Thursday, January 31, 2013

Its Hard Work Being Good

Today Alfie got this 'certificate' at school.  In return he slept the way home, stayed asleep for the hour we were home, and continued napping our entire journey to collect Tash, including the journey back home!

In other news its transfer deadline day.  Tash was out so I had talkSPORT on in the kitchen and 5live on the TV.  Basically I was preying Villa would sign some miracle player, against our transfer policy, that might save us from  relegation.  Instead we are now turning to a French League 2 player to attempt to boss our midfield.  We need a miracle!

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Oi! You! Gimme!

Lovely day today.  Sun shone, and although it was windy the temperature was pushing on for double figures.  Determined to make the most of it we got out for a walk with Harry so Alfie could ride his bike.  Jeez that kid can move on it now!

Got home to remove Esme from the sling and finally got a good shot of that 'just out the sling' look.

And as the final photo shows ... we are fast reaching that point where Esme will bully Alfie.  This is her demanding his banana after she had chased him around the poof! 

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Another Climber!

With Alfie at school Esme set to work on developing her climbing skills.

Most notably moving, and then scaling,  the wicker wood basket.  It amazes me how quick she sorts things out and masters them!

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Chicksands, Episode1

Tash had planned to take the kids over Rowney Warren today and so I took the opportunity to make the most of the change in weather and get the bike grubby at Chicksands bike park.

It's the first time I've really ridden it properly and I had a ball for the few hours I got to play.  I came back in one piece so I reckon I did ok.  Definitely need to get back on it again soon, there's a lot of fun to be had on that little piece of Bedfordshire forest land!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Well That Was A Slap In The Face!

Today we had the 20 week scan which confirmed that the 'baby on the way' is fit and healthy and that its gonna be another no-tail - which is what Tash has been saying for weeks.  We're pretty much sorted on a name, and she's going to be called Olive.


But that wasn't the slap round the face, this was!


And following that little display I grabbed my phone to check it recorded OK and my darling daughter whacked my beloved electronic device out my hand and the bloody screen cracked.  Oh I just cannot wait to have another sweet and innocent little daughter! lol.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Snow Slide

Although the met office app on my phone has been saying its zero degrees outside the thawing kinda suggests its a little warmer.  Just warm enough to get the sheet of snow on the chicken run to start moving!

And in other news, don't leave Alfie unattended with hot chocolate!

Bloody Football, Why Do I Do It?

One of these created a need for the other tonight.  I think in future I might need them the other way round before I can put up with watching that team again!

Dumped out of the League Cup by League 2 Bradford City.  Aston Villa have reached a new low!

Monday, January 21, 2013

Blue Monday ... Apparently

So they say today is the most depressing day of the year.  Not at FTC it isn't!  A successful morning of baking was followed by a dog walk to get us out of the house.  As we passed the car port Alfie shouted for the 'lunch' ... which I eventually worked out was him demanding to go on the 'ledge again.

Struggling to keep up with his demands of 'faster, faster, faster' we headed for the skate park!  Alfie had a ball.

On the way back home, with a dog in one hand, a boy on a sledge in the other, and a girl on my back we passed a bus stop where a very kind lady took the time to say "you're a brilliant Dad, do you know that!?' as we walked past.  It properly made me feel 10 feet tall too, definitely NOT blue.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Saturday, January 19, 2013

A Slow Saturday

A rare quiet day.  One of those where the day kinda passes you by without achieving too much.

I had a potter about in the barn for half hour though which should see some racecar parts cleaned up and painted tomorrow.

Other than that Alfie did a spot of cooking with Tash.

Friday, January 18, 2013

Poorly Boy + Snowfall. End of World Imminent

Today in a nutshell.  Boy was ill.  Boy was so ill he fell asleep.  So me and Essie had lunch in the kitchen.  It snowed.  Tash came home early.  I took Harry for a walk in the snow.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Don't Rely On A Nap!

Slow day today.  Alfie was at school.  I kept Essie awake on the way home thinking she nap when we got home.  She had other ideas. So I got lunch ready, thinking she'd nap after food.  Again she had other ideas.  Eventually she was beyond tired and I was trying to keep her awake as it was getting close to the time I'd need to leave to collect Alfie.  Seconds after leaving the house she was counting sheep.

Our final xmas present arrived today, Claire and Jody has a fantastic 2013 calendar made for us that's full of photos of our adventures together last year.  It includes the best photo of Essie ever!  The hair may have grown but she definitely hasn't lost that ability to growl at people through an expression!

In other news, seems we're gonna be progressing slowly with Nino for a while.  It looks like a regs change is going to result in some alternations to the floor of the chassis being required.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Do Everything

Today we had to pay a visit to Addenbrooks hospital.  Tash had a booking in appointment at the maternity department,  which means they'll be our nominated hospital this time.

