Christmas Smile Lines

I love Christmas, but I don't love doing Christmas solo!  Noah and I have passed on our colds/chest infections to James, which has resulted in Man Flu.  It's an actual condition.  An explanation of sorts:

Being left to carry on regardless, I decided to make the most of things and find the joy in the madness that is Christmas in the Miles house.  Last night I found Rosie had wrapped a carrot for 'Dacer the raindeer' and left it in the bottom of her stocking...

...along with cards for the 'Elfs' and Santa.  Oh, and a spiced biscuit too:

After our turkey dinner I sat down with the children to play Scrabble.  My eleven year old chose to use the word porn.  In his defense, he didn't know that was an alternate word for pornography, and thought it was how you spell pawn.  Ben protested that Ethan couldn't use such a naughty word, but I allowed it and tried hard not to die laughing!

Following on from that theme... Noah made a lovely Christmas card for me at school of an angel.  Every time I look at it I see glitter boobs instead of wings:

Finally, Wensleydale cheese with cranberries after the children went to bed was the perfect way to end Christmas day (sorry I can't send it to Utah Jay!):

Hope you had a merry Christmas!

Winter Wonderland

The big freeze has hit the UK for the second time in two weeks and it finally came to Newton Abbot, the town that rarely sees snow!  The children couldn't be more excited... heck, I couldn't be more excited!  This afternoon we went for a stroll on our favourite moor. (Isn't the moon great?):

Ethan:

Ben and Rosie:

I wouldn't mess with an armed and dangerous Noah:

Rosie stumbled upon a few deep spots:

What's a walk in the snow without a bundle?:

At the top of the Tor we found a free climber.  In a short-sleeved t-shirt.  Nutter:

We're in snow heaven and feeling very festive!

Mug Shot

My mum won a free photo session and had us all come along.  This is the best of a bad bunch of pictures and there is still plenty wrong with it (Rosie.  Me.)  One day I'll get a fabulous family photo taken, but until then... Merry Christmas from the Miles family:

Six Is So Much Older Than Five

My baby turned six today.  I don't like this ageing malarkey very much.  Would you like to see some enthusiastic candle blowing and hear some terrible singing?  Enjoy:

Little Lovin'

This weekend we had the annual Christmas get-together for James' side of the family in Wales.  The children really enjoy visiting with their cousins, aunts and uncles, but as usual I forgot to take a camera... and forgot to take more than three photos on my phone.  Here is a scrummy new Timothy laughing at my silly face:

Timothy's big sister Isabella has just turned two and she loved nothing more than Ben on Saturday, she held his hand for most of our bracing afternoon skate walk around the village:

Isabella's adoration continued... Ben had the privilege of a long cuddle before bed:

Maybe next year I'll get that photo of all thirteen cousins together.

Eleven

When James and I made it known that we were expecting our second child, there were lots of raised eyebrows and comments about how close in age our children would be.  Seventeen months apart didn't seem like a bad decision to us, and Ben was such an easy baby that we didn't think anything of it.  My only concern was how I would love another baby as much as our first.

Today I went with a friend to her appointment at the maternity wing where Ethan was born.  Being there took me back eleven years to when we were eagerly awaiting Ethan's birth.  We arrived early in the morning for our scheduled c-section and due to so many emergencies that day we had to wait until after 9pm to get into theatre.  As soon as Ethan arrived and peeked at us over the screen I knew that you can love all your babies as much as your first.  He fit into our family straight away, as if he'd always been there.  I've no regrets about when Ethan came.  He is sensitive and caring, he loves to help people and make them feel better.  Happy Birthday Ethan!

If The Snow Won't Come To Us...

...we'll go to the snow!  We've been waiting for snow for a few days now, but so far it's eluded us.  As much as I love frost, it's just not throwable! Thank goodness the highest Tor in Devon is just a fifteen minute drive away and we were able to indulge in some sub-zero-high-wind-walking while Noah was at a birthday party dressed as woody:

Jay.  Do not laugh at the pathetic dusting... I know it's not Utah standard but hey, it'll do until the next flurries arrive tomorrow!

