We're HOME!

We had a GREAT!!! holiday! I have thousands of new pics to scrap, and a wedding book to make, and can't wait to start, but not today!
Today I am totally knackered, we were up before the crack of dawn (4am!) and on the road at 4.35am. We got back home at 5.40pm, so in all we were on our way for 13 hours! The boys were great, no arguing at all, not too many "wee-wee" stops, and only one small case of travel sickness (an hour from home)!

Well, I just wanted to let everyone know I am back home again, tomorrow, I hope I will have more energy, and post a bit more about our time in England (which to Robert is the cottages we stayed in, but to everyone else the country! - bless him!)

I'm off to bed now, everything is unpacked and the first two loads of washing are done!
Bye 4 now

Me again!

Well, we are still having a wonderful time, the weather leaves a bit to be desired, but who cares, when you are having fun.
THE wedding was yesterday and for that the sun came out and stayed out all day! It was beautiful, I took all 1500 wedding pictures for the bride and groom, and had a GREAT day doing it! I just love being the bossy photographer. I haven't gone through them all yet, but I am sure I got some great ones, just have to check with the bride and groom if they are OK with going on my blog!

I got some great layouts done with one of Liz's kits, it went so well with our picnic on the first Sunday here!
so here they are using "missing the tales" by Sweet Digi Scraps.



have to dash, we are with the bride and groom and I am being quite rude, by hiding in the computer room, blogging!
So hope you are all having a great time too. I may or may not be back!
Hugs
Me

Surprise!!!

Found an internet connection, and I thought I would let all my friends know about the last few days!
Yesterday we spent a beautiful day on the beach, the kids absolutely LOVED it! And not only them.
Surprisingly enough the sun came out all day, and I have a great sunburnt neck to prove it! (I forgot to cream my neck, oops! the kids were OK though!) The day before we went to the beach, we went for a picnic, in the woods by a stream, the weather then unfortunately wasn't quite so beautiful, but we still had a GREAT time. The kids built a dam in the stream and got soaking wet, but we had enough dry clothes for them all!
Robert unfortunately is not having such a great week, he has been running a high temperature almost every evening this week, and just a moment ago a wasp got into his T-shirt and stung him twice under his arm. Poor little darling!
but other than that we are having a great time, I am missing the internet connection though. BUT I am scrapping whilst the boys are falling to sleep. Here is one I did using Dinphy's latest kit "Sail Away" - Love it Dinphy.
And I got the perfect photo for it, pulling into the docks at Dover on our way here!

Credits:
Sail Away by Dinphy

I'll try to get back sometime soon, to show you what else I made, but until then
Bye 4 now

Humming at the car wash...

this morning I went and washed the car, well the car wash did that for me, I just sat there and wished the radio would work in there and instead hummed "working at the car wash" to myself. It is now all clean and free of swallow pooh. I love the swallows (see my layout further down the blog) but they will insist on poohing on our car. And the pooh is quite viscious to the paintwork. So if you don't get it off quickly, it marks the paintwork, and when we hand the car back in we have to pay for any damage. So today I took it to he car wash!

Florian is home early this week, the boys were so excited as he picked them up from Kindergarden, whilst I cooked us a pizza! What a waste that was the boys didn't touch it! All they did was pick the Feta cheese off the top, refusing even to try it. I thought ALL kids ate pizza, no not mine! Well, Florian and I at least enjoyed it!
And this afternoon we were in the garden again, eating ice-cream and enjoying the sun. I asked our neighbour about her rabbit this afternoon, as it hasn't visited us for a while now, she said she just has no drive now, uhoh, could she be pregnant!?! I would laugh, or it could just be that one lot of hanky panky was enough for her!

OK, that's two songs I got in my post, have I got you humming yet?!
Bye 4 now

busy day in the garden!

Yep this afternoon saw us in the garden - again! Only this time I was very busy. I decided when we went to our neighbours this week that it was high time someone cut our hedge, as we had to walk on the road cause the path was covered by our hedge. Well, as there is no one but me here during the week, today I decided, that maybe I could use a chainsaw! (well, that is what it looks like to me!) And as you can see, well sort of, I can still type, so I lived to tell the tale, and yep I do have all fingers to type with. And I managed to get the boys to stay clear of the noisy machine and me! Don't know what it was I said, but for once they actually did as they were told!
the hedge now looks very nice, the path is glad to see the sunshine again, and no birds were nesting so no harm done! Just one slight problem, the hedge is quite high and we want it to stay that way, so I didn't do the top of it! Cause I just can't reach!
Once finished the boys helped me rake all the branches up and put them in the compost rubbish! They were actually a help there, they have their own little rake and raked it all up and picked it up and put it in. Well, until Robert made the acquaintance of some stinging nettles (they must have been growing in the hedge too) and then it took a while for the doc-leaf to work its magic.

