Penny 'n' Pounds

Autumn

2010-10-16T17:53:00.003+01:00

It was a beautiful day today, sunny, warm and with just the hint of a chill in the air. Autumn is really one of my favourite seasons.

Went for a nice long walk with the dog, took some pictures (none of which turned out very well lol!!) Now just waiting for the X-Factor to start.

Hope you are all having a nice weekend. Here are a couple of pictures from today...

Has It Been That Long?!?

2010-10-13T08:50:00.004+01:00

I cannot believe it has been so long since i was last on Blogger! I'm going to use the next few days reading up on what i have missed over the past 6 months. So that might take me 6 months alone lol!

What have I been up to? In the month of May my eldest Andrew, went away on a trip for a week with the School to York, England. I missed him, and you won't believe how quiet the house was while he was away!! Richard also went away to Seattle that month through his work in which i was incredibly jealous about :(

June was a great month. I got to see Bon Jovi ~ i tell you ~ that is one good looking man! They were playing at the O2 Arena in London. It was a good trip as it allowed Richard and I to have a weekend away in London. It's was only my second time away in London so I did enjoy it. Here are some pictures from our time away...

So that was London!

Not long after London, the schools stopped for there summer break and we went for a weeks holiday to Center Parcs.

At the beginning of August, we put our home on the market, and can you believe it sold in a few short weeks?!? We are now in a home with much more space, which is needed! As the boys got bigger our old home seemed to get smaller!!

I'll get onto it and get some pictures up shortly.

Chat to you all later!

2010-04-29T22:40:00.003+01:00

You would think that I only had the one child, but it's only that the same one child is always the one willing to pose for the camera!

Got a busy few days ahead ~ it's the twins birthday on Sunday. They wanted a party, so that is now all organised. Party Bags are all made up for the guests. Still need to go food shopping. For lots of sweet bad stuff. Because experience has taught me that it's only the sweet bad stuff that the kids want (and willing) to eat at parties LOL!

Andrew goes away on a trip to England with the school. Monday through to Friday so I have to get his bag packed. But my feeling is that Andrew being Andrew, he won't wash and will wear the same clothes for 5 days. No Mum = No Shower! But he did want me to pack some Lynx body wash ~ so you never know, he might just surprise me!

Richard is off to Seattle to work for the week (next week) and he has been told (by me) that by the end of the week he must be offered a new and brilliant job opportunity. Me? I wouldn't mind nursing overseas. Not one bit at all.

And I'm just a tad jealous that he is going to escape all the General Election (crap ) that's on the T.V all the time and in every single newspaper ;-)

2010-04-27T12:46:00.003+01:00

I'll miss these mornings spent with Callum when he starts school in August. And it will be August before I know it!

Brenda's Photo Challenge

2010-04-22T17:20:00.005+01:00

I thought that I would take part in The Brenda Photo Challenge!

I think it will be a great opportunity to 'meet' up with lots of other blogger's who all have a love of photography.

You can find Brenda's Photo Blog Here with all the details on how to take part in these lovely

photo challenges!

The theme this time around is "Lighting" and here are my pictures.

This seagull is enjoying the sunset!

I like the way the sunset elongates shadows and makes everything look nice and warm.

And a picture taken from my garden at Twilight. This time instead of sunset we have moonlight! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's entries!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-21T22:25:00.003+01:00

The swans have made this shipwreck home!

Just a couple of pictures taken from the harbourside in the town in which I call home.

Sunday...

2010-04-18T21:13:00.002+01:00

As the sun was out we thought we would get the kids out and help us wash the cars ~ they love getting wet and messy! But our hard work was a waste of time really as tonight both cars are totally covered in dust. I assume this is ash from the volcano erupting in Iceland.

I hope all returns to normal soon.

Today and Yesterday

2010-04-15T09:01:00.003+01:00

Just heard on the news that Volcanic ash from Iceland is blowing over the U.K and that all flights are cancelled in and out of the country. Glad I don't have any holiday's booked!

Andrew was worried when he heard this and looked out of the window and said "is that why there is no sun today?" I then had to try and explain to him that it was way up high in the atmosphere where planes fly and wouldn't affect us. He still looked worried though!

Our lazy day yesterday wasn't so lazy! As it was such a lovely warm spring day we took the dog on a long walk. I think i only succeeded in tiring myself out though! We had dinner at Gran's and when we came home eveyone had to have a bath, the kids were so manky after a full day of play!! We then had a lazy night. We watched "Paul Blart : Mall Cop" with the kids. They thought it was hilarious! So our day did start lazy and ended lazy!

Here is a couple of pictures of Callum from our afternoon out. The older boys would not indulge their Mum and pose for the Camera. But Callum did!

2010-04-14T12:24:00.001+01:00

Ben shooting some hoop!

We are all just having a lazy time on this Easter Break from school. It's the best kind of school break to have!

It's the Master's next year for my Boys...

2010-04-11T22:07:00.003+01:00

My boys enjoyed a wee round of golf in the warm sunny spring weather today.

"putting green today, the Master's tomorrow"

Watch this space!

Out and About

2010-04-09T23:12:00.004+01:00

I think spring has sprung!

It was a beautiful day yesterday ... t-shirt weather. So my sister and I took the kids on a hike to the park. It's not too far away, maybe ?2 miles? The walk to the park is nice with lovely scenery (on a sunny day everything looks nice in Scotland!) Not to mention that there was lots of muddy puddles to jump in too!

We all had to stop and have a rest on the benches along the way. It was quite funny, the kids would say "Our legs are sore" and as soon and we sat down they would say "Come on lets go again!"

And what would be a post from me without some pictures?!?

5 boys in this picture ... one in my nephew. This was one of the many benches that they had to sit on for a rest! The view of the pond was nice. It's just a shame that we forgot to bring some bread for the ducks.

This is the pond that the kids were sitting watching in the pictures above.

Ben and Andrew climbing up some rock, so they could sit on them and have a rest!

Just a random picture of the landscape. I hope the leaves appear soon, it would be nice to see some green again!

2010-04-09T08:37:00.004+01:00

The boys went to the shop with their Dad and picked out a birthday cake for me. A pink one "because I'm a girl". They even said that even though it was a girl cake they would still eat it! I love my boys!

Today, i think we are all just going to have a lazy day, stay in our jimmy jammies and eat cake!

Just kidding ... Looks like it might stay dry, so planning to meet up with my sister and take the kids (and Bowser) a nice walk to the park.

Tomorrow, the Grandparents are taking the kids all day (and night) So Richard and I are going to spend the day in Glasgow. Have some lunch and then wander around the shops. Glasgow also has a few museums that i have never visited before so i might visit a few while I'm kid free. My Kids and museums just don't mix well!

It's been quite funny around my house...my kids have been begging me to take lots of pictures of them with my new camera. Usually they moan "not again" whenever a camera comes out!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Original or Cover?

2010-04-08T21:03:00.002+01:00

I don't know why, but while browsing youtube i came across this music video by Wilson Phillips and i really like this cover. I know that it's not as good as Fleetwood Mac, but i still like it. What's the point of this post? I don't know! But i just like this song.

Cover or original...what do you prefer?

Smile!

2010-04-08T10:04:00.002+01:00

Yay for Birthdays!!!

2010-04-07T20:03:00.003+01:00

My new camera arrived!!! So here are some pictures from my Canon Eos 500d!!! (Andrew thinks the camera is sooo cool and was more than willing to pose for a change!)

The last picture was the best i could get of Callum. Wee Logan just refused to get his picture taken :-(

All is quiet

2010-03-31T21:13:00.002+01:00

Ok, so it's all quiet over here and all I'm doing now is counting down the days to my birthday so i can get my new camera. I can't wait to be able to take and post pictures again!

And my mission is to really try to figure out how to use photoshop...well I'll try...!

Reflection

2010-03-29T17:42:00.005+01:00

I had the hairdresser over this afternoon to cut and style Andrew's hair. Yes, that was Andrew i said. Cut and Style in his quest to look like Zac Effron / Justin Bieber. I just don't know how and when my 10 year old became interested in his looks!

Next it will be the £100 trainers etc... :-/

While the hairdresser was here she commented on "How do you manage with 4 boys?"

I get asked that a lot. Another popular one is "How noisy does it get with 4 boys?"

I manage. I cope. My house is clean and the kids don't leave home with un-ironed clothes. It's hard. I'm driven insane at times with the noise and fighting. I can't be bothered doing the housework or laundry. But i have too.

At the end of each busy day, i just need to take a look at my sleeping, peaceful babies. It's all worth it.

I wouldn't change this hectic, noisy and (sometimes) untidy home.

For anything.

