We like Saturdays!!

I think that Saturdays are my most favourite day of the week ~ no work ~ no rushing about and no school runs!!
Today has been a good day ~ I managed to have a lie in this morning (until 8.30 ~ yippee) ~ and then took Lauren to her ballet lesson, which she did really well in ~I think she was born to dance!!

Then after a spot of lunch ~ we were off back to where Lauren had her party last weekend ~ for yet another birthday party! While Lauren was at the party, Dan and I popped into town for a quick wander around ~it ended up being a VERY QUICK wander as the place was totally packed ~ you could hardly move (anyone would think that it was nearly Christmas ha ha !!).

We are sat watching the X factor at the moment ~ the kids love it (and so do I) ~ it is getting to the best part ~ where there are not that many acts left and the public get to make the decisions and not the judges!!

Tomorrow is the same old Sunday morning routine (yes ~ my life is officially like Ground Hog Day ha ha !!!). Judo lessons for Daniel and the weekly shop for me and Lauren (oh how I hate Asda on a Sunday Tee hee!!!). I have booked a little suprise for the children tomorrow ~ we are going to the cinema to see madagascar return 2 Africa ~ and then afterwards I will treat them to a Mcdonalds!! ~ they have wanted to see it and it is previewed this weekend ~ so I thought that I would book it as a treat!!

Anyway ~ Off to watch what is happening on the X Factor ~ hope that you are having a relaxing Saturday evening too!! XXX

I hope you are sitting down........................

.........Beacause ~ I am going on a night out!!! Yes ~ I know, I don't get out much (infact sometimes I don't get out at all........unless I have 3 million children with me tee hee!!).
BUT ~ a group of us always have a Christmas night out ~ and this year we have decided that a festive meal and a few drinks was in order ~ so it is all booked and arranged for next week!!!

Unfortunately my wardrobe nowadays consists of absolutely NOTHING that fits me anymore!
Everthing falls down (not the look that I was really going for!) ~ SO I have been and treated myself to something to wear for my festive night out!! WELL ~ actually I have bought the top half ~ which is here ~ all sparkly and festive!! (and black ha ha !!)

AND ~ I bought these boots aswell ~ just because I liked them and they were in the sale.....you know what it is like ~ sometimes you just can't have enough footwear!!!

I haven't decided what to wear on the bottom half ~ probably trousers ~ I am still looking for something ~ but I will be wearing a bottom half ~ don't worry ~ although I intend to have a drink or two and be merry (and have a night off from dieting ~ just the one mind you!!) ~ I have no intentions of going out "half naked" and I think that I would be arrested for indecency or scaring young children or something Tee Hee!!!!

The weigh in last night went well ~ after I had to miss it last week because Lauren was poorly. I am another 2 pounds lighter ~ making the total lost so far as 4 stone 9 pounds (65 pounds) ~ so I am getting closer to where I want to be ~ which makes me feel alot better ~ THEN I just have to maintain the weight ~ which I feel will be alot harder than losing it!!

We are just off into town to do a bit of Late night Christmas shopping!!

Have a nice evening XXX

I have elfed myself LOL!!!!!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

A little bit of crimping!!

One of the things that Lauren got for her birthday was a hair styler ~ a High School Musical Hair styler, which had attachments for curling, straightening and crimping the hair. This morning Lauren decided that she wanted her hair crimped for school ~ so after a mad rush I managed to crimp it for her,

Here she is ~ wearing her new jumper and trousers, which she got for her birthday, and sporting her new crimped hair!!

All crimped and ready to go this morning!!

A photo from the morning of Laurens birthday ~ I promised Tania over at little sweethearts that I would take a picture of Lauren opening the towel that I ordered from Tania, it is really gorgeous and is embroidered with a ballerina and Laurens name ~ she has taken it to dance classes this week and it is a big hit!!

Thank you so much Tania ~ it is perfect and Lauren loves it!!

Well I did not venture far today as my car had to go back to the garage!! It had started to make a rather loud squeeking noise ~ which over the last 2 weeks has started to get really loud ~ so I decided that since it is still under Warranty it should go back to the garage! They identified the problem as the brakes and today it has been fixed ~ but it meant that I spent the day car less!!

The children loved it as they got to go to the after school club ~ which was very exciting for them and meant that they got to do some fun things there!! I am just glad that the car is sorted ~ as the drive to my Mums at Christmas is looming and that is not a trip that I would like to break down on!!

