Missing Cake

Seb's birthday turned out good.

Looking back on my blog all the recent posts have been about birthdays.  From July to October we have a birthday every three weeks, its a very busy time of year for us.  Other half kicks it off on the 19th July then there is no rest till all six of us have celebrated our special days (or not as in my case).

I was cruel to Seb.  I didn't bake him a cake or cupcakes, I bought a cake instead but refrained from letting him know.

I waited until the Friday night and I told him that I was so sorry that I didn't have time to bake. He said that was okay and not to worry about it and that he would be just fine.  All day Saturday, which was his actual birthday I dropped in now and again that we didn't have his cake or cupcakes done. Each time Seb was really grown up and gracious about it.   He was given some chocolate from a friend so he even agreed that I would use the chocolate bar and put a candle in it to sing Happy Birthday to him.   We had a nice meal and afterwards I disappeared off to 'prepare the chocolate'.   Everyone was in on the secret.
When I walked back into the room with his cake this is what his face was like ...

You could not have faked that look for a million pounds.  He was thrilled with his cake and not one bit cross that I had tricked him.

We got him a kindle as his main gift, which he was delighted with.  He also got plenty of books, chocolate and a few other bits.

This year we didn't really plan any birthday parties.  Money was a bit tight for a while and to be fair I thought the children could have a choice of what to do now they are getting older.  Each child opted for a day out or a shopping trip.  Seb chose to go to the transport museum, despite visiting the museum on a previous birthday he still loved it.  

Tree Today Gone Tomorrow

I love our front garden.  Its not very big, certainly very small in comparison to the back garden.  However the little garden is pretty and has a cosy feel to it, if you could describe a garden in that way. When we moved in to our house there were two little trees in one of the borders, they were fine and didn't cause any trouble at all.  Over the years the trees have gotten larger and have at times been in the way.  They block the light and  I cant see the children playing from the dining room window.  They had to go.
Our neighbour who is a keen chainsaw-er very kindly offered to do the deed for us.  So on Saturday we decided that while the rain stayed away we would go ahead with the job. Sol got very upset at the prospect of losing her trees.  She hid from the sound of the chainsaw and wanted to make a tree grave for our two trees.  She came round however at the promise that I plant something new and pretty, something that will attract butterflies in the summer. 

The rest of the week was uneventful.  We had another day up in the city of Belfast shopping.  Seb needed new shoes for his Boy's Brigade club so we made that an excuse to go shopping again.  He did well him and his sisters got chatting to the shop assistants in the Geox shop and ended up with three Geox watches to go along with Seb's new shoes.
Later on in the Castle Court Centre Seb was watching the Pretzel makers at Auntie Annes pretzel stall, he watched intently how they stretched and rolled the dough.  After a few minutes the pretzel guys came over and gave him this huge pretzel for free.  Seb was delighted of course and they were more than happy to give him further demonstrations in pretzel making.  I thought that was really nice.

Washed Away

The weather today is dreadful.  That statement is an understatement!  With much of the UK on flood warnings all I can say its pretty darn cold and wet.

We braved the rain yesterday, I needed to go to the bank to pay my wages in and Toni wanted to spend some of the money she received for her birthday.  When we arrived at the shopping precinct I sat in the car texting my friend, telling her I didn't want to get out the car.  It was funny, she told me to send the kids instead.  I am glad we did the errands yesterday as today is no better.

When it is not raining, or windy, or cold and I am not working I would walk in the evenings. I know this doesn't really make an interesting blog post but I wanted to share some of the sunset coastal photos that I have taken on my walks.  Just a little note though, the photos are mostly phone photos and are not top quality.

 This one is my favourite, just because I sat and watched the heron fishing for a while this particular evening.  That night whilst I was taking the photos there were bats swooping around me each time giving me a near miss as they followed the line of the harbour wall.

Another Birthday and A Sticky Patch

Here we are two days past Toni's birthday, she is now ten years old.  True to form the birthdays in our family always have a little run of bad luck.  Toni shares her birthday with the anniversary of the death of my mother. It is sometimes hard to not forget about how my mum died on my daughters 5th birthday, I try my best to put it aside for Toni's sake.

