Raisie Bay

My Sunday Photo – 12th August 2018

Group Hug

Not a brilliant photo, but if a picture could paint a thousand words this one would be one of yelling, screaming, fighting and running around like lunatics. But, at the end of the day when it’s time to leave each other, it’s time for a big group hug.

Friends since they were tiddlers, these three boys got together to celebrate my Little Man’s 8th Birthday. 

Parties

This year, the deal was NO birthday parties and I’m not sure it sunk in with anyone. Boo agreed but asked if her friend could come around for tea, so I agreed and when Graham went to pick her up another little friend who lived in the same street asked to come as well. He couldn’t refuse, so we had two friends for tea. I made pizzas and sausage rolls, crisps, biscuits and birthday cake.

Ditto the Little Man, no party just a friend around for tea, but he wanted two friends, and one of his friends brought his two sisters (who were friends of my two girls.) Never has a ‘not having a party’ looked more like a party before. I did forget to make the jelly though, and we didn’t have party games or activities, I just let them run wild. Really wild.

Minecraft Cake

I also said that I was not going to be making cakes this year. So Boo said ‘Ok, I’ll make my own.’ And she did. She also helped me make a cake for the Little Man. He chose a Minecraft cake and wanted me to do a picture of a villager. It was nowhere near as good as his previous Minecraft cakes, but that didn’t matter.

Minecraft Villager Cake

Birthday Month

From 27th July to 24th August it’s Birthday month in our house. All three of my Little ones have birthdays within 4 weeks of each other. 

Next up it’s Star’s birthday. She doesn’t do parties anyway, so no worries there. Instead we’ll be singing Happy Birthday in car on the motorway on the way home from our holiday. A little error on my behalf, but she doesn’t mind. She’s made me promise to stop off at Burger King on the way home. How can I refuse. That sounds like a party I can handle.

Photalife
Sunday Snap

Shopping Until I’m Dropping

Day Out

After a fairly chilled out week last week we decided we’d had enough of sitting around and went out for the day on Saturday. Well, I say the day, we actually didn’t leave until after lunch. Two reasons for this, I didn’t want to spend any more money than necessary and the kids didn’t really want to go out. I mean, how cruel of me to drag me away from their electronic devices!

So, we ventured out to a National Trust Property, Baddesley Clinton, which turned out to be only half an hours drive away. It was a gloriously sunny day and it was just so nice to actually get out side in it. It was also really nice to get inside the cool house after five minutes of leaving the air conditioning of the car.

We did spend some time in the garden in the shade though, soaking up enough vitamin D to last us another week.

On Sunday we rested. As you do.

(Well, if you don’t count the washing pile that put Everest to shame, or the Sunday roast I decided to cook, or the bathroom that was definitely in need of a scrub before the round of showering kids scummed it up again.)

Shopping

Then it’s been non-stop. Shopping, baking, doctor visits, dentist appointment, more shopping, even more shopping and barely a moment to snap open a laptop.

If you are wondering why all the shopping wasn’t done in one go then I need to explain. First up there is food shopping which is quite necessary. Then there was birthday card shopping, a total of 10 cards were purchased. Oh, and we decided that it would be a nice idea to visit the toy store so the Little Man could spend his birthday money, and the girls could spend theirs. The joys of having three kids’ birthdays in the space of four weeks! One is ‘the birthday yet to come,’ but as we will be on holiday we let her have some money early, and the other is the ‘birthday past,’ but we kept back some money especially for this spending spree. The Little Man has his birthday this week, ‘the birthday present,’ but we went shopping a couple of days earlier so he didn’t feel so bad about his sisters having presents on his special day.

Oh well, it made sense when I thought it all up.

Then more shopping because I had to go to Hobbycraft for supplies. I have a Christening to go to on Sunday, it’s quite a special one as we are going to be the Godparents. I’ve never been chosen as Godparent before and I wanted to get something special. Only I couldn’t find anything that didn’t break the bank, so I’m making something myself. I’m a bit worried about it now, but I’ve been assured that it looks good. I’ll show it to you later, if you want me too.

So, I guess the word of the week this week has to be Shopping! 

a stylish woman holding up a hoard of shopping bags
Photo by freestocks.org on Unsplash

Debs Random Writings
The Reading Residence

A Birthday, a Trip to the GP and a Chilled out Week

Last week I left you feeling tired. But this week I’m Chilling.

