Wishing You A Happy Christmas

I'm afraid I have neglected my blog in the last few months.  Charlie's illness has been high on our priority list.  His arthritis came back again, this time in his knee and his hips.  I will update you later on what will be happening.

In the meantime, I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas.  Hope you all have a lovely day tomorrow.  Hope Santa brings you everything you have wished for......xxx

Henrietta Turns 9

Henrietta turned 9 yesterday.  So where have the last 9 years gone.

I can remember every single detail of her coming into this world, what I dressed her in, her home coming - everything.  So how come I couldnt tell you what I had for my breakfast this morning!

She had a wonderful day, we went out for a spot of lunch at one of her favourite restaurants, then a little family bonfire with lots of fireworks and sparklers.  Today was shopping, just for her.  She wanted to spend some of her birthday money, so a trip to Toys R Us was on the menu.  Bless her, she has saved some of her money for another day.

Happy Birthday Henrietta

I love you so very very much x

A Trip To The Hospital

Leeds General Infirmary phoned me yesterday, said they knew it was very short notice, but was there any chance we could bring Charlie into the Hospital this morning for his steroid injection.

Things were quickly rearranged, and this morning me and Neil set off with Charlie for yet another injection for his arthritis.

After careful examination, Dr Wood explained that the arthritis had spread to his other knee, this meant an injection in both knees, with only gas and air for pain relief.

Charlie had been upset about the thought of another injection, as he remembered how much the last one hurt.  He was so brave, but the doctor only managed to inject one knee.  There was no way Charlie was going to let him come near his other knee.  He is now booked in for October, he will be put under anesthetic and the injection given this way.  He is now more relaxed about the thought of him being asleep whilst they carry this out.

It seems so unfair that a 6 year old has to go through the pain of arthritis.  It was also decided that Charlie will not be put onto permanent medication - something I have only just got my head round, now it wont be happening.

He has a specialist eyetest in the next few weeks, as the fluid from his arthritis can get behind the eye and cause serious damage.  Also there will be many visits to the physio at York Hospital, as the muscle above one of his knees has become very weak.

Charlie was just so brave today, he was rewarded with a new DS game.

We are so very proud of you Charlie.

Charlie Starts Beavers

Charlie started Beavers on Thursday.  It has been a long time coming - he has had his name on the waiting list for over 12 months, but the day finally arrived.

He had a brilliant time, looking all grown up in his little Beaver Uniform.

Unfortunately, his arthritis has reared its ugly head again.  His knee is now the size of a small football.

Visited his consultant yesterday.  Another steroid injection needs to take place - which is really upsetting, but no parent likes to see their kids in pain, and Charlie is in so much pain at the moment.  He has become rather tearful over the last few days, especially when he starts to remember the last injection and how much it hurt.

It also looks like he will be going onto permanent medication for his arthritis - something I am not too keen on, but if it helps him lead a normal life, then bring it on.

I will keep you updated on his progress.  No matter how much pain my little boy is in, he always has a cheeky smile on his face - what a superstar.

Weekend in Oxford

Well the kids are back at school and everything has returned to normal - well as normal as it gets in this house.

Me and Neil managed to sneak a weekend in Oxford last weekend (without the kids).  Kids were dropped off at my Mums and we headed for Oxford for a couple of nights.

What a wonderful and relaxing weekend we had.  Oxford is such a beautiful place, our hotel was only 5 minutes out of the city centre.  The weather was amazing, which always makes a big difference.

Shopping, sight seeing, relaxing, drinking beer and eating yummy food - what more could one ask for:

Hertford Bridge

Radcliffe Camera

We visited the Botanic Gardens - very pretty

Down by the river

Autumn is on its way

Christ Church College

The Eagle and Child - "Lewis" has been filmed here
We had to go in and try out the beer

A fab weekend - cant wait to do it again soon
Thank you Neil, I had a wonderful time

Camping Trip

We are back from our Camping Trip to Dorset.  Had the most wonderful, relaxing time.  Stopped off at my Mum and Brian's before hand - as they only live 30 miles away from where we were camping.  My sister Alison was staying with mum with her two kids, Harriet and Verity - so all cousin's together, not always a good mix.