The day was boringly uneventful.  Other half had an idea inspired by the latest series of The Apprentice, so in a bid to get some inspiration we visited a neighbouring town and its market.  In the years gone by my memories of the market are a buzzing lively event, but sadly on Saturday it was dull, small and lacking in pizazz.  Anyway we had a good morning looking around, Mag bought himself a winter hoody and the kids were more than happy looking at the toys on offer.

Toni had raised the point that she didn't like the icing on shop bought birthday cakes and requested that I would make her cake for her.  Better still she later asked for big swirly cupcakes which to me are easier to make than baking and icing a birthday cake.  I have done the kids cakes before but they are usually a two day event and I am never 100% happy with their outcome.

Earlier in the week I had taken the girls shopping to Belfast and got all of the kids pretty much kitted out for the winter.  We had a great day and are planning another trip later on this week to get some shoes for the boys as that was about the only thing I couldn't get.

The girls enjoying their shopping spree.

Oh, and something funny to add.   Sol has a huge sense of humour, she just makes everyone smile everywhere she goes.  As you will know from the blog posts I write she has to wear a patch on her eye for a number of hours every day.  These patches are sticky and pretty, Sol likes to stick them in memorable places as she hates to throw them away.  It is now a standing joke that everywhere we go she leaves a patch behind on a pillar or a fence.  At the shopping precinct in a nearby town she has a few patches dotted around.  She sticks them on the rear sides of the parking pillars usually and checks them each time we visit.  One particular patch was stuck on the pillar near a bank, it was stuck there for a couple of weeks and it looks as though someone found it. It was unpeeled and stuck onto the window of the bank much to our amusement.  Three weeks later the patch was still stuck onto the bank window!  This shows that the bank people do not clean their windows.  You can just about see in the photo, it is worn but still there. 

Cupboard Love

I need to throw a few updates at this page, however this one couldn't wait.

In our house we have a spare room, we call it our 'wee room'.  Wee being a word that the people from Northern Ireland use in front of just about every object or person they are talking about.  Wee, is a term of affection or simply just just a word when no other words will do. ("Do you see that wee man walking down the road?" this does not mean do you see that little man walking down the road, it simply is a less formal way of calling the man a man.)


Anyway our 'wee room' as we call it is actually a laundry room as such.  I use it to store bed linen, ironing, spare towels, winter/summer clothing, holiday stuff, surplus food, cleaning supplies and small electrical appliances, DVDs and I loads more. Everything goes into our wee room and its many cupboards and spaces.

The children often make dens in the wee room, especially when the weather is bad.  the other day Sol and Seb decided to set up a boys play area in the room.  Sol has been going through a stage where she pretends to be a boy and plays with boy toys.  This elaborate game lasted for many hours and spilled into the evening.  Sol and Seb made makeshift beds on upturned storage crates with cushions on top to soften them.  This rolled on to a sleep over and the children had no trouble in going to sleep in their new comfortable (not) beds.

We left them to sleep but around midnight I started to have second thoughts about their comfort and safety  and we lifted the sleeping children into their own beds.  It was really funny in the morning when Sol woke up and she had no idea she was actually in her own bed, she was not impressed.

What Is It About Birthdays?

What is it about birthdays lately? We don't seem to have the luck that we need to have a complete birthday without some sort of incident. Last night other half was taking Mag to his club and the car went 'pop'.  Out of the exhaust billowed thick black smoke and after a few minutes it settled down.  This morning was a different matter, other half left early to go to his secret handshake meeting and I could hear him kangaroo jumping the car down the road.  After a few minutes the car was fine, or so it seemed.  I  had planned on taking the children out for the day, after all it was Mag's birthday and I at least wanted to do something a little different for him.  However, I waited for the call from other half ... it never came.  I had a feeling there was something wrong with the turbo on the car so I eventually tracked him down to explain.  He said that the car was fine, but unconvinced I held on at home for him.  Next thing I knew I got a call explaining he was kangaroo jumping down the road again with black smoke pouring out the back.

