Lifes everyday chaos

SNOW!

2009-02-05T13:58:00.015Z

Wow what a great week it has been with all the snow we've had (apart from having to drive in it to work earlier in the week!)

On Monday we got the first lot of snow and this was Flynn's first time in the snow! We went out onto the decking before Ethan went to school and both boys had lots of fun.

Flynn in the snow for the first time, he was quick to copy Ethan and try and make a snowball!

Ethan making snowballs and Flynn enjoying himself.

The boys playing together in the snow.

I finished work a little earlier than usual and went and picked the boys up. We then walked to the Weir field and met friends, the boys (and Mum's) had a great time sledging down the little hills! Flynn enjoyed sledging too and sat with Ethan on the sledge.

Ethan and Flynn sledging - fun!

Then today (Thursday) we woke to a lovely covering of snow and it was still snowing. We also found out that Ethan didn't have school as the teachers couldn't in - this was the best news, it meant we could go out and enjoy the snow. We headed out after breakfast, dropping Flynn off with my sister on the way - Flynn loved being pulled on the sledge on the way. We met some friends again at the Weir field and we built snowmen and went sledging down the little hills. We arrived home cold and wet but had a fab time.

Our back garden when we looked out of the window this morning.

Flynn enjoying pulled on the sledge.

On our way to the Weir and the Weir field.

Ethan having fun.

Ethan trying some different sledging positions!

Me and Ethan sledging and the snowman we built.

November 2008

2009-01-01T22:31:00.008Z

November has been a month of getting things sorted for Christmas so I can enjoying December instaed of running around doing things at the last minute. So no big events etc this month.

Bonfire night was at the beginning of the month and for the second year running we had it at home. We had some friends round - Ethan's best friend - so that was really nice for Ethan and Flynn. We had some more fireworks the following night as Ethan's friends brother was ill and was upset he'd missed them.

The boys watching the fireworks, Flynn didn't want to miss out and enjoyed watching and pointing at them too.

Having fun with the sparklers.

We went swimming this month and had lots of fun, Etahn and Flynn particularly had a great time. We went on the slides and Ethan went on, on his own and I took Flynn down on my knee - he loved it.

I took this photo just after a little photo shoot of the boys to try and get a good photo of them both for the Christmas cards. I didn't get a good shot but liked this one of them sat on the sofa together.

October 2008

2008-12-11T14:42:00.021Z

This was the month Flynn turned one - where did that year go?! The day of his birthday was lovely and very relaxed. He opened all his in the morning with a little help from Ethan. We then went and had some photos of the boys took as I've been wanting a nice photo of them both to go on the wall. Later in the day family arrived with their presents for Flynn and we had a birthday cake for him that we did when we had our tea.

Flynn opening and playing on his main present from us - a battery operated bike and he loves it and figured out how it worked straight away.

Flynn enjoying his birthday presents from his grandparents.

Flynn enjoying his birthday cake.

We decided to have a party for him with all his friends and family the weekend after his birthday. It was a great party and apart from a bit of a rush just before the party started it went really well.

Flynn and Ethan enjoying the party and Flynn blowing his candle out - sort of!

The presents Flynn got - need I say any more!

We went to Goose Fair earlier in the month as we always do and it was Flynn's first time. We took the back carrier instead of trying to get the pushchair through all the crowds and it was great. Flynn loved all the lights, music and watching the rides. Ethan as always had a great time and enjoyed the rides and some food/treats!

Flynn in his back carrier and Ethan on one of the rides he went on.

At the end of the month it was Halloween and Ethan was really looking forward to it especially going out trick or treating. Both boys had new outfits this year and looked great, both loved wearing them.

Spider Flynn and Pirate Ethan.

Some random October photos:

Flynn fast asleep in his pushchair.

Flynn emptying the DVD shelves as he does several times a day!

Flynn just looking cute in the winter hat I got him - I love it and Flynn loves pulling it off.

September 2008

2008-11-04T19:39:00.008Z

It really has been so long since I last updated that I'm just going to do a quick round up of the previous months then try and get back on track!

