Happy Easter

Happy Easter everyone.  We have had a lovely day, we did some egg rolling this morning.  Yes I know my decorated eggs are amazing but limited time and crayons was all we had.

Plus a collection of eggs and rabbits (mostly for Little L and her Daddy, hopefully they will share)

Then a walk in the afternoon, cold but dry and we spotted some rabbits which Little L was very pleased about.

Tomorrow a football match and visitors and hopefully before that a decent nights sleep!

Thieving S#@#@#@s!

Last Thursday we had a day out in Liverpool.  Me and Little L left baby E with her Daddy and headed out with my sister and niece.  The occasion was my niece's birthday this week.  We were having a great time. Over lunch we chatted about how nice Liverpool is now for shopping with Liverpool One and a big variety of shops.  Then later we were in a shop all looking at slightly different things.  Me and Little L were looking at rather expensive dresses for a summer wedding (I want to get the girls matching dresses ....so cute), anyway these were out of my price range really and I was just pointing them out to my niece when I looked down and my handbag had gone.   

I had it over the handle of my pram and it wasn't there, such an awful sickening feeling that I wouldn't wish on anyone.  I initially ran over to the previous card shop I had been in and the security guards started looking through the CCTV to check whether I had the bag going into and coming out of the shop.  My sister stayed in the shop we were in and their security guard was looking through the store CCTV.  I ran to the bank to cancel my card, we went to the phone shop to try to track my phone.  By this time we realised I would never see my beloved fossil bag again, my purse, my phone with photos of my girls all gone.  My things that I bought with my hard earned money gone.  Then some 30 minutes into the saga one of the security guards got a message that they had found my bag in the original clothes shop we were in.  I went down to the shop with a security guard fully prepared for an empty bag but no my phone and my purse were still there.  My bag had been hung on a hanger with a babies outfit and stashed in the centre of a rack full of ladies clothes.

I will never be that lucky again.  The thief perhaps panicked with all the security guards etc, or maybe intended to return for it later when things had died down.  But one thing is for sure I was being watched and whoever it was lifted that bag so quickly as my hand hardly ever leaves the pram handle.  I can only think it was when I was reaching up to a rail of dresses.

So a happy ending for me this time.  I have since cleared out my purse (I don't need all my bank account cards and other cards in my purse) and I have bought these from Ebay to secure my changing bag onto the pram handle.  

I see other people with prams who have there changing bag or handbag over the handle like me and whilst I thought I was vigilant it only takes these scumbags people seconds to lift your bag so please be aware.  

Edited:  the above purchase from Ebay proved unsuitable so I bought this, a bargain and perfect for the job.

Yarndale

On Saturday we had a day at Yarndale.  

Me, my Sister, Mum and Niece went (no Little L she was with her Daddy thank goodness as it would have been a nightmare with a pram) to Skipton.  It was a lovely sunny day and we were there early.  There was lots to see, some very talented people displaying there makes.  I saw a lovely stall Knitwits (don't think they have a website) but they sell beautiful cardigans, jumpers and hats for babies to toddlers.  Little L has a cardigan from them with butterflies on which we bought at the Westmorland Show.  If I had known what we were expecting I would have bought a cardigan for baby.  They do the neatest fairisle colourwork I have ever seen and they wash well.  If we have a baby girl she will certainly be wearing Little L's butterfly cardigan when it fits.  Another lady (Gwennol designer hand knits) was selling beautiful hand made baby blankets, I was tempted but again would need to be unisex!  

We had a lovely morning at the show and then down into Skipton for the afternoon on the free bus.  I didn't buy anything at the show, my pockets aren't that deep, and I like my yarn ready to go, I don't wind hanks into balls, I don't spin wool and I like to be able to buy enough for a project without breaking the bank.  But there was certainly some nice things to see and if it runs next year I will make the trip.   

Holiday in Wales

Just got back from our week away.  It went so fast but we had a great time.  We had a 8am hospital eye clinic on the Monday morning to check Little L's eye and it was fine so we set off on holiday straight from the hospital.  We managed to call a few places near where we used to live on our way.  Firstly Cheshire Oaks, we had a good look around.  Tried to get Little L some new shoes from the Clarks outlet but there wasn't anything I liked, much too summery.  I will just have to go to normal Clarks otherwise she will soon be wearing wellies or slippers.

