A busy day...

Last day of the holiday, parcels and cards through the post, phone calls from abroad, visits from both God mothers bearing gifts as well as friends..... what a lot to take in on your first birthday!

Alex popped in to play some football with the boys, then Chris, Su and Asha came by for some friendly chatter and play, and finally Debbie and Elizabeth came by for us all to set off to Belton house
Anyone for football? , Benjamin "chilling" with his Godfather, Leah going for a stroll with her Godmother

Leah had more than enough with the many rendition of the birthday song performed to her throughout today and a nice juicy caterpillar cake (chocolate one Su before you have a go at me for letting my daughter help herself to nature's cafeteria!!!) Now that DOES look tastier than that worm the other day....

We hope none of you mind but we will be saving her colourful presents and cards until Friday afternoon when daddy is back and we can fully have a party!

Thank you all for your kindness, generosity and most of all love that you choose to bestow on our daughter. Eaten some chocolate cake? MOI? you must be mistaken!

She did it!!!!

Leah has taken her first step! and what's more I have it on video!!!
We went to Belton house as it was the last day of the holidays, Debbie and Elizabeth joined us for some afternoon fun in the maze, hiding in bushes, general rambling and of course the adventure playground..... and as all the big ones were occupied climbing up the 20ft slides.... Leah just got up and got on with it! You can hear Debbie cheering her on and me behind the camera, holding back a whoop of glee!

Well it's here!

Leah's first birthday!

How quick it has come (although at times it has felt like a snail's pace!) but it's been a year since our youngest joined us......

And amazing how from a helpless babe we see developing an independent spirit, acquiring new skills daily as well growing in beauty...

No doubt we will be taking photos of today (although we plan to celebrate fully when daddy comes back from London.)

Breakfast, birthday rendition!

Well the big brothers were up and ready for their first rendition of the day, together with breakfast treat cakes for all.

The Easter holidays.

The boys are back to school on Thursday and we have had a really lovely couple of weeks....
Busy but restful. Easter celebrations starting on the last day of term with a most moving service sung the children, the Walk of witness and of course the fun of Easter sunday. Visits out to Tattershall Castle, Belton house , Whisby nature reserve, a marathon couch potato day watching the whole "Friends and Heroes" series!!visitors at home: Penny and Charles, Julie and Amy, Mark and Charlotte but mostly just enjoying each others' company playing in the garden. The whole holiday ending on Wednesday with our littlest's 1st birthday.

A sun kissed lunch.

Today was glorious and so we enjoyed our first "al fresco" lunch. Dare we say it was almost too bright?!

The holiday haircut.

Well it has to be done.... but to make it more fun, less monotonous we decided to do each of the boys in two sittings.... has a feel of the 80's?!

PS I did finish it off..... honest!

Easter Sunday photos

An early start...

Bleary eyed the children were dressed, bundled into the car and off to church for a 0630 Sonrise service to joyously and vocally celebrate a

HAPPY EASTER!!!

It makes for an unusual start for the day, but the children love it! A healthy gathering of 30 or so meant we couldn't fit in the choir pews as in previous years, but instead sat in our normal places. A bracing shower from enthusiastic Malcolm and Haydn as they sprinkled the congregation in the renewal of baptismal vows and then we held our lit candles singing "Shine Jesus shine". Of course one HAS to join in the church breakfast afterwards (well the Stainsbys do!), boiled eggs, toast and hot cross buns....yummmmm. Off to pick David and back to church for the 0930 family service with a memorable sermon set around Malcolm's Easter breakfast tray. Here is the resulting prayer taken home with us:

Risen Lord Jesus,

I have been given a new day in my life.

If I get cross, please calm me;

If I get eggcited, please direct my energy;

If I get discouraged, help me to soldier on.

Please help me to live this day so that you and I

Together can bless your world and love each person in it.
Amen





Happy Easter to you all, and amongst the chocolate eggs, presents, sweets, gardening and Springtime celebrations, give thanks to our mighty and Loving God who gave his son to us that as He rose from death itself, we may have eternal life in his kingdom....

What a clever girl!

Leah finding her feet....with the help of her wooden trolley.
Who knows, she may yet walk unaided for her first birthday?! 10 days to go... we need to get some practise in!