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.

Time to reflect

I don't feel right writing about my lovely weekend today, particularly after watching all the 9/11 commemorations of those who will never enjoy a day with their loved ones again. Very poignant indeed.

Ten years. The pain is still there for those who suffered their losses. I remember where I was when the first tower went down. I was working in Central Bath, looking forward to a bright and happy future with my husband-to-be. So many people that day never got the chance to enjoy any kind of future.

I am thinking of you all and sending much love to you, wherever you are.

xx

Back to school

I had all the school bags ready by the door last night. Big new Harry Potter school bag...check. Bright yellow P.E. bag...check. Lunch box...check. Drink...check.....coat....check. Kitchen sink...check. You catch my drift.

Everything ironed and labelled up, ready for a fresh new term at a brand new school. We woke early, had a healthy breakfast and I decided to walk to school with the kids, even though it is over a mile away.

We were doing well until the Prince decided not to co-operate and refused to wear his wellies. We then only just made it in time for the Princess to flee from my arms (blimey, talk about the great escape) and get in line to join her new classmates. I felt myself welling up and was so proud. Another milestone, another to tick off the list. I missed her all day.

I know I've put this photo in an earlier post several weeks back, but I want to put it on again as it was her first day at infant school, followed by her first day at junior school this morning; wow she has grown so much.

After I dropped her off, the Prince and I accidentally fell into the cherry tree shop. Oh dear, it's a dangerous habit but safer than crack, that's how I see it.

I bought this satchel style bag for £2.95 (Help the Aged, originally M&S). A bargain if you will. And it seemed apt to buy a satchel on the first day of school. I walked home, emptied out my old bag and filled this new one with nice things. No old wet wipes, no fluffy raisins, no 3 week-old cocktail sausages (do not ask). It felt good. I never buy new bags so this was a novelty. The one I used before had been given to me on the day the Prince arrived  (so over two years ago) by my mum, which she filled with nappies and wet wipes. I fell in love with it and used it every day since. Now it's resting while I put the satchel through its paces.

Very blurred, I was in a rush!

In other news this week, I warned the Princess three times NOT to ride her bike while eating an ice lolly for obvious reasons. Did she listen? Did she heck...

Oh the hilarity of it all...

No longer funny when she knew I was taking photos for my blog...

 The husband was off earlier this week so we had a nice long lunch with the children. No rushing, lots of chatting and catching up.

A more peaceful affair than is normal in our household

Then the husband announced that he wanted to pack the dear sweet kids off to bed early that evening, so he could spend a little time with his gorgeous Gem. I was delighted...

But not for long!

xx

A quiet weekend

I have bought a fabulous farm from a cherry tree shop. For those who are new to my blog, cherry tree shops are charity shops. I just call them "cherry tree", as it's something my mum, my sister and I always say.

Anyway the farm is originally from the Early Learning Centre and I got it from Help The Aged for £4.50. It is brilliant and the kids have been keeping very quiet and not hassling me as much while they build the farm and sort out the animals. Giving me free time to blog!

It has loads more animals but the Prince keeps knocking them over and throwing them around his room!

There are more buildings to set up too but I cant be jiggered today

Other news this weekend is that I won an Ebay bid for two duplicate rabbit comforters. Those of you who have followed my blog for a bit may remember the Prince lost his beloved "Noo Noo" (which he'd had since birth and took EVERYWHERE) while in Whitstable several weeks back.

Well, we already had one replacement but it took a while for the second Noo Noo to be accepted. Then I saw a pair on Ebay for £4.99  and I was thrilled. They arrived yesterday. I've washed them and rubbed them against his older one and already done a swap over so that eventually they will all be old and smelly (why do kids love their toys like this, utterly vile if you ask me).

The Prince eyed up Noo Noo suspiciously (after I did the surreptitious swap) and I glossed over it saying I 'd quickly washed him and didn't he look lovely and almost like new? How come two-year-olds are so astute?

I'd also written a story for the local rag in Whitstable in the hope that someone would find the original Noo Noo and return him , but alas, so far it was all in vain. But he got good coverage including a mention on the front page (underneath stories of crime, accidents and vandalism it said "Have you seen Noo Noo?" as if he was Britain's most wanted...) Then he got half a page inside!


We'd had one false sighting a couple of weeks ago and the news editor of the Whitstable Times called to inform me that someone had phoned her as they'd seen an elderly couple place something that look like Noo Noo on a bench outside a charity shop. When I called the charity shop, I got as far as "Hello, my son has lost his rabbit..." and she interrupted me and said "Oh you must be talking about Noo Noo? I think everyone is looking for him, I've already been trawling the streets! I will call you if he ever turns up."

Sadly he wasn't on that bench and has never been found.

But amazing kindness in a seaside town.  And here we go, these duplicate beauties came through the post box yesterday. FAR more welcome twins than Jedward.

"Hello, I'm Noo Noo, and he's Noo Noo and together we are NOO NOO!!"

