Stand Up

Stand Up, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered templates (June 16-31 Template Challenge and I Adore You Page Starter Templates, Template 1) both by Colie's Corner, Wordart Freebie 51 by LorieM Designs and Chic and Spring Blooms both by Jen C Designs.

Ducks In The Garden

Ducks In The Garden, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (June 2012 Template Challenge 2) by tashdown and Breath Of Fresh Air (slightly recoloured) by Jen C Designs. Fonts are Coneria Script and Bubblegum Sans.
Journalling reads: When it was time to upgrade his mobile phone Mark decided to let me have the new white handset, while he kept my old black version. I asked him to leave it synced with my Google account. so he would get the same calendar reminders as I do, meaning I didn’t need to remind him about birthdays, anniversaries etc. I also had it set up to sync all photos taken with my Photobucket account so that if I ever lost my phone I wouldn’t lose my precious photos. By leaving it as I had it set up it meant that photos from both phones were uploaded to the same account. I thought it would mean that I got instant access to any photos he took of the kids when I didn’t happen to be with them, like when he takes them to the park during my Slimming World meetings. So I was more than a bit puzzled when he sent me a text message from work one day, telling me to go and check my Photobucket account. Mark works in a hospital and for the last few years, a duck has arrived in the founders garden, laid her eggs and then lived there with her babies until the RSPCA come and collect them once the babies have matured a bit. The staff usually put out a bowl of water once they spot the mother duck. When he spotted the babies during his lunch break, he was smart enough to know that I would be upset if he told he had seen them but not taken any pictures. He only managed to get one photo but I am so glad that he did. The combination of seeing those adorable little ducks and knowing that Mark went out of his way to do something so sweet, made my day, Sadly since he took this photo he hasn’t seen the ducks again, we hope that they have just been moved somewhere safer. June 2nd 2012.

Waiting In Line

Waiting In Line, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (Twisted Pixels, June 2012) by Isabel Mendez (Crisdam Designs), Hole Punch Scraps Notebook Borders Template by Jenn Patrick and Best Dad Ever by Jen C Designs.

Mark's Timeline Cover

Mark's Timeline Cover, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Best Dad Ever by Jen C Designs.

