The Hepburn Tribe

One disadvantage of working Sundays

2012-02-05T08:27:00.001-08:00

Hubby and the children had a great time playing in the snow

2012-01-25T06:12:00.001-08:00

Having been brought a cupcake maker for my birthday I have got quite creative but here is my first attempt at meringues with lemon meringue cupcakes

Where does the time go?

2011-08-17T23:03:00.000-07:00

It has been nearly a year since I last posted. I don't think as myself as a busy person but I think going to college has highlighted that I do do quite a bit or at least my time is used up.

I love my sleep I always have done, from a very young age and through most of my school life I used to come home and fall asleep. If Nan did not wake me for dinner I would sleep right through.

It was not till I had Charlotte did I truly realise how long a day really was. She was a good baby but I was still up early with her and her last feed would be quite late. Then things are never the same again!!!

So here I am nearly 9 years later with two more children and a very forced apon feeling of Who needs sleep anyway!!!!!

Charlotte and Harry are now at school, Sarah goes to nursery 3 days a week. Harry has Cricket and football after school and Charlotte has brownies. I have 3 council meetings a month and work Fridays and Sundays. I have just become Secatary and 1 of about 4 perminant leaders of a youth group K.I.T.E ( Kids In Thier Element) Mark works steady hours so he is always home about 5:30 each day.

To me this means a very busy week I have friends that have lots more on than this but I think they are either bonkers or just Supermums but I'm sure as they get older and Sarah starts school it will get even worse. She just keeps me up late. She does not need much sleep at all. She will fall asleep after nursery at 4 for about an hour of two then thats it she is in hypermode untill she drops at some stupid oclock in the night or early morning.

College Showed me I am useless at English and maths although I did pass my exams I did not do so well on my Uni interview day.I am no good at interviews or group interviews. (Think this may be why I did not get accepted in to college) and I am highly unorganised. It was not till after college did I get my first diary. I found it on a site called Orgasnised Mum!!!!! it is wonderfull. If I remember to put things in it.

Pyjama day!!! We walked around Huntingdon town and raised over £500( College record) for Hinchingbrooke hospital

I also did The midnight walk this year in my Pyjamas with my Friend Carey.

Went to see 30 Secondes to Mars!!!!
Enter Shakari were Supporting.

One thing I did come out of College knowing is all about the Heart I seamed to have memorised that.

My Friend Lisa and me at a Charity event in the town. Shortly after this we had our first Council meeting and Lisa was made Mayor of Ramsey!!!

And Saw the long awaited Harry Potter!!!!

I was very sad to see the end that I read the book again. and then was rather disapointed in the film so to anyone who has not read the books or seen the films (If there is anyone out there) Read the Books!!! they are by far better.

I must be MAD!!!

2010-09-10T10:33:00.000-07:00

After 14 years I am now a college student again!

I am doing
Access to Health Care (diploma)
which is Level 3 - A level standard

Very Scary for me considering my highest GCSE was a D. This is why I am doing the Access, If I can't do this course I've got no hope doing the Nursing course which is degree level.

Talk about feeling like a school kid, I walked into reception (Back straight eyes forward...You can do this!!!) told them what course I was doing and they gave me directions. Of I set, to the library they said...MMmmmm lot of men there, businessy types a few girls. Not being stereotypical but they did not look like nursing students, but hey what does a nursing student look like. so I stood out side for a little while not many people walked past....maybe I should go and ask again maybe they said a class by the library.
As I walked back i heard a group talking. "Access... nursing ... "
Excuse me I asked very nervously are you doing the access to nursing course. "I am" spoke one. Cool can I walk with you I asked and breathed a sigh of relief when she said yes.
Of to the library we walked again and we walked in and both saying we were glad we were not going in by ourselves( the rest of her group were doing something else). It turned out that all students in the library were access students and we would be split up into our courses when everyone arrived.

This week was my induction week, lots of form filling and team building exercises, principle talk and getting to meet the bunch of great "girls" I will be spending the next year studying with. We are mostly mature students who have been out of the education system for some time or have not got the grade to go straight into Nursing, Most want to go into Midwifery but there is one other that wants to do health visitor like me!

I go Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday ,so my typical college morning will be:
7:00 see off hubby
8:20 have all 3 kids and myself ready to leave the house
8:30 Sarah dropped off at nursery
8:40 Charlotte Dropped off at junior school
8:45 Harry Dropped off at infants school
9:00 I am at college.....

well that's the theory, my induction week started at 10:00 so next week will be the tester will let you all know how I get on

as I say " All Fun &Games"!!!!

25 facts Revisited

2010-07-30T14:35:00.000-07:00

In Feb 2009 I posted 25 random facts about me and said I would See if much had changed in about a year. The problem was a lot of them were pretty factual and apart from Children's ages and number of years I've been married not a lot has changed.

So I thought this time I would just go random...things I want to do Things I have done and What I like and don't like.

1. Concerts so far are: New kids on the block, Busted with McFly, Blue & liberty X, Simply Red, Bon Jovi twice, JLS,Diversity etc.

2. I've got a huge girly crush on Jared Leto and will be seeing 30 seconds to Mars in November,

3. I have made Some great friends in the playground now that both Charlotte and Harry go to school.

4. I now Have 2/3 children in school

5. If there is such a thing as Facebook anonymous I think I might need to join it. It's not like I sit at it all day but if I'm home it's on( is that a bit like I can stop if i want or its only one or two a night)

6. I've rediscovered my love of reading and in the last six months has read twilight, war of the worlds and The lovely bones and reread a couple of Stephen King and Terry Pratchett books

7.I am now missing a body part!!! I have had ,my Gall Bladder removed.

8. I should be starting college in September, to do my access to nursing!

9. I want to be a Health visitor.

10.Favorite programmes at the moment are: NCIS, NCIS LA, Bones, Lie to me, Criminal Minds, Cougar town, Cake boss Miami ink , Top gear and Phenius and Ferb...Most of which have just finished there season run.

