Lily Philly is ONE!

It’s Lily’s birthday! Hurrah! She is one today! I really didn’t know what to do with the kiddies today, as money is tight and petrol is expensive but I thought, ‘what the heck’ and went to the beach again. I rang Emma Jane to see if she was still going and if I could tag along. Thankfully they hadn’t even left yet. I was all packed up ready to go by 10.30am; they weren’t leaving until 11.30am, which eventually led to 12.30pm. I followed Richard and Dove down, and they took one of Emma Jane’s kids with them. Ethan couldn’t get his name right, calling him Enoch. It made me laugh inside. We arrived at 1.30ish which was a bit later than planned. 

The weather was just glorious again. I love how the sun reflects off the sand as the tide goes out and it’s still damp. We managed to find a space quickly as the tide was moving out. It did bug me that the teenyboppers that set up near us decided to start smoking pot. Gross. When they start suffering the effects, no doubt they will blame God. Anyway..

Ethan and Lily loved it again. Ethan decided to be a tinker today though, which meant my patience was being frayed. For some reason, he wanted to chuck wet sand in the air. Of course with loads of people around it meant it was landing on them. After several warnings and several attempts to ruin other children’s sand castles, I put him on a time out next to the pram. Of course, sand being present, he did his first trick again of throwing it in the air. I watched it land on some large lady’s legs and that was it. I picked him up and stepped him into Lily’s buggy for 10 minutes. He screamed and screamed. I would be embarrassed, but after 4 ½ years of exposure, I’m just not. He eventually calmed down, said sorry, I calmed down and said sorry, and all was well again. 

I couldn't keep Lily away from the rock pools: she was straight in there!:

 

Sand tasting again as well as rubbing it into the eyes:

Ethan playing 'nice':

 The water was really cold!

I had to pack up and leave just after 3pm as i was doing dinner tonight. Ethan wasn't happy to go. Lily was so sandy, it took ages to get her cleaned up. Good old talcum powder! She cleaned up lovely! I did tell the life guards about the potty pot pots, but i doubt they did anything. When walking back up to the car, we came across a family who had a member on the mobility scooter. Ethan pointed at her and said, 'mummy, i want one of these for my birthday!' Well, everyone around him laughed. What a cheeky chappy! He managed to run from me when i was talking to the life guard and get under a barrier that was just before a sheer drop. I honestly don't know what to do with this boy! He likes to keep me on my toes!

I got back to the house and put on dinner. Lasagne, salad, coleslaw, garlic bread and jacket potato. One of my favourite meals. Peter and Pauline joined us for it too. While it was cooking, we did the present opening. Ethan was more thrilled than Lily, the funny boy!:

 One from grandma:

Dinner was so good! Lily loved it too. She munched a load of cheese cake:

 Pauline's puppet;

 Bath time as we were all stinking from the beach and dinner!:

  

I did shed a few tears this morning. Today was the last day we saw Philippa last year. The last day we got to talk to her. Peter and Pauline felt it too, and didn't have such a good day. I miss that girl so much. I can't wait to give her a big hug again. 

Once we cleaned up, we put the kids to bed and did another 24 fest. Even now, as i type this, Jared is nagging me to put another one on! I guess the eBaying will have to wait till tomorrow morning. :-)

Beautiful Summer!

Today has just been so much fun. Thomas rung me yesterday on his way to Ellice's house - she was in work all day today, so he asked if he could come and see us. So, we decided to go to the beach! Jared is writing his dissertation, so he was out of the house first thing this morning. The weather has been so good since yesterday, so i jumped at the chance to have some outside time! I packed up a lunch and did as much house work as possible before Tom arriving. As soon as he was with us, we were in the car, ready to go.

It was a bit of a nightmare getting there, as I’d forgotten the junction I was taking when I got to the M4. Thomas rung Jared, and for some reason, he thought Thomas and Ellice were in Cardiff, so he gave us directions from there. I followed them, only for them to lead me in completely the wrong way. I was NOT impressed to say the least! Bah! We did eventually get there though, with a struggle to get loose change from the tiny shop on the bay and the ticket machine not giving change, we finally got set up. It was just so beautiful where we were. Ethan loved it, as was Lily. Ethan wanted to eat lunch, build a sandcastle, go to the sea front and play with other children all in one go. It was so funny to watch! He couldn’t decide what to do with himself. So he contented himself by eating his sandwich and running around the picnic blanket. Lily sat with me eating sandwiches and sand. She spent most of the day sampling areas of it.