September was the start of the next school year and Ethan is now a year 2, can't believe next year he will be in junior school! It was also his 7th birthday and he had a great time and enjoyed having a few friends round for a little party. Here are just a couple of photos from the day:

Blowing out the candles on his cake.

Opening his new red Nintendo DS. He used his birthday money to get this and thought he'd have to wait till after to get it but I bought it before for him so he could have it on his birthday - he was VERY happy.

One of his other birthday presents was a skateboard, something he has wanted for a long time. The day after his birthday he tried it out in the garden.

September also saw Flynn start at the childminders 2 days a week. He has settled in so well and wouldn't even wave to me on his first day!

We had a day out in Skegness at the end of September, it was a lovely day if not a little cold. Ethan had been wanting to go in the summer holidays but we never got round to it with all the other summer activities we had planned.

John, Ethan and Flynn on the beach, just before burying Ethan in the sand!

Ethan joining Flynn on one of the little rides - Flynn loved going on a few of these little rides.

I started back at work with my proper hours since starting back after maternity leave. During the last week in July and through August I was doing my hours over 2 days instead of 3 so i could have more time with the boys during the holidays. My usual hours allow me to still be able to take and pick Ethan up from school which is why I spread them over 3 days.

Also this month I have a slightly new hair style, a different colour through my hair and I'm now growing my fringe out - I'm really liking the new colours this time.

I had a great girly night out at the beginning of the month to say goodbye to a good friend who is off to live in New Zealand. It was a lovely night and great to get together with everyone. My friend then went at the end of the month to New Zealand with her family.

Oh dear.....

2008-11-04T08:03:00.001Z

I really have let this go! It's been a busy couple of months with Ethan and Flynn's birthdays - will be back to update sometime this week :D

Just for fun

2008-09-03T20:56:00.005Z

I saw this on Anilu's blog and thought I'd have a go:

1) Are your parents married or divorced? Married

(2) Vegetarian? No but I was for a while about 12 years ago

3) Heaven? Hopefully

4) Come close to dying? No

5) What jewelry do you wear 24/7? My engagement and wedding rings

6) Are you eating? Not right now but I just had some melon

7) Do you eat the stems of broccoli? Yes

8) Makeup? A little but I just don't have time in the mornings!

9) Were you usually the dumper or the dumpee in your past relationships? Dumpee

10) Would you ever have plastic surgery? A breast ruduction!

11) What do you wear to bed? PJs

12) Have you ever done anything illegal? Nothing major

13) Can you roll your tongue? Yes

14) Pluck your eyebrows? Yes

15) What kind of watch(es) do you wear: I have a few, Guess, Diesel and Calvin Klein

16) Abortion? I wouldn't

17) Hair color? Blond

18) Future child's name? Well I have a 7 year old and 10month old boys, my fave girls names 10 months ago were Elsie and Macy, boys name at the moment - Riley!

19) Do you snore? Hopefully not!

20) If you could go anywhere in the world on a vacation? America, I love America and go as often as possible

21) Do you sleep with stuffed animals? No

22) If you won the lottery, what would you do first? There would be a few things - house, holiday, car, the list goes on.

23) Gold or silver? Gold

24) Hamburger or hot dog? Hot dog

25) If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you choose? Pizza and salad

26) Beach, city, or country? Bit of everything LOL

27) Who was the last person you touched? John

28) Where do you eat? Conservatory or family room

29) When's the last time you cried? Can't remember, maybe when Flynn was a few weeks old and I was feeding him!

30) Have you loved somebody so much it makes you cry? Yes, my boys

31) Would you ever go out dressed like the opposite sex? No

32) Ever been involved with the police? No

33)Believe in Santa Claus? Of course, Santa left snowy footprints last year!

34) Do you talk in your sleep? I'm sure I must have done at some point

35) Beach or pool? Pool

36) Can you cross your eyes? Yes, without even trying

37) What's your favorite song at the moment? I'm Alive

38) Window seat or aisle? Window seat

39) Ever met any famous bands/singers? D:Reama and some of Boyzone

40) Do you feel that you've ever had a truly successful relationship? Yes

41) Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it? Cut it

42) Rickie Lake or Oprah Winfrey? Neither

43) Would you ever admit to having done plastic surgery of any kind if confronted? I think so

44) How long does your shower last? Not long, I like a bath to relax in

45) Do you drive a stick? Yes

46) Cake or ice cream? Ice Cream

47) Self-conscious? Yes

48) What time do you get up? At the moment about 5.45am, my 10month old loves early mornings - not complaining he goes to bed at 7pm

49) Have you ever given money to a bum? I'm sure I have

50) When was your first crush? At Junior school!