I have just given them a bath, which they thoroughly enjoyed, not so sure I did, as they will insist in jumping in there, and I get quite hoarse from telling them not to!
Right at 7.40pm (in 25 minutes) the moon is at its fullest, so with a bit of luck I might get some sleep tonight. Please boys!
But now for a bit of peace and quiet.

No quite, I want to pass my award on to some other great girls, whose blogs I read,
first of all, my friend Leigh (tricertifiedx2).
Leigh's blog - My Digital World - I met Leigh, whilst stalking our favourite designer. WE would always be commenting on Liz's blog, and then seeing one another enter Liz's challenges and eventually we got chatting and each our own blogs! And now I would say we are great internet friends, even if we are half way around the world.
Leigh takes the most awesome pictures of her kids and family. And puts them in some great layouts. I love catching up with her life on her blog (and chatting on skype). So Leigh, there you have it, grab the award, and pass it on!

Next would have to be the place I met Leigh
Liz's Blog - Sweet Digi Scraps - Liz was one of the first designers I discovered, when I found out about Digital Scrapbooking. And I just LOVE her stuff, and really did follow her around. And now I am part of HER team. I still can't believe my luck. Liz has opened her own store and community - Been There Scrapped That, and if you haven't been there yet, you should pop on over. We make everyone very welcome there and are a great community, which I am proud to be part of! (And I would be there even if I wasn't part of the team, cause I still stalk Liz!) Who incidently blogged today. She is quite busy now with a new store and all, but I still check her blog! (Great story all about breakfast in bed, that all Mum's should read!). Liz, thanks for everything, and enjoy your award.

Next up is
Silvia (Phillsboo) - My little Scrapworld - Silvia is going through a rough spot at the moment, a cupboard she was building fell on top of her and she ended up in hospital with broken ribs - ouch! so this might cheer her up. She is of course the first person I CT'ed for. After I very bravely applied - took me a week of constantly revisiting her blog, but I haven't looked back. Get well soon, silvia, we miss you!

And now for one who is not in the least expecting this

Jan's Blog - Intense Magic Scraps - I "met" Jan at Been There Scrapped That, and I love all her layouts, and she writes the sweetest comments. So I one day, saw that she had a link to her blog in her profile, and off I went visiting. You should go too, she has all of her beautiful layouts on there. My favourite of course is the one she did just for me, cause I kept pestering her. I suppose really it is three layouts. the first of her beautiful rocking chairs on the porch. Then a layout of her beautiful house, and each time I asked what the view from the porch was like, as I imagined it would be beautiful with a beautiful porch and house like that. And I wasn't disappointed! It's a great view. Thanks again! I love your blog!

And last but not least
Michelle's Blog - Mickey's Corner - Michelle is on Silvia's CT too, and she has a great blog, with some great Quickpages! If you use quickpages, you should definitely stop by. Michelle has been missing in action for a while now, I hope she is just taking a break, but maybe this award will bring her out of hiding. We miss you and your great layouts, Michelle.

OK, that was it I think, I visit a lot more blogs and read them all, must be because I am so nosy! but everyone has some great layouts or freebies or stories, and I love reading and seeing them.
Again Dinphy thanks for the award, you deserve it right back from me too!

Now I am off to do some more reading and scrapping
bye 4 now

An award and Aliens!!!

I got an award, I got an award, I got an award... as Robert would chant!


Dinphy awarded me this today, and she wrote such nice things about me and my blog, made me grow a few centimetres I am sure. I have to pass the award on to five people who's blogs I love to read, and as I too would like to make them feel really good, I am not going to rush it, and today's post has to be a quick one, as I have guests arriving in 30 minutes and still have to clear the kitchen and lounge. So watch out for tomorrow, when I will make 5 other people feel good about themselves and their blog. Thanks again Dinphy, as you already have the award, I suppose I can't give it back, but I would! I love your kits - btw, are you doing the DSO colour challenge? ;o) and reading your blog. I know you have to keep it low key, but it is still fun to read! If you are here and haven't yet visited Dinphy, click right here and pop on over!