The weather reached a new low today ~ totally freezing all day and I think that I actually lost all feeling in my fingers at one point ha ha!! I have rooted out my scarf and gloves and I think that I will need to wear them from now on ~ as aparently it is getting colder (Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr).

Also ~ it is now officially christmas (ha ha ) ~ I saw THE advert today ~ my favourite Coke Christmas advert ~ which means that we are getting to the festive season!! I believe my Christmas counter now shows under 30 days to Christmas ~ better get writing my cards and wrapping some presents..........Santa will be here before we know it............XXX

My Precious Girl!!

My dear, sweet, precious girl ~ today you are 7 years old........
SEVEN, how on earth did that happen ~ it was only yesterday that I brought you home ~ all rosy and chubby wrapped in your little pink fleece blanket and placed you gently in the moses basket. Only yesterday that you smiled your first smile, said your first words and took your first baby steps in life. You have always been an outgoing and confident child ~ who has grown into a beautiful, kind and caring young lady.

Together ~ we have had good days.......and the bad ~ we have laughed and cried ~ there have been moments of pure joy and moments where you have driven me totally and utterly mad.....

I am so thankful and grateful that you came into my life ~ you have made everyday more special than the last ~ and everyday that I spend with you ~ I love you more and more.

You mean the whole world to me ~
Your gorgeous little face and funny little laugh are wrapped around my heart with gold thread.

You are my precious girl and I am so proud and privileged that you are MY DAUGHTER!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOZZY LOU ~ I LOVE YOU ALL THE SKY, ALL THE STARS, ALL THE WORLD XXXX

Turning on the Christmas Lights!!!

After all the excitement and stresses of yesterday and the party ~ you would think that we would have a relaxing day today ~ well ~ actually today was also full to the brim!!
We had the usual Sunday morning ritual of dan's Judo ~ while Lauren and I went and did the weekly shop (which costs more every week!!).

When we were all sorted out and dressed up warmly, we headed into the local town for the switching on of the Christmas lights. We usually go every year ~ there is entertainment and then santa comes along with his helpers and switches on the christmas lights, then there is a sing a long and fireworks.

We really had a wonderful time and the children loved going on the rides ~ they also came home with some reindeer antler hats (which were being given away) and a sword/light saber which glows and changes colour!!

Here are a few pictures of our busy and fun day!!

Dan and Lauren going for a bit of a swing!!!!!

A bit of brother and sister rivalry on the rock climbing wall ~ Daniel did much better than lauren who decided that she didn't like it after about 2 minutes ha ha !!!

I didn't manage to get any pictures of the fireworks or Santa ~ as there was such a big crowd of people that you couldn't move!!!

Lauren also managed to spend most of her birthday money and her vouchers ~ she can spend money like water tee hee!!! She bought a High School Musical 3 dance mat and some play make up , some sparkly silver shoes, a watch and some sweets ~ and she still has £20 left ~ so she did quite well!!!!!!

Just off to decorate the house for a certain little girl who has a birthday tomorrow!!

Baloons to blow up and banners to hang ~ then a pile of ironing almost to the ceiling ~ and finally my weekly fix of Desperate Housewives and fall into bed!! Another weekend over and so another week starts !!!! XXXXXXX

PARTY!!

What a day!! What a WONDERFUL day actually!! It was Laurens 7th Birthday Party today and she has had a really wonderful day ~ lots of laughter ~ lots of fun ~ lots of dancing and LOTS of presents!!

All her little school friends were there and it was one of the nicest parties that Lauren has ever had!

I cannot lie and tell you that I made the cake (tee hee!!) ~ I well and truly cheated and went to Asda and got Lauren the cake that she has been telling me she wants for weeks (AND WEEKS!!)

My little lad ~ who was so good all through the party (even though he didn't really want to be there ha ha !!) ~ with one of Laurens friends Chloe ~ who was born a few months after Lauren ~ Chloes mum Leslie and I met when we were pregnant and have been firm friends since!!

My Precious little girl ~ stopping to pose for a quick photo!!

Mother and Daughter ~ I have a photo taken with the children every year!! (Lauren unfortunately had part of a sausage roll in her mouth still ha ha !!!)

A group photo of all the little disco divas and dudes!!