51) Where do you wish you were? In Virginia/New York/San Diego

52) Have you ever broken someone's heart? ?

53) Ever been given a ring? Yes :)

54) Longest relationship? 10 years and still going strong

55) Last gift you received: That would probably be my Canon DSLR for my birthday

56) Last sport you played? Dancing

57) Things you spend a lot of money on? Scrapping and holidays

58) Where do you live?Nottingham

59) High school you attend(ed): Comp

60) Last wedding attended: Some good friends last year

61) Favorite fast food restaurant: McDonald's but I hardly ever go there

62) Where do you work: In a Health Centre

63) Can you cook? Yes and I enjoy it

64) Most hated food: Olives

65) Can you sing? NO!!!!!

66) Last concert attended: I think it was Daniel Beddingfield

67) Last kiss? My boys at bedtime

68) Favorite Alcoholic drink: Rose

69) Current crush? Now that would be telling LOL

A few layouts

2008-09-03T06:43:00.008Z

Here are a few layouts I did during August, there are more but I haven't photographed them yet.

Ethan on the monkey bars, I didn't even know he could do this when we were at our local park, thankfully I had took my camera along.

John and the boys in the paddling pool earlier in the summer when we actually had some nice weather LOL This was Flynn's first time and he had fun.

Flynn is a very determined little boy as these photos show! He was trying to climb up the stairs and would have gone all the way had I let him. He also wanted his toy off his pushchair so he climbed on it and got the toy!

Flynn and how easily he can fall to sleep in the strangest places sometimes. This layout was a scraplift of April's layout for the Studio Calico hand picked kit.

All layouts using my Studio Calico kits and a few extras - Doodlebug alphabets, Bazzill cardstock and gems. I'm really loving the Studio Calico kit and it's really changed how I scrap. I very rarely now buy any scrapbooking products other than the kit. It has everything in it I need and if I do want a little more or I can't resist then I buy an add on. What I love too is past kits often co-ordinate with each other so I often mix and match. The community over at Studio Calico is fab too, so friendly and welcoming plus the gallery's are fab/inspiring.

I will photograph the other layouts and post soon.

Where did the time go?

2008-09-02T12:15:00.012Z

I can't believe it's the end of the summer holidays already and Ethan starts back at school tomorrow, he'll be in year 2 - last year of infants. Everything is ready and I'll just spend a little time later sorting it all out so it's ready by the door for the morning.

At the weekend we went to Warwick Castle, somewhere we have planned to go all summer and we finally fitted it in. The day didn't get off to a great start with poor Flynn being stung by a wasp on his lip. It was a little worrying to start with as it swelled up (as you can see in the photo) very quickly and he seemed to be struggling to eat. By the end of the day the swelling had gone and down and he was back to his normal self. Ethan enjoyed doing and seeing various things at the Castle and was a lovely way to end the summer.

Here are some photos from Warwick Castle:

Flynn after he was stung by a wasp.

Ethan inside the Castle and walking along the Castle.

Ethan by the fountain and with Flynn in the gardens.

Birds - they are beautiful.

Ethan with the Castle in the background and me with my boys.

I will be back tomorrow with some layouts.

The boys

2008-08-08T07:17:00.014Z

Some recent photos of the boys:

We went to TGI's as a treat for Ethan as he got such a fantastic school report, we had a great meal.

Flynn has been pulling himself to stand for a while now and gets himself into all sorts of places! He is also able to sit on his little bike now and keep himself on, lots of fun especially when Ethan is pushing him!

Ethan at Sports Day, they did an Olympic games event where all the children were split into 4 different countries. They then all did the various events and the children that came 1st, 2nd and 3rd place got points. The points were then added together and the countries placed in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Ethan also went to his first football match which he was super excited about, it was a great game - Nottingham Forest v Everton - and the result was a draw so at least he saw some goals scored!