Now about those aliens I mentioned above - guess what its Full moon tomorrow night, and the aliens arrived early! The boys have done nothing but scream and cry all afternoon. Well not quite all, but certainly since we went in the garden.
Richard had to miss his midday nap today, and boy did he let me know about it. I won't bore you with all the details, but I think the neighbours may well be glad that sometime we will be moving away!!!
We had a doctors appointment at 1.30pm today for Richard, he is being circumsized in July, and we had to talk to the anaethesist (is that how it is spelt?) today. Stupid time for it, but they insisited it had to be with Richard. Of course I had to take both of them with me! They were not impressed as this doctor had neither fish nor pencils to colour with! And no gummibears!
We then took Florian's suit to the cleaners ready for the wedding! And then in a moment of madness, I had decided to take the boys to buy them some new sandals! I hate shoe shopping at the best of times, so this cannot be classed as fun! But I got them both new sandals and Robert a new pair of shoes. I think they were pleased, but Robert thought that they made him go faster and insisted on running round and around the shop, whilst Richard tried his on! AGH! One lady behind us at the till said "we've all been there dear, it does get better! - and they are rather cute!" I think I must have looked slightly stressed! (Again though still craving a good night's sleep, not forthcoming with a full moon on the way!)
OK, so much for a quick post. Off to tidy up now before my girlfriends get here for a good old natter!
Bye 4 now
PS: My Knight layouts made it on to KimB's blog! That is one of my favourite blogs, and my layouts are there! yippeee!!!!

Knackered!

Not much to say about today, I organised our housesitter for when we are away, he'll be looking after house, hens and cats. He even offered to mow the lawn for us! Bless him! The little boy next door is looking after the rabbits, I feel a bit guilty leaving only one person in charge of our "zoo", even if I am taking the monkeys with us! ;O)

This afternoon we visited our neighbour who doesn't like our cats. He doesn't like them because their chosen toilet is their boxwood bushes, and it is killing them. Not really much I can do about it, but I did take them a water pistol round and the name of a plant that is supposed to keep cats away. So I sort of showed that I was willing to help, but that is as far as I will go, I am NOT locking the cats up at all! As it is at the moment we still only have one, Sunny has been missing for over a week now, I hope he turns up again soon, I miss his funny little miaeow (can't spell it though!)

The boys run wild in the garden, ignored everything that I told them to do, walked all over the nearly ripe strawberries, started to dig my tomatoe plants up and generally were naughty! Monsters. It could be that I found them worse than they actually were though, because I didn't get much sleep again last night! How come they were such good babies and slept through from when they were 7 weeks old. When did they forget how to do it??? Last night, they had me up between them 5 (!) times! I went to bed at midnight, was up at 2am, 2.20am, 4am, 4.30 am, Florian's alarm rang at 5.15am and Richard wanted up at 6.45am, Robert was stood at the end of my bed by 7.30am! Needless to say I am knackered!
I have spoken to both of them, and both agree that a non-grumpy Mummy is a good idea, and that they will sleep all through the night by themselves. We'll see how that goes!
I can still hear Richard now, singing, hopefully he will go off to sleep in a minute. I want to get the washing on now, before i get comfy scrapping.

Quickly before i go and try and get some sleep, before the first one wants "Mummy" again, a couple of layouts for the CT team at Digital Arts Cafe. These were made using Babs " By the Sea" Kit. A beautiful kit for seaside layouts!

This is my Dad and Uncle at the seaside in the middle of summer last year! Oops, freezing it was!

Credits:
By the Sea by Babs at DigitalArts Cafe

And this is Mum and Dad with Robert and Richard watching the barges go by on the river near my parents.

Credits:
By the Sea by Babs at DigitalArts Cafe

Bye 4 now

Snakes, lizards and crocodiles...

no not in our back garden, at the place we went to this afternoon. I never expected a little "club" to have so many animals, but they had quite a few there. 2 crocodiles, many, many snakes. Some really cute looking lizards. loads of turtles and tortoises. And lots of fish of all kinds. The boys loved it there. Robert didn't know where to look first, and his little mouth was on overdrive, with all the things he was seeing. I think we will definitely be going there again. Today however was the summer party, so there was more going on and more people there. Robert spotted the sausage stand as soon as we came out of the building, and so we had tea there. Sausage and chips! Delicious.
This morning it didn't really look as though we would be going, but once there this afternoon the weather really brightened up, and it was a lovely afternoon.
Now for a relaxing evening...

