Monday 31 December 2012

Another year has passed......

Another year has passed....We have had quite a quiet year compared to others....

Nothing major has happened.....Nothing much has changed....We're plodding along with life and I like how it is....


This picture was taken this time last year girls seem alot smaller a year ago...Yes a year has passed but now they both look a lot more grown up if you know what I mean....Becky especially....She has got taller and Ellie has lost the baby chubby-ness off her face...

So....This was 2012!! 

We had Thomas the class teddy to stay for a week!! Loads of fun trying to keep him safe and clean!! 


Aww....Valentines Day meal for Stu & I....No chance of a baby-sitter so I cooked...Was a lovely evening....The kids even stayed in their bedrooms and let us eat in peace....


We saw the Olympic Torch on one of the rainiest days ever...


We baked cakes, had sword fights & had sunny days in the yard with the paddling pool...


We had lazy days...... 


And days out to the beach, eating fish & chips and Ice-Cream!.... 


We had school days...


And Birthdays....A 5th, 10th, 33rd and a 40th!


But most of all we had fun!!


Was a great year for us!!


Hope 2013 is good to us too.

New Years Eve!

A study reveals most people will celebrate New Year’s Eve at home.
A massive 83 per cent will shun expensive nights out in favour of a cosy night in.

Of those staying at home as Big Ben chimes in 2013, 43 per cent plan to snuggle up on the sofa to watch a film and a further third are planning on a quiet meal and a bottle of wine, while 12 per cent will be hosting friends and family....

One in ten says New Year’s Eve is too expensive — with the average cost per person of going out hitting £78.20...

We will be staying in....Stu, the kids and me....Like we do every year...I don't think I could be bothered with the hassle of trying to find a babysitter and going out on one of the busiest nights of the year!!

Last time I was out on New Years Eve was probably 1999 into 2000....Well before I had kids and the responsibility of being up the next morning....

We will either have a picky party tea or get a take-away....Depending on how we feel.....We will spend the evening playing board games or on the Wii.....Maybe watch some tv and definitely watch the countdown to New Year with Big Ben and all the fireworks... 

Have a good one whatever you are doing!!


  

Sunday 30 December 2012

Rylan? Tulisa? Gollum? Gangnam? Or simply Kate?

What will be the popular baby names of 2013??


As we all know, when it comes to choosing names for their babies, parents-to-be are dedicated followers of fashion.....In the Eighties we had the Kylies and Jasons, followed in the Nineties by a wave of Chardonnays, and then in the Noughties a whole load of Britneys....

But in the last two years vintage names such as Eve, Ava, Harry, Max and Poppy have made a comeback.

So what will mums and-dads-to-be be calling their offspring next year?

The most obvious candidates are 'Katherine' and 'William' in  tribute to our two favourites Royals. But if those names are too tame, how about 'Duchess' and 'Prince' to add a bit of glamour? Really...Sounds like names of dogs to me...lol

Most probably people will wait to see what Kate and Wills decide to call their baby before following in their footsteps and according to the bookies, the clever money is on George or Alexander for a boy and Diana or Victoria for a girl...

On the football field, two notable names stand out from the crowd – but for very different reasons 'Mario' – the name of the Manchester City player and 'Fabrice' the first name of Mr Muamba, whose 'death' on the football field inspired the nation to pray for him and who is now thankfully, in good health.....

But if sport's not your thing, how about giving your infant an uber-trendy handle?

The most likely source of inspiration will perhaps come from the world of showbiz.

'Hobbit', 'Bilbo' and 'Gollum' have a certain ring to them...Get it...Lord of The Rings...lol but I think telly is where most influence will come from.

'Tulisa' has got to be a contender, after the X Factor judge and tabloid favourite, as has 'Rylan' inspired by X Factor diva Rylan Clark.

Undoubtedly, the phenomenon of the year has been the erotic novel, Fifty Shades of Grey which, er, sowed the seeds for next year's generation. So perhaps it will inspire their names, too. How about 'Christian'? Or 'Anastasia'?

One craze that seems to be here to stay is a certain  dance that has been viewed nearly 1 billion times on YouTube. Naming your baby 'Gangnam' would definitely help get the party started. Or why not call him or her  for that matter 'PSY', after the South Korean singer?

If that doesn't inspire you, here are the Top 20 Baby Names in 2012

Ethan
Eva
Leo
Dylan
Jacob
Oliver
Noah
Ella
Alfie
Amelia
Mia
Isla
Max
Charlie
Alice
Joshua
Jack
Oscar
Isabella
Imogen

Friday 28 December 2012

Is it winning or the taking part that counts?!


According to dads it’s all about coming out as number one as research reveals many men won’t let their kids win at board games.....

Too true in our house....With the kids getting lots of games for Christmas Stu has become so competitive & so has Ellie....Stu hates to lose....Ellie she either tries to cheat or storms off in a mood if she thinks she's losing....The little madam! We've had it with Connect 4, Guess Who, Downfall, A pairs game, Pumpamazing & Snakes and ladders....

 
Researchers found that its mums who will usually let their kids enjoy winning if it makes life easier......

I will hold my hands up and say I'm guilty of that....Played games with the kids today and will let them win....Just because I hate to see them lose....It's against Stu where I will become really competitive.....

Bring on tonight.....World of Warcraft Monopoly....
Me V's Stu...HaHaHa :p

Thursday 27 December 2012

Did I offend you?

Did I offend you by putting pictures of my children's piles of presents on here??


 According to various people on Facebook and certain parenting message forums it is bad manners, chavvy, offensive, showing off & upsetting people posting pictures of piles of present's....

