neive and beth at 7 and 5

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New years day 2013

After saying good bye to Louise, Scott and my mum and dad we headed to Edinburgh to see the Moscow state circus.  It was a fantastic show with acrobats, gymnastics, clowns, jugglers and tight rope walkers. I have only seen the Blackpool tower circus before but this one was jaw dropping. I think I will be booking into cirque du soleil when we hit Disney world later this year.

Happy new year

We spent new year at Biggar helping light the bonfire.  Normally it's just the adults that have real torches but this year they brought back children's ones.  Neive and Beth had a ball and couldn't believe they actually were acthally getting to hold real fire torches.  Needless to say Neive managed to carry her torch all the way in the procession and throw it in the bonfire.  Beth however, after a lit torch nearly got poked in someones eye incident, had it taken off of her before we even started.  They didn't manage to stay up for the bells but Beth managed till 11.20.  Fingers crossed for next year.

Testing testing1 2 3....

Fraser got me a tablet for Xmas. I stopped using my laptop ages ago as it ran so slowly. Hoping to get back into my blogging. We spent our Christmas day at granny chickens house with our cousin Maya. Santa spoiled the girls rotten. Neive had fallen ill at the weekend but she was a little trooper and made it through Xmas day with a smile on her face. However, Beth got sent to her bed early as she was truly exhausted.

Catch up

2010 /2011 some pictures



Hi All,

There has been a huge gap in post which i can only apologise for. I have some pictures from November and December to accompany some posts. Then in December I dropped my camera and broke it. Every picture I was taking was out of focus but I was too scared to tell Fraser it was broken. I final came clean last month and it's in the shop getting repaired. The best I can do is publish the photos I have and give you some snippets about what we've been doing from my diary.

November 2010
4th November - Spell came to toddlers again. I used to think Neive was into her dancing but whenever Beth hears a bit of music her bum starts to move.

13th Rugby - Every year we go to a token rugby game for Fraser. This year he has been luck and went to two. It was rugby v wales we all got very drunk and felt really bad the next day. Now every November Fraser tries to participate in Movember (where guys dont shave). Day 11 - I told him shave it off today by yourself or i'll go at you myself with a razor tonight. Needless to say he saw reason and shaved. It's quite funny looking back at it now as Neive is currently enjoying the twits as a bed time story. It's my favourite roald Dahl book and the first chapter is all about rotten food getting caught in Mr Twits beard and moustache. Neive and I were both hee-hawing and laughing at the chapter but maybe that's why i can't stand facial hair on men?


25th November

27th & 28th Liverpool for Ali birthday - My best friends birthday is late December which is a nightmare every year. We go out for dinner and it's the christmas menus, loads of christmas work do's on so really hard to organise a date tc. This year she turns 30! So she organised a trip to Liverppol for November to make sure everyone could come. On the way down the bad snow started and we had to stop a couple of times as we couldnt even see the road. We got down there safely and went out to an italian restaurant. The portions were massive and it was lovely food. It was great getting to go out partying with Alison, since the kids have came along there's just not been many opportuntities to go out clubbing. After we hit a ton of pubs and clubs - i gave up around 2am and God knows when Alison got to her bed. On the Sunday we had planned to do some sight seeing but as the weather report was not getting any better we hit the liverpool eye and the beatles museum and headed back up the road. Had a great time.

30th November - So the bad weather continued. We were meant to hit M and D's for the Braehead christmas trip but as I was about to pull onto the motorway the snow got too thick (Our car is useless in the snow as its an automatic) and I turned around and headed home. Most of the other mums got stuck on the M8 not getting home till crazy time or stuck at M and D's. They got put up for the night in a hotel but so glad I decided to come home. We also missed the ballet christmas party so when we got home Neive and Beth put on their dresses, blew up some ballons and had a party to ourselves.


December
1st dec sleighing and snowman - So much snow fell that we could build snow men and go sleigh riding. Beth was still a little too small to be out in it for too long. Neive wanted her mummy to take her to the park for a some sleighing. We went up to the top of the hill and I chose a really good bit away from the bench. Just as I pushed Neive off she pulled hard on the rope and took a hard right heading straight for hte bench. I couldn't;t get to her in time and it was like watching the whole thing in slow motion. She slid under the middle of the bench and whacked her head off the metal seat. To this day I cant understand why someone wouldnt duck - not even a little bit. After checking she hadnt split her head open we headed home and mummy was never allowed to go slegdging again :(

11th dec Christmas tree - Fraser say the offical time for decorating your tree is two weeks before - I say it's 1st of November. F gave in a little and let me put it up 3 weeks before.