11. Is finding this very hard

12. I did the midnight walk and will try and do it every year!!!!

13. Loves the NESCAFE Dolce Gusto She got her husband for Christmas!!!

14. Wants to go see My chemical romance, Good Charlotte, Bowling for soup.

15. music in my MP3 player at the moment is a mix of : 30 STM, My Chemical romance, Michael Buble, Ryan Dan, Papa Roach Black eyed peas, Kids in glass houses, war of the worlds, +44, EMF, They might be giants and Biffy Clyro

16. Enjoys her Wednesday Mornings with no Children, which is usually spent in the local cafe with her friends putting the worlds to rights!!!!!

17. Has set the Challenge that at least once a month I will cook/bake something I have never done before, this week I made Chocolate Cola cake.

18. Charlotte has shown an interest in cooking so i have brought a cooking scrapbook so we can do things together and keep a record of our good bad and ugly...Pizza twists are the first thing to go in. They were Lovely!!!!

19.I want to go: Base jumping, white water rafting, parachuting, skiing, Rally car driving

20.Still prefer Cold to Hot

21 Green is still my Favorite colour

22 Elephants are still my favorite animal

24. Children are now ages 7,5,2

25. Have now been Married to My lovely Husband for 11 Years and have been together 15 years!!!!!

The Festival of Sound

2010-07-19T04:46:00.000-07:00

We took Charlotte to her 1st music festival Yesterday. We had such a good time with friends and Family, It was the biggest event ever to happen in Peterborough with a turn out of 18,500.

Headlining were JLS

There was also Diversity (Britons got talent winners2009) and Diane Vickers (X Factor 2008)

and Alex Gardner, RD and the Score

We had this booked for month and we actually managed to keep it from Charlotte,

On the day we told her that because she had an excellent school report and amazing SAT results we were going to treat her. So when we told her we were going to take her to see JLS and Diversity we were surprised to see the horror on her face but then we told her ,her friend Leah was coming and Laura and Katie her cousins, She soon changed, gave me the whole head wobble and hip shake " I am soo going to that"

18,500 people turned out for this, It was a great day.

Behind the big tower in the middle was a BIG screen so the 9 of us sat down on our picnic blankets up by that so we could see the stage and the big screen and had a relaxing couple of hours stiitng chatting and listening to the support acts, then as diversity came on we watched them from the stage and Mark took Charlotte as close as he could so she got to see them on stage

Then that was it time to pack up and find your Spot, we actually got a good spot just behind were everyone is packed in like sardines and we had a good view and room to move, It was hard for the kids to see but wee took it in turns picking them up but about half way through the were happy just dancing around......

That gave me a chance to go back a few years.

SCCCRRRREEEEAAAAAMMMMM!!!!!!!

SCREEEEEEAAAAAAAMMMM!!!!!

I Love Concerts, They were soo good they put on a show, flashed a bit of chest and Sang really well

SCCCCRRREEEEEEAAAAM!!!!!!!!

"Mum why do the crowd keep screaming and you????"

"It shows them how much you like them, the loader the scream the more you like them"

Charlotte just looked at me as if to say Your Mad!!!!

SCREEEAAA......POP

mmmmmm

SCREAAAA......

SCREaaa....

OPPPs I Think I might have screamed a bit too much, felt throat go pop now cant shout, ohh well sign of a good night me thinks, it was now dark the stage lights looking good kids dancing and the parents having a singalong and a sway.....because we all knew the words even if they were not going to admit it lol

I must say the kids all did well we got there at 16:00 and did not get back to car till about 23:00 and there was very little moaning and snipping

We came home to a sleeping Sarah and Harry who had been taken out for the day THANKS AGAIN JULIE Charlotte had fell asleep in the car and Mark carried her up so all in all a good day and no one woke up till 7:30 the next day so even better!

I see Trouble ahead!

2010-05-27T11:55:00.000-07:00

I've said a few times that I am worried about the 'bond' between Harry and Sarah and that I was glad he started school when he did, She is his little shadow, She copies everything he does and I mean everything, Walking to school if he taps a wall she will do it if he bends down to pick somthing up she does too. This also goes for all the bad he does too like jumping on the funiture and running around.

Harrys latest Bedtime delaying tactic is to sit in his room shouting down how hungry He is.

After numerious times of telling him he is not and it is time for bed Sarah walks past me with an apple and heads upstairs calling Harry.

2012

2010-05-18T03:50:00.000-07:00

Charlotte was picked to represent the school when they had a visit from the Olympic runner Christan Malcolm. His aim is to visit 2012 schools before the 2012 Olympics, his aim is to heighten awareness of the Olympics its self and to promote the benefits of exercise and being healthy

Charlotte got to write the name of the school on the Union Jack that is going around the schools.

He then had his photo taken with all the Children.

Ohhh how Harry loves having his photo taken!

Midnight Walk!!!

2010-05-03T13:29:00.000-07:00

It was Sunday Morning, I was soaked through but I DID IT!!! I walked 10 miles for the Sue Ryder Care Charity, Not only did I do it but I did it in 3 hours.

My Friend and I decided we would do this ages ago and Hey what is ten miles when you are walking, not like we are going to run it!!!

We chose to do this not only for the above statement but Sue Ryder is a very good cause and almost everyone knows someone who has needed their help. They are carers/nurses and doctors who care for terminally ill patients.

There are now 17 Care Centres in the UK — 6 hospices and 11 neurological centres. There is also a growing Homecare service. The charity also provides support to 30 projects in 11 countries in Europe and Malawi. The charity needs to raise £13million (pounds sterling) each year to supplement its statutory income to continue providing care and this is raised from fundraising and through Sue Ryder Care Shops, of which there are around 400 in the UK.