Fast forward a couple of hours and the car was at the garage up on the ramp getting checked out. I met other at the repair shop there so he could get home if the car had to stay.  Just as I suspected it was to do with the turbo, lucky for us the pipe had just popped off and was easy enough to fix.  The guy didn't even charge us which was a huge relief as we just didn't have spare cash for an unexpected car bill.

We didn't get our day out to the city in the end but we did go to a local shopping area to do some birthday shopping.  Mag, birthday boy, got a tee shirt, some game cards, a book, and he ordered a pair of boots which should be in his possession on Monday.  He is very happy as he also received a gaming wheel and a stand for his favoured game Gran Turismo.  He is as happy as a pig in muck today.

Caramel Cupcakes

I made 36 caramel cupcakes today.  Each caramel cupcake has caramel frosting with caramel sauce drizzled on the top.  I finished the cupcakes off with a Rolo for decoration.  I can't wait to try them.    

Simon Or Is It Simone?

Today was pretty much run of the mill stuff. We got all the lesson materials laid out for the three little ones so when we returned from our errands we could get stuck in.

We had to run to the pet shop first to get new water bottles for the bunnies. The rabbits have chewed the nozzle on one of the bottles and another one I ruined by washing it in boiling water. In the pet store we had a look at the adoption centre, not the animals for sale but those that are donated for homing for whatever reason. The kids fell in love with a pale brown lop rabbit called Simon. While we were waiting I asked the assistant about Simon and if he were neutered. She said "Oh, sometimes you can tell", so off we went to look at the poor rabbit's private parts. It was funny as the assistant jumped up suddenly in a panic, that rabbit is NOT a boy! That was me, I laughed at the pet store, and they got it wrong.  It's only funny because we made that mistake ourselves a few years ago.  I asked to have a look and sure enough Simon is Simone. So the lop is still in the store but I have a funny feeling we will end up going back for her, she's cute.

Mag stayed home while we went out for errands, just as well really as I needed to get him birthday cards and a few bits for his 16th this week. 16, did I say 16? There's no way Mag is 16. I can hardly believe that 16 years ago I was all excited and nervous about the prospect of giving birth to my first child. I was told the placenta wasn't working so well but he would be just fine if I was induced that week and that they'd keep him in my tummy as long as they could. I had been in hospital for several days and turned out I didn't actually need my labour induced, Mag decided to make an appearance very early one morning himself taking a few staff by surprise.

I am planning on baking big caramel cup cakes tomorrow for the big day on Thursday. Mag expressed he was a bit grown up for a cake, he wanted something more sophisticated than a fun cake yet he felt the cakes he had seen were a little too 'old' for him. He loves my big swirly cup cakes so that's what he's getting, hopefully 16 of them each with a candle. I hope they turn out okay and he's not disappointed. We are planning on going into Belfast for the day to do some birthday shopping and have a little light lunch. I also have a surprise lined up for him, I usually work at nights but I was able to swap my shifts around this week and take the evening off from work. We are going to get Chinese, he loves Chinese food ... Ssshhhhhhh don't tell him if you see him about.

Sent from my iPad

Jack of Ducks

 

This is cute, I think it is anyway.   Toni and Sol are creating a deck of cards by drawing each card and gluing it onto backing card.   They were studying some regular cards and commented how the Jacks were holding swords and how they looked a bit dangerous.   The girls decided to draw a pair of ducks as a jack and instead of swords they are holding lollipops.

Bunny Bag

We have been particularly crafty this week.  The girls and I decided to make a couple little tote bags for the girls to carry their purses in when out to the shops.  As the children are mad about rabbits it seemed an obvious choice in fabric.  We made two of them, both very similar now Seb is looking to have one done too. 

Round Up

This last week has been a bit quick for me, I can't believe so much time has passed so quickly.

