Our Christmas That Was

The past few days have been amazing with plenty of time together as a family, lots of fun and games and far too much festive food! But like all good things, it comes to an end and with the Mr back at work and the new year now here I thought I'd share our Christmas with you - It's something nice to look back on for me too.

We sprinkled reindeer food outside and set up some goodies for Santa. The Mini Mes don't actually like milk so they offered the man in red a coke instead, just in case he doesn't drink milk too!

Christmas Eve also meant we had to say farewell to our elf, Peppy Tum-Tums.

There were lots of lovely gifts from family and friends to open Christmas morning.

We enjoyed bingo and board games...

... and poker with my parents.

Then a Boxing Day buffet
(Can you tell the Mr likes his savoury nibbles!?)

What was your favourite part of Christmas?

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Our week that was... Sledging, pink pancakes and the Gruffalo (Project 365)

Sunday we spent the morning doing crafts including Chinese lanterns and in the afternoon we had a long walk around the reservoir in the rain and fed the ducks before a play at the park.

Monday we saw Wreck it Ralph, had a Subways lunch and then spent the afternoon sledging in the fresh snow.

We made some pretty pink pancakes on Tuesday and Wednesday after visiting a friend we went to the theatre to see The Gruffalo's Child.

 Thursday was Valentine's Day and I received these lovely things from my Mr... late in the evening however, I think he felt guilty!

Friday we  received a huge bundle of Easter goodies to review and Jamster was particularly eager to taste the cute Smarties animals.

Saturday I had my hair cut. It's quite different from my usual look so I'm a little unsure whether I like it yet.

What did you get up to this week?

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Our week that was... new beds, food and outdoor fun

Sunday the Mr and I decided to go on a hunt for a new mattress, as despite being only 2 years old our current one isn't very comfortable. This resulted in us buying new carpet, a TV bed, pillows and a new mattress and we looked at new beds for the Mini Mes too.... Oops - but worth it!

Monday we went on a bike and scooter ride after school for some outdoor fun and fresh air. Minxy has a basket on her bike which was handy for bringing back a few bits of shopping in too. We didn't get out as much this week as I would have liked but with it being half term now we will be outdoors a lot next week.

Tuesday Spartan decided to join in with my 30 day shred by climbing on me during sit ups!

 Wednesday I received a lovely Weight Watchers hamper of goodies including wine, bonus.

Thursday Minxy had her first swimming lesson in the evening. She loved it and did really well, the instructor said she was confident which was reassuring as I have a phobia of water.

Friday after a busy evening clearing our bedroom out completely ready for the new carpet I popped on a movie and poured the Mr a Jack Daniels Single Malt to relax.

 Saturday As the Mini Mes were really good while the workmen were in today, I treated them to some chocolate eggs, pizza and a movie.

How has your week been?

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Our week that was snow, crafts and pets (project 365)

Sunday we went for a walk across the nearby fields with the poochie and the snow was so deep in places that it went over the tops of our wellies!

Monday was a snow day and we received quite a few deliveries including this one to review from Flavourly.

Tuesday Minxy finished off the pillow she had made the day previous and presented it to me as a gift.

 Wednesday I caught Jamster on camera wearing my heels... one to show his future girlfriends possibly!

Thursday I returned home from work to find Spartan curled up in my seat, keeping it warm for me. He wasn't keen to move!

Friday we had Peanut out to play for a really long time. He has been quite nervous as she is still tiny but he seems to love being handled and going in his ball now.

 Saturday Jamster has been going everywhere with his new shoulder buddy and today was no exception. He sat watching The Amazing Spider Man with him attached to his top.

How has your week been?

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Our week that was; snow, hot chocolate and ceramics (project 365)

Sunday we went to a ceramics studio and spent the afternoon in the warm decorating plates. I decided to base mine on our Border Collie Spartan - I was quite surprised that it actually looks like a dog!

Monday the first of the snow arrived so it was a cold walk to school.

Tuesday we had quite a few deliveries including a Skylanders prize for Jamster.