Flynn is so active and strong, here he is pulling himself up on his pushchair and climbing the stairs (supervised of course) - at 8 months!

We went to The Black Country Museum a few weeks back, Ethan loves history so the perfect place for him to visit. It was a great day but VERY hot and we're looking forward to going again when it's not too hot. Ethan in the old school writing and playing a game - from the "olden days" as Ethan would say LOL

Flynn and Ethan at The Black Country Museum.

Not a sight you often see now, Ethan asleep in the car. Fortunately I'd just been to visit a friend and her new baby so had my camera on me to capture both boys fast asleep in the car as we arrived home.

Just love this first photo of Flynn, going to get this framed probably in B&W. The other is of Flynn being trapped in and prevented from going upstairs by another stair gate - the other is upstairs and I think we may need another for the kitchen - he loves to open cupboards etc and follow me around!

Ethan on the monkey bars - I had no idea he was able to do this till we went to the park last week. It's quite high so was surprised to see him up there!

Been busy scrapping

2008-08-06T13:58:00.007Z

Can't believe it's been over a month since I blogged, I'd been doing so well too!!! I've uploaded some layouts, all done with my Studio Calico kits apart from add some thickers on a couple of the layouts.

These are photos I've been wanting to scrap for a while but not got round to it. Flynn when he rolled over, I wanted to capture and record how he did this. The when he went into his cotbed from his crib.

I loved these photos of Flynn having a bath especially as he almost always has a bath with Ethan in the big bath. He loved splashing around and being able to sit up without being restrained!!! I'm quite pleased with the Let's go layout of Flynn with his sit on/push along toy. The mini black MM letters are parts of the little songs it sings.

I wanted to scrap a page about the Wii so used these photos I'd taken when I first got my Canon 4ooD, it's quite simple but tells the story :) The page from when we went to the Peak District came out so much better than I'd expected especially as I'd been struggling to use this paper.

This layout is about me going back to work after my maternity leave finish a few weeks a go, I wanted to write down all what I was feeling etc before I forgot. I have also journalled a lot on the back too as there was lots i wanted to record.

I'm tending to journal a lot on the back of layouts now if there is more i want to say but there is no room or it wouldn't look right on the page. At least I'm getting down all what I want too even if it is on the reverse side of the layout.

I'll be back in a day or too with photos of the boys and general update and may be even more layouts LOL

Must stop spending!!!

2008-07-01T12:27:00.010Z

Well all I seemed to have done the past week is spend, spend, spend - not all scrapping stuff! My other order arrived from Every Moment Matters with my Bind it All wires and Teresa Collins Travel die cuts and bracket covers :) I used one set of the bracket covers straight away to finish off an album for my Dad's half sister who came up to stay a few weeks ago - my first project with my Bind it All. The album is about her visit and includes photo from her visit. I have left lots of space for journaling and my dad, other Auntie and Grandad are in the process of writing in it then it will be sent to her. Here is a photo of the front (can't include any more photos as i haven't permission from everyone in the photos):

Then on Sunday we went to Ikea and got all the furniture needed for my new scrap room and john put it together in the afternoon. I now just have to sort all my scrapping stuff out and find places for it all. I still need to get some storage boxes/baskets from Ikea to put things in but I wanted to start my sorting first so I'd know exactly what I'd need. Here is the furniture I got:

Yesterday I went shopping in town as there were quite a few things I needed. I managed to get almost everything which as was really pleased about - it doesn't happen often. I got myself some new clothes ready for when I start back at work later in the month. I also got birthday presents and presents for Ethan's teachers - they just needed altering a little :)

Then last night I ordered this stroller for Flynn ready for when we go to America. I wanted to get it now though so we can get some use out of it. I managed to get a really good deal on it - over £30 cheaper than the shops.

