School so soon!

Esther starts school in September and it's coming fast! I suddenly feel like I've wasted so much time these past 4 years and have the need to make the most of the next few months before she'll be gone to school. Thursdays are our day when we have no plans so I asked the kids what they would like to do. They wanted to go to the park with a picnic and to storytime at the library so that's what we did and instead of sticking to a time schedule or just leaving because I was starting to get bored we kicked back a bit and only left when one of the girls needed the toilet! I was a bit hesitant about storytime at the library since Eliza usually just runs around or makes a collection of all the pink and purple books she can find which I then have to put back or guiltily leave it for the librarians! Today though she actually sat and listened to the stories. It's a small library so there was only 1 other child there today but the girls enjoyed it and I got to browse and find a book I wanted instead of chasing the kids around, win-win!

Esther is really excited for school - infact she was playing 'schools' with the neighbour who is 6 today in the front garden. We bought her a school dress the other day too from our fab charity shop for £1, she's already had it on.... Last week was the New Parent's meeting at her school. We got to try the school dinners (not impressed), meet the teacher and the 3 teaching assistants (for a class of about 24), the head teacher and the school council. Then we got a little look at the reception classroom. It was sooooooooooooooo lovely, I loved school but I wish my classroom had been like this! There are 2 computers, a smart board, and outdoor playarea just for the classroom and best of all there is a little room up in the corner of the classroom, a mezzanine type thing but partly enclose with windows - a bit like an indoor tree house - that is currently pretending to be a Chinese restaurant! It is child size too - I went up to investigate and had to duck to get in. Underneath it is a cosy corner with cushions and books and dressing up. It made ME excited for her, she is going to have a lovely time. Eliza is starting pre-school one morning a week (it's on the school site too) because I think she'll just miss Esther so this will give her something fun just for her.
I've just got to focus on the fact that actually it's quite exciting and not feel sad! Any tips for fun things to do before she starts school I'd love to hear them!

Holiday and hot weather

Last Friday we set off on a long weekend break to Center Parcs. I finally was able to tear Ben away from his busy workload and boy did he need it! He has a lot on his plate and likes to do the best job he can so has been doing alot of overtime. Ben's parents came too so that we could go on some kind of date but that didn't work out... Eliza was under the weather - I think her back molars are coming plus she develped a rash on her legs and bottom. They have a nurse at center parcs so I went and had her checked out before we headed for the swimming pool to check she didn't think it was contagious (which she didn't) so in we went! For those who haven't been there before, there is a fab swimming pool, slides, shoots, jacuzzi;s etc childrens and baby pools included, indoors of course since this is england and really lovely and warm. They have cots arounds the edges of the pool too so you can put your kids down for a snooze if they are tired! Ben's mum stayed out the pool with Alice so I could play with the girls. It did alot for their water confidence since Esther has only been to a pool twice and Eliza only once. I'm thinking swimming lessons might be in order...
We had a low key Father's day and ended up at church 30 mins early since the church website has it wrong!! Nevermind. In the afternoon we went for a walk around Bury St Edmonds which has some ruins of an old abbey, I think we'll go again (there was also a nice new shopping centre.. hint hint Ben...)
Well weekends end too soon and on Monday it was time to pack up and leave the villa. We managed to sneak in a nice cooked breakfast for Ben as it was his 30th birthday and some time for the pool and crazy golf (would it be a proper holiday without crazy golf??), the girls played on the little beach with Grandma too before we left for home. It was nice but toooooo short to feel relaxed. Now we are home and the 5th load of washing is just finishing in the washing machine. How can we have generated so much washing??? And why is the house such a mess?? Oh well. Ben thinks he might be able to take some time off in September or October. I'm going to get a promise note for that especially since he will be in Salt Lake most of July.
So today I've been doing all that laundry and hanging it out in our beautiful drying weather, unfortunately that means 5 loads needs to be put away somewhere!! Since it was so hot outside today I put up Bex's gazebo in our garden - yes all by myself, I'm proud of that! Actually I missed half the upright poles out so it was more of a tent for the girls. They happily played in it for a few hours. I've left it up for the nice weather to come! I'm thinking we might have breakfast out there in the morning if its still so nice!

I'm sure everyone will be pleased to know that my sanity is restored - Eliza has not had an accident in 6 days!! Roll on the summer!

Alice's blessing

Sunday 6th of June was Alice's blessing day. Nearly all our immediate family came to be there with us which was so nice.3 of my old friends for university came with their husbands and children too - the last time I saw some of them was at Eliza's blessing! It is so nice to catch up. Ben said he had been feeling nervous all week about giving her the blessing and when the time came he was really emotional and for those who know Ben he's not one for showing masses of emotion (probably a good thing since I'm the exact opposite...). It was a really wonderful blessing, she is a special little girl and we are so glad she is ours!
Again I didn't take any pictures but this is one that my friend Becky took... And a couple of the girls that Auntie Bexie took (she bought them the lovely matching dresses too)...

Afterwards we had some food at the chapel and got to spend time with everyone who had come to visit and some friends from the ward. It turns out there was a baptism the same day and we had enough food left to share with those who stayed for that! It was a great day with friends, family and good food!

Fun times

We've been up to quite a few fun things recently but my camera batteries ran out a few weeks ago and I haven't replaced them so here are a few pictures we took when we had a day out at Stanwick Lakes.
Swan's nests are huge! There's a fab play area for the kids with loads of muddy water about for the kids to splash about in, Luckily I remembered to take spare clothes for the kids.... The loved it!

A glorious day in the English countryside...

Fun on the swings with Auntie Bexie and Daddy...

We've also been to Belton House recently near Grantham which has the best play area ever, a day out at Ely, Angelsey Abbey near Cambridge and spent time with lots of family who came for Alice's blessing. Shame I don't have any pics though eh?

Eliza

For a while now Eliza has been having real issues with the toilet. She is ok with the worst of the 2 processes but weeing has been terrible. For instance at church the other week we had to change her clothes 4 times! She used to be absolutely brilliant but not so now. I've tried being patient, I've tried being mean until one of our friends suggested spending more one-on-one time with her. It's obviously linked with the arrival of Alice. Well, yesterday Eliza fell asleep about 5.30pm so we took her up to bed (she has been cutting out naps too in the last couple of weeks). She woke up at 8pm just as Esther was going to bed so we brought her down with us. Esther wanted to stay down too and asked me if she could get up if she had a nap so of course I said yes knowing full well that once she was asleep that would be it till morning! So Eliza got a few hours of precious time with Ben and I. She absolutely loved it!! I don't think she has really ever had much time of just us and her. Coincidently today was the first day in ages that Eliza actually told me she needed a wee!! Hopefully things will be on the up from now on! I think she really enjoyed spending time with us and we certainly enjoyed spending time with her - she is so funny and cheery (most of the time!). Maybe we'll have to do this more often!