On the beach!

Ok so I blogged this photo from my phone by complete mistake but as it's so nice I'll keep it up. It's Holly on the East beach in Lossie on Monday morning. It's the first time I have taken the girls to the beach that's 2 mins from the house where I grew up so it was really cool to see them play there. Hopefully we'll get to go again!

Ian
xx

Summer Fun!

Well folks, sorry another VERY long time since a blog update. I have been too busy trying to survive the Summer Holidays to take photos and do blog updates. What with work and Sarah's wedding come up, life is as hectic as ever (I have given up thinking it will get quieter in the next 15 years!) I won't bore you with the ins and outs of what we have done, but have a few pictures for you.

So today Ian decided in his wisdom that it was SUCH a HOT day (?) that he would get the paddling pool out for the girls (against my advice!) So out came this massive paddling pool I had bought at the end of last summer in the sales (of course!) It really needed an electric pump to blow it up but we don't have one so Ian decided it was FINE just to do it himself. So whilst he started that Holly and Natalie went to get their swimming costumes on.

So the girls were ready in 5 minutes and started to wait. And wait and wait and wait!! It took Ian well over an hour to blow the damn thing up with his bike pump! Meantime the girls had eaten snack and Natalie was so fed up waiting she fell asleep!!

So once it was blown up, Ian (with a very sore arm from blowing it up) and Holly (very bored by this point) started to fill it up. And as it was so BIG to took AGES to fill....

So 2 hours later it was ready! Only the sun had disappeared and it was nowhere near as warm!! So we put in loads of hot water and in they went. The girls did have a great time and wouldn't come out, but it was a total carry on. I do hate to say I was right not to do it in the first place, so I won't!

So that was today!! The holidays haven't been too bad. We have been trying to keep busy but Holly is missing her school and playgroup, she asks me every day when she is going back. Natalie is less bothered and says she is 'Never going to Fishies again!', well do I have news for her!!

Last week Holly went to a Drama Group in the Arts Centre in town so that was great, she really enjoyed it. Nat and I just wandered round town with Angela and Daniel. The girls also went on their Holidays to Granny Doggie's house for 2 nights the week before. They had a great time, the highlight was going to the beach which they really wanted to do. Ian and I had some peace for 2 nights which was nice for a change. I went to the pictures to see Mamma Mia with some of the girls and on the Saturday night Ian took me out for a lovely meal at a posh Steak place in town. So it was great, but we missed the girls loads.

The girls also got a new trampoline for the holidays. It has been a big hit with them and they have had a great time jumping away. Here is Holly jumping on it with Kory who came over to play one morning.

We also went to see the 'Lazy Town' stage show at the Theatre in town with Granny Doggie, Angela and Matthew. It was REALLY good and the girls loved it.

So that's all I can think of. Life is going to be very busy for the next 7 weeks (yes only 7 weeks until Sarah's wedding!), so we will be back when we can.

To finish here is Nat reading my OK magazine, she looks so pleased with herself!

Hannah XX

Some pics!

Hello everyone. Well we have had a busy time over the past couple of weeks. The girls have been finishing up their groups and school for the summer, so that's us in the dreaded Summer Holidays, only 7 weeks to go, yes I am counting down already!

I have had a really awful week, I finally got my 2 wisdom teeth removed last Saturday morning, it was absolutely horrific and I have felt terrible for most of the week. I had a huge swollen face and bruising as well as being in significant pain. Anyway I am getting better, still a bit sore, but vastly improved.

This weekend we had Mum and Rosie Dog through to stay. Mum took the girls to the park yesterday and spent lots of time with them. She also came for our first trying on of our Bridesmaid dresses yesterday (mine fits, well is too big actually, yay!).

Today we had baby James Dedication (like a Christening) over in Inverurie, so that was nice, the girls enjoyed James' party, but Holly says it was a bit loud! Anyway here are some pictures from over the weekend:

Poor Rosie being treated like a Horse!

Happy smiley Holly!

The girls all dressed for the dedication in their sunspecs (it has been grey here all day!) Poor Rosie is being hounded again!

A nice arty shot of Nat by Daddy!

Me and my girls!

Nat taking Fifi a ride in her buggy.

Well that's it for now, just a short blog tonight, hope you like the pics!

Hannah X

The Wiggles Again!

Hello Folks! Well as Ian said when he FINALLY did his blog at the weekend, the girls and I, along with Angela and Matthew, had a trip to Glasgow this week to see The Wiggles!!

So this year was Natalie's first trip to The Wiggles concert, Holly and I went last year. So Tuesday was an early start and we were at the station for 9am to catch out train to Glasgow. We had a good train journey, the kids were really good all the way. We made Rose Boquets for Dorothy The Dinosaur, had a picnic, coloured in etc.

Yummy a picnic!