My friend Simon, who was on the Bake Off with me, was also at the hospital today so it was a nice chance for us to catch up.   He's there as his lad, Deryn, is currently being treated for two cancers!  One being Acute Leukaemia,  the other being something rare as hell and as a result the name escapes me.  Check out their website at www.doeverything.org.uk to learn all about Deryn's fight.

We took him the Lego Monster Fighters Vampyre Hearse which hopefully will pass some of the many hours he has to kill each day.  It's the one I wanted for Christmas -but no one got for me- and so I can't wait to see it built when we return next week for Tashas next appointment.

I did come away with something new though, one of these awesome wristbands!  You too could look as cool as me, just get onto the website at www.doeverything.org.uk.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Esme - A Mischief!

Tuesday's are fast becoming my favourite day of the week.  Alfie goes to school, and whereas on Thursday's I usually have a load of jobs to do, on Tuesdays I don't.

This means I get time with Esme for us to just 'be'.  I love watching her play and seeing how different she is on her own compared to when Alfie's about.  I swear she tries to test my patience at ever opportunity though and seems to spend a lot of time at the moment darting from one corner of our lounge to the other jingling bottles of spirits or throwing paperwork about at each respective destination- and after each action turning round to check I'm looking!  She has such a wonderful grin though, I just have to laugh.  And before anyone says anything I too think she'll turn 18 and have the word 'Daddy' tattooed scrolling her pinkie!

Tuesday also means a nice long walk with Harry, which is something that doesn't happen enough these days - even if it is bloody chilly out there in the fields!

Monday, January 14, 2013

It Snowed

Sadly the weathermen got it right today and the snow did fall.  Alfie was still buzzing after his ride on his Scoot yesterday and so we wrapped up to head out again.  I was totally blown away with how quick he's picked up the new bike and he flies also along even faster than he did on the old bike!

My mind has started to turn to the racecar again and so I spent a few minutes penning the job list.  It's not that long to be fair, but as ever you can bet the evils of time and money will have their say!

And to finish, a comedy shot of the kids looking like something out of Dr Seuss!

Sunday, January 13, 2013

A Christening, A Cruise, and Some Chaos

Had one of those special little moments with Alfie this morning.  We fixed his 'scoot' bike together and he loved helping wield an 8mm spanner, grease the cable and pump up the tyres.  All this means he'll leave his little blue 'bike' to Esme and now ride the repaired yellow 'big boys' scoot.   We went for a quick ride and boy did he adjust to the narrow tyres and faster speeds quickly!  Just a shame I didn't have a picture taking device with me. 

Meanwhile,  Esme was torturing Harry, no change there!  Seriously though, they are so sweet together.

The afternoon was spent attending our friends little girl, Felicity Rose Booth, Christening in Stotfold.  It was a lovely afternoon yet for some reason I seem to have failed at picture taking again. 

Apart from that it was highlighted that I currently look somewhat like Rolf Harris.  What amazing friends I must have!!

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Winter's Arrived

Gone are the days of temperatures in double figures to be replaced by a forecast that indicates things won't get much above zero for a while.

And so the fire's been calles into action, which means I'm gonna have to get wood chopping tomorrow!

Friday, January 11, 2013

Autosport 2013

Today was spent at the Birmingham NEC at the Autosport International event.  Its a great event anyway, but its nice to drag myself along to punt the Gathering name about and build a few relationships.

Tashas parents had kindly agreed to come along and keep an eye on Alfie for a while whilst David and I disappeared to have the few conversations we needed to.  Esme was with me too, but she spent the vast majority of the day on my back being an absolute angel.

With work a focus I didn't see a huge amount of the show and so photos are a touch limited.

Here's the ones with Alfie;





And a couple others of cars that really caught my eye.

 


Thursday, January 10, 2013

The Calm Before The Storm

A day at school tires him out and a day with me leaves her a little worn out.

Beware of The Trains

Two sleep deprived whiny children + a sun shiny day = a long walk for the dog! 

And it appears the powers that be are now building a footbridge over the railway line.  Oh how I want to rant about health and safety!!

This was actually yesterday, it appears my post didn't post last night!

Tuesday, January 08, 2013

Beware, Giant Gorillas!

Alfie went back to school today.  Now doing 2 days a week.  This gives me and Esme a bit more time together which is pretty cool.  Though she isnt too sure on giant plastic gorillas.

We also took Harry for a walk by the river.  It reminded me I should go that way more often as it's so much nicer than the 'Tuns field'.

The evening was spent at the Retro Rides awards night down at the Ace Cafe - which was excellent - and then listening to that god aweful football team I support lose the first leg of the league cup semi final to Bradford - which was rubbish.