It was class to catch up with Tom, to hear what he is up to. It won’t be long before he goes on a mission. I am so excited to know where he is going! He had Lilsie while i fed them both lunchies;

Ethan enjoying his 'crips'. Crisps is a little bit more difficult to day. Look at that lovely little face. You wouldn't think he was a tinker;

He took both the kids down to the sea front for me, taking Lily into the water. She didn’t like it, and I don’t think Ethan would even go near the water. It was fun to observe them from the blanket. Lily wasn't too impressed;

Sand tastes yummy;

Thomas and i loved digging deep holes on holiday as children. It was fun to try and do it again. Sadly, the water level is too high!:

Giant tug of war against the sexes. Girls won 3 out of 4:

My lovely little girlie:

They were both absolutely shattered after the days events!:

They were not that impressed at being woken up. We did a quick whip round Tesco to get some food in ready for tomorrow – its Lily’s Birthday! We are going to have a birthday tea with Peter and Pauline. I also picked up some dinner for tonight. Sometimes cooking from scratch every day can be quite tiresome!

Thomas set off when we got home so that he could get back to Ellice for 6pm. Jared came home for dinner about 5.30ish. I miss seeing him in the days, i have to be honest. The kids do too. We cleaned up, Jared played with the kiddies, making them giggle before having a mass 24 fest. We watched 5 episodes on the trot! I have to be honest, i don't know how Jared does it. I am falling asleep by half ten. He nudges me and asks, 'Are you watching/paying attention?' I think we eventually went to sleep at 11pm. I love it, but it's very anti- effective. I've sold things on eBay that need bagging! :-)

Anything to keep the lovely husband happy!

Will it ever stop raining?!

We woke up this morning to rain. Again. All it has done the last few weeks is rain. My neighbor told me that it's meant to be like this for a few more weeks. It's so annoying! I had to get some things from Tesco and wrote a list out, but while pushing Lily around in the trolley, she ate my shopping list!! She hates sitting in the trolley and will only give it about 10 minutes before getting fractious. Shopping with kids is hard work. Ethan, bless him, is so good though. He's never been trouble shopping.

By the time i got home, it was 11.30am. Jared needed to do a run to the tip so he took Ethan with him. Ethan called down the stairs to me saying, 'MUM! I'm going to the tip, ok?' Haha. It's hard to remember some of the things he says to me through the day, i do want to try and document more of his cute sayings. He loves to say, 'this is just terrible' a lot. I don't know where he got that one from! 

I made lunch for everyone, while also unpacking and cleaning out the fridge. I just managed to squeeze food in for me too before doing the school run. Ethan shouts, 'no school!', and then every time i take him to the school gates he's running ahead of me. Crazy boy! 

Lily went for a sleep so i studied D&C 7 and part of 8, helped Jared print some labels off for the filing cabinet, put some dinner on and picked Ethan up from school. He was with another boy called Kayden. They have a love hate relationship, and Ethan was asking him to be his friend where Kayden was ignoring him. Hahaha. He is obsessed with who his friends are. When we ask him about uncle Sam, he says, 'NO! HES NOT MY FRIEND!'

Dinner time is so stressful in our house, and i really need to get more patience with it. Ethan always grumbles at everything i make, no matter what it is (bar chips and sauce). Tonight i'd made a creamy casserole with mash and green beans. He screamed about it for a while, before he finally ate it. We try to ignore it and after a bit of reverse psychology, he will eat it. I just wish he would get over the grumble bit and just eat! 

Jared had ward council tonight so i put the kids to bed. I lost patience with Ethan a few times as i wasn't listening to me and i always feel terrible afterwards. Parenting is so hard sometimes.  They both went to sleep like little angels, especially after last night. I just checked on Ethan and he was looking like this;

I'd better put him back in bed properly! As you can see, he's had a few wardrobe changes since going to bed. Haha. I sat and pinned a few things on pinterest before catching up on some blogging. 

I now must go and work out before it gets too late. I haven't run in months, so here goes. Hopefully if i can get it done in time to watch another episode of 24. That's what we eventually decided on last night.  

Cathy for dinner

I want to say that today has been exciting, but it hasn't. It has rained all day, constantly. I don't know why we haven't flooded yet? I am enjoying having Jared off from placement and having about to help get the kids up and ready for the day. He did a bit of work here before going to his mums to do some work. Ethan played with his trains and asked me to take some pictures. He is so cute;

Jared came home just before the school run, and i was able to put Lily to bed and just take Ethan. It's so much quicker to get him into school baby-less. They have become a little obsessed with safety at school, and it's now got to the point where we have to pass through 3 gates to get to the classroom, 2 of them locked magnetically. What the flip? Is danger really that serious around these parts? Two of the mums have asked me to go to the school quiz night on Friday, which is my ultimate awkward situation. I like to keep free from non-member social events, just as i feel so uncomfortable. The booze comes out, the loose morals/attitudes/clothing all comes out, and i don't know how to react?! So i said I'll see...

