Back from Haarlem

Just back from a lovely weekend in Haarlem. I went over to meet Lily, Eoghain's little girl. She's only 8 weeks old and very cute! I didn't want to arrange to do much while I was there, as wanted to be on hand to help out as needed, but did manage to pop out for a coffee with Zoe and Vera which was lovely. I meet up with Sal at Amsterdam trainstation on the way home, and we had a really great chat (thanks sweetie) before I jetted off again. I reckon we manage to cram a full day's worth of conversation into 1 1/2 hours :)


The proud parents, Eoghain and Tanja.


The best kind of baby, one you can hand back to mum when they start crying.


Lovely Lily.


Vera (Zoe's 3 1/2 year old) took this pic of Zoe and I in Vroom and Dressman having a coffee. Don't think she made too bad a job at all (there were some earlier attempts that were just of my clevage.. such as it is. Think she was focussing on the necklace!)




The kids were a little upset they couldn't come with me, and hopefully we will make it over to Haarlem as a family within the next year. It was really lovely that Rich and the kids came to collect me at Gatwick, a really lovely surprise. As nice as it is to be away, there's nothing half as good as coming home again...and extra brownie points for him for the flowers he got for Valentines day :)

Lewis (and Aidan and Caroline) paid a visit on the morning of the party to wish Noah a happy birthday. Was lovely to see them all!


Noah outside nursery before his first day there. He's taken to it like a duck to water.

It's oh so quiet...it's oh so still...

This feels a little weird. Have just dropped Amie AND Noah off at nursery. Thought he was starting next week, but when I read the letter it was actually today! Hmm will use super human will power to get off internet now and do a little housework.. might take my mind off things. It's strange, I'm sure in a week or two I will really look forward to this time, but at the moment have a slightly queasy feeling in my tummy. .but I'm sure he'll be fine!

Awww

Well big news today, they have a place for Noah to start at nursery NEXT WEEK. I was expecting him to go in April, so this is a bit of a shock, but a good one. It's just weird to think he's at the age where he's ready to go, which he definately is. Amie was the same age when we shipped her out to what we later realised was an all German speaking Kindergarten, and if she could handle that (which she did with barely a chin wobble.. not sure I could manage that), then he will be fine :)
I thought he was so sweet today, I told him he would be going to nursery, on his own without mummy next week and he looked at me all wide eyed for a moment, and then said "But who will look after.. you and the cats?". I was sure he was about to say "Who will look after me?". Will be strange, for the first time in almost 5 years to have some time to myself, which I'm sure I will fritter away!

Lunar Landing

We were watching Show Me Show Me the other day, and Chris was pretending to be an astronaut
Amie "When I grow up I'm going to be a astonut (not a mis-spelling, it's what she calls it :) and go to the moon
Me: "Well that sounds like good fun. But mammy and daddy would miss you if you went to the moon. It's a very long way away.
Amie "No silly, by that time you'll both be dead so you won't miss me"

That'll teach me eh?

Enjoying the snow in Cumbria with her big cousin.


Having fun reading a book with Nana and Pa.







What happened to Amie's skirt?



Amie and Benjamin enjoying an improvised sledge down a snowy hill. The cardboard got rather soggy after a while, but it was fun while it lasted.


Amie quality inspecting the crackers...one of them contained a mini whoopee cushion, which was a huge hit with Amie for days afterwards.(And we all had something else to blame, other than the brussel sprouts)


Noah making a snowball that's even bigger than himself.. in the end he decided to make it into a snowman.


Noah and Pa.


Rich bravely trying to read a story to the four kids at bed time. Benjamin and Thomas stayed over on Boxing Night (or St. Stephen's Day to you Irish readers!). Not much sleeping was done, but they had a great time.


Happy Birthday to me! Obviously the only picture taken of me on my birthday involves me wearing my pjs, with unbrushed hair and no make up. It wouldn't be fair otherwise would it? Honestly later on when I was all dressed up, I didn't look a day over 30 :)Amie and Noah had good fun helping me blow out the candles (kind inlaws didn't try to fit the real number on the cake... could have been a potential fire hazard)


Amie was very excited to wear a woolly dress and tights... and Noah's reindeer jumper was just the thing for Christmas Day!


The kids looking a little overwhelmed before they get to open all those presents!



Amie overlooking super snowy hills, how Christmassy is that?


Enjoying a walk in the winter wonderland

Jingle bells...

Well Christmas is ALMOST here... can't wait.. here's ome pictures of the kids getting into the swing of things! Check out Amie's foot in the photo of her standing near Santa.. she had been running around at a Christmas Party without her shoes on and managed to put first her big toe, and then her whole foot though her tights.


Amie in her Nativity play at nursery.. proof, as though it were needed, that Amie is a little angel really.







Not an exciting photo, but had to capture it on film.. the kids playing nicely together. Will need to look at this regularly to remind myself that yes, it can happen sometimes!