He's Learning...

Check out these amazing pics of my boys - and you know what's the most amazing thing about them? They weren't taken by me!



My BFS has started on this photographic learning journey with me. Indeed he probably knows more of the technical stuff as it was he that put in the hours of research before choosing which pieces of kit to buy me - so if anything he's the better student. I've just been able to help him open up his creative side. Got him to think outside the box when it comes to what he's looking at through the viewfinder and look at the results. Ignore the post processing (that was me) but just look at the picture composition.

It speaks for itself. He sure is learning fast - don't you think?

That'll be iPoop then!

This one liner from my brother was the one thing which brought a glimmer of a smile midst disaster.

Whilst BFS was away fighting fires (training course - he hasn't done a career swap!) I thought I'd fulfil some wifely duties and get some cleaning done. Score some brownie points perhaps and maybe finally get that backrub that's been promised since BFS landed on solid land (hint hint!) however thanks to my youngest I think that backrub may be somewhat of a pipedream now...

We all gathered upstairs and as a family unit first finished building our new bathroom cabinet - BB read the 'structions' whilst LL amused himself with anything he could get his mitts on. That job done, and bathroom tidied I embarked on the hoovering. After I'd scooted through all the rooms BB wanted his turn. Perfect - there was my opportunity to clean the loos in peace. I lifted the lid on the loo and thought that the u-bend looked weirdly black. My heart stopped - on closer inspection my first instinct was right. There was BFS's prized possession - his shiny 32gb ipod touch drowned. Sunk into the depths of the pot thanks to LL!

Bollocks

I pulled it out and tried to power it up (probably the worst thing I could have done - even if it was okay it would probably be short circuited now!) Obviously there was no response, and no obvious way of taking it apart (I have salvaged a mobile phone before with thanks to opticians screwdrivers!!!) I therefore did all that I could - I blew out as much water as I could, then had another go with a sucking motion! Bets that would have been an interesting picture.....The ipod in question is now buried deep in a bowl of rice in the vain hope that in a weeks time when I attempt to turn it on - it will miraculously be as if the whole incident had never happened.....fingers crossed.

BFS has been very calm about the whole thing. LL is a true menace, indeed he doesn't just believe in damaging other peoples property - he did a trial run with his own shoe the day before!

The above was the response that my brother gave when I told him about the incident. How apt.

They've arrived!

I'm soooooooooooooooooo excited, today I can tell you about a little something I've been up to!
BFS and I are now published in full on hardcover pics and print. I came across a fabulous website called www.blurb.com who can import your blog and print it into real books!!! A touch of editing by me was involved but the final outcome is F.A.B! Now this little diary of mine is there in it's full glory for all of prosperity. Not just floating about in the world wide web, but there in physical form for anyone to pick up and read. My boys will manage to see what they did from a young age, along with the pictures to go with.

I was doing this all as a surprise for BFS, and had no real excuse to give him his copy - xmas has just passed, his birthday is almost in the second half of the year but I needed to give him a reason to start blogging again. I tried just asking him to do it (he has been mightily busy at work) as now that I've discovered this I would like to print one every year as long as we keep it up (it's a very easy way to keep a record of our family life!) - so I gave it to him tonight as soon as I got the chance!

Now that he has seen it in the flesh I think he may get tapping on the keyboard again ;0)

For me BFS's blog isn't just about our family life - he's got a knack of writing with humour about any subject you can imagine. He likes to read topical articles and loves to write about his views on them. I love when I check in on his site and there's a new post. I generally suffer from not being able to conjure up a witty enough comment to leave, which annoys me!

My online diary though, is mostly a chance to document my boys life and capture them on 'film' growing up. Now that I've discovered that this little project can be so easily transferred into print I just can't wait to make sure that no little detail is missed!

Gosh this is exciting!

Keeping it brief!

Here's my very short blog for the day.

I'm a very grumpy moo. I was woken twice overnight and in between got a very restless sleep. My throat has been closing in on me for a couple of days and to top it the boiler's packed in and I've spent the day doing housework!

