The Farm, Ducks and more.

Another lovely start to the day weather wise. They are starting to become endless. If it wasn't for the cooler nights you would think it was summer. It has been beautiful outside in the sunshine. It is just lovely to wake up look out of the window and see the blue skies. Combine that with being woken up by Lucy, or Emily and Catherine for that matter, saying how lovely it is and you know it is going to be a good day.

The morning was much like the one before I got up with Lucy and we plodded down the stairs our arms laden with all the things she wanted to bring down with her. She sat in the chair and arranged her things around her and I turned on the TV for her, before making myself a coffee and Lucy a cup of tea. Then we watched TV until we both woke up chatting about this and that we saw on the screen. Eventually we had breakfast and Lucy got dressed before she went into the family room to play. I joined her on and off as I did a bit of cleaning around the house and reading the news on the computer. She seemed fine playing on her own and even gave me some paint she found before she made a mess with it without me even asking.

What we were waiting for was the cycle race to come through the village. The race was the Rutland-Melton International CICLE Classic that is close to the continental style of cycle race as possible. It is gritty affair going both over dirt roads as well as normal roads. This year there were over hundred and seventy cyclists taking part in the race and there would have been more but some had to be turned away. It was this race we went to watch. Being a road section part of the race it was very fast as well as being very colorful. There was less than four minutes between the leader and the last person in the race and most of the pack came through together. Over one hundred riders all came hurtling around a bend through the village before heading off to Melton. It was quiet a sight and I'm glad we pooped out to have a look and cheer them on.

When we got back we were ready for some lunch. Lucy went to play and I got on with making some food for us all. Which included Lucy favorite, eggs. It didn't take long for us all to eat and soon we were already to go out again in the sun and enjoy the afternoon after popping to the supermarket to pick up some food for dinner and breakfast tomorrow.

As we dropped of the shopping Charlie turned up looking for Emily and Catherine and she asked us if she could join us when Lucy said we were going to the farm. We didn't want to let her down so we said yes if it was alright with her mum. We weren't going for long and I Lucy really likes Charlie and she gets on with younger children really well. She was always very good with Lucy's other sister.

When we got to the farm we headed straight for the pig pens to see how mummy and the little piglets were doing. There was one more to added the litter we hadn't seen before making a total of ten. All of them seemed to be doing well and we watched them for a while. They are really cute and they are had started to find there feet and had started to move away from there mum. Probably a good idea as when the mummy pig rolled over and trapped one who squealed at the top of its voice until she moved. After seeing the piglets we moved onto the lambs and the small animals. Being a Sunday the some of the lambs were in a little pen in the farm yard so you could get close to them and touch them. Lucy found a bit of hay and fed one of them and after a while she got the courage to touch them. Next Lucy played with the games in the farm yard with Charlie. They had great fun. Finally we took a short walk into the fields to see the donkey and the horse before washing our hands and returning home.

All we did when we got home was drop Charlie off before heading out again. This time to Stamford to feed the ducks with some bread we had bought at the supermarket earlier in the day. It is lovely by the river in Stamford and this time of year there are the young ducklings as well to make it a even nicer place to visit. Stamford really is a lovely town. As it turned out we were probably there a bit late in the day to feed the ducks, most of them seemed full. All the same we had a lovely time and Lucy was happy to munch on the bread we brought for the ducks. I know at least the pigeons enjoyed the bread that Lucy gave them as well as the ducks we managed to find that still had some space in there tummy's. Before we left we had an ice cream which we ate on the way back to Rutland.

Instead of going straight home we headed back into Oakham to the park. The idea being to let Lucy let off that final bit of steam before we went home. Need less to say she had a smashing time in the park playing, sliding, jumping and pushing me around the roundabout until I was dizzy. It was just what we needed to round off a lovely day out for everyone. Oakham park has to be one of the most lovely parks I have been too. It really is beautiful there.

When we got home I got Sunday Dinner on. On this evenings menu there was roast garlic chicken, roast potatoes, roast parsnips, mixed vegetables coated in butter and stuffing. All rather yummy and just what was needed to finish off a grand day despite Emily and Catherine not being there to enjoy it with everyone. I was most impressed with what Lucy ate given there was enough for three adults and her plate had more food on it than normal. She managed to nearly eat all of it. 

With dinner done and dusted there was a little bit of time for Lucy to play before she headed up stairs to the land of nod. She was more than happy to go upstairs, get ready for bed and after her stories, cuddles and kisses she fell asleep. Thankfully tonight without the nightmares of the night before.

It's been a great day with everyone. The weather couldn't have been better. I just hope the week ahead when Emily and Catherine return is equally as good. They have missed out this weekend and it is only right they should have their own share of the holiday fun.

A Sunny Autumn Friday

When I woke up this morning a noticed what date it was I noticed it would have been my Mum's birthday today. I still miss her so much as I do the all other people special people in my life that mean or have meant so much to me. It makes you realise how important it is to care about the ones you love and cherish every moment you have with them, however short. Caring about the people we love is the most important thing we do in life. Thankfully nobody can stop us loving the people we do in our lives.