New goodies

2008-06-26T13:44:00.005Z

Since doing Teresa Collins' class earlier in the month I 've really liked the look of the Bind It All - this is what we used to bind the album we made. Since then I have been working on a few little albums/journals and felt that I needed a Bind It All. So I am selling a lot of my old stash that I've not used for a while as well as other stuff and thought this would be a good way to justify my purchase LOL. I couldn't wait though as I found it for such a good price at Craft Superstore so went and ordered it and it arrived today. I also ordered from Papermaze and got some acylic covers to use with the Bind It All plus an American Crafts Slick writer pen - I got a brown one in my last Studio Calico kit which has been great. That order also arrived today, so great service from both companies :)

Yesterday I went on a school trip to Twycross Zoo with Ethan's school. I help in Ethan's class and had 5 children with me - Ethan and 4 of his friends. It was a lovely day and great trip, everybody including teachers and helpers, had a great time. I was very tired after though which wasn't helped by being ill. If I'm honest I probably shouldn't have gone but there was no way I could let Ethan down - he was so excited about me coming to help and has been desperate for me to help on a trip.

I've still not managed any layouts this week, I've just not felt up to it. Hopefully I can get back scrapping soon but I have a lot of sorting over the next week that might get in the way. I'm going to be having my own scraproom which I'm really excited about. Our front room has not been used much, apart from for drying and sorting washing, since the back room has been decorated etc. When we first starting talking about what we could use the room for I wasn't too keen on it being a scrap room - I just didn't want to take up a whole room in the house! We would rather the room be used though so it will become a scrap room and I'll also have a sofa and TV in there so it can be used as a sitting room too. John is off work next week and we are getting the new sofa then hopefully the desk and storage for it. If there is time too I'm going to re paint some of the room too and change the colour. Hopefully this time next week I'll have some photos to share.

What a weekend!

2008-06-23T07:56:00.008Z

It really has been one of those weekends and very busy. Ethan had his Ju-Jitsu grading on Sunday to gain his orange belt so he had his last lesson on Saturday. It was a good session but there was a lot to remember with all the different moves. His grading on Sunday went well and the move he was most unsure about went well and he PASSED. It's now onto green belt which is quite a jump so he may not take his next grading so quickly. Here is a photo of Ethan once we got back with his new orange belt on:

Saturday morning before leaving for Ju-Jitsu my new Crumpler Ben's Pizza XL Camera bag arrived and I love it. I already have a medium Ben's Pizza which is perfect for just taking my camera and smaller lens out. When I wanted to take my bigger lens and accesories out though I needed a bigger bag and I really liked the look of this one. I thought it was going to be quite big but fortunately it isn't - it's the perfect size. It fits so much in and there is still plenty of room for more.

On Saturday evening I realised the fridge was smelling a bit and after a little investigation it became clear that it had broke, along with the freezer as it's a fridge freezer. We tried to save as much food as possible and take to my Mum and Dad's but there wasn't a lot. The rest went in the bin - what a waste. I was really worrying about Flynn's food as I make it so needs to be kept in the fridge or freezer. I kept his food at my parents and have had to nip out to get it at meal times. We went to order a new fridge freezer yesterday expecting delivery to be the end of this week but thankfully they could deliver the next day - it has just been delivered and it's fab. It's quite a bit bigger than the last one so no more carefully placing the food to fit everything in! So although it was terrible timing we were going to be getting a new one in the near future and I love it. In the future I'd love a big America fridge freezer with ice and water dispenser but that will have to wait till we extend our kitchen!

I have also been ill over the weekend, not sure what it is but have had fever, aches and pains, sore throat, ear ache etc. It doesn't seem to be what Flynn has had and still has but there is obviously something in the air. I just hope I'm better for Wednesday as I've agreed to go on Ethan's school trip which he is super excited about as I'm going.

I had hoped to get some scrapping done over the weekend but with feeling unwell resting has took priority. Hopefully I'll get done this week as there is so much i want to do. I'm also planning on buying a Bind-it-All soon after seeing it in action at the Teresa Collins class I went to. Katy has also got one and is really pleased with hers, so that will be my next purchase :)

This week I'll post some recent photos of the boys, seems ages since I've done a post just on photos of them :)

Allsorts!