More Pictures From The Hospital / Asylum

2010-03-28T12:52:00.004+01:00

Going back a couple of days to my post about the old abandoned hospital/asylum got me thinking. So i started to browse the Internet looking for more images of this building. I thought that i would maybe be able to find some pictures from way back before it was a ruin.

I didn't find any, but what i did find was a few videos on youtube and some pictures from inside the hospital. If i wasn't afraid of getting caught by the police (or of the ghosts) i wish i had thought of doing this too!

I can't believe that they just shut the place down and left all this behind!

Can you believe these suitcases were left behind too?

I think i might do another post in the near future about some other features in the town in which i live. Not all of which will be old and historical!

Just Dance!

2010-03-27T14:58:00.004Z

Went shopping today and treated myself to a new game for the Wii. It's called "Just Dance". What a laugh!! (and gets the heart rate up too )

Richard and I had a wee competition to a few of the songs/dances and me won them all!! For once it is great to be better at a computer game than him. A secret between you and me...I made him dance to "Step By Step" (New Kids On The Block) If i only had a camera..!

A small history lesson for you from moi!

2010-03-26T08:31:00.005Z

I have always been interested in history. I really like visiting sites of old abandoned buildings,homes,hospitals and castles. I like to just imagine what it used to be like, who lived there etc. If only those old crumbling walls could speak!

Am quite fortunate in that the town in which i live is surrounded with old buildings. Not all abandoned i may add lol!

We have lots of churches and homes dating back hundreds of years. We even have a house in which Robert Burns lived and worked in and a castle that Mary Queen Of Scots spent a night in.

But, while out walking recently with my pooch (having a dog is the perfect excuse for being out walking in the middle of no where on your own!) I came across what is left of an old abandoned hospital. But before it was a hospital, it was a poorhouse. Then a mental asylum, before being taken over by the N.H.S and turned into a general hospital which cared largely for the Elderly.

I'll try not to bore you too much (it certainly bores my husband when i go on about all the historical facts and useless information that goes on around my head!!) Here is some information about this abandoned hospital. And some pictures too!

Originally built as the Cunninghame Combination Poorhouse, Ravenspark admitted its first four inmates in September 1858, although that number had already risen to 48 by the end of the month. It was decided the poorhouse would accept mentally ill patients who were quiet and didn’t have severe mental problems or violent tendancies. The first such “pauper lunatic” was admitted in March 1859, but the poor relief inmates and the pauper lunatic patients were kept segregated.Overcrowding became a problem, and by 1870 the wings of the poorhouse had been extended to create accommodation for 36 male and 36 female patients.

The spartan, bleak conditions of the poorhouse were also slightly upgraded at this time for the patients, though conditions still remained sparse for the poorhouse inmates lest they should become too comfortable in the institution!

Overcrowding also became a problem in the paupers graveyard at the NE of the grounds which had to be extended in 1910, though burials ceased in 1920. It is still commonly believed that the graveyard has over spilled beyond the boundary walls.

Further additions to the buildings were made in 1905 with the Governors House, and a large extension to the main building in 1909 which included a boardroom. Further improvements in the living conditions for the mentally ill patients were also implemented at this time, and industrial therapy was considered essential to the well being of the inmates. With the advent of the NHS in 1948 the emphasis of Cunninghame Home (as it was now known) became primarily the care of geriatric and mentally handicapped patients, and the psychiatry of old age. However it would still admit the poor, tramps and vagrants until the late 1970’s, whereas children were no longer admitted after the 1960’s. In 1958, in an attempt to destigmatise the locals’ view of the institution, it was renamed Ravenspark Hospital, and open days and fund raisers were held on the grounds.

The greatest changes came about in the 1970’s, with much refurbishment, redecoration, increased staff numbers and a greater level of patient care. However, due to reforms in the NHS, much of the hospital was beginning to empty by the 1980s and closure was announced in November 1990 with Ravenspark finally closing its doors in July 1996.

And here are some pictures of this fascinating building (what's left of it as it has mostly been demolished to allow for the building of "luxury homes" Imagine all those bodies in those unmarked graves. Allows for a good episode of Ghost Hunters or Most Haunted!!

So there is a wee history lesson from me about just one interesting building in the town in which i live. I do hope you are still wide awake and i haven't bored you too much!!

Do you have any interesting history close to where you live?

2010-03-24T20:48:00.002Z

Anyone else watch this show on MTV??

I'm loving it. I do remember when i was at secondary school there was a girl in my 3rd or 4th year that was pregnant. We must have been about 14 at the time. Almost 20 years ago now. Anyway it was quite the scandal at the time. How times have changed!!!

I do sometimes wonder what happened to this girl as i have never seen her since.

Anyway, future teen mums should come and stay in my house for a few hours and any idea of having a baby would soon vanish LOL!!

What programmes on the telly are you enjoying watching?

Testing...

2010-03-23T11:24:00.003Z

Testing 1,2,3...Anyone out there hear me?!?

It's been so long since i was last on blogger and I do miss all of you. I have no excuses for not blogging ~ just married life with 4 kids and a dog! Oops, that was an excuse!

Since my last post we have celebrated Bowsers first birthday. I can't believe he's now a big 1 year old. Here is a picture of him as a pup and from his birthday. Yes, we were pathetic and dressed him up in a party hat and had birthday cake. But any excuse for a party and cake, right?

Right?!?

Look, I'm a big 1 year old now feeling daft in this party hat!

I've been working hard on my weight loss and fitness too. Managed to put some of the weight on that i lost. But I'm now below my target weight, almost 4 stone (56 lbs) in total lost now. But i fight a daily battle with myself to keep it off. Well, not quite a battle, but you get the idea.

My birthday is coming up and hoping for my Canon. Hoping...keep your fingers and toes crossed for me!

I'm working for the next few days now, but will be over to visit my favourite blogs soon. That is, if any of you remember who i am!

I'm Sore and Really ******* Sore

2010-02-06T18:42:00.003Z

I got myself a copy of The Shred, and yesterday was day 1 level 1. I felt like my legs were going to cramp right after the workout and today i feel like a cripple. I can barely walk, my legs are so sore! As for getting on and off the toilet.... What a thought, Your Welcome! Think I'll got for a bath now, my only worry is that i will need a hoist to get out of it LOL!!!

What would you do, carry on with level 1 day 2 while being so sore, or give it a break for a day? Any tips would be good!

A Case Of Writers Block...

2010-02-04T09:30:00.002Z

I've just enrolled Callum for school. He will start Primary 1 in August. But he's just a baby!
I just don't know what I'll do with my mornings without him being at home! (Housework would be a start LOL!)

I would just love for him to stay a baby ~ but he's growing up fast. And it doesn't help that he has 3 older brothers who help him learn "new" words everyday. I don't need to go into too much detail about these words...OK let me give you a clue...Words that Andrew learned during his Puberty talk with the School Nurse...! My 4 year old loves the word PENIS!!! And his brothers laugh when he says this so he says it more and more as he has an audience. Fuck, it could always be worse!!!

I have seen /heard people talking about The Shred Fitness DVD. Anyone know if it's any good?
Thinking about buying it, but it's always nice to hear anyone's opinion on it!

Going to have to get the look of this blog sorted out. I'm really fed up with the whole halloween thing, it's so 4 months ago LOL!

Back Blogging!

2010-01-11T20:14:00.003Z

WOW!

It's been a couple of months since my last post!!

I do hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas (seems so long ago now!) And I truly wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year.

(I really need to renew the look of this blog ~ seems that I'm very early (or late) with the seasons!)

We all had a wonderful time over Christmas. It was a white one too! (Very,very unusual)

(Above) Snow covered Scotland from space.

Santa was very good to everyone. But I do feel sorry for the twins. They both got a new bike, but they have been unable to use them because of all the snow and ice we have been getting. You know, it got to -20 a week ago (also unusual for Scotland.) Cold, Cold, Cold!!!

Just as well I got a Wii Fit for my Christmas to keep me warm in the cold weather LOL!!!

Rewind it back to the 24th November!

Went to Manchester, England, to see Taylor Swift Live in Concert. She was simply amazing and I just love her!! The (clothes) shopping was also rather good in Manchester too LOL!

School is back after the Christmas break and we are getting back into the swing of things. Mum(that would be me!) has to help the boys learn a Robert Burns Poem. Easy enough, but each of the boys has been given a different one to learn for Rabbie Burns Day on 25th January. "To A Mouse" is probably my boys favourite one. The boys are looking forward to the Burns Supper at school, though!

Hopefully I can get a picture up of the boys with their new bikes when(ever) we get a thaw. And i won't leave it as long till my next post, when i hope i will have a new look too!

love,

Amanda x

Just For Laughs

2009-11-06T21:52:00.002Z

Feel Free to have a laugh on behalf of my son...