Not sure if you noticed

but I have already made a start on updating the blog, the CT section in the sidebar has been tidied up and the stores updated, I also added links to both of their Facebook fan pages. I removed a few bits and pieces like the slideshow of my 2010 P365 and I have updated my profile section. I might have gotten a little bit more done if we hadn't decided to take the kids swimming this afternoon. Logan suggested it and since I am behind on the washing, I hadn't actually gotten around to washing them from when we went last time, naughty mummy. So we had to wait for them to wash and dry and since Mark couldn't find his we decided it would be simpler to just buy him a second set. While we were waiting we decided to try out a trick for boiling eggs we saw on How to cook like Heston. It didn't really work (don't think Mark caught it as it started boiling so it was overcooked) but the second set done how he usually does them were yummy, I had them with asparagus instead of toast, think I may have found my new favourite breakfast. Logan tried boiled egg for the first time and loved it. So when the stuff was finally washed and dried we took a trip to Cowley Centre.When we got there we ran into my mum and Callum. We stopped and chatted for a little while and the boys played on some of the rides. I don't seem to be capable of just buying one item when we go into any clothes shop, and this time was no different. Little Miss ended up with 2 new pairs of leggings, 2 new tops to go with leggings she got on our last shopping trip lol, a pack of 2 babygros, a dressing gown (for swimming we had been intending to buy her a hooded towel but this was cheaper) and a pink ballerina skirt. Then we walked to the swimming pool, we got everyone dressed and headed into the baby pool. Since the main pool was dead, I asked Mark if he would mind watching the kids while I did a few lengths. I honestly didn't realise I was so unfit, I used to be fairly good at swimming. I managed one length of the pool (shallow to deep end and back again) and I thought I was going to drown. My heart was racing and there was so much pressure in my head it made me want to pass out and throw up at the same time. Ironically I thought that my fitness was a lot better since losing 2 stone, I mean I can walk to Nan's and back now when before I could barely manage here to Cowley Centre. But I have been feeling pretty crappy every since, so maybe it might be time to make that doctors appointment I have probably been needing to make for about 6 months. Leia really seemed to enjoy swimming today usually she doesn't really seem interested but today she was kicking and splashing a lot. The boys had fun playing with their new Spongebob Squarepants water pistols. After we got out Leia sat in the wall seat while we had showers. she was playing with her new dressing gown. What was funny though was when I was dressing her. I decided it would be interesting to turn the hairdryer on her, she loved it. She was giggling and cooing and her hair went all crazy and fluffy. But while she was giggling she managed to pee everywhere lucky I had her on our changing mat. It's challenging trying to change her when we go swimming because there is no wall mounted changing tables in the cubicles anymore. So I have to use the one by the dryer, it's easy enough when I dress her to go swimming, because I have my swimming costume on under my clothes. But when we get redressed, I have to try and keep her off my wet swimming costume and dress her while Mark dresses Logan then he holds her while I go into the cubicle and put my own clothes back on. After swimming everyone was starving, we had bought snacks at Cowley Centre and were planning on cooking dinner when we got home but we just couldn't be bothered. I suggested we go to the takeaway and buy chips for everyone, naughty mummy again seems to be a bit of a theme today. When we got there I said Lukas could have a sausage in batter (his favourite) for the walk home. Mark got a regular sausage and since I was thrilled to find out they could do them without syrup I ordered a banana fritter. It came in a tray and there were five of them about the size of the chicken balls that we usually buy. They were seriously yummy, and I didn't even care how many calories there were in them lol. Once we got home, Lukas fell asleep after finishing his dinner, he was supposed to have his hair cut for school tomorrow but Mark will have to do it in the morning. He did his and Logan's though. Apart from taking a few photos of Leia in her new ballerina skirt and feeding her half a jar of food (she was too sleepy to finish the rest), we have had a nice easy night. It's been a really nice day and with the BBQ yesterday a really nice weekend. It's a shame Mark doesn't get weekends off more often. Tomorrow Lukas goes back to school after half term (YAY!), me and Logan are quite looking forward to getting back to normal. Then there is the first England match of Euro 2012 and I have slimming world in the evening. Hopefully we will manage to get a few loads of washing done, some tidying up and maybe even some CT work while Lukas is at school. In between our usual routine of watching CBeebies especially I Can Cook, "Minions" (Despicable Me) and Toy Story 3.

Drawing A Line

I don't really know why I decided that today would be a good day to actually deal with all the spam posts on my blog, usually what happens is that I get an email notification telling me that there is a new comment on x post. I read whatever rubbish it is this time and then delete the email leaving Blogger to deal with it. But today I didn't I clicked on it to go and delete it myself. It wasn't a special comment just the usual spam. I found that Blogger has an entirely new interface, not quite sure if I like it or not. The photo in my header has Logan as a baby, he's 2.5 now and we have Leia whose nearly 8 months old. To see a post that is more than just a layout posted from Flickr you have to go all the way back to November 28th 2010, Leo's anniversary. So what changed? I used to post almost every day, sometimes more than once a day. I used to share everything, all the tiny details of our lives, my thoughts, my feelings, photos and anything else that I felt like sharing. I used to use it to help with the journalling on my layouts Did my life suddenly become too uninteresting to share, or did I suddenly decide to be worried about privacy?. In a word, no. It's not that simple. There are a lot of reasons I just stopped Blogging, Facebooking, Tweeting. Time was one for a while but I would be lying if I said that was really ever a true reason. If I really want to do something I find the time to do it. Change was another issue, so much has happened it was hard knowing where to start again. It became impossible to recap what had happened since I last posted so I just didn't bother. Mostly it just comes down to the fact that I was just too uninterested in life to care. I get up each day and I just go through the motions until the day is over and then repeat the process over and over again. On the rare occasions I felt the urge to blog something I started writing a post and either couldn't find the words I needed or just got distracted by other stuff and ended up closing it and deciding to "deal with it later". But I am tired of putting everything off and hoping that one day I will wake up and feel better, that one day there will magically be no pain or desire to die. This is my life and it sucks but so what, it's still mine. This is me drawing a line under it all and saying I want to start again, I need this blog (if for no other reason than simply because my journalling on my layouts sucks when I have to rely on me to remember all the details lol). So there will be no recap post, no apologising for not blogging, I am just starting fresh from here and the first order of business is to redecorate so you can at least see all 3 of my little monkeys up top. It might take a little while for me to decide how I want the finished item to look so don't expect it to be finished today or anything. The second is to try and post more often of some of the real life "stuff" even if it's literally a post of funny stuff the kids have said, a cute photo of one of the them, or just some random fact once a week, maybe I will actually use that blogging app I installed on my phone when I first got it lol. I think I might start including some CT promotion posts as well, because being part of a creative team is an important part of my life too. I am not entirely sure what I want this blog to be right now, just that I want it to be mine again, and more than just a collection of layouts and credits one after the other.

