Don't call me baby

Me: "Hey lovely!"

Dan: "Lovely? You can call me handsome if you want, but I don't like lovely."

"Why not?"

"It sounds too girly. Just handsome please."
Pause.
"Handsome doesn't ever mean pretty does it?"

"Err, no."

I'm a bit stunned at this exchange. I think Dan picks up on this.
"You can call me cute if you want."
Pause.
"Hang on, actually cute sounds like I'm a baby. Stick to handsome."

Originally posted June 08

I am away all this week so am reposting some of my archives.
The ones no one commented on. Sniff.

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God. According to a 5 year old

Since starting school my 5-year-old son has become the Font of all Knowledge.
I am so very proud of this really bright, eager little man, but honestly, it's embarrassing.
He must drive his teacher mad. I can just imagine her crawling back home after a day teaching him and turning to a large drink and an intravenous dose of chocolate to forget.

And not only does he know everything, he also never stops talking.
I mean he NEVER STOPS TALKING.

It's relentless. He gabbles on so quickly sometimes he forgets what he was saying or where his thought process was heading and so veers off on some random tact without breaking a sweat.
If you try to interject - "Dan, can I just . . .", "Dan, I was talking . . . ", "Dan there's a slug in your Cheerios" - he just carries on like you accidentally hit the mute button on your own personal remote control or it actually came out as: "just keep going son. Rambling is good. Don't you stop. Go on Dan, go on" like some whispered mantra.

Clearly this isn't something he inherited from me.

And much as I love that adorable, clever little chap, let's face it, it's not a winning combination.
When you've spent your entire working day listening to the colleague opposite you rant on about their football injury or their crappy keyboard or how you've only made them one cup of tea all day, the last thing you want as you're winding down is a 5 year old telling you that 'actually mummy, there is time for two stories tonight, cheese sandwiches aren't good for you if you have them two nights in a row and I'm going to show you how to get onto the snow level of Super Mario on my DS the minute we walk through the front door'.

All of this is usually prefaced with: "it's SO the truth, mummy."

So with all that in mind, here is Daniel's latest verbal attack, fired at me shotgun style while driving him home from school last night.
School lessons are clearly veering down the spiritual route at the moment.

Me: "What did you do in school today?"

Dan: "Hmmm. Can't remember" (do they teach them to say that in school? It is actually part of the curriculum? I only ask because every child I know says it. They can't ALL be doing nothing between 9am and 3pm).

Pause.

"But do you know what's really good? And you will totally be amazed by this mummy."
Here comes the scatter gun factoid.
"Jesus saved us all. All of us. God is bigger. He's so huge and he's got everyone's heart so he must be really fat and big. No, not fat just so so big. He is everywhere. All around us. Everywhere. But Jesus is better because he gave us all his blood. And it saved us. God just sat and watched. Actually God did help, he saved the animals. A lot of animals, so that is good. But he didn't save the people. Us. Just elephants and ants and things. Usually two lots of them. Jesus lost his blood for us and that is the truth. I promise you."

Then he paused as if thinking about the wonderment of what he's just said and how amazing we all are and what a lot we have to be thankful for. Or so I think.

Then he says: "Do you think God saw me poking Lily (our cat) with a stick in the back garden yesterday?"

Originally posted June 08
I am away all this week so am reposting some of my archives.
The ones no one commented on. Sniff.

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Supermarkets and me? Not a good mix

I am away all this week on a Secret Mission that I can't talk about now, but absolutely will once I get the nod.
So while I'm away I thought I would repost some of my archives.
You know, the stuff you buggers didn't comment on back in the day when I was talking to no one and getting a kick when WOO HOO someone has finally commented on my blog; CRACK OPEN THE CHAMPERS.


Mia and I are at the supermarket checkout with a trolley brimming with shopping.
She is sat in the trolley while I unload the shopping onto the conveyor belt.
The supermarket is packed.