Spot the older replacement, seriously in need of a wash

Oh ok, I'll move on from Noo Noo now (wonder how many followers I just lost)

The Princess made a frittata for lunch yesterday and did a great job, bless her. We had a lovely afternoon just cooking, stewing apples from our trees and chatting while the boys did the gardening. Autumn is well and truly here, it's time for loads of baking and much raking of leaves.

"Would you like a cherry pie, son?" and this was the response above!

Messing up himself and his father

It's the first weekend where we have just been at home and taken it nice and easy for absolutely ages. Family time is so important isn't it? The husband had this weekend off and it's been lovely. We had a curry and wine last night and watched TV and we have a DVD to watch after dinner tonight. Blue Valentine I think it's called. Anyone seen it?

Tomorrow is the last "proper" day of the school hols as I am at work on Tues and then the Princess starts junior school on Wednesday. I've just ironed all her new uniform, labelled it and we're ready to start a brand new term. Summer went so fast. Sad really, I love the sun.

A simply wizard summer

"Harry Potter" woke me up this morning, complete with scar, glasses and a cape. I was rather speechless - the Princess is completely obsessed with all things wizard. 

She used my black Biro again but I guess this is an improvement on the Amy Winehouse makeover she gave herself a few months ago as that took AGES to remove all the ink...

I will keep this photo for her 21st.....

I survived this morning's madness when loads of kids descended, despite waking up with the headache I still had from yesterday.

Yes that's Bungle and yes I'm wearing a pirate hat...

I felt like Frauline Maria with the Von Trapp family. Well, a mini Von Trapp family anyway. And sadly without Georg Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer), his grey suit and his whistle. Ooh, I love that man. My sister and I had a crush on him and still do!

The 8 week old baby was sleeping downstairs. Peacefully. Through the noise.

There was a fair bit of bickering but the toddlers played nicely and I caught up with my friend Charlotte which was lovely. We met when we used to weigh our baby boys, then kept bumping into each other and hit it off. We don't see much of each other but it is always very nice when we do.

The Prince with a VERY cheesy smile. His friend refused to be a fake grinner.

Onto all things Cherry Tree, I bought this vase from Helen & Douglas House Hospice for 50p and love it. It had literally just been donated. I've given it a lovely new home and filled it with a few fresh flowers.

Then I decided to treat myself to some stunning pink gladioli too. I find them so gorgeous, I love that they have a mind of their own after a few days and droop where the hell they like.

 

Oh and the Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector??? BRILLIANT. It is now my fave cream ever. Eve Lom? Whatevs. I don't have great skin but this stuff does what it says on the tube.

Ignore my brows, am growing them before a wax and ignore the piercing in my nose.
Don't wear nose rings any more. Kind of miss them though.

And there we go for a Friday night. Am off now to eat a chocolate mousse and then go to bed, it's been a loooong day!

Henley and headaches

I have a really nasty headache this evening. My hormonal, once a month evil headache. I should be lying on the sofa in the dark but I can't be jiggered. I want to write a post, so I shall do so in my dark glasses. Very Roy Orbison I hear you cry.

I took les enfants to Henley-on-Thames today.

We ate our lunch on the train while chugging past the most stunning riverside houses. Actually, I should rephrase that bit about lunch because only I ate the food. The Princess wanted to save hers to eat by the river when we got off the train and the Prince picked over everything I packed him and licked each bit, before shaking his head and declaring "I light it. Away. Now". This means he doesn't like it. He does, however, like crisps......"Bips mum bips mum. Want bips". Repeat, increasing the volume until you can barely think straight.

I didn't want to give him a packet of "bips" on the train purely for not eating his sandwiches but then he performed The Shriek. It's long and loud. Ear piercingly loud. Maybe this is why I have a headache....

We walked past our little dream home.

I love the colours, the flowers and it's so neat and tidy

Yes, Myrtle Cottage, I think I love you

I love the colour of the front door

 Then we scoffed ice creams by the river.

Stop looking down my top...

Couldn't eat his sandwich, but had plenty of room for this....

Anyway I bought this book, only to return home to find I've already bought it. Gah!  This is the problem with over 100 vintage Ladybird books. Lovely Piggly, what a dear, from Oxfam for £1.50.

 And this one for £1.99, also from Oxfam.

I also nabbed these babies, 20p each, from an antique shop. Very cute, will look lush with cake on. I love cake...

 On a totally random note, I bought the below soup, purely for the carton. NEVER judge a soup by its carton. It was like supping warm pond water. I could manage a small bowl, but not the gargantuan one I filled. It tasted healthy, but in a bad way. I had a craving for chips afterwards. And cake.

And I finally succombed to  all the excitement over the below product. National papers rave about it. Will see how it goes. If it is great, it is a bargain at £9.99. Let's see if it transforms the mug I possess.

Tomorrow is a busy one. I shall have six children here by 10am, ranging from 8 weeks to 10-years. Helllllllp...