The CK parcel is opened ;)

Yep - once the boys had left for school this morning, I got the parcel from its hiding place and battled throught the miles of parcel tape to open it.

(at this point there should be actual photos of the opening and the contents - however my camera had other ideas the the SD card has died :( )

So tonight for one night only - I've had to copy pics from the CK site instead.

I bought;

My Mum is buying this for me for Christmas :)

Can't have Christmas lunch without crackers - as if you're having crackers they might as well be pretty ones ;)

I always buy and make a few new decs each year - this year I could not resist these Stanleys.

Last but not least - for my soft little son who loves knitted toys as much as his Mum;

Hopefully by the time I next blog my camera will have a SD card - kind old MrVV is buying me one tomorrow :)

Even more festive Tuesday

Sorry if the mention of the Christmas word is too early for some but now we've got Halloween and Bonfire Night out of the way the next thing on my calendar is the festive season :)

This morning instead of doing boring housework tasks before I had to leave for work, I decided to sort out all the things for the 2 swaps I'm taking part in and get it all wrapped up.  So here's a little spoiler ;)

That really doesn't give any clues to anyone does it ;)

I also went through all the things that I've collected so far for family and friends and now have a full list of what I've got and what I still need to get.  I treated myself to a pretty notebook (and matching pencils) so all my festive notes are in one place - just need to keep this hidden from the boys.

Oh - when I got home tonight my CK parcel had arrived :) - I'll take pictures tomorrow and show you the contents of that then. 

Final picture for today - one mad small boy dancing along to the radio this morning. I took this on my phone and I love the reality of the whole thing;

Its beginning to feel alot like Christmas/Winter

It started with the Coca-cola advert at the weekend - that always makes me feel festive. Can't stand the drink but love the ad.

Then we went shopping and I treated myself to new pj's and a dressing gown - am wondering whether it is considered odd to wear these 24/7??

Isn't this just the perfect winter red? The fabric is the snuggliest fleece I've ever felt and the polka dot ribbon just finishes it all off :)

Snowflake brushed cotton pj's - again so snuggly - tis a miracle I can get dressed at all at the moment!

Whilst we were out shopping I dragged the menfolk into the garden centre to look at all the christmas decs - could resist these 4 - I know I can't make anything that looks like these;

Last but not least for today - I've been busy sewing and we're getting quite a collection of felt decs for the tree this year - this is my current favourite;

Am hoping by next time I blog a parcel will have arrived from CK and I can share the unwrapping of that with you.

How is everyone getting on with their swaps?  I've got all my stuff ready and just need to wrap it all up. Oh and swap addresses with my 2 swap partners.

Have a good week.

xx

Special Visitor :)

I wonder if I said the lines;

” A mouse took a stroll


through the deep dark wood.


A fox saw the mouse


and the mouse looked good”

How many children would know who came to my work today?

And how many parents have read that line over and over - either as a bedtime or just anytime favourite story.

Well the star of the recently voted for Best Bedtime Story came to see us at work today - and he was as ugly as the book suggests, complete with terrible tusks, purple prickles and of course his poisonous wart!!

It got me thinking as this wasn't a book that I ever read with my boys - it came out when the youngest was 2 but somehow missed us by.

I asked the boys tonight what their favourite bedtime story was when they were about playgroup age.  Big son (13 3/4) said this one;

and little son (11 3/4) said this one (and I must confess it was my favourite too);

You could take the little cardboard mole and move him through the slots in the pages until he gets to his own bed.

Nowadays the boys are too big for bedtime stories though reading is what they do each night before they go to sleep - sadly now MrTickle has been replaced by Terry Pratchett & Jeremy Clarkson and Mole has gone by the by and its Alex Rider that Will is currently enjoying.

What do your children like? What was/is their favourite?

Sometimes pics just happen

During yesterdays Rememberance Parade I intended to get photos of all 3 of my menfolk taking part - however these were meant to be added to the family album and to be shared with future generations.  However I guess after a couple of months blogging I've forgotten how to take pics of peopls faces! and all the pictures I took obscured their faces!

I managed to get MrVV hiding behind the Drum Major!

Big son kept his head firmly turned away from the camera - shame as he had the honour of carrying the scout troop standard.

Even my little poser of a son had his turned away from me.

Heyho there's always next year for marching pics. Least these ones are great for the blog.

Off to read my December Country Living which arrived today - I've been saving it for this evening when I have a quiet and men free house :)

Rememberance Sunday

Remembering all those whose lives have been affected by all wars & fighting in the last 2 centuries.

My menfolk are off on parada later - MrVV plays with a brass band and the boys are marching with their scout troop.  Big son has the honour this year of carrying the troop standard.

Indiana Jones & the firework display ;)

Yep - last night was time to head off to a big display at a nearby stately home. 

It was brilliant AND I discovered that I have all sorts of different settings on my camera (only owned it for nearly 4 years!) and one of those is especially for fireworks and another for nightime pics!!

MrVV & that hat - the joke might be wearing thin with him but with the rest of us its still a great source of amusement!!

Yes they were pretty and loud - a good night had by all four of us.