You know you want too!

Did I tell you...

2009-11-03T16:21:00.003Z

That Richard and I have two, yes, two VIP tickets to see Bon Jovi next year at the O2 Arena in London..

Are you jealous????!!!!!

I can't wait!

Our Silly Dog!

2009-11-01T08:07:00.005Z

Remember back in May we got our pup, Bowser, an English Cocker Spaniel?

Here he was in May...

I really can't remember him being that small!

Here he is in the summer, in June, I think.

And here he is now! I took these pictures yesterday. But although he looks like he is all grown up, don't let the cuteness fool you...He loves nothing better than chewing anything and everything. And one of His favourite pass times is trying to steal any random bit of food that the kids leave to close to the edge of the kitchen table or on the work counter when nobody is looking.

...But he does give good cuddles...

Continued from my last post!

2009-10-31T14:57:00.004Z

As I said in my last post I would post a picture of Callum all dressed up and ready to party at the Nursery!

His highlight of the party was "dooking for apples"

I hope you all have a happy and safe Halloween!

Halloween Has Come Early...

2009-10-29T19:02:00.004Z

It's party night tonight in our neck of the woods!

The Boy's Brigade held their annual Halloween Party tonight and here are some pictures of the boys all ready to go!!

Here's Ben...

And Logan...

And that's Andrew behind the mask!

Hope we didn't frighten you too much LOL!

... More pictures to follow ~ Callum has a party at the Nursery is tomorrow :-)

Thursday Funnies!!!

2009-10-22T20:00:00.003+01:00

This is a great sketch from my all time favourite comedian, Billy Connolly. It's goes on a wee bit but it's well worth the watch. You won't be disappointed!

(p-s Only drink bottled water from Spain LOL!!!)

2009-10-21T09:46:00.003+01:00

I'm sooo excited!!!!

I'm going to see...

In concert!!!!!

Did I say that I was so excited and cannot wait!??!

Only 34 days to wait...

Embarrasment Is...

2009-10-20T19:53:00.002+01:00

Am so embarrassed!!

Today on the way to school an old lady that we know stopped and asked Callum if he was going to school (she saw him in his nursery uniform) I told her that he was going to Nursery.

She then asked him if he liked Nursery. Callum said "No, it's crap" Not only did he say that he then said "Crap, Crap, Crap"

As i said, i was quite embarrassed!

A Little Bit Of Sunshine!

2009-10-19T20:39:00.003+01:00

Back in May Callum got to plant some Sunflower seeds at Nursery. He took good care of them (with just a little help!)

They may not be the biggest Sunflowers, but they are Callum's and he was so proud of them. Here a some pictures i took last month!

Don't you just love the hat?!? It's Grandpa's hat and he just loves it. Everytime he visits he just has to wear it. I think that's really cute :-)

2009-10-18T19:46:00.003+01:00

Hi there!! Long time no blog lol!!!

Over the next few days i will be popping over to all of your blogs to catch up on what has been happening ~ if there is anything important that's happened to you ~ please leave a comment and let me know as I don't think I'll have the time to go through every single post that you have all written.

Been busy at work, and on the days off work the kids have been on holiday from school so I've been busy keeping them entertained. In fact, I was working today ~ and if there is anything that I have learned today is to give your kids or that someone you love an extra big cuddle and let them know how much you love them.

I took the kids to the park during the week and the weather was perfect. It was mild, but a bit misty, so as the park is quite hilly in parts we walked up some of these hills and I kept telling the kids that we were in the clouds now. Ben asked if this is what heaven was like!

Here are some of pictures from our day out.

It's all work...

2009-10-02T18:20:00.002+01:00

I'm sorry that I haven't been commenting on many of your blogs as much as I'd like to ~ I have been so busy at work. I've been busy doing lots of extra shifts. With Christmas just around the cornor the extra money comes in very useful. Bought my first Christmas present today!! ~ A Television/DVD combi. And a few Thomas The Tank Engine DVD's for Callum. Planning to get the Twins some new bikes. Ben wants a mountain bike and Logan wants a BMX. No idea what to get for Andrew!

So, for the time being I'll be doing a lot more extra shifts!!

Here is a song that I love. Enjoy!!

2009-10-01T18:20:00.001+01:00

Enjoy!!!

The Sound Of Sweet Music!

2009-09-28T19:17:00.004+01:00

The twins were playing in their bedroom the other day. I was upstairs in my bedroom tidying up. I just had to stop and listen. The twins were singing.

"If there's something strange, in the neighbourhood,

who you gonna call, Ben Busters

If there's something strange and you don't know what,

who you gonna call, Logan Buster

Da da da da dadaaa.."

It's moments like this that I adore...I love my 4 little monsters!

What do you think...

2009-09-24T22:53:00.003+01:00

Of my new look??

Ok ok...I know it's not quite October yet, but with the colder weather and dark nights, the leaves falling from the trees I thought I would redesign my blog with an Autumn look.

Ok, so it's more Halloween than Fall ~ but I'm allowed to be a big kid...I love Halloween (maybe even a little more than the kids!)

This and That!

2009-09-23T09:45:00.003+01:00

I was just sitting back last night. Reading a book. I was nice,warm,and comfortable when Andrew comes downstairs and says "I got all hot and felt funny and I was sick. But don't worry, I was sick in the toilet and cleaned up after myself. I think it was the Chicken Nuggets that made me sick because that's what came up."
Yes, he did clean up after himself. Almost blocked the loo with toilet paper after wiping the vomit off the floor because he totally missed the toilet (as usual.)
I may be a Nurse, but when it comes to vomit...well, I just don't like it. At. All!!

But, this morning he seems well enough. Had his breakfast and is away to school. He's Going on a school trip today. His class is working on their project, The Rainforest. So they are all of to Amazonia.
Did you know that Scotland has a rainforest? Yes, it's called Sunart Oakwoods. It's a Temperate Rainforest. So there is another (useless) fact for you!

The kids are starting to really look forward to Halloween now they have seen some of the decorations appearing in the shops. This year Andrew wants to dress up as the ghost from the movie Scream (don't know how he knows about that as he's too young for the movie!) Ben wants to be a cowboy. Logan a Zombie and Callum a scarecrow. I'm not very crafty at all, so I'm going to have to start looking online and in the shops for these outfits!!

This is a video that the Kids came across on youtube while looking at all things halloween. They found it hilarious!

Amanda x

2009-09-21T20:00:00.002+01:00

We are now back from our weekend away. We stayed in Lytham St. Annes ~ which is in England. It took us about 4 hours to drive there ~ of course we had a lunch stop, and toilet stops on the way there! While travelling (we had only been on the road for about 50 mins) I got asked the question " Are we in in England yet?" It was quite funny...the first time it was asked!

So here I am, it's now Monday night, and all of the excitement on Friday morning as we were getting ready to leave feels like so long ago!
When we arrived on Friday afternoon Richard took the boys swimming (Grandpa went along to help). I sat back in the lounge with a good book and a glass of Blossom Hill and watched the kids have fun. I wasn't being lazy ~ I can't swim :( But, I was on holiday ~ so being just a little lazy is allowed (As well as a glass of wine in the afternoon!!)

We took the boys to the Pleasure Beach in Blackpool (A kind of theme park with lots of rides) Had a great day. Callum certainly doesn't have any fear of anything that is high or goes fast ~ unlike his brothers!

The weather was beautiful on Sunday so we spent some time on the beach and on the Promenade. Even got a tiny bit sunburned! My camera is broken ~ so we had to use Richard's Mum and Dad's camera. I'll have to get it off them and hopefully do a post soon with some pictures.

I'm off now to try to catch up on all of your blogs ~ I have been a horrible blogger recently and have fallen so behind on what has being happening, let alone comment!

Just a quick note...

2009-09-17T11:24:00.002+01:00

I'm sorry that I haven't been able to stop by and read, let alone, comment on all of the blogs that I love to read and follow. Life these days with 4 boys hasn't left me with much free time! Got a weekend break coming up with the family ~ once I'm home I can't wait to come by for a visit and find out what you have all been up to!!

love,

Amanda x

A Trip Down Memory Lane

2009-09-08T18:38:00.007+01:00

Was browsing through some older pictures of my boys, and i came across this one ~ Callum wasn't even born when this was taken! I remember having to work the weekend that his picture was taken. Richard took the boys to the local school fete. Andrew was really into Spiderman at the time, hence the Spiderman face painting!! I'm just glad that Richard remembered to take the camera with him and capture this moment that i wouldn't have gotten to see :)

I can't believe that the twins were once so small!! When they were this age they were a lot of hard work ~ at the time i thought that they would stay (along with the sleepless nights!) at this age forever. Now every year is going by quicker than the year before and i wish i could press the rewind button and go back and enjoy these moments just one more time.

