Guid Neichburris

(Note: Pictures are not in any order at all!!!)

Well, we were in the big parade this weekend. I would liken it to boot camp (you can disagree with me, Jason!). Mostly because I had to sit on a lorry for 4 hours straight, legs completly cramped! But it was good, otherwise. Mae had a grand time. It was the local childminding group's float, and parents could come on, although I think there was only a couple of us.

The crazy thing was how many people were watching the parade!! We saw loads of people we knew, which Mae loved, but when we stopped we were so close to everyone! And passing pubs was nuts, all you could smell was beer fumes!

The best part was when the pizza arrived at the float- I tell you, Mae has the best childminder ever!!!

All in all, a good day. The next day was Beck's birthday party. Yesterday we went with the school to the Puppet Theatre in Biggar, which was a whole day out. Tomorrow is another birthday party at the farm. Thursday is Mae's graduation and induction day (another full day at school for me and Geoff) Friday Mae and I are off to Edinburgh to take Lauren out for her birthday on Saturday and at 6.50 am on Sunday, Nonnie is showing up.

Can't wait for the holiday!

Mosquitos, Midges and Ticks, oh my!

When I lived in Canada I was never really bothered by mosquitos, and I figured I must have some kind of magic elixir for blood, which helped me escape the torment.

So when we moved to Scotland, I thought, ' Bah, midges. Way tinier than mosquitos, and they don't like me, so I am not worried.' Swarms? When British people think that a flurry is a blizzard, I figured it was a slight exagerration.

Midges are awful. You can't see them at all, and it's like you are suddenly being stabbed by millions of tiny needles over and over in your scalp. They are the kind of thing that would make a person run screaming into the coldest lake.

But ticks? Oh, Jesus wept. I had another one on my leg today. It's HEAD in my leg. A little fat body and legs sticking out of my BODY. And you have to calmly and firmly grasp them with your tweezers and twist clockwise. Maybe more than once, as their heads are really stuck in. Ticks make me feel the scream welling up in my chest.

Old Tarts

Happy Birthday Sharon!!!!

I Bid Ye Fair

This is the motto for Mae's soon to be school. And actually, I DON'T bid ye fair, because someone is taking time and moving it way too fast. When did Mae turn into a schoolkid?! Sure, I don't have to change nappies anymore, I just get threats that she is going to call Rebecca D's dad (who, incidentally, is a police officer) to put me in jail. I would rather change nappies.....

The funny thing with kids, though, is what they come up with in their spare time. One of the dads at the nursery works on a farm, mainly with poultry. Mae told me they were going to see the babies hatch out, as they now have a new 'chickilator' in class.

Don't be Scared

Mom seems slightly reticent about camping with us this summer. It's only for four nights, as opposed to a month the year before last with my brother and his family. I would say she will be fine. After all, look at the size of this baby! With the awning on, it's almost as big as our house!!!

Two and two

I finally figured it out. This has been bothering me for ages.

Busyness

Busy baking pies- so much rhubarb in the garden that's all we have been making! And although this baby was a bit soupy, having more or less turned it into bumbleberry pie with the addition of raspberries, blueberries and strawberries as well as rhubarb, it was GRRRRReat!!

Busy waiting for our fabulous, overpriced sofa!

And busy watching our ants, whom I have grown incredibly fond of- they are so interesting!! They love strawberries (yes, we all knew that...), they put their dead friends all together in a pile, and one is getting very inquistive when I give them droplets of water to drink; he's started running up the dropper and out of the farm for a wee explore. They are so cool and what a great gift for Mae's birthday!!

And busy not only celebrating births ( cousin Andrew- can't wait to see him!), but also big birthdays, with Ross turning 70 last week- Happy Birthday! (I won't tell you how old my brother in law is!!!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS!!!

And what a great birthday gift- a new baby boy!!

Catch up

Feels like we are still going flat out- probably no sleep doesn't help. Mae has been up loads in the night, although the new star chart is out and last night we all slept well!! Star charts, hmmmm. A weird idea, something I wouldn't have thought would be my type of parenting thing, but, hell, if they work. And Geoff and I are even on the latest one, for yelling. We both got stars for not yelling yesterday so I will also keep you up to date on that....

Mae's latest thing is writing books. She brought this home from school last week and I almost died! Dana, doesn't this remind you of US?! Hopefully you can read it with these pictures.

And today she is working on one about planets (the arrows were her idea. this page is about the earth orbitting the sun!)

Catch up on the Mitra's visit- Geoff was sleeping too late so we sent the kids in.

And me and Mae being girly girls (no insects or reptiles anywhere!!!)

One week and one day

My name is Jennifer and I am a party planner. I am going to start PPA, a 6-step programme for over enthusiastic parents. (because if it is 12 steps you are trying too hard!!)

1- stop blowing up those balloons.

2- muffins create misery, and they don't want company

3-party bags create early onset psychosis (no comments, John!)

4- ANY party games for 5 years and under in groups of 15 children and more are destined to fail

5-guests demanding bread and butter only are reason enough not to invite them next year

6-ensure any birthdays are not followed by chocolate based christian holidays



There! Most of those I can cope with. Helen, Shubo, Maya and Jamie eased the blow for the next few days and the kids kept Mae very happy- most of the next few days were spent outside, at Mabie Farm, with a cool new giant pillow bounce thing that Helen loved!

At Keswick in the lake district, beautiful and full of dogs. (Iwent shopping during the scenic bus trip!!)


Out for a trip to the beach and a magical walk 1.5 miles to the next villiage.


Up to Edinburgh for a child free day while said child was with her nana and papa visiting Dynamic Earth. Fun-filled charity shop shopping and delis hooray!!


Friday was another parents only day, while Mae enjoyed a great monster cake at Liza's and a trip to the castle.


Saturday we went to the wildlife hospital and stumbled across a dalmation dog show. Crazy.


Today swimming with her dad and karate soon.

Tomorrow back to school. breathe.......

Lizards, Turtles and Snakes, oh MY!

Well, Mae is not quite 5 yet, but we had her party yesterday and it was a success! We had this one at the local community centre, which in some ways was much easier- but as Mae wanted to invite loads of friends from school then we figured that would be the best thing.

Lee, who owns a reptile shop, came with scorpions, bearded and chinese dragons, tortoises, a python, corn snake and other slithery things and the kids got to stroke them and learn about them- it was quite good and only a couple weren't interested. Mae thought it was great and ended up holding the snakes. Notice the birthday girl in her dino pyjamas- glad I didn't buy a new dress for this party!!

Dino cake and games came after, two kids cried, parents seemed happy and most just chilled. So it was good!!

I can't believe she is almost 5!!!

Spring madness sale

No, there is no sale, it's just spring Madness.

Been to Northampton last weekend to visit great and dear friends. Great time. This weekend is a birthday party (avec reptiles) and a visit from (different) great and dear friends. So it's a bit nuts around here. More pics when party happens.

And I probably won't explain this later, but Mae held a giant millipede in her hands today. I wasn't there, but she said she loved it. She also held a hissing cockroach, and wants one for her birthday. That won't happen. Unfortunately, it is now almost a year since we got her cousin two stick insects for her birthday, however as auntie is very pregnant (and looking good on it) I am hoping and praying they have forgotten this minor misdemeanor.