No longer 'nothing'

We travelled up to Grandma and Grandad Pih's house for Ira's first birthday. She got a load more presents and was particularly taken with her dancing bear from Mama Simpson that sings 'Moves Like Jagger'.

Kitty is pleased for Ira now that she is one, as according to her it's rubbish being 'nothing'.



We wrapped up warm (Kitty, Olive and Ira all in their newly knitted hats from Grandma Pih) and went into Chester to meet Uncle Robbie and Auntie Carla for a nice lunch.


Kitty had a great time playing with her cousins and of course Grandma who gives an endless amount of attention to them all.

We had made Ira a Winter Forrest birthday cake with chocolate log, gold and silver trees and some wolves designed by Kitty. But, the 'Sad Dads Band' had another gig at our friends Justin and Sharon's fantastic new house mansion and we were all in such a rush to get there we almost forgot about the cake. A quick puff of the candle on the way out and a dodgy photo was all we managed. Sorry Bubs. The gig was good though.

Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas Day at home. Kit and Bubs were up nice and early. Santa had been and they were both very excited.

Lots of nice presents.

Lots of playing and squealing.

Mama and Grandad Simpson and Layla arrived early morning with even more gifts for everyone. Peahead made a stunning Christmas Dinner. We all ate way too much.

I wish I had taken more photographs. I wish I had realised Daddy had set the camera to black and white. I wish I had remembered to take a photograph of Mama and Grandad in their Christmas jumpers!

Winter Poet

Kitty wrote a poem about winter at school. It was chosen to represent the school in an exhibition at Colne Market Hall. I didn't know until a friend mentioned they had seen it, so we went to have a look. 

Winter

I can feel the snow on the ground. 

I can see the fish under the ice.

I can smell my mum making dinner.

I can hear snowflakes pittering on the roof.

I can taste hot soup for dinner.

Kitty, aged 5.

My heart is singing.

Pre Christmas pig out

Daddy got a few extra days off before Christmas this year, so we had a pre Christmas pig out at Yorkshire Dales Ice Cream American Diner. Bubs tried milkshake for the first time. Kit ate the biggest ice cream ever.

A little bit of sparkle

I've never been one for going mad with Christmas decorations. We only have a few, but what we do have i love. This little fella is one of my favourite. I found him on a charity market stall years ago and he always takes pride of place - this year on some twigs decorating the mantle.

This is new. To mark Ira's first Christmas (although it felt like she was here last year, she was actually still inside for the big day). I thought it looked a little bit like her, plus my whole approach to child-rearing is based on what I think I know about Eskimo (from films) so it seemed perfect.

This is also new. I bought a handful of vintage glass baubles on ebay. Reminds me of Mama Kitty.

Winter ice and the bear

The weather is getting cold. Daddy took a beautiful photo of the morning ice on our car.


Kitty decorated the empty christmas wrapping paper roll with a bear. I love her drawings and the style of her writing is just perfect.

Getting ready for Noel

Making some dodgy Christmas decorations. We all got very gluey.

This years school nativity. Kit was a shepherd, but her elaborate dancing to some of the carols made her look more like she was at Woodstock 1969 than Bethlehem. She stole the show.

We just caught the last post for our christmas cards.

Jesus Christ

Uncle Darren organised a surprise party for Auntie Nicky in Liverpool. Daddy and his brothers and Justin played some music. Fast becoming known as the 'sad dads band', but they actually really rock. Daddy sang a cracking version of Big Star's 'Jesus Christ'. Another really bad photo, but i was holding a baby at the time.

Steps

While I was trying to finish painting the front room, Bubs got bored and taught herself to walk with her trolley. Well done Bubs. Excuse the blurry photo - she is super quick!

Winter Wonderland

Uncle Robbie and Auntie Carla kindly let us have their VIP tickets for the Winter Wonderland in Chester. It was VERY cold, but a brilliant day was had by all. Kitty was extremely excited the whole time and loved running around and going on rides with cousin Ben (and Grandma!).

The Circus House was her favourite I think. Watching Kitty and Ben run like mad through the maze was like watching an episode of Total Wipeout.

Ben and Uncle Darren braved the Death Star (I can't remember what its really called!). You can just see their feet dangling top left. When they came down they were both frozen so we got hot chocolate, soup and chips.

Afterwards, we went back to Grandma and Grandad Pih's house to get warm. Grandad made a lovely tea and then Kitty snuggled up with Ben and Auntie Nicky on the sofa to watch Doctor Who.

Thanks to Robbie, Carla, Grandma and Grandad, Darren, Nicky and Ben for a brilliant day. x

Enjoying Christmas

Me and Ira went to Hebden Bridge to do a bit of Christmas shopping. There are so many lovely shops, it's a great place for gifts. It was raining when we arrived so we had a poached egg, toast and tea brunch in a nice cafe. Ira met a cute baby called Elizabeth and played with her until the rain stopped.

The birds were hungry, but we had forgotten the duck food.

We stopped to watched the men decorating the Christmas tree. It's great to watch other people stressing over this job after so many years of having to do it myself. The nightmare of being responsible for Christmas lights and festive events really does take the joy out of Christmas.

This is what happens when you don't accurately measure your tree pit! I imagine that they were desperately trying to find a chainsaw at 3am in the morning when the crane arrived and they realised the trunk was so thick. Been there...done that.

 We called in a the library....

...and some of the vintage shops which are brilliant. I was very well behaved and didn't buy myself anything despite seeing loads of lovely vintage dresses and 1940s shoes.




I did however buy this cute little glass Christmas ornament. I just couldn't resist it.
I also found this lovely 1950s birthday card for Ira. It's so nice I almost don't want to write in it! I think I will frame it after her birthday.

In the afternoon the sky was really blue and the sun very low making the drive home breathtaking. We often wish we could move closer to friends and family, but on days like this I am reminded that we are very lucky to live here and that I should work harder to persuade others to make the move closer to us instead. Unfortunately my photos didn't capture how amazing it looked.

Another year

Mama and Grandad Simpson came up to visit for my birthday. Kitty was very pleased to see them in the school playground at home time. Even better, Mama came with us to watch her do gymnastics. She is getting better every week and is really enjoying the variety of activities. I just hope she will be able to continue with it when I go back to work in the New Year.

We celebrated my birthday with a pizza tea and a birthday cake. I got lots of lovely cards and presents including this beautiful merino fair isle cardigan from my sister. I'm hoping that she gets a major staff discount at David Nieper......as I only got her soap for her birthday! Congratulations on the promotion Alison. xx

New school photos