4th crawford dyke school - Neive and Beth's cousins had their school christmas fayre. All the kids had made lots of different things to sell. Neive got a santa bracelet and made a hat. I got stuck in the snow :( my car really is bad in the snow.
12th santa run - Two years ago Alison, fraser and i did the santa run and really enjoyed it. We decided to hit it again this year! It is the best event to get you into the christmas mood. There is just something about seeing literally hundreds of santas that just lifts your heart. The kids has a ball - theres also a christmas market and rides to go on. We finished the day with a kids christmas concert. One of the best days with the kids (and Alison, Craig, Leah and Isla of course) that i have ever had!

18th camel parade - The chruch in Carstairs village organised a camel parade to celebrate christmas. It literally was two camels, wise men, mary & joseph walking from Carstairs Junction to Carstair Village. All the houses has no room signs and the whole town walked behind the camels. It really was a sight to see. Unfortunately it was only F and the kids that actually got to see it. I was an elf helping santa in the grotto for the under 5's. it was a fun and busy day and we raised a ton of money for the Carstairs pre 5. Neives best bit was getting her face painted. Beth's best bit was getting in from the cold!

23th under 5 party - So Carstairs Pre 5 organised for SPELL to come out and do a christmas party for the kids. Beth could even come along and get involved. The kids got keyboards from Santa and a big feast. They had a ball. At night it was F's christmas night out with his work so I dropped the kids off at my mums and headed into Edinburgh. We went to the riverside restaurant for dinner (which is lovely) but theres a great and important story to tell here. One which needs to be written down and remembered! As we got to the restaurant Fraser got the first round in. There was about 20 of us. I asked for a gin and bitter lemon and headed to the toilet. When I came back f was still organining the drinks - twenty minutes later it dawned on me that he had bought a drink for every person at the table and forgotten about me:( Now this is not the first time he has done this and you'd think he wouldnt risk the wrath! Brave MAN!

24th - as i was working christmas eve (note to self don't do that again) mum and dad planned a trip to Biggar puppet teartre for the girls. Beth isnt great at sitting for things. When I say isnt great I mean she is terrible. She wants to wander about, scream shout bascally doesnt understand queue waiting quite time, anything that need her to do what she;s told. But she loved the puppet show. Sat quietly through the whole thing and made the trip a great memory for her granny and granpa. Good girl". After the show everyone came back tot he house to get ready for santa coming. Neiver still talks about it to this day "you know!- one time - when santa came, granny and granpa had a sleep over." She still can't believe they slept at ours - Dad feels the same way. We had them in the playroom on the fold down double bed. One of their bags was on an interactive kitchen and it kept going all night. Dad had to nap the next day he was so exhausted!

25th - Santa came. It's so special to see kids on christmas day. Beth really didnt understand what was going on but loved every minute of it.

SPELL

Spell came again to Braehead toddlers. The theme was jungle rumble. Neive always has such good fun.

Am I mean?

Neive loves getting her face painted but now I look at this photo of Beth and I think maybe I'm mean? Doesn't she look sad?

Braehead Halloween Party

Our last Halloween event was the Braehead under Fives Halloween party. Beth slept through most of it but Neive enjoyed the party games especially the wrap the mummy. She spent ages wrapping my face (I;m not sure if I should be insulted). Alison made some gorgeous ghost cupcakes. The decorations were brilliant. (Stolen Pics again from Alison's website!)

Trick or Treat

Now that Neive is a big 3, We decided she was definitely old enough to go trick or treating. Alison, Craig, Isla and Leah all came round to join in the fun. Unbelievably, none of them had ever been trick or treating before. The first house we hit had really got into Halloween and done their living room up as a haunted grotto. The kids loved it but that set the scene. The kids wandered into every persons house from that point onwards. No matter how many times we told them to wait outside. Neive and Isla performed on cue as they knew it would result in candy. They sang "baa baa black sheep" and we decided to head home when their bags were so full that Leah could no longer carry it.

Carstairs under 5's halloween party

I really look forward to Halloween as I am not allowed to talk about Christmas until the 1st of November (Fraser said so). So I put all my energy into Halloween. Carstairs under fives were holding a Halloween party and Neive's cousins came to celebrate. There's hardly any pics of Beth cause she slept through most of the party, all the trick or treating and all of the under 5's party. There were party games, dancing, raffles, buffet and prizes for best dressed. Neive went as cat in the hat, Becky was a wicked witch, Zack was a baddie from Ben10, I was a zombie bride, Beth was a pirate and Fraser went as himself (very scary). Isla and Leah won best costumes in their age categories. They do have the bestest dress up box which Neive always raids when we go to their house.

Auntie Junie from Canada

My dads Aunty came over to visit from Canada. She is such a lovely woman and Neive took a real shine. It's been such a long time since I even seen her last. My Gran and Aunty Julia can to stay at my mums and dads for about 5 days and I think they all really enjoyed their time. Safe journey home and we hope to see you soon.

Happy 1st Birthday Baby

Happy 1st Birthday Beth.

