The Kids are Alright

My poor little Princess. She needs to stop playing like a Prince. I am trying to teach her to be demure. Gentle.   And to slow down. 

I don't want any dramas this week. We also had a level crossing moment a few days ago. We have to cross one every day to get to school. The Prince loves choo choos so is happy as Larry (who WAS Larry by the way?) but the Princess gets scared when the bell rings to warn everyone. And last week we'd just started walking across and the alarm went off, which is quite a scary noise if you are a kid (or me).

As we'd only just set one foot on there, I stepped backwards as decided it was the safer option with a loaded up pushchair. She on the other hand had sprinted across like Linford Christie on Red Bull so I then had to get over with the pushchair. ALMOST heart failure but still here to tell the tale...we have a rule now. She does NOT let go of my hand.

Been cherry tree shopping again. This time I got this fab Monsoon skirt for £4.99 from YMCA (on this occasion I would say it really IS fun to stay at the YMCA as I saw loads of stuff but the Prince was having none of it, sadly).

On Saturday we went to Arundel for the afternoon. We arrived and found out we'd not only left the pushchair at home, but also the Prince's shoes. Please don't ask. I swear we aren't usually this crap.

So we drove all the way home and started again. Arriving in Arundel later than planned, with gritted teeth and a few sharp words with each other (I still say it's the Husband's fault).


 Anyway, this historical town is gorgeous.

 There are some gorgeous shops.

Then I went to the antique and craft centre and guess what I came across:

Yay, it's my very lovely bloggy friend Sarah from Annaboo's House. Look at her work, she has been a busy bee.

Then I saw a very silly model in a shop window. Tut tut. I blame the parents.

And yes they are cherry tree boots 

 I then came across this fab "itty bitty" junk shop. Couldn't call it junk though, total treasure darlings, total treasure.

Had to keep someone sweet during the day when he got a little tired.

I think he looks a bit like George Michael
with the icecream tash and goatee

 Went for a lovely walk the other day with a new friend. She showed me some pretty gardens and we took our boys. It was lovely and the Prince loved looking around for the Gruffalo.

Oh my dear little children never fail to make me laugh. They love entertaining me. Yesterday they did a performance of One Direction's Beautiful, which was beautiful. And hilarious. They dressed up for the occasion too. Oh my, how I love my little creations. Most of the time...

Complete with chocolate mousse round the Prince's mouth

Nigel Kennedy? Whatever.

Very Dexey's Midnight Runners

Oh and spring has sprung good and proper here in West Sussex. Bring on a little more sunshine please.

PS. Thanks for all your comments re one of my favourite books The Wonderful Weekend Book by the amazing Elspeth Thompson. I was shocked when Heather at Pink Milk told me Elspeth died two years ago. I had no idea. Her death makes for sad reflection. How someone with a lovely husband and young daughter, a fabulous home and successful career as a writer can end their life so suddenly is beyond me. I often read her book when I need a pick me up and inspiration. How tragic that her book wasn't enough to lift her own soul. I am thrilled that so many of you are buying\have read the book.

Autumn days

For once, it's been a fairly relaxing one. Apart from the children whipping each other up into a frenzy. The Prince keeps hitting the Princess and then says "Oh, sorry about that" which is his latest phrase. His little voice makes it VERY difficult to tell him off. He is too cute.

The husband "worked" on Fri, Sat and Sun, which he has to do every other weekend. I say "worked" because he and I know all too well that he actually goes into the office for a rest. It's quieter, he can concentrate, have uninterrupted adult conversation, drink as much coffee as he likes, go down the pub for a pint with his colleagues - what's not to like? He works in London and we are in a leafy village miles away but I quite like my Saturday nights alone once les enfants are in bed.

It involved chocolate, wine, fairy lights and muchos telly

I watched Strictly, X Factor, Casualty and then the husband came home early at 10am (yes that's early! It's usually between midnight and 2am each night) so we curled up and watched an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm which we love. I love Larry David, he is hilarious. The husband has a bit of a thing for Cheryl, Larry's wife and whilst I don't fancy Larry, I do find him rather appealing in an odd way.

