I’ve been absent in the last few WW’s due to holiday status, but couldn’t resist participating in this week’s one with just a few photographs taken of a day out in York!
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A bit late on this one . . . ye know, on account of being on holiday and all. Anyhoo, this song called “In for the Kill” by La Roux is being played everywhere — takes me and my pals back to the 80’s!
Enjoy!
So, we’re here and we’ve been here going on 2 1/2 weeks now and having a fab time! We arrived with no problems . . . well, not too many anyway!
I left with a mild ear infection and having flown with one before, I was terrified of bursting my ear drum. I was pleasantly surprised to touch down at Gatwick airport with not too much pain at all, but on going through immigration et al, I could feel my ear begin to throb. When I couldn’t clear it at all, heeding the advice of my doctor, I decided we’d get the train up to Edinburgh. So, the kids and I embarked on part 2 of our epic journey — 2 trains and 4 hours later, we were pulling up in Waverly station to be greeted by my aunt and uncle. I couldn’t even hug them or anything — alls I could muster was “my bags, my bags are up in the baggage car and I think the train is going to leave with them on it unless we get up there!” My fit uncle took off up the platform as I struggled behind him with the three boys. I was in “car B” and the baggage car was behind “car T” which tells you how long the train was. Thankfully, my uncle was able to get there before they blew the whistle and get my bags off the train!
We had 11 glorious days in Edinburgh which has got to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world — I’m not biased at all, am I? We stayed at my auntie’s house and were able to live like locals. She is only a walk from the beach and great shopping plus just a short train journey from the city so an ideal location to be sure.
I loved being surrounded by history, beauty and Scottish life all at once! And, my family too, of course.
We’ve done and seen loads! The beautiful city of Edinburgh — the castle, Arthur’s Seat, the Grassmarket, open bus tour, Greyfriar’s Bobby, Holyrood Palace, Museum of Aviation, the Royal Highland Show (where we saw the Queen!!), Dunbar, Tantellon Castle, Seabird Sanctuary, the gorgeous beaches of the east coast of Scotlaand, Newhailles Hall,strawberry picking, shopping on Prince’s Street, picnicked in Prince’s Street Gardens, etc., etc.
I have to say that acclimating to British life has been a bit of a challenge, but it seems that the boys are now fitting in although the oldest is so clumsy and going through that sulky teen stage that I think it’s been harder on him. I have to give him credit where it’s due though as he did go 11 days without Internet connection and a play on his beloved World of Warcraft game!
On the Saturday night before we left, we had a wonderful BBQ where my aunt prepared enough food to feed the whole street. One of my uncles came over with his bagpipes and he entertained us with a few tunes and even let the boys have a shot on it. A proud moment for this mama!
I really did not want to leave Scotland, but it was time to move on to England to see old friends and hubby’s parents, so my uncles drove me down in style. I was very sad to see them go, but excited to be in Whitby too . . . (more to come)
I’ve learned there’s a sexy new ad campaign being launched in the UK this week and I can’t wait to see it.
In person.
Coz ye know, I’ll be there in just a couple of days.
So, whilst I finish ironing and packing, getting my hair done, my eyebrows threaded and everything else that needs to be done before one embarks on a trip half-way round the world, I shall leave you with a pic of said ad campaign.
Phwaoh! Is it just me or does the sight of Piers Morgan get anybody else all hot and bothered?
For today’s Musical Monday, I’ve picked the love songs medley from one of my favourite films — Moulin Rouge and am dedicating it to the hubby.
Happy anniversary babes! x
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Well, for this week’s theme of lock, I have gorgeous photos of the Ballard Locks just outside Seattle in Washington, but couldn’t get them scanned on time so this photo will have to do! 
It’s no big secret that my littlest one is going through a nekid phase. I know it’s cute and it’s just a phase, but I’ve recently encountered some reasons to avoid it all together:
- Sometimes, he misses the toilet and the pee (or worse) goes everywhere.
- Sometimes, he can’t make it to the toilet and just grabs any handy receptacle to go in.
- It can be so embarrassing for his older brothers when he wants to be a rudey dudey in a houseful of guests.
And, there is the slim possibility that he might get his bits stuck in his “sit and spin” toy.
Ouch!
Ouch again!
Don’t worry though as he’s fine! It happened for a fraction of a second and then he was up and running about again as usual. It just gave him a little shock and I thought it actually might make him want to wear his clothes, but no — he just avoids the toy!
