Things that made me smile this week!

Self-portrait from my little green-eyed monster!

Playing with our friends at Ikea.

Back at the farm.

There's no pleasing some people, is there?
Isn't this original?
I couldn't take a clear picture because of the reflection off the glass.
You'll have to enlarge this one, but I loved the idea of 'naughty' sugar mice!
From one basket case, to some others!


And back at the zoo!

The logical truth

Yesterday, in the afternoon, we drove through very winding country roads to our nearest Eco-ver filling station to refill and replenish our stocks of laundry liquid, fabric conditioner, hand soap, etc.
Despite my resolution not to buy anything 'new' (having talked to a friend who is teaching a course on Business Ethics!), I ended up buying a new (but organic, ethically-made, and fairly traded!) dress for Phoebe.
Because it was a hot day and the shop was selling cold drinks pouches, I also let the children have two of these;


However, the combination of the winding ride back home in a hot car, and fruit smoothie conspired to make Phoebe car sick. But she held on until we got home (bless her!).

Afterwards, when she was sat in the garden feeling sorry for herself, I asked if she would like to put on her new dress, and if that would make her feel better?

She thought about this for a moment, then replied
'I don't think it would make me feel any better..... but it would make me happy.'

Happy Easter everyone!

CHRIST IS RISEN!
XPICTOC ANECTH!
XPICTOCb BOCKPECE!

Now are all things filled with light;
Heaven and earth,
and the nethermost regions of the earth.
Let all creation, therefore,
celebrate the arising of Christ,
whereby it is established.

From the Third Ode of the Paschal Canon

And at the barbeque on Sunday
Believe it or not, the boys managed to sleep like this!
Father Stephen discussing Dora the Explorer with some of his younger parishioners!

London day trip!

Well, we went down to London on the train
We had sushi at the station when we got there,
And then went to the newly refurbished London Aquarium!
While I don't want to appear jaded in any way, their new queuing system has to be experienced to be believed. How is it possible to que for 45 minutes, moving almost continually, always in sight of the ticket desk; yet each corner you round there is yet more que ahead! Truly a miracle of modern engineering! I would urge you to go for the queing system alone!
Of course, there are also lots of lovley fish!
Guy brought his scooter, naturally!
This is the shark walk where you get to walk on glass panels over some of the tanks.
Which really made me want to go diving again!
Outside by Westminster Bridge
Looking across to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
Then we went to pick up Auntie Suzy
And take her out for an early dinner!
A good time was had by all!

Party! Party! Party!

This Saturday was Guy's birthday party. We hired our local swimming pool for an hour, and they gave us a squash court to have our birthday tea in afterwards.

Here's the cake. A train - no surprises there!
The pool,
Pudding (kept separate in the vain hope of getting some proper food in first!)
Birthday tea in the squash court!


Grandma's famous orange jelly slices!
And Guy showing how to eat them!
And afterwards....

Happy Birthday Gaius Maximus!

On Monday, Guy turned two years old!
This is Guy's scooter. It's his favourite present. And we really had to get him one of his own as he was becoming increasingly desperate in the begging, pleading and sometimes just mugging (does scooter-jacking exist?) of the other children in the park for a turn with theirs!
We have to take it everywhere with us. However, we've had to instigate a new rule; no scooters in the bedroom!
This emergency centre from Uncle Richard comes a close second!
Guy's friend William came round to play in the garden with us,
And have tea!
Everyone enjoyed the singing and blowing out candles- so we all did it lots!
Wow! It's been a busy two years!

Down on the farm!

Well, here we are meeting the animals. There were the sweetest little black lambs (we know a song about that, don't we?).

And here's everyone waiting for their sheep food,
And the animals are released!
Phoebe got to feed one of the orphan kids.
Phoebe liked the goats so much, she took one of them out on a lead when we went to collect the eggs. But I don't have any photos of that!

Then we jumped on the tractor to go out and feed the pigs.
Guy got to drive a tractor.
And we ate our lunch in the barn!

As an artificial farming experience goes, it's pretty realistic!