May 2011

Mike's parents came for a long weekend - his dad helped finish off the patio. This has been a big project and I can't believe how much Mike knuckled down and got it done!! Martha had a fab time with them, especially Grandma who was hardly left alone for a minute.

More of the family came to tea and to see his parents - his brother and sister-in-law and their two kids and his aunt, uncle and cousin. It was sunny we sat out and ate and chatted. Lovely times.

We held another garden party for Children's Hospices - lots of family, friends, neighbours and "mummy friends" came and ate cakes and drank Pimms they bought plants, my Phoenix cards, second-hand books and donated to this worthy cause. It was a lovely afternoon and the weather was kind for a few hours.

Scones made and donated by my Dad, chocolate and cherry cake, sparkly cupcakes, brownies donated by my friend Julie aka The Brownie Fairy -they were sitting on my doorstep on the morning of the party - freshly baked, gooey and melting!

Martha with her Grandpa (Dee-Dee Mamps because he plays the piano!)

An evening with Jodi

Went to Warwick School to hear Jodi Picoult talk about her latest book "Sing You Home" on her 'Tunes & Tiaras' tour!

It was an interesting evening and I had a little chat with her afterwards when we got books signed as she had made a joke during the evening about Glaswegians' accents and their love of deep fried Mars bars.

I haven't read the book yet or the one before yet...I'm a bit behind these days!

Garden Fun & A Day Out with Thomas

I got an outfit for Martha this spring from Belle & Boo - we totally love it as we do love rabbits in this house. It was fun for her to wear over Easter. The top and skirt are reversibile and the skirt has "April showers" all over it - brollies and bunnies, very sweet. I keep looking at the website to tempt myself with more...

We had a fab day out with Thomas (or Tommy as Martha calls him). We drove up to Shackerstone Railway which was quaint and in lovely countryside and the atmosphere and excitement was great without being a much-too-busy-nightmare. A lovely day out with stickers, storytelling and chat with the Fat Controller.

Fun times in the garden playing with water, a ball, a bit of digging and watering, running and being pushed on the scooter.

Morecambe

This is a good stopping off point for us on our way south again. We can walk on the beach, pick up stones, have a picnic and feel like we have had an adventure as part of our journey. Lovely views and fresh sea air.

Scotland

Martha found a hat to wear.

Saturday morning.

We had a quick trip to Scotland - almost didn't make it because of colds. Abi looked after us fantastically with lovely food and friends over for dinner and walks.

We got to meet my cousin's baby who is squishy and adorable. Happy times :)

Broomycroft Farm

We had a lovely outing here despite the grey drizzly day (meant it was quiet at least) Lots of sheep, goats, donkeys, horses, chickens, rabbits and ducks. It was a bit muddy and I wished I had my wellies but it was so much fun for Martha. We bought animal feed and she loved that we were giving them "dinna".

A pink pony came to live with us...

Friends that we didn't get to see over Christmas because of various illnesses met us in Banbury last week. We had lunch and a catch-up and they gave Martha this very pink rocking pony!!! It's just fab! I would never contemplate buying her something like this (boring mummy!) but she just loves it. When Mike was assembling it Martha was there with the screwdriver trying to help!

You squeeze the ears and it clip-clops and neighs and a red heart flashes on it and the mouth opens - Martha is just enchanted with it all. She rides on it and sings "Seesaw Margery Daw" which comes out as "maddery daw" and all the dollies and the monkey get a ride on it too.