According to one person on my newsfeed...Not aimed at me...Just in general....She said.....A huge mountain of presents is very show offy and very insensitive....Who to? People who can't afford present's....Well to them people I suggest they cancel there internet subscription there's at least £120 a year if not more saved!! Yes people can use their phones to see the internet....Sell the super fancy phone and get a cheap basic one....There's a few quid extra for presents....Sorry if this upsets or offends you....I'm just saying how I feel....It has annoyed me!!

One last thing....I'm not sorry for posting pictures of my kid's piles of presents....I never did it with the intention of showing off...It never crossed my mind that anyone would or could be offended....

Also I have family around the UK who I won't see at Christmas who like to see things like that!! I have scrimped and saved & won thing's in competitions to bulk my children's piles up....My Facebook, my children's presents....If you don't like it you know where you can go!!

Wednesday 26 December 2012

Christmas Day In Pictures

We all had a fantastic day....Kids loved their presents....We ate too much....I'll be cleaning up for weeks....But all in all it was a great day!!


PRESENTS!! Santa's Been!!


 

Dressed finally!!!


Dinner Time!!!


My fave pressies....Cereal & World of Warcraft Monopoly!! YAY! I'm easily pleased :)


Tuesday 25 December 2012

Merry Christmas to One & All!


 
I hope you all have a fantastic day today and Santa has brought you all you've asked for!!

Eat, Drink and Be Merry!!!


 

Monday 24 December 2012

ONE More Sleep!!



Are we all ready for the big day?

We are here just about.....The kids are mega excited as expected and are just about bouncing off the walls!! Roll on bedtime....

We've been to Asda and bought the meat & the last few bits we needed...Ohh and Christmas PJ's!! Can't wait to see them in them.....Wasn't as busy as I thought it would be though...

I'm on with preparing the veg at the moment for tomorrows dinner....Just taking a break from all the chopping and cooking...

As much as I get stressed today....I do love it....I love preparing the dinner, watching a nice Christmas film with the kids before their bedtime, New Pj's, Putting mince pies, carrots and milk out for Santa and his reindeer's & trying to get the girls to bed early so Stu & I can get all the presents and arrange them in the living room!!

I hope you all have a fantastic day tomorrow!!

 

Sunday 23 December 2012

Christmas TV!

One thing I love about Christmas is the TV!!

All the soaps have their specials and a lot of the more popular shows on tv too...

Here's the one's I'm most looking forward too....In no particular order....

Mrs Brown’s Boys - Christmas Eve - 10.15pm & Boxing Day 9.30pm. BBC1
 
Agnes is dealing not just with a hectic family Christmas, but with putting on a Nativity play. Will her unique take on the script win the approval of Father Damien? And who on earth will she find to play the Virgin Mary?
 
Doctor Who - Christmas Day - 5.15pm. BBC1

The Doctor must deal with some very scary snowmen, hideous creatures made from “telepathic snow” in a fun, timely yarn...We also we meet The Doctor’s new companion Clara...Exciting!! 

The Royle Family - Christmas Day - 9.45pm. BBC1

Dave has an idea for Dragons Den! Jim is banking on a get-rich-quick scheme: a scratchcard. Meanwhile, a new busty neighbour has moved into the street and next-door neighbour Joe is looking for love via an advert in the Lonely Hearts column. It’s good to have the Royles back after a gap in 2011: still no sitcom captures Christmas family life like it. 

Outnumbered - Christmas Eve - 9.35pm. BBC1

The Brockman family have decided to foster a sense of community by throwing a Christmas party for their neighbours. However, as expected, festivities do not go as smoothly as planned. They are visited by some colourful guests, including, among others, an opinionated neighbour, a traumatised ex-weatherman and that most unwelcome of guests, a seasonal gastric virus. 

BBC One has put together a schedule that leans heavily towards animation with Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, Kung Fu Panda, Monsters vs Aliens, Ratatouille and Madagascar 2 all appearing in the bank holiday programming. FAB!!

With The Hobbit in cinemas, now is the perfect time to revisit Peter Jackson's all-conquering original Middle-earth trilogy & C4 are doing that!!

The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring, Christmas Day, 5.40pm.

The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers, Boxing Day, 6.55pm.

The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King, Sat 29 Dec, 7.20pm.

There is loads more I want to watch....I'm hoping to catch all the classic Christmas films.....A Christmas Carol, The Wizard of Oz, The Snowman & of course the Christmas Top of The Pops :)

Saturday 22 December 2012

I've Set A New Record At Poundland!

 All I went to Poundland for was some sellotape & some Febreeze I ended up spending £52!! Ohh and forgot the sellotape....lol


I love Poundland.....I have got loads from there for the girls for Christmas....

For Becky....


12 Horrible Histories DVD's which I've seen selling for at least £30! 
A lot of One Direction stuff....Selling for £2/£4 each!!
Smellies and Make up stuff....
A One Direction Annual, Little Mix & A Justin Bieber one too...
Hair Stuff...
 And loads more....

For Ellie
A lot of craft stuff....Paint, Glue & Kits...
Toy Story stuff...A Keyring, Jigsaws, Books & Toys. 
The Wand & Tiara she will love! Very girly & princessy!
I got her a couple of Annuals....The Barbie one and I think it was a Lala Loopsy one! 
Some little Barbie like dolls....
And lots more...  


 



Ohhh and the sweets....I think I may of got a bit carried away but I'm sure they will all be eaten!




No more shopping....I've finished...Well apart from when I go and buy the meat from Asda on Sunday or maybe Christmas eve depending on how rough I'm feeling after going to my friends Christmas party tonight....lol