Mia is bored, and she's restless which every parent will tell you is a Very Bad Thing.

"Look at that boy, mummy. Look, he's got a dummy!"
The boy in question is sat in the trolley at the next cash desk along. He's about four years old and does indeed have a dummy.

She stares for ages. For ages.
I am WILLING her to stop as I'm fervently dipping into the shopping trolley as fast as humanly possible and unloading our stuff. I know exactly what she is thinking and I desperately want to get away before she says anything.

"That's not right is is mummy? Dummies are for babies!"
She doesn't say it quietly, and she's not even saying it to me as she looking directly at the boy and his shocked mother.
Oh good heavens! I am willing my hair to grow about 15 inches instantly to cover my face and my glaring embarrassment.
I can't bring myself to look at the mum. I have no idea if she is mortally embarrassed or raging angry.

"Why've you got a dummy?" she shouts over to the boy as I'm pretending there is something really interesting in the bottom of my handbag.
Then she turns to me, and without altering her volume button or with the slightest awareness of the acute embarrassment she is causing all around her, says: "we think that's pretty disgusting don't we mummy?"
All emphasis on the 'disgusting'.

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Travelling in style

My children are going on holiday with their grandparents next week.
It's the sort of holiday memories are made of; they are staying in a caravan at Weston Super Mare, with grandma, grandad and their teenage cousin.
I am so made up for them.
They've already negotiated how late they can stay up, what 'goodies' they will be shopping for and how many packets of Moshi Monsters grandma will buy them during the week.
Mummy and daddy have been forgotten.

For those of you wondering how I've managed to work such a miracle as having my children loved and looked after for a week without me there, well, I have truly wonderful in laws. The sort you'd want to steal, but you know, hands off.
I also used a Jedi mind trick.

And as if to make the journey even better we've been sent two products to test out which quite frankly are perfect for family holidays.
The first is an inflatable car booster seat - I mean what a bloody genius idea - called BubbleBum (snigger). That's it there in the small purple bag. That little thing that you could sling in your rucksack. No more struggling through airports with a ruddy great hulk of plastic to use in the hire car at the other end of our flight because they wanted to charge us some ridiculous amount for KEEPING OUR CHILD SAFE. No siree.

The second is a Trunki travel toy box. Which the kids have stuffed with everything from playing cards and crayons to their DSs, favourite books and good ole Woody.
Just watch as grandma copes with them riding that toy box round their challenged-for-space caravan.
You're welcome!

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The Gallery: Week 68

Hello and welcome to week 68 of The Gallery.

There have been a lot of newcomers to this weekly feature just lately and I should like to say a very big welcome to you one and all.
Remember, The Gallery isn't about technically brilliant photos. It's about rediscovering photos; both old and new.

It's about finding excuses to use them again, sparking your imagination, inspiring.
And absolutely ANYONE can join in.

And so to this week's theme.
I'm going to be away next week, I mean properly away. Like NO Internet away.
So I'm setting the theme today, but the Gallery won't run until a WEEK on Wednesday. Wednesday, August 3. So you will have plenty of time to think about this theme!

So what is it I hear you cry? Well, this week's/next week's theme is: Birth.

A bit of a toughie right? Interpret it any way you like. It can be the birth of a child, of an idea, of a new you. The birth of change, of a new beginning, a new career.

Come back a week on Wednesday to add your link when The Gallery post goes up. Then visit as many of the other entries as you can to see what they've come up with.
The link stays open for a week so it doesn't matter if you can't post on Wednesday.

Say hi, discover new people, welcome them in when they discover you.
You will get out of this what you put into it.

Appreciate the wonderful words and photos that are opening themselves up to you.

The link stays open until the following Tuesday, so don't worry if you don't manage to post your photo on Wednesday.

NEW HERE? NOT SURE HOW TO ENTER?
If you're new here and want to find out what The Gallery is all about and how to enter visit here.
And if you want to make sure you don't miss any prompts or entries in future, make sure you subscribe to my RSS or email feed.

