Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Hampton Court Bank Holiday Monday

We went to see the fun and feasting that happened during the Marriage of King Henry VIII to Kateryn Parr on Monday. So much to see, so little time to do it has never held so true!

We started out with a lovely picnic in the Tiltyard gardens. The girls played their version of hide and seek amongst the trees when they’d finished eating, and a family of ducks came to say hello. Then GrannyJan, Sian and Beth all got dressed up in cloaks suitable to greet the King before we went to make merry.

First the children were all asked to act out a pageant of sporting achievements. The girls were tennis players and horse riders. Others showed his ability at jousting and boxing. The king enjoyed the show very much and the children were rewarded with a groat each. Beth still has hers (in the car somewhere!)

After the king enjoyed the children’s performance, everyone was invited to watch the fencing. Sian and Beth got caught up with the crowds and GrannyJan couldn’t catch up with them. I couldn’t as I was trying to wrestle Rick into his stroller! I thought they’d end up there and I wanted to see it anyway. So, off they went without a care in the world. Oh. My. Gosh. It was crowded. At least I knew where my two were headed so I could go after them and not be too worried. Another Mum lost her little girl in the crowd and the poor mite was petrified. I found the girls where I expected too. GrannyJan had other ideas though LOL. She couldn’t catch them so she got palace security to look for them! By the time they’d found them I had caught them up and we were happily watching the fencing. Unfortunately the only person with a phone was *me* so I couldn’t let the Grandparents know. I think the girls enjoyed the fuss though LOL. The security guards came and interrupted the fencing class to take them back to Granny. I rescued them from the end of the arena (couldn’t get through the crowds with the stroller) and told the security guard that sending children *back* to parents at the end of each event might be a better plan for next time. The day before apparently about 100 people went through to the fencing!!

Having got all 6 of us in the same place again and the girls unable to go back to the fencing class, we bought ice creams and waited for the land train ride. The carriages were pulled by two shire horses, named Aragon and Roy. They stood 18.2 hands high and weighed in at a good tonne each. Gorgeous beasts. It took us three attempts to get on the ride though LOL.

Refreshments in the Privy Kitchen were called for after that, as well as a freshening up in the facilities. I have NEVER seen a slice of chocolate cake disappear as fast as Sian’s did, I didn’t get a look in! Beth enjoyed what she ate of the banana and walnut cake and Rick, Sian and I all shared some yoghurt and fruit (mmmmm)

The final entertainment of the day was dancing for the new Queen arranged by her sister to remind her of her childhood. Sian and Beth joined in with that too. They didn’t quite get the steps right but they had a good old go and had lots of fun which was the most important thing of all!

I think we just had our first visit to Hampton Court Palace without visiting the kitchens! Normally we spend ages in there as its Sian’s favourite place to go. And they were working this weekend too- poor cooks! They use the methods and ingredients that would have been used when King Henry VIII was there and it was sweltering OUTSIDE , I can only imagine how hot those stoves must have felt!

(need camera batteries, will post photos later)

Monday, May 25, 2009

snap happy


Peek a boo! I see you!

Get that camera OUTTA my face!

Mask we bought from Cirque du Soleil in Florida last year

the other Cirque du Soleil mask.. with a scary face from Sian!

Beth getting swallowed in a tyre!

My three cuties.. not sure what Sian and Rick were talking about there!

My gorgeous girlies

Sian showing she still fits in the laundry basket.. yeah she needs to get washed when she gets in from school! I have NO idea what she gets up to there but she's always filthy!

Rick turning in to laundry

Blue skies at the park

Frederick Exploring



Lookie who's got mobile! He's been surfing the floors a while now and last week starting escaping the living room. Better get my baby gate back soon for the stairs! He came to find me in the room we're decorating

randomness of kids photography














eczema...

Rick has (ok, had) some really nasty eczema behind his knees and on the tops of his thighs. I should have taken pics, especially after i put the *prescription* moisturizer on him. Poor boy looked like he was burnt. I got some Aveeno for him (must get the gp to do me a prescription for that) and it helped a LOT, just one day and the redness subsided by 50%. But the thing that is really making a difference is this from upsydaisy nappies. Just ONE application and his skin was sooo much softer. I can see the difference just a few days later. His skin is still red at the knee backs but the thighs the redness is just from his nappy digging in a little (can't have it looser or he gets in there and scratches!

The girls got a hold of my camera (with permission) and I just found a photo to show how much it's improved.. so you can imagine how it *was* from this pic

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

6 months.

that's how long it's taken to get the last room in the house unpacked. and i am ready to paint it!! We have a colour chosen and just need to get some polyfilla for the holes left by curtain rails from previous tenants (we'll drill new holes for our own rails when we finally get curtains!) and the paint itself.

Beth and Sian have been having fun with my camera so i'll get their pics off it later. there may even be some half decent ones! And of course I have pics of the kids that I took too.

We got Beth's nursery photos today. Why is it when I take their photos they don't cooperate. If anyone ELSE takes them they are sweet as bloody candy?! How can I improve my skills if my models don't play ball LOL.

Monday, May 04, 2009

Big Cats!


The original Lions House

Mmm Snooze in the Sun

Snoozin'

Coming to get us

Catching some rays

Kids at the Zoo


Beth took this one! It's the ONLY pic she didn't have out of focus or cut a head off LOL.

Waiting for the Birds of Prey... trying to escape from Daddy!

I think Sian's Nesting!

Being a Monkey!

Balancing

What's the time?

B.U.G.S! @ London Zoo










Mercedes-Benz Egg Hunt


A clue, a clue!

Checking out a Merc.. still need car seats!

Silver Arrows Display Team.

Crash Test Dummy!

The race....!

Another Clue!

F1 Racing Car, but we're not allowed to sit in it :o(

The original Mercedes-Benz