A very exciting purchase

Today I signed for my new car - oh I'm so excited I'll get it in 2 weeks - a lovely gleaming white Nissan juke. I'm on countdown til I can pick it up - and take some pics.

School assembly

Today was International Day at school. Give me homework, complicated algebraic calculations I have no problems, mention themes and fancy dress and I panic. Blue monkeys theme was Great Britain. A mixture of a union jack jumper and a firemans outfit (over the top obv) and he was happy. They finished the day with a school assembly it was brilliant seeing him up there with everyone he is growing up so fast.

Too many things

School, nursery, work, home oh and trying to squeeze in some kind of social life. I needed somewhere to keep notes and letters to hand so craft night tonight was all about making a notice board. The £2 cork board from wilkinsons was my base I already had wadding, fabric and ribbon and tah dah here's the finished item - now I have no excuse for forgetting things.

Blackpool illuminations

On Sunday my lovely friend had no plans so said why don't we do something that I'd struggle doing on my own with the monkeys - bet she wishes she'd never offered! I jumped at the chance to do something different from the norm so we headed off up the coast to see the illuminations. First stop Lytham for a walk along the front then fish and chips in a restaurant i found last year. Then we got back in the car and headed all the way up through the centre of Blackpool so the monkeys could see the sights just before it got dark. We stopped right at the top in Bispham and got ready for the lights to be switched on. Blue monkey came and sat in the front seat so he had a great view, we got pink monkey into her pjs and dressing gown - oh she looked so snug. Then we set off we had a supply of chocolate and on the request of pink monkey we put some music on. The monkeys loved it - I loved seeing them so happy - and I think L even enjoyed it as a one off!

Cup of tea makes the world go round

Organisation?

As Blue monkey is now in school for the first time I am getting some proper 1-2-1 time with Pink monkey, today we did the weekly shop - I'd like to say it was pleasant however Pink screamed from the second I strapped her in the trolley until the second we stopped at the checkout as she wanted to walk (however time constraints meant that wasn't going to happen). I have never heard her so loud, the looks of sympathy / what are you doing to your child, were quite obvious. Luckily the day got a whole lot better - we went shoe shopping although Pink thought we were going for her and wasn't too happy to find out it was her Mummy that was trying shoes on. To reward such patience we went for brunch - pancakes, maple syrup, bananas and strawberries - cup of tea for me glass of milk for Pink - that certainly brought her beautiful smile back.

After school we met friends at the local small soft play - perfect for the letting the kids burn off their energy (whoever told me school would tire them out had never met Blue monkey) then back home where I made tea for the 3 of them. I'm embarassed to show you the state of my kitchen afterwards (but I will because I am proud of it now)

It was a disgrace but not for long.......

My kitchen / diner is the one area of the house that is very me - there is plenty of colour and pictures, but its organised (because regardless of what the first two pictures show that was a blip) I know I could probably not get away with so much pink and girlishness if there was a man here - so woo hoo for singledom I can do exactly what I want and I absolutely love it.

I treated myself to these lovely new tins for my tea and coffee - they are just so me

I'd bought these jars a couple of weeks ago - I wasn't sure what for and they had just been cluttering up the kitchen worktop (and it is a small worktop so no clutter needed) I made labels for them and now they are filled with my baking ingredients.

Finally this is my dining table - I might have gone slightly overboard in buying craft bits and pieces recently but these are all the things I need to start working on. I'm heading over to Ikea this weekend and hopefully I can pick up a little bit of storage - I'm thinking new shelves for the garage - to house all this. I haven't got many vices in life so the odd blow out now and then isn't the end of the world - infact it's actually quite perfect.

A toast to friendship

9 years ago today I made some vows in front of my family and friends and when I said them I meant every word but life doesn't always go to plan. So today instead of a romantic meal for 2 and looking backwards I'm looking forwards to a future full of fun and happiness - and I'm raising a glass to my fantastic friends - who are always there for me. You know who you are - love you lots x

Pegs

I sent my manager out at lunch time to get me some ..... pegs. Well actually he was going to poundland and I had the random thought that if they had any wooden pegs I wanted some as I had an idea. I'm sure my colleagues at work think I'm mad but I no longer care - my mind is full of little crafty ideas to bring colour into our life and this seemed a simple one. I had a tester pot of white paint and some washi tape - I managed to dig out a kids paintbrush and ta dah here's my first cheery peg. I need a new paintbrush and I'm going to chop the washi tape but I'm going to make a few more and use them to peg up the kids artwork in their bedrooms. So yes maybe a little bit mad but for a £1 I think I have a bargain.