You Are Beautiful

You Are Beautiful, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered templates (June Cluster Your Heart Out Template by Mye De Leon and My Everything Predeco Paper, Template 4 slightly altered), Chic (slightly recoloured) by Jen C Designs and photo actions by Coffeeshop Photography (Vanilla Latte, Velvet Cream, 2 Minute Miracle and Rosy Vintage).

My Lil Bugaboo

My Lil Bugaboo, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (June 2012 Template Challenge, slightly altered) by Connie Prince and Corduroy Girl (slightly recoloured) by Jen C Designs. Font is DJB Bailey by Darcy Baldwin.
Journalling reads: When the boys were little, I wasn't really into taking photographs or scrapbooking as much. as I am now. Looking back I kind of regret how few memories I can recall about the toys they enjoyed playing with, all the things that bought them pleasure and made them smile. With you it's my last chance to remember all these little moments and memories. You have only recently started to enjoy playing with toys. Your first favourite was the cube, then there was the pink lamb and the white bunny. Then you got obsessed with wanting to touch everything, to play with as many toys as you could get your little hands on. You like stuff that makes noises, and stuff that has different textures, you like your brothers cars and the crinkly book. But you had absolutely no interest in this plastic caterpillar rattle that Nannie Donna bought you for Easter, at least not until Logan decided to take a liking to it and started playing with it. Now you want it all the time and have no problem squealing at him until he gives it back to you!

Bubbleworks

Bubbleworks, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (Chopped Paper, Template 3) by Elizabeth Albers (Scrapping With Liz) and Lil Mermaid, Cocoa and Candy Canes Glitters and Rainbow Daydream Glitters all by Jen C Designs. Font is Courier New.
Journalling reads: I have lost count of how many times we have ridden on Lukas’s favourite ride at Chessington, rain or shine the first thing he always asks to do is ride on Bubbleworks.

Sealife Centre

Sealife Centre, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (Snapshot, Template 2) and Lil Mermaid both by Jen C Designs. Font is The Wolff by Heather Hess.
Journalling reads: After our trip to the London Aquarium we were really excited to hear that they were opening a Sealife Centre at Chessington World Of Adventures. We were already Chessington Annual Pass holders because we loved visiting it so much, so to us it was an amazing combination of our two favourite places to visit. When we first visited it was quite crowded but since we knew we could come back whenever we wanted that didn’t really matter. We loved that you had the opportunity to have a family photo taken on entry. It’s impossible for us to take a photo with all of us in it. I now have a fairly large collection of fun family photos, I suppose it helps that we got a 20% Annual Pass discount on them. The experience of the Sealife Centre was completely different to the Aquarium, you feel much closer to everything and you can see everything better. The only downside we have found is because it is so mucb smaller than the Aquarium you have to leave the pushchair outside, which can make it interesting if Logan doesn’t feel like being cooperative or we didn’t remember to bring the reins with us. I often take the boys in to visit the Aquarium while Mark is off queuing for one of the rollercoasters he loves to go on. One of the cool things is the activity trail for the kids to complete as they walk around. It’s made up of a selection of stations with questions and an activity on them relating to the information on each tank and fun facts dotted around. Some of the stations have flaps to lift,, wheels to turn or buttons to press. Both of the boys really enjoy doing this, even though they have done it so many times now they don’t even need to check the answers anymore. No visit is complete for them without a visit to the Sealife shop!