What I did not expect was to fall ill, not sure many do, but in January I was taken to A&E with severe chest pain that went right through me. I vaguely remember telling the Paramedic " I've had 3 kids I know what pain is and THIS HURTS!!!!" After the 30 min drive in the ambulance on gas and air I was still in pain i told the consultant that it was like having a permanent contraction in my chest that does not ease. I then vaguely hear the words Morphine that was it I woke up hours later in the ward sore and drowsy..I has been scanned and checked and I had Gall Stones, they had moved and blocked one of my tubes thus causing the pain. I then spent 3 I must say rather relaxing days in hospital, i was then told I would need my gall bladder taken out but not now but don't know when they will send a letter......great nothing like being able to plan, we already had our holiday booked but luckily we managed to have that first( will blog that later)

So My opp was sent for the 14th of April, which was about 3 weeks before the walk, it was day surgery and keyhole so i decided to try and do the midnight walk if all went well, which it did. It took about a week for the scars to stop hurting ( so much for keyHOLE I had 5 holes in various places from my bellybutton to between my bust and 3 on my side)I did stay in a night which i was not meant to but they gave me morphine again so i was good for nothing so I stayed in.

The next week was just building myself up again so I was very lucky and recovered quite quickly.

Sorry had to put them on.

these are my gall stones, I filled 1 1/2 of these.

Right where were we......

Standing in Serpentine Green Tescos car park at 23:45 on a Saturday night, in a sea of a thousand flashing bunny ears we begin a worm up to the sound of Black eyed Peas- I've got a feeling....by the time she had finished I was ready to go home not start a 10 mile walk.

10. 9.8.7.6.5 the Count down began

4.3.2.1 WE WERE OFF

12:00

and then came the rain, ooh well what did we expect it is England after all. but it was nice and quite refreshing, the temp was not cold and there was no wind so not too bad. I had given our self 4 hours, I had done no training i am not the fittest person and had recently had said opp so off we set at a nice steady pace as the mad power walkers sped past us.

I wont go in to detail about the walk (if you have me as a friend on face book i kept a running commentary on there not that many people were up to read it at that time) so we kept a nice steady pace and chatted and laughed at some of the things people were wearing( " It's all for Charity mate!")

so when a Marshal said "well done ladies you are halfway we very surprised to see it was 1:22, so on we plodded until another marshal said 3 miles to go!!! that's when the aches and pains started so set in and we realised we must have subconsciously sped up, the thought of home to great...

so we slowed down and tried to ease our aches with the slow pace

Now if i ever see the next Marshal again not sure what I'll do, I'm sure he lied...1 MILE TO GO!!!! How can one mile seem twice as long as what we have just walked, we both ached, was going through not the most picturesque part of Peterborough we started to loose the will. I lost count how many times i said I think it is just round this next bend, I'm surprised my Friend did not just tell me to shut up.... But then there it was The big light in the sky that was TESCO, We had made it 3:00 Wow that was good, I was soaked, cold and very shaky but was VERY glad I had done it.

As we stumbled across the Finnish line, and was handed our Medal, goody bag and shown where the hot drinks and pastries were I think i could have curled up and gone to sleep there and then. I felt like I had been on a pub crawl not a walk, my hand shook that much I could not even stir my coffee,i could not face the food, put that in the bag for brunch!! we decided not to sit and relax we better get home before we seized up, we still had the 20 min drive home (thanks Carey for Driving)..

Apart from a blister on one foot I feel quite good, still a bit stiff getting out of bed but very surprised at how well I feel and will most defiantly be doing next year!!!

Jumping over the Rainbow!

2009-11-25T04:29:00.000-08:00

Charlotte has now been going to Brownies for about 5 weeks now so I thought it was safe to invest in her uniform. I must say it is a bit different to what I used to wear which was a brown long tunic type dress and a brown wooly hat!!!

She has moved to Brownies from Rainbows Which she does miss but I think she enjoys brownies more because they are her age and older (7-10) she has always been above her age...
She has already been swimming and Climbed a church Bell tower to see the bells, she was also supposed to do the amnesty parade but was ill for that one.

This week though she got her 1st Badge

This was for learning and performing a dance routine. Which I think they did as a group over two weeks.

I've got a feeling at the end of this I am either going to be a very good sower or I will be vising my Nan more than normal.

It always pays to ask a few questions...

2009-10-27T00:45:00.000-07:00

Harry Came in to the room Crying

Harry-"Charlotte Shut the door on me"

Mark-"And Why would she do that"

Harry "Because I was going to throw my truck at her"

Mark "You WAS going to throw the truck"

Harry "Yes she ran away and shut the door on me"

We tried to stay strong but we had to laugh!!!

2 at school and one that still naps, What more could I want!!!

2009-09-28T06:19:00.000-07:00

After a week of 9-12 Harry started full days. He came home with this in his book pouch, which I thought was a nice little touch!

(sorry about the quality scanner problems)

Wow 7!!!!

2009-09-27T05:50:00.000-07:00

Charlotte was 7 this month,

This was the 1st year she was at school for her birthday and she had to wear the Birthday hat which is a big hat with candles on....I saw her briefly as I was picking up Harry from his half days she looked quite cute.

She came home from school and had a visit from some of her family and then after diner we took her to see some more.

She had some good craft some and won't need clothes for along time!!!

So thanks to all and Yes Helen thank you card arrived on time and no charges LOL

Quest Seekers

2009-09-12T09:15:00.002-07:00

Charlotte and Harry received there Medals and certificate this week for the summer team read challenge. Charlotte read 6 books in six weeks and Harry chose 6 books to be read to him, This is a great way to help Charlotte to concentrate on reading 1 book and not trying to read 3 at once because she is bored and It helps Harry to get into the spirit of reading, he loves being read to so will hopefully love to read as much as then rest of us.

The Challenges were all to do with a group of kids and their adventures with a dragon.

Each week when the child had gone into the library to say about their book they were given a new puzzle to do and hand back the next week, they collected stickers and they coloured in a Marker,in the shape of a book, this was then stuck on the poster on the library wall and the children got to move it as they moved up the scale.