You are such a big girl now. You have been walking since you were 9 months old and have moved onto climbing on Tables. You want to copy everything your sister does and currently you both fight over which one of mums Knees is best. You give as good as you get. You are very head strong. I though I had problems with Neive but you are just another level. You tried to get into a cupboard that you shouldn't be in and I said no and held the door shut. You started screaming like a banshee having a fit and continue to pull the door for a 10 minute stand off with me. You never gave up but I had enough and dragged you kicking and screaming to another room. It doesn't matter how I say no - you laugh and keep on doing it. Your dad is another matter. When he says uhuh to you - you burst into tears and are inconsolable. I wonder if your a daddies girl. You laugh at getting tickled, blown rasperries on you (your senstive on the neck and feet just like mummy) and riding your Rudolph. You love to dance - I have already imagined you as a ballroom dancer but your more into rock. You love to head bang in your high chair! As soon as you hear music you start twirling round in circles or balancing on one leg and stomping your other foot. You can do some sign - milk, pointing your finger to anything you want and most importantly you can dance to the wind up song (rolling your arms). You have started to say some very simple words - up, mama and dada (We have no idea where this comes from as Neive says it too and there is no Italian in our family!), door and (it sounds like) sore - probably to do with the tackles you take from your sister. Neive and you love chase tails (She sticks a tail down the back of your top) and we all run round the table till someones tail is grabbed. And hide and seek. I often ask you where's Neivey and you'll take me right to her. You can even hide and wait to be found! You are totally unobedient at walking. I recently took you and Neive to Dobbies to see the Christmas lights (yes it's only early November but am I so wrong!) and I put you down in the middle of the shop and said to come over to look at the light. You turned around and ran out the door and out the shop. Neive caught you and rugby tackled you before you got too far!! I swear Neive would have toddled after me! You love chocolate and anything sweet. Neive had half a chocolate button before she was 1 (well that and anything Granny Ducks gave you without me knowing) You have been covered in head to toe in chocolate. You love juice and at Neive's birthday party went round all the empty Capri sun cartons to finish them off. You also know when something is going to be taken off of you and you try and hide it.

Your Birthday was a much quieter affair. We went to Aunty Laura's who made a lovely birthday lunch and cake. We had a little dance and a play. I think it was just perfect for you this year.

Neive's Birthday Bash

So we booked out the soft play at addiewell for Neive birthday. It was perfect- They did the decorating. I just brought a snack for the kids. There were 17 kids in total just enough for the place. 17 kids can still be quite loud. And for once, miraculously, the mummies actually got more than 5 minutes for a catch up. Neive had a brilliant time and mummy was very relaxed too! Stolen some pics from Alison's web site as I didn't even try to take a photo - too much else to do. Does anyone know the copyright law? I have a bundle of stolen pics from Alison but they are just sooooo good.

Edinburgh Zoo is Boo Hoo!

Fraser decided a day out at Edinburgh Zoo would be a good family way of celebrating Neive's birthday. I can go on record saying that I hate Edinburgh zoo. It is a total rip off. We must have walked round 50 enclosures and seen 3 animals!!! Hence total lack of pictures. The penguin parade had four penguins in it (false advertising!) It was freezing, the food was horrible but what bugged me the most (Even more than it being built on a steep hill!)was the lack of baby facilities. I couldn't find a bottle warmer, the baby change was in the women's toilet so Fraser got out of changing dirty nappies all day scott free. Daddies do have babies too!. The play parks were not baby friendly (any of them). Fraser said he'd take them back when they are much bigger. I think I'll be washing my hair that day. baa humbug!

Back to work:(

Mummy has gone back to work Boo Hoo!. I started training at the beginning of October. I was meant to go for a week but managed to get back up the road for the Wednesday night. Very tiring as I am trying to organise a couple of birthday parties too! Neive is overly excited about her having a birthday soon. She keeps asking when it is and I just keep saying soon honey. I actually only told her on the morning of her birthday party that we were going. I'm a meanie but I knew she wouldn't sleep and for the third year on the trot we would end up with a ratty child. God knows what she'll be like at Christmas.

Calamity Jane V Superman

Neive loves cartoon films. In fact she doesn't watch anything but cartoon films. Fraser had taped Calamity Jane (one of my all time favourites) for me to watch I tried to get Neive to watch it too and she loved it! F could not believe it! So the following week he tried her with a superman movie. Unfortunately she likes them better and we have watched all the superman movies and I'm growing tired of them! I wonder if she'd like seven brides for seven brothers? I wonder who will win this time. F is trying to get her to watch star wars!

Centre Parcs - Take two!

Centre parcs - take two

We went on holiday to centre parcs again. We love it so much. It's just perfect for the ages of the kids. We went with mum and dad but this time Zack came along too. Neive loved having her big cousin there. We went swimming every day, mummy got her spa session again!, We did mini crossbows, balance bikes, princessess and pirates party, toddler fun and more. Cant wait to go again!


















Fraser knew this was coming. He had an unlimited amount of time to delete this picture from the camera and never. So that - to me - is like silent permission - Anyway it's my favourite one. He He!