Presenting the Amazing Walking Ben

I'm not sure if this will work but I'm hoping technology will not fail me.

If you click on the link line below, it should take you to a video (on myspace.com) of Ben walking.

Ben Walking

Since his first real walking on Boxing Day, Ben is coming on really well and has now figured out how to get up without holding onto anything either and we are all so proud of him.

It's not very long. Hope you all enjoy it.

Updated 19.02.08 to be a direct link to the video:

Rogers 60th Birthday

Today was Roger Price's 60th Birthday and we all went to a lovely party at their house this afternoon. - Roger & Yoita used to live next door to my Mum & Dad and it's a friendship which has stood the test of time.

As always Yoita put on a marvellous spread of fine foods including the spinach & ricotta dish she does (the name of which I can never remember) which is one of my favourites.

Amy and Ben had a great time cavorting around the lounge floor together and were the best of friends this afternoon.

Roger, Yoita and Mum & Dad are off on their birthday cruise the first week in January and they are all really looking forward to it.

Happy 60th Roger!

Christmas 2006

The wrappings have been ripped and Christmas is over for 2006. Oh but what fun we had...

We woke up bright and early on Christmas morning but didn't venture into the Lounge until 7am to see if Santa had been. The kids faces were a picture when they saw the two presents by the fireplace.
Father Christmas brought Amy a Playmobil Aeroplane and Ben a Cars scalectrix.

Then it was off to Nana & Grandads' house to wish them a Happy Christmas and open some more presents.

We left those gifts there and got to Granny & Grandad's about 11:30 where Christmas Day was being hosted this year.

It was lovely as she had Cessie & the cousins over too and it was nice to have the whole family there. Amy & Ollie disappeared upstairs for several hours playing shoe shops with Granny's ample shoe collection and all the kids were so well behaved.

We had a lovely sleepover and on Boxing Day headed back to Nana & Grandad's house where Ben had great fun showing off his walking.

I think we can safely say that he is now walking. He just has to figure out how to get upright without holding onto anything and he'll be 100% there but I think that seeing him walk the length of Nana's lounge and then some was probably the best Christmas present in the world ever!

So Merry Christmas everyone. The Clarke Clan had a great time!

Christmas Eve with the Animals

We had a wonderful time today at Colchester Zoo with Lily, Rose, Harry, AJ, Archie, Daniel, Luke, Big Ben & their parents.

It's something the others have done in previous years but it's the first time we have joined them and it was a very good way to pass the time on a day which can seem to go on forever with small children.

This is the first year that Amy has been really into the whole Christmas experience and she is so excited.

There must be a little bit of magic in the air though because Amy & Ben had a bit of a love-in tonight and were sat on our bed giving each other big sloppy kisses! It was really sweet.

Anyway, here's hoping Santa brings you everything you wished for!

Merry Christmas!

Holidays Are Coming

Today was Amy's last day at school as a part-timer. She is very much looking forward to returning in January full-time and I must admit that I will prefer to have a little bit more time inbetween pick-ups to play with Ben.

This afternoon Molly came over to play while Auntie Kirstie had to run some errands and we had a smashing time covering the lounge floor with toys.

We went for a play in the little park at the end of the road and Ben had a lovely time going down the slide. I dug out some old reins of Amy's and with just a little bit of support from me he had great fun walking back to the steps each time.

Dinner with Friends

On Saturday night we meet up with our friends for Christmas dinner. This year we went to The South Lodge and it was by far the best mass-produced Christmas dinner I have ever eaten.

There was fine food, good wine and very bad dancing but we had a great time.

I think, if it is actually possible, I was more inebriated that Eric.

It was really nice to see some of our friends who we don't get together with as much these days and we had a really good evening.

Shame about not going to the Cave afterwards though - I was quite up for it apparently!

Ben's Latest Development Check

Ben had another development check with his Physiotherapist, Speech Therapist & Occupational Therapist on Tuesday.

The Speech Therapist was very impressed with his signing and wants us to just continue with more of the same. She was particularly pleased to see him using the "more" sign voluntarily.