I also love this picture, taken on holiday (2007). You can see that I'm still dressing the twins the same. It's just something that I like to do! I remember vividly Andrew wanting to jump into the falls for a swim as it was so hot! We headed onto Niagara-On-The-Lake not long after this picture was taken. I remember the boys getting an ice-cream there. I also remember that they wore more than they actually ate (so did the sidewalk!!)

This picture was taken last year (2008) in Blackpool. The boys were on the spinning teacups. What a fun day! We are due to go back in the next few weeks. It's all the boys can talk about! It will also be Callum's first time this year to have a go on the rides (he was too young last year). I'm really looking forward to this weekend away with the family ~ where more memories and pictures can be taken.

A Little Sunshine...

2009-08-31T21:07:00.005+01:00

Got fed up listening to myself moaning in my last post. So, here is a picture of the little man on our local beach, ok, so that's a little white lie. But we do live just 10 minutes from the beach!

(Got to love photoshop!)

This picture really brightens my day. Hope your day is filled with lots of sunshine too!

Amanda x

Irritations of Life

2009-08-31T17:22:00.004+01:00

Went into a couple of clothes shops looking for a couple of new tops. I used to be a UK size 18-20. All the tops that i liked were either in sizes 18-20 or size 6-8. Who the heck is a size 6-8? The West of Scotland is the home of the Deep Fried Mars Bar.
Now i feel like either starving myself into a ridiculously small size of clothing or binging out on some Deep Fried Mars Bars...

I'm fed up listening to how wonderful the weather is/has been in England. Sorry to my couple of lovely English followers! But it has rained here every day in Scotland since the 1st of July. I.AM.NOT.KIDDING. It might start of in the morning looking OK ~ but it's a dead cert that it will be raining before the day is out.

Announcement from Bowser the Pup...

If your dog has a tendency to bite, growl, attack other dogs while off the leash ~ don't let it off the leash. Woof Woof.

Movie Night!

2009-08-30T15:50:00.002+01:00

Going to watch this tonight at the cinema with the husband ~ in 3D too ~ can't wait!

And here is the trailer for it. (just pause the music at the bottom of the page if you want to watch!)

Enjoy!!

2009-08-28T13:39:00.004+01:00

That's the first two weeks back at school almost over and it feels like we actually haven't had a break!

We live quite close to the school ~ about a 10-15 minute walk. Andrew has been asking for a while if he can walk home from school with his friends on his own. I have been putting it off and putting it off. But he is almost 10 now and yesterday for the first time I let him do it. With a warning that he was to come straight home! I just find it so hard allowing my boys to grow up and give them a little more responsibility.

It's this time of year again when our home gets invaded by Daddy Long Legs. I hate them ~ and they know it! Every time I open a window or a door one flies in and I swear it chases me. This causes an endless amount of amusement to the boys!! The oldest boy (30 something) will even go as far as to catch one and chase me with it. They don't understand my fear.

Aren't they the most ugly things?

What scares you?

Anywhoo...You might have noticed that on the right side of my blog I have added The Vintage Pearl button. I have just received a necklace that I ordered from them and it's absolutely beautiful. I highly recommend you check their Etsy shop out. You won't be disappointed!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Say What!??!

2009-08-27T18:23:00.002+01:00

Callum is 4 years old ~ and when he talks he can be quite silly and cute all at the same time. But I was taken by surprise when just the other morning I was trying to put my contact lenses in when he walks into my room and asks what I'm doing.
I tell him I'm putting my contact lenses in.
"Why?" says Callum. ( Which is his favourite word right now! )
"So that I can see" I tell him
"Why?" He says again
I show him one and tell him that without this I can't see very well.
"Seriously, Mum!?" For a split second he sounded so grown up and way older than his 4 years!

Now the older boys are back to school ~ the bad words have slowly started appearing back into their vocabulary. I caught Andrew trying to teach Callum to say "S**t Bag" and "G*y Boy" Andrew has lost his X-Box for a few days for that. Hopefully he will think again before doing that again! Thankfully Callum hasn't said either yet. Do you kids learn these kind of words at school too? Just agree ~ and make me feel better!

Dig This..?

2009-08-23T18:22:00.005+01:00

Hmmm...

Was working this morning ~ so Richard was left in charge of the kids. Callum has lots and lots of t-shirts in his wardrobe. I wonder how long it took you both to find this one??!!!

Best Buddies!

2009-08-17T14:32:00.001+01:00

Together we get up to all sorts of mischief!

4 Years Later

2009-08-11T18:15:00.004+01:00

This was you when you were a baby

This is you growing into a lovely wee boy

You on holiday this year ~ riding Kirsty the pony was the most favourite thing you did!

Happy 4th Birthday Callum xoxo

Love You!

This and That!

2009-08-10T09:23:00.005+01:00

I have recently discovered Jewel after watching her sing on Extreme Makeover : Home Edition. I had never heard of her before this! I love it when you find new music to listen too.

Listen & Enjoy!

Haven't been up to much. It's been raining a. lot. So it's been lots of long days spent indoors with the kids. Long hours spent watching the History Channel with Andrew watching programmes about WW 2, Churchill and Hitler. I have also been nagged by him, daily, to take him to the Battlefields in France. No problem Andrew! We will just jump on the next bus and go! I told him if he sticks in at school this year, behaves and tries his best with all of his school work that he might just get to go.

Our schools go back next week after the long summer break. Got all the uniforms ready, just need to label them all with their names. That's a task all in itself! It's going to be hard getting into a routine again. For me as well as the kids!

So, if i keep saying to myself, routine is good, I might just believe it!

It's Callum's birthday on Thursday. Can't believe that he will be 4. I can't believe that's he is not a baby anymore! He wants a blue bike for his birthday. We have cleaned up Ben's old bike. It's like new really as he didn't like riding his bike when he got it. And when he did start to enjoy going out on his bike it was too small for him! I have bought him a new bell, some spokies and a "Callum" number plate for it too. I'm sure he will love it!

A blue bike, chocolate cake and a Peppa Pig Birthday Cake was all that he asked for!

I'll leave the Chocolate cake till Sunday. I have invited the family over for a BBQ. Weather permitting that is! I'm sure that there will be lots of pictures of the Birthday Boy to follow!

"See you all later!"

Can You Cope With The Cuteness??!

2009-08-05T21:10:00.007+01:00

My bedroom turned out nice, and I'm very happy with the way it looks ~ but the pictures didn't! The orange on the feature wall looked red and the pictures are also full of those "orbs" again! What's that all about??!!! So instead I'm going to leave you with a couple of photo's of my youngest boy ~ isn't he getting big and cute!

Time To Decorate

2009-08-04T09:36:00.005+01:00

My bedroom has been plain for many years. Magnolia walls...in fact everything was cream and brown. I got fed up looking at this so I am in the process of painting just one wall. A feature wall. Orange. Yes, I said orange! It's half on the wall now and it's just so...bright! I have bought some bed covers to match. They are mostly cream (can't get away from cream totally!) with some Orange embroidered flowers. I have some nice orange cushions to match both the wall and bed cover.

I will take pictures when the work is all done. But here is a sneak peak!

Our Day Out ~ Ghosts Not Included!!!

2009-07-31T20:39:00.004+01:00

So, a few days ago now we went for a day out here.

And apart from the ghosts that I caught on camera (tee-hee) we had a great day out. There was just so much to do. The kids were always running ahead of us shouting "Can we do this, Can we do that, Can we do it 2 minutes ago!!!" Well, you get the picture :-)

Here are some more pictures (ghost free) from our day out.

There was a few good play parks. This was the boys favourite one. It was a fort with a tall tower in the middle. This is a picture of Andrew at the top. And look ~ the sky is blue!!

There was lovely walks, but we only went on a short one as I was having trouble dragging the kids away from the fort! It was a day out for them after all. We walked down the glen to this waterfall. Unfortunately it was a long walk back up!

Callum climbing up the hill after seeing the waterfall.

I love this picture and the look on the boys faces! There was a secret forest to explore. It was like a big maze. There was a Gingerbread house and a Jack and the Beanstalk theme too, among lots of other things. The kids were a little bit ahead of me and i could hear the fright that they got when they turned the corner and saw...

This!

Thank Goodness for Ben and Callum! They had the map of the park and made sure we didn't get lost! Ben was trying to guide us to the Castle.