I will now bore you with our holiday snaps:

Henrietta swimming in the paddling pool near my Mums

Charlie, Henrietta, Grandad (Brian), Mama (Mum), Verity & Harriet

Charlie asked if he could feed Verity as "Ive never milked a baby before" - bless

So after a few days at Mums, we set off for Dorset.  Stayed on a lovely campsite just outside Wimborne.  The kids had a wonderful time, met some lovely people.  We had a fun packed week:

Wimborne Model Village

Making our way down to the beach at Bournemouth

"This is fun"

Swimming in the sea at Bournemouth

Pretend surfing

Riding the tractors at Farmer Palmers

Charlie's legs were too short to reach the peddles, so Henrietta had to do all the work

Yeah, we made it to the middle of the maze.  "Now how do we get out"

Farmer Palmers was just brilliant.  The kids had a wonderful time.  We will be visiting again

After our weeks camping, we returned to Mums for afew days.  We all visited Paultons Park, and Peppa Pig World

Charlie riding the Dino's

Harriet, Charlie, Henrietta and Grandad in the Daddy Pigs car

Me and my beautiful daughter, waiting for the balloon ride

Me and my monkey

We had the most wonderful holiday.  We missed Reggie lots.  Thank you Claire and Chris (The Bunny Retreat) for looking after him again.  It was Reggie's 3rd birthday whilst we were away, but Claire made sure he didnt miss out, she decorated his hutch with balloons.

We are now back at home and the kitchen and conservatory are begging for abit of a makeover.

Paint brushes at the ready - photos to follow soon.

Oh My Poor Neglected Blog

Can it really be a month since I last blogged, where has the time gone.

I have been busy helping out at my kids school, the schools outdoor swimming pool has been open for a few weeks.  I go in and help two days a week with the swimming, and yes I do get in the pool - Im so brave!

As I am typing this, it has just started to rain - where has the sun gone, please come back.  Im taking the kids camping in afew weeks (to Dorset), I am hoping for nice weather.  The campsite looks really nice, I will update you on our return.

I will leave you with a few photos I took the other weekend (when the sun was shining). 

Have a great weekend.

Our finished pond

Kids enjoying the sunshine

Reggie finding some shade from the sun

Birthday Girl

It was my birthday on Friday.  Had a really lovely day, my sister came over and we had a good catch up, as the kids were at school.

I rec'd some really lovely presents - want to take a peek:

My sister got me these lovely things from the kids (we have stopped buying each other presents and just buy from the kids)

Lots of lovely goodies from Neil and the kids. 

I am loving my CK bag, its just the right size for eveything I need, including my new CK purse.

 Dont you just love Cath Kidston.

And my special present, well they were all special, but this one was love at first sight - no honest it really was.  Not that Ive had much of a play on it, kids seem to think its theirs!

Yes, my very own ipad2 - I am so in love with it.  Just deciding what sort of cover to get for it.  Thank you Neil - I loved all my birthday presents, but I think you can guess which is my all time fav.

My Mum and Brian gave me money, in which I have bought a camping kitchen, doesnt sound too glamorous, but I have been wanting one for ages now.  The rest of my birthday money I am going to treat myself to some lights from Cox & Cox for the fireplace - I love birthdays.

Reggie at The Bunny Retreat

Reggie was looked after by Claire and her husband Chris this Easter at The Bunny Retreat.

You can find them here:  www.thebunnyretreat.co.uk

She took this brilliant picture of him, and I just had to show it off, he looks so cute.  He has really settled in, loves nothing better than sleeping on the rug in the front room, he likes his comfort.

If you are going away on holiday and need a safe and happy place to take your rabbit or small pets, bear Claire in mind.  She is just 2 minutes off the A1 near Doncaster.  Im not sure Reggie actually wanted to come home after his stay at The Bunny Retreat, but he will be going back soon to see his Auntie Claire.

Sports Day

It was Sports Day last week, glad to see the sun was shining, if not alittle on the breezy side.  Kids had a fab afternoon, mums had a good old catch up while watching their kids with pride.  Here are a few photos of Henrietta and Charlie in action:

Blues Brothers

Went to see The Blues Brothers Musical at Bradford Alhambra yesterday.  It was brilliant.