Go on, clicky click away, you know you want to ...

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Lego Queen Anne's Revenge winner

For yes, a while back I was offering the chance to win this Lego beauty. The Queen Anne's Revenge from Pirates of the Caribbean. It is a thing of beauty.

The question I asked was tell me your bestest film ever. A random winner has now been drawn and it is . . .

Many congrats and enjoy building!

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The Gallery: Vintage

On my wedding day nearly 10 years ago I wore this pearl necklace.
My nan's pearl necklace.
It was my 'something old' and it made me feel that she could be with me sharing my big day when she could not.
If she were still alive, it would have been her birthday yesterday. So today I am honouring her here on my blog.
I have no idea what this necklace meant to her or whether it was a gift or how often she wore it. And I'm a bit sad about that truth be told.

But when my mum gave it to me just before my wedding day it felt like each and every pearl had a little memory of our lives crammed into it.
And I like to think that nan watched over us all with a little smile on her face.

It's amazing how history can make something so simple appear very beautiful. I look forward to the day I can give it to my own daughter and pass on all those memories to her.

This is me wearing those pearls on my wedding day.
Nearly TEN years ago. Holy cow!

This post is for Week 66 of The Gallery: Vintage.

If you're new and want to know what The Gallery is, go and read here, and then come right back and join in!
You can also pick up The Gallery code if you want too (try to ignore the 'copyright' warning just this once! Click OK and then go about your business.)

I'm trying something new with the Linky today . . . it's going to list you all randomly . . .  Oooo. Let's see how that works out then!
Now go forth and show some big blog love. This virtual gallery of photographs is about enjoying each other's work, so go make someone's day.
I can't wait to see what you come up with.

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So long Harry Potter

I recall the day I picked up a book called Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone at my local Waterstone's bookshop.

I was hooked. 

Sure it was a kids book. But it was exciting and different and fun and an easy read.

Then came book two and the UK went slightly mad. Children were queuing for books. Boys were in those queues. Hell, adults were in those queues.

It was the birth of a Phenomenon.

This weekend Dan and I watched the final Harry Potter film together. It felt like an event; like one of those 'I remember when' moments you will share in years to come.

It felt good. It felt desperately sad. 

I have read every book as it was released over the years. I've watched every movie, bought the DVDs; I've sucked it all up.

And the film delivered everything it promised. Harry became the hero we all knew he could be, friends stuck together through thick and thin and evil, well, the bad guys lost.
The special effects were magnificent (stone sentinels guarding Hogwarts, a clutch of trolls, a dragon), the story gripping (even though I knew how it was going to end) and my 8 year old left the auditorium with the buzz of excitement in his ears but also the moral that friendship, bravery and love can conquer all.  And for that I thank JK Rowling.

I've grown to love those characters. I confess I shed a little tear as I sat there in the auditorium because, well, that's it. The story has ended. Tied up with a little bow. And I'm going to miss them.

But actually, Daniel has now discovered the books. 

Just like I did all those years ago, except he found them on my bookshelf, all pristine and ordered much like in a book store (yes I am slightly OCD about my books).

So, we're going on the Harry Potter journey all over again.

And to all those who asked:
Yes it is a happy ending. But tinged with great sadness.
Yes there is more kissing.
Yes it is scary in parts.
No I won't tell you if Severus Snape was good or evil.
Yes you see many of the 'old' characters from previous films.
No Fenngirl, Snape really is not hot you strange girl.

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When she sleeps she dreams of . . . oh hell, who knows?

After yesterday's post about my daughter's antics before bedtime I thought I should share this.
This is what greeted me when I went up to check on her.
To see if her covers had come off or whatever.
Oh her covers had come off alright . . . Right down there wedged between her bed and the wardrobe.

