Blog Baby 28

Congratulations, Mary and Pete are grandparents again! 

Luke & Rachel have a new son, Hugo Lawrence, 5lb 11oz, born Monday morning. Mother and baby fine.  Grandfather re-assessing his finances!  

Sleepover...

A few weeks ago Nana suggested to Jamie and to us that he might like to spend the night with her.  I know many parents would have jumped at the chance to have a free night, but I am afraid I / we didn't.  I suppose it was the initial 'first time' nerves.  Would he like it?  Be happy?  Want to come home?   And then I worried about whether he would be safe?  What if he hurt himself?   But I think my main worry was that he might fall down Nana's stairs!!

As it turned out, he came home safe and well this morning - about 9.30am - after having a long night with Nana.  I took him round for his tea at about 5pm.  He had had a sleep before so was a bit mardy to start with and was crying when we got to Nana's.  I tried to explain about the sleepover, but he didn't seem very happy about the idea at all.  However, after spending about 20 minutes there, and once 'Granpa in my pocket' started he calmed down and didn't really notice that I had left.

I told daddy to wait an hour or so before the first glass of wine, in case Nana wanted us to go and pick him up, but the phone call never came.  It was weird not having Jamie in the house.  I started to do something on the computer in the morning and could not help but imagine that every noise was Jamie getting out of bed.

We did miss him though, and at 11.30pm I said 'Shall I go and pick him up?' but it was nice having the bed all to ourselves for once....

What's the Secret of a Long Life?

While in Norfolk at the weekend, Paul took us on a lovely long walk in the sunshine to  www.wivetonhall.co.uk/ where we all had cream teas and Kerry and Ella did some strawberry picking.

On the way back, we met an old couple coming towards us.  As we like to be sociable, we all said 'Morning' and stopped for a chat.

Now they both looked pretty old.  I would have said late 80's, early 90's, but it turned out he was 100 (16weeks +) and she was 97!!

So, what was their secret?
Well, they were both lifetime members of The National Trust and she said she had certainly got her money worth over the years.  She was very keen for us all to become members and said a number of times how great membership is for a family.  Lifetime membership for a couple is currently £1,585.

She was a lovely lady and very chatty, so I would say that being happy must be a pre-requisite for ageing well.

They obviously did / do a lot of walking in the fresh air and if they live near Blakeney then a lot of the walking will be taling in the sea air as well.

You could tell from looking at both of them, that they looked after themselves.  They were both well dressed and had obviously made an effort before they left the house.

What was also obvious from looking at them however, was that they had Money!

Cooking with Jamie

Jamie has always loved his cooking.  When he is at Nana's they often make pastry biscuits to bring home.  Recently Nana picked up a free recipe book from Anchor butter and while we were out shopping I thought I would buy some ingredients and try and make something with Jamie.

One of the easiest recipes seemed to be for Shortbread so I bought all the ingredients.  However, chatting to Nana as we wandered around Sainsbury's I realised we probably didn't have any of the equipment needed.  It has to be said that I am a stranger in my own kitchen, and to anything remotely connected to cooking.  I have a fridge magnet that says; I only have a kitchen because it came with the house.  Perhaps I should add and it contains the fridge where my wine lives....

So we left Sainsbury's with a full trolley and an empty purse but with lots of new colourful plastic items.  One of these said plastic items was a selection of star cookie cutters.  Unfortunately it did not say on the label Do Not Put In Oven and so I am afraid I put all the lovely mixture into them before putting them into the oven.  Luckily Daddy came home before they had fully melted!!

The kitchen looked like a (flour) bomb had gone off, my wrist (from whisking) and back from sitting at the little table were killing, but Jamie loved it.  He was exhausted and went for a long snooze.  Not sure that all the input was worth the effort really.  Mummy spent ages clearing up and washing up all the new lovely utensils - at least the ones that hadn't melted!!

But, after all that, the biscuits were delicious and probably have done nothing to help with my diet.  Even daddy sent a text today to congratulate me.  Perhaps I might try another one of the 'Easy' recipes!?

"We Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside...."

Had a fantastic weekend away with Jamie's 'Girls' at Blakeney in Norfolk.  However, the weekend could have been terrible as just as we were leaving I trapped Jamie's fingers in the door.  I was so worried about him running out onto the road I didn't notice his fingers.....

Luckily after a few tears we were able to set off before 9.30am!!

Got back Tuesday and Jamie finally had a (long awaited) Poo!!

Mad Hatter's Tea Party

Nursery had a Mad Hatter's Tea Party this week on the village green.  As Jamie was not in nursery that day I left work early and met Jamie and Nanna there.  It was nice to see so many of the children and also their parents.  A lot had dressed up.  Jamie wore one of my old hats and his pirate gear.  The twins mum had made hats (note to self: must be more creative).  It was also nice that the sun came out!!

The nursery had placed various 'hatter' props around the park.  Firstly, the Cheshire Cat, then a tea pot followed by cups and then they had some cards hanging from the trees and the bridge.  There was a large hat (In This Style) and a rabbit hole, and of course there was a lovely tea party / picnic at the end for everyone to enjoy!!

That'll Teach Me!!

There I go, telling people Jamie is doing so well, and then Monday he firstly leaves a small puddle under the table when he is playing with daddy, and then later, when playing with Will, he tells us he is 'wet.'  That'll teach me!!