Disney Cars 2 Giant Floor Puzzle-Ravensburger Puzzles

Recently we were chosen to be part of the Ravensburger Puzzle Club. We get sent puzzles to review and discuss on the Ravensburger Puzzle Blog and it's the perfect job for my eldest two as they enjoy puzzles.


Puzzles are something that we can all do together, often with the boys doing one and the girls doing another one, but it brings us together in one room for some quality time that doesn't involve something with a plug attached to it!


Middle is particularly good at puzzles and can get one done very quickly. After the first time of doing it he has an almost photographic memory but it doesn't stop him wanting to make the same puzzle over and over again.


He was of course delighted to open the parcel and see the Disney Cars 2 puzzle. He & his sister soon had the puzzle together. They worked together and there were NO arguments. Amazing!

This 60 piece puzzle features Lightning McQueen, Mater and other characters on a background of the cities featured in the film. It's suitable from the age of 3 years old and is made from large sturdy pieces of extra thick cardboard that fit together perfectly. 

If you're looking for a gift for a young car-mad boy then you can't go wrong with this puzzle.

Silent Sunday 30/10/11

Little Readers meme

I was tagged by Mellow Mummy in her brilliant idea for a meme-Little Readers. The idea is to spread the word about your favourite pre-school books.

Our family love books. Story time is a time where we all sit and enjoy the books together. On a winter's afternoon there's nothing better than snuggling up on the sofa and reading some books.

Tidgy, now 17 months, is only only now starting to take an interest in books but our favourite books have been favourites with all the children.

Top of the list is the 'That's not my....' range from Usborne. There are a huge range of these from dinosaurs to dragons,  fairies to princesses. I love how they suit all three of my children. It's touchy-feely for Tidgy, Middle tries to remember what each page says and is starting to decipher some of the words and Girl can read it all to her brothers.

Other favourites are the magnetic story books from Top That Publishing. These are tough books with a selection of magnets relating to the story so that your child can make their own pictures to go with the text or if they can't read make up their own story. We've had a lot of these bought for the children over the years and they've lasted really well. As well as stories there are ones that help your preschooler with the time, colours, shapes, the alphabet and more.

27/10/11

I've just realised that I never tagged anyone in this meme. Duh! So, I tag;

@TheMummyLife

@LaurenInSuffolk

@LiveOtherwise

@5kidscounting

@mothersright

Ten on Tuesday No3

This week features Linda who is in the process of creating a new website for those living in Suffolk and visiting the area. Linda can be found on twitter as @SuffolkDays and her website is here

1.Who are you & what do you do?

 I am Linda Mears, a wife, mother and founder of Suffolk Days an online magazine for Suffolk focusing on what to do and where to go.

2.How did you get started with Suffolk Days?

I was getting frustrated with having to trawl the internet for hours trying to find exciting and different activities to do with my family. So I thought it would be handy to have honest and informative information that is friendly to use all in one place.

3. How do you manage to combine family life with work on Suffolk Days? 

I try to fit it in when the Children are at school and in bed. Weekends we spend a lot of time going out to different places that I can use as research for Suffolk Days.

4.Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I would love Suffolk Days to be the number one website for Suffolk for families and possibly win an award or two. But most of all still be happy in what I am doing.

5.How much has twitter helped you in developing Suffolk Days?

Immensely. I have met most of my contributors via twitter and it’s a great way to bounce ideas and get feedback from other people.

6. What do you value most about where you live?

It’s so changeable with a short drive we can be at the coast or walk around fantastic castles. I love how people in Suffolk are proud and value where they live.

  

7.What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Hacking out in Dunwich Forest on my share horse a 17yr old Irish Cob called Ben most of all it is spending time with my family.

8.If you had to write a Bucket List what would be the top 3 on your list?

To see my children grow up and fulfill their dreams what ever they may be.

Go to Disney Land

To have no regrets.

9.What would you say is your guilty pleasure?

Galaxy Chocolate and a good book.

10. Where would you say is your family’s favourite place to go in Suffolk?

Aldeburgh where we will have a nice long walk along the beach a stroll around the shops and stopping somewhere for lunch whether that be fish and chips on the sea wall or lunch in the White Lion hotel.

Thanks for taking part Linda. I'm with you on all the points about Suffolk. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else!

If anyone is interested in taking part in Ten on Tuesday please leave me a comment below or contact me on twitter.