Lauren is now shattered ~ and is flat out on the sofa watching the X factor!!

Daniel is also lying on the sofa ~ he was at a sleepover last night, so didn't get to bed until late!!

Me, I am totally exhausted ~ but so so happy that the party went well and that Lauren has had a wonderful day full of special memories! She still has another fun day ahead of her on her actual birthday on Monday!! XXXXXXXX

Guess What!

We now all have the cough, cold, sore throat that Lauren came down with the other night ~ speaking for myself here ~ I feel awful ~ and I can understand why Lauren just wanted to go to bed last night ~ I feel just the same!!

We are all 3 dosed up with cough medicine and sore throat pastels and hopefully we will all feel better for the party on Saturday. lauren has got a croaky voice ~ so things have been quite quiet here!!

This is what always happens ~ we are all healthy most of the year and then when there is something planned ~ a birthday or family party, we all come down with the lurgy ha ha !!

Anyway ~ I am off to have a bath ~ put on my most comfy PJ's and snuggle under the quilt to watch TV for a bit ~ and then I think that an early night is in order !! XXX

(PS ~ Don't know what it is like where you are ~ but it is flipping freezing here BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

and apparently there is an Artic cold snap coming in at the weekend (whatever that means!!) ~ so get those thermal undies ready ~ if you live in the UK you may just need them!) xx

I really like the postman..........

When he brings me 'Beauty Full' things like these!!

I ordered some items from Tania over at littlesweethearts ~ she has the sweetest Etsy shop ~ with some really lovely things ~ so if you haven't been over there already ~ pop over and visit and say Hi!!

I have wanted one of these Strawberry and chocolate bookmarks for a while ~ and it is wonderful ~ looks good enough to eat (ha ha ~ wonder if it contains any calories.....only joking!!).
Tania also sent the sweet flower paperclip ~ a sweet and thoughtful little extra!!

Here is the cutest little Santa stocking on a tiny little clothes peg ~ which tania attached to the tree decorations I ordered ~ I am sure it will look wonderful hung up with the christmas cards!

After seeing the decorations that Dani and Hannah received from Tania as a give away ~ I decided that they were just perfect to take to my Mums with me ~ one for Dan and one for Lauren to hang on the tree there ~ I am sure you will agree that they will make a wonderful addition!!

AND ~ last but not least ~ I couldn't finish this post without a picture of the card that Tania sent ~ she saw it and it reminded her of the post I did some time back ~ about being 'Mrs Mop' ~ what fun ~ and it captures perfectly the way I look most days (ha ha ~ and I am NOT joking there!!!).

There was one other very very special item that I ordered from Tania ~ for a very special little girl ~ and it is totally gorgeous ~ it is wrapped and safely put away for her birthday ~ but I promised Tania that I would take some pictures of her opening it ~ and will post them here so you can all see!!!!! XXXXXXXX

PS ~ Unfortunately little Lauren was not too well this evening ~ she has a bad cold, cough and sore throat and just wanted to go to bed ~ so I never made it to my weigh in!! ~ SO ~ no update this week ~ hopefully that will mean double good news next week ha ha !! XX

What did you do last night???

I did this!! 25 party bags ~ all ready for saturday!

Just need to bake a cake now ~ Tee Hee!! OK ~ so I lie!! You know me (and baking!!) ~ I am cheating and visiting Asda Walmart to buy one!!! WELL ~ I can't be good at everything! (Just being good at SOMETHING would be nice Bahahahahahah!!!!!!) XXXX

Princes, Birthdays and Other Stuff!!

I managed to get laurens birthday presents today ~ I have already bought her the presents from Daniel and I ~ I have got her a High School Musical hairdryer and hairstyler and she has some other HSM bits and pieces from daniel too!!

My Mum sent me some money to get her a present ~ as she lives so far away ~ and this is what I got for Lauren.........A stroller for the doll that she wants!!

I also used some of the money to buy her these outfits for the doll!!

AND ~ here is the doll that lauren wants so badly!! She is called Rosy and is the cousin of the doll above with the dark hair called Roxanne ~ which Lauren got for christmas last year and totally loves!! Luckily I managed to get her the doll today too!! There is also a boy doll called Roby ~ who lauren has on her Christmas list ~ so he may well be joining the family too ha ha !!

These dolls are about 60cm high ~ so they are what Lauren calls her little sisters ~ she just loves them!!