I wanted to study today, but didn't get the chance. By the time I'd made dinner, cleaned up and did some washing, Lily woke up. I just can't study with Lily about. She wants to be in my pocket!

After getting Ethan from school, Cathy Powles came for dinner. It was really nice to have her, and listen to her experiences in the gospel. She lost her husband in a climbing accident 22 years ago, so the grief side of losing someone is very real to her. We had a lovely evening together, and she offered to have us over next Monday, which i am excited about!

I don't know what got into the kids tonight, but neither of them would go to sleep. Jared and i cleaned up after dinner and Lily and Ethan were crying, out of bed, wanting attention..etc. Lily finally went down just after 9pm and Ethan has only just gone to sleep now!! 10pm!! He's so funny though, calling down, 'i love you mum!' He even gave Cathy a kiss and cuddle. Cute.

I was meant to work out tonight. I have a wedding on Saturday, and i have put on some pounds, surprise surprise. I am definitely doing LL again! Before going to bed, Jared has convinced me to watch some 24 with him. Bah..it's too far fetched for me. Oh well...

Sunday.

Today has been quite enjoyable, even if it wasn't something i looked forward to this morning. I was asked to do music time in Primary, and conduct. Hopefully there was someone to do sharing time.. Eeek.

Both kids ended up in with us early this morning, so after feeding Lily and putting her back in her cot, we all woke up at 8.30am. I haven't slept in that long in a long long time. Jared, however, was up and fully dressed, ready for the day. I must have been tired as i didn't hear the alarm or anything. Jared was so good to get up and sort the kids out while i finished off the last few bits for Primary. We made it to Church on time too. Yey!

It was a lovely sacrament meeting, with testimonies born. I even did mine. I've realised that i have just got to do it when i have the opportunity. No hiding away. That's not what a testimony is for. Primary went well too. June Jones came and did Sharing time, and it was brilliant. She really got the kids attention. Katie and Steve Taylor came in to offer support too, which was great. Overall, it went really well and i could see the kids had enjoyed themselves, which is the most important thing!

We headed straight to Peter and Pauline's for dinner. The boys love to play 'rugby' together;

Peter and Pauline went to see the Davies' as their father passed away last week, so we chilled at home. Ethan got a hold of my camera and took some photos;

Look at those lovely little toothypegs; 

He is just so cheeky!;

Sam is dating a girl in the Stake and she came up to visit that evening, so it was nice to meet her! Pauline did a nice big batch of pancakes. I ate 3. Hahaha.

We got the kids home and to bed and did a quick whip around to clean up a bit. I am so behind on my washing. Jared sat and watched the final of some football match. It's on the tip of my tongue, i just can't remember...anyway, Spain won. I was meant to be productive, but watched video after video on YouTube. It start at looking at funny gaffs and ended in watching Beyonce. Hahaha. I always dislike Sunday nights, it's like Monday is just minutes away .

 

Mountain Biking in the Forest of Dean!

Today is a day dedicated to fun! Jared is taking me out for the day, as it was my birthday earlier this week. We got up early, packed the kids bags, dropped them off at Peter and Pauline's before heading out to the Forest of Dean. Pauline took a shot of us just before we headed out;

It was a little stressful getting there as the route wasn't as easy to find. We did get there in the end! It was £20 for three hours, per bike. I'd never, ever done mountain biking before, so i did feel quite nervous, especially as i'd watched some of the videos on youtube. We were all ready to head out on our bikes;

We did a trail called the 'blue trail' that was meant to be the easiest one. It was so much fun. It took about an hour and a half to do the trail, with ups and downs all the way. I struggled to get up on some of the hills towards the end, and my bum was killing me! I'd forgotten how hard it is to ride a bike! The gears were a little confusing too, but i think i got there in the end. I didn't take the down hill parts as fast of Jared and the brakes weren't always so kind to me either, making my back tyres snake all over the place. On the first major down hill part, Jared confused the easier and harder track, telling me they were the other way round! I started snaking all over the place on the way down, and i am sure i was about to come off the bike just as i was able to get off it! I had to drag it down one of the dips as i just couldn't do it. Overall, it was class and i seriously hope we can do it again. Jared wanted to do the family trail, but i just wasn't up for it. My butt was killing, my legs were like jelly and i had no energy! I took my bike back and got the camera to get some shots of Jared;

 He loves it!;
 

 The mud goes right up your back and bum. It was so much fun!;

 

We had some dinner at the cute little cafe before heading back home;

We stopped back in at Peter and Pauline's to pick up the kids. Jared didn't reserve anything for dinner, even though we planned to go out for food that night, so me calling around to see if there was any room for dinner was in vain. Boo! I had a sleep too as i was exhausted! I shouldn't have slept so long as getting ready for dinner was a massive rush. We put the kids to bed, Peter and Pauline came over to babysit and Jared and I went to Cafe Rouge for dinner. It has to be on the top ten lists of eating out. They do a dish of Crispy duck, plum sauce and dauphinoise potatoes. Delicious!! It was such a nice night out!