Being a Nanny (guest post)

When your children are born and you hold them for the first time the love you feel is like nothing on this earth. The fun and enjoyment you have teaching them, the love they give you, the laughs as well, when they are trying to learn to talk and their cheeky little ways. They soon have you wrapped around their little finger. And then before you know it they have grown up and are parents of their own.


I have 2 wonderful daughters who between them have given me 7 of the most wonderful grandchildren. They all have their own characters and personalities to which I see their mummies in them.


Six of the children are now at school, with one having started in September. I think the first day they start school is as much of a special day for me as it is for mummy and daddy. It makes me realise that they are growing up too.


Having Middle start school, that means no more Tesco cafe for him and me and I would meet him from  preschool and we would head for lunch together. He would choose the same thing every time; drink, kiddie lunch pack and a chocolate muffin. One day I saw they had no chocolate muffins and I was shocked wondering what I would do!! Middle, being the sweetheart he is, chose a cherry muffin. 'Phew' I thought.


"Nanny", I hear this little voice say. "Take this muffin back as there aren't enough cherries in it"
Of course, being Nanny I did just that and I was amazed they actually changed it!


Also, being Nanny means you get to help Mummy by doing her shopping. Well, that's what you think you are doing.


While having lunch I'm informed by Middle that Daddy couldn't get any cereals when he went shopping at the weekend. Off we go down the cereal aisle for Middle to choose some cereals for himself and for Girl. We take them home, only for Mummy to show us a cupboard full of cereals!


Another time he conned me into buying him 'big boy pants' as his were too small. Lo and behold we get home with his new pants to be shown a drawer full. Nanny now checks with Mummy before going shopping with Middle!


My Tesco cafe days are not over as little Tidgy is now old enough to join me. Once he's able to talk I will always check with Mummy before taking him shopping though.


I love all my time with my grandchildren; girly days shopping, sleepovers, days out etc. A lot of Nannies say having children is great as you can hand them back.


Here's one Nanny that doesn't say that. 


This was written by my Mum who asked if it could be published on my blog. I'm so pleased. It's a lovely piece. 

Silent Sunday 23/10/11

The day I made another Mum cry...

I consider myself to be a terrible parent at times, particularly when I'm struggling with Middle's tantrums and bad behaviour, so it's lovely and heart-warming to have strangers compliment me on how well my children have behaved on the bus journey into town. I can rarely receive a compliment well, but when it's about my children it gives me a little more confidence in my parenting skills....for a few minutes!!

I find people nowadays are so quick to judge us parents in public, especially when our children choose the middle of a busy supermarket to throw a tantrum so getting a compliment is a real boost.

There are 2 boys (ages approx 10 & 13) that pass us on the way to school most days and they always say hello and 'excuse me' when they want to get past and are pleasant every time we see them. On the other hand there are some children that are so unpleasant. One of Girl's friends was with us one day and a classmate of theirs ignored both of them twice. She definitely heard them talk to her but she completely blanked them on purpose. I was stunned at how rude she was.

I saw the boys' Mum one afternoon as we returned from school and I made a point of stopping her to compliment her on the politeness of her boys and I told her that they are a credit to her.  She promptly burst into tears! She's a single Mum and I know she doesn't have it easy, especially when she told me how nasty they are to her. I couldn't believe that we were talking about the same boys. Despite making her cry I hope she could take some comfort from my words.

I'm quick to moan in life but I also believe in giving praise when deserved.

Ten on Tuesday No 2

This week it's the turn of the lovely Polly (@PollyBurns2)

1.Who are you?  Describe your family.

My name is Polly and I live with my husband and small son in a village in Kent.  I’m an aspiring writer and to that end I recently started a blog www.caughtwriting.co.uk and researched various writing courses which I hope will teach me how to write properly and how to make writing for a living financially viable. 

2.What is your average day like?

My little chap is attending four morning sessions of preschool a week now, so after breakfast and seeing my husband off to work and tidying up, he goes to preschool.  While he’s gone I either do some writing or go to the gym or, as I’ve been doing this week, catching up on all the other things that need doing like the ironing, mending a pirate costume, rebooking RugbyTots, shopping for presents for parties we’ve been invited to and organising the little man’s own 4^th birthday party.  In the afternoon we usually have a friend round or go to someone else’s house to play.  On Mondays we go to a sports group that the little chap has joined, otherwise we play in the park or at home together.  Once the little man is in bed I go to Fat Fighters, Italian classes or a Book Group.

