Day 365 driving

Youngest daughter Violet was kindly given a ride on car for Christmas. Those of you who read my blog will know that at her playgroup she loves jumping on them and being pushed around whilst rudely pointing at people as she passes them. Well now she has a new habit playing on her phone! This is in fact one if my pet hates and i always shout at people i see driving on there phones. That's some jail time there...

Day 363 first shoes

Today we braved the crowds hunting down the January bargains to get youngest daughter her first pair of shoes. We went to a well known shoe company who measured her feet and then let her try her shoes on. Once we bought them we kept them in her (at least now she won't be able to pull her socks off) she was that pleased with them that when she got home and took them off she needed to inspect them a little closer...

Day 361 Boxing Day

Today saw us have my family's traditional Boxing Day. It also saw eldest daughter attend her first football game. It was a non league game, my home town team, Spennymoor Town. I use to see them when I was a boy and a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to go, eldest and mummy both wanted to so we headed down. Spennymoor won 2-0, we then popped back to Nana's for home cooked chips, fried egg and turkey our traditional Boxing Day lunch, yum yum.

Day 355 walking tall

Violet is walking more and more each day, here is conclusive proof she us more confident than ever...

Day 354 sitting pretty

Violet has started thinking everything is a seat. There is a child's seat in her and her sisters room, recently Violet has enjoyed sitting in this, climbing down and then back up again to sit down again. Strange but it keeps her occupied...

Day 353 Tiara

Violet is starting to act like a little princess, so much so that she has resorted to wearing a tiara...

Day 350 ho ho ho

To quote one of my favourite Christmas movies, "it's Santa!" Ok it may not be Santa it's the next best thing a baby in a Santa hat!

Day 348 ear muffs

It's getting cold outside so best wrap up warm. Violet was eager to out her bug dusters ear muffs in this morning before we left the house....

Day 344 Bubbles

Youngest daughter just loves bath time. She especially loves the bubbles in the bath, what's not to love, fun splashy water....

Day 340 vintage wheels

Youngest daughter has been cruising around today on a set of vintage wheels. These were at the playgroups she attends and each week has been busy playing specifically with the cars, she might be a bit of a petrol head...

Day 338 sleeping well

Youngest daughter tends to always sleep in the weirdest positions. Tonight is no exception but at least she has her friends around her. May I also add that when she went to bed she did actually have pants on!

Day 334 tractor

Today I took violet to a local play group at our local village hall. It's got plenty of space and other girls and boys to play with and lots of toys. The kids even get a mid morning snack. We had fun at the group, playing and exploring, although Violet did fall off her chair whilst eating she was fine after a 30 second cry and cuddle from daddy.

Violet thoroughly enjoyed playing on the ride on toys such as the tractor, and enjoyed them even more by getting me to push her round...

Day 333 daddy and daughter

I'd like to share something that someone sent me via Facebook on my daughters birthday at the weekend. Now I know some people may find what this says a little old fashioned, but I thought it was quite nice and these are words I will keep close to me...

The Birthday Weekend

This past weekend was a very special weekend, firstly it was my birthday on Saturday. My 28th one on this planet saw nothing special happen, nothing special planned. No big night out and this will all become clear why later on in the post. Instead it started with a lie in before waking up. As I woke to the sound of the children playing they wished me a Happy birthday and each gave me a kiss along with the girls' mum, which was a nice way to start the day. Ginger was cooking my my favourite way to start the day, a bacon and egg sandwich with ketchup and a cup of tea, in the meantime the girls wanted to give me my birthday present, they sat patiently with my present....

before letting me unwrap it, I think they are trying to tell me something....

After opening the girls present I then opened my cards. My nephew who is now 4 wrote me a card which featured some very lovely artwork of me, and his two cousins. It also featured a flying fish! Maybe he's trying to tell me to take up fishing. Mean while Ginger gave me my presents, but she couldn't resist abusing me in the process....

After opening cards and presents there was of course cake, featuring all 28 candles, one for each year. Im surprised the fire alarms didn't go off, maybe that's a sign I should be checking them more often! I knew I had a cake as eldest daughter couldn't resist telling me the other day, but I managed to stop her telling me anymore details as I was pretty sure she was divulging information I was not meant to hear...

The rest of day was spent with the girls, we popped into town and ate at a local restaurant and walked around the bustling streets full of Christmas shoppers, before heading home to relax and have some cake and ice cream. The girls then were bathed and put to bed because the next day would be more important and even more hectic.