I'm taking the plunge

Today "Little Gems" is launched - ok launch is slightly over the top but I've made a conscious decision to follow my friends' advice and start selling some of my personalised items. I'm not aiming for world domination but my long term plan in life is to escape accountancy - use those skills more as an add on to my life not as my life. However that is a long long way away - if at all - but for now I am going to start selling a range of personalised items - I have my first order already and I'm very excited to ensure its perfect. Now I've written it down in black and white it's out there I have to do this it's what I want to do its what I've wanted to do for a long time - its just taken me this time to work out what I'm good at and what my friends and hopefully others will want. This is exciting and challenging I wonder if this will work - but whatever happens I am going to try.
I've just realised this is my 100th post - maybe it's a sign I hope so. Here's to my next 100 posts.

Special request

I wanted something to keep me occupied tonight and my friend asked me to make another picture for her little girls room. This is my first one that I've made with a specific person in mind. I think they are getting better and she loves it.
(I know my pictures aren't great quality but I take them on my phone -I'd never get this blog updated if I had to rely on logging onto the laptop)

Ta Dah

A few weeks ago I started making something but I needed to buy a frame to finish it off. Well today I finally made it to the shop and here it is "I love tea and cake" this is so me and it's having pride of place in the dining room.
The butterfly picture is being wrapped up and given to a special person.

Toothache

Owwww what a week my toothache came back with a vengeance and I have never felt pain like it - and as I am a woman (obviously) and have given birth twice I know about pain!! Turns out I had the start of an abscess and after thinking about the options - and unfortunately the cost - my tooth has come out. Luckily it's at the back so not visible but not the best day ever, at least the pain has gone - note to self brush teeth at every available opportunity (get OCD if necessary) I never want that pain again.
The only positive was that to keep my mind off it the best thing was to keep busy so yesterday I blitzed the house it took a few hours but it was all organised in time for the cleaner - I do have 2 little ones before anyone tuts at me :-)
One more job to do - I'm going to sort out the pan/baking/kitchen bits cupboard.

Family fun

Today the sun was shining and the monkeys and I plus our friends headed to a family fun day - it was an hours drive away but worth it, the monkeys loved the bouncy castles, trampolines, tractor rides and the adults loved the picnic - chance to sit down - maize maze, even if we did give up half way round and the yummy ice creams.
I think summer is nearly over we might not get many more days like today to enjoy so I am glad we made the most of it.
Unfortunately back to work tomorrow - it's been a fantastic weekend.

Pink Monkey turns 2

What a busy few days it's been. Pink monkey has turned 2 and I think might be turning terrible :-) but still adorable. On her birthday we just had a tea party at home, my, blue, pink and nanna. Today was the big party for her and gulp 16 of her friends. I hired a church hall and a bouncy castle, did 17 food boxes, gave music responsibility to my best friend and hoped for the best. And if I say so myself it was a success. Plus after 2 1/2 hours all signs of a party were cleared and my house was still standing with no damage at all - so definately successful!! The day has ended with us all staying over at my friends, kids watching a film, the adults drinking wine and thinking bedtime for the little ones is very close.

My Big Boy

The day has finally come - blue monkey started school today. He looked so gorgeous and grown up in his uniform - I was so proud. And even prouder when he walked in found his peg hung his bag up and headed straight off to play with some cars. I was pretty happy with myself as I didn't forget anything he had to take - ask me again next week when I'll have forgotten something but on day 1 he went in with everything. I didn't cry he looked so happy and that made me happy. When I picked him up we went off for milkshakes to celebrate his first day and also pink monkey doing well at her nursery taster session.

End of an Era

The monkeys have left nursery - blue monkey to start school and pink monkey to start at the nursery next to school. Blue monkey has been there for 3 1/2 years it was sad to say bye to everyone who has looked after them all.
As the last day before school treat and with the sun shining I took them with their friends to Gullivers World. We had a great day the rides were brilliant and it was fantastic to watch blue monkey acting so grown up and going on rides on his own - unfortunately for pink monkey she was a bit small for some so had to wait with me but she still loved it.
I now have all day Sunday to sort everything out for blue monkeys first day of school - cant believe he's grown up so fast.