proper break with the sun shining and the kids (our kids and friend's) running around the garden and in the pool the past few days. We've managed to fit in sooo much - Hannah Montana movie (surprisingly watchable!), NATM 2 (gets the thumbs up from Cakes), bowling with the Rookes (including a Mimi meltdown when she came last (again) OOPS), the beach, Marsh Farm, swimming and much more. 

Started the school hols with a trip to the Natural History Museum in Oxford. It's amazing - particularly all of the wonderful objects stored in beautitful old style cabinets  - very Indiana Jones.  A big big big thank you to The In-Laws for a lovely weekend in the Cotswolds and for looking after us so well. 

The fun continued into the weekend - mojitos at Fi and Simons on Friday and The Warrens came over last night to watch the BGT final. Another very boozy affair! 

Here's some photos from Mimi's birthday. Enjoy the sun!

Have been really busy over the past couple of weeks so not much time for blogging.  However, the sun has finally come out and I'm feeling energised at the mo (won't last long).

Dr Green is golfing today at Woburn. Weather is great here so let's hope he's doing OK (and managing to stay out of the water, ha, ha!!)

Mimi and Cakes are frazzled after test week last week and have been struggling to get out of bed all week. We plan to do lots of lazying around next week. Will pop to the gym if we get a nice day and use the outdoor pool. They are both keen to watch the Hannah Montanna movie too (yippee!!). Other than that, there'll be plenty of playing in the garden and maybe a trip to Hadleigh Castle.

Have finished making a summer dress for me which actually looks quite wearable. Will post pictures soon. Next project is a wrap over skirt when the kids are back to school.

Thanks Rachel for the dress and the mac - both fit beautifully.

Looking forward to seeing the In-Laws on Friday.

 

New clothes for Mimi

Mum and I have had a lovely day shopping for holiday clothes for Mimi in Bas Vegas. Very successful. She now has an entire gorgeous new wardrobe - thank you mum!!!

The tiler is coming tomorrow to tile the kitchen. Then it's more or less finished. I'll post pictures so that you can see Dr Green's handywork.

Will go swimming tomorrow - well, that's the intention at the moment. Must have a last minute push to squeeze into that tankini as not long to go now.  Am committed to doing 1 hour full-on exercise every day from now until the holiday. Also, no booze or chocolate/cake during the week. HOW VERY DULL!!

Busy sewing

Not much time for blogging recently. Have been busy catching up on some of the sewing jobs I didn't get a chance to do before the Easter hols. I have now made a couple of cushions and some bits for my sister's bedroom (see photo). Also, have made Mimi a dress which doesn't look at all bad (blowing my own trumpet, yes, but I'm chuffed to bits with the result - even though she blends in with the curtains now!!!)

Had a very busy weekend. Cakes had a fab time sailing for four hours down at Old Leigh on Saturday, then on to the Cubs 'Renewal of Promise' (camp fire and songs) on Sunday. Mimi had an attempt at a sleepover on Saturday evening but got cold feet and was returned to us in her PJs at midnight. 

Looking forward to seeing the In Laws at the weekend!

Kids kept busy

Mimi and Cakes have had a full on entertainment programme this holiday. Yesterday, Cakes went with Grandma to the cinema to see Escape to Witch Mountain which he absolutely loved. It's a remake of a film that I went to see as a little girl (and, yes, it was a talkie!).

At the weekend we met Rachel The Sister In Law at the War Museum in South London. Mimi is covering WW 2 evacuees this coming term so she's now armed with lots of facts. Must go back to the museum as we missed the 'in the trenches' and 'blitz' experiences.

Cakes has been out with the cubs today for 5 hours - trekking across fields and building fires. Even cooked his own lunch and had a face full of charcoal to prove it. Exactly what little boys should be doing. Next weekend he's down in Old Leigh for the initial part of his sailing badge.

I've been out in the garden for most of the day, shifting stones from one end of the garden to the other. Dr Green has built a rather large flower bed which we will use to grow even more vegetables and flowers to cut for indoors. Photos to follow soon.

The kids are off to friends' houses tomorrow so I will fit in a quick dash to the shops for party/holidays clothes.

Belated Happy Anniversary wishes to David and Judy. X

We've all been to the zoo today, zoo today

What a beautiful day weatherwise. We've just spent 4 and a half hours at Colchester Zoo and everyone's had the best time.

Attached is a clip of Mimi's version of the "compare the market " advert. She's got it down to a fine art.

The chocolate brownie diet...

... is going well. Am also really enjoying Cajun Squirrel crisps (Cake's favourite at the mo). As you may have gathered Fat Fighters is off the menu this week. It would be more of a 'waddle of shame' than a 'walk'.

Anyhow, we have booked a week's holiday in Spain for June! HOORAH!!!! Can't wait to warm up around the pool and do very little apart from play with the kids and indulge. Maybe lovely Sister In Law Rachel could come and house/chicken sit(?).

Dr Green is out tonight on a stag night. This involves (aside from the very obvious throwing up tomorrow morning) a trip around the Circle Line, disembarking at 14 stops and drinking a pint at each!!!! Claire Bear and I have a trip to Ikea planned for tomorrow so will leave him to suffer on the sofa in peace.

Have made Cakes an outfit for Greek day at school tomorrow - although it looks more Casper the Ghost than Zorba. Will post a photo in the morning if I remember.