2008-06-20T20:32:00.010Z

Here is a layout I did earlier in the week with June's Studio Calico kit. The photos were taken on a trip to Wollaton Park to try out my new camera. I was really pleased with some of the photos and it was great fun - although I did get some funny looks LOL. There were quite a few photos I wasn't pleased with but I think I learnt a lot from that, I suppose the saying learn by your mistakes is true!

I did this below using the Scroll Frame Sheer Keychain by Maya Road that I got in May's Studio Calico kit. When it arrived I didn't have a clue what I was going to do with it but last week I had the perfect idea. I did this for John for Father's Day, it has photos of both Ethan and Flynn in and I've just used a few little embellishments. The photos aren't very good but you get the idea.

Then totally off the subject of scrapping is this photo below. It's a long story but the shortened version is this is my Dad (at the font) and his sisters. He only grew up with one of his sisters and believed the other was a cousin (they are half brother/sister). They met for the first time last week since finding out the truth. I have yet to meet my new Auntie but hopefully that will happen later in the year when she visits again. There are so many more photos like this but not of them together, it's been so lovely seeing them as we haven't really got an photos from when my Dad was young.

New mobile phone

2008-06-18T08:30:00.004Z

I have been due an upgrade for quite a while (probably a year) but I really liked my old phone as it is so slim - as you can see below.

I have struggled to find another phone I like as much which is why I haven't upgraded sooner. Recently though some of the keys have been sticking a little when sending texts so I knew it was time to sort a new phone.

I phoned Orange to see if they had any deals on - they were offering a free Nano but I wasn't keen on the phones with this deal. So I went into town yesterday and managed to get one of the phones I liked with cash - a better deal. This is my new phone:

Samsung Soul U900 in PINK

I'm having lots of fun with it but it's going to take a lot of getting used to and I do miss the size of my other - can't have it all though!!!

Teresa Collins

2008-06-12T10:15:00.009Z

Last Thursday 5th June I went to Teresa Collins' class Live Life in Chepstow (run by The Chepstow Pink Scrappers). It was my birthday present that Katy got for me and we were staying over night too. I drove down to Katy's to pick her up then we travelled down together. We ended up having to have dinner at the services as we didn't have enough time to go anywhere else. We then went over to where the class was being held, it was a lovely room and they'd gone to a lot of effort with chocolates and cakes on the tables.

The class was fantastic and Teresa's Journal It line is really nice - the class kit had so much to it and I was able to add extra pages so I could include a few more photos. Teresa was so easy going and was happy to sign our books (something I saw someone else ask her to do) and have her photo taken with us. She also had so much to say to us and talked about her love of journaling - it really makes you think. I got A LOT out of the class.

THANK YOU KATY

I just need to add a few photos and some journaling then my book will be complete and I'm itching to do another now. here is my front cover and a sneak of the inside, once it's done I'll photograph the rest.

Here is a photograph of Katy, Teresa and me. I also have photos of me with Teresa and I'm going to add one of those to the back inside cover of the book where Teresa has signed it.

On the way home the following day we went to Paperarts as it was only a 30 minute drive away and not too much of a detour. It was a fab shop with so much stash, I could have done with the whole day there! The staff were so helpful and friendly and I just wish we'd had longer than the 30 minutes we had - next time!

Here are a couple of recent layouts, both using my Studio Calico kit. I'm really pleased with how they came out.

Great weekend

2008-06-09T09:53:00.012Z

The weather has been so lovely the past few days, hopefully it will continue through the weekend so we can be out in the garden.

Yesterday we spent the day at Silverstone with friends for the Renault World Series. We had a fantastic day and there was so much to do there. We had a walk around, took a picnic with us and watched some of the races, which Ethan loved. It also gave me a chance to play with my camera and use the bigger lens I have for it. Here are a few photos from the day:

I'll post again with some new photos of Flynn, layouts and my fun/busy week last week.

Bad blogger

2008-05-01T10:10:00.006Z

I let time pass by again, it just seems to have been a very busy month.

It was my birthday a few weeks a go and I got a DSLR - Canon EOS 400D with 70-300 lens and memory card. I've been wanting one for ages so I was super excited :) I've enjoyed using it and the quality of the photos is amazing - I've only got as far as auto at the moment! I got birthday money too so got a UV filter for one lens and getting one for the other lens this weekend. Also got a camera bag and CD and still deciding what to spend the rest on.

