Two Lifetime Firsts for Amy

Sunday saw two lifetime firsts for Amy....

Firstly, We went to the big Asda in South Woodham Ferrers to buy her school uniform for September and she looked soooo sweet in the changing rooms in her little grey skirt, white blouse and sensible black shoes!! There's a little bit more of it to get but the main parts are done.

The second lifetime first was a trip to McDonald's - it would seem that the only two places to eat in South Woodham Ferrers is a smoky pub or a McDonald's franchise within Asda's. So for the first time in her life Amy sat down to eat in a Macy D's - not bad for a 4 1/2 year old!! - Shame Ben won't be able to say as much but that's second siblings for you!!

P.S. This photo was taken of the pair of them caught snacking on biscuits in the downstairs toilet - well where else!!

Friends Reunited

On Saturday we had a Bar-be-que with some old friends - some of which we worked out we hadn't seen in over a year. The weather was great and Evie, Amy, Morgan and Ben played together beautifully.

The evening saw a rather energetic game of volleyball commence in the back garden which was only called off when darkness fell and the ball disappeared into next door's garden!

Greg did a marvelous turn as his alter-ego "Mr Carrot" (as the girl's named him!) Seriously he is wasted as a policeman and if he ever decides to leave the force he could make a mint doing children's birthday parties.

It was lovely to catch up with old friends and Paul & Gav and their two stayed over for the first time giving Amy & Evie even more time & opportunity to dress up again on Sunday morning.

A Busy, Busy Day

Yesterday was a busy, busy day. It started with Ben's appointment to have his MMR injection. True to form he fell asleep just before we got there so was miffed enough about being woken up without being pricked with a needle too! - he took it rather well considering.

Then it was off to South Woodham Ferrers for Amy's last ever Tumbletots. She has thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and they have done much to improve her co-ordination and daring. She made them a little thank you card which I think they were quite pleased with and wore her Tumbletots T-Shirt for the first & last time!!

And then last but by no means least - Ben realised what his legs are for and started to walk whilst held. Well I say walk but prancing like a pony is more like it! Once he realises that he can do it slow and steady hopefully he'll begin to walk unaided.

This picture was taken today of them playing "rough & tumble" in their underwear!!

Happy Birthday Daddy Steve

Saturday 22nd July is a very important date on the calendar for on that one day a year you can guarantee it will rain! Even in our current heat wave the weather forecast for the week was brilliant sunshine all week with a single rain cloud on Saturday. Why you may ask - well that is Daddy's birthday and it has rained every 22nd July for the past 32 years.

We're used to it now and made the best of it. Steve had a little family bar-be-que and had a lovely day.

Grandad Martin's 60th Birthday

Well Grandad Martin became an OAP on Monday 17th July and the Sunday before he had a lovely Caribbean theme BBQ party with some close friends and family.

We all had a lovely time. The weather was perfect and Amy had a marvelous time showing everyone how to sing her showtunes!

Grandad brought Ben a surprise present - a blackpool football kit but Daddy had his own surprise for Grandad in return - an Ipswich Town top with 60 on the back! Needless to say they both looked fairly silly!

Happy 60th Birthday Dad!

Showtime!

Today was the end of term Stagecoach show and much to my surprise Amy not only went up on stage but actually joined in too. I had totally expected her to bottle it at the last minute - especially as they had to go into the hall and onto the big stage but she was a little star.

She sang away with great gusto to the words of Supercallafragalisticexpiallidocious (excuse spelling!) and looked really sweet dressed up as a little bird for the "Day out with Mary Poppins" play.

Stagecoach as been a complete hit with Amy. She has made a lovely little friend there called Thalia who she adores and has had a lovely time.

Our Poorly Poppet

Amy is poorly today. She has a throat infection and has spent most of the day asleep. Sadly she missed her last visit to school this afternoon where she would have met all her next classmates and her new teacher.

She has some antibiotics so hopefully she will be ok soon. She'll have to bounce back very quickly though cos its the Stagecoach End of Term Show tomorrow and then Grandad's 60th Birthday party on Sunday!

Fingers crossed!!

Ben's First Word!!

On Sunday Ben uttered his very first proper word. I was overjoyed when it turned out to be Mama. However, after he had addressed the TV, the fireplace & the sofa all as Mama it kinda put it into perspective a little bit.

Its strange really, he went to be on Saturday still doing just "baby babble" and woke up on Sunday morning saying Mama, Bra Bra & La La.

His Bra Bra trick should please Barbara one of his nursery teachers though!

Well done Ben!