My eldest was keen for a bit as he got to do the hoovering (it always needs re-done, but bless he likes to help) but once the novelty wore off I've had constant whining from both. Why did my mum cancel this weekend???

I did very almost slip up today. BB pointed out a puddle of spilt milk (goodness only knows where it came from) in the corner of the kitchen and informed me I needed to clean it up. As I was doubled over mopping it up, wondering how it had miraculously appeared I muttered 'f**k sake' under my breath. Not knowing that BB was behind me within whispers reach. I soon realised when I heard 'OH SAKE' in the same tone I'd just used from behind, then pleased at being like a grown up, he repeated it again. I'm very thankful that he hadn't heard me properly! He hasn't used the term of phrase again - so I think I got away with it that time.

I generally don't swear that much and certainly not in front of the kids. When I'm really riled I can get a bit fruity with the language, but even when BFS poured a cup of FREEZING water over me in the shower a couple of weeks ago, my only expletives were 'bar steward' - yup those actual words - which I thought was very restrained. I would have been fizzing if he'd learned his first swear word from me!

Off to be grumpy again. I was going to do the ironing this evening - but it is a very definite early night for me tonight - I just hope to goodness that BB chooses this one to be a restful one!

Something's gotta give....

The housework wins at the moment!!

Myself and the boys have been very social bunnies this past week or so - to the detriment of my house! Tomorrow we're going to spend a very needed day in catching up with the chores. I'm sure this will be to the displeasure of BB, who's favourite question at the moment is 'what are we doing after.....? the after can be either the current activity, or a pre-calculated itinerary for the day. Even if all hours are filled up until bedtime. To be followed only by the question 'why?'.

Take deep breaths.......

We will need some milk by the end of the day - so I will have to venture out at some point! I just want a general clean so I feel less guilty about spending my evenings at the pc!

We had a day trip to Broughty Ferry today completely on the spur of the moment! I say spur - but the moment was at 9am so I had enough time to prepare lunch for us to take. After dance class I gathered the boys into the car and headed south. We actually stopped at a local coffee shop for lunch and we did half the packed lunch. BB 'allowed' me to have a walk up and down the high street and even enter a couple of boutiques without too much grumbling! This was all on the back of the fact I'd promised him a new rug for his room - the really cool one from Tigerlily's playroom with the planets on it. Boy was he excited about it. It now has pride of place in his room.

The highlight of the boys day was sitting in the trolley watching a forklift truck do it's stuff in B&Q. I was asked 'can I have 4 minutes?' when I tried to wheel them away......I let them have their minutes as both were completely engrossed with glaiket grins on their faces!



LL upped his hat count with his brothers undies this morning! Lovely red jockeys....

Playroom envy!

I forgot to mention - just how cool is young Tigerlily's playroom? (it is fractionally less cool now that the stuffed eagle (yup a real one - in a glass display case) has been removed!!!



However I am suffering from total and complete Playroom envy at this point in time.



I wish I didn't only have my 50mm lens as I could have shown so much more of the creativeness of this amazing room!

Some days you just need to be free...

I've left it a bit late to blog properly as I'm a little sleepy and the night has been broken by many frustrated visits upstairs to a boy who won't stay in bed. He's been sooooo good lately too - it's very annoying!!!

Once again an action packed day - LL let some air in about his loins this morning at toddlers (not really - there was a nappy and vest barriering the way...) He tipped a cup of water over himself and because the old fashioned radiators in the hall are so hot, I just stripped him of his denims and dried them on top. His boots went back on though - personally I thought it was quite a good look!!!



The afternoon took us out to a friends whose house is on a private school estate (her husband is the headmaster) Both boys had a great time and were great over lunch, then we headed down to the walled garden where they did some clambering about on the climbing frames. They both came back with muddy boots and rugged cheeks. Hopefully the fresh air will give us all a good nights sleep...



Oh there he goes again..........