3.What did you do before becoming a full time mum?

I’ve done lots of things!  I worked in property management (not to be confused with estate agency) before having the little chap, which involved managing central London office blocks for the owners.  Before that I had several PA jobs and before that I trained in the care of people with mental health issues.  It was good grounding for some of the jobs which came afterwards!

4.If you found yourself unexpectedly child-free for the day, what would you do?

This happens very rarely, but the last time I was unexpectedly child free I spent the whole day reading.  I was half way through The Secret Daughter by Shilpa Somaya Gowda at the time and followed it with Sister by Rosamund Lupton.  I finished them both.  I might take a drive out to the nearest coffee shop and read their newspapers.  If I still lived in London, I would wander down the road to the cinema, watch a film and then find a table at the cocktail bar opposite and slowly drink a jug of something, sitting on their rooftop terrace and watching the world go by.

5.Do you have a claim to fame?

I once had a conversation with Helen Simpson at one of her book signings.  She was lovely, I was completely awestruck. 

6.Which four people, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner?

I’d invite Mozart, the composer, because he was an incredible talent and the life and soul of any party, by all accounts.  I’d invite Richard E Grant, the actor, because he has some amazing stories to tell and I could listen to his voice all evening.  He could read the phone book and make it sound appealing.  I’d like to have my great-grandmother over to dinner too.  I call her Ginny Cox because she liked a drop of the fragrant drink.  She was apparently a bit of a character in London’s East End in her time and I like a bit of notoriety!  Lastly I would ask Nicola Horlick, the City banker and mother of six, because I think she could do with a night off and also to ask her how on earth she does it all (probably with a lot of help).  There’s an eclectic group of people!  I’m not sure they’d all get on, but I’d have a great time!

7.What do you value most about where you live?

The local school is a good one.  It’s a quiet area in which to live.

8.Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?

I’m an aspiring writer and so would like to have built a thriving and profitable freelance business within that time frame. 

9.What would be the top three on your Bucket List?

Firstly, I would love to witness the Aurora Borealis on a night when the show is particularly spectacular.  This is a long held ambition.  Secondly, I want to do some proper independent travelling, even if it’s only for a month or two.  I think I might become one of those women who set off around the world once the little ones are safely through University and earning their own income.  Thirdly, I’d like to live in a foreign country and be able to speak its language.  I’ve lived all over England, but never aboard.  I’m currently studying Italian, so Italy is a possible destination.  I’d also like to live in London again.  (Sorry, that’s four, but I couldn’t decide which one to lose).

10.What do you like to do in your spare time?

In common with probably most people reading this, I don’t have much spare time so my aims are modest.  I like to be able to read the newspaper uninterrupted on occasion.  Similarly, I like to be able to read a good book in chunks of more than a few pages.  I like to meet friends for coffee, with or without the children.  I like to write and keep the blog up to date.  I’d like to go to the cinema or theatre, but we live so far from the nearest ones that it requires planning (and a babysitter these days!).

Thanks so much for answering these questions Polly. Now I feel like I know you much better! 

If anyone is interested in taking part in Ten on Tuesday just leave a comment below or contact me on twitter @Him_Me_Three.

Popblast Competition Winners

Thank you to all those that entered the Popblast competition


The 4 winners chosen at random were:


@stralisemiai
@Dorothee77
@littleboo_21 
@sarahclegg2


Congratulations all!


Please DM me on twitter with your postal address and I'll get your cd out to you this week.

Silent Sunday 16/10/11

What are you reading? October

Better late than never!


This month I am reading

I actually finished reading this a few days ago and it was a very funny read.  It's a comical look at the first year of marriage from a man's point of view. It was written in diary form which I love. Having very little time to read short chapters or diary entries mean it's very easy to read for a short time and pick up again later.


Our book club read this month is 

I've only read a few chapters but it's been a good start. It's quite a long book so I need to find a lot of time between now and the start of November to finish it!


Take a look at @muddleduck's blog to see what others are reading this month.

Are we sitting comfortably?

Then I'll begin. (From Watch with Mother which I am far too young to remember of course!)


Today we have a story from Girl, aged 7. 


Girl wrote this for her teacher while she was in bed supposedly sleeping.