Her head isn't actually on either of the pillows she's dragged on to the floor with her; her face is pushed up the door of her wardrobe.
And yes, that's her posh 'fur' coat right there behind her head. Her red fluffy princess mules are underneath so I can only assume she had a little fashion show or they're there ready for a grand entrance in the morning.

Doesn't look comfortable does it?
Well let me tell you, she was snoring her pretty little head off.
Saving that one up for the Things To Tell Her Unsuitable Boyfriend When She's A Teen file.

.

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Another one of those ridiculous conversations you have with a 5 year old

Me: "Mia, why are you sneaking a screwdriver upstairs?"

(She has it hidden under her dressing gown as she's heading up to bed).

Mia: "I need it."

(She rolls her eyes and says this like it's GLARING obvious and how could I be so dense as to not know this?)

Me: "For?"

Mia: "Just stuff."

Me: "What sort of stuff? I need details."

Mia: "Just things. Things you don't need to know about."
(She starts to climb the stairs, like that was a perfectly reasonable explanation and I should just shut up and go about my business).

Me: "Mia, you're not taking that screwdriver up to bed unless you can give me a good reason why you're doing it."

Mia. DEEP sigh. Summons up great depths of patience: "Mummy. Things could happen in the night. I don't know what they are but stuff. I might need to fix something straight away or change some batteries and wouldn't you want me to be able to do that?"

I stand there open mouthed and she continues her journey up to bed and all I can think is thank god I've got 7 years to prepare for the teenage years.
Mia: 1     Mummy: Big Fat Zero

.

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The Gallery: Week 67

Hello and welcome to week 67 of The Gallery.

A lot of the blogs I like to hang around just lately have a distinctly homey feel to them. They have an air of shabby chic about them and they write about things like knitting and teapots and 1950s dresses.
They write about things so divorced from my blog or my every day life, that it is a touch of escapism for me.

And so I thought we could escape together.
No no, I'm not going to ask you to take up knitting or don a Betty Crocker dress for me.

This week's theme is: Vintage.

Vintage/retro call it what you will. It can be something old you own (I still have my typewriter from journo college!), an heirloom, a saved bottle of wine, some ancient scales passed down from your grandma, old books, vinyl, vintage clothing, an instrument, clothing - the list is endless.

Come back on Wednesday to add your link when The Gallery post goes up. Then visit as many of the other entries as you can to see what they've come up with.
The link stays open for a week so it doesn't matter if you can't post on Wednesday.

Say hi, discover new people, welcome them in when they discover you.

Appreciate the wonderful words and photos that are opening themselves up to you.

The link stays open until the following Tuesday, so don't worry if you don't manage to post your photo on Wednesday.

NEW HERE? NOT SURE HOW TO ENTER?
If you're new here and want to find out what The Gallery is all about and how to enter visit here.
And if you want to make sure you don't miss any prompts or entries in future, make sure you subscribe to my RSS or email feed.

Go on, clicky click away, you know you want to ...

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The Gallery: Travel

When I was 5 my mother and father sold up everything and went travelling.
I discovered my inner hippy chick and pretty much lived in a kaftan.
For yes, that little cutie is me.
We packed our worldly possessions into a Comma van towing a caravan and travelled through France, Spain and north Africa for six months.

Can you even imagine how much fun that must have been for a child?

I spent my sixth birthday on a beach in Morocco gathering shells. I made friends with the locals, befriended the local wildlife and was 'home' schooled for a year. On my return to school back in the UK, I was way ahead of everyone else my age.

I had spent six months at the School of Life.

I think about the wonderful Victoria Wallop, who is doing something very similar (but on a much MUCH grander scale) with her three children and wonder what sort of memories they will have in years to come and how much of it they will remember when they are like me; married with children of their own and a lifetime of other memories heaped on top of these.
My mother had the foresight to help me keep a diary of our adventure which we packed with words, pictures, shell,  tokens, travel stubs etc
All of which I still have now, tucked away in a box somewhere. A little part of my childhood wrapped up in the pages of a 5 year old's diary and a bunch of photographs (which from the style above you can so tell were taken in the 1970s!)