No School today :(

2009-09-12T08:46:00.000-07:00

Just got to say Harry has took himself back to bed this morning after I told him he did not have to go to school today.....wonder how long this will last!

Harrys 1st Day At School!!!!

2009-09-10T12:15:00.000-07:00

Well Here we go again, I've let it slip again, The holidays are now over and I have blogged nothing!!!!

So let's start from today!

My LITTLE boy has started school,

He is only 4 years 3 months which I think is very young, Charlotte was 5 years and 5 days when she started , but I guess there will always be a big gap in the years there has to be a start and stop line somewhere.

He was like a whole new boy, He looked Smart, older and was calm pleasant and rather shy, for anyone who knows Harry this was a little out of character, but when we got in he went off to play as the teacher said they could , which was good.

When we picked him up at 12 (he is doing 1/2 days till the 21st) he was happy and chatty and by the time we got him home he was back to his old boisterous self.

I'm back!!!!!

2009-08-12T01:23:00.000-07:00

Wow it has been a good 2 months and I've had no Internet :( I have missed it sooooo much, I have been nipping to the library for the odd log on but that is hard with 3 kids and one is only 22 months.

Hope everyone is well, I have been trying to catch up with everyone.

Kids are now on summer holidays, Charlotte finished school with an excellent report as did Harry from nursery, Charlotte got her medal and certificate for the fun run, she was the only girl in the under 8s to do 2 laps which made it about 2.5 miles and she did it in 45 min.(I should mention Mark did this with her).
No more Major accidents so far, Sarah's scar is healed nicely just had a straight line above her eyebrow. Harry Dropped a chair on his big toe again damaging the nail which is black and not very good, I have however made a promise to Mark I will not blog this one as everyone is probably still feeling sick over the last one.

weather here is horrible no 2 days are the same , Hot , muggy, raining , thunderstorms you name it, I know we should not moan people have it a lot worse but we cant plan anything never know what to put the kids in, We did however make it to Sunny Hunny for the day. It was my friends little boys birthday so we went for the day. it was not too bad bit windy but a good day out. Charlotte went on her first horse ride...yes it was a horse not a donkey and Sarah had her first walk on sand, she did not quite know what to make of it.

Hopfully have some pics soon

Not quite the collection I wanted!!!

2009-06-08T23:15:00.000-07:00

These are the Teddies that A&E give out to Children who have been taken there. As you can see we now have 3. I'd like to say It's not bad going seeing as I have 3 children and the oldest is nearly 7 but truth is 2 are Harry's and he is only 3 and the latest one is Sarah's and she is 20 months....

Sarah was climbing a Dinning chair and stood up lost her balance and hit the table on the way down. She split her head just above her eyebrow and about the length. Off to A&E we went and she had it glued back together. Both trips for Harry have been because he has split his head open....carry on like this and the should give me my own glue and I can do it myself LOL

Just to add she was very good in the hospital and did not cry she just let them get on with it and by the time we got home she was running around like it never happened, and yes you've guessed it straight back up on the chair!!!!

And There off again....

2009-06-07T06:49:00.000-07:00

It is Ramseys fun run again. Charlotte did it for the 1st time last year, near the end of her 1st year of school. That now means she has been at school nearly 2 years and I have been blogging for just over a year My 1st was the 29th may.

This is a rather wet Charlotte and Daddy coming in to the Finnish line.

What a horrible wet day it was but she braved it and did 2 laps this year totaling to 2.5 miles, and they did it in 45 min. She was the only girl in the 8 and unders who did 2 laps, She is 6 and a half

Mothers Day

2009-03-22T23:47:00.000-07:00

My Lovely presents from my children...

From Charlotte I got a Bathroom bowl which she Made at Rainbows, she decorated it with foam shapes and inside is a flannel,soap and some pot pori. At school she wrote me letter saying how she loved me and went shopping with Daddy and got me a book "Me and my Mum"

From Harry I got a bag he decorated at Toddler club and it was some lavender in a nice little bag and some biscuits. At Nursery he made me a tissue purse which I thought was a lovely idea and he got me the mug when he went shopping with Daddy.

The little pig Magnet is from Sarah, A small token of her love but she gave me the biggest hug ever and a "Kiss." Don't you just love those first kisses..mouth open teeth showing....

For those who are not apt in Child Hieroglyphics here is What my 6 year old wrote about me.

My Mummy is as pretty as a beautiful flower
My mum is as cuddly as a jumping rabbit
My mum is as sweet as a tiny baby
She is as lovely as a red rose
My mum is funny when she blows bubbly bubbles
My mum can be cross when harry kicks me
My Mum is as perfect as a computer
I love My Mum because she buys me treats
love From Charlotte

I did Ask her why she put I am cross when Harry is naughty and not her, she said she did not want Her teacher to know she was naughty. You've got to love her honesty...like she loves me because I buy her treats.....what ever happened to unconditional love????

Why do I have to paint outside!!!!

2009-03-22T07:44:00.000-07:00

This was supposed to be finger painting!!!!

He had 6 pots of lovely colours...Oh well at least he now knows how to make purple!!!!!!

A Little make over

2009-03-20T02:27:00.001-07:00

Before:

After:

The Day of Love!!

2009-02-16T00:02:00.000-08:00

Mark has never been one for Valentines day!

"I Tell you Everyday I love you So Why do I need to show you today" Mark Says every year. So some years I will get him something If I think of it...

I was working Valentines morning so when anyone asked what I got today I gave a little laugh and said nothing. So when I finished work at 2 I went home had lunch and carried on like any other day. I even dropped the 2 girls off at Nans and went food shopping with Mark and Harry.

As We headed home Mark said we had forgot bread, so I dropped him off at the shop and went to pick up the girls. got home had dinner and then the bed routine and sat down to watch the telly.