The other two ladies were also very happy with him - although he lacks concentration - at 18 months go figure! They are really pleased that he is starting to find his feet and predict a speedy progression which is nice to hear.

It is the last time that Val will see Ben as she is retiring at Christmas and she was really sad to say goodbye. Sweet really!

(Picture of Ben and Molly having a race to see who gets on the tractor first)

Pre-Christmas Party 2006

Saturday 9th December was Granny's traditional Pre-Christmas party only this year we played hosts.

They children got some lovely bits from Granny & Grandad and everyone had a lovely time.

I decided to try and be fun Auntie for a change and brought a Pinata (not very christmassy I know) and everybody had great fun trying to smash it open. It took a surprisingly long time.


We had a really nice tea and pulled crackers and once the kids were all tucked up in bed we settled down to a rousing game of Cranium - well at least the young ones did. Granny & Grandad crashed out on the sofas!

Fins and Feet

Today was a very special day for both Ben and Amy....

Ben got his first pair of professionally fitted shoes today. They are little blue & beige cruisers and he picked them out himself. We went to a little independent shop recommended by the ladies at Moulsham Grange and with any luck they will help him perfect his new found walking skill.

Amy received her first swimming certificate and badge today. She received the Puffin Award for swimming 5 metres with a bouancy aid.

Go Ben! Go Amy!

Amy's 1st Nativity Play

Today was Amy's first ever Nativity Play. She had been practicing for a while now and I knew she was going to be an Innkeeper but that was about it.

The show was scheduled to start at 10:15 so when I got there at 10am I did wonder if I was bit early. I needn't have worried, lots of over eager parents & grandparents had beaten me too it and I was relegated to the cheap seats at the back.

The show was good really, lots of very bemused looking 4 & 5 year olds with tea towels on their heads.

I struggled to maintain my composure - not through emotion like some of the sniffling mothers beside me but through laughter - it really was one of the funniest things I seen in ages.

Well done Amy! You made a fine Innkeeper.

Disney Magic

Well we're back from our trip to Disneyland Paris. All three kids had a great time (that's Amy, Ben & Brenda!!)

Sunday
Our arrival on Sunday afternoon (after a lovely ride in first-class on Eurostar) prompted some raised eyebrows as the place was heaving with people. Amy had said she wanted her first ride to be Dumbo so we joined a 65 minute queue!! I was a little bit worried that was going to be the shape of things to come but that evening the park cleared out and it would appear that it was mainly day-trippers

Monday
We headed off the the busier rides nice and early on Monday and we discovered a new ride this year - Buzz Lightyear - which everyone enjoyed. It was fun to see Amy dressed as a Princess zapping everything in sight and I think it can safely be said that it was Ben's favourite ride - not least because it had a queue which he could crawl around!

We made this our full day and watched both the Princess Parade, the lighting of the castle ceremony and Fantallusion (the night-time parade). The night-time parade was wonderful and it was something we had never stayed to see before and was well worth it. The kids where exhausted by the end of the day though.

Tuesday
More rides today including a brief trip into Disney Studios and a spot of shopping. It started to rain towards the end of the afternoon so we headed back to the hotel for a well-earned rest.

Wednesday (last day)
It turns out that Amy was very much into the characters this time but didn't really mention it until fairly late on so for the last morning we booked a character breakfast at Cafe Mickey. We thought that Ben was waving hello to them all but he was probably waving them away from his breakfast!

The rooms at the hotel were lovely as usual but this time we had adjoining rooms with Granny & Grandad which caused much frivolity crawling/running between the two.

It was an action-packed holiday and a fabulous time was had by all. I don't think my feet will recover for some time!

I've picked a few pictures but really I could add loads more:
Ben eating his way around the park!
Amy meeting Sleeping Beauty and the rather dashing Prince Phillip!
A picture Amy took of us outside It's a Small World.

Twisted Weekend

Its been quite a good weekend. On Friday night the Train Gang came over to ours for a little take-away get together - we decided it was easier than trying to find a suitable time for everyone and arrange babysitters. It was a really good evening - not least for some amazing insights into Jo's job!