I just wonder why they had to ruin the it by painting on it??? Notice the clouds, it was raining pretty soon after this picture was taken.

We will definitely go back here for a day out. I do believe that they have activities planned for Halloween I wonder what the Secret Forrest will be like...What with it's ghosts and all!

Do You Believe In Ghosts???

2009-07-29T20:26:00.003+01:00

Went out for the day to a local country park. Will do a post all about it tomorrow. It was a great day out. But while looking through some of the pictures I took while we were there I noticed these orbs. In the 1st picture there is one on Andrew's neck (he's on the right)

The 2nd picture is of Callum. There is a big orb on his arm.

And the 3rd picture you can see one just above the broomstick.

So, what do you think???

2009-07-29T18:35:00.000+01:00

Just watched Extreme Makeover Home Edition. Anyone who has been reading my blog knows how I love this programme along with it's presenter Ty Pennington. Ahh...Dreamboat!

Anyway, tonight's show was a right tearjerker. I know, they usually are! But this one had me fighting back the tears. It was about a large family ( 6 girls and 1 boy ) The little boy, known as "Jimmy Boy" was diagnosed with a Brain Tumour and passed away when he was six years old. The Mum is pregnant again with another little boy.

But as the family had spent all their money on hospital treatment and medicine for Jimmy Boy their home was a in a state of disrepair.

I need the tissues just typing this!

On this edition there was a guest appearance from Jewel singing 'Good Day'.
Watch. Listen and Enjoy!

It's Only Tuesday...Randomness

2009-07-28T17:27:00.005+01:00

1/ Our cat's been missing since Friday. I don't think that she will be coming back. She never wanders away for any length of time. The kids are upset and keep asking why Purdie isn't coming back home.

2/ They are also upset and keep asking if Bowser will go missing too.

3/ It's been a wet day and we are all getting a little bored. The boys are bickering and fighting with each other. To the extent that blood has almost been drawn...Please tell me my kids are not the only ones that behave like this...Please??!

4/ Because it feels like they are.

5/ I really want to save up some cash and go away on a break with my husband. Just the two of us. Dreaming about it is the easy part. Saving cash and finding babysitters for the worlds worst behaved boys is the hard part..

6/ Any volunteers?

7/ Been having weird dreams over the past few nights. Last night I was dressed up as Santa for the Christmas party at the Churches Sunday School. No wonder I wake up each morning exhausted!

8/ Season 11 of Dallas arrived in the post this morning. See, it's not all bad LOL!!!

9/ Also can't get enough of Little People Big World. It's on tonight. Never watched it before, but now i have, I'm hooked...Wonder if you can get it in a Box Set...?

10/ And today I got a phone call from work to be asked if i could go into work and do an extra shift on Saturday.

11/ The money will come in handy I suppose. (see number 5)

12/ It's only Tuesday!

This Weekend...

2009-07-26T14:20:00.004+01:00

Last night the twins went to their Gran and Grandpa's house for a sleepover. A house with just two kids in it is so so quiet!

After we took the twins over to their Grandparent's house, Richard, Me, Andrew and Callum took the pup for a walk. When we were out on our adventures we came across a poster advertising that the Scottish Wildlife Trust was doing a Bat and Moth Midnight walk through the local woodland. Saying it was midnight wasn't really true! It started at 9pm.

Andrew was like "Can I go, Can I go Pleaassseeee???!"

So, at 8:45 Andrew and Richard went off with their torches to the meeting point. I stayed at home to look after Callum who was sound asleep in his bed. He has been getting up in the morning so early that it's still dark. I don't know what's gotten into him but I wish he would stop it!

So last night I sat back and watched this..

Stephen Fry in America. Last night he was visiting the East coast. Including New Hampshire, New England, Connecticut, Boston and he briefly visited Salem. Has anyone been to Salem before? I would really like to go one day. I find the history behind the Witch Trials interesting.

So, eventually they both came home at 10:45. Just as well the schools are on holiday! Andrew really enjoyed himself and told me that he saw lots of bats flying about and was telling me that they can eat up to 100 midges a night! I just wish that there was more bats flying about because I hate midges. They seem to like the taste of my blood as am always getting bitten :-(

The older boys are away with their Dad this afternoon to see the new Harry Potter Movie. Instead I'm stuck at home with Callum (he's to little to go to the movies) watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Super Why and Peppa Pig for the millionth time!

2009-07-24T18:05:00.003+01:00

Does anyone really care what the surprise was now? It's been so long since my blog post!

I got this bottle of perfume!

"Viva La Juicy" by Juicy Couture.

I think that Richard liked the name of it!!

It's really nice and I just love it.

Although, looking at the comments I got on my last post I did like Tania's guess! ;-)

I've had a really busy few days at work ~ so thank goodness it's the weekend now. I'm off to put my feet up and enjoy a good glass of wine!

I Love Surprises!!!

2009-07-21T21:00:00.002+01:00

Richard is working in London today and he is just off the phone and told me that he has a surprise for me, something that he has picked out all by himself.

Now I'm sitting here clock watching. That flight home better be on time!

I LOVE Surprises!!!!!

The Birds And The Bee's...

2009-07-20T19:02:00.004+01:00

OK...

So we all went out for a morning walk with the pup.

The sun was shining briefly and it was really nice and warm.

So, getting back to the subject!

While we were out walking, Andrew was a little ahead of me on his scooter. He suddenly stopped and said "Whoa!!! Look at this!"

So i catch up and say to him "Look at what?"

I look down to see what he is pointing at and see two bumble bee's on the ground rolling around together. Andrew laughs and says "The bee's are making love"

Trying to keep a straight face I tell him that one of the bumble bee's has hurt his wing and the other bee was only helping the other little guy out.

"OK" He said and off he went on his scooter.

Love Is...

2009-07-19T23:02:00.004+01:00

Callum just adores Mickey Mouse.

My Parents brought him back this Jacket from their holiday in Texas almost a month ago. And he has worn it everyday since!

... And Mickey Mouse follows him about everywhere too!

I hope everyone has had a lovely weekend.

A x

Worrying Times

2009-07-18T20:31:00.004+01:00

I'm getting worried now.

There is a girl that I work with (and she is also a good friend too) who has developed Swine Flu. I was working with her on Friday afternoon. Apparently the incubation time for this virus is 48 hours.

I feel Alright at the moment...

I don't worry about myself getting ill.

I just worry about my children getting sick.

This Swine Flu is just getting too close to home.

Down At The Beach

2009-07-16T06:31:00.003+01:00

Yesterday was a beautiful day so I decided to head to the beach with the kids. And the Pup.

It wasn't too long before the boys were absolutely soaking wet and the dog resembled a drowned rat!

It's such a shame. We live so close to the beach and everyone takes it for granted. You would think that on a lovely day like it was yesterday that it would be busy. But it wasn't. Just a handful of people walking their dogs. I have to wonder what everyone was doing on a lovely sunny day?

Here is Andrew, Ben and Logan. Can you actually believe that Ben & Logan are twins? I Can't! They look so different. LOL! This picture was taken just as we arrived at the beach. It was "Can we go in for a paddle?" And then i blinked and they were waist deep...!

In this picture I think you were wasting your time rolling your shorts up pretending that you are trying to stay dry Ben :-)

Cuteness...

And after we were finished playing the pup dug a huge hole under the deckchair and lay in it. He must of been comfy...

What do you think, eh??!

Silliness

2009-07-15T08:49:00.005+01:00

My Parents are just back from a Holiday in Texas. My Dad's Twin brother and his wife live out there. These t-shirts were a gift from my Dad's Brother and his wife. I thought I would try to get a picture of the boys together so that I could send it across to them both as a thank-you. How hard is it getting a picture of 4 boys together? This pictures was my 5th attempt!!! I gave up after this! Ben was refusing to smile. Callum kept pulling funny faces. Logan wouldn't stop giggling and Andrew was telling me that he hates getting his picture taken! And the dog kept jumping into the picture too!!

Did I say that Callum keeps pulling funny faces every time a camera comes out?

The pup just loves playing with bags ~ this one is his favourite bags as it crinkles really loud as he rolls about in it. He also love laundry day. He loves to take the opportunity to steal dirty Underwear...but I'm not sharing a picture of that!!!

We Are Back!

2009-07-12T16:56:00.007+01:00

We arrived back on Friday evening from our holiday and what a great time we all had!

It's just a pity that the week went by so fast...and that I have been washing and ironing almost non-stop since coming home :(!!!

When you have a holiday in the UK it's always a hit or miss with the weather. But the weather was kind to us. Just a wee bit of rain in the evening. But it was always nearer bedtime, so we even got to use the BBQ a few times! Which is a miracle he-he!!