Mark came in from the kitchen with a big tray of Ferrero Rocher (My Fave) a bottle of wine and a film. "Well" He said "It is our 10th wedding anniversary this year!!!!!"" Bless him

So we had a nice quiet night with wine, chocs and a film...the film was Taken not the most romantic film but a good one non the less.

I LOVE MY HUBBY!!!!

25 Random Facts About Me!

2009-02-09T08:46:00.000-08:00

This has been going round Facebook it has been quite interesting to see random facts about friends but I thought I would add mine here and then edit it in maybe a year and see if I have any more random facts to add.

1.Born in the same hospital 4 days apart from one of my best school friends (so was probably there at the same time)...but that was in Swindon and we schooled together in Ramsey

2.I have Charlotte who is 6

3.I have Harry who is 3

4 I have Sarah who is 1

5. Love the cold and the snow

6 Hate HOT weather

7 Been Married 10 years this year

8. and love my Husband very much

9. Like to scrapbook

10.and cross stitch

11.Love cooking but but have a fussy family

12. Love Phantom of the Opera, Thanks to friends I got to see it.

13.Have been indoor skydiving in a wind tunnel. again thanks to a friend and Loved it

14. I should wear glasses

15.My Fave colour is green

16.Loved tea till I became Pregnant with Charlotte now prefer Coffee

17. Went to Disney land in Florida when I was younger

18. Fave Animal is Elephant

19. Fave Farm animal is a pig

20. I Collect Mugs

21.and Dragons

22. Love My DS

23. My Birthday is News Years Eve, but that is not a good thing!!!

24. Loves Working at the shop

25. But I LOVE being a mum, would have a lot more if i could guarantee they would not fight lol

Let It SNOW let it snow let it snow!!!!!!!

2009-02-06T01:47:00.000-08:00

Woke up this morning to this!!!!

It Must have been about 3 inches thick, Cannot remember the last time we had snow that thick. The schools were closed so SNOW DAY for the kids

Sarah Loved it! She was still wanting to play long after Charlotte and Harry came in because they were cold. When I did finally decide she really should come in she Started screaming and kicking, She had a good tantrum.....As I say all fun and games.

It could have been worse! It could have been a knock at the door.

2008-12-05T23:58:00.001-08:00

Where has the time gone, so much has happened. every time I sit down to write something something else is happening.

Let's start with this week...

I was busy at home sorting out kids and getting dinner ready when the phone rang a strange voice is on the other end Said

" Hello My name is... I am with your Husband he has just been knocked off his bike.... He is OK they are just getting him ready to put in the ambulance...

My heart sank, but just for a moment not that i did not care I just went in to auto pilot.

Right Kids- get them to Nan

Car put in some petrol

And get there safely

While I was getting ready the phone went again. As soon as I heard the voice I knew Marks Best friend had driven by the accident..She told me he was OK and was being put in the Ambulance. so with a little more reassurance auto kicked in a bit more.

So I got the kids ready and with out telling them Why I shipped them off to Nan. I saw now point in worrying them at this stage.

Filled up the car with petrol and started the 30 min drive to Huntingdon, It seemed to take forever but knew not to rush because I would probably end up in a bed next to him.

traffic was horrendous around the Hospital so Parked near the Park and walked down to A&E. When I entered A&E the receptionist said hang on a sec, and there i stood quite patiently and then asked how could she help. so I told her and she took me straight through

And there he was Sitting up in bed and when he smiled I knew he was OK..He was Checked over and was free to go. He told be that he had stopped at the roundabout, was about to pull off when the next thing he knew he heard a bang and as staring at the stars. A car had hit him from behind sending him off his motorbike, How she missed him I will never know he had a big day glow yellow coat on, it was this, the bike jacket and fleece and bike trousers and jeans that helped pad him out. I don't think he will ever complain about putting on all his gear again.

This all came about after Marks Mum lost her battle with Cancer. It has been over a month now but it has gone quite quick. She had been battling cancer for about 4 years. but was starting to find it very difficult to do very basic thing so on her last hospital appointment they recommended that she went in to Thorpe hall for some rest bite for her and for Family who had been helping her. She was not in there a week when she passed away in her sleep with Mark by her side. She will be sorely missed.

This hit Mark very hard especially when a week after she passed away Sarah began to walk. He was so upset he could not just pick up the phone to tell her or to go round and show her.

The funeral was very pleasant and Charlotte and her cousin had written poems to be read out. Her cousins poem was one that had been published with poems from school children in the county

Not sure what else has gone on these last couple of months have been a bit of a blur. Charlotte is getting on well in Rainbows. I have not even put this down that she had joined.
Charlotte Joined Rainbows at the beginning of the school year. It has been going about 21 years now. It is the one before Brownies the girls go until they are 7. They meet once a week and do lots of things. It is girls only so they have a nice environment without boys interfering. will have to write more later. Hope fully now with Christmas nearly upon us i should have some good blogs to write.

How bad Am I

2008-10-20T14:37:00.000-07:00

I sat Down today to write about My little baby turning one and the fact that she has been in the wars a little but I was on Facebook and found out a friend of a friend has been to see NKOTB reunion in America !!!!!! How cool. Straight away I was on ticket master to see if they were coming here and they are, They are Coming in the new year, I was so excited can you guess what I asked Mark for, for Christmas lol. It defiantly brought back some memories, My first ever concert, Screaming..The noise I still remember the noise and girls fainting.

So Here's to Danny Donnie Joe Jon and Jordan
and Sarah's Birthday will follow shortly

Ohhh How time flies!!!!

2008-10-12T13:11:00.000-07:00

Just a little note to say how depressed I am feeling. Harry only turned 3 in June and has only been going to Nursery for about 3 weeks now, but I Picked him up at the end of the week and was handed his School registration pack.

It only seams like yesterday Charlotte started school and she has just started back in her 2nd year. Charlotte was 5 When she Started were as Harry will only have just turned 4

I know in the back of my mind that he does not start until next September but once Christmas is out of the way all the letters will start and then next thing I know it will be summer holidays again and Charlotte would have finished another year and Harry will have his school visits to look forward too!

