Father's Day

So, do I talk about the non-relaxing Father's Day? The one where we had to cram a whole day for daddy into just two hours as the husband woke up late after working last night AND had then gone straight to an indie gig (when will he grow up and realise his studenty days are like, well over).

About 20 minutes of shoehorning the Princess's gigantic muddy bike into our little Ford Focus, we then realised the Princess wouldn't fit in. So we shifted stuff around again and did the motor journey of doom, where the bike pedal and her face were way too close for my liking. Thankfully the sea is only a few minutes' drive. Note to self: must buy a bike rack.

The Prince scootered off into the distance, the Princess narrowly missed an OAP who was hobbling on the prom with a leg in plaster. She was fortunate that her other leg didn't end up the same way after my kids overtook her. Enter me, with much hollering.

Then we all came to an abrupt halt. Beach huts and shingle were all cordoned off. Police were there. Beach patrol were in action. Something was a-happening. Walky talkies were being used and everyone looked "important".

The husband and I, both journos, get excited by this sort of thing. OK, well I do. He was too hungover and tired. Was it a body? A drunk? An accident?

Turns out a world war shell had just washed up. The bomb disposal unit were on their way.

The Princess tutted and said: "All this fuss for a shell on the beach?  Everyone's weird!"

(Her history lesson time took place soon after).

Then we zoomed home for the frazzled  husband to drive into work and I had a grim afternoon with two hyper kids who were killing each other and too many chores. And there was me thinking Sunday was the day of rest. I actually hid in bed for seven whole minutes.

The Prince was the main problem. He has developed an obsession for Bon Jovi's "You Give Love A Bad Name" which shouldn't be a problem normally as I am the most devoted fan those New Jersey boys could wish for. How I love Jon Bon Jovi in particular...

To the point where my friend created this for me
when I was pregnant with the Prince.
(The husband was not amused)

But the Prince wants to play that particular rock song (which he calls "Band Name") over and over and over again. At first I was rocking out with him, rather overzealously, like Jack Black in School of Rock (but on reflection, I was possibly more hyperactive). Then I needed to hang out washing.

"Band Name". So I'd go back in and play it again. And then hoover and dust.

"Band Name".  "BAAAAAAAND NAAAAAAME". Then much crying and stamping of feet until I did it. Then he wanted it louder. Then he wanted his keyboard so he could feel the action.

He does make me laugh though. We were in the library the other day and he spotted a rather rotund and butch woman using the internet. She was wearing (don't ask me why) a rather fetching neon orange "trendy" boilersuit. She thought she was the height of fashion presumably.

The Prince grinned and started pointing at her. "Look mum, it's the bin man. It's the bin man. HELLO BIN MAN".

Awkward. 


Onto other things, my lovely sister Anna came to stay last weekend. Oh, we had so much fun. We all (including the husband) went down to the beach and lo and behold, the sea was full of kite surfers.

Just humour me for a moment or two.

They all start off on the green. It's tres exciting

Def a more interesting pastime than stamp collecting

This is the bit I love the most (oh, other than when they hang around on the beach with their wetsuits half off of course).

I could actually watch this all day long but alas, the tide goes out and RUINS EVERYTHING (sulk)

You know we belong together
You and I forever and ever...

Nice action

In you go, there's a poppet

And I was told this place was BORING before we moved here!

Oh how I love thee so. Sunshine, come back!

I got chatting to a kite surfer the other day. Typically I was wearing the worst saggy trackie bottoms you've ever seen (too short in the leg) and bad trainers, my hair was frizzy from the sea air and I'd just sat on a wet rock so from behind it looked like I'd weed myself. He had caught me taking photos of him and came over for a chat with his kite. And it was at that moment that I trod in dog's mess as well. It wasn't my finest moment and we shall leave it there.

Anyway, back to my little sister and I.

I got me £1.99 H&M dress on and my £1.50 cardie!

We all watched the boys do their kite surf thang, then scoffed tea and cakes in the cafe (actually, Anna and I shared a mahoosive wedge of lemon meringue pie which barely touched the sides)

The Prince found it mouth watering too. Literally!

 Then the husband took the kids home to enable Anna and I to have time to ourselves.

The "just got out of the surf" look

 Then we walked back to the house via a glorious parade of cherry tree shops.

I bought myself a chunk of Hugh FW for £2.99, when he was a little younger and slightly trimmer, bless him. SUCH a nice man it would seem.

Hugh's snaffled the bacon then?

Also found this!

A vintage kaleidoscope, if you will

Then we went home and  Auntie Anna put the children went to bed.

The Harry Potter bedding from the cherry tree shop!

I made a Thai curry and we drank fizz, celebrating the fact we had a whole night ahead of us.

The naughty look.
The husband has to be most patient with us after this!

 Oh and then we got silly and then watched Wolf Creek, the three of us hiding under the Blanket of Glory, while shovelling down keylime pie and Malteasers.


Is it any wonder my jeans don't fit at all (hence those dreaded trackie bottoms...oh the shame!)

And here we are, a snapshot of the Prince and his Bon Jovi moment, in a video that lasts 29 whole seconds. Tilt the screen if you fancy a peek as I can't rotate it. Bit dense and that.

This was the 100th time he'd done it, so the air guitar is not his best but look at his proud little face miming the only two words he knows! BAND NAME!

Zonked out after rocking out to "Band Name" one time too many, no doubt

On a poignant note, this weekend, I was due to have a lovely friend to stay a few nights. Sadly, her father has died suddenly and she had to cancel. Please include my dear friend in your thoughts. Thank you.  I would also like to send my love to the other friends who are without their dads today. Big love.