There is just way too much to write about, but a holiday to Center Parcs is wonderful for the whole family (I even got the chance to enjoy a few glasses of wine & cocktails on the couple of nights that the grandparents looked after the boys)

Here are a few pictures from our week away!

Ben enjoyed playing on his bike too ~ I just didn't realise that I didn't take a picture of him!!! You can see the lodge that we stayed in in the bottom left picture. I was in heaven ~ our room had a en-suite with a spa bath!

Here is Callum and the highlight of his holiday ~ riding a pony! He talked about this non-stop for the past couple of months! I was just worried that when he actually saw the pony and how big is was he might of changed his mind!! But he loved it. His pony was called Kirsty. Am now waiting on "Can I have a Pony?"

Lots of swimming ~ me? I sat at the poolside and watched! I cannot swim ~ let alone in this pool where there are waves every 15 minutes! In the second picture Callum got swept alone to the edge of the pool by the waves ~ thank goodness for his life jacket ~ and Dad of course!

Here are some more pictures. The Twins enjoyed playing some tennis ~ especially as it was the Wimbledon final weekend. They were having fun pretending that they were playing in the final! Andrew was quad biking again this year. He loved that!!

In the last picture, I don't know if you can quite make it out, but Callum had made a really nice pattern on the door mat with acorns that he found. We had to jump over that everyday or he would get annoyed that we would "waste my pattern!!"

When I get a few peaceful moments to myself, I cannot wait to catch up with you all and find out what you have all been up to!

I'll need a Hoiday After This!!!

2009-07-01T16:42:00.003+01:00

Going here this Friday and cannot wait!

I've got so much still to do, 6 bags to pack and the house to clean. Just the usual pre-holiday stuff. The schools stopped on Tuesday for the summer break. So it won't be easy getting organised and keeping an eye on the 4 boys!! But to go on holiday with the family is all worth it.

It's Canada Day today ~ so Happy Canada Day to Auntie Brenda, Uncle Paul and all you other Canadians out there!

"See" you all after our holiday!

Advantages Of Being A Woman

2009-06-29T17:41:00.006+01:00

Why it's better to be a Woman!

1. We got off the Titanic first.
2. We get to flirt with systems support men who always return our calls, and are nice to us when we blow up our computers.
3. Our boyfriend's clothes make us look elfin & gorgeous. Guys look like complete idiots in ours.
4. We can be groupies. Male groupies are stalkers.
5. We can cry and get off speeding fines.
6. We've never lusted after a cartoon character or the central female figure in a computer game.
7. Taxis stop for us.
8. Men die earlier, so we get to cash in on the life insurance.
9. We don't look like a frog in a blender when dancing.
10. Free drinks, Free dinners, Free movies ... (you get the point).
11. We can hug our friends without wondering if she thinks we're gay.
12. We can hug our friends without wondering if WE'RE gay.
13. New lipstick gives us a whole new lease on life.
14. It's possible to live our whole lives without ever taking a group shower.
15. We don't have to fart to amuse ourselves.
16. If we forget to shave, no one has to know.
17. We can congratulate our team-mate without ever touching her butt.
18. If we have a zit, we know how to conceal it.
19. We never have to reach down every so often to make sure our privates are still there.
20. If we're dumb, some people will find it cute.
21. We don't have to memorize Caddyshack or Fletch to fit in.
22. We have the ability to dress ourselves.
23. We can talk to people of the opposite sex without having to picture them naked.
24. If we marry someone 20 years younger, we're aware that we look like an idiot.
25. Our friends won't think we're weird if we ask whether there's spinach in our teeth.
26. There are times when chocolate really can solve all your problems.
27. We'll never regret piercing our ears.
28. We can fully assess a person just by looking at their shoes.
29. We know which glass was ours by the lipstick mark.
30. We have enough sense to realize that the easiest way to get out of being lost is to ask for directions.

2009-06-25T13:21:00.005+01:00

I thought I would share a few pictures of Callum from Nursery. He graduated from anti-pre school the other day and these are some of photo's the Nursery staff have taken of him since he started in October.

I love this one ~ if you look close you can see another two wee people hiding inside the tires!

Happy Birthday Tabitha!

2009-06-22T11:33:00.004+01:00

Happy Birthday Tabitha!

I hope you have a wonderful day with your beautiful family.

Tabitha is a great blogging friend of mine. You can wish her a happy birthday here!

Oh, and your birthday surprise is on it's way to you!!!

Love,

Amanda xxxx

Happy Father's Day!

2009-06-21T20:07:00.007+01:00

Hope you are having a wonderful holiday in Texas this Father's Day Grandpa!

We just wish we were over there with you :)

Here's Grandpa and Andrew relaxing a few years ago! Don't remember getting this picture taken? Hmm...Could that be because you were asleep?! LOL!

It's hard hard work being the Best Grandpa!

On the other had it's even more tiring being the best Dad!

It's Almost The End Of Another School Year...

2009-06-18T21:14:00.003+01:00

I mentioned on yesterdays post that I attended an open evening at Andrew's school. The purpose of this evening was to show of all of the hard work that the kids had put into their topic "The Titanic."

It was just so nice seeing Andrew show of his work and to see how proud he was.

Here is Andrew posing with his best friend. I had to cut him out of the picture though as I didn't have his Mum's permission to post it. Nobody knows about my little blogging 'secret'!!

More of his work.

A big picture of the Titanic that the kids helped to make. (The pictures are not too clear as they were taken from my old Mobile Phone.) To help with their project the kids went here on a school trip a few weeks ago.

I will be taking it easy tomorrow night as on Saturday morning I will be doing a 10 mile sponsored walk to raise money for the children effected by the Chernobyl disaster. So far I've raised £150! I just hope it stays dry for the duration of the walk ~ fingers X'ed!!!

I will try to remember to take my camera with me and I'll let you know how it goes once I recover LOL!

8 Things Meme

2009-06-18T09:28:00.004+01:00

I saw this over at Lindsay's blog and i thought i would copy it!

8 Things ... Meme

8 things I look Forward too,

Going on our Summer Holiday in 2 weeks time, i can't wait!

For the pup to grow up and stop his chewing and peeing everywhere and all the time!

Christmas, I LOVE Christmas!

I look forward to Driving a car again one day and not a mini van.

My days off work.

Weekends off work!

I would love to take my kids to Disney. One day!

Our 10 mile sponsored walk on Saturday :-/

8 Things I did yesterday.

Walked to school with the kids and took the pup for a long walk afterwards.

Took Callum to Nursery after lunch.

Did housework :-(

Picked the kids up early from school and took them to a speech therapy appointment.

Ate to much biscuits ~ couldn't help myself!

Went back up to the school after the speech therapy appointment to view Andrew's project work "The Titanic"

Then went to work and stayed there till 10pm :-(

Collected $$'s from my sister (she works in a bank) to give to my Dad today as they Fly to Texas tomorrow (It's Fathers Day and my Dad's birthday while they are away). I'm jealous!

8 Things I wish I could do.

Sing.

Be more patient.

Swim ~ terrified of the water though!

Eat what i want and be as thin as a supermodel :-)

Learn how to make and decorate fancy wedding/birthday cakes.

Afford to take my 4 kids to Disneyland.

Or to the Rocky Mountains Skiing.

Move to Canada ~ been to the country twice and i love it!

Go for a romantic getaway without the kids!

8 Shows I watch.

Holmes on Homes ~ I LOVE that man!

America's Next Top Model

X-Weighted

CSI..

Ugly Betty is starting again ~ new season, I'll watch that!

The Dog Whisperer

Coronation Street

Barefoot Contessa

So there are my answers! I think this is supposed to be passed on to 8 people, but since i wasn't tagged directly I will invite anyone to take part!

Silliness

2009-06-16T22:27:00.002+01:00

Logan always finds time to be silly ~ even when eating some Chocolate flavoured ice-cream!

:o )

2009-06-15T20:58:00.003+01:00

I'm at a loss as to what to blog about. Nothing at all interesting is happening in our lives. Nothing blog worthy anyway!

But i suppose boring is good, right?!

Not only that, although i love blogging and i look forward to reading what you have all been up to, i have just lost the "mood" to blog these days.

Bowser is getting big ~ and bad! He still loves to chew feet, legs and fingers. We are going on holiday in a couple of weeks time and Bowser was supposed to be going back to the breeder to get taken care off while we are away. I just didn't want to put him in kennels ~ he's only 4 months old! But a friend has offered to take him ~ as long as her dog gets along with him.

She is a Newfoundland ~ and you should have seen the both of them together. Little and Large is an understatement! They spent the afternoon chasing each other around the garden. It was so funny to see little bowser chasing a dog as big as a bear!!! In true Amanda style I forgot to take my camera ~ but my friend had a disposable one ~ so when the pictures get developed i will try to find a way to post some.