Once upon a time a long time ago there lived a Queen and a King and they got a lovely wedding to get married. So 2 weeks later they both decided to have a baby and the queen was so so so so so porley that she could not wate to have her baby [I know that feeling well!] and said to the king she could not ever wate for her baby to come out. But suddenly there was thunder and the queen did not like that sound so she cryed and did her best then when she got to hospital and in 3 weeks she had to go again and have an oporasn [operation??!] on her tummy. It bersted and bersted and bersted as hard as she could [ouch!] and found that it was a little girl and they named her Princess Ella Maddie Ven. 


The End.


Girl signed this off with 'I love you being the most best teacher I have ever met'


Bless her. I think she needs to work on her sentence formation and spellings but what a fab effort!
  

Pushchair Parade

Trying to get a perfect pushchair is like searching for the Holy Grail.


I've had a huge range of travel systems and strollers in the 7 years that we have had children and they've all had annoying, niggly faults. They've never been quite right. I can't drive and walk many miles in a week so our pushchairs have to go through a lot. Once the children were at preschool and school it was 3 miles a day minimum and more on days when there were doctor's appointments etc.


When it came to buying our first ever travel system we went along to Babies R Us. The selection was bewildering. I naively thought that a travel system was a travel system and they all did the same thing. We bought a Graco travel system and did the job for 6 months or so but I couldn't wait to move to something less bulky.


We bought the Mothercare Citilite followed by the basic Mothercare Jive when we needed something for Girl when she wasn't up to walking.


When Middle came along we bought a Mothercare Atlas travel system and a Maclaren Twin Techno for those times when we were walking further afield or it was too wet for Girl to walk. Middle had outgrown the Atlas within 3 months and Girl no longer needed the twin so we bought a Maclaren Triumph. We also had a pushchair from Freecycle which we used for holiday. It was the cheapest buggy you can get from Argos and it was a nightmare to push!


The Triumph didn't last long. The wheels just couldn't cope with the amount of mileage. We then had another Maclaren from a friend which lasted a few months but by now Middle was old enough to walk pretty much everywhere. It was great to no longer push a buggy but I missed having somewhere to rest our bags!


I then fell pregnant with Tidgy so we needed to go through it all again. The daughter of a family friend gave us a Bebe Confort pram. It was huge and we soon decided too large for us so we bought a Mothercare travel system from hubby's work colleague. Again, it was fine for about 3 months and then it became too bulky. I was keen to get a lightweight stroller and as soon as Tidgy was 6 months we went shopping.


Hubby was frustrated at how many we'd had so he sent me into Mothercare, money no object, and I was to try out every single pushchair if needed but I was to find the perfect one that I wouldn't be moaning about soon after purchase. Wishful thinking on his part! It was to last until Tidgy would be out of buggies.


I settled on the Silver Cross Pop Sport. In the shop I loved the look of it, it maneuvered well and Tidgy looked comfortable. Silver Cross was a well respected company and we'd had other brands of pushchairs that I just wasn't happy with. Within a few weeks I knew that it was the worst purchase I'd ever made. 3 days in and the logo had rubbed off, the wheels regularly needed oiling, it creaked (despite no weight other than Tidgy being in it) and the hood NEVER sat right and it regularly popped out of it's fixture with the weight of the raincover. I persevered as a friend had one and she loved it but I couldn't wait to get rid of it.


After a year hubby gave in and we chose the Mothercare Vio. It's a 3 wheeler so different from all the other strollers we've had and very lightweight. Tidgy looked comfortable in it and has plenty of space but the shopping basket underneath is useless. You can just about squeeze a drink in and that's it. I know you're not meant to overload buggies but with the Vio they might as well have done away with the basket altogether and just had a drinks holder. The adjustable handles help as hubby is quite a bit taller than I am but they regularly slip down which is a tad annoying and it just doesn't feel sturdy enough.


Our latest buggy is the Kiddicouture Citi Pushchair in Liqourice Lane. 

 

It was sent to us by Kiddicare to review and is one of their own brand products 'for yummy mummies, beautiful babies & delicious daddies'. I love the tagline but I'm far from being a yummy mummy!


It looks really stylish, don't you think?


So, after a dozen travel systems and strollers have we found The One?


You'll have to read Kiddicare blog to find out!!!

Ten on Tuesday No1

Ten on Tuesday is (hopefully!) going to be a regular feature on Him, Me & Three. Ten questions will be asked of mumpreneurs, business women, full time mums, work at home mums and many more people.