Another great present was what Katy got me - a class with Teresa Collins next month. It looks a fab class and should be a great. We are staying in a hotel that night so will probably go out for dinner too so really looking forward to it.

Ethan is good and enjoying playing on Mario Kart on the Wii (another of my birthday presents). He's also busy at school at the moment with lots of after school activities. Ethan has managed to talk John into putting the trampoline up at the weekend, weather permitting so fingers crossed - I can't wait to have a go LOL

Flynn hasn't been well the past week but seems to be getting better now. He's had a virus and has had high temperature and been very grumpy and off his food. he started solids a few weeks a go and it was going really well untill he became ill. Hopefully we'll get back on track in the next few days as he was really enjoying it. He has enjoyed various fruits and vegetables, porridge, yoghurt and many finger foods and doesn't seemed to have disliked any.

A few photos from the past month:

Photo shoot

2008-04-06T22:06:00.007Z

I've been wanting to get some photos of Ethan and Flynn to put on the wall now Flynn is a little older. I had some taken last month of Flynn but they were very expensive and although lovely not fantastic plus they were just of Flynn. So I thought I'd have a go myself and went out at the weekend and got a big sheet of white fabric. I used the conservatory with it being so light and had a play around. It was great fun and especially love the one below of Ethan.

Studio Calico kit layouts

2008-03-24T15:52:00.007Z

I really look forward to getting my Studio Calico kit and I always manage to use most of it in the month and get plenty of layouts done. It was a little later this month due to hold ups with the postal service but finally arrived on Thursday. I managed to get 4 layouts done on friday evening and another last night. Here are a few (a couple are not quite complete but thought I'd post anyway):

I'm really pleased with how this came out and love the colours - Ethan had spent the day with my Mum and sister and they took him on the Nottingham Eye. I put the different colour card behind the cut out flowers, love that paper.

I have had to put the flowers over the other children's faces in this layout. Love this layout, it is very simple and was quick to put together.

I'm going to add some buttons to the bottom right corner, just need to find them! This is all about when Flynn got his first 2 teeth in the same week. The paper worked great and although it was creased it was on the day that i didn't need to use :)

I need to add the journaling to this one - the story behind the bandaged foot! So it will be a very simple layout but I wanted the focus to be on the story rather than any embellishments etc.

Growing up!

2008-03-17T09:01:00.010Z

Well it's been a while since I last posted so thought I'd better find the time to update. It's been a very busy few weeks with lots of things going on.

Ethan has been busy with Ju-Jitsu and has had some extra lessons over the past few weeks in preperation for his yellow belt grading he had yesterday. He took his red belt back in December and passed (you can pass, pass with credit or pass with honours) which was such a great boost for him. So Ethan was really excited about his grading and had been practising hard, when we arrived it wasn't as busy as last time which was nice. They were in there for about 1 hour 45 minutes and take it in turns to go up and get graded, practising before and after the grading. When they'd finished the parents were allowed in and Ethan was presented with his certificate for passing his yellow belt with CREDIT. We were all so excited and went and got his new yellow belt straight away.

Ethan just before leaving for his grading.

Ethan has also been busy at school as last week was his last week, he is now on Easter holidays. Theyhad a sports week last week at school and went in their sports clothes. They got to try loads of different sports, including, football, cricket, horse riding, cheerleading - the list goes on. He had lots of fun and it finished with an evening at school on Thursday that parents could attend too and find out about various sports clubs etc in the area.

On Friday it was back to school in uniform and the Easter Bonnet Parade in the afternoon. Ethan was very excited that I was bringing Flynn to watch him - that's how it is now, Flynn is the most important person to him LOL. It was great and Ethan looked great in his Easter Bonnet and sung really well.

Now to Flynn, well he has been a busy little boy recently! He is now rolling and there is no stopping him now he knows what to do. He mostly rolls back to front but is doind front to back more and more. He's been so close to rolling for a long time but always had his hands in his mouth which prevented him from getting all the way over! He also got his 3rd tooth and that realy bothered him when it came through on Friday. He seems fine with it now but his hands are staying firmly in his mouth!