Swine Flu is getting closer and closer to home. There are a cluster of cases around the Glasgow area now. We have had our first death too ~ a young woman who had just given birth a couple of weeks ago. Scary. Some of our schools are closing too in the attempt to halt the spread.

I dread to think what work will be like come Autumn and Winter!

On a brighter note i have been spending way to much money buying lots of new clothes and shoes for the kids for our holidays. And also for myself (don't tell anyone!)

I bought myself a pair of these

Yes, they are a pair of Converse All Stars in gold patent leather (my 1st ever pair) ~ they look great with jeans. This is a novelty for me as i never used to wear jeans .ever. until i lost weight. There's no stopping me now, I'm getting "with it" as the kids would say!

No Farting In Bed!

2009-06-10T21:04:00.002+01:00

This is a story about a couple who have been happily married for years. The only friction in their marriage was the husband's habit of farting loudly every morning when he awoke.

The noise would wake his wife and the smell would make her eyes water and make her gasp for air.

Every morning she would plead with him to stop ripping them off because it was making her sick. He told her he couldn't stop it and that it was perfectly natural. She told him to see a Doctor, she was concerned that one day he would blow his guts out.

The years went by and he continued to rip them out! Then one Christmas morning as she was preparing the turkey for dinner and he was upstairs sound asleep, she looked at the bowl where she had put the turkey innards and neck, gizzard, liver and all the spare parts.

A malicious thought came to her.

She took the bowl and went upstairs where her husband was sound asleep and, gently pulling back the elastic waistband of his underpants and emptied the bowl of turkey guts into his shorts.

Some time later she heard her husband waken with his usual trumpeting, which was followed by a blood curdling scream and the sound of frantic footsteps as he ran into the bathroom.

The wife could hardly control herself as she rolled on the floor laughing, tears in her eyes! After years of torture she reckoned she had got her own back pretty good.

About twenty minutes later, her husband came downstairs in his bloodstained underpants with a look of horror on his face.

She bit her lip as she asked him what was the matter.

He said "Honey, you were right. All these years you have warned me and i didn't listen to you".

"What do you mean?" asked his wife.

"Well, you always told me that one day i would end up farting my guts out, and today it finally happened. But by the grace of God, some Vaseline, and these two fingers, I think I got most of them back in!"

Birthday Party Fun!

2009-06-08T21:21:00.004+01:00

Callum got invited to his very first Birthday Party on Sunday afternoon.

He had a blast!

Along with all the games, there was face painting.

As Callum stood in line waiting his turn i asked him what he wanted painted on his face ~ "A butterfly". So when it was Callum's turn, He sits down and the lady asks him what he wants painted on his face.

Callum says "Bowser!!!"

You should of seen the look on the woman's face!

So here is Callum, disguised as Bowser the dog!

The red tounge got wiped away slightly when this messy little pup was eating his ice-cream and jelly!

Happy Birthday Tanya and Susan!

2009-06-05T21:39:00.001+01:00

It's Tanya's 40th Birthday today!

Have a beauty full day.

And

There is another special person I would like to wish a very happy birthday to!

Hope you get spoiled rotten Susan!

You can visit Tanya here and Susan here to wish them a Happy Birthday!

2009-06-05T17:18:00.003+01:00

I was addicted to Britains Got Talent ~ now it's finished i have found this on the T.V to watch. Just as addictive (I don't get out much!)

It was on last night and I loved this act. I also loved the judges reactions. Just pause the music at the bottom of the page if you want to watch.

Hope you all have a nice weekend!

Can It Get Any Worse?

2009-06-03T18:41:00.003+01:00

Hopefully Not!

What a day. Started off normal enough ~ got up and took the kids to school.

Got a phone call from the head teacher letting me know that the reason they are separating the twins is because they are holding each other back. Ben is better at English and Math and is helping Logan ~ Logan in the meantime is sitting back letting Ben do his work. This the twins admit to. So it's separate classrooms after the summer :(

Got a phone call just after 10 in the morning from my MIL letting me know that my FIL has had a fall and is being taken to hospital in an ambulance. So i went to pick her up to take her to the hospital and dropped Callum of at my Mum's on the way there.

The bottom line is that after x-ray's he got the all clear and got sent home.

After taking the in-law's home i got a call from the school asking me to pick Ben up as he had vomited.

Got Ben from school and he appears well enough. Thank-Goodness.

Callum Fell and skint his knee 3 days ago. Fell 2 days ago and skint the same knee again. Fell again this evening and skint it again. So he is hopping along saying he can't walk! I think it could do with a band-aid ~ but Mr Callum hates them and won't let me near him with one! Hope it's all better tomorrow and he remembers that he can actually walk as he is going on a day out with his Nursery!

Oh, forgot to mention, Ben Stubbed his toe on Sunday and lost his toe-nail.

As i said, Can It Get Any Worse???!

Happy Birthday Dani!!!

2009-06-02T11:49:00.003+01:00

This little superhero would like to wish Dani a very Happy Birthday!

Have a great Day!!!

I See Red!

2009-06-01T22:09:00.002+01:00

I got a letter in the kids school bags today letting us know which classrooms and teachers they will have once the school returns after the summer holidays. The twins have always been in the same class together ~ that was my wishes. For them to stay together. They have the rest of their lives to go their separate ways. Gosh ~ they are so close that they share a bed every night!

Well, getting back to the point. The school has taken it upon themselves to separate them. Never to ask us how we feel about it. We are going to the Head Teacher tomorrow. To tell them to sort this out. Ben & Logan will not be separated. Full Stop.

I'm Angry!

The Sun Has Got His Hat On...

2009-05-31T19:12:00.005+01:00

Hip Hip Hip Hooray!

I'm sorry that i haven't visited your blogs recently ~ we have been doing a lot of this!

Seems like it's summer here in Scotland ~ for the past few days anyway. We have been enjoying the glorious sunshine before it goes away. I will be over to check your blogs soon!

Summer?

2009-05-27T21:53:00.006+01:00

I'm so excited because the weather for the next few days has to be sunny. and. warm!

Well, that's what has been predicted.

I went and bought new suncream for the kiddos today ~ i had half-full bottles in the cupboard from last year. No, lets put it straight, we got so little sun last summer that there was not even 1/4 out of the bottles!

I have located the paddling pool in the back of our garden hut and stocked up the freezer with ice-lollies. Now it's a waiting game...

Hope i haven't jinxed it...

My Little Football Star!

2009-05-26T14:15:00.007+01:00

At Nursery today Callum and his little classmates were having fun enjoying the mini-kickers football programme. Mum's, Dad's and Grandparents were welcome to come along and take part and see all the skills that the boy's and girl's have learned so far.
The kids have been taking part in the mini-kickers programme for the past month now. It's all organised by the S.F.A (Scottish Football Association) and it's a great introduction to football for the little ones.

He had a great time and I had fun trying out some of his newly learned football skills with him! Although i do think that Callum's skills were much better than mine LOL!

Here are a couple of pictures that I managed to get!

A certificate for his effort!

The sun was shining too ~ a right rare sight!

5+5=10

2009-05-25T09:14:00.003+01:00

Callum seems to be obsessed with the number 5.

We are going on holiday soon. In 5 weeks time. Back to Center Parks in the beautiful Lake District. We went there last year and it was just so child friendly. We all had a great time. So back to Center Parks it is in 5 weeks time.

Back to the point!

Callum is obsessed with going on this holiday ~ even though he probably cannot remember much about it from last year (he was 2!)
"Going to Center Park today"
I made the mistake by telling him not today in 5 weeks time. He then said "5+5=10, in 10 minutes time"
This goes on all day ~ "Want to go on holiday today ~ in 5 minutes"
Why did i ever say 5 weeks?!? I never learn!

Don't get me wrong ~ it's so cute to see him so excited about going on holiday ~ we are excited about it too. But the above conversation has been going on for the past week and it's getting a bit tired now!

I was out at the weekend at the shops and bought Callum a new pair of Crocs. For his holiday of course! When i got home he tried them on an he wanted to wear them in the garden to play.
I told him they were his good shoes and he was no allowed to play in them.
"For my holiday's ~ in 5 minutes ~ 5+5=10" started all over again!

Ear Defenders anyone??

Please!!!

My 4 Fun Boys!

2009-05-23T10:56:00.005+01:00

Got a portrait of the boys done last Month.

And here it is!

From Left to Right

Logan, Andrew, Ben and Callum.

The real picture is so so much better ~ this is just me taking a picture of it!

