Long time no post

I am not going to give reasons - cause there are none. So I would just be making excuses. But look on the bright side - think of all the exciting things you have to read now!

Lew's birthday went well. In the afternoon he went to the Riviera Center to watch an Orchestra. The coach didn't get back to school until almost 4 o'clock. But he had a good time. He came home and opened the rest of his presents, played with his DSi and ate lots of chocolate birthday cake.

On Saturday we went to Crealy and we took his friend, Bailey, with us. It was a great day! Really nice and sunny yet the park was very quiet - so no queuing - just on and off the rides as much as we liked. Perfect!!! I uploaded 50 photos to my facebook - so be sure to take a look. Sorry they are not here but there are just waaaaaaaaaay too many.

I think that the boys will get their School reports on Friday. Should be interesting. I will of course share the contents of them with you.

It will be this week that I find out about the school situation. Right now I am hoping and praying that they get a space. Kids are leaving Christopher's class like you wouldn't believe. In the last couple weeks 4 kids have left.

Well that is all for now. If I have any exciting news I will post it here. So expect a note about the school at any time...

And just for TJ

Thought you may like to see this. This is from their own mouths:

South West Water achieved an underlying operating profit of £185.0 million in 2007/08

So profit. After everything was paid, done and dusted. How does that make you feel?

Nine years...

It really doesn't seem possible. 9 amazing years since that GORGEOUS baby boy made his rushed entrance into this world. I should have known then that this little fella would be full of energy and excitement. I can still remember his arrival, even if it did pass in the blink of an eye! Waking from a deep sleep at 5.40 and holding him in my arms at 5.55 as the ambulance crew came rushing through the door - just a little too late!!!

He was my biggest baby, weighing in at 7lbs 13ozs. All my other babies were under the 7lb mark, some by a lot! Yet Lewis is my tiny boy now. I watched him walk up the path to school this morning and I wished I had my camera with me. 4 of his friend came over to say Happy Birthday to him. It was so cute! These 4 boys stood in a row next to him, and Lew came up to their shoulders. Try to get a picture of that in your mind cause it sure was cute! He looked little and lovely!

Now we look back at just a few moments of his incredible life so far.

I love you little one and I thank you for 9 fantastic years!

The Dentist and an excited little boy...

So Lew & Christopher had a dentist appointment today. Lewis is a chatter box and was trying to hold a conversation with the dentist as he was looking in his mouth....LOL.... Lewis needs another couple of appointments to 'seal' a couple of his molars. Apparently they have marks on them which, if left unsealed, could turn to decay. He, once again, reminded us that sweets and fizzy drinks should be had once a week only. Lewis was so funny, telling him how the doesn't want plaque on his teeth because he saw a film about it at school and they looked under a microscope and it had lots of 'viruses' in it. Then he told him he will stop eating sweets so he won't have to waste his time fixing up his teeth.

Christopher's teeth are perfect. But he only drinks water and hates sweets. Goes to show hey? Adam & Squirrel go on Friday. Hopefully we will find out about his braces. Fingers crossed!

Tomorrow, my sweet little boy turns 9. And he is soooooooooooo excited!!!!!! It is all he has talked about. We are going to take a cake to school so he can share it with his friends.

Got an email from Shiphay school today saying that they will be able to let me know next week if the boys have places. Well actually they said they can take Lewis - it is Christopher that we are waiting on. She asked if I would be prepared to send just Lewis if their is no place for Christopher. That way he would get the next available place when one became available. I thanked them but said that it was impossible to drop/collect them from 2 different schools at the same time. They also answered a few questions I had, mainly about Christopher, such as where would I collect him from, the classroom or the playground. They also reassured me that all new children are put in the care of the learning mentor, who is there to ensure that the transition into the school is happy. She said they work closely with new children, giving extra care and support to any that may need it. She said they are in close contact with parents in the early days/weeks as needed. They will ring on the first day to let parents know how they are getting on. They will let the children call home if they need to, just so they can hear a familiar voice. They would allow Christopher to spend a little time out of class in the pastoral care room if he gets upset, and will call Lewis to come sit with him.

Anyway, best go and get the presents out ready for the morning!!!!

Oh my good Lord...

Just a little grumble for today!