I managed to get some pictures from Prince Charles website ~ showing his 60th birthday celebrations and I did find Daniel ~ although it is just the back of his head (tee hee) ~ but it is him!! In this first picture ~ it shows the children singing Happy Birthday!!

And here is the picture with Dan in it ~ the children are ~ from left to right ~ Dan's friends and fellow school pupils ~ Eleanor, Ethan ~ Then Daniels little dark head ~ then his headmistress ~ in the purple jacket!! All talking with Prince Charles.

We are hopefully getting some official photos that were taken of the children singing and of the children with the Prince ~ so I will update those as and when I get them!!

This week has got off to a hectic start (as always!!) ~ I am busy getting everything sorted out for Laurens party on saturday. She is having a Disco party on Saturday afternoon with 20 of her school friends ~ so that should be fun ~ tee hee!!

I have made a list of party food that I need to get ~ and I have to buy baloons and banners (I always decorate the house on the childrens birthdays!!), I also need to buy some helium filled ballons to put on Laurens chair at the party ~ and other little bits and pieces ~ to go along with the High School Musical theme that she has chosen (no suprise there!!)

Laurens actual birthday is not until 24th Nov ~ so we will also have a little birthday tea for her then too and she can open the presents from us then!!

Hope your week is off to a good start ~ have 20 + cello party bags to fill and seal ~ so off to start on that now!!

Love and hugs, Tabitha XXXX

Holidays are coming.......

There is always one sure fire way that I know Christmas is on its way ......... What is that? I hear you ask!!!
Snow? ~ NOPE!!
Christmas cards, decorations etc in the shops ? ~ NOPE!!
Lauren and Dan writing their 500 page long Christmas lists ? ~ NOPE!!

NO, NO,NO.........

I know that Christmas is really on its way when I see adverts like THIS on the TV!!

My most favourite one ~ which they used to show every year .......

The Coca Cola one ~ where they have the Coca Cola lorry decorated with Santa on the side etc ~ driving through all the snow ~ with the song "Holidays are coming ~ Holidays are coming!"
(OK ~ so a small amount of insanity does run through my family tee hee!!)

SO ~ watch out people ~ Holidays are coming and Christmas is nearly here (panic!!).

Just off to wrap a few pressies and look at the box of mince pies that I bought this morning (not actually sure why ~ as I am not allowed to eat them.......so they are sitting in the cupboard staring at me every time I open the door ha ha !!!!). OH WILLPOWER ~ DO NOT DESERT ME NOW!!!!!!!!!!



Love and hugs Tabitha XXXX



PS ~ Anyone else have a favourite Christmas advert ~ or that certain something that means Christmas is well and truly on its way????

BRENDAS PHOTO CHALLENGE

I am VERY late in posting my pictures for Brendas Photo Challenge (AGAIN!!).
I was meant to do the post last night and put it on this morning ~ but somewhere along the line ~ it all went a bit wrong ha ha !!!

Anyway ~ here are my pictures!! The theme this time is WATER and the hostess is Maria from Let the good times roll ~ thank you Maria for this great topic!!

I did a bit of cheating again and used some older photos!!


One of our favourite places ~ the beach!! (plenty of water there!!)

Lauren enjoying the beach ~ from our holiday in Wales earlier this year!
Lauren again ~ and more water!!

Just for fun I added a picture that Lauren took totally by accident ~ and she managed to capture a puddle on the road outside our house!!! What luck!!!
So, there you have them ~ my water pictures ~ better late than never ~ hopefully!!
See you all again for the next challenge!! XXXXXX

Pudsey Day!!!

*****UPDATE FROM DANIEL'S VISIT TO LONDON*********

Dan has returned safely from London after his busy day ~ during which he sang with the rest of his year group and children from 4 other schools at the Royal Opera House in celebration of Prince Charles 60th Birthday~ they sang All Through the Night together with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra followed by a rendition of Happy Birthday!!!!

Dan tells me that he also sang the National Anthem and remembered ALL the words!!

Dan has had an excellent experience and after the concert Dan and 2 of his friends were chosen to stand up and speak to the Prince (Yes ~ he has now rubbed shoulders with royalty ha ha !!) ~ according to Daniel the Prince was very nice and spoke about how far they had come and talked to the whole group about music and the concert. He has certainly had a day to remember and is one that he will never forget!!