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend ~ whatever you decide to do.

Amanda x

Happy 10th Anniversary...

2009-05-22T14:00:00.000+01:00

To Us!

Love Is...

2009-05-21T12:05:00.002+01:00

Light At The End Of The Tunnel

2009-05-20T19:29:00.003+01:00

There is light at the end of the tunnel! Richard flies back home tonight ~ and i can't wait!!

I have had a busy few days ~ both at work and at home. And I can't wait to climb into a hot bath for even just 10 minutes for a bit peace and quiet!

It's not been all bad though ~ i am for the most part a pretty organised person and it was actually more calm and organised, especially in the morning's here on my own without any help ~ but don't tell Richard!!

It's our 10th wedding anniversary in a couple of day's time so hopefully we can get out , just the two of us for a few hours. But nothing has been planned yet ~ or babysitters booked! Will just have to wait and see what happens.

I'm sorry that i haven't been over to visit or leave comments on your blogs ~ there just haven't been enough hours left in the day! Hopefully I can now get back into the blogging mood/routine again.

Had better go now and get all the school uniforms all ironed and the kids packed lunches organised for tomorrow.

Chat Later!

Someone Want To Help Me?!

2009-05-17T20:07:00.005+01:00

Richard left tonight for London for a work related study "day" which will last till Wednesday night.

HELP!!!

I'm on my own with 4 boys..

an incredibly silly pup...

a cat....

For 3 whole days!!!

And I'm working for the next few days too ~ so it will be really fun getting myself ready for work, 4 boys ready for school and ensuring Bowser the pup doesn't pee & poop everywhere, oh, and eat the house too!

( thank goodness for dog crates ~ do you get them in children sizes too?!)

So if anyone is not doing anything over the next few days and has a few hours to spare, Please come and help? Please...

I will leave you with some pictures of the pup himself ~ I'm off for an early night, I have a feeling that I will need all the sleep that i can get!

Chewing his bone

The Laptop

My hand...

All Chewed out!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

One Brave Boy!

2009-05-14T11:42:00.005+01:00

Ugggh!

I took Callum to the Nurse this morning for his MMR boosters. It's so unkind as he had to get a jag in each arm. On one arm alone wouldn't be too bad ~ but on both arms?

After the 1st jag he didn't cry but just said "that hurts"

He cried getting the second one. But only for about 15 seconds. Callum's one brave boy!

Here he is, 1 hour later

Doesn't look to upset, eh?! It's amazing what some cuddles and chocolate can do!

Some Pictures For You

2009-05-12T09:37:00.003+01:00

So here Andrew is with his first ever pair glasses!

He is using them to read his favourite book of the moment "The Titanic". He is doing a project at school at the moment all about The Titanic. It's amazing how interested he is at doing school work when it's something that he wants to learn or do ~ otherwise it's all just so "boring!" and "why do I have to do this?"

And I'm leaving you with a picture of Bowser playing in the garden ~ he stopped eating the grass long enough for me to get a picture of him!

Back Blogging!

2009-05-11T13:31:00.004+01:00

I'm back!

I wish i could say that i have been really busy and doing all sorts of exciting stuff ~ but i haven't :o(

I was working most of last week and managed to catch the cold. I have spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday taking it easy because of Sinus problems ~ i kid you not, i thought my head was going to explode! But thank goodness it's not as bad today.

On Saturday Andrew went on a trip to Edinburgh Airport with the Boys Brigade. When they got there they spent time with the Firemen and they got to have a go in the Fire Engines. He even saw a couple of planes take off too. He had a brilliant time. He came home at 3pm ~ just in time to get changed and all ready for a birthday party at 4pm. Wish I had a social life like his!

Ben got invited by one of his school friends to Loudoun Theme Park on Sunday. Logan was not all that happy being left behind ~ as they are twins they tend to go everywhere and get invited to places together. But i suppose this is another growing up stage that they will go through as they develop there own individuality and personality. I just want them to stay little for longer so that i can indulge myself by dressing them the same etc...!!!

We all went over to Grans house for lunch and Logan soon forgot about being left behind. It was a lovely day, sunny and warm. So we ate lunch in Gran's garden . Well, i tried to eat lunch while chasing Bowser around the Garden trying to stop him from eating grass, bark and little decorative chips. I gave up and took him inside! But he is beginning to settle down ~ he no longer howls and cries when he has to go into his crate. And that's good, believe me! I just wish that the chewing would stop! I have no fingers or toes left!

Ben came home from his fun day out at 7pm ~ he could hardly get the words out to tell us all about his day because he was still so excited!

Got the day off work today and when i collect the kids from school i am heading into town to pick up Andrew's first ever pair of glasses. Yes, that's them just ready! Will be back online later and will post a picture of him wearing them. I just hope that he is still excited about getting them...:o)

Will be back soon...!

Never Too Young For A Good Time...!

2009-05-05T15:55:00.004+01:00

You wouldn't believe how wet it has been here for the past 5 days. Today has been the worst. It hasn't stopped raining all day ~ and i mean all day. It's now starting to get really windy. So with all this wet weather it hasn't been a fun time trying to toilet train a pup. I honestly don't know where all of his poop and pee come from. It's quite impressive the amount that comes out of something so small!

Well, getting back to the toilet training issue...As i said it's been very wet. So when he comes in from the garden i have a towel to dry his paws and his and his tummy. Can you guess where this is going? Yes he started humping the towel! I know that he is a boy dog ~ but he's only 8 weeks old!!

Oh well, i could have been worse...it could have been my leg...although I'm sure that day will come. And when it does this dog will be visiting the V-E-T for the choppy choppy chop...

Our 1st Night With Bowser

2009-05-03T14:52:00.006+01:00

Life with a new pup is...well...interesting. And exhausting! I have never had a pup before and i swear it's just like having your 1st baby ~ I'm doing my best and i just hope it's good enough!

Bowser is a big chewer ~ fingers, toes, shoes, toys ~ you name it!

So for that reason we have a dog crate for him to go into during the night, and he does not like it, not one bit ~ but i want to come downstairs in the morning to a house that has not been chewed to pieces and shit all over! So last night in his crate he cried, whinged and howled. But i wasn't giving into him! Nope. Tough Love!

Callum wakened up during the night because Bowser was crying and he started crying too because Bowser was. I'm sorry if the noise disturbed you :o)

But how can you stay annoyed with a face like this?

We love you Bowser!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN & LOGAN!

2009-05-02T07:00:00.001+01:00

We are 7 today!

Happy Birthday Ben & Logan,

Love,

Mum, Dad,

Andrew, Callum,

Purdie and Bowser!

xxxx

2009-05-01T21:19:00.002+01:00

My name is Bowser and i like to chew. And poop and pee everywhere just for good measure!

Penny 'n' Pounds

Autumn

Has It Been That Long?!?

Brenda's Photo Challenge

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Sunday...

Sponsored Walk

Today and Yesterday

It's the Master's next year for my Boys...

Out and About

Original or Cover?

Smile!

Yay for Birthdays!!!

All is quiet

Reflection

More Pictures From The Hospital / Asylum

Just Dance!

A small history lesson for you from moi!

Testing...

I'm Sore and Really ******* Sore

A Case Of Writers Block...

Back Blogging!

Just For Laughs

Did I tell you...

Our Silly Dog!

Continued from my last post!

Halloween Has Come Early...

Thursday Funnies!!!

Embarrasment Is...

A Little Bit Of Sunshine!

It's all work...

The Sound Of Sweet Music!

What do you think...

This and That!

Just a quick note...

A Trip Down Memory Lane

A Little Sunshine...

Irritations of Life

Movie Night!

Say What!??!

Dig This..?

Best Buddies!

4 Years Later

This and That!

Can You Cope With The Cuteness??!

Time To Decorate

Our Day Out ~ Ghosts Not Included!!!

Do You Believe In Ghosts???

It's Only Tuesday...Randomness

This Weekend...

I Love Surprises!!!

The Birds And The Bee's...

Love Is...

Worrying Times

Down At The Beach

Silliness

We Are Back!

I'll need a Hoiday After This!!!

Advantages Of Being A Woman

Happy Birthday Tabitha!

Happy Father's Day!

It's Almost The End Of Another School Year...

8 Things Meme

Silliness

:o )

No Farting In Bed!

Birthday Party Fun!

Happy Birthday Tanya and Susan!

Can It Get Any Worse?

Happy Birthday Dani!!!

I See Red!

The Sun Has Got His Hat On...

Summer?

My Little Football Star!

5+5=10

My 4 Fun Boys!

Happy 10th Anniversary...

Love Is...

Light At The End Of The Tunnel

Someone Want To Help Me?!