The day was already lovely when the Emily and Catherine got up for school. The sun was shining and the temperature was rising. It was all set to be a fine autumn day. As normal girls made their own packed lunches and soon I was driving Emily to school in Oakham and on my return I made sure Catherine got off school in time. The only different today, from a normal morning, was that Emily took some extra clothes to school. She is staying overnight with a friend and having a her first sleep over since she change school.

When I picked up Lucy I dropped off the rest of her mummies books from our home. Unfortunately one of the boxes broke as I was walking down the walk but thankfully I managed to save the books before they fell on the ground. I did feel bad about the box breaking but the books were just to heavy for the plastic box. Picking up Lucy was rather pleasant today, first I heard Lucy behind the door before it was opened and then I managed to help getting the books inside the house. Being friendly again was nice and it is good for Lucy to see us like that. I hope one day we will be able talk again. It was great to see Lucy knowing I have her for two nights again. I have been looking forward to it all week.

When we got home Lucy showed me all the things she brought with her from her mummies. She is so proud of her new yellow car. It was lovely to see and hear her glowworm again. I can still remember her as a baby listening to her glowworm as she feel asleep. It was nice to think back to those times when she was smaller. Catherine said later it was one of her first birthday present from her mummy and me as far as she can remember. I'm not sure who gave what but I still need to give Lucy a picture of me for her talking photo frame. For most of the morning we just played and had cuddles except for the occasional sitting on the potty time. Which reminds me I really should get a update at how she is doing at her mummies with the potty, but I don't like to bother her.

For lunch Lucy had some Heniz alphabet pasta shapes before we headed out for the afternoon to make the most of the sunshine all rapped up against the cool breeze. Today we headed to Stamford although we knew have much time there as we had to get back for Catherine, but we were determined to make the best use of it.

Taking some old bread with us we head first for the river to feed the ducks. Lucy had a lovely time feeding them. She was laughing and giggling away as she watched the ducks chasing and fighting over the bread she dropped. She even feed a few pigeons who came to see what was on offer. Some of the ducks there are so tame that one family were feeding them off their hands. Lucy was most disappointed when she ran out of bread, but with the promise of the park next she was soon back in the car seat with a ice cream. We will have to take more bread next time so we can stay longer.

We went next Stamford recreation ground near the police station. It is great there for children of all ages as I have said before. The first thing she went on was the single person roundabout. She ran to it as soon as she got through the gate to make sure that nobody else could get it. After while she moved on to the big slide. She can't get up there herself but with a big of help she can manage it. She just loves it and she is so careful crossing the bridge and watching where she put her feet. 

Today was odd in that a little girl a little bit younger than Lucy got stuck at the top of the slide and wouldn't come down. Lucy was waiting behind her and we tried to get Lucy to show the other little girl how to do it but she wouldn't move out the way to let Lucy down. The little girls mother was heavily pregnant and couldn't help her down, so in the end I went up the slide to rescue the her by getting her to slide down with me as I held her hands and slid down backwards. 

After the rescue and playing shops Lucy went on the large swing that Emily and Catherine like so much. Although she didn't want to go high she did smile all the time she was on it and had fun. Before we left she went back to the smaller children's area to play there and on the way out she pushed me around the ring roundabout laughing every time my weight made me speed down towards it's lowest point. We had a great time. 

Before we left Stamford we popped to the Waitrose to get a few things in for dinner. I must say I really like Waitrose and if it wasn't for the cost of the food there and it being so far away I would use it all the time. It is one of my favorite supermarkets. The food quality is so good compared the other supermarkets.

When we got home Catherine was waiting in the garden for us. Lucy was so pleased to see her and beamed from ear and sat down next to her and gave her a cuddle. They both played in the garden for a while before coming inside when the sun went in which put the end to the idea of an after school trip to Langham park, as with the sun gone the air temperature dropped quite a bit. Indoors they watch a DVD on the sofa after they made some cakes with Lucy occasionally getting up to play on her own with her toys. Before long dinner was ready and they both sat down and chatted away together as they ate.

After dinner Catherine and Lucy played together. First they played dressing up and then they went bouncing on the bed for a bit before coming downstairs to play. I think they both enjoyed having some exclusive time together without Emily. I always think with children it works better with even numbers of children rather than odd when someone often gets left out. Talking about children, if she can be called that any more, I do hope Emily is having a nice time. When we phoned her to find out where to pick her up in the morning she said she was busy so I guess that means she is having fun.

Soon it was time for Lucy to go to bed. With Emily being away Catherine helped me with in the bath. Seeing Lucy was having so much fun Catherine put her swimming costume on and got in the bath with her. After we washed her hair and I dried her off Catherine got changed to read her some stories. Finally I read her last story of the night and gave her all her usual hug and kisses from the important people that are close to her. Soon after she was asleep and she looked so lovely and restful. 