There was, of course, no such thing as blogging back then!

Travelling with our children is, I think, a wonderful thing. There is so much to learn, to see, to taste, to experience.
I do wonder if I could ever do what my mum or Victoria have done with my own children. But looking back on my own experience it was life enhancing.

This post is for Week 65 of The Gallery: Travel.

If you're new and want to know what The Gallery is, go and read here, and then come right back and join in!
You can also pick up The Gallery code if you want too (try to ignore the 'copyright' warning just this once!)

Now go forth and show some big blog love. This virtual gallery of photographs is about enjoying each other's work, so go make someone's day.
I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Read more...

The Boy gets his first gum shield

I seriously don't know whether to laugh or cry.
Dan adores rugby and I love all that he gets from playing the game - learning respect and developing a love of sport. And also the joy I get from watching him have the time of his life.
But that's my baby right there. Wearing a gum shield. Because it's going to get really ROUGH now he's moving up to contact rugby.
Wibble.

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WHY won't you go to sleep Mia?

I am sat here in the living room waiting for my 5 year old to go to sleep.
I have a film to watch; a film not fit for a 5 year old's eyes (or ears) and I'm sat here on the sofa with the DVD on pause, waiting for her to go to sleep.
I have a date with Hugh Jackman and I'm getting impatient.

She's already been up there for an hour.
Her brother fell asleep ages ago.
Mia is wide awake.
She's lined her teddies up and told them how naughty they are in a very stern, school head's voice.
She's listened to Abba, a bit of Eta James and some talking book called QUIET (I add the bold capitals as that is how the narrator says it every few seconds).
She's put make up on herself and the white polar bear she takes to bed every night.
She's emptied the contents of her photo albums all over her bed. And I can see scissors in their vicinity.
I have remained calm.

Oh god, why won't you go to sleep Mia?

I've just poked my head around her bedroom door and there is devastation. I mean, I cannot see carpet. I CAN see husband's industrial tape measure poking out from under her pillow and my eyelash curlers stashed in her draw in the vain hope I won't spot them.
But I ignore it. Best not to start a row at this time of night.
I just want to sit down and watch my movie.

Mia, just go to goddam sleep will you?

I can hear footsteps across the landing now. She has no idea how to be light on her feet so it sounds like a baby elephant is up there.
She's in the bathroom and I can hear the first aid draw being opened. Bugger.
I run upstairs to find her putting plasters on her leg. There are no cuts there, other than the red felt tip she's drawn on herself to double as injuries.
Still I remain calm.

Mia, my love, it's time to go to sleep. Really this time.

As I put her to bed, again, she starts tapping out a tune on the wooden headboard. This is her way of telling me she's bored. Not tired, bored.
And now she wants to sleep with her head at the foot of the bed.
So I leave her reorganising her bed; shifting pillows, the 18 cuddly toys and the duvet. And the tin of Polly Pockets she's instead on leaving at the end of the bed 'for the morning'. The Polly Pockets have spilled out all over the floor. Or at least, all over the toys that are covering the floor.

This time Mia, THIS time. Please go to sleep.

There is an almighty crash. Bloody hell, she must have dropped off and fallen out of bed!
I'm up there in seconds only to find her looking very sheepish and her rather large Sylvanian Family canal boat in pieces on the floor. Strangely there is a screwdriver sticking out one end of it.
I say nothing. I give A Look. I leave.

For. The. Love. Of. God. Mia. GO TO SLEEP.

It's been two hours now. I'm not actually in the mood for watching the damn film any more.
I switch everything off downstairs and haul myself off to bed.
Mia's door is wide open. Her light is still on. It looks like she fell asleep in the middle of a primary-coloured toy explosion.
And she looks utterly adorable. Sit-down-on-the-end-of-her-bed-and-watch-her-for-10-minutes adorable.
So I do.
My busy, infuriating, imaginative little girl.