Scrapping!!! Yep, got a few done to show off here.
This first is for the Jumpstart Challenge at Been There Scrapped That. Colie gave us another great template, and this is my take on it!
Robert and Richard found some great beetles on a herb in our garden. They thought it was great, and I - of course - got it all on film (well digital). I am not sure if you can see it on the layout, but there is a reflection of me in the shiny beetle! If ever they ask for reflections somewhere again, this will be the photo I will use!

Credits:
Bug-ing by Kim B Designs
Alpha by Krystal hartley (Grateful 4 U Mega Kit)
Template by Colie's Corner BTST

And I got to scrap a couple of pictures from the boys Kindergarden trip to the castle. I have plenty more to go. But I may not be able to show them, cause of all the other children on the pictures.
Here are King Richard and Sir Robert - Knights of our rectangle table!

Credits:
I Believe 4 boys by Kim B Designs

and here I had great fun playing with the elements in the kit! I love how it turned out! Even the looks on their faces could be because they have seen a dragon!

Credits:
I Believe 4 boys by Kim B Designs

Bye 4 now

And another Birthday Party...

only today not family! It was a friend's 4 year old, who we see a lot. It was a lovely afternoon. Richard was a little grumpy (two days with no midday snooze, was getting to him), but we made it through the day! (not that bad really!)
Mum went back home on the train this morning, I think she might well have slept all the way home, Robert went and woke her up rather early again this morning. He wanted to go in at 6am, but I managed to get him to watch the clock until 6.40am but that is still way too early, if you ask me!
Florian has had his hair cut too now (now we are all ready for the summer), he went to the hairdressers after taking Mum to the station. The boys and I stayed home, and played "pairs" or "memory" as it is called here. Robert is slowly getting the idea of the game. Not so Richard though, he just wanted to hold all the cards in his hands! In the end we gave Richard his own set of cards to hold, so we could try and play properly.
At the party the boys played table football (not sure what it is really called) and had a great time, and I think I may have got some good photos to scrap.

Talking of scrapping, I have some layouts to share early tonight:

Dinphy has been designing again - this time for a very good cause, she has donated her talents to a Charity Mega Kit (for details see here), the kit is being released for sale on Monday, 16th June. But here are two layouts I made using her part of the kit. I loved it, the colours work for both boys and girls or as you can see in my first layout - for birds!
These are our baby swallows, the swallows nest in our barn every year, and every year, I make sure our cats cannot get into that part of the barn. So far I have been successful. The cats do sit outside of the window that the birds use to get to and from the nest, but I hardly think they are likely to fall out of the sky, when going in or out! (but I won't tell the cats that!)

Credits:

Small Miracles (part of the Mega Charity Kit) by Dinphy

And this one is again from our birthday party, this is some of the many kids that were there, stroking our very patient rabbit, Treacle.

Credits:

Small Miracles (part of the Mega Charity Kit) by Dinphy

And this next layout is for the Secret Challenge at ScrappinFreeStyle. I saw the paper and instantly thought of this great photo of Sunny (who incidently is missing again!!!). He was soo relaxed here. Special thanks here goes to Leigh, who helped with quite a few of the famous mice that Sunny is dreaming about!

Credits:

Secret challenge Bag by Aneczwka at SFS

OK, now if I get a turn on the computer tonight, I may be back with more!
Bye 4 now

A Knight's Tale

Today was the Kindergarden outing. As Florian had to work, my Mum came with us, with two kids to watch it could have been a bit of a struggle. Much more relaxed this way.
Mum and I forever optimistic, went with only a T-shirt and rain-jacket. It was cold!! The sun hardly came out all morning - but it didn't rain! The boys had a bit more on than Mum and I, but I am not really sure they were warm enough. Poor things, but they didn't complain. In fact they had a GREAT day. We went to a "Knight's" Castle, where they looked in the enchanted forest and made some more enchantments for it, and they let the sheep out on to their field. Had homemade vegetable stew and played some Knight's games. all the kids had either Knight's helmets, crowns or those princess hats (not crowns) on, and some were horses. It was so cute to see them all!
Of course, I took loads of photos (162 to be exact) so plenty of new material for some layouts. And I have just been shopping and bought the perfect kit for it.
But scrapping will have to wait. Florian is downstairs waiting for me - Indiana Jones - here we come!!!
I have been to the hairdressers (goodbye grey hair!), I am just about to put on my new T-shirt, and off I go on a DATE!!! Hihi, haven't had one for a while now!
So bye 4 now