• days out - London

    A busy summer holiday

    I’m quite pleased we seem to be surviving the school holidays <touch wood>. The weather hasn’t been too bad and we’ve had lots to do. We had a great Day out with Thomas, the Christening, trip to Legoland and I’m trying to keep the toddler busy with some structured activities and lots of free time to play. As well as our usual baking, crafts and trips to the local park, he’s spent hours playing with trains, Lego, the sand pit and water table. We’ve signed up to some music classes which start next week. It’s an activity which both children…

  • baking

    Thomas the Tank Engine cupcakes

    I looked at my toddler the other day and realised he was dressed head to foot in Thomas clothes – hat, jumper, tshirt, shorts, socks <sigh>. I love him to bits but his Thomas obsession is everywhere! Fortunately for him we were sent some brilliant sugarettes from JustBake who sell all kinds of cupcake decorations, featuring the little blue engine and two of his friends to use at our next baking session. Hard to believe right now but last week it was raining so we got out the measuring bowl and got baking. We made some simple fairy cakes (using…

  • days out - London

    Enjoying the London life

    We had an amazing weekend. On Saturday we met up with friends and took the toddler to meet Thomas the Tank Engine, Mavis and those Troublesome Trucks at our favourite heritage railway. He had a brilliant time and only wanted to see Thomas, wasn’t fussed about any of the other activities going on! It was really lovely to see him so happy and great to spend some time with friends. On Sunday we had both children christened in the church we got married in. They were well behaved and it was a great opportunity to get all our family and…

  • playing - toddler

    Thomas Steam ‘n Speed

    The other week I was asked if the toddler liked Thomas. Only the biggest Thomas fan in Paisley Road, I answered. A couple of days later this turned up. Fisher Price very kindly sent him the new R/C Thomas Steam ‘n Speed with real working steam! It wasn’t too difficult to get out of the packaging, just a couple of fancy plastic ties, which was good as the toddler was sooo excited when he saw it. He won’t say Thomas but “TT” so there was lots of shouting and I had no option but to get it out of the…

  • Olympics

    To buy or not to buy?

    Our Olympic tickets finally arrived yesterday and we found out what we’re going to see – synchronized swimming! I’m excited but the husband isn’t. He muttered something about wanting to see the BMX racing to which I muttered grumpy old man or killjoy, something along those lines. Despite having the un-sportiest husband in the world he has mentioned more than once how we need to fully enjoy the upcoming Olympic Games, specifically by getting one of these smart TVs . He’s a bit of a gadget geek and has all the latest gadgets, not that he has much time to…

  • Cath Kidston - London - moving - Orla Kiely - vintage

    Planning a new home

    I’m definitely more excited about planning how we’re going to decorate our new house than I am house hunting and actually moving. We’ve let house hunting slip recently although we’re planning on going this weekend, weather permitting. We’re all getting fed up of constantly tripping over things, items falling out of overstuffed cupboards and just in general dread of the children needing anything bigger than a pack of nappies. Decorating and buying furniture is exciting though and I’ve been spending hours looking at nursery furniture as Little Sis will finally get her own room. I’m trying to steer clear of…

  • Gingerbread house finds - toddler - vintage

    A day at the races

    Today was the first full day of our holiday and my husband kindly agreed we could go to a car boot sale! I was really excited about this as there are never any near us in London and I always hear about people picking up great bargains. The car boot sale was at Newton Abbot Racecourse and opened at 9am. The children never sleep well when we’re away from home so we were all up and out the door and arrived at the Racecourse just after 9. I was surprised to see people were already leaving with armfuls of stuff…

  • playing - toddler

    Encouraging my little builder

    The toddler has become obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine and I don’t use the word obsessed lightly. His whole day seems to revolve around the little blue engine which means mine does too. His first words in the morning are Thomas and Gordon, his favourite engines, and the first toy out of his toy box is his Thomas track and engines. I totally blame my husband who wanted to wean him off Chuggington. Little did he know his passion for Chuggington would just become a passion for Thomas. In a bid to reclaim my lounge floor and introduce a…

  • moving - sleeping

    Where should Little Sis sleep?

    Little Sis is now 5 months old. She sleeps quite happily in her bednest next to me and I adore having her there. We’re thinking about what to do next as ideally we would move her to her own room around 6 months. However, we are so short of space we still haven’t decided on what bed to buy or where to put it. doubt they’ll be so keen to share when they’re teenagers! Her brother had a nursery from practically the moment he was conceived but our third bedroom is my husband’s office and, as he works from home,…