Wednesday after school we snuggled up with hot chocolates and marshmallows.

Thursday I spent a lot of time in the garden with Spartan, he seemed a little confused at first by all of the snow but then he enjoyed bouncing about like a lamb in it and eating it!

Friday was a snow day from 1.15pm, I had to collect the Mini Mes early from school after work, so we spent the afternoon playing outside and I transformed the car into Lightening McQueen.

Today was spent in the warm (although we are going for a curry this evening with family) but I took a few snaps of our lovely ice decorations which bring a bit of colour to all of the white!

What have you been up to this week?

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Our Week That Was - Food, family and movies

A new year and a new project; 365 -  a photo a day!

I did do this for some of last year but with a change in job, various illness and a memory like a sieve I regrettably didn't complete it, so for 2013 I'll be posting my photos in a collage every Saturday instead.

Tuesday started with a lovely lay in after a late night out where the Mini Mes both managed to stay awake to welcome in the New Year. After lunch we walked the dog across the fields through lots of thick mud before coming home and making carbonara for dinner. The Mr and I watched the final few episodes of Homeland in the evening once the Mini Mes were fast asleep.
Today was also a year since we picked up our tiny puppy Spartan - where does the time go!

Wednesday was a chilled one at home. The Mini Mes played Skylanders Giants before we all watched Brave snuggled up under the duvet. In the afternoon they headed off to their dad's for the night and the Mr and I enjoyed an Indian and Ted DVD.

Thursday we made some cheese and tomato whirls for lunch and had a quiet one indoors playing with toys and games from Christmas.

Friday we went to see Rise of the Guardians which we all really enjoyed sat on the back row with lots of nibbles to enjoy! We called in to see my dad who has broken his ankle and is off work for a few weeks and we had lunch there before heading home. The Mini Mes went to their dad's for the night so the Mr and I had a delicious steak each for dinner and snuggled up to watch The Amazing Spiderman (although the Mr fell asleep after about 10 mins!)

Saturday I got up at 11am, ooops, had a yummy chicken pasta salad brunch while the Mr did some housework and I ordered some photos for my beautiful new frame. I love it and I've added quite a few lovely family related things to various walls recently.

Our Christmas That Was

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse... 

...well maybe a hidden baby hamster that was running in his squeaky wheel!

We spread the reindeer food outside and left some snacks for Rudolph and Santa to enjoy before popping on pjs and watching Arthur Christmas.

Santa left lots of lovely gifts for us all...

The Mini Mes were wide awake at 6.20am and we had a lovely time opening all the presents...

The Mini Mes went to their dad's house for a few hours which was the perfect opportunity for me to tidy up all the paper and boxes and then we went over to my parents for a delicious meal cooked by my mum...

We had a buffet style tea too before heading home around 7.30pm. Stuffed!

Boxing day was spent setting up and playing with new toys and then in the afternoon the Mini Mes went back to their dad's home for the night so my mum, sister and I went to see The Hobbit while the Mr, my dad and my sister's boyfriend went to the pub.

It all went by so quickly but we had an amazing time!

I'm really looking forward to New Years Eve with a fancy dress party at my parents with all the extended family too.

Soap making, Christmas Cards and Shopping - Our weekend that was

Another weekend seems to have flown by but we certainly managed to squeeze in quite a bit...

Saturday
After a nice lay in I whipped up some pancakes for brunch and then we got the soap making kit out. We made a lovely variety of coloured and scented products that the Mini Mes have decided to sell to family and friends to make themselves some money for their boxes. After lunch we had fun on the X-Box playing various sports and then we did some baking. We made a delicious warm dessert, sticky syrup sponge, which everyone enjoyed!

In the afternoon we chilled out with pizza and watched Dolphin Tale. Thankfully the lights were off so the Mini Mes couldn't see me welling up, soppy thing!

Sunday
We met up with my parents in the morning for breakfast at Wetherspoons and a bit of shopping in town. I was good and had a sausage roll instead of a large full English like the Mr but it looked unbelievably good. We had a browse around the shops and I fell in love with this beautiful charm for my bracelet. I behaved and didn't purchase it so I've popped it on my wishlist for Christmas instead... I've been a good girl all year Santa, promise!