I always knew that South West Water charged more then anywhere else in the country - but I never realised by how much! I was watching 'The Wright Stuff' today (a chat show hosted by Matthew Wright on 5) and each morning they talk about a few things from that days newspapers. Today they talked about how by 2014 water bills would have risen by 45%. Then they went on the use SWW as an example, saying it would be cheaper to bathe in bottled water....LOL. They showed a chart of different water companies in the country and how much they charge now and how much they will be charging in 2014. At the moment SWW charge just under £800 a year (set to rise to over a thousand pounds), and other areas ranged from £390 to just over £500 a year! Yep! We pay double what a lot of places pay! O...M...G! In fact, no other area will pay what we pay now in 2014! Some areas will still be under £600....

Why????

What a great comment!

Just wanted to Thank Lorri for her comment on my *Sigh* post about the whole school situation. For those who haven't read it - here you go:

In life we make difficult choices. The paths we choose are not always easy but often we find our new path is better than the one we just went down. Whatever your next path will be, make the most of it. You never know what new and wonderful things it may lead you to!

Okay was that sappy and insightful enough? I know it is a hard decision but think of where it will take you. Kelley is going to be starting at a new school in September after we move. It's a big school with large class sizes. I do worry a bit but I know in the long run she is going to make new friends....maybe even some life-long ones.

Wise words I am sure you will agree.

Lots to share!

Can I start off with a grumble?

I was sooooooooooo cross today. We went into the Tesco garage on the way to Barton to collect Lew & Furry. We often do this. As soon as a light on my gauge goes out I top my petrol back up. So I get out the car (as usual) and open the door to let Adam out (as usual). Squirrel stays in the car strapped into his seat (again, as usual). I open my filler cap and put the nozzle in. Adam is stood beside me talking, I am pulling the trigger but nothing happens. Now let me say that the garage was really busy. And suddenly a voice comes over the forecourt tanoy 'Can the little boy get in the car'. My first thought was that Squirrel had climbed out his seat and out the window. But No. He is safely in his chair. So then I glance across the busy forecourt, expecting to see a little kid running around, but all I see is EVERYONE staring at me. It is only then that the 'Little Boy' they were referring to was Adam. So I told him to get back in the car.

Once I had filled up I got him back out the car and went inside to queue. The younger assistant was free first but I said how I wanted to go to the other cashier (the one who had made the announcement).

I asked her where the signs were saying Children had to remain in the car, and how they had a sign saying under 16's were not to use the pumps, but nothing to say they couldn't stand beside their parents! She said that they would be shut down if he was seen standing beside me. Ummmm.....Okay. I told her how he stood there every time I filled up, usually twice a week. And that in the 18 years that I have been driving have NEVER experienced anything like it before. I told her how embarrassing it was having the whole place staring at me. And also how embarrassing it was for a 13 year old boy to be called a 'little boy' out loud like that. Seriously, I was NOT happy.

Christopher had his school trip to Pennywell Farm today. The coach was late back so we were stood around waiting for ages. But he had a good day, and sat next to Zara on the coach, so it was worth it.

Lewis is going to the Zoo on 3rd July (Matt's Birthday) and the the Riviera Center to watch an Orchestra on his birthday. Sad thing is he won't get back to school until late, so he will have to wait even longer to get home to his pressies!

Squirrel had great fun playing with his Umbrella today. I took some pics and turned them into a little slideshow for you. So turn on your sound and sit back and enjoy!

See you tomorrow!

Nice day...

We went to the beach today (the rocky side) and went climbing on the rocks. It was lovely and warm with a nice cool breeze. Gorgeous! We sat on the sand with a bag of chips.

Then we had to pick Adam up from his friends and drop Lew to his. Hope he has a good sleepover. He said this morning 'I really do like going to Bailey's cause he is my best friend but I kind of like living here and kind of want to stay here. But I will go because I will remind myself I am coming back tomorrow'. Bless that little Lewis!!!

Next Saturday we are off to Crealy park. It is Lew's birthday on Thursday so he had the choice of a party or a day at Crealy with a friend of his choice - and he chose Crealy. Christopher said 'Please may Zara come too?'. I am debating about taking both cars so that Christopher could choose 2 friends and maybe Zara could come. Still thinking about that one...

Anyway... Here is just a couple pics from today. Have loads of Squirrel at the park to share but they will come tomorrow.

And here is a new siggy I made myself :)

Click to see it full size :)

*Sigh*

I am at it again. STOP IT!!!! Stop doing this.

