The Big Day out at South Hill Arts Center

The weather today was amazing and we had nothing planned so decided to go to the big day out at the south hill arts center. We were suprised that the queue was fairly long but luckily it moved quite quickly so we got our wrist bands and Nate was in to his first festival (only my second, but hey, whos counting). Just that short period in the sun meant we were both parched so headed straight to the bar to get drinks (while Nate swigged his),

wandered along the food stalls deciding on lunch, then settled down to listen to the music

and sent poor John off to queue for food.

We started with crepes and Nate sat in my lap and shared my cheese, ham and mushroom one while John devoured his cheese and ham one. We then swopped when John realised he had fungi in his. Both were yummy!

John wanted to take a picture of Nate sat on my lap but it didn't go well - first he escaped

then he spotted Daddy kneeling down so headed over for a cuddle

After around 10 minutes of trying, Daddy gave up...

The music at the time (Bordeaux, with three x's) was enjoyable, Nate like clapping along with the crowd but also liked pointing out escaped balloons.

After such a strenuous lunch we decided to rally our spirits with another crepe, chocolate this time. Nate decided to break for some milk

And then spent time running round the buggy then bouncing on Daddys lap and giving us both kisses on the way round...

At this point, Nate lost interest in the music and decided to text his friends...

We spotted Shirley and Louise so wandered to say hello to her and Thomas and Jessica then had an amble round the stalls. We had a look at the airaquarium which was disappointingly a tent with a clear roof and some puppets then John's recent bad health began to catch up with him so we headed back home to soak the many layers of sun block off of the boy and to veg for a comfy evening.

Aside : REJOYCE! Apparently tonight footie is the last game I have to endure this time round - woooohoooooo!

Welcome home Auntie Kristy

Kristy is back from university, so Mum and her popped over to see us after playgroup this morning. Nate had a quick nap and then we went to his swimming lesson. For some reason he decided that he didn't want to cooperate - Mum helped out but he was determined to be miserable until after the lesson when he then took great joy in jumping off the wall while Mum sang Humpty Dumpty. When we got home, to welcome Aunty Kristy home, Nate did a particulaly smelly nappy - she was delighted!

A trip to the park with Daddy

We had a lazy day today so we decided to go to Tesco's to get coffee and the paper then wander round to the park with the boy to spend the morning in the sunshine. I love this park - it is perfect for kids of Nates age and he just LOVES it. We have been there a couple of times, on our own and with my parents but haven't had my camera every time and typically neither have they on those occasions. So this Sunday John and I loaded the monkey up and we headed off, stopping only at the Costa to grab a coffee and a smoothie. We then played and sipped - a most civilised may to spend a morning.

What follows is possibly the worst photos I have ever taken...

And at this point, my camera battery gave up - I must get into the habit of charging it every day...

A Cycle too far?

On New Years Eve, 2008, while 6 months pregnant, I suffered a major stroke and my left side was paralysed. In an instant, the lives of our unborn baby, John and myself were turned upside down.

Neither John nor I had ever considered the possibility that a stroke could affect a young person, but it can happen to anyone, even a baby. This is where the Stroke Association comes in. They aim to reduce strokes through research and education (as in the FAST television and poster campaign) and also help and support people and their families who have been affected by stroke. John, in particular, found the support offered my members of the Stroke Association community invaluable in helping us through this difficult time.

We have moved on a lot since that fateful day and feel we are in a position now to give something back to the stroke community and to help the Stroke Association with their work. To this end, John and I have decided to enter the Thames Bridges Bike Ride 2010. John and I will be cycling 30 miles and 13 bridges across London and hope to raise a whole heap of money for the Stroke Association! Because of my mobility problems it will not be possible for me to ride a bike by myself so the Wheels For Wellbeing charity are kindly hiring to us of one of their two wheeled tag-alongs (see the photo)! This will allow me to pedal along while attached to Johns bike. The two wheel layout means I don't have to worry about balance.

This is where you come in! We would really, really appreciate it if you would do here and sponsor our bike ride to help the Stroke Association help people not only like myself, but their families and everyone affected by stroke. I was lucky, John recognised the symptoms of my stroke and got me to hospital in the fastest time for the best treatment possible. Through the work of the Stroke Association hopefully more people will be aware of these symptoms and if needed, will be afforded the help they need to see them through their or their family members stroke.

If you would also like to donate to Wheels for wellbeing who are lending us the trike tag-a-long, you can do so

here.

So, please give what you can, no matter how large or small, and help John and I give something back.

Now excuse me - I should really go do some training...

Easter Weekend

Firstly, some springy flower pics...

Right, the long weekend. On Sunday, Nate had a good haul of eggs and so after a boiled egg and soldiers breakfast we let him tuck in...

After a hosing down, we decided to head to the seaside as the weather was too good to waste (also because John was looking for a filming location)...

We had a reasonable meal and Nate carefully ate is peas one by one...

We then went for a wander

but got waylaid by crepes

But finally set off on our walk

We then found a playground and couldn't resist

In order to continue a theme we carried on but were waylaid by food again, this time hotdogs!

And ambled on

Just in case we hadn't eaten enough, ICECREAM!

Despite what these pictures suggest, we had actually walk a fairly long way (and eaten lots too) so we were fairly tired so headed home.