Natalie hiding in the luggage compartment on the train

We arrived in Glasgow at 12ish and after a quick trip to the Molton Brown shop we headed up to the concert hall. We hit the Wiggles Shop and the first picture shows the kids in their new t-shirts and headbands they got for the show. After that we headed for a quick cuppa in the cafe. We ended up sitting at the very end of the cafe as there were no seats, but this turned out to be a stroke of luck as it turned out we were RIGHT beside the VIP lounge where The Wiggles were doing their 'Meet and Greet', which they do with special needs children etc. So we hung around and managed to see them as they were going to the VIP suite. Matthew got his photo taken with one of their dancers too.

Matthew and Ben the dancer

The Wiggles up close, Aaaaahhhhh!

G'day Mate!

Angela and I were really excited to see them so up close, but the kids were less than impressed, Holly hid behind my leg and Natalie cuddled in to me!!

So after that excitement we went and got our seats and the show began. It was a great show and the girls were enjoying themself, then they blew up a HUGE Murray balloon and that was it, Holly didn't watch anymore and just hugged in to me, so she only saw about 20 mins of the show. Natalie on the other hand loved the whole show and was singing and dancing along. Matthew was quite mesmerized by it and sat open mouthed through most of it.

On the stage after the show

The show was over very quickly and we headed back to the train station where we grabbed a burger whilst Natalie had a quick snooze to get over all the excitement!! We were home by 7.30 and the girls were pleased to see their Daddy.

Well that was our day. It was only slightly tainted by the letter I got when I came home with my appointment for my wisdom teeth coming out (I have been waiting a year), it is TOMORROW!! So I had 3 days notice, typical NHS. I am in the hospital at 9am tomorrow getting them out, I am very apprehensive about it (that's putting it mildly!) so just want it over.

Hannah

School Sports and Father's Day

Hi folks,

Been a long time since the last update so sorry to Grannies and Aunties etc!

The biggest event since the last blog was Holly's first school sports at Charleston Nursery. It wasn't a great day weather wise, which Nat wasn't too chuffed about, but the kids had great fun all the same. The thing that amazed me most though was that they're still using the same type of benches and cones etc that I had in primary school 20 years ago!!!! Any way there are some photos of the sports below:

It was also father's day last Sunday as you all know. We had a pretty quiet day with me getting my tea of choice, enchiladas, cooked for me later on - thanks Mum. I was also lucky enought to get the last Mario Kart Wii in Glasgow (says Hannah) for my present. Funny I thought my wife was the non-competitive type until last Sunday but Mario Kart seems to unlocked some hidden side to her - very amusing! Here's a nice photo of me and the girls on Father's day:

I took the girls along to the Hilton Gala yesterday. My mate Gary was involved in running the thing and let me know it was on. As it was a nice and day and we'd missed the Cove gala last week due to it being a miserable day I thought I'd tale the girls along. Holly had great fun going down slides, on the cups(below) and generally relieving me of all my hard earned.... photos below:

Holly also was dead keen to get her face painted and asked to be a cat. When the girl asked her if she wanted to be a pink cat she said "no, a red cat" - shockerooney! Obsessed...

Anyway that's the news for now. The girls are off to the Wiggles again this week in Glasgow so no doubt there will be a blog later in the week about that!

Bye for now

Ian

Visitor, Wii and Girls Aloud!

Hello everyone, sorry another couple of weeks since an update. I actually think it's Ian's turn too, but we could wait forever for him to do it!

So what's been happening? It feels like nothing, but we have been so busy! Last weekend we had Rosie Dog to stay whilst Mum and Dad were in London for the weekend. The girls really like Rosie, especially Natalie, who was obsessed with her, she was trying to get Rosie to play with her and was giving her lots of kisses and cuddles. Holly liked her staying too, she even said she wanted Rosie to stay. Here are some photos of Nat with Rosie, Holly is a bit camera shy these days!!

We have just been up to our normal things. We had Holly's first parent's night last week which was good, she got a glowing report and Mrs May was shocked to hear about her temper tantrums as she never has them at nursery!!

Natalie had her 2 year assessment this week which went fine, she did really well and her speech is way past what it should be.

We went down to Dizzee Rascals last Tuesday with Holly's friends Freya and Sophie from nursery as well as Matthew and Daniel of course. It was a good way to spend a very rainy Tuesday morning.

This is a photo of the girls, Holly insisted Daddy took it which is not like her. You will note Holly is wearing a skirt and t-shirt, her favourite items of clothing, she disappears every morning and goes and gets dressed herself, always in a skirt and t-shirt no matter what the weather! I then have to battle her to wear something more weather appropriate. She then insists on changing back in to her skirt and t-shirt as soon as we get back in the house. Fashion Battles already!!

We got a Nintendo Wii a couple of weeks ago, primarily so I could get a Wii Fit to help with my weight loss (which has worked I have lost 8 pounds since we got it). Anyway Holly loves playing it, she is pretty good at the bowling and golf. Here she is in action, god knows why she is wearing sunglasses!

We have had a quiet weekend, I was working all day yesterday then we went to see Sarah and Mike, Sarah is just back from a trip to the middle east. Today has been a day round the house trying to get some chores done unfortuanately, these things need done though.

