Lunching on their own!

At the soft play today these 3 sat at their own table having lunch. Can't believe it!!!

Hatton Farm Village

We were treated to a perfect day out with friends yesterday at Hatton Farm. This was our first trip - I had been to the shops years ago but didn't realise how great it is for kids. Martha and Lily got to hold a guinea pig, go on the boat swings, play in a huge sand pit with diggers, pan for gold, ride on a ladybird carousel and some giant tea cups, watch an owl and a harris hawk and eat ice cream barefoot in the sun. So great wer can't wait to get back there!

Storyteller

I wish there were more storytellers for children. Martha can sit for quite a long story now...she doesn't need lots of pictures although some are good and she doesn't need a movie/tv screen. She can listen and understand and then narrate back to me and still remembers the story for a long time. 
On Saturday at a fundraiser we met a man who was an excellent storyteller. He had puppets and books and voices and charisma. Martha was unsure at first and stayed back but he wove her into his story and I watched as she honoured him with half a smile then answered some questions then just totally loved it. 
I really hope to book him for something soon. 

Bubble fun

So many days' fun with a jar of bubble mixture for £1 !!!

Afternoon Tea

This was a gift for my parents - I took them to a favourite place of ours for afternoon tea to celebrate their Golden Anniversary last autumn. This was the first time we could all go. It was lovely. Fab scones (I find a good scone hard to find these days!) and cream and jam and coffee. Yumminess and a lovely hotel. Can't wait to go back again :) 

Lunch at Martha's

We went back! The lady remembered us...we haven't been since 2009 when we told her that we had a "Martha" inside my tummy!! 

This time Martha was sitting up eating lunch. My mum and dad were with us but Mike was working. 

Perfect pea and mint soup. 

Playing late in the garden

 Martha stole my hat when she went out to play in the garden before dinner...it was a little too big for her! Even on winter days she ,loves to be outside for a wee while. 

Stratford-upon-Avon

Lunch at Bensons

Showing Lizzy the new theatre

Walking along the river

Spring Toast

 This was a fun way to start the day with bunny & chick toast :)

More fun at Nature Tots

We looked for a woodlouse and found lots of other bugs and insects.

Spa Bliss

While my friend was visiting from Scotland we went to a local spa - relaxation and lunch followed by dinner and an overnight stay which was especially lovely as Martha has been waking a lot in the night and sleep has been scarce!


We had a lovely day including a massage and a fish-pedi (interesting but wouldn't rush back, too tickly!) 


Dinner was perfect and looked amazing. Gurnard with shaved fennel, melt-in-the-mouth shoulder of lamb with fondant potato and chocolate delice with milk sorbet and orange textures (like turkish delight) 

Birthdays

At the beginning of March I celebrated my birthday. My friend flew down from Edinburgh for the weekend and we pottered in Leamington Spa and had lunch at Cafe Rouge. Martha got a balloon there and was thrilled. In the evening I cooked butter chicken curry and we had extra bits and bobs, pink bubbly, ice cream and cake.

In the morning my very good friend arrived at our door with beautiful cupcakes iced to look like roses - adorable to look at and completely yummy. There is nothing better than a good friend except a good friend bearing cupcakes :)

Helen watching Martha blow the candles out 

 Chocolate Smarties cake was purchased to please a small girl who asked all week about 'sharing mummy's cake' and then didn't like the chocolate cake!! She did like blowing out the candles though. Note to self - sponge cake only in future! 


I can't believe those big birthday numbers belong to me these days. When I was 21 I had a joint party with my best friend Abi and we called it our 42nd Extravaganza (2 x 21 years) and now it's really here!! 


Despite being shocked at the numbers I am very thankful for where my life is at right now and grateful for the completion of another year with my family.