It was a class day out, and when my head hit the pillow at the end of it, i was out like a light.

Lily's Eye Op

I was back down at the Glamorgan hospital today at the crack of dawn, ready for Lily's eye operation. I got up at 6.00am, and got ready as quickly as i could to leave. Typically, Lily decided to wake up at 6am too, looking for milk which i couldn't give her. I'd pre-packed everything ready, so i just grabbed the change bag and left. 

I love driving on a road when it's quiet. It was so nice and quiet, I'd miss the rush-hour completely! I arrived at the children's unit for 7.10am, which i was chuffed at. I am a bit rubbish at getting to places on time, and they had asked me to be there for 7.30am. Mind you, i did wake up 5 times last night in a panic that I'd missed the alarm. They did Lily's obs, before taking me to the ward to get comfortable. Her surgery was due at 9am (I was a little shocked at as i thought they would do it at 8am!) so i entertained her in the play room to keep her mind off the hunger. The anesthetist came to go thorough a few things, like procedure and what will happen. I think they expected me to be more worried, but i have really learnt that there are much worse things that can happen.The consultant i saw yesterday came to mark her forehead so they knew which eye had the foreign body;

It wasn't long before they lead me up to theatre and into the room where they knock you out! I sat on a stool with Lily in my arms while the anesthetist placed the mask over her face to send her to sleep. She didn't like it at all, and as i held her tight to me, she thrashed and cried! It broke my heart a little! She slowly got less fractious and more still, till eventually she went completely still. I had to lift her on to a giant bed, kiss her and leave the room. That was a hard bit. Leaving my little baby girl. 

I was taken back down to the ward and read a book, although i didn't really take much of it in. I got the call to go back up an hour later, so thankfully i didn't have to wait too long. When we arrived back, i was put in the waiting room while they went into the recovery bay to get her. Well, i could hear her before i even saw her. She was SCREAMING! She caught a glimpse of me thorugh the doors and it set her off even more. The anesthetist came and told me to go in to get her, so i did. One of the nurses in there started to freak out, to get me to leave. She told off the nurse that was with me! I was told i could go in?! What a freak. Anyway, i grabbed her and got the hell out of there. The nurse told me not to worry about the other woman. Stupid woman. 

We headed back to the ward where Lily was so groggy from the anesthetic. Poor baby. She just cuddled into me, and i breast fed her. She was so tired, she fed both sides before falling to sleep. It took a few attempts to put her down, and she eventually did;

They had to do four obs checks on her to make sure she wasn't reacting to anything, before i was allowed to go home. Only the children get food for free, so parents who stay with the kids have to cater for them selves. The cook who was taking orders saw me breastfeed, and said i could have some dinner too! Whoop! Another plus to breastfeeding. I love it! So Lily and i got to munch some chicken pie, potato and veggies. 
 
I was so impressed with the timings of the nurses - i was able to leave the hospital by 1.30pm. I'd told Jared i would be back by 4pm. Royal Glamorgan knock spots off Prince Charles. Everything was cleaner, friendlier, more professional and organised. By the time I'd left the ward, it was full. There was one mum i really liked who i had a good chat to her about biting. It was nice to know that you're not the only one to experience it. Another mum opposite me was a classic Welsh person, asking everyone what they were in for. Nosy as heck!

I got home about 2.30pm to an empty house and put Lilsie down for a sleepy. Jared rung to tell me that 15 minutes after dropping Ethan off at school, he had come off a bike in the playground and hit his head. It really was quite a bruise! 

As i didn't know what time i would be home, Jared rung his mum and asked if she would make some tea for us. She is so good to us. She even went shopping to get some food in to cook for us when she was going out for a main meal with Peter. I got the impression it hasn't been a good day for her. To see the suffering relived, i would do anything. Anything to see that pained look go and that longing to see Philly again. What a test this life is.

When we got home, it was a race to get the kids to bed. Etan is so active and lively, by 6pm we are both so desperate for him to go to bed! He of course will object, and after many tears from both of them, all falls silent. Ethan will come into me while I'm typing to give me stickers, and tell me, 'it's a surprise for you.' Cute. Lily is still chuntering away in her cot, half talking and half crying. I just know she wants me to pick her up!

After a quick bath, i typed up today's events (i felt i should document this day!). Now i must get dressed, clean up the house, pack the kids bags and pack my stuff ready for tomorrow. AND fit in a church study, if i can. Jared is taking me to the Forest of Dean tomorrow to do some biking for my birthday, and Peter and Pauline are having the kids. Good luck to them, i know i am going to enjoy my day!