We have a busy few weeks coming up now as we count down to the school holidays (yes I am going to go crack up in the holidays, I know that!) Both girls have trips (Holly has 2!) and it's Holly's sport's day on Tuesday, weather dependant.

Finally here is a picture of Girls Aloud, Angela and I were at their concert in Aberdeen a couple of weeks ago, it was really good, they are great performers and put on a good show. I am sure all the men reading this will like the photo, believe me this was some of their more demure outfits!!

Well that's it for now, we will be back soon(ish!)

Hannah

Boots No7 Voucher

Hi folks, not girls related this post I am afraid!! Just thought I would share one of my moneysaving finds with all you ladies. If you go to the link below, you can print out a voucher for £5 off any Boots No.7 Make-up, you can print as many as you like and use them in store, only 1 per transaction though:

http://app.boots.com/CouponServer/24O4IO/NFQZY/LJIAQ/56NMMC/2O9TYE/

Valid until the 14th June.

Hannah XX

Holiday, Birthday and Charlie Bear!

Hello folks, sorry it has been ages since the last post again! As some of you know we have been on holiday to Aviemore, well it was 2 weeks ago now, but have been busy since getting back. So I will fill you in on that!

We went up to Lossie after I finished work on the Saturday and went for a lovely walk in the evening for an ice-cream, in the POURING rain, well that's what Scottish Holidays are all about?! On the Sunday the girls caught up with some of Ian's family including Auntie Ellen (who will be reading this!) who got lots of cuddles from them. We had a BBQ with Mum and Dad in the evening, it was just about warm enough!

On the Monday we went over to Kinloss with Granny Toys to a farm which has a big indoor play area and cows etc. The girls had a great time playing on the play equipement and we all had lunch.

Before we left we went to look at the cows. Neither of the girls were keen at first, but Natalie became quite confident with them, so decided to start feeding them. Unfortunately one of the cows became a bit too friendly and licked her right in the face, I actually have the moment before captured on camera as I was trying to get her feeding the cow, you can see it's tounge going for her....

As you can imagine she was NOT happy, I don't blame her, I would hate a big black beast licking me. She still speaks about it now and tells everyone the cow licked her.

After that we went over to Grant Park in Forres which was good, then when we went back to Lossie Mum took the girls to the beach, but it was a bit cold and they wanted to go home.

So on the Tuesday we headed down from Lossie to Aviemore. We were staying in the Coylumbridge Hilton, which was lovely, we had a suite with bunk beds in one room, although neither of the beds got slept in! The hotel was very family friendly, we went swimming every day, there was a great outdoor park and indoor play centre.

On Wednesday we headed over to Landmark an outdoor forest park, which Ian has memories of as a kid (I don't remember going there, but maybe we did Mum?) Anyway there was stuff for the girls to do, although it would have been better if they were a wee bit older. They played in the parks, we went on a gorgeous tree-top walk and they played for ages in these little cars. Holly made a new friend who is now apparently one of her best friends, she just calls her the Girl from Landmark! She only met her for half an hour! So here are some pictures of that....

After our usual afternoon swim we had dinner then the girls played in the park at the hotel, which was great. We were so lucky with the weather, it was so warm, this photo was taken about 8 at night and it was still warm enough to be out in t-shirts.

On the Thursday we went on the Strathspey Steam Railway, which is a train which goes from Aviemore to Broomhill. The girls weren't that keen on the train when it first arrived but came round to it once we were on and had fun waving their Thomas flags and giving their tickets to the guard. We got off the train in Boat of Garten and went to feed some ducks whilst we waited for the train to come back.

We had our afternoon swim after that, the girls really did get quite confident in the water, we have hardly taken them swimming and on the first day they weren't sure, but Holly was soon supporting herself and jumping off the side, we were amazed. Natalie liked going in the jacuzzi or the bubble pool as she called it. In the evening we went to the lobby for a drink before dinner and the girls had fun playing with all the other kids, here is me and Nat before we ate.

On the Friday we were all pretty tired after our busy time, so we just headed home after breakfast, via half of the Scottish Highlands, due to Ian and his Sat Nav!! We did get pretty lost and came a long way home (or so it felt), so you can imagine it was a bit stressful! The girls were good though and didn't mind. Ian and I are just about speaking now!

So that was our holiday! On the Saturday I had a big night out for Angela's 40th Birthday, we went out in a HUUGGGEE Hummer with a group of friends then to the Square in town for dinner. It was a fab night, we had a great laugh and far too much champagne!! Here we are before the Hummer ride, I won't put any other photos up as she will probably murder me!

We have been back to our normal routine this week. Holly had her first ever school report on Friday, which was very good, so we are very proud parents! We have her first Parent's Night on Tuesday, I still can't believe we are doing all this, what happened to my babies! ? ?

Holly had had the nursery teddy bear, called Charlie, home this weekend for a sleepover as she calls it. We have taken him everywhere with us and Holly had loved having him. Here they all are tonight...

Well that's all, I have writer's cramp now after writing all this! We will hopefully be back soon.

Hannah XXX