London Aquarium

London Aquarium, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (Fun Circles Template rotated 180 degrees) by Elizabeth Albers (Scrapping With Liz) and Lil Mermaid by Jen C Designs. Font is The Wolff by Heather Hess.
Journalling reads: The first time we visited the London Aquarium was one of those happy accidents. We had gone to London for the day and for some reason I can’t remember we ended up at the South Bank and visiting the Aquarium seemed like a good idea and it ended up being tbe highlight of our trip. It was so beautiful and peaceful in there, we couldn’t wait to go back and this ended up being the first of many enjoyable visits once we bought our Merlin Annual Passes.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (May 16-31st 2012 Template Challenge) by Ryan Casleton (Roseytoes Designs) and Divalicious and Timeless both by Jen C Designs.

Fluffy Geese

Fluffy Geese, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (Spring Templates, Template 1) by Elizabeth Albers (Scrapping With Liz) and Breath Of Fresh Air by Jen C Designs. Font is Georgia.
Journalling reads: We decided it would be a nice treat to take the kids to Hinksey Park. The plan was swimming in the outdoor pool and enjoying a snack at the cafe, before feeding the ducks, geese and swans and then spending the afternoon playing in the park. Nothing really went to plan, and by the time we got to the park nobody was in a very good mood. Everyone cheered up a bit after swimming but Lukas kept being a pain and tormenting Logan. After an hour we said it was time to get out, Leia and Logan were starting to get cold, this set off a tantrum because Lukas didn’t get his own way about going and playing in the sprinklers. Then we had an incident with Lukas touching stuff he had been told not to, outside the cafe and getting us all told off by the manager, even though we apologised for Lukas’s behaviour, we were feeling too embarrassed to queue up and buy food. As we headed over towards the pond we were all hungry and feeling miserable. Usually everyone feeding the birds and we had saved up a whole carrier bag full of bread, so we could feed them for longer. As we started to get out the bread, we spotted these teeny tiny baby geese. They were so cute and fluffy that we forgot all about how grumpy we had been feeling. These ones were obviously a bit more mature as they looked just like the adult geese only smaller and fluffier, but there were some smaller one that looked like balls of fluff on legs. It was adorable watching them trying to eat chunks of bread that were bigger than they were although they seemed to prefer eating the crumpets. We didn’t get manage to get many photos though as the adults kept hissing at us when we got close.

Finger Lickin Good

Finger Lickin Good, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (Long Photo Template) by Elizabeth Albers (Scrapping With Liz) and Count Your Blessings (slightly recoloured) by Jen C Designs. Font is DJB Heart Of Dixi by Darcy Baldwin.
Journalling reads: I saw this dress for you when I was pregnant and fell in love. I had to buy it because it was so unusual. Then it kind of got misplaced and forgotten about. When I came across it by accident I was disappointed that you were almost too big for it, but it was still acceptable worn as a top with your skinny jeans. When I started taking these photographs I was just hoping for one decent one of you looking cute in the dress. But as I was clicking away over and over again I realized that I was capturing so much more than that. The boys always liked to suck on stuff like their clothes, tags. blankets etc, but they never really had that much interest in their hands or thumbs. You on the other hand can never seem to get enough fingers in your mouth to make you happy. I love how these photos show all of your cute expressions and your playful personality. I even managed to get a few of you sucking your fingers and picking your nose at the same time, way to multi task baby! 30/03/12