We also visited my favourite fabric/wool/craft shop - the Abakhan in Mostyn - if you haven't been it is definitely worth a trip if you are in the area.  They have a wool shop, a craft shop, a discount shop (though this is closed at the moment for work), and a fabric shop.  They are currently renovating the old water wheel and there will be a new cafe in that building.  I picked up a few things for new roman blinds that I am making (when I have some time that is) and I got some red aran wool for a pram blanket for baby.  Plus a few other things.  I don't really have any sewing projects on at the moment (well apart from the blinds) so I didn't get any material though there was some lovely stuff.  A really nice toadstool print very similar to the Cath Kidston latest print but at £12 a metre I couldn't justify 2m to make a apron.

Anyway onto the holiday we couldn't stay at Abakhan all day!!  We had a lovely week, we stayed on a caravan site next to the sea, it had great pool facilities and play parks.  We don't go in for the amusements/club etc but if that's your thing then they had them too.  But we went for walks on the beach every night and played on the park.  We had some days out in nearby towns and on some of our favourite beaches (we used to live quite close to North Wales so know the area well).  The weather was pretty good considering.  We got wet on a couple of afternoons and one night it rained pretty hard but not bad.

This was just next to where we were staying

Little L loved it, she could of and tried to stay on the beach all day and had to be tempted away with food?? and even then there were tears.  It was so nice to enjoy the simple things with her, no need to spend lots of money just days collecting shells and stones, running around and swimming. 

We went on the Great Orme Tram in Llandudno

On the beach 

Looking over Llandudno bay, I couldn't walk up the Great Orme but I did managed to walk down.

Another beach

We were sad to leave partly because it means summer is over but mainly because it will be our last holiday with Little L on her own, next time there will be four of us.  Only 3 months to go until our lives are turned upside down!    

Cars, cake and a sunny day

We have had another busy week here, family visits, swimming twice, Liverpool shopping and Ikea plus our normal walks and park visits.  On Sunday we headed to Ormskirk Motorfest with various family members for a day out.  The day started out cloudy but by the time we were there the sun was out and it was really hot with blue sky.  This is a local free event and it really is worth a visit even if you aren't that into cars there is something for everyone.

A brass band

Cute cars

Classic cars

Fast cars

A parrot

And there was a vintage market.  Lots of lovely things, vintage, handmade things, buttons, cloths.  I spotted Noddy and grabbed him before anyone else could. 

Oh I nearly forgot the cake, we had a picnic lunch in the park which was full of cars and stalls.  And of course a cake was needed for afters and yes I had my first mince pie of the season not bad eh in August (only 17 weeks till Christmas).

 Little L had a lovely day but unfortunately is now upstairs crying as she is late to bed and over tired (wish I could go to bed!)

Swimming

Over the summer holidays all the usual toddler groups etc stop so we have five whole days to fill each week.  One of the things we have been doing is swimming.  Little L can't swim and apart from going whilst we have been on holiday every year since she was born that's about it for pool activities.  But our local Sure Start Centre (if you have a little one and don't know about these find out they have great playgroups, activities etc) had got funding to offer free swimming lessons and daily sessions at our local pool.  So an offer not to be missed.

I can't say that she likes the lessons much and does cry a bit but there are parts of the lessons like the songs, jumping in (with mummy holding her!) etc that she does like.  So we will persevere.  We went yesterday just for a general splash and she really enjoyed it.  So hopefully this weeks lesson will go a bit better.

I think it is important for her to learn to swim before the compulsary primary school lessons because I hated swimming lessons at school (I couldn't swim) to the point of being ill and I definitely don't want her to go through the same.  I did learn to swim at school in the end but it was very traumatic.  I did consider trying to get her Daddy to take her to the lessons (as he is a very good swimmer) but I think he would give in when she cried!!

Gardening Inspiration

On Thursday as P had a day off work we got up early to head off for a day out.  A simple picnic was packed with lots of drinks and fruit.  And we were off before nine.  We decided to head over to the Wirral, where we lived for nearly eight years, to the Ness Botanic Gardens which are affiliated to the University of Liverpool and located near Neston on the Wirral.

It was a glorious day, little L loved the freedom of running around, collecting stones was a favourite of hers forget all the flowers she just focused on the stones.  

Some beautiful plants and trees, plus chickens, a play park and of course a Lambana.