I will tell you what started me off. Christopher brought home his sample class photo today. It is so small it is hard to see if it is a good one or not, but I always get the class pic anyway. Anyway, I looked at it and his little smiling face sat there, front row on the end. I then scanned the picture to see who else I could spot. He started jumping up at me saying 'There's Zara, There's Zara!!' pointing to her. And as I studied the faces of the little children I felt so sad. They all look so little yet these small people have been a part of his life for just a few months shy of two years. That is a long time. That is 2 fifths of his life. He spends 6 1/2 hours each day with these people. That is a big part of his waking day. And there I am, planning on taking it all away from him. And it is days like this that I question myself and ask 'How can you do this?'

In my mind I picture him dressed in a different uniform, walking into a whole new building where nothing is familiar. I picture myself having to kiss him and walk away and leave him there. There will be no familiar faces. Not in the little people or the big people. The whole thing will be new and different, new classrooms, new playgrounds, new canteens. Nothing there to reassure him and make him smile. No Zara to sit next to. No Oliver to laugh with. Just a whole bunch of new people.

Should I really force him to take this new journey? And Lewis. Lewis who has been incredibly close to one friend for the past 6 years. My little Lewis who is so tiny. Can I do it to him?

Up until the photo I had got my head around the fact that this was the best thing. And was keeping my fingers crossed that they would be offered places. I have even arranged a place to park thanks to Lucy. I told myself that this new journey may to rocky at first but that it would set them on the right path, a better path.

I look at the two new children in Christopher's class. The first couple days they were quiet. They looked scared. And their Mum's looked worried as they walked off, leaving them behind in this new place, surrounded by a new bunch of little people. And yet now, just a few weeks later those two little people run off smiling each day. There Mum's look happy as they kiss them goodbye.

So again, I leave this massive decision in the hands of fate. It all depends on what the letter will say in 2 weeks time. And I know that no matter what it says I will be both happy and sad at the same time.

I will leave you with a picture of Squirrel. He looks quite sad in it. He wasn't. He was happily playing in the park with his bubbles.

I will leave you with some words from the song I am listening to:

Along lifes road
There will be sunshine and rain
Roses and thorns
Laughter and pain
And 'cross the miles
You will face mountains so steep
Deserts so long and valleys so deep
Sometimes the journeys gentle
Sometimes the cold winds blow
But I want you to remember
I want you to know
You will never walk alone....

I remember (again)

This is becoming a regular occurrence! But I remember what I was going to say yesterday.

Adam has been getting lots of postcards home from school and yesterday the school actually rang to say 'Adam has been working really hard and producing some excellent work and we thought you should know'. I thought that was really nice. Most schools only ring to complain - not to praise. So well done Westlands!!! (And Adam of course!!!)

Lewis's best friend turned 9 today. He is having a sleepover at the weekend and going to Quasar* - so we will have the weekend Lewis free. Christopher is NOT happy about this. He broke his heart when he heard that Lewis would not be here for the weekend. He was sobbing saying 'Please Lewis, don't leave'. Lewis was like 'I am not moving out Christopher, just going to my friends house. I will be back'. Then they shared a great big hug. So cute!

Both Lew and Furry took part in the Tesco Great Mile today. So well done to them both!!!

See you tomorrow!

*Quasar is a game of wits and cunning in which you must do what you can to tag your opponents with your laser. Players wear a specifically designed, red or blue pack and enter a purpose built arena. With objects to hide behind, smoke to disappear into and player's lasers to dodge, it will get your heart pumping and guarantee you a great time.

Evening!

Hi everyone! How are you all today?

Once again I had a story to share and have forgotten what it was. I am sure it will come to me eventually!

Here is a little video clip from Sunday. There is so much more. This was just hacked together with some music to drown out all the background noise.

See you tomorrow!

Chilling...

It was such a gorgeous day so me and Squirrel sat out in the garden. I got out the loungers and Squirrel layed there in the shade chilling. I took out the camera and planned to get some nice shots of him for you - but he has turned into a grumpy boy. Seriously everytime I pick up the camera he runs away shouting 'Noooooo'. He covers his face with his hands and refuses to play nice. This is the best I could get - and this was me tricking him....LOL.

This is what he does (excuse his grubby little fingers - he had been playing in the mud)

I am about to go get the video from Sunday onto the PC. Will hopefully be back later to share some with you :)

Okay...