Ohh it's a Stair gate!!!

2008-09-19T23:42:00.000-07:00

I thought it was a hammock,

This little monkey of mine is trouble she pulled the gate down then climbed on top to go up the staires. I found myself a few weeks ago digging out the travel stair gate because Sarah mastered stairs. I had gone shopping and Mark was in the room with the kids he turned round to see where Sarah was and she was half way up the stairs, no trying one and falling just straight up! So when I got home I had to find the gate but that only stood so long!!!

This one should hold her a bit longer but if she is anything like her brother as soon as she can walk properly she will be carring somthing over to it to climb over!

Charlottes 6th Birthday

2008-09-18T19:22:00.000-07:00

Wow She is now 6. She had a lovely birthday party and I hope all of her friends enjoyed it. It was held at the Raptor foundation near us. The Party started off at11 :30 with a tour of the Birds they have, I was very surprised how well the children listened there was 14 Children aged from 3 - 13 and they all walked around nicely and listened to what the Lady had to say, She told them about the owls they had and which ones were in the Harry potter movies and where you could spot them(Did you know Hedwig changed sex 5 times in one film!) Then we had a look at the eagles and other birds of pray.

We then all sat on the benches to see a flying display.

This picture does the scenery no justice. To the left the land drops and you can see for miles all the fields of the surrounding area.

This was good they had owls fly over there heads literally My brother in law had his ear clipped by a wing, and watched as the 'trainers' flew the birds from one place to another. Again I was surprised at how well they sat and listened, well they did for the half hour. then they started to get a bit restless but then so did us adults. the last thing they did was let all the children hold and owl on their arm. It was only a tiny one but Charlotte said it was still heavy. They had to wear a little glove it as so cute.

(Will put on video clip when work out how! All the others have been from my camera.)

They then all sat down for food that was a nice quiet affair. The food was good and the plates were full so the kids enjoyed them. Followed of course by Ice cream and birthday cake.

Once the Party was over we were free to roam the place our self. There was a small play area which the kids took full advantage of an there was a big pond a bridge over it where you could feed the fish. The children had started to go home in dribs and drabs since the food had finished so by the time we got to the fish there was about 5 kids left so we all gathered round to feed the fish, they went mad they were thrashing around to get it. there big mouths opening. this made the children laugh. I think we finally got home about 4:30 so it was in all a good day.

Just love this picture and had to share!!!!

2008-09-10T14:22:00.000-07:00

Team Read

2008-09-10T13:30:00.001-07:00

Team Read is a project done by the libraries. Not sure how widespread it is but I know it covered all of Cambridgeshire. It's aim is to encourage reading. The task is to read 6 books in six weeks. Which does not seem too hard but when you are only 5 and only been reading for less than a year it is no doubt hard work. There is no rules on the books you can read so the task is really as hard or easy as you make it.

So here is Charlotte After she got her medal and certificate. (pulling a funny face yet again) I was very proud of her and when she came home from her first week at school she had jumped 3 levels in reading books. I was not really surprised though She loves reading, She reads everything, Signs we pass, junk mail through the door, cereal packets,Sky TV banner(that ones not so good) and she loves her books.

Not sure where she gets her academic streak from must be her Dad, She loves school and could not wait to go back. I think this is a very good idea. It is run in the 6 week summer holidays and I think it helps parents make time to sit with there child and listen to them for a little while, I know in my house it is manic and not much quiet time going on so it was nice at the end of the day with the youngest ones in bed to sit down with her and hear her read. Mark also sat with her a lot, he is a great believer in reading for enjoyment and this gave them some great quality time together without the others fighting over Daddy's attention.

New School year

2008-09-09T01:46:00.001-07:00

Don't they look like they are going to miss each other?

Charlotte Started her second year at school last week and Harry has started nursery this week. He is doing 3 mornings a week, Tue,Wed and Thursday. 9:15 till 12:00. What with Sarah still having her morning naps what am I going to do with myself?..........That's it relax(I wish, need to find out where I can get some house work fairies) and build up my energy for the afternoon. Harry will probably come home hyper as does Charlotte, Sarah is now walking around the furniture and is tall enough to reach most things I forget to put away!!!!

So as usual all fun and Games!

2008-09-03T04:47:00.000-07:00

I Really Must remember to put things away and well out of reach. Harry came in from the kitchen looking very white, He was covered with sudocrem (Nappy rash cream)All over his face and arms............Thought that was bad enough went in to the kitchen and it was all up the door. some times I wonder what goes through their mind!!!!!

Sunny Hunny! How we love it lol

2008-08-26T04:40:00.000-07:00

Braving the beach. They dug holes and built sand castles all with the lovely see 'breeze' blowing around them.

We Had gone to the sea life centre before we headed to the beach The kids loved this they liked looking at the fish in their tanks and all the different colours and shapes Harry's Favorite was the 'Nemo' fish and Charlotte and Marks was the Hammer head shark that swam over us as we walked through the shark tunnel. I just loved walking through the tunnel the whole feeling was lovely all the fish and sharks swimming around and above you.

and to end the day you have to have an Ice cream!!!!

Penny

2008-08-15T00:19:00.000-07:00

I have no pictures at the moment but would just like to add a little note for My cousin Katies dog Penny who sadly passed away, She was comming up to 13 years of age and has been a part of Katies life since she was 7. She passesd away peacefully curled up in her basket with Katie at her side.

Why so hard!!!

2008-08-14T23:26:00.000-07:00

Trying to take some nice pics of the children and their Dad,but it took some time and these are the best 2, if it was not one looking away it was one upsetting another. It's all fun and games in this house.

Went to the park to give Sarah a go on the swings. She absolutely loved it.

But I think Charlotte might be a bit big for them!!