It's not an in depth interview, just ten questions to find out a little more about your life, family, work, and anything else that is perhaps unknown about you.


I am very pleased to announce that Katy (@LoveLemon1 on twitter) has very kindly agreed to be the first to answer Ten on Tuesday.


1.Who are you & what do you do?
My name is Katy and I am a mum to 17-month old Jake, I have recently set up Love Lemon to sell my handmade creations and vintage jewellery finds. I have also just started a blog where I like to share craft ideas, projects, interior design ideas and write about my latest adventure – moving from London to the countryside.
2. How did you get started?
I did textiles at school and liked to make my own cushions and curtains for my bedroom, making everything matching! I have always loved making things especially for the home and a few years ago I decided to get back into it. A lot of the time I can't find what I want in the shops, it only seems to exist in my head so it made more sense to make it myself. I was making toys for friends' newborn babies and people kept telling me I should sell them.
3. Favourite thing about being your own boss
That I can be at home with my little boy. I work around him and that seems to work for us both. I hope to grow the business when my little boy is at school but for now I just take on what I can.
4. Least favourite thing about being your own boss.
It's hard sometimes to work through ideas on your own, it's much more productive to bounce ideas off other people. I love that my friends and family are always on the look out for things I could make or ideas for creations. Sometimes I work on a project for a while and can't see what looks best, it needs some fresh eyes.
5.Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years I would love to have expanded the business and be making more products, like cushions and throws for home and baby. I have always wanted to learn fabric printing and would love to be able to design and print my own material. A market stall or a shop would be amazing or a sewing school. Lots of ideas but maybe for more like 10 years' time!
6.Has twitter helped your business? If so, how?
I like the network of people you are in contact with on Twitter. To be able to ask questions and find people who are in a similar situation as you, it makes working on your own less daunting. It's like a small community.
7.What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I don't get a huge amount of time to myself but when I do I love to lose myself in a good book or head to the pool just a few minutes from my house.
8. If you had to write a Bucket List what would be the top 3 on your list?
1. Go back to New York for a weekend with my husband
2. Take my little boy to Disney World
3. Create a beautiful crochet throw or patchwork quilt that could stay in the family
9.What would you say is your guilty pleasure?
House programmes – I can't get enough of them and love nosing at other peoples homes. My husband isn't as much of a fan!
10. Have you ever won anything?
No never, surely it's about time!



Thank you Katy!!

Is laughter the best medicine?

www.freedigitalphotos.net

Today I laughed long and hard. I laughed until I was crying. I laughed until I became hoarse. I laughed like I haven't laughed in a long time.


We were driving home from Aldeburgh and I was engrossed in Angry Birds on my phone so hubby decided to play a prank. He shouted "BANG!" and hit the dashboard. It scared the crap out of me and I was so shocked I shouted "Shit!". Perhaps acceptable in the circumstances, apart from our children sitting in the back of the car.

Thankfully they didn't hear me swear and we were soon all giggling and struggled to stop. They thought it so funny that Daddy had made me cry by scaring me.

Just before the children went to bed Middle was showing off the styrofoam airplane he had in his party bag. I sat on the sofa with Girl and he told us to catch the plane. He threw it, my hand missed and it bounced off the arm of the sofa and landed between my lips. It was so absurd you could try and try to do it on purpose but you'd never achieve it. It was a 'You've Been Framed' moment.

It was hilarious and the 3 of us couldn't stop laughing. Real deep belly laughs, tears running down our faces and us literally rolling around on the floor. We were in hysterics and hubby came in wondering what on earth had happened.

Having that much laughter in one day is fabulous but my back actually hurts because of laughing so much! Laughter may be the best medicine but it's left me in need of some Deep Heat :)

Silent Sunday 9/10/11

No more Nervous Nelly

A few hours after I posted this If I wouldn't be judged... on my blog I received an email from my book club. A facilitator was needed for the late Tuesday session as the usual facilitator would be on stage in a play.


I love helping people out and I struggle to say "no" so I thought about it and offered my help but only if they became REALLY desperate.


In all honesty the thought terrified me but I was confident that someone else, someone more suitable, would volunteer. I didn't hear anything over the weekend so I assumed (and secretly felt relieved) that someone had come forward.


You can imagine my shock when an email arrived on Monday afternoon from Gayle saying that she wanted me to facilitate. I pointed out that my blog post and she still wanted me to do it.