So the other pics AREN'T on facebook yet. Every evening I have trouble uploading images - not a clue why. But I will try again in the morning so look for them then :)

Great day!

We went over to Mum & Mr. T's for a BBQ today. It was a great day, gorgeous weather, good food and drink and fab company!

We had 'Time Bomb' game where you put a water bomb into a capsule, switch the timer on and then throw it to each other. When the time runs out the water bomb inside explodes leaving whoever is holding it wet! Poor Mum kept getting caught....LOL. Then BAD Ken thought it would be a good idea to pop a water bomb down my jeans. LOL. It looked like I had wet myself BADLY!

Well, what happens in a situation like that? REVENGE! We tried to get Ken back but never really managed. We did pop a bomb down his tshirt but it was as effective as the jeans trick he pulled on me. So the kids tried to get him with cups of water. But he was too fast.

Eventually we had him caught. He was sat at the table thinking he had escaped a drenching, unaware that Adam was behind him with a cup of water. I was nodding to Add, Yes! Do it! So he did. And then Rebecca gladly poured a cup over his head too!

We had a game of rounders. My team won.

I have loads of pics and video but the video will not be done today. It takes too long. Here is a few pictures - the rest are on my facebook. Go to: www.facebook.com/amandabowden

Lots of pics...

on my facebook. Just waaaaaaaay too many to add here.

Going to a BBQ tomorrow so will have lots more pics for you then. Have a good evening and see you tomorrow.

Got my name!

I was up at 5 to get my username on Facebook. I didn't set my alarm or anything but I woke up from a dream, where I was trying to get my name but couldn't. I looked at the clock and it was 5am. How weird is that? Now if you are called 'Penelope Pinickle' I guess you wouldn't really have much of a worry of someone getting your name before you, but there are hundreds of Amanda Bowden's out there.

Now for those who do not 'facebook' and are wondering what on earth I am talking about.....LOL. Up until now, you didn't have a username but a usernumber. Random digits like: 267397764. So to direct someone to your profile you would have to either remember this number or tell them to search for you. Ideal if there are not many people out there with your name! But as of 05.01 this morning you had the chance to choose a username. But if someone else grabbed your name first (so if one of the other hundreds of Amanda Bowden's got there first) then you would have to choose something else. But I got my name so all I need to do to direct people to my profile is tell them to go to facebook.com/amandabowden Neat hey?!

Be back later. Have a good day!

As promised..

a few pics from today...

Sorry there is only 2. My PC is being stupid and it is taking forever. Rest to follow tomorrow.

And I thank...

my Mum for having me all those years ago. I think really that Mum's should be the ones spoilt on their kids birthdays - after all they were the ones who did all the hard work.

I remember when I was small and how exciting birthdays used to be. All day I would walk around feeling special and important. I almost felt as if I had a magical glow around me, almost like the old Ready Brek advert. I remember th day before my birthday and my Mum would always sing the line 'It's almost tomorrow' and I would be soooooo excited I thought I would burst! And I would always feel so excited at being another year older - feeling so grown up!

How things change! Now every year I try to count backwards a bit. Gone are the days where I would get excited about being more grown up. Now I just feel old.

I want to Thank everyone for the sweet wishes and for my cards & pressies! Come back later for piccies!

And here it is...

Nothing exciting to share, but here is my 'Rock, Paper, Scissors' from the radio today ;)

See you tomorrow!

Rock, Paper, Scissors!

I was supposed to be on Wednesday morning but the girl who was doing it for tomorrow was not available so Matt (from the radio not my Matt...LOL) called and asked if I could do it for tomorrow. They laughed at me! I thought the rock sharpened the scissors.....LOL. Anyway, it will be aired at 8.30 tomorrow morning so be sure to listen. I was up against a guy called 'Mike' but I will not let you know who won. You will have to listen to find out!

Hello Sun and freaking out...

Isn't it nice to see the sun again after a horrible Saturday? GORGEOUS weather. Perfect for a BBQ....LOL!

Today started off with a horrible moment that freaked everyone out. Shows how a moments carlessness could have devastating results...

I have an issue about kids around water. Even a bowl of water. I remember a little girl Thersa who drowned when someone left the gate to her parents pool open. And the story of the little boy who drowned in a fishtank :( I also have issues about wires and cords. A friend of mine lost her little girl when she was playing Hide & go seek and hid on the windowsill. She got tangled in the cords and stranged herself. There is also a story of Greta, who died as a result of a cord.

