Ryan's 11th Birthday

Yesterday we celebrated Ryan's birthday as a family - Ryan had previously celebrated with his friends by going to the cinema to see "Hotel for Dogs" and then after food by going to the Crystal Leisure Centre to swim...
Ryan was up bright and early. Colin had already left for work but had cleared it with Ryan to open hos gifts. He had requested bacon & eggs sandwiches for breakfast then got ready quickly for school so that he could enjoy his gifts more fully.
After he was packed off to school, I set about making his birthday cake - a chocolate and sweetie extravaganza.
After school Joshua had his Year 8 Parents Evening - all the teachers expressed how exceptionally well he was doing and what a lovely boy he is....
By the time we got back to the house mum had arrived to accompany us to the Hungry Horse in Droitwich - Ryan's choice of venue for the night. We were joined by Colin's parents and sisters Rochelle & Carolyn and her husband Keith and son Greg - Lynsey couldn't join us as she is still on her travels - China being her location as I write this.

A walk in the woods

This week the children have been on half term - the start of the week saw the children at my mum's house - I collected them yesterday and then met up with my dad for a while - catching a bite to eat at KFC before we left......
Josh was delighted to get his bike back up and working, and he and Ryan and Ryan's friend Ashley went on a bike ride around our neighbourhood whilst Colin & I took Sophie & Ethan on a walk in Pitcheroak woods - it was very boggy in places so our walk was cut short - by the time we got back to the car, Sophie & Ethan were a little miserable - Ethan, because we didn't let him go on the bike ride and Sophie because she wasn't allowed to bring back half the woods with her! Oh joy!

Valentine's Day

Yesterday was Valentine's Day - Colin & I exchanged gifts in the morning - then not a lot else as I haven't been well these past few days - antibiotics hopefully starting to kick in now! Mum came over yesterday too - we are on half term and the chidren are going back with mum until mid-week..... as I write this everyone is at Church bar me! Looking forward to feeling "normal" again soon!
Happy Valentine's!

Snow days..... at last

The past two days has seen the children off school due to the "heavy" snow we have had.
Josh and Ryan took the opportunity to build a snowman...
....and throw loads of snowballs.
Several children from our neighbourhood seemed to congregate in our back garden...nothing unusual! More snow predicted over the weekend - watch this space!

Finally..... a snow day.....or two!

The last two days the children have been off school due to the snow!
Josh & Ryan were very keen to create a snowman.
It felt at one point as if half the street were in our back garden.
Tesco were unable to deliver our shopping so once Colin got home and the roads were passable, we ventured out to buy groceries - we couldn't get over how quiet Tesco was - a real pleasure to shop there yesterday!

February already

I can't believe how quickly time has flown and that we are in February already. The past two days we have had some snow - not enought though to warrant a "Snow Day".
Finally booked somewhere to go for a Summer break - we're off to Torquay for a week. Struggle now to find time with Colin driving and being self-employed... just have to make the time happen. Off to Centerparcs in April for the weekend so we are looking forward to that. Roll on April.......