Stairway To Heaven

Ben declared this to be 'The best birthday cake ever!' Do you want some?

For the pleasure of your ears, enjoy our woeful singing!

What A Life I Lead When The Sun Breaks Free

Last night I went to see the fabulous Fleet Foxes with my sister Amy and two friends. We were rewarded with an amazing performance, front row, and bumped into Skye Skjelset afterwards! My favourite songs from the night were hard to choose, they were all so good, but I narrowed it down to Ragged Wood, Your Protector and Mykonos... yeah, that was the narrowed down version! We also heard some new songs too. Here are my observations from the night:

- Four out of five band members sported beards. (Awesome.)

- Playing the cymbals with tambourines is just too cool.

- So is using maracas, a melodica and playing the guitar with a bow!

- I can forgive someone for wearing jeans that cut off just above their boots if they have a voice like Robin Pecknold!

- Front row really is the best view.

- The Wolverhampton crowd are a bit strange and like to whoop at anything and everything!

- It is possible to turn into a 12 year old girl when you meet a member of the band and interrupt his cigarrette break to praise and adore his talent while he is signing your ticket...

Where Did The Time Go?

Today I have an 11 year old. Ben woke me up this morning feeling ill and his usual understated birthday merriment was even more sober. He managed to crack a half smile at his long awaited Nintendo DS and Guitar Hero Game and went back to bed while I took the other children to school.

We spent a rare morning together, just the two of us playing Guitar Hero and talking. As today marks the anniversary of my voyage into motherhood, I have been reminiscing and marvelling at how well Ben has survived being my experiment! He has made being the first child so easy on me; he is helpful, smart and determined. It has been fun to watch him grow and change, and to see him gain more independence. I am trying not to wish that I could hold time back for a little while longer.

Happy Birthday Ben! Now I just need to figure out how to make your Led Zepplin birthday cake... xxx

Seven Years Of Crazy!

Rosie's first task in life was to demonstrate how to have a bath in a bowl:

Rosie and a young looking Daddy!

'Hmm, can I touch those candles from here?'

An outdoor play house in the living room: thank you rain!

At four Rosie dipped her toes in a Dartmoor stream:
Early morning birthday shots are the best:

I still haven't mastered getting out of bed for early morning presents:

Happy Birthday Rosie!