Monday 25 October 2010

where did the years go?...

My middle boy turned 13 on Saturday, I can't believe how the time has flown, how much he has grown, how 13 years a go I gave birth to this tiny, grey baby who wasn't breathing, who scared me so much because I wanted him to be fine, who, when he started to scream made me happy beyond my wildest dreams, who didn't stop crying unless I had him in a baby sling, who grew into a blond, curly haired toddler with big rosy cheeks, a quiet, smiley little boy, a tidy, bionicle loving boy who loved to play football and was very confident with his school friends, a computer geek, still loving bionicles, thoughtful, caring and smart young man who is now a teen!

We had an Italian style dinner, with Italian music, soy candles and followed by a devilishly good and 2000+ calories stuffed carrot cake
I hope my lovely chap you have many more, joyous birthdays to come



MY DEAR CHILD.
You are the poem
I dreamed of writing
the masterpiece
I longed to paint.
You are the shining star
I reached for In my
ever hopeful quest
for life fulfilled..
You are my child.
Now with all things
I am blessed.

Author unknown.

Monday 18 October 2010

Salford Museum and Blackpool Illuminations

We had a couple of trips out this past week, on days where the sun peeked through the October sky, we went to the illuminations, there are new ones this year and of course all the old favourites, we always walk through them but the fumes from all the cars and coaches going slow was terrible this time, maybe because it was cold or maybe because I'm more sensitive to pollution, who knows but the children enjoyed it greatly, I loved the Indian tableaux, video screen and music playing, it was great, the boys didn't let me dance though - far too embarrassing now they are older.
it's funny because living in Blackpool all my life you would think I would know all about the history of them, but I didn't, it was only when my teacher moment struck and I started telling the boys all about them with the help of this site that I learnt quite a lot, like they started in 1879!

For our topic work we have been learning about the Victorians, so I discovered Salford Museum had a fully sized Victorian street all laid out with shops etc, this was a museum we have never visited surprisingly with it being quite close, well 50 mins by train, It was great and well worth a visit if your in the area, there are sounds that are played that make you feel like you are really back in the old days, the longer we stayed the more we spotted, they have dress up clothes to wear before you go in so you can play the part, the boys did not want any part of this and when I started to dress up they ran off with a warning that "I was going to get done, and to put them back", what happen to my little fun chaps, teenage years are a bit rubbish for fun!!


It isn't huge this museum, but we spent over an hour in it, it is very near to the train station and has a reasonably priced cafe inside with a play area although we didn't use either so I can't recommend them. The toilets are clean and there are curators around to answer any questions, the bonus for me though is there are worksheets, clip boards and pencils all round the different areas for the children to fill in.



My favourite shop, the haberdashery, gorgeous hats and fabrics, it was rather dark so not many photo's came out with my camera, I also loved the corner shop, I would love everything in it for my kitchen!

We have also been collecting plums from our neighbours garden, who has had tons of them leftover, we made plum jam 7 jars, froze some stewed fruit for crumbles, made plum juice which has all gone as the boys loved it so much and been eating plums with all sorts! Yummy.


Friday 1 October 2010

share the love

Sometimes I spend hours dreaming on the net at a life rather different to mine, not that I don't love what I have and that I'm blessed with 3 funny children but you know those times when you seek solace in shopping even if its virtual, or you imagine to be someone else who is wealthy enough to purchase whatever she desires without thinking of cost or consequence, well these are a small few of the sites that I go off into dreamland. I wanted to share them with you :
Serene and beautiful all in a luxurious website Gypsy Moon is well worth a visit, imagine gypsies and pirates in a romantic faraway embrace whilst dancing seductively to a jig.....
Check out these cakes, fabulous and amazing Let them eat cake is truly a cake lovers fantasy website

The magic cabin, totally lovely stuff for children, saved for the day I am blessed with a little girl called Lavender Isabella..........


Awesome home wares and clothes, for moments of dreaming about a penthouse studio apartment on the upper east side in another life as a single fashion designer living a life I could get accustomed to.........





Dreaming of being a great singer in a dimly lit bar, singing Downtown full belt and shimming my hips in this gorgeous little green number, the man on the front row gazing at me like I am the most exquisite thing he has ever seen.....