On Saturday afternoon we went to CocoNuts with Dave, Kellie, Matthew & Emily and the kids ran about like lunatics for a couple of hours. Then we had tea at a nearby Pizza Hut. Ben's tea must have disagreed with him though as he spent most of last night projectile vomiting which was nice!!

Today was a big day for Steve some trifling football match between the Super Ipswich (aka "The Donkeys" according to Amy) & Narwich so he left quite early to journey to Ipswich. It turns out this is the first time in 8 years that Ipswich have beaten Norwich at home (3-1 for the record - Ste) and apparently that is quite important.

My Mum, Dad & Ally popped over and we decided to go to lunch at the Queen B. It was a complete disaster with Ben practically covering me with his dinner and I have vowed not to set foot into a restaurant with him until he is 13!




This afternoon the kids (both large & small) had great fun playing Twister in the kitchen - I didn't realise how hard to was to play as an adult!

Ben has been practising really hard with his walking and is now up to 3 steps without falling over so he's getting there.

Kids Say the Funniest Things

I wanted to recount a conversation I had with Amy in the car the other day - just in case I ever forgot it. It went something like this....

Scene 1 - Amy is in the car writing out little notelets and putting them in envelopes

Amy: These are invitations to my wedding.

Mummy: That's nice dear, who are you going to marry?

Amy: For my first wedding I am going to marry Ben.

Mummy: Oh so you're going to get married more than once are you?

Amy: Yes, 1st I shall marry Ben, then Ollie, then Charlie McKechran, then Charlie White, then Conor.

Mummy: Won't it get confusing marrying two Charlies?

Amy: No, I'll see one just on the weekends!

Mummy: (giggles to herself)

Amy: But Charlie McKechran says that girls can marry girls if they can't find a boy they like. And boys can marry boys if they can't find a girl they like

Mummy: (Speechless!!)

I'm not sure which is worse, incest, bigamy or the gay/lesbian marriages and all of this at the tender age of 4!! Whatever next I wonder.

Happy 60th Mum

Well all in all it's been a fairly exciting weekend for Mum's birthday. As you can see below we had the dogs on Saturday and then on Sunday we went to The Alma for Sunday Lunch. The Alma's an odd place really - at the front its a dark little pub but at the back it's this uber-modern haute cuisine restaurant which does some of the finest food in town.

Amy behaved quite well considering she's had a sleepover the night before and was obviously shattered and Ben wasn't too bad either considering he woke up in a strange restaurant surrounding by lots of people. I think the big bowl of chips might have helped!

Hopefully, Mum enjoyed her 60th celebrations. I think she did!

One one final note and it's definately a case of last but not least. Ben took his very first tentative steps this weekend. Ok so it was only 1 step without falling over but its a start! Go Ben!!!

Night at the Dogs

Saturday night at Romford dog track - that's what my Mum said she fancied doing for her 60th birthday celebration so Romford dog track it was.

Steve and I sorted out the transportation and a lovely black stretch limo was the order of the day. Mum really enjoyed it and I think we all could have easily gotten used to the celebrity lifestyle!

Dad organised for us all to have dinner in The Chase restaurant and we had great fun throwing good money away on the little greyhounds. Mum and I kept getting mixed up and asking for £1 to win on Horse number 4!!

Everyone had a lovely time and Amy & Ben more so than anyone because they got to have a sleepover at Auntie Kirstie's house. Steve & I enjoyed our 9.30 lay-in quite a bit too!!!

Ben's Baptism

The 5th November - a special day for many reasons, my late Grandad's birthday, Guy Fawkes Night and now Ben's Christening.

Everything went really well. The service was a little long-winded but aren't they always and Ben spent most of his time by the pulpit slapping me about the head with the programme but that's about par for the course really.

After the service everyone came back to our house for a little party. Thank goodness the weather was nice because we seemed to have invited a fair few people.


All the kids played together really nicely and the adults didn't do too bad either. Amy & Ollie especially liked sneaking away up the stairs with a big tin of Roses!

Sylvie made a beautiful cake which was too lovely to cut - well almost.