The Children love the park, Harry Stands at the top of the slide for ages pretending that he is Sporticaus in his Airship, looking over Lazytown.

Charlotte loves to go high on the big swings but is still tying to learn how to swing herself, and get them both on the see-saw and it is a battle to see who can bounce who off!

Ouch

2008-08-04T22:23:00.000-07:00

For some time now Harry has had a split toenail, it ran right across the big toe, not sure how he did it but it was probably Dropping something on it or kicking something, usual boy things, but yesterday Charlotte came running in from out side to say Harry was bleeding, When I went out to check it out he was standing there just looking at his foot, I got him sat down and went to hold is foot too have a look, That's when all hell broke loose, He screamed at me not too touch his toe, he kicked with the other foot so i picked him up and put him on the sofa. there he sat and fell asleep. i think that must of hurt bless him Once he woke up he has been fine took him to the doctors and they said it should grow back OK and game me some cream to put on which I think I will have to do while he is asleep, He is OK running around but you even think of touching it and he has a fit.

But on a brighter note We went to Peterborough Central Park

We had a lovely afternoon. the sun was out but not too hot there was a nice warm breeze, so My friend Tanya and I packed up our kids and off we went calling in to the golden Arches on the way as you do.

The three girls had a great time splashing around in the paddling pool, thought it might be a bit cold for Sarah but she loved it could not keep her out of it, if we lifted her out she kept crawling back.

Where as Harry found this Jeep that was mounted on springs, He loved it he was on in from the moment we got there until we moved on to a different part of the park. In the area we were in there was a big sand area the paddling pool and some little kid toys/bouncy things and a slide but he did not care he just wanted the jeep. Once we had been here for about an hour we moved on to the climbing area of the park this was a good sized area with lots of things to climb so they ran about here and climbed on the climbing frames, then Tanya and I decided we needed a cup of coffee so we headed to the cafe and had a cup of coffee and a slice of cake while the kids had an ice cream. Much to the kids disappointment we then decided it was time to head home. I thought this might wear them out but i think my kids are solar powered, they just kept going and going....

2008-07-30T07:09:00.000-07:00

Sarah has pulled herself up by the bottom step
What more can I say but Here we go again and Where did I put that stair gate?

2008-07-24T10:15:00.000-07:00

Sarah has just moved to a front facing Car seat. She lookes so small (if my children can ever look small)but not like a baby anymore. Can't believe she is now crawling in the traditional sense rather than pulling herself along on her tummy. She is also able to sit herself up from crawling and is trying to pull herself up from anything she can grab on too. She now has 8 teeth and 4 more coming through. the other 2 did not have their 1st teeth till about now.

I hate dummies

All three of my children have had, and Sarah still has a dummy in some ways they have been wonderful They calm an upset child they calmed all the babies when they were changing to bottles and they helped all of them go to sleep but........

When you cannot find them at all goes wrong. This sums me up to T

Monday morning took Sarah out of her cot and sat her down in the living room. She smiled at me and I went to get her breakfast. She ate her breakfast all 1 1/2 weatabix and cried for more so I gave her, her dummy while i got her drink, The other two are now up and this is where things get hectic. So while getting 3 kids washed and dressed and to the back door I have lost her Dummy. This would not normally be a problem but this was her spare one. She threw the other out sometime on the way home from school the other day. So i checked the cot the floor blamed the kids for hiding/throwing it usual stuff. but nothing was said or found. No worries i thought We are going to parent club after the school run so that should keep her occupied, so she moved around their and plenty of people were picking her up and hugging her, but near the end she was getting grumpy so we headed back home, she nearly drifted of but when we got home she woke up. so i put her in her cot and she screamed i had another look round but could not find it got Sarah up and decided i would have to go to the shop and get some more. as I was getting Harry ready Sarah was sick so I started to get her changed and guess what....

Yes it was in the leg of her Dungarees... Poor girl had that in there all morning no wonder she was getting grumpy...

2008-07-18T06:05:00.000-07:00

Sarahs first hair cutSarah and our hairdresser
8 1/2 months old and already had a hair cut. She is such a happy baby but we were not sure how to go about cutting her hair
We settled on Sarah sitting sideways on my lap and me holing her bottle for her(she can only feed herself laying down at the moment) Our hairdresser is amazing all the children love her she is so quick.

So a quick whip round and all is done just in time because the bottle is just about to run out. but as you can tell a good result and everyone is Happy.

1st School year....

2008-07-10T03:19:00.000-07:00

Well Charlotte is just about to finish her 1st year at school. Does not seem 2 min since she started.

My little girl has gone from a sweet child who's clothes drown her to
A diva with attitude

I am so proud of her though she has done really well. Her school report was amazing not a bad or negative thing said about her. Talk about teachers pet.

Teachers favourite moment: When the teacher was feeling a little unwell and was struggling to sing Charlotte stood up and said Don't worry Mrs Houlden you sit down and have a rest I will take over the class!!!

And she probably would. this shows how forward and confident she can be but this also shows her caring side, She is like the mother of the class and is always looking out for her class mates.

She had her award ceremony at school to receive her medal for the fun run she did, decided not to add pic, she looked so miserable she does not like things like that she hates anything where she has to sit still and quiet. she says the worst part of school is registration for this reason.

In some ways she has grown up so much, she can read and write quite well just needs some help with spellings and the English language if full of words that are said different to how they are written which of course confuses them.

but in others she is quite babyish, whining ,winging and is quick to lash out at Harry but will soon cry if he hits back but i put this down to arrival of Sarah She came along at a hectic time, Charlotte started school and we moved house. she has always been older than she should be and i think when they are like that you get used to it, so when they act there age you think it is a bad thing.

Well Here is to her 1st year and now we have the 6 weeks holiday to look forward to, oh how i am looking forward to this, Harry and Charlotte have way too much energy that is good for them and now Sarah is mobile( She pulls herself along on her tummy ) I spend most of my time moving her away from thing she should not have or be near. She loves going in to the kitchen but if i shut the door or put up the gate she cries and head butts it in the hope i will move it.

