The Gallery - Sunshine

So this weeks theme for The Gallery is Sunshine. 

Well I don't know about you but we've had plently of that down here the last couple of weeks, it's been ace! 

I can feel my serotonin levels increasing already, (which had seriously depleted with the never ending Winter which we've seemed to of had this year).

My entry this week isn't a picture of the sun or the sun shinning onto something but rather something that happens when the sun is out and which is a source of never ending amusment for little ones.

 To check out other amazing entries this week head over to Tara's blog at Sticky Fingers.

Bring out the Balloons

Today Lj attended her first birthday party without her big brother. She has been to parties before but only because H has been invited so she goes along as well. However the invite for this party was just for her. 

So I got her all dressed up in her pretty party dress (£10 from Tesco, Bargain!) dropped H at pre school and off we went. I think I was more excited than her.

When we got to the party she just sat on my lap and wouldn't move. She got down a few times if something caught her eye but was soon back in the comfort of my arms. I kept asking her if she wanted to get down and play but the only answer I got was "No No".

I've always thought she was quite a confident child because whenever we go anywhere she gets straight into it, playing with the toys that are on offer or chatting away in her toodler babble to the other children. What I have now realised is that she is confident but only when her big brother is there to show her the way.

Anyway the time came to leave, it was a lovely party which she spent more time observing than participating in and that was Lj's first experience of a party without her brother. Although all of that watching must have worn her out because she fell asleep straight away in the car, clutching the contents of her party bag.

 

Pinterest Party - The Beach

So this weeks very apt theme, what with all the beautiful sunshine we've been having, for Pinterest Party is... The Beach. 

 Image from Pinterest

I cannot get enough of sunset photo's, they are by far the best pictures. All of my favourite colours in one image. Love it.

So it's your turn now, go to Moors Mummy's blog to find out how to join in.

Potty Training - Day Four

Well we are on day four of our potty training period and I don’t want to jinx it but it has gone brilliantly. H has really taken to it really well. We’ve only had two accident in the last 3 days and one of those was because he had a late night on Saturday and was really tired. Even his bedtime nappy has been dry in the mornings and he asks to go as soon as he wakes up.

All I seem to of been saying this week is  ‘Do you need a wee? Do you need a poo?’. Over and over again. I must have said it a thousand times over the last couple of days but if it gets the job done!

Image by Angelina Purpura

A unexpected bonus to the potty training is that since we have been doing it with H, Lj has taken a real interest in it too. She keeps going up to the loo saying wee wee. I put her on but she doesn’t do anything yet but I suppose it’s a start. 

Maybe we’ll have them both done and dusted with nappies by next summer and then with the money we will save from not having to buy two lots of nappies we could probably afford an extra holiday yey, well at least a long weekend! X

Image by David Merrigan

You may laugh but I’ve actually worked it out…

We buy the huggies deal of two boxes for £16, each box has 76 nappies in. We generally go through those 2 boxes in 2 weeks (that’s if we are averaging 5 nappies a day per child roughly). So that’s £8 a week on nappies. If I then add that up for the amount of weeks until next summer…

52 weeks in a year takes us up to the beginning of next June, so that’s a grand total saving of £416! That’s a lot of money on nappies and could easily pay for a long weekend away, Venice here I come!

Yes I know, I know, I have way to much time on my hands today but I have an excuse… our electric is out, so that means no washing, no ironing, no hoovering, no cooking and no cash to go shopping, which has resulted in me being bored and only having a calculator to play with!

Serenity You: Photo Challenge

I'm joining in with 'Serenity You: Photo Challenge' today. 

This month theme is 'Wide Space', so naturally because we live by the coast I have chosen a sea shot. So here it is...

This photo was taken off of our boat on a trip from Torquay to Brixham. It was a gorgeous day and we stopped half way across for the kiddies to do their first bit of Mackerel fishing. They caught 3 fish so we took them home and they had them for their tea. Lovely x

Click on this link if you fancy joining in with the 'Serenity You: Photo Challenge ' or just to check out the other entries. Happy Snapping x

Potty Training - Day One

I have now decided that H is never going to be fully ready for potty training so instead I'm throwing him in at the deep end!

Today was day one and that meant no more nappies, (well except at bedtime).

To prepare for this I have stockpilled pants in anticipation of lots of accidents, brought stain removal spray for the carpets and mentally prepared myself for a couple of weeks of hell. 

Image by Nom & Malc

 14 trips to the loo, 6 pairs of wet pants and one pair of pants beyond saving later and we had our first day of potty training!

I have to say though that today went a lot better than I expected, well except for the little accident in the supermarket, (if you are going to Asda watch out for the wet patch in the Gardening aisle, opps).

What he does is start to wee and then realises what he is doing and then tells me that he needs a wee, so if we can just get him to tell us before he lets anything go we might just get somwhere. There's hope yet and at least the suns out, the sun makes everything more bearable.

The Gallery - Picture Perfect

This weeks theme for The Gallery is 'Picture Perfect', so here is my entry...

 Even though this picture was taken on a disposable camera, it is my all time favourite. 

I was working on a straw bale house in Italy at the time and I had a day off and decided I had to go to Venice. I went on my own and it was totally terrifying but the most amazing day ever.

I managed to navigate my way around the whole of Venice and spent the day in awe of all the amazing architecture. 

I just wish I had had a better camera at the time, oh well I'll just have to get the OH to take me back there one day *cough* subtle hint if you are reading this *cough*

To check out other people's entries for this week visit Tara's blog at Sticky Fingers.