 Sol had yet another eye appointment, she got to spend 80 minutes in the presence of a doctor who did every test imaginable on her.  anyway her eyes are not worse, in fact shes only two levels away from being the legal level to be able to drive when she is wearing her glasses so this is positive news.  The centre of her left eye is ow blind but apparently this is 'okay' as far as things go.  The centre blindness is a preferable outcome to some of the things that she could have with her conditions.  Anyway, another test in eight weeks then hopefully she will get another opportunity to get in front of the surgeon who first saw her. 

Seb spent several days building and playing with rockets.  We had witnessed the international space station pass over head several nights running and that inspired him enough to make this magnificent creation.

Sol didn't want me to be lonely when she went to sleep in the neighbours house, so she left me her favourite toy, Lorraine, to cuddle and keep warm.

Toni decided she was going to throw a Hula Party one afternoon and made this paper grass skirt. She forgot about the coconut shell bikini top so decided to keep her clothes on.

An Apple

Sadly our plum tree, which was so laden last year has decided not to fruit this year.  One of our apple trees looks diseased, another has been a little windswept and the fruit is laying on the ground.  The cherry tree has been and gone too, I only got one cherry from it!  The raspberry bushes have been stripped bare by the children on several occasions. So that leaves one good healthy apple tree right in the corner which looks as though its going to give us a good crop. I am looking forward to making some jam in the next couple of weeks.

Anything, But Not Nothing

The round up of a week of weird happenings.  I guess it wasn't exactly a week that was exciting or even worthy of a blog post, but here goes.

I ended up at the dentist another two times with my bridge.  It came out, then it came out again 12 hours after it was fitted.  Then, another attempt at having it put back in which lasted a few days instead of a few hours my dentist decided that my bridge was distorted or my teeth have moved.  So I get the absolute pleasure of being numbed up this Wednesday for an hour to have new bridge preparation work done.  My previous bridge was a maryland bridge which involved very little prep work, but this time I wont be so lucky and will have to have the neighbouring teeth crowned.

My birthday was a non event. I don't want to moan about a whole lot, but it was a 'nothing' day.  There were no gifts, or cake from my other half. I was so annoyed by it all I didn't even out my cards up, its as if my birthday didn't happen. I wasn't asking for extravagant gifts, just a little token and a cheeky little note would have done.  A cupcake with a candle on it, perhaps, anything but not nothing.

I did treat myself to getting my nails done with a little bit of nail art on my two ring fingers.

I Never Get Tired

I never get tired of where I live.  The views from around the village are stunning at the best of times and even on a blustery wet day it has its own unique character.  The funny thing is anyone who visits will never forget the village's charm and will return again and again.

My blogging today is few words, there are a couple of pictures that say it all.  The children and I spent our lunch sitting on the harbour wall eating chips from Gaby's. 

 

The port by day

The port by evening

Kearney Village & St Cooey's Temple

Well, we had planned on going out for the day to escape the triathlon crowds in the village.  It was also to be a little birthday picnic lunch for me, you know two birds killed with one stone.  The weather yesterday was glorious, the news reported that it was the warmest day this year.  Thinking today would be the same, and there was a distinct blue colour to the sky early this morning we loaded the car to set off.

About half way down to Kearney village a chilly mist drew across the water and by the time we got there the children were shivering.  We were well equipped for paddling in the sea and sitting on the grass eating lunch.  The swim wear and rugs stayed in the car.  We did mange a quick look around despite the cold feel to the air.

Plans of paddling abandoned, we headed on our way down the coast.  We came across a little temple with some holy springs St Cooey's Wells.   The temple was fascinating to walk around, there must have been many people who have visited over the years either out of curiosity or for spiritual reasons. There were coins pressed into the bark of the trees and ribbons tied to the branches around the holy wells.The children decided to try out the holy water for themselves.

Hoping For Good Weather

This week is my birthday.  There have been a number of discussions about my birthday supposedly without my knowledge. A well meaning friend wants to plan a surprise party for me and to be frank I could do without it.  I don't want a party, I'm not up for it, I'm just doing my own thing on the day. I've been troubled with depression the last few months I just don't want a party.  I'm struggling on a day to day basis already and this is causing me a certain amount of anxiety.

