Hi, today was our day off and we went to the Botanical Gardens. It was huge and very nice but not what we expected. I thought it would be lots of flowers and exotic plants but is instead more what i imagine Central Park is like. It has a big lake with lots of little ones attached, a fairground, a museum and lots of places to stop and eat. We spent a few hours there and it was very warm. Poor Grace didn’t get to see anything as i wouldn’t let her from under her umbrella and it’s uv protection. The museum wasn’t very enlightening as there wasn’t a word of English in there but it was still nice to see. We escaped from there quite quickly as there was a very helpful man trying to help me over the steps with Grace until i tutted alot and shooed him away, he was useless. It was very hot so i don’t think we even saw half of it but it was still a lovely day that has brought me out of my homesickness a bit. Just being able to have a conversation with somebody that understands you was wonderful.
When we returned Grace fell asleep on the sofa so i was banished to the bedroom for a nap myself. Grace’s sleep has improved alot since we’ve been here and i have given her no Melatonin for a week. I have been putting her in her bed and walking out and just pulling the door to, she can still hear me pottering about but just chats to herself and then drops off. A huge difference to her screaming at home. This has all worked well until last night when she was happily chatting to herself for hours, when i came to bed she was still awake and i dropped off before her. I don’t suppose there’s many 5 year olds that put their mummy’s to bed.
We had dumplings for dinner this evening and they were lovely and we have enough for another 2 days even after getting a half portion. Grace had big shouts of more when i wasn’t quick enough to shovel them down her neck. Oh i forgot to tell you about the pizza! It was a pleasant surprise and came with a big salad as well which i’d forgotten about. It was nice to have something different but will be sticking to my local food for now, might treat myself next saturday with a movie and a pizza seen as i get to lie in on sundays.
Tomorrow and Tuesday are the usual routine and Wednesday is another spinal.
Siobhan you are definitely you’re fathers daughter, when my fuel light comes on i’m not allowed to fill up for another 3 days, regardless of my mileage. But i’ve never yet run out so not had to put the filthy looks (& language) in practice. At least you’ve got to spend some time together.
Todays word is ‘vacuous’
Hi,
Grace looks so chilled in the photo! It is great that she is sleeping so well. It’s lovely that ye got to go out today for a while, it sounded like ye needed a bit of a break. I would have loved to have seen you tutting in chinese to the poor man helping you with the stairs ha ha ha!
Thank you for my birthday card, you are so well organised. The card was so thoughtful, the branch of Grace and the chinese wording on the back. Ah you are a big softie after all!! (and I am not forgetting I made you cry at our wedding!!)
We went to see Adelaide today and took her to Barmouth beach to go crab fishing but by the time we got there it was raining. We had to turn back and take her to the craft centre instead. Gary & Ad made me birthday presents while we were there… Gary made me a pink dinosaur, with red lips and red nail varnish…. hmmmm, I am wondering if he is telling me something. Ad made me a lovely cupcake. (they are made of pottery and we just have to paint them)
Daddy phoned today and I had Happy Birthday sung to me by Daddy, Rose, Ailis & Dominick. I think we have just found the new winners of the X-Factor!!
Gary bought us tickets to see Jimmy Carr in November. I cant wait. He is so funny, stupid funny…
England won the Ashes today (BORING) yawn… :-0
No more news, going to go and get ready to hit TGI Fridays!
Big Kiss for Grace X
Loads of love,
Fatty Boom Boom XXXXXXX
Hi chucks,
Jut a quick note to say we are thinking of you. Sound’s like a good day today and I agree with the other comment, Grace look’s really chilled in the photo.
Hope you are feeling the same as her and can’t wait to see you both back.
Polly and Ade
xxxx
Our word of the day is …….(drum roll please) subjugate!!!!