This was taken a couple of weeks ago!

He is also making a lot more noise and is also babbling, laughing and squeals in excitement. He loves being on the floor surrounded by his toys, musical of course! He's also enjoying his sit play gym more and more especially now he can stand in it and stop himself from slumping forward.

I took this photo last night, we were just playing with the camera - I think they look so alike in this photo

Me and Flynn

2008-02-28T22:37:00.003Z

I have only a handful of photos of me and Flynn so a few nights ago got John to take a couple of photos. The problem is I'm always behind the camera but really need John to take more so there are more photos of me and me with Ethan and Flynn. Otherwise there are going to be scrapbooks with photos of John in and not me. Here is one of the best photos:

I have managed to almost complete a couple of layouts tonight with this months Studio Calico kit. I just need to journal on them then I can upload - just one as the other has a friends child in.

Bumbo

2008-02-26T10:07:00.005Z

At the weekend we went out and got Flynn a Bumbo seat which he loves. He really enjoys being in it especially when Ethan is playing on the floor next to him. He loves to be around Ethan and watch him. It'll be great for him to sit in and play with his toys and when he's a little older to sit and have snacks in.

The cow in the second picture is one of Flynn's special toys and he is just starting to really take notice of it. Ethan had a very similar toy as a baby but it was a monkey and it went everywhere with him. The cow is a great little toy but you do find yourself singing along to the songs and talking it does - don't you love Vtech :)

I'm off to get Flynn weighed later as it's ages since I last got him weighed. I'm looking forward to seeing how much he weighs but he seems to be growing well.

A&E

2008-02-24T22:26:00.004Z

This morning I ended up at A&E with Ethan. He jumped yesterday and hurt his foot and wasn't putting any weight on it. So after no improvement this morning it was off to the local hospital. I thought he would need an x-ray so was pointless waiting to see the GP tomorrow although I didn't think he'd broken anything. He did need an x-ray which Ethan thought was great and loved it when the doctor showed him the x-rays of his foot - he wanted a picture to bring home! They are all computerised now so the doctor was zooming in and out on different parts of the foot - technology! Anyway nothing was broken but he needed a support bandage putting on and this has helped no end with his walking. I think he'll be back to normal in a few days. Here is a photo:

Poor Ethan has been full of cold too and it's particularly bad during the night. In the day time it has not bothered him as much just the odd sneeze and cough etc.

I managed to do a layout tonight of Ethan on Bonfire Night last year. I will upload tomorrow along with another layout I did last week.

So tired

2008-02-22T10:51:00.007Z

I've been up early this morning fetching my brother and his girlfriend from the airport after a holiday in New York. Whilst they were there they got engaged and Laura has come back with a very nice engagment ring :) They've had a lovely time and spent LOTS of money but how can you not in New York. Roll on next April when we go to New York again.

I picked them up from Birmingham Airport and how things have changed since I was last there. You can't drive in front of the arrivals and departures now to drop off and pick up so the car park outside there is now a rapid drop off zone (used to be short stay). That doesn't mean it's free though - £1 for 20 minutes and £3 for EVERY 15 minutes after that. I couldn't decide where to park - rapid drop off, multi story or long stay. In the end I decided on long stay and this worked out great. Although it was a little way from the terminal there was a bus that took less than a minute which dropped and picked up right outside - and the best thing it was free to park in there for up to 1 hour and so easy to use. I think it must be a first getting free parking at an airport though!!!

I've not managed to scrap all week even though I've had things out ready to do. One thing I've been wanting to do for a while is a mini 2008 calendar Katy got me for Christmas. I have been thinking for a while what I wanted to do with it and now have a few ideas so want to get on and do it but time has just not allowed - may be later today. I did some layouts at the weekend though so will try and get them uploaded at some point, just need to photograph them. I've had both my Creating Keepsakes and Simple Scrapbooks magazines this week too so have lots of reading!

Here are a couple of photos of Flynn I took yesterday and one of Ethan taken last week whilst he was out with my sister and Mum - just so this post looks a bit more colourful and a little less like an essay!

I had a play around in Photoshop with the second - I really need to get to grips with that and make the most of it.