We had a great day out and it certainly gave me some ideas for our garden but probably not for this year but I can dream can't I.

Sledging and a trip to the zoo

Hope you are all keeping warm.  We had more snow on Friday night (this was the canal as we were heading up north) 

 

On Saturday morning as there was still lots of snow we took the chance to give little L her first go at sledging.  Lots of fun for mummy but not sure she was impressed or could even see the point of it. 

 

Then Sunday as all the snow had thawed we all set off for South lakes Wild Animal Park another first for Little L as it was her first ever trip to the zoo.  This is a great zoo near Ulverston and best of all it is free entry during the winter (I think this ends 7th Feb). 

 

It was very cold but she loved it.  Lots of animals and fun with her cousins.

 

Saying hello to a crocodile (please excuse random gloved hand)

 

A monkey of some sort

 

A rhino

 

Back home now and just having a well earned glass of vino and getting my knitting out ... rock n roll

Bye for now

A busy week!

Last week was very busy.  I got no knitting done at all.  Why well we had a lovely day out to another agricultural show.  This time Trawden show held in a little village over near Nelson on the top of a fell.  So it was very windy but good fun.  Lots of animals, horses, sheep, cows, dogs, pigs, flowers etc

I love shire horses. We had some in the fields behind our house when I was younger and I wished they were mine!

Some crafty inspiration

Some cooking after watching The Hairy Dieters - Vegetable pasties made with pizza dough, yummy, much easier (my pastry always falls apart) and hopefully a few less calories

And the main reason for not doing anything fun - Decorating arghhh! I decided I wanted to get the front room done before the dark nights creep in and I don't want green walls anymore!

Hopefully I will be finished in the next couple of days

Bye for now x

A camping trip

We are back home after a brilliant camping trip up to Hawkshead in the Lake District.  Very unusually for us we had great weather which is a real bonus when camping. 

There was three families and lots of other children for little L to play with and we had a great time.  We haven't been camping for two years (2010 we had an epic two week camping trip touring Scotland!) last year baby was too small but this year we thought we'd give it a go.  And it went surprisingly well, she did want to crawl around a lot which was difficult but as there were a few of us there was plenty of people to pass the baby to. 

We camped at a lovely site in the centre of Hawkshead so we didn't use the cars very much.  And the site wasn't too crowded either. 

A walk (one of many!) not sunny but very warm

Some yummy hedgerow picks

We played in the park - This for little L

This for mummy!

A bit of knitting of course

A trip on the ferry to Bowness

Another walk in the scorching heat but at least I wasn't carrying the extra couple of stones!

What a view

Back home now to endless washing, slugs and a very grumpy girl who is suffering with the dreaded teeth again.  Ah its good to be home!

Back soon with knitting progress hopefully

Bye for now x

A Grand Day Out

Well we had another early start on Sunday as we all set off to my parents for a day out at Great Eccleston Show in Lancashire.  There is nothing better, I think, during the summer months than a day out at an agricultural show.   They are full of crafty inspiration, lovely food, gardening stuff, animals and all sorts in the main ring from cattle judging to a bit of tug of war.  So if you've never been to one you should give it a go.  And we really should support them as they are starting to dwindle in number.  We used to attend the Royal Lancashire show as children but after a change of venue and difficulties with the weather it hasn't been on since 2006 which is a real shame. 

So we packed into a couple of cars with my parents and sister plus her family and off we went.  The sun was shining honestly (it doesn't look like it in that photo) but little L still needed a blanket!  

 

It is a great show not too big or small.  There's lots of animal's which little L was enthralled by and she wanted to touch everything.  I must admit even though I grew up surrounded by farms and animals I didn't get too near the cows with her.  Little L just loves animals especially our dog (a big soft Golden retriever) who puts up with endless patting, pulling and prodding.

Beef cow judging (Limousins I think)

Super cute goats

The local hunt showing off their hounds

And there's the tractor pulling which is great to watch and really attracts a lot of people

And a bit of sitting in the sun for me

It was lovely to have a day out all togged up in waterproofs, wellies etc and not need them.  I think I actually caught a bit of sun!  I really hope the weather picks up generally as we are going camping in a few weeks and whilst we have endured many wet and windy camping trips before we have never had a baby crawling around with us (not that we crawl!).

The next show we will go to hopefully is the Westmorland show in September which is a lovely show in the lake district, but that's ages off!

Bye for now