Me & My Dolly

Me & My Dolly, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (Lots Of Layers 2, Template 3) and Strawberry Fields both by Jen C Designs. Font is The Deck by Heather Hess.
Journalling reads: I came across this adorable little rag dolly while shopping on the Build-A-Bear website. You are now 7 months old and you have just started to show some interest in playing with toys. So I thought it was about time that I got her out for you to play with. I sat you in the pushchair and put the dolly in your lap and then waited to see what you would do with her. At first you just held her in your arms and stared at her. Then you started turning her around and around. Next you tipped her upside down before deciding that all you really wanted to do was pull her hair and try and rip her clothes off. 19th May.

Going Down

Going Down, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (Snapshot, Template 1, slightly altered) and Rainbow Daydream both by Jen C Designs. Font is Caviar Dreams.
Journalling reads: I came across these old photos of you on the SD card from Daddy’s old phone. I vaguely remember Daddy taking you to the local indoor play area once without me. I know that I wasn’t with you on this trip, because I would have been far too busy telling you off, for doing something as insane as throwing yourself headfirst down the giant slide to stop and take any photographs of you doing it. This is really dangerous Lukas, you could have really hurt yourself or someone else! 5th October 2008.

Pink Boots

Pink Boots, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (Large and In Charge Volume 2, Template 2) by Tracy Anderson (Trixie Scraps) and Corduroy Girl Elements, Corduroy Girl Papers and Corduroy Girl Polka Dot Papers. Font is The Basic by Heather Hess.
Journalling reads: When you were born, Auntie Lisa bought you these tiny little pink fur lined boots. You were 4 months old, before your feet were big enough to fit in them. I found you this pair of cute skinny jeans to wear at the same time for some photos. I thought they would make a nice thank you gift for Auntie Lisa. Unfortunately you got really sick a few days before I took the photo. So you looked really miserable and full of cold. Poor baby girl.

Ballpit

Ballpit, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (6th May 2012 Sunday Brunch) by Colie's Corner and Rainbow Daydream by Jen C Designs.

Building With Ella

Building With Ella, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (May 2012 Template Challenge) by Crystal Sweeney (Inspired Designs by Crystal) and Rainbow Daydreams (slightly recoloured) and Rainbow Daydreams Addon Alphas both by Jen C Designs. Font is The Thickest by Heather Hess.
Journalling reads: When Ella came around to play she bought her girly set of megablocks. At first you made a fuss about playing with pink blocks, but you soon got so involved in building “the fort” that you forgot all about it. Both of you played really nicely together and had a lovely time. After these photos were taken we added in your set of Monster Megablocks too, so that you could make your fort even bigger.

Sweet Potato & Kiwi Soup

Sweet Potato & Kiwi Soup, a photo by Lukasmummy on Flickr.

Credits: Layered template (Cookin Up 1 4x6, Template 4) by Melanie Colosimo and In the Kitchen by Jewel Goodwin (Mad Genius Designs. Fonts are The Typewriter and The Shady Sailor both by Heather Hess.
Journalling reads: Ingredients: 3 small/medium sweet potatoes, 4-5 garlic cloves, 1 tbsp vegetable bouillon or 1 vegetable stock cube, 1 Kiwi fruit, Salt and pepper, water and frylight.

Method: Peel and roughly chop the sweet potato and garlic. Heat up a pan and spray with frylight. Add garlic and lightly fry for a minute or two, ensuring garlic does not brown. Add the sweet potato, season generously with salt and pepper and stir. Allow to cook in the pan for a few minutes before covering with water Add the vegetable bouillion or stock. Bring to a simmer, cover and allow to cook until sweet potato softens (10-15 minutes). Transfer to a blender, add the peeled and chopped kiwi and blitz until smooth. It should be thick and rich.