Then yesterday we watched the 9/11 commemorations, which left me choked and grateful for my lovely family. Watching family and friends laying down white roses in memory of those they lost was so poignant. We all watched it silently, the husband and I remembering where we were ten years ago when the first tower was hit.

Moving on, the Princess wanted to show off her latest Cherry Tree outfit. The skirt (featured ages ago in this blog) is originally Monsoon but I got it for next to nothing in a Cherry Tree shop and I picked up the Gap Kids' top from Help The Aged for £1.25. It is sparkly and looks as good as new. She loves it.

Unbeknown to me, the Prince had raided my makeup bag. Again.

The guilty face

Trying to win me over (it worked)

The Princess practised her photography skills

Then we went on a country walk. Berry picking was the aim of the day before the husband left after lunch to go to "work".

The Prince's latest obsession (I keep finding dead ones in his room)

Loving his latest pet

Berry picking commenced

Hmmm, someone kept eating them

Ahhhh. That's the culprit

Not the best crop but they'll do nicely

Stop scoffing them......

I chickened out after seeing a huge spider...wuss!

The Prince gave the Princess some buttercups

I love this! 

Spot the two Cherry Tree plates holding our tomatoes (£1 each)

A delish blackberry crumble

It still amazes me that you can pick some berries, take them home and have a dessert within 30 mins. Like an unborn baby kicking, it never ceases to amaze me.

Nature at its very best. Happy Autumn one and all.

A day to treasure

I have had a pretty productive morning on the cherry tree shopping front today, although I was feeling rough when I woke at 5.50am by a wailing son, demanding his fix that only I can offer him (note to self: really need to wean him off, before he's an adult and the Bitty scene from Little Britain is re-created).

For some reason, I just woke feeling utterly drained and ill. I had no energy at all. Even after eating breakfast, I couldn't snap out of it. Some mornings are like this, although not very often, and I am trying to work out if it is caused by something I eat the day before. But because I am always eating, it's pretty hard to pin point.

Anyway, I shoved on some No.7 Awakening Eye Gel and things vaguely improved. Until I stepped outside the front door with the kids for the school run, and the gale force wind brutally whipped up my hair into a massive frizz. Whip My Hair by Willow Smith has since been the theme tune of the day. Only she can get away with it, I can't.

So, after dropping off the Princess at school, the Prince and I popped to a nearby town and I found this little beauty in Barnados. A flowing summer skirt from Monsoon. It reminds me of 70s caravan curtain material and I love it already. How on earth could someone part with it?

Not a bad price, it's in great condition

Spot my whipped up hair. And the red potty. And my stalker...

I got the cardigan from the same cherry tree shop, it was only £2 and originally New Look. I really love the colour but there's NO hope of it ever fastening up over my boobs! I just need the right vest top to go with the skirt and cardigan. It's my next mission!

Then I nipped into Oxfam and came across the below skirt within about ten seconds. It is originally from George at Asda and beautifully made. I would have guessed it was more expensive than it was.

I love the flouncy tiers, it's elegant and emo all rolled into one!

It's a good price for such a nice skirt, in my humble opinion

I then went back to Barnardos to buy the below top which I'd ummd and ahhd about. It's originally from Esprit and is nice and simple, yet with a flourish of flowers at the neckline. Sweet.

Never been so pleased with a simply grey top. Must get out more...

I love the flowers around the neckline. Did I already mention this?!

See what I mean about my stalker! He is ALWAYS there, bless him!

And what does the Prince get up to while I am photographing my latest cherry tree treasures? He goes through all the wicker boxes of love letters and memorabilia between me and the husband (yes it looks like a lot of letters and stuff, but we have spent 15 years together and we are both writers, mind!) And our son trashes the lot in one fell swoop! Still it kept him quiet for five whole minutes.

"Stalker? Who? Me?"

And tomorrow is Evil Tuesday again. Why does it crop up so quickly? It's not the job I dislike, it's the madness of the morning before I even get into work, and then the madness afterwards.

But then it will be Wednesday and I have a lovely friend coming over to scoff cake while her twins play with my boy. They all get on well, it's cute.