Family - 4

Rufus 

today we wish you a very happy 4th birthday.  

Its hard to believe that 4 years have passed so quickly.

I was there when you made your journey into the world, 

unfortunately not as you took your first breathe; 

but to hold you for the first time moments later was magical for me.  

We have watched you grow into an independent little boy and are so very proud of you.

Our love goes with you on your continued journey in life

Have a wonderful day love Granny and Pops x x

A little bird told me.........

That was the title of Rufus' nursery school nativity play yesterday afternoon.  I was happy to attend and be able to take some photographs of my sheep suit in action.  I managed to take quite a few photos, but can't really share the ones that include the other children, and the ones here that include others are luckily not in focus. There is a DVD following so Pops and Aunty Rachel (who couldn't attend can watch).  Enjoy..........

he spotted me!

shame his hat is on back to front

saying his line into the microphone

looking angelic, as his aunt said "a minx in sheeps clothing!"

Party Time

As mentioned on Friday, Laurie had his first birthday and on Sunday we had his birthday/naming party. Friday and Saturday were spent shopping and cooking, Rufus and his Daddy were camping so it was just us girls with Laurie and Pops.

Sunday morning we discovered that Rebecca had been up all night with a stomach bug, she was in a bit of a state, still being sick.  Quick phone calls to the campers trying to decide what to do.  The decision was to go ahead without Rebecca as friends had journeyed up to Cambridge over the weekend.  I have never known a morning go so quickly, time was not our friend.  Tim and Rufus came and took over Laurie whilst Rachel, myself and Peter made a start on getting things setup.  Tim's mum turned up early to help out with the boys and by 11:15 I was still whipping cream, in a frantic state.  Words were had and I apologise to anyone that came across the edge of my tongue!!

By 11:30 all was done, quick change and you'd never know there had been a panic.  By this time Rebecca had stopped being sick and made the decision to get up and have a shower to put in an appearance after the food, do her 'bit', then go back to bed.  Everyone was understanding, and I think had a good time.  The birthday boy certainly seemed to enjoy himself and the bouncy castle was a huge hit.  Our garden is just made for parties when the weather is kind.

Great grandparents

Nana and Laurie

The Jones Family

Add caption

The birthday boy

My brother Andy and niece Lucy

Lucy & Laurie

Thank you all for coming and making it such a special day.  Its just a shame that the hostess missed it all, so much work had gone into the planning but I hope that we did her proud.

NB: Rachel popped in this evening and thinks she may have pinpointed what made Rebecca ill.  A fish burger on Friday lunchtime is looking to be a culprit as she commented at the time that it wasn't very hot.

Perfect pair

This weekend Rufus and Laurie came to stay.  Not unusual I hear you say, but this is the first time that Laurie has stayed without his mummy being around.  So how did it go?  Very well, yes we are tired, I won't deny that.  But we had such a good time.  

Friday was beautiful and hot.  Rebecca dropped them off and stayed for lunch, but left early afternoon, when Rachel arrived. I needed a bit of help till Peter got home with the lifting, as my back was still paining me.  As you can see they had fun.  Rufus had fun with the water!

Peter put one of the tents up for the boys to play in, Rufus was very handy putting in the stakes.

Saturday started at 5:30am...... still you get lots done. We had breakfast, paid a visit to Great Grandma, made a picnic, then headed to the Steam Rally.  Unfortunately, the day was very overcast and at time chilly but dry, such a contrast from Friday. To say Rufus is interested in tractors and engines would be an understatement, he was so engrossed.  Laurie was more interested in the picnic and the cars in the car park on the way home.  It was great to have this hosted in our village, though the increased traffic past the house has been fairly constant.  The boys did however sleep through the steam engines going through yesterday evening, it seemed they managed to hoot just outside the house!  Also setting off the alarm in the property across the street!

So on to today.  Yes, another early start, 5:30am again, their mother was exactly the same. We needed to make the most of them as they were being collected around 10am - party to go to.  Bit more time spent in the tent, searching for wolves in the bottom of the garden??!!, tractors, playhouse and chilling in the hammock chair

It was fun, our son-in-law commented on the fact that we didn't look as tired as he'd expected!  Not sure how to take that, is he thinking we can't hack it? The house in now tidy, washing and ironing done, car cleaned and Harley washed and polished, just in time for the sun to come out...........