A Trip to the GP

I had a trip to the GP because of a few issues I’ve been having with my health. I now have to go for blood tests and an ECG. I’m okay, but it’s probably best I’m taking things easy.

I don’t have my tests until next week, I’m pretty sure that nothing will show up, I’ve had them done before. I’m just a bit weird that’s all.

Birthdays

Last Friday was Boo’s 11th birthday and she had a lovely day. Her friend came around for a party tea and they played in the garden. She decorated her own birthday cake and we lit the candles and sang Happy Birthday.

Then later I introduced her to The Greatest Showman, which she loved. I knew she would, she loves singing and dancing.

Next week it is the Little Man’s birthday. I’ve not made any plans yet. I do have his presents but he also has some money to spend so we’ll be taking a trip to Smyths Toy Store. I’ve saved a little back from Boo’s birthday so she can buy something too, and lucky Star will get some of her birthday money early. I guess it’s only fair as we will be on holiday when it’s her birthday!

A Chilled Out Weekend

On Saturday, I was still tired and unwell and Graham was out for the day as he was off to a charity gig in memory of his friend Robin who died suddenly earlier this year. I was originally going with him, but it was a bit far and he had a lot to do to help with setting up and running people around. It would have been a very long day for me and the kids and we probably would not have made it. So we stayed home. But it wasn’t so bad.

We watched Jumanji 2, which was brilliant. I actually thought it was better than the first film but I love Robin Williams so I won’t say that out loud.

Sunday was another chilled out day. Boo has discovered, thanks to her big brother, My Ordinary Life. A Japanese anime. It’s totally bonkers, and subtitled, but Boo loves it and is already up to episode 8.

 

So my word of the week this week is Chilling. We have a lot of things happening in the next few weeks, another Birthday, a Christening and a holiday, so this has been my chance to sit back and relax.

And while I’m feeling chilled, I’ve also been feeling a little chilly. The change in the weather was welcome, and the cool breeze a truer breath of fresh air was never felt.

EDIT: I wrote this a bit earlier in the week and the weather has changed again, Summer has resumed.

relaxing with a book and a cuppa

Debs Random Writings
The Reading Residence

My Sunday Photo 29th July 2018

Birthday Cake

 

I used to love baking and decorating cakes, but now it looks like Boo has taken over my job. She was determined to do the decoration for her own cake so I let her.

First she made the fondant rabbit. I asked her if she wanted help and even gave her a step by step guide, but she preferred to do everything herself.

I baked and iced the cake but left everything else to her. The only thing I had to help her with was the grass, I showed her my clever little trick with a sieve. I wanted to pipe her name on as I know this can be tricky, but she wasn’t having any of it, I think she did a good job.

The Birthday

Boo turned 11 on Friday and we didn’t have a party. To make the day special we invited her best friend to tea and let Boo help with the shopping. They ended up with Fake KFC drummers and chicken strips, pizza, mini sausage rolls and mini cheese and onion rolls. For afterwards there was macarons, party ring biscuits, mini angel cakes and, of course, birthday cake.

We lit her candles on the cake and her friend carried it in to her while we all sang Happy Birthday to her.

They then played in the garden in the sunshine before it was time for her friend to go home.

I didn’t make a video of Boo decorating her cake, but here’s one we did last year of her decorating a Valentines cake. She definitely has a talent.

 

Photalife

 

Sunday Snap

 

This Week I am Waiting

New Sofas

Do you remember my new sofas from six weeks ago? Well, even though I really like them, the rest of the family had mixed feelings and now we have ended up swapping them. We had to wait for the new ones to be made but I think they are worth it. The new sofas are a bit different because even though they are leather, they have fabric seats and backs. (Not cushion backs, I’m sorry but they would drive me insane.) They arrived on Monday morning at 7.30am. Just as we were getting the girls ready for school!

I believe everyone is happy with the new sofas. Well they had better be, I’m not changing them again. I’m just glad I was able to change my mind with no issues this time.

