A Busy Week

This week has been a bit busy so this could be a mammoth post...

On Monday, Ben had a routine appointment which his Pediatrician and Development Team. I was expecting them to be very positive because he has started to walk since they last saw him and whilst they were very pleased with this, the Dr was a bit worried about his weight (he is on the lowest of the scale) so has referred him to a dietitian. Personally, I think his recent weight loss is due to his increased mobility but what do I know. There is no denying it though - he's a little titch!

On Thursday, Ben was back at St. John's but this time helping out by acting as an exam case study for some doctors who were trying to specialise in children's medicine. Steve took him this time and said that he seemed to enjoy cruising the tables of food laid on for the kids but said it didn't seem very organised!

Thursday evening Steve went to Amy's parents evening. Mrs Berlyn said that Amy gives the impression that she's not concentrating in class but is definitely taking it in as she can demonstrate she has heard whats been going on. She's certainly inherited her Dad's maths skills though as I found a piece of paper in her bedroom the other day where she had written out a whole list of sums and each one was correct!

On Saturday we took another family trip to Ikea to get our new lounge furniture (we went there last week to pick up the first bit). Amy was disappointed on hearing that we wouldn't be going back next week. Apparently, she likes Ikea!

On Sunday we popped to Granny & Grandad's house for breakfast with them and Ollie & Molly who had been sleeping over. Their new lounge looks lovely and the furniture and sofa are gorgeous. I thought she was awfully brave letting the four kids eat cooked breakfast over her new carpet!

Then on Sunday lunch time we headed to Glades to celebrate Ann's 93rd birthday! It's a very quiet little restaurant and for most of the time we were the only diners so we could let the kids play about in between courses happy that they wouldn't be disturbing anyone. Both of them were very well behaved and I actually managed to eat a dinner without Ben stealing it!

Well that's all our news for now. More soon

Sub-conscious Love

Here's another one of those little gems that kiddies come out with. Just wanted to make sure it doesn't get forgotten.....

Scene: Sunday afternoon, playing in the lounge. Amy is engrossed in some activity or other and suddenly out of nowhere says....

Amy: I love you Ben

Mummy: Awwww that's nice

Amy: What's nice?

Mummy: You just said you love Ben

Amy: No I didn't (now back peddling furiously) I said he was ......... um ....... smelly

It's nice to know that deep down inside she does love her little brother.

Valentine's Day 2007

Steve and I don't usually celebrate Valentines Day but seeing as he had been working lots of weekends so far this year we decided to treat ourselves.

I brought him a new watch and he brought me some rainbow roses. Then Ally came over to babysit and the two of us had a lovely romantic meal at Russell's.

It's a lovely restaurant but a bit pricey so you only go there for special occasions. The food was wonderful as you can see from the picture of the menu. (P.S. if you click on the picture it'll show bigger).

Sleepover and Sleep-ins

Yesterday we had a sleepover at Evie & Morgan's house. The kids had a lovely time playing together and Paula cooked us all a nice tea.

We put the kids to bed around 8pm ish and we then settled down to fine wine and good conversation. I distinctly recall a discussion about how both sets of children were prone to prompt waking and how Amy and Morgan rarely went back to sleep if they woke too early.

We were, therefore, all a bit surprised when Amy & Evie awoke at 5.30am and on being told it was too early promptly returned to sleep until around 8am. Even more surprising was Ben - a usually problematic sleeper when away from home - went to sleep on his blow-up bed with no trouble and after waking briefly at 5am slept in til gone 8 as well.

Steve and I were amazed and contemplated moving in with P.J & Gav for good.

And in another first for Ben, he has gone to sleep tonight in his big bed (and it is big cos it's a full-size single rather than a "toddler bed") - whether he sleeps through is still to be seen but fingers crossed!

Snow Day!!

It was a snowy day today. We woke up this morning to crisp white snow all around. I went off the work usual time fully expecting not to be able to get into London but rather annoyingly everything ran like clockwork.

Back in Chelmsford things were a little different and Amy's school was closed for the day. So Steve stayed at home and had great fun building a snowman in the back garden with the kids.

Later on they walked up to Chelmer Park to meet up with Kirstie, Ollie, Molly, Granny & Grandad for a spot of sledging down the big hill there. Amy is braver than I am!

Steve and the kids came and met me from work and we had a little snowball fight in the back garden for going back inside to warm up and dry off.

I wonder what tomorrow will be like?

Moo-Bags Comes to Play

Ben had a lovely time yesterday because Molly Moo-bags come over to play.

Kirstie had asked if Molly could come and visit for a few hours whilst she did some redecorating and Ben was pleased to say the least.

They had lots of fun pushing the buggies round the lounge and playing in Ben's room.

Happy Birthday Archie & Daniel

Today Amy & Ben went to the joint birthday party of Archie & Daniel. It was going to be a swim party but unfortunately the pool was experiencing some technical issues so instead they ran about in the gymnasium like lunatics for few hours!

Amy was overjoyed (actually that's an understatement) that Lily was there and it was nice to see all the parents again. They were genuinely pleased to see that Ben is now walking and it was lovely to see the look of delight on their faces as he toddled around the hall chasing footballs.

Later this afternoon the kids had lots of fun dressing up as a penguin (don't ask) and chasing each other around the lounge.


On an adult note, it was "go-live" weekend for Steve which meant (hopefully) the last weekend he'll be at work for a little while. I know the money is nice but it's also nice to have him around too!!