Please do share any of your reasons to not let a toddler go naked!!
Every year on each of my children’s birthdays, we have a tradition (other than the dreaded birthday bumps) that I look forward to as much as they tell me they do. I tell them about the day they came in to my life. But, this year I’ve been kind of fretting about whether my oldest would still want to hear his birth story.
Why you wonder?
Well, because today he’s a teenager. And, . . . teenagers are different, aren’t they?
They’re a whole new kind of unpredictable species to me.
Nice and gregarious one minute then brooding and silent the next. Gone is my sweet and innocent little boy who lived for Barney and Thomas the Tank Engine. Now, he’s all in to Family Guy and dare I say it, but Mfriggin’ TV!! The little boy who dreamed of becoming a roller coaster designer now wants to go in to architecture or graphic design. The child who only ate Amy’s organic soy mac ‘n’ cheese for a whole year now is eating me out of house and home, inhaling everything in his sight. His sweet, lilting voice that used to tell me all about which roller coaster was the highest and which was the fastest is now showing the beginning signs of deepening. And, the little guy who used to be up every morning with the sun is now sleeping later and later!
Gulp! He’s changing in to a young man before my eyes and I can’t stop it. I just need to go with it . . . and study and learn all about this strange, new species in my house, right?
So, yesterday I was joking around with him about becoming a teen. About how much he has and will change when I thought it a good opportunity to gage the new species’ interest in said family tradition. I managed to blurt out how I thought that this year he would be too mature to listen to the story about the day he was born. Anxious for a response, I didn’t have to wait long because my teenager stopped in his tracks, looked up at me with those same beautiful blue eyes that greeted me when we first met in the delivery room and said, “of course I want to hear it Mom!”
And, my heart melted.
But do ye see what I mean about teens? A whole different species!
For this week’s Wordless Wednesday, I picked this photo of my son blowing out the candles on his massive brownie cake at his 13th birthday party this past weekend! He doesn’t really “do” cake other than carrot cake which has always been the cake at all his previous parties. This year, he wanted something different! I guess he really is growing up!
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So, here goes nothing . . . my virgin Random Tuesday Thoughts, a meme I’m participating in that is hosted by The Un Mom. Yes, readers — be gentle coz I’m a virgin! LOL
Wow, I was a virgin a really long time ago now. Young, sweet and innocent! Older and wiser now though and nothing beats that, right?
Now, what was that random thought I had? Why can’t I remember it? Next time, I have a random thought, I will dash to the nearest pen and paper or laptop and jot it all down so I don’t forget. Like now.
I swear, the older I get the more forgetful I am.
My, my — the John Mayer look-a-like at the drive-thru was super funny the other day. Had me giggling away with all his jokes and banter. Nice to hear. Thanks for making the drive-thru so much fun the other day — you’re a dude!
I had a good friend and her kiddos over to hang out for the day and all my littlest one did was get naked . . . again. Why on earth does he do this? He’s obsessed with clothes and wants to change a million times a day and then insists on stripping off to go the potty, picking out a different outfit each time he’s finished. Luckily, my friend’s house is a bit like mine and her kids were pretty much unfazed by the nudity!
There are only 9 sleeps till we go away and I’ve yet to pack. Well, I take that back — I’ve mentally packed. Does that count?
I must remember to get my middle son his new crocs and sneakers for his hols. These boys are growing up way too fast. They’ve gone from that cute, dirty boy smell to a musty pre-manly stink!
Why do I find it so easy to run on the treadmill or to do the elliptical, yet I SUCK big time at running in real life? Ye know . . . on the road. My pal thinks I need better music, so I’m blaming that and not my complete lack of athleticism!
I must remember to get the soundtrack to He’s Just Not That Into You — it was awesome!
Whatever happened to Keane? They were good they were. But, only coz they’re from England. Hehe! Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.
Why on earth would someone who really has nothing to do with me in real life want to follow my tweets? I don’t get it!
Twitter is like my village green! I really must finish that blog post — it’s going to be amazing!
I need a tan before I go back on holiday, but it’s too hot — another spray tan methinks?
I can’t believe I won ice cream for a whole year. Me? I never win anything. Well, other than three amazing boys, right? Anyway, it’s a perfect prize for me . . . the ice cream hog! Yes, I’ll be in hog heaven . . . for a whole year!
Ooh, the thought of all that ice cream makes me want to go and work out!