Sports Day

The girls are having sports day this week and they are both really excited about it. I was never a sporty person and I hated P.E. and sports day. The only game I really liked playing was rounders. I was good at the long jump, especially having longer legs, I barely had to put in any effort to get further than anyone else. I was rubbish at short distance running as I was a slow starter. I did manage to keep up stamina in longer races though. I can’t remember ever winning anything.

School sports day these days are much more fun, and the girls love them. Star can’t take part in a lot  because of her Elhers Danlos Syndrome. She suffers from tiredness, dizziness and joint pain. She does try as much as possible though and still has fun. The school is brilliant with her, if she says she can’t go on they let her stop.

Boo loves sport, she’s not the best at most things but she tries really hard. I’m hoping that she wins something as I know she will get a real boost if she does. I’ll be waiting impatiently to hear how she does. Daddy is going to watch her.

Update: Both girls had real fun on their sports days, no medals were won but they really enjoyed themselves. Boo did get a trophy at the year six leavers assembly, for being ‘Artfully Creative.’ Now, I’m waiting for them to come home from their last day at school…yay!

Holiday

It feel like I’ve been waiting for this Summer holiday for so long! We really deserve a rest from school. Can you believe, I have spent a whole term home educating the Little Man. He’s done really well and we have folder full of work to show the LEA when they come to check on him. As well as all the curriculum work we’ve also enjoyed learning about electronics, rainforests and magnets. We have even fitted in a little Quantum Physics!

He’s been reading a longer book than usual, Kid Normal by Greg James and Chis Smith. We can’t wait to see how the book ends.

The summer holiday is looking really exciting for us. We start with Boo’s birthday, I’m not sure what we will be doing yet but I do have her presents. Then we have a charity gig to go to and Graham will be on stage doing his part.

Next up is the Little Man’s birthday and I’m really hoping we can get out for the day. We have yet decided where to go  but I’m sure it will be fun. I have most of his birthday gifts ready.

Mid August we will be going on holiday, it’s a camp in Devon that we went to 8 years ago. Before the Little Man was born. We had such a brilliant time there that I’ve been waiting for a chance to go back and now I won’t have to wait too much longer.

After the holiday we still have some excitement as it will be Star’s birthday before they go back to school.

Rain

I think that when it rains it’s going to be so welcome as we’ve waited for so long now. It’s just not the way we expect our summer to be is it. We had a tiny bit of rain the other day, I was actually sat in the garden and felt it. Sadly, it was not enough to even leave the patio wet.

I want to it to rain now, a nice big downpour to bring back the green!

Then it can go away again and give some more weeks of glorious sunshine. I’ve never been a summer lover but I have to admit, I’ve felt so much better in the heat, the usual aches and pains are really not so bad. I can see why chronically ill people decide to move to hotter climates.

IVIG

IVIG, is the treatment I receive for my condition. I have it by infusion in hospital once a month and it seems to be helping. Before I used to have to wait 3 months for a treatment, but the monthly one is working much better so I’ll be telling my consultant at my appointment in October. I have been waiting patiently for my consultant appointment, I’ve been doing some research and want to ask him about some other treatments.

There won’t be too much waiting for my next treatments though. I have one next week and another the day before we go on holiday, how brilliant is that! Having it monthly also seems to reduce the side effects because the dose is smaller.

 Waiting

Hand holding a watch

Photo by Jaelynn Castillo on Unsplash

My word of the week this week is waiting because I’m waiting for so many things, thankfully they are all good.

 

Debs Random Writings
The Reading Residence

 

A little Note About Positive Reviews on Raisie Bay

A little Note About Positive Reviews on Raisie Bay

Some people only write reviews when things go wrong with products, which is good because it lets people know that there could be potential problems. I’ve also seen negative feedback with say things like, I had to return this item because the colour did not suit me…is this useful?

I write reviews on most items I buy because I like to give genuine feedback. If I have a genuine problem with a product I will write my review in the appropriate place.

I write reviews on my blog too, but they are mostly positive. Why? Because I only write reviews for the things I’ve loved. If I don’t love them I let the person who sent me them know with details why and then let them decided if they would rather me write a negative review or not write one at all. It’s always the latter.

This is my blog, my place and I’ll let you know about the things I love. If you want to find out what other people have hated about the product then you will need to look elsewhere.

My reviews may all be positive, but they are still genuine.

Where to next?