*****NEWS UPDATE****************************************************

Daniel and his school friends have just been on the BBC and the Sky News singing happy Birthday to the Prince ~ if you watch the BBC news at 10pm or Sky News on the hour ~ you may just see him!! ( I found THIS link showing the children singing on BBC News ~ but you can't see Dan anywhere though ha ha !!)

This evening ~ now that Daniel is safely back with us (after hob nobbing with royalty !!!) we are all ready for a Pudsey night!! Tonight is Children in Need Night and Pudsey bear is the charities mascot ~ we are ready and waiting for the 7 hour TV extravaganza ~ which starts at 7pm ~ and ends at 2am tomorrow morning ~ I have told the children that they can stay up until 10pm as a treat!! You can find out about Children In Need ~ HERE

Last year the donations from the night totalled 19 million pounds and the total donations for the events came to 37 million pounds ~ which goes towards helping change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK ~ a very worthwhile charity, I am sure you will agree!

We have done our part so far ~ we all have our Pudsey bear tops on tonight, the children both have Pudsey bear teddies and pens and during the show the children will each be ringing up to donate some pocket money (£10 each and I will also donate £10).


Here we are ~ our little family all dressed and ready for a night of Pudsey fun and entertainment!!


My little stars ~ they are so sweet (Lauren is using her Pudsey bandana as a headscarf ha ha !!)

The week is over and I am intending to spend some quality time with my 2 little people ~ starting tonight! I am just off to pop some Popcorn for them ~ sweet for Daniel and salty for Lauren ~ they have such different tastes!!

Hope you have a great evening too and a relaxing and happy weekend XXXXX

So proud of my boy!!

A rather tired looking Dan ~ 6.30am this morning ~ all ready to head off to London ~ to sing for Prince Charles!!

I am so proud of this little man ~ can't wait until he comes home later and tells me all about it!

Will update you all later ~ with how it went!! XXX

Credit Crunch Crafts!!!

We all must be feeling the pinch ~ I know that I have been!! Financially things are getting tighter ~ and with Christmas just around the corner ~ I am trying to save a few pennies here and there!!

I always do crafts with the children that I look after ~ but even that can get expensive ~ when you have to go out and buy all the craft items etc! SO ~ I saw this in a childcare magazine yesterday and decided to give it a go! All you need is what is pictured below ......paper ~ felt pens and scissors ~ that's it!!


First fold the paper like this ~ so you have a triangle and a rectangle shaped piece over at the end!

Then cut the end rectangle shaped piece of paper off (great to make into a bookmark later!!)

Next, turn the triangle of paper you have left around ~ so the longest edge is at the top ~ then fold like this..............so you have 2 flaps!!

Then ~ decorate like this (or they could be other animals!!)

and there you have it ~ cerdit crunch busting ~ PAPER PUPPY HAND PUPPETS!!!!

The children that I look after love them ~ and they cost NOTHING!! (just the paper which I already had!!). Thought that I would share this with you ~ those of you with little kiddies may want to give it a try ~ they have been a great hit here!!!! I love working with children ~ I get to relive my childhood all over again (and I never have to grow up Tee Hee!!)

In other news ~ the weigh in went ok ~ another pound gone ~ so the total now is 63 pounds lost (4 and a half stone) in total!! Things are getting harder each week and progress is slow ~ but I am nearly at the 5 stone lost mark now ~ hopefully I will reach that target by christmas ~ and I shouldn't be far off my goal weight of 9 stone (126 pounds) ~ which sometimes feels like I will never reach ha ha !! (not helped by visits to the fish and chip shop and Mcdonalds with the children this week ~ I have been such a bad mummy ~ thankfully I resisted both!!).

Daniel is brimming with excitement about tomorrow and his visit to London with the school to sing for Prince Charles 60th Birthday!! The school have provided shirts and ties for them to wear with their school sweatshirts (they usually wear white shirts, but not the ties!! ~ I think that the school wants to make sure that all the children look neat and the same!!).

Unfortunately the children are not allowed to take cameras ~ so no photos ~ but the school have said that the concert may have snippets televised either tomorrow or over the weekend ~ in celebration of the Princes Birthday ~ so those of you in the UK ~ keep an eye out and you may see my eldest little star ~ singing for the Prince!!

Well better be off ~ LOADS to do!!

Love and Hugs Tabitha XXXX