The next day saw youngest daughter (Violets) birthday. It was extra special as this was her first birthday. Yes Violet was born just a few hours outside of her daddy's birthday, now meaning that I can't drink and celebrate my own birthday too drunkenly or fear having a horrendous hangover on her birthday, something I don;t want to ruin. However it does make the two days a little extra special knowing we have a special link in some way. To mark Violets first birthday we hosted a small party with friends and family at our house. Ginger had got her crafty fingers out and had been busy making bunting, whilst the previous night was spent blowing up balloons and decorating the house. Violet eventually woke up bright eyed and early as did her older sister. Straight away we all wished her a happy birthday before bringing the girls downstairs for some breakfast. We had her presents ready for her in the next room and so Rose, Violets big sister went to to grab hers to give to her, very excited at the prospect of her little sister opening her present...

Violet after a little of tempting finally started opening her present....

After she had opened her big sisters present we then got our present we bought her. We had bought her a toddle truck for her to use, to get use to walking but also play with and enjoy as she had been enjoying playing with a similar one at a local playgroup. As soon as she saw it she was up on her feet and busy crashing into anything and everything that got in the way...

Once all the excitement of the presents opened was done and dusted it was then time to turn attention to the party. At around 11:30am people started arriving. I picked my mam up from York as she had been staying there the night before with friends, after this Gingers Mum and step dad arrived shortly followed by Gingers Dad and Grandpa. Then my little sister and husband joined us and nit forgetting My nephew CJ. My relatives brought with them a sackful of presents as we are quite big into birthdays and the birthday person being spoilt. There were even some presents for me for my birthday which was very nice. Violet had plenty of toys to now choose from and in particular enjoyed and still enjoys her Mickey Mouse dancing toy that sings the HotDog song, (if you don;t know what I;m talking about you tube it, it's quite a nice little song) Violet even took her first steps without holding onto anything as well, successfully stringing 2 steps together to reach Nana, making today even more special.

Once all the presents were unwrapped it was time to eat. A small party spread was laid on featuring sandwich's, cheese, bread sticks, quiche was there to enjoy which many people did, but most importantly there was more birthday cake. Ginger had made and stressed over daughters rainbow cake, but thankfully the mountainous cake was baked safely and most important deliciously. To top it a candle with 1 was placed and lit and everyone sang happy birthday to Violet, at which point she beamed a huge smile at everyone singing harmoniously to her. Her sister and cousins duly helped blow out the candles before the cake was sliced and made available for everyone to eat with jelly and ice cream....

Now the food was served and presents opened, over time people trickled off and made their way home. More people joined the party and occupied the girls. Tears were shed as the girls got tired and spoilt with attention from various other people. Needless to say everyone was tired and eventually as everyone left it was time for the girls to go to bed shortly followed by Mummy and Daddy. It's been a great weekend, it's been a lovely family themed weekend. But most importantly theres plenty of cake left over, yum yum.

Day 331 hitchin a ride

Youngest daughter got a riddle truck yesterday for her birthday. It, as you may have seen as shapes in it to play with and drop around the house. She has been busy leaving these throughout the house much like a trail so she can find her way back should she become lost. As well as ramming the truck into my feet. However what she has also noticed us that she can now take her friends with her too. Nana bought her a singing Mickey house she has particularly enjoyed and so she has decided her must ride with her...

Day 330 The first birthday

Today was youngest daughters birthday. Yes she was born just a few hours shy of my own birthday. This was her first ever birthday and for those of you who have read my blog will have seen pictures if her develop and grow over the year, a longer write up if mine and youngest daughters birthday weekend is to follow but here is a picture just for today....

Day 328 birthday prepping

It's a busy weekend this one. Firstly it's my birthday tomorrow (I accept cheques for those of you who wish to celebrate this) and immediately the day after it us youngest daughters 1st birthday. So today it is all go, the kids have been bundled off to school and nursery so me and Ginger are spending the day prepping.

When we woke up this morning we realised we had people coming on Sunday for daughters and yet not enough cups so they could drink tea and coffee. So we've had to break out the back up, novelty cups. I'm sure they'll prove a conversation starter at least on Sunday.

Day 327 new wheels

Tonight I built youngest daughters birthday present. It's her birthday on Sunday and so instead of here opening up a box and waiting for me to build her present its already done. Now just to get a bow and hide it from her till Sunday...

Day 326 Fashion icon

It looks like something from a catalogue but somehow my OH Ginger has capture this photo of our youngest daughter modelling her fashionable jacket wrapped up warm for the winter chill. This has to be one if my favourite photos, sterling work...

Day 325 gruffalo crumble

Mmmmm youngest daughters favourite food is Gruffalo crumble yum yum