Stormy Saturday

Today was rather grey and dull but we were getting bored indoors so we wrapped up warm and took off to Teignmouth, for a stroll along the beach.  It's breezy at the best of times in Teignmouth, but today it was positively gusty!  Noah is happy kicking up sand whatever the weather (excuse the bad mobile phone pictures):

 Ben allowed me to take a picture:

Ethan, Rosie and Daddy tried not to get wet jumping on stumps in the water:

The old Lido is now a seafront skate park, so of course Ben had to have a ride...:

...and instruct Ethan in the ways of scooting:

Anything the boys can do Rosie can too:

We ended our walk with some wave dodging:

 

Winter is officially here!

Tuesday's Smile Lines

After winning a cd of the fabulous band The Lower Lights from this lovely lady, it's been played a fair bit in my house.  Rosie walked in during the introduction of Israel, Israel God Is Calling and asked: 'Is this The Beatles?'.  Hysterical laughter ensued.

The children have taken to stealing my snuggly socks of an evening and even Noah got in on the act; dancing in pyjamas is enhanced when wearing them it seems:

Gunpowder, Treason and Plot

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot,
I see no reason why the gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, 'twas his intent
To blow up the King and the Parli'ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below,
Poor old England to overthrow;
By God's providence he was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Hulloa boys, hulloa boys, make the bells ring.
Hulloa boys, hulloa boys, God save the King!
Hip hip hoorah!

Bonfire Night is my favourite British celebration.  Ever.  We build fires, light fireworks and sparklers, eat jacket potatoes with beans and chew on toffee apples.  What more could you ask for?  I love that the autumn night air smells of sulphur, and the smoke from bonfires and fireworks combine to create a fog that would put Dickensian London to shame.  James gets to set off fountains, roman candles, catherine wheels and rockets to his heart's content... with just his lighter and very little sense of danger.  This year we had twice the fun, we managed to squeeze two parties into one evening!

Let's Not Forget The Boys

Today I finished a few pencil cases for the boy relatives for Christmas:

Saturday's Smile Lines

Ethan: 'Mummy, can you make me a man bag please?'

Sweat Shop

It's been half term this week, and a rather productive one at that!  I started by making a tote bag from a favourite t-shirt:

I thought it turned out rather well so I made a few smaller ones for Christmas presents.  If you're related to me and have a daughter she will most likely be getting something that looks like this: 

Or a purse like this: 

The children also wanted me to knit them each a scarf:

The week was broken up by a two day trip to the temple with the youth, my last one now that I've been released as Young Women councillor. It was Ben's first visit inside the temple and James was able to be there too so it was a special trip for us.

I think I need a holiday to get over this one.

Environmental Art

Dear Auntie Jay,

I have been doing environmental art at school and I make pictures from things I find outdoors.  Today we drew chalk pictures in the playground:

 I wanted to show you my symmetrical art:

Love Rosie xxx

Wednesday's Smile Lines

I am walking home from school with Noah, he is carrying three cheese straws that he baked at after-school club.
Noah: 'Mummy, I am eating two of these and because you born me you can have one, no-one else.'
Me: 'Do you mean because I gave birth to you I get to have one?'
Noah: 'Yeah, that's what I meant. You birthed me so you get a cheese straw.'
Me: 'It was totally worth it for the cheese straw!'
Noah: 'I know!'

Monday's Smile Lines

Ben: 'I'm off, toodle pip!'
Me: (Hysterical laughter.)
Ben: 'I've always wanted to say that.'

Santer

This morning I found an envelope on Rosie's bed addressed to 'Santer'.  I thought I was a little early to be writing wish lists to Santa but I smiled and picked it up to see what she had in mind.

There was an appropriately festive drawing of a snowman and Rosie with Santa (because they are buddies!):

I love that Rosie labels her drawings.  When I opened the the letter I found it was actually a card for Santa to wish him a happy Christmas, to tell him she loved him and that he was the best:

Aw... it's not all about the toys you know!

Tuesday's Smile Lines

There have been a few things making me smile this week: I have returned to my 6 mile countryside walking (after a break for the summer holiday and a friend's emergency surgery) and the autumn weather is delicious, it has been gloriously sunny!  On Sunday we drove to Wales for the blessing of our latest nephew Timothy.  What could be more fun than making a baby smile?