We got to see Natalie, Kev & James again too which was nice. James is a little sweetie and was completely unfazed about being surrounding by loads of people he didn't even know.

Many thanks to Ben's lovely new godparents Paula & Daniel for doing such a splendid job. I look forward to sending him your way for spiritual realignment when he gets arrested for drunken behaviour at junior school!

Fantastic Fireworks

On Saturday we went to Lily's house in Danbury for a little fireworks party. Amy was, naturally, thrilled to be seeing Lily and several of her old nursery friends.

The Parker's house has a spectacular view down the Danbury hills and as the sun was setting it was truly beautiful. - I can see why they brought the house.

Amy is scared of fireworks as it turns out so spent most of the night watching through the dining room window but seemed to enjoy herself nonetheless.

Ben had a great time too but was a little frustrated that we wouldn't let him crawl on the wet grass or hold a sparkler!

Halloween Fun & Games

Now I'm not a big fan of Halloween and I definitely don't agree with Trick or Treating but I'm not one to be a killjoy so I on Tuesday 31st I was equipped with a large bag full of sweets for any costume-clad littlies that came knocking.

I was quite surprised though that Amy got so into it because I really haven't made a big deal of it. We cut out a pumpkin (well Auntie Kirstie helped!), baked a spider cake and she & Ben dressed up.

We had a little impromptu party (naturally Granny had all the necessary bits "at home somewhere") and we opened the door to tonnes of trick or treaters.

Ben enjoyed it too until a slightly larger than average trick or treater rang the doorbell and that scared him a little bit but apart from that it was all good fun.

Boo Hiss to the kids who took off with the whole bag of sweets that I left out for any late-comer trick or treaters whilst we put the kids to bed. In the 5 years I've been doing that it has never happened before but I guess that's the damning indication of what our world is coming to eh!

Our Photo's Back

We were very excited last week to receive our portrait from Venture. We thought it was going to be really complicated to put up but Steve managed without any trouble on Thursday night - it went up like a dream.

It is truely beautiful and at first I was hung up (pardon the pun) about how much it had cost but then Steve pointed out that we had not spent a fortune on our wedding & honeymoon and that kinda made it ok. After all, some people spend £1000's on one day and we've spent a few hundred quid on something which will last forever.

It really is gorgeous and I'm not a soppy date as you all know but it brings a tear to my eye to look at it.

So, here's a sneak peak.....
And now, are you ready for some close-ups!....

Ben with his truely unique smile:

And Amy with her radiant one:

Stunning isn't it.

Apple Day

Today was Apple Day at Lathcotes Farm. It's a little local farm doing "pick-your-own" produce much of the year and today was their annual Apple Day. We'd never been before so were surprised to see the place packed out (there were a few too many people really).


We had a little look around and Amy sampled some of their home-made Apple Juice. We saw the pigs and the donkeys and everyone had a lovely time.

Ben has really started to come on with his walking. He now manages a fair few steps holding on to just one hand and he is really trying. Here's hoping he gets it sorted it before we go to DP in November as he's quite a feisty little lad and really doesn't like sitting in his pram much!!

Miaow!!

Just a short but sweet post this one.....

Here's Amy dressed as a cat. It's a Halloween costume really but when did she ever need an excuse to dress up!

Parents Evening

Thursday night was Amy's 1st Parents Evening at her Infant School. I met her teacher, Mrs Berlyn, we is very nice.

Apparently Amy suffers from a lack of concentration! - But then again what 4 year old doesn't. She also plays with her shoes a lot at school apparently and takes them off when they have story time!

Here's a picture of Amy in her school uniform, complete with the tie which is something she said she'd never wear because "ties are for boys!"

A Brilliant Weekend!!!

This weekend was one of the best of my life so far.... Steve came good on a promise he had made several years earlier. -- "I'll take you to see George Michael if he ever tours again" must have seemed like a safe bet!

However, things being as the are in the U.K. it's cheaper to transport your entire family to the South of France (complete with babysitter) for one night than to pay Wembley prices! For those not in the know my flying phobia means that I won't fly without the kids - silly I know but that's what phobias are. It also meant that we were able to fulfill Amy's wish to travel on a plane - more about that later.