Hugh Jackman can wait.

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A love of learning

My son's end of term school report is in and it's another doozy.
He's a bright kid, this is clear, but it's the fact that he has a great love of learning new things which makes me most proud.
He sucks up information. He goes to bed asking his dad and I to set him "difficult" maths questions, he reads in his spare time and, much as he loves sport and his PlayStation and Lego, he's equally excited when he gets sent something like this to play with.

A globe of the world in jigsaw form - what's not to love?

Ravensburger Child's World Map Puzzleball - 180 Piece
Price: £19.99
★★★★★
Challenging, fun and educational this is the sort of 'toy' you pray your kids will open at their birthday party. Or is that just me?
At the age of 8 my son built this on his own (apart from the very last piece which called for Mummy Help). The pieces are all rigid plastic with numbers on the back so it's very easy to build and follow.
And at the end you have a fabulous globe to sit on your bedside table and spot all the places you want mummy and daddy to take you in your globetrotting youth . . .

We were sent the Puzzleball by Toys R Us as part of their Toyologist programme. It was a big hit.

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10 things which make me happy

1. A well made cup of tea.
   And by well made I mean boiling water on the tea bag FIRST. No putting the milk in first nonsense. And it's got to be in a thin-rimmed mug. And it's got to be strong. Not that I'm fussy or anything . . .
   I've been road testing some brands over the past couple of months and Builders Tea and PG Tips Strong Ones get the big thumbs up.
2. Making a cake and have my kids, who comment on NOTHING I cook them, say 'wow, this is goood mum'. I may have glowed.
3. That moment in the cinema, just before the curtains pull back on the screen, when I'm there to watch a movie which I'm dying to see.
4. Relaxing.
   You know, kicking back, letting life wash over you and just daydreaming the time away?
   Impossible once you're a mum I'd say. Then I was sent a Massage for Your Mind MP3 relaxation track to listen to. The sooooothing voice of clinical hypnotherapist Peggy over even more soooothing music.
   After just one week of listening to it a handful of times, I am addicted. In a good way. It's supposed to help improve mental calmness, relaxation, confidence, competence, and better quality sleep. What part of that sentence do you need me to say again?!
5. Walking with the children.
   You know when you just decide to up and go somewhere with nothing but yourself (and the camera, obviously) and you drive until you stumble on a wood filled with flowers and you think 'let's just stop there and explore'? That.
6. Reading
   I've always been a big reader. I used to devour books before I had children. I have bookshelves groaning under the weight of books I never have the heart to give away or lend out because they all contain little memories of when I read them and how much I loved them.
   My children have inherited that love of reading from me. My 5 year old was sent a whole batch of newly launched Biff, Chip and Kipper books which she has transferred to her 'Important Stuff' shelf in her bedroom and will actually sit and read on her own. And my 8 year old has just discovered Harry Potter. So so proud.
7. Laughing with the children.
   My 8 year old bought himself Guitar Hero for the Wii at Christmas. I know! He saved up his pennies and bought it himself. I haven't laughed so much as we did playing that damn gave over the Christmas break.
   Then we were sent Just Dance2. In my humble opinion, a family that plays Just Dance together stays together! One of the best games invented for the Wii.
8. Being with friends. Good friends. Friends who, when you say you're feeling a bit blue, say 'let's go buy shoes'.
9. Logging onto Twitter at about 10pm and chatting with people about nothing in particular. Chatting with friends, chatting with strangers, just chatting. 
10. My blog.
    We've been on a journey over nearly four years now and there have been many highs and a few lows but I still feel a little buzz every time I post something, so we're still good.
    
    

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The Gallery: Week 66

Hello and welcome to week 66 of The Gallery.

I'll keep it short and sweet this week. Last week's theme of Grandparents was just gorgeous, some amazing photos and words, some really quite touching tales.

