Will you dance with me Momma?

Just a little request from Lucy who was practising her dancing and singing routine to Justin Beibers song "Baby". "I'll show you what to do first Momma and then you copy me the next time - ok?" How could I resist.

I sat on the sofa as a slightly nervous and embarrassed girl in front of me did the actions for heart, shake, wake etc with the odd little wiggle in between. When the rap section came she stumbled with the words but gosh it was so lovely. I really wanted to video her but I knew she wouldn't want me to and well it was just a special moment between us. The other two girls were playing with friends.

Up I got and did the moves and jumped in the right places - it was so lovely and Lucy was sooooo sweet.

Later on when we all went to gymnastics, I heard Lucy said to Chloe in the back of the car "It was really fun earlier Chloe, Momma danced with me, she even did the jumping". My heart melted.

The Italian Meringue

For months and months I'd been hearing about "The Italian Meringue Buttercream". Hailed as the best topping for cupcakes and I had the perfect opportunity to make some - Hubby's 35th Birthday.

I'd prepared myself for the event, lots of spare eggs (apparently it doesn't always go right first time), cooking thermometer (yes you have to boil sugar and water to an exact temperature) and cupcakes. In hindsight perhaps the day that I have my three gorgeous girlies at home and I'm meant to be packing for a week away isn't the best time to make the cupcakes but hey off I went.

Following the precise and perfectly illustrated instructions on the Pink Whisk site for the meringue buttercream I started. Nothing and I mean nothing could have prepared me for the time and effort it takes. I mean seriously I got myself a chair so that I could sit and watch the thermometer reach it's designated temperature. Eventually after lots of whisking, waiting, boiling, whisking, cooling, piping I got the final product. Was it worth it? Well it was nice, but personally I think I prefer normal buttercream. Also, normal buttercream doesn't take so long to make. I must point out though that the family soon ate the cupcakes and there weren't any complaints.

Happy Birthday Mark x

A Fairytale came true.....

........when we went to Disneyland Paris. Now I'm not sure that it was just our girls dream........ it was my dream too.

However....... it all started when the girls opened the brochure on their birthday, our way of telling them that we were were going to Disneyland Paris. The fanfares didn't go off, fireworks didn't happen, no one screamed with excitement, the girls weren't very excited and me and Mark with video camera and normal camera to our eyes were, shall we say, a little surprised by their lack of excitement. In the main I think this was due to the fact that they had each just opened near on 40 presents from family and friends and they were slightly over-whelmed. Lucy was the most excited thumbing through the brochure - though still calm. Chloe was really excited when she saw that the accommodation had a swimming pool! Damn should have booked numerous trips to the local baths instead. Eleanor just took it all in her usual stride.

The lack of excitement prior to the holiday was nothing to go by though as when the day finally arrived and we were going on the ferry the smiley faces and constant chattering was wonderful.

We decided on the first day at the Davy Crockett Ranch not to go in to the main park but to find our feet and stay around where we were. We had some great photos taken on the Park with Minnie and Mickey Mouse - over excited girls racing to the nearby shop to buy their autograph books.

I only have to look at their faces and I smile. They were so excited. Chloe & Lucy were near bursting and it was lovely that they still believed. I mean they actually believe that Minnie Mouse is Minnie Mouse and not well you know......

So the next day we joined the thousands of other people all there for the same thing "The Disney Experience". The Park was bigger than anything I had expected, cleaner than I could have wished for and just ticked all the boxes. The parades were out of this World and we were so lucky to see the fireworks display as a back drop to the castle - just enchanting.

As a one-off - not to be repeated experience - we decided to take the girls to the Auberge de Cendrillon for Lunch with the Prince and Princesses. This for me was an absolute highlight of the whole holiday. Not only had we brought our children to Disneyland Paris but we had also been lucky enough to take them to this special restaurant. Belle, The Beast, Cinderella, Suzy and Perla just some of the characters at our tables, giving our girls individual attention. As Cinderella came to the table and called our girls "Princesses" (as they do to all), I shed a tear. The food was amazing (though nut laden for hubby - ooops) and the atmosphere was magical. I feel very blessed to have been able to give our girls this experience lets just hope that they remember it. ha ha

So everything else..... I could talk for hours. There are moments in the DisneyPark when you think "gosh this is just another theme park" and then, well then something magical happens, and you literally feel the Disney lurve. We loved Disney..... would we go back.... yes in a heartbeat.

Oh my life

Blimey where has all that time gone. Considered starting again but then decided to try and revive this one.
x

Eleanors 8th Birthday Party

Can't believe that our baby is 8!!! How the flipping heck did that happen - I'm sure I only managed 2 sleeps and now she is 8! The birthday celebrations started on Saturday when she had a horse riding party. Now this was a bit of come down as originally Ellie has wanted horse riding in the morning, swimming in the afternoon, followed by the pictures and Frankie and Bennys! How I love her vivid imagination. Anyway, "just" horse riding it was with a McD's to follow, then home for games.... I know we must be mad. Ellie and five of her friends had a whale of a time hacking out in Romsley. Only one child (D) managed to fall off though it was cushioned by the sand in the arena. It is lovely to see what a wonderful young girl Ellie is. Her love for Gem her favourite horse is clear to see - if only the budget allowed then I know that would be the horse she would want.

Trying again

Right, I'm going to try again to keep a blog! Flipping hard work with everything else going on in our lives but as I reckon my brain is deteriorating at least it will be somewhere that the children etc can come and see ha ha. onwards and upwards....

February 2009

Gosh I can't believe how long it has been since I started this blog.... and well haven't really done anything.

Must remember to try and blog more often! x