In the afternoon we watched Mr Popper's Penguins and Jingle All The Way as requested by the Mini Mes cuddled up on the sofa and I then I made Toad in the Hole for everyone. I'm still doing Jenny Craig and really enjoying it. First weigh in tomorrow eek!

What did you get up to this weekend?

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My week that was...

Another week has flown by with some quite varied weather. We still had a lovely week, and quite a quiet one compared to usual.

Monday we were recovering from a long day at Lollibop so we had a nice chilled day at home. In the morning a friend popped round with a card and flowers for me which was a lovely surprise and in the afternoon the Mini Mes decided to put on a music show and test out some freebies that they received from the festival. In the evening we went to my Grans for our usual weekly catch up and lots of ice cream and treats on the patio.

Tuesday we went to another craft event at the library for the movie Brave. The Mini Mes got to make arrow bookmarks, crowns and then play archery.

Wednesday we had a day at home baking. We made triple chocolate brownies and coffee and walnut cupcakes. In the afternoon the Mini Mes went to their dad's house for the night so the Mr and I had a chilled evening in.

Thursday the weather was a little disappointing yet again so the Mini Mes played beauticians and spent a long while pampering each others feet, giving massages and painting toe nails.




Friday morning I had to wait in for three deliveries but afterwards we went to see The Lorax at the cinema.




Saturday I woke up in domestic goddess mode and spent the majority of the day clearing out drawers and boxes and sorting out old toys, books and clothes. In the evening the Mr treated us all to a delicious Indian takeaway.

Sunday we went to see Brave at the cinema followed by lunch out. In the afternoon we went for a walk in a nearby forest and for ice creams and once home the Mr went out on his CBR for a while while I cooked roast lamb for dinner - yum!

What did you get up to last week?

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My week that was...

The majority of last week was spent camping in Dorset and despite the rain we still had a lovely time and did so much while we were there.

Monday - After dropping the poochie off at the kennels we headed to Dorset. We set up camp, popped to Morrisons for supplies and spent the evening relaxing with a few Jack Daniels and cokes in our tent and watching the kids playing in the play area.

Tuesday - We went to a lovely farm for the day and enjoyed feeding goats, grooming ponies, pig racing a wonderful deer safari and playing on all the the play equipment. In the evening we had dinner and had another relaxing evening doing puzzles and Sudoku while the exhausted Mini Mes slept.

Wednesday - It poured down today but we decided to go out anyway and not let it ruin our break. We went to a great Sea Life Adventure Park in Weymouth where we got to touch star fish, crabs and shrimp, see some beautiful creatures and follow a trail with questions on route. The Mini Mes collected their medals afterwards and we called into Morrisons cafe on the way back to camp. By the time we were back the sun had made an appearance so the kids played on the field with their bubbles until dinner.

Thursday - We had a disastrous experience with Paulton's today which ruined our plans completely. We ended up packing up and coming home early as heavy rains and winds were due the following day but a Domino's pizza for dinner did help a little!

Friday - We spent most of the day unpacking, sorting washing and trying to get the house back in order.  We picked up the poochie and then the Mini Mes went to their dad in the afternoon so the Mr and I went to the cinema and saw Expendables 2 which we loved (I'm quite a Jason Statham fan).

Saturday - Today consisted of housework, food shopping, and chilling! The Mini Mes returned home around 5pm so after some dinner, showers and bed I sorted out our picnic and printed documents ready for Lollibop.

Sunday - WOW! Such a beautiful, hot day and we had an amazing time at Lollibop in London. We had VIP tickets so we received some lovely freebies from various tents and enjoyed the Bloggers Lounge for free refreshments throughout the day and to shade from the sun. We arrived for opening so it was really quiet and we were able to walk straight in to see the Moshi Monsters, Skylanders, Ella's Kitchen and Face Painting. We left around 3pm, walked to Mornington Crescent station and headed home.

What did you get up to last week?

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