So this week it's time to access your happy memories once again about places you've been, things you've seen, experiences you've had.

This week's theme is: Travel.
(Many thanks to Rosie Scribble for the idea).

Come back on Wednesday to add your link when The Gallery post goes up. Then visit as many of the other entries as you can to see what they've come up with.
The link stays open for a week so it doesn't matter if you can't post on Wednesday.

Say hi, discover new people, welcome them in when they discover you.

Appreciate the wonderful words and photos that are opening themselves up to you.

The link stays open until the following Tuesday, so don't worry if you don't manage to post your photo on Wednesday.

NEW HERE? NOT SURE HOW TO ENTER?
If you're new here and want to find out what The Gallery is all about and how to enter visit here.
And if you want to make sure you don't miss any prompts or entries in future, make sure you subscribe to my RSS or email feed.

Go on, clicky click away, you know you want to ...

Read more...

A new generation discovers the joy of Harry Potter

I am so excited and yet deeply saddened that the final Harry Potter film is upon us.
I remember buying the very first book all those years ago; before anyone had heard of Muggles or Hogwarts or Hagrid or Quidditch.
I remember pre Harry Potter.
I remember the calm before the storm. And I have loved the storm, loved the books, loved the movies.

And now my 8 year old is discovering the books for himself. It almost feels like a rite of passage for him. Like when I discovered The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and fell in love with the whole series of books when I was a girl.

So the boy and I will be going to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, but we will also enjoy going right back to the beginning when that little boy with a strange scar was left on the doorstep of his unloving aunt and uncle!

Read more...

The Gallery: Grandparents

This is my maternal grandmother.
Neither of my children ever met her and that remains one of my life's great regrets.
She would have been an awesome great grandma.

This photograph sits above my desk in my office. She watches over me, as she did in life, her beautiful face beaming down on me.
I can see my daughter in her eyes, my own mother in her smile - that one photo capturing generations of our family.

She didn't look anything like this when I knew her. She was my nan with grey hair, slightly stooped shoulders and a constantly bronzed, lined face.
She taught me how to say the alphabet backwards, how to make crisps, she brushed my hair 100 times before bedtime, played football in the garden with us and she took me on holiday to Whitby. To see the seaside.
She loved show jumping and snooker and pork scratchings. And she loved her grandkids.
We always always knew she loved us.

I adored my nan. She wasn't perfect, but she was perfect for me.
At her funeral we played the theme tune to the movie Titanic. I remember buying her the DVD and she was wide-eyed at this most amazing invention.

Now my children have grandmothers of their own. Nana and grandma.
And I know they will be making the same wonderful memories with them.
There is something very special about the relationship you have with your grandparents.
 
This post is for Week 64 of The Gallery: Grandparents.

If you're new and want to know what The Gallery is, go and read here, and then come right back and join in!
You can also pick up The Gallery code if you want too (try to ignore the 'copyright' warning just this once!)

Now go forth and show some big blog love. This virtual gallery of photographs is about enjoying each other's work, so go make someone's day.
I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Read more...

9 things I've learned from doing Zumba at home

1. Oh boy do you sweat. Try to avoid answering the door to the postman at the end of session when you look and smell like a wild animal.
2. Drinking the gallons of water you need to survive makes your skin look ah-mazing. 
3. Video games are not just for the kids. This one is MINE.
4. A video game CAN make you feel sexy as hell. Not saying you look sexy as hell, but you can't have everything.
5. You can keep fit at home AND have fun AND not get bored.
6. If you insist on keeping the blinds open in the living room as you strut your stuff, the neighbour's teenage son will never ever be able to look you in the eye again.
7. If you so much as mention the word 'Zumba' to anyone who partakes, you will be greeted with wild-eyed endorsements and infectious enthusiasm.
8. If you do Zumba at home you will eventually feel confident enough to do it in public.
9. It's not a flash in the pan workout. It is actually as good as everyone says.
10. I'm a convert.

