A restful Sunday (oh no I forgot about the party and the sledging!)

We had a late start this morning.  The boys didn't get up till after 7:30 and Huffle and I didn't get up until 9am (whaaatttttt?).
Huffle skyped Grandad and Uncle Dermott and caught up with all the sporting news.  Small skyped his friend, MissK back home.
We all went out to get Small new snow boots as he had a hole in his (they've only lasted him two months!).  Huffle and I bought ourselves balaclavas.  We also managed to get Smallest a new pair of boots which we hope will fit him next year too. (they cost $9 - that's about £6 for a sturdy pair of snow boots.  Amazing!).

I saw this caterpillar on the drive crawling to safety as it heard the thunderous feet of Small and Smallest.

(I put the key next to it to give it some perspective)

We had dinner out and then all rushed back home as Smallest had a party to go to and Small and Huffle went sledging.
Smallest had lots of fun at his party.  It was in a soft play gymnasium.  He trampolined, went on the balance bar, swung like a monkey and played in the play area.  Then they stopped for pizza and cake.  They all watched while the party girl opened her presents.  Then armed with his Lego truck (gift bag) we went home.  I was a bit worried because apparently this is how parties are here.  At the age of five they have the whole class, with entertainment, and food and fabulous gift bags.  Oh No - Smallest is going to be five soon. Arrgghhhh.

Climbing in the cage

Peeking

He kept getting tangled 

Swinging like a monkey

balancing like a balancer!

Great concentration

Bouncing on the biggest trampoline I have ever seen

Time for food.

I met some Mum's there and found out about some things to do in the summer holidays.  I also met a Dad who works for the same company as Huffle.  We said we would all get together for a cup of tea sometime (he was English).
Small and Huffle went to a local farm for sledging which was part of the Winter Festival here in the Hamlet.  They had free hot chocolate and lots of fun sledging.  It was fast and furious.

Stopping briefly for a hot chocolate break

Small on his tray sledge

Small

Huffle sledging

We all arrived home at the same time.  The boys had a bit of tea.  Then we had to play a game ............................................................

Not even going to say the words!  But Small won!

 Please can we play something else?

A Flop, a party and a faint

We had a wonderful full nights sleep.  The sump worked beautifully and noiselessly.  Ahhhhhhhhh.

However, baking.  PAH - What a nightmare.  In the UK I bake alot.  I bake cakes for family and friends.  I even used to bake for money.  But here my Flapjack is hard and chewy and uneatable.  It's the oats I thought!  I'll find some better oats and all will be well.  

The boys helping me to mix

We have been invited to party this afternoon for 12th night, to get to know some of the neighbours.  So because of this I decided to make some cupcakes.  Easy peasy.  I do them all the time.  Not a problem.  Except here in Canada it is a problem.  They looked awful.  They tasted awful.  And the aftertaste is like soap.

Adding the mixture to the cases (my special union jack cases too!)

I used an English recipe, one I have used many times.  The flour here is all purpose flour.  And then you use baking powder or soda or bicarb.  Whatever it is that's wrong, I know I can't cook here.  The cakes went in the bin.  Even the buttercream - how can that be wrong - was awful.  

At least they licked the spoons!!

We had broccoli and Stilton soup (which I have made many many times but today it tasted lifeless and bland) - I may have forgotten the stock cube.)  MMmmmmmaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnn.  I think I need to learn how to cook and bake all over again.

Smallest has decided he likes washing up

We had a visit today from a friend and her son.  Lovely lady and polite boy.  The boys all played really well together.  They bought me Stilton Cheese (as she knew I was having trouble finding it) and a nice plant and lots of snacks for the boys to share.  We talked a lot while the boys played, got some good ideas on where to get ice skates, where to ski and snowboard etc.

The temperature was 3* .  We went out without gloves.  Hey it's positively balmy!  

Later we went for a quick shop to buy something for the party cos my cakes are in the bin!!  While we were in the shop Small saw a sign that said "Cookery School", and said there you go Mummy, you can do that!  I stopped a woman who was buying flour and asked her advice on flours and cakes and baking soda etc.  she was so lovely, she gave me her phone number and told me to ring anytime I had any questions on baking or ingredients.  She thought I was Scottish!!

We came home, got changed quickly and went to the party.  The hosts were fabulous and funny.  Small and Smallest were wonderful (they were put in front of the TV with some yummy snacks) everyone thought they were adorable.  They didn't let me down and they didn't show me up - phew.

We met lots of neighbours who live around us.  All very nice. Lots of funny stories.  Lots of history about our house and houses close by.

Had an invite to tea from a lovely girl who lives across the road to us.  Moo met lots of lovely people who told her she could join them in their retirees club.

Moo had a little incident there.  She took Smallest to the toilet.  Minutes later Smallest came out of the bathroom and grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the bathroom (not saying anything).  There was Moo on the floor, looking a bit pale, saying she wasn't feeling well.  Then she lay on the floor .  The bathroom was tiny.  She lay diagonally across and only just fit.  I sent Smallest to get Huffle who got her some water.  We're not sure if she fainted or not.  Silly thing.  Got up 5 minutes later like nothing had happened.  This is not unusual, though i haven't  seen it for a few years.  She normally saves it for the theatre.  It was warm there!! Anyway she is fine now.

Glad we went.  It was fun.

Party, Party, Tumble

Smallest and I went to his little friends' party today.  They had a 2 Magicians.  Charlie Chuckle and Useless Billy.  Smallest thought it was very funny.  The Magicians made a rabbit appear (poor rabbit!), made an umbrella from some scarves, and made some lollies out of a lit match - ummm interesting.


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Smallest sitting nicely watching the entertainment

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Birthday Girl doing some 'magic'

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Eating a chocolate finger

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Playing Musical 'put your hands on your head'

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Useless Billy judging

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Still with hands on head

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Charlie Chuckle made them put one hand on their head, one foot on the floor and pull a funny face with eyes closed.  IMPOSSIBLE?  No, Smallest won a lollipop.

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So did Little Knight

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Ummm lollipop

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Smallest with his balloon sword.

Then we went home with a party bag, a balloon sword and a piece of cake.  HAPPY SMALLEST.


Whilst we were at the party, Small walked to the shop on his own (he is so grown up). He took a list and a bag and some money and apparantly did a lovely job.  (Few more years and I'll be able to send him to Sainsbury!!)


We have another party this afternoon at our new neighbours.


And we are waiting for a replacement Tumble Dryer. 




NOTE:  Normally I would ask the permission of anyone I take photos of for my blog.  However, there were alot of people at the party who I didn't know.  If anyone does have any objections to these pictures being published please let me know and I will remove them asap.