I felt really honoured that I was being asked to do it so I said "yes"! As soon as I pressed send I started to panic. I would have to talk. In front of people. Lots of them. They would all be looking at me and expecting me to keep the conversation going. I was petrified but I couldn't let Gayle down.


On Tuesday afternoon I sat going through the notes that she'd emailed, adding a few pointers and notes of my own and then the nerves really started. I felt ill and just wanted to curl up in bed. Friends didn't help by suggesting that I needed to picture the book club members naked or with cabbages for heads (??!)


Hubby dropped me off early so I  went up to the gallery. I freaked out at the sight of 14 chairs from the previous meeting, thinking I can't speak in front of that many people! I then sat reading through my notes again and silently praying that no-one would turn up.


By 8pm there were 3 others so I started by introducing myself and pleading with them to bear with me as I didn't really know what I was doing! 3 more people turned up a little while later and I have to say that I was really pleased with how it went.


I was able to keep the conversation going most of the time. A few times there was that awkward silence while I quickly scanned my notes in desperation but generally it was a success.


I actually found that I probably talked too much. I'd ask a question and then answer it myself with my own opinions and then I possibly went on a tad too much. I'd gone from someone sitting in the background just nodding in agreement to not being able to shut up!


For someone with little self-confidence I'd say that's a big improvement.


I came home on a high and felt like nothing could stop me. I am so glad I agreed to do this and I'm honoured that Gayle had enough confidence in me.


I have been asked if I would like to facilitate another meeting in the future and this time I won't hesitate to say yes and I'm actually looking forward to it!

Ten on Tuesday

I'm planning on having regular posts called 'Ten on Tuesday' where mumpreneurs and business women answer 10 questions on their business and life outside of work. I'm also interested in having question and answer posts with stay at home mums, working mums and others, with questions relevant to your life.


I'm starting this because I'm nosey and would like to know what makes you all tick!


It could be an opportunity to spread the word about your business and plug your blog, if you have one. 


I'd like to have an interesting cross-section of people taking part so if you think this is something you'd like to be part of email me at ipswichmummy@btinternet.com or tweet me @Him_Me_Three.


I look forward to hearing from you :)

Facebook or twitter?

Facebook or Twitter? If you could use only ONE to promote your blog, which would you use and why? 


This is a blog prompt from Britmums.


This is an easy one for me. It's twitter without a doubt. I do have a facebook page for my blog but I don't always link up every blog post.


When I first joined twitter it was my social network away from facebook and those that know me well in real life. My facebook friends list is full of family and people I see regularly.


I am not ashamed of what I tweet and blog about. It's my little corner of cyberspace not being invaded by my husband or my in laws judging me on everything that I write.


Facebook has been the cause of many an argument within the family, each time from innocent posts and status updates, but I can't be doing with risking upsetting someone by them being over-sensitive.


My blog facebook page has few followers, or fans, so it makes sense that to reach a wider audience I should use twitter. It's also a great support network for bloggers and I find it much more interactive.


Through the Waterfront Book Club and Waterfront Film & Theatre Club I am starting to meet more tweeters in real life and have to remember what I've tweeted and blogged about because sometimes I forget how much information about my life I have put out there into cyberspace for all to see but if I had to choose it would ALWAYS be twitter for my favourite social network and as my chosen way of promoting my blog. 

October 3rd: In Memoriam

Tomorrow is going to be a very poignant day. 


It would have been my Grandad's 81st birthday tomorrow and October 3rd last year it was the last time that I saw my Nanna properly before she died on 14th October. I did see her on her deathbed and was able to help make her last hours a little more comfortable but October 3rd was our last proper day together. You can read my blog post written a few days after her funeral here


Ironically I commented to my aunt and my husband on how well she looked. I thought it was the brightest she had looked all year. It had been a tough year for her with many emergency hospital visits because of heart attacks and other problems. She had also recently had a procedure carried out on her eyes and it made her seem more like her usual self. I am so glad that we got to spend a day with her before she died.


If you read my post 'Remembering' you will know that I have an issue with not having visited her grave since the funeral but as a family some of us have commemorated Grandad's birthday and more of us will be doing so tomorrow. 


My grandparent's were very family orientated and spending time with my family is the best way I can think of remembering them and celebrating how lucky we were to have them in our lives.


I'm proud to be one of their clan :)

Silent Sunday 2/10/11