Uncle Matt has officially handed over the reigns to me as a result of (he’s useless – he doesn’t know about that bit as he’s dictating from the chair – lazy boy!!) 3 unsuccessful attempts at posting something – he assumes it is because the moderator doesn’t understand his piercing wit (allegedly) or insight and chooses to wipe his posts off – I personally just think its coz he’s crap!!! LOL :O)
take a letter Miss James…….. ‘its good to see that your settling into a routine and its great news about Grace’s sleeping. The dumplings sound interesting, although they gave me the shakes as they brought back memories of childhood meals from the both nanna’s (mine & yours).
We are now totally & utterly fed up of packing and are in totally admiration of you for doing it on your own with 2 kids (3 if your counting Michael :O) ), we get the keys to the lodge on Wednesday & hope that Polly get’s most of it done on Thursday so I don’t have to do much on Friday. I’d love to tell you about it but to be honest the only thing I can remember and the only thing that is important is that it’s got a garage!!!! There’s nothing more to say about it really…. oooh apart from its possibly closer to a pub than yours LOL’
This is from me….. I have pointed out to Uncle Matt that even my silver surfing mother (with armbands) has managed to get on here & reads the posts to my dad (who won’t go on the internet as its the work of the devil – but who will let someone else do it for him – very British ha ha ha (mother if you read this don’t tell me dad I said that!) ) although she’s not dared write anything yet.
So this park – did it have a good coffee shop then if it was like Central Park??? Grace looks soooo peaceful on that picture – we have nothing but admiration & pride for you both.
PS: Think we’ve picked a really bad time to move to Oz after the cricket results – although I think either way we’d have it ripped out of us!
PPS: do you 3 need a lift from the airport?? let us know it will be our pleasure xx
Lots of love from us both xxx
PS: check you out posting pictures!!!! ;o)
Hi Leanne and Grace,
Good to see some photos and to hear about your day trip. It must be good to get out and about. It breaks it all up for you both. The food sounds like it is good. That will at least make life easier for you. It would be worse to be tired and sick of the food.
We will have internet on Wednesday or Thursday so I will hopefully get to catch up with you then.
You are both being very strong and fantastic, we are thinking of you all the time.
Lots of love,
Orla
(What England won the ashes!! Does that mean it is all finally over (for around 18 months at least anyway) I never watched a minute of it so I shouldn’t complain but they do talk about it a lot here, words like googily and LBW etc.)
Hey,
my word is quotidian and i have no idea what it means!!!
Those horses look scary!! good to hear ye got out and about with some good conversation!!!!! i feel sorry for the poor chinese man trying to help!!!
Grace looks pure relaxed which is good!! and its great that she is sleeping so well for you!!
No news here except i did an edward sissorhands on poor Holly’s hair so now she’s kinda got a bob!!! Kenneth nearly killed me but i had to keep going til it was straight!!! Brought Daniel to the barbers though so his looks good!!!Caitlin is back to school this day week. She can’t wait which doesn’t say much for me!!!!
mmmmmm pizza!!!!
talk soon,
xxxxx
10.29pm blighty
Hiya, I know you will both be putting up zzzzzz’s by now but this is the first opportunity I have had today. Didn’t get back from France till midnight last night and then all day in work as usual, but hopefully you will pick this up tomorrow. Glad to hear that you enjoyed your day out and Grace looks as though she’s really enjoying her sleep, she looks blissful. The change in her sleeping pattern is a good sign, let’s hope that it continues.
I met Michael and Rose in Marks house this evening and your daughter and husband are in fine form. Rose and I are doing our usual KFC tomorrow evening, then Ged is home Friday morning and Rachel, Jamie and Connah are up Friday till Monday so Rose will have a playmate over the weekend. Ged is in Hamburg again this week but has not taken his laptop, he has taken next week off as well, so everything will be a lot more relaxed than usual. He is looking forward to seeing you both when you get home.
love as always to you both and big kisses for Grace xx.
Mum and Ged
Hello Leanne and Grace!
What a fab photo of lovely Grace!
Glad things are going ok with Grace but I hope you are ok, you sound a little down. Try to keep your chin up and take strength from the fact that you are doing something really positive and that we are all wishing you well.
You are both in my thought all the time and I look forward to seeing you soon.
Take lots of care and sending you very best wishes and love. xx