The concert was excellent - his voice is still superb and the performance was well worth the wait. We were really close, although the heat in the venue was stifling and after about and hour crammed in with several thousand sweaty French gay men we moved slightly back but the view was still very good.

Apologies about the quality of the photo. It was taken on my crappy mobile phone but it's all I've got.

You've got to love France though - their concert experience is a little different to ours. Grot burgers turn into premium French keebabs with baguette & the stalls sell good quality beer that doesn't cost you £4 a pint.

On the Sunday we drove up to St. Tropez and spent the morning browsing round the shops trying to blend in! The yachts are beautiful and we had much fun picking our favourite from the many on show.

After a splendid lunch of Moules & Frites (and that includes Amy - no other 4 year old I know would eat Mussels!) we travelled back home.

Amy loved flying - even the little spot of turbulence near the end which sent me spiraling into panic didn't faze her - I'm not even sure she noticed.

Ben seemed to be able to take or leave flying. Well leave really, he found the whole idea of being strapped down for a couple of hours and unable to destroy things frankly a little boring.

All in all a great weekend.

Molly's Birthday Party

Sunday was Molly's 1st birthday party. We had a lovely time out in the garden and the weather was glorious considering it's late September.

There was party food a-plenty and the kids had a great time running about like lunatics for a few hours.

Molly looked lovely in her little silk party dress - complete with mud stains - well it is Molly!

Uncle John's 60th

This afternoon we went to Steve's Auntie & Uncle's house for John's 60th birthday party. There was a lovely bar-be-que and a fine spread of home-made cakes for pudding!

Amy and Ollie found a new friend in Rosie and they spent the whole afternoon playing together very nicely.

Ben had a great time too - swinging from the bar in the ceiling of Cessie's conservatory!

Pictures to follow possibly - forgot to take the camera again!

Amy's 1st Day at School

Monday was Amy's first day at Infant school. She was very excited but also a little bit sad, although bless she had no idea how to describe the emotion she was feeling. School didn't start until 9:30 today and I think there was too much time from getting up to going in which she could think about it really.

Still we got there and after a brief cuddle she was off without a backward glance.

Granny's Birthday Party

On Saturday we all went to Granny's Birthday Party. There was a lovely bar-be-que because the weather was so nice and pass the parcel.

Granny got lots of lovely presents and the kids had a great time playing in the back garden. Amy took a bit of a tumble walking down to the park & scrapped her elbows & knees just in time for her 1st day at school tomorrow! - Kids eh!

Amy's Last Day at Nursery

Friday 8th September was Amy's last day at Seymour House Day Nursery. She has really enjoyed her time with them and was especially fond of a couple of her teachers.

She went in a special party dress to mark the occasion and took with her sweeties & cake for the children & chocolates for all the teachers.

Steve and I both collected her and she then handed over a bouquet of flowers, a shopping trolley for the room & a bird house for the garden.

I was a little bit sad just because its one chapter of her life ending I guess. I can't believe it has come around so soon but I guess all parents say that don't they.

Ben's Latest Check & Amy's Last Tuesday

Ben had another visit from the ladies at Moulsham Grange today and they were happy with his progress. They said that we should encourage him to use Amy's big trampoline as much as possible as apparently it is good for him. That shouldn't be hard - he love the thing!!


I tried to make yesterday a bit of a fun day for Amy as it was our last Tuesday together before she starts school. I was a bit sad because we had to wait in for the oven cleaner & the Moulsham Grange girls so I couldn't go anywhere special like the Zoo but in the end if didn't matter. At the end of the day, completely unbidden, Amy thanked me for "a lovely day". I guess it's still the simple things that make you happy at that age!

Then to top off a good day we heard news that our friends who emigrated to Australia gave birth to their first child. Way to go Karen & Justin we look forward to more details soon

Another Action Packed Weekend

Well, we had another action packed weekend. We went to Basildon for a spot of shopping on Saturday am and brought out the large Asda there - lots of things that we couldn't possibly live without! Then at 4pm it was off to Monkey Puzzle for Isabel Wilson's birthday party. Isabel left Amy's nursery probably over a year ago now but they still remember each other which is very heart-warming. Lily was there too which meant Amy was in 7th heaven and she didn't stop for the whole time we were there.