Well here goes....

If you are going to be an embarrasing parent you might as well start young!!!!

2008-07-04T03:44:00.000-07:00

Both Charlotte and Harry have been through this now it is my time!!!

What a Weekend!!!

2008-07-01T00:48:00.000-07:00

TWICKENHAM STADIUM
Bon Jovi - The Lost Highway Leads to London Tour

Mark and I went to this on Saturday with two of our friends It was amazing The stadium is Massive and can hold up to 82 thousand There was not that many there but it was not far off being full I'm sure. They were everything I expected, Loved singing along to the old stuff and listening to the new ones. At one point Mark and I stood by the bar watching the aircraft fly in to Heathrow and looking around at the scenery it was cool.

They were supported by The Feeling. They were also amazing, it is one of these bands I have heard of but could not tell you what they have sung, but once they started i was sinning along to all of them, I knew all of there songs without realising it, really must get there album I really enjoyed them

CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE

Lazy Town

For Harry's 3rd Birthday we took him to see the stage show of Lazy Town, Now this was a good show, It was all actors and no puppets and they were sooo funny, They were so over the top Mark and I were laughing more than the kids. I did surprise me though that the kids sat still and watched it, Harry's eyes never left the stage he was even shacking a little with excitement but this meant when Sporticus asked all the kids to get up and help practise exercising and his moves with him they did not move. They were in ore of it i think. but it has nearly been a week now and Harry has not stopped talking about it and Charlotte and Harry both want to go again next time it is on.

ON A SAD NOTE THOUGH

On Sunday morning it was my friends leaving party, After 3 years of being in England Her family has been posted to Armenia, Her actual leaving Party was a nice affair but We were only there a while because we had lazy town to go to but Monday was a different story. We attend a toddler group at our local church although we got through it there was tears at the end when it really hit home that I would not see her for a very long time once she had left the church.

All I can say is thanks to the makers of the things like face book and the Internet in general that help people stay in touch. :o(

And Their off

2008-06-27T08:01:00.000-07:00

Charlotte's first Sports day and She won the sack race. I think it was because she had to concentrate, The fancy dress race she was too worried about whether the things looked OK, The straight race she was too busy looking at everyone else and the bat and been bag race she and two others were talking and plodding along like it was a Sunday stroll.

2008-06-25T14:22:00.000-07:00

PASTA!!!
Lucky mummy made it cheese and broccoli and not a tomato based sauce or I would be in a right old mess!!!

After the slow attempts of Harry Sarah thought it was time she took things into her own hands, quite liturally

Can I feed Sarah

2008-06-14T13:30:00.000-07:00

Harry asked if he could feed Sarah

Reluctantly I said yes

He was doing alright until he posed then.....

She got bored and decided to do it herself, with her hands.....

And Their Off

2008-06-09T04:33:00.000-07:00

What a start to a lovely day. Charlotte and Mark took part in their first Fun Run. It took them 20 min to run 1 1/4 miles. Mark said he was very proud of her because she did run most of it and ran quite fast which surprised him.

He is not the one who has to constantly tell her to walk every where, She is always way in front of us. if she carries on like this she will be at school before the rest of us leave the house.

After the run we took a walk to our Friends who were having a yard sale. After 3 years they are off to Armenia, Just slightly different from here. They will be missed very much. I have watched her 2 boys grow from toddlers and her little girl who was born here will be 2 soon, how time flies.It was such a lovely Day, The sun was shinning the Brass band was playing on the church green and the children were playing so nicely, Sarah and Avery slept for most of it, which was quite nice gave us parents a chance to chat.

2008-06-03T04:26:00.000-07:00

Q. It's 16:00 and your son has fallen asleep What do you do?

A. You don't put him to bed, a lesson I learnt last night.

While pottering around in the kitchen I noticed it was very quiet. Charlotte was doing Arty stuff at the table Sarah was rolling around the floor ant there was Harry, fast asleep. now as I said what to do? I took his jumper off (which is quite a struggle he has a big head) I took his shoes off but no response moved him in to a comfortable position but no movement. He was out for the count. So I took him up to bed. What a kind mother i am. Ha Ha so I thought. My first mistake

It is now 23: 55 just been watching One night stand (Wrestling, whole new story but what a Swanton bomb) feeling very tired myself I started up the stairs and who was standing at the top about to come down You guessed it a very wide awake Harry

So brought him down gave him something to eat. and let him watch a DVD. (You don't need peppa pig this time in the morning)

It is now 2:00 Time for bed now, he just laughs. not impressed. Mistake No. 2 "come on Harry I'll go to bed with you" what with wanting to play, poke my eyes out and just plain fidgeting I gave up on that but when I left he screamed. in fear of the hole house waking I asked what he wanted.

"I want to go down stairs and watch telly" so off we went. I put on another DVD sat him on the Sofa and wait for it mistake no. 3 I went to bed

04:20 Charlotte woke me wanting a drink (that girl drinks like a fish) so went to get her one and realized what I had done.

TV off , Wii plugged in, Harry asleep holding Dads ipod and pen all up his arm. oops

So not sure how much sleep he had but I know I did not have much!! and what other surprises I will find ,Who knows!!!

2008-06-02T05:47:00.000-07:00

Still can not get a nice pic of all the children together....
But here are my two lovely little girls
and my guitar playing pirate....

2008-05-29T01:52:00.000-07:00

What a friend!!

My friend Helen brought me this for my 30th Birthday.

This is me doing my indoor skydive in Milton Keynes. It was amazing. It was such a strange feeling. You have a meeting before hand, telling you about it and the various hand signals they will use. but once you are in there it all gets lost and you tend to go with the flow.I would recomended it it was such a rush...

2008-05-29T01:23:00.000-07:00

This is one of the only nice pics I can get of all three children where one is not crying or pulling silly face