{Fathers Day}

Unfortunately, Fathers Day hasn't been very successfully celebrated this year. The children couldn't do their usual breakfast in bed for daddy routine, as my own dad came over at something ridiculous o'clock and got us all out of bed. Why? Because the men are working on our car today. Bless 'em.

I had invited my parents over for dinner, so the morning was spent preparing the roast and vegetables. I then got on and did the 4 baskets of ironing that I had successfully managed to ignore all week. I keep promising myself that I will keep on top of the ever growing piles by doing a little ironing each day, but I never do. Then I am full of regret when I have to spend 2 hours doing it all in one sitting. Ho hum. One day I will learn.

Other than that excitement, we have had a fairly pleasant day. Whilst the men have been out working oh so hard under the car, Tiegan and Callum had reading time with big bro. No, not the channel 4 version I'm afraid, just dear Joe.

I uploaded a door hanger on my craft blog that I had made as part of a blog challenge team I'm a member of. Whilst working on the laptop, I couldn't resist taking these pictures of my little handsome chap - looking rather battered at the moment with an impressive looking battle scar.




and one of Tiegan looking deep in thought...


Of course Fathers Day hasn't been completely forgotten in the household. Yesterday the girls and I (with Callums assistance of course!) baked Chocolate Chip Oat Cookies and Coconut Slices. Both turned out to be rather yummy and we only just managed to save some for the Daddys. I should have taken photos of them, but I forgot, so you will have to make do with the wrapping:

My dad went to pick up my mum just after lunch time, and the afternoon was spent playing games and chatting.

There was lots of giggles and laughter.




and Kira loved the extra attention.




I have started to implement a no TV during the day rule, as I was finding that the children were watching more and more each day. I'm not against TV as such, but got a little frustrated when I noticed that the children weren't bothering to think of what else they could do, but just went and switched on the TV instead. I really think today has benefitted hugely from this new rule, and noticed that Joseph in particular was much more sociable. He will often take himself off to watch the small set in the Dining Room whilst the rest of us are in the living room. I wouldn't mind if he was going to watch something special, but he just sits aimlessly flicking through the channels before checking out what is available to watch on the replay service. Today though was very different, and we all sat together chatting. One of the children suggested we play a game of hangman, which we did and I hugely enjoyed playing along. We had quite a laugh together, it has done me the world of good :o) My mum and dad looked as if they were enjoying it too, and as simple as it was, it was such a special family time.

I captured these pictures of Tiegan today and I just love them.

There is nothing exciting going on here, hence the lack of blogging. I have been busy setting up a new website to sell my handmade stuff, and making stuff to go on it :-)

The children have all been busy doing bits and pieces of "work". Chelsea is doing her own project on Anne Frank, Joseph is writing about Football, and Tiegan is doing whatever she feels like at the time. I have totally fallen head over heels in love with Callum this past few weeks (not that I didn't love him before of course, just the bond seems to be growing even more). He has just been the cutest little fella to have around, so curious, so loving, so darn gorgeous! We have been spending lots of time together just one to one, going to the shops or walking the dog and I've really enjoyed it. I've found out that there is a mums and toddlers group on a Thursday morning in the village, so I think I will take him along to that. Would probably benefit the both of us really as I would meet other mums, and he would meet other littlies. As well as that, there is a sing thing that goes on at the library for his age group so we may well go to that too.

Joseph is still very much enjoying cub-scouts and has earnt his first badge! Of course he was thrilled to bits. It is the road safety badge and he is very proud of it :-) Chelsea has given up the Girl Guides and has decided to go to Scouts instead. She had her first meeting last week and adored it. I haven't seen her grin so much in a long time, it was lovely to see. Apparently she was made to feel very welcome and they "did stuff" so that can only be an improvement on her Guiding experience. She is going again tonight.

This week we have my dad over every day to sort out the bloomin' car. It has started to play up (which is something we have expected it to do for a long long time so no surprise but still annoying), and is due it's MOT soon. I haven't heard any shouting and cursing so I think things must be going okay.

My parents are looking at selling their house which has come as a huge relief for my brother and I. We have been really worried about my mum and the stairs that lead up to the front of the house for a while, and have been trying to persuade them to move but although they agree it's the right thing to do they frustratingly didn't do anything about it. I told them that if they didn't arrange for their place to be valued and put on the market within a week then I would arrange it all for them. It did the trick I think. Mum is just tidying up a rooms decor wise, and then it will be all systems go. I'm expecting a phone call in a wee while from mum asking me to go and view a house she likes the sound of. I love looking at houses :-)