Ben had a lovely time too playing in the ball pool and was a bit popped afterwards!

On Sunday we had our Venture photo shoot. It was great fun and with any luck we will get some beautiful, natural shots out of it. Though, hopefully there won't be too many to choice from as the prices for the finished prints are astronomical!!!!

After that we had lunch at the Fox & Raven and then Amy insisted on popping over the road to Pets at Home so she could buy a toy for Roger (the rabbit next door) and we spent a couple of hour gate crashing Bev & Gerrys (our lovely neighbours). Its so nice to live next door to people we really like and get on with.

That's it for now. Sadly no photos for this one as we forgot to take it to Isabel's party and the batteries had run out when we tried to take some at Venture - typical!!

Busy Bank Holiday Weekend

SATURDAY
We had a very busy August Bank Holiday Weekend. On Saturday we all traveled up to Birmingham for the wedding of my cousin Roger to Noori. I was a little surprised to see him in his full Asian wedding attire but I guess I shouldn't have been really. Noori is such a lovely girl and her family made everyone feel so welcome. The food was traditional Indian cuisine which meant that my Nan went a bit hungry but she didn't mind she was just happy to be at the wedding of one of her grandchildren.

We got to see Steven (my other cousin) and Natasha and their little girl Isabella who we had never met before which was lovely.

Amy had a wonderful time especially with all the beautiful sari's that were being worn.

SUNDAY

After staying overnight we traveled back home on the Sunday via Cadbury World. Amy really enjoyed this but did make me laugh when she announced, after receiving her 3rd bar of free chocolate, "Chocolate again! Why don't they give you anything healthy like fruit!" - I swear she's not really my kid.

Ben had a great time too, sampling the delights of chocolate milk!

MONDAY

On Bank Holiday Monday we all went to Adventure Island in Southend with Evie, Morgan, Paula & Gav. The weather looked good so we packed up suncream etc but just 5 mins after getting out of the cars the heavens opened and we got totally soaked. The downpour lasted all of 10 minutes whilst we took shelter and after that it stayed fairly warm and dry for the rest of the day.

Evie has absolutely not fear and wanted to go on all the rides. Amy took a little more coaxing but in the end went on quite a few and enjoyed herself immensely.

Baby Josh is 3!

Amy, Ollie, Ben & Molly all went to Baby Josh's 3rd birthday party on Sunday. We really should get out of the habit of calling him "baby" Josh now I guess - especially as he has a little brother now!

The children had lots of fun on the bouncy castle, eating party food and playing Pass the Parcel & Pin The Tail On The Donkey. Amy & Daniella did extremely well at pin the tail on the donkey and it was only after they had been awarded their prize that Amy admitted she had been able to see!!

The weather held out although it was bit windy and black clouds threatened for a while.

Steve & Stu have been friends for ages but these days the kids see more of each other at the "Wednesday Club" than the adults do. Still I got a chance to say hello to Toby (Josh's little brother) who is a little younger than Ben

They're Back!!!

Kirstie, Phil, Ollie & Molly are back in Chelmsford. They finally returned to their roots after 5 years up North and they bring with them a serious tea-drinking habit!

The move went very well and it won't be long before the house will feel like a home. They have much work they want to do in terms of rennovating and seem to be looking forward to the challenge.

Amy and Ollie are delighted to be living so close to each other now and are eagerly anticipating many hours of fun at the weekend.

Ben is also happy that Molly is close enough for him to terrorize more often. Not too sure how thrilled Molly is at this prospect though!

Amy's 1st Haircut

Amy finally paid a visit to the hairdressers yesterday- for the first time ever. I have been keeping things in check at home by trimming her fringe and snipping off the split ends at the bottom of her pony tail! Needless to say the hairdresser was less than impressed with my feeble attempts!

Amy is now converted and says the next time she goes she wants to have her hair washed too!!

Picture now added thanks to John & his spare router!