Spamalot

We had our first spam 'comment' on our blog today. All the way from China.

Does that mean we've made in the cyber world or not?

An afternoon treat.

Yesterday Mama and the boys gave ourselves a little afternoon treat. A trip to the library followed by a trip home on the bus!

Waiting at the bus stop in pitch black at nearing 6pm, with cashews and rivita in hand, the anticipation rose. We got on the bus and the lovely bus driver couldn't even wait until the boys were sitting so nearly ended up in her lap. Prescisely two stops later we disembarked to walk home. Probably further than the bus had taken us but there you go.

The joys of an English winter and small boys love of transport. A round trip of 2 hours.
Total cost: 90p.

Nativity!

Mama has just found out that Oliver is an inkeeper in his school nativity. It brought a tear to my eye. Can you imagine me at the sodding nativity??!!

He has to wear 'smart shoes' for his costume. I do hope they're giving him something else to wear.

Day 1 Advent Calendar

Opening first flap of homemade calendar. Can you see the temptation to open all at once is strong in these ones?

Pamber Forest

This is what happens when Mama does her first cross country run on the wetest and windiest weekend this year. Mud, lots of mud.

Classic Oliver Quotes

Oliver: When wees come out of willies it's like a waterfall isn't it? (pause) That's pretty cool.

One rainy Sunday.

It's been raining for days now and the winter has set in properly. So we decide we needed the following to make us cheery and Ol get a little better from feeling poorly for more days than we like.

A roast dinner: check.
Roast chicken with tarragon and orange, pots, fish for Dada, carrots for Pip and broccoli for Ol. The kids being kids only ate one thing each. Carrots for Pip and broccoli for Ol. Could have been worse I suppose.
An Arsenal game: check.
Arsenal vs Chelsea. Not a good check, as Arsenal are currently losing 3-0.
A movie: check.
We watched The Jungle Book with the kids. Very nostaglic for us and the kids looked at us a little strangely when we started singing to all the songs. Oliver refused point blank to accept Mowgeli was a boy.
A toasty fire: check.
Jeff made good the work Basil the Brush, our chimney sweep (it was a toss up between him and Mr Christmas) and broke up some kindling to make our first fire. Once he'd realised the chimney vent being down was the reason for the smoke filling out the living room and not setting off the fire alarm (always reassuring), it was plain sailing.

So we feel Christmas is fast approaching and we're getting in the mood. Even Dada. Christmas miracles can happen you know....

p.s. Mr Christmas is his real name.