Once Lucy was in bed Catherine went off to play on the computers and to catch up on the television she has missed. While she was at school today she went on a trip to RAF Cottesmore for their family day and just before bed she was telling me all about it. It sounded like she had a great time and really enjoyed the air display. I must say i wish I could have gone and seen the base before it closes in a few years time.

Last thing for today, without the books in the downstairs toilet there are big gaps on the shelves. Although the gaps will soon be filled again from the other bookshelves in the house it does look strange without them. They have been there for so long that you know everyone and there existence links to memories of the past just like the small reminders of my Mum which turn up now and again in unsorted boxes. 

All Change!

Well the overnight weather didin't look good, as I went to bed the rain was falling again and the promise of the red sunset was gone. On waking the ground was wet and the sun was gone. It was not what we needed for our picnic or our trip to the country parks. 

With plans changed, I went and picked up Lucy. It was lovely to hear her voice excitedly calling daddy as I knocked on the door and even better to get a cuddle and a kiss as I strapped her into her car seat. All the way home she just chatted and chatted.

The morning was spent playing indoors and waiting for the ground to dry out. thankfully the sun kept trying to poke through and the rain stayed away. At one point emily and Lucy were watching television together, it was lovely to see the way they cuddled up together with George by their side. I'm not sure what Emily had found for them to watch but in the end Catherine joined them and they all really seemed to be enjoying it. 

Not to miss out totally on the picnic we got the blanket out of the car and put it out in the family room and the girls all sat on and had there lunch, minus George of course who had to be kept in the living room to avoid him pinching all the food. It might have not what we were expecting but the best we could do given the weather.

After lunch we were going to head out to the park to salvage something of the day out that the weather spoiled, but just as we were about to go out it started raining lightly. All the same we headed out to Stamford with some bread just in case the rain cleared to feed the ducks. 

When we got to Stamford the rain had turned into a torrent. Emily and Catherine got out of the car and fed the ducks from under a tree. They still got soaked but they said the ducks seemed to appreciate it. Lucy stayed in the car her coat didn't seem to be up to duck feeding in the rain. 

We next headed off to the large Morrisons for some food shopping. It was there that Catherine lost her phone, the problem was, however, she didn't notice it was gone until we are just about to leave Stamford. Catherine was quite upset, she loves her phone and waited ages to get it for her birthday. She said she left it in her bag on Emily's seat, but when we searched the back of the car it wasn't there. The whole searching process wasn't helped by the fact that my phone was out of credit so I couldn't call it. We turned the car round and headed back through Stamford to the supermarket. I went to the cash point to put credit on my phone while the car was being searched again, it wasn't until I got back to the car and rang the phone that we discovered that the phone was inside the shop. I'm so glad it turned up.

When we got home it was straight on with the cooking dinner. Tonight's menu chicken tikka masala, pilau rice and nan bread with a special treat for pudding yum yums. The only problem was there wasn't time to cook it and eat it all because of the lost phone. A quick text sorted that out and Lucy got to eat her pudding with her sisters, rather than having to take it home to eat it later at her mummies, however, Lucy still went home eating. She had a half an apple with her as well as the bag of sweets for Mary and herself that she got at Morrisons. 

Tonight Catherine came with me to drop off Lucy, it is the first time in ages that either of her two big sisters had come with me. After Lucy was back at her mummies we popped into the shops and then head off back home just as it started to spit with rain.

When we got home we discovered that Emily's sleep over had been moved to tonight and so Catherine is the only one of the three of them sleeping here tonight. It was nice to spend some time with her alone after she got home from seeing her friend.

All I hope tonights sunset brings better weather so that we can get to the country parks in Northamptonshire before the school holidays are over. It is a shame that little Lucy can't come with us but there is nothing that can be done about that. 

Lazy Sunday

The morning started after a nice lay in until 9 o'clock and the only reason to get up was to cook the Sunday lunch which had to be ready shortly after midday.

Most of the morning was spent by me preparing Sunday lunch while the girls watch TV and played on the computer until George came round. Then the three of them together headed out of the house for an hour or so before coming home for there Sunday lunch of roast chicken with all the trimmings.

Just after one we we headed out to Ashwell to take Emily off to her party, most of which was going to be spent rafting on Rutland Water.

After Dropping off Emily it was back home for a while before going out to buy the food for pack up's for Monday. Not wanting to waste all the afternoon we dropped off the shopping back home and headed out to feed the ducks by the bank of the river in Stamford. We just about found enough hungry ducks to feed and it was nice to get out in the afternoon sun. The pigeons seemed to do rather well too.

Emily must have been enjoying her party because she didn't want to leave when we got back to Ashwell from Stamford. When I arrived she was playing a game of hide and seek and she complained that she wanted to stay but it was time to go home all the same

Reversing the day around we had a cooked breakfast for dinner before everyone went off to play some more before bed.

A lazy Sunday but a good one.