Anyway tomorrow our village will be closed off due to the Triathlon so We have decided (if the weather holds) that we are going to go out, away from the crowds, for the day to 'celebrate' my birthday.    I'm hoping we can go to Kearney Village, it's beautiful yet there's nothing there.  Peaceful, pretty, and perfect for a picnic.  There's traditional looking cottages, fields and a lovely beach.  So in the morning we will pack the car up with a picnic, the kites, footballs, the kids, whatever else we can think of and heading off to have some fun.

It's the weekend

Saturday afternoon doing laundry is hardly what you call exciting.  With the country gripped in a heat wave you'd think we'd be out on the beach or something like that. Instead other half is trying to fix the rotten, leaky roof on our boiler house before the next rain is due.  As for the next rain, well that could happen anytime as we barely go 48 hours without a shower or two, more often than not it rains every day.   

The last few days have been a real mixed bag.  I'm still reeling over Sol's surgery cancellation too.  She has an important appointment on the 28th of this month so we will do nothing before that date. However I've been checking out the private hospital and discovered one of the ophthalmic surgeons on the list there is the one that originally said he'd operate on her.  It's funny that, I would bet that if I find a few pounds laying around somewhere and take them to him, he would have her operated on that very week.  Anyway it's a real possibility right now but I am just taking a few days to think about it all.

What Can Go Wrong Will

I do not like to continually moan, nor do I want this blog to be an outlet for my whinges.  But ...
Today merits a moan.

Sol was to have surgery this week on her eyes.  She has poor vision and her eyes have a tendency to drift inwards and upwards.  The poor vision can never be fixed but the eye appearance can, or so I thought until today.   We were at her pre op appointment and they cancelled her op.  Her eye test today showed a deterioration in her vision, and despite all my efforts to get the surgery they just won't do it.  I asked them to redo their tests today, as I was unhappy with the validity of the first test.  I was right in doing so as the second test showed better results but they still weren't enough to sway the surgeon.
So we came home very disappointed and frustrated as we've been on the list for this operation for 13 months.   Now we are back to square one, Sol needs three eye tests that give the same results before she will be considered for surgery again.  Each test will be two months apart and only then will she get put back on the surgery waiting list.  Meanwhile we keep on patching and praying.

My further moans are of frustration.  I was at the dentist today with my bridge that had come out twice in as many weeks. Dentist visits are not of my list of fun things to do, let me tell you.  Well, less than 12 hours later my bridge is out a again. I am guessing tomorrow morning I'll be back in the hot seat again with a strange man's fingers in my mouth.

I am going to go and get into bed before anything else can go wrong today.

Birthday Blues

It was Sol's birthday, she is seven now. Sol has been looking forward to this day for such a long time and counted down every morning when she opened her eyes.

To be truthful the day could have been better organised. We decided not to have a party, instead Sol expressed excitement about going to a local beauty spot and flying her kite.  All week we watched the weather and prayed that it would be kind to us.  On the day we were woken at 7am with a very excited Sol and her siblings.  A few yawns and groans later we were ready to do the gifts. Sol was very pleased as she received a pink LED TV with a DVD player in the side, she wasn't expecting it which made for an entertaining display of arm movements.

The trip for kite flying failed the moment that the other half switched the 2012 Olympics on the TV. He sat there glued, explaining to me that there were only so many kilometres left on a certain race and how the participant's were so dedicated.  Three hours passed and I resigned myself to the fact we weren't going out to fly the kites after all, I was disappointed to say the least. If I had I known I would have organised a party after all, at least I would have felt like we had made an effort. Sol was still happy prancing about but still I felt the day slipping away with barely a moment that we could call memory making.

In the end I got cross and insisted that we all went to a near by walled garden to at least take some photos so I could have a birthday memory of my daughter. The photos turned out good and the whole family raved about how beautiful the Walled Garden was and how they were sorry thay had never made the effort to go there before.