I have been trialling the Zumba Fitness for the Wii for the past month and have had a blast.

See a video diary of my Zumba efforts, or you can talk to the folks there on the ZumbaGame Facebook page or their Twitter page.

But more importantly I'm here to announce the winner of my competition to win a Wii console and Zumba Party game.

And the winner is . . . CRYSTAL JIGSAW. Well done x

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7am is too EARLY for Monopoly, surely?

Not for my kids.
I came down to make breakfast to this scene. Calm and serene - it gave me brain-ache just thinking about it.
But they're not plugged into some computer game or zoned out in front of the TV, so I'm clutching onto this memory and telling myself it's one big gold star on mummy's Good Parenting Chart.

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My new best friend

. . .  Who watches over me every day with his rather distinguished expression while I toil away, working at home.
Both children have tried to snaffle him, but he is MINE.
Thanks Merry. I love him and it was great to meet you at Cybermummy.
All he needs now is a name . . .

Visit Play Merrily Toy Shop for more.

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Lego has officially taken over our home

It's no secret that we are a Lego household.
Now those primary-coloured little bricks have made their way into our kitchen.
This little collection has become rather a talking point in the school playground: "WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE. I WAAAANT ONE" is usually the reaction.
The kids quite like them too (kidding kidding).

We were sent these Lego lunchbox beauties by Lunchbox World, an online store run by mother of 3 Caroline Job who scours the globe for fun and practical items - and it's only when you get to have school-age children that you realise how bloody vital that is!

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In love with Tinc

Are you the sort of person who buys themselves a sexy little notebook when you need cheering up?
Or moon around Paperchase, stroking the various papers/pens/stationary?
No? Just me then.

We were sent this wondrous lot by online stationary cupboard Tinc and the 5 year old and I nearly wet ourselves with excitement.
I mean just look at the mini pig pencil top. Look!
But best of all, our very favourite? An electric eraser. Yes, you heard me right, an electric eraser. Honestly, the amount of mistakes we've made since that little beauty landed on our doormat!
We're just a bit hooked.

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The Gallery: Week 65

Hello and welcome to week 65 of The Gallery.

At last weekend's UK conference for parent bloggers I gave a talk about The Gallery; how I set it up, why I set it up, what my thoughts are on it, what some of my favourite posts from others have been.

For those of you who weren't there my 10 minute ramble basically came down to this:
I love photographs: Taking them, editing them, nosing at other people's. I am that person who comes round your house for a cuppa and asks if you'll get your wedding album out.
I love that they capture a moment in time, tell a story, are all wrapped up in a little package of emotion.
And I wanted to give some of that back to everyone who visits here.
I wanted to create a virtual online gallery, where we could all gather every week and showcase our work.

The Gallery is about feeling inspired. You don't have to be a professional photographer to be a good photographer. Just a good eye and passion.
And I have seen the most mundane of photos transformed into something quite beautiful by the power of the words used with it.
There is a live blog precis of the session from WitWitWoo, along with links to the posts I used as examples.

So I ask you to think of all of this when you take part in the Gallery.
You don't have to do it every week if you don't feel inspired by the theme - just jump in with both feet when you feel moved to do so.
And enjoy it.

So I give you this week's theme: Grandparents.

Come back on Wednesday to add your link when The Gallery post goes up. Then visit as many of the other entries as you can to see what they've come up with.

Say hi, discover new people, welcome them in when they discover you.

Appreciate the wonderful words and photos that are opening themselves up to you.

The link stays open until the following Tuesday, so don't worry if you don't manage to post your photo on Wednesday.

NEW HERE? NOT SURE HOW TO ENTER?
If you're new here and want to find out what The Gallery is all about and how to enter visit here.
And if you want to make sure you don't miss any prompts or entries in future, make sure you subscribe to my RSS or email feed.

Go on, clicky click away, you know you want to ...

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