Anyway, Adam forgot to empty his bath water. He had his bath really deep. We were getting ready to go out when we heard a blood piercing scream from Squirrel. We raced to the bathroom and he had managed to lean forwards over the bath and get wedged between the bath and basin. He couldn't move and his head was in the water. He had his head turned to one side and was screaming. If the water had been an inch higher he wouldn't have been able to get his face free even if he had turned his head - we wouldn't have haerd a scream...

I don't need to say how much it freaked us out. I was very hard on Adam. He will never forget to empty his bath again. The colour drained from his face as ranted on like a crazy person about what could have happened.

We spent the afternoon on Meadfoot beach which was great fun! We sat there listening to the sea, which is so peaceful. Then we decided to paddle. This ended up with us all soaked, laughing as the waves got us! Christopher did trio and end up sitting in the sea and he started to cry. But he soon got over it. I have posted 30+ pictures on facebook if anyone wants to see. I will post a couple here too...

Well that is all for now. Have a good evening and a fab Monday :)

Big Midnight SWIM...

Looking at the weather I think it will be more of a swim then a walk this year. Here's hoping they raise LOADS of money for two very worthwhile charities.

Give the bear a bath...

Squirrel thought his teddy bear needed a bath today so threw him in the water. He was hung out to dry...

I remember!

Yep - it sprung to my mind this morning. Only thing is, it isn't funny. LOL. But it is darn cute!

Christopher has a new friend. She is called Zara. This past week it has been all 'Zara this' and 'Zara that'. He takes a little pack of Mr. Sneeze tissues in his pocket each day, and often comes home saying 'I gave Zara a Mr. Man tissue'. Yesterday we went into class and he went to put his lunch box on the trolley and stood there and sighed. He said 'I want my lunchbox there' and pointed to the full shelf 'I want my lunchbox next to Zara's lunchbox'. So I had to make a space on the shelf so he could pop his lunch next to hers. He then walked into the classroom and picked up his 'Frog' and placed it in the sand tray next to Zara's frog. (Each morning the children have to find their named 'Frog' and place it into either the 'Packed Lunch' sand tray or the 'School Dinner' sand tray. It is kind of like doing the register.) Anyway, all the children were sitting on the carpet, so he squeezes past people and sits down next to Zara, and they sit there grinning at each other. Soooooooo cute!

When I picked him up I asked him 'Is Zara your best friend?' and he said 'Yes, she is'. Then a few moments later he announced 'No. You are my BEST friend, but I like her lots'. Awwwwwwww!

Hello!

Okay. So I have done it again! LOL. I will be on the radio on Wednesday morning taking part in the UK's first ever radio version of 'Rock, Paper, Scissors'. It is a 'battle of the sex's' and I will be taking on 'Andy'. Whoever wins will get a free Heart mug. LOL. I am sure they think that I am game for anything since wearing the good old pants on my head! LOL.

I had a funny story but I have forgotten. Will be back when I remember.

Deleting my blog...

That is what I am debating today. Why? Because lately it has only been my Auntie who has bothered leaving comments. My Mummy & Sister have been BAD! No comments for poor me :( Waaaaaaaaa!!!!! So take my poll please. It is over there ----->

I had a nice day today :) Sitting in the sunshine with my icy water. The cup of tea was pretty good too ;)

Heard back from the school. They said that there is a waiting list and that the Education Department in Paignton need me to ring them for the forms etc... So I did that. They took the boys names & dates of birth (not Squirrel. The school deals with nursery places) and will send a form tomorrow. I need to fill and return the form, then at the beginning of July they will contact me with a Yes or No.

See you all soon...

Just a couple of pics...

and a little update.

Adam had mentoring at school today so seeing we were in the area we stopped off at Cary Park and let the kids play. Squirrel LOVED the big slide but it freaked me out so I stopped him playing on it. I went on a seasaw with Lew. He told me I was too heavy for it and made him right up high....LOL! Cheers Lew.

My trouble maker Squirrel has a new trick. And it is a BAD one. He climbed up the ladder to the top bunk. He stood there looking all proud. I just about had kittens! They have a wood floor...can you imagine him falling? Doesn't bear thinking about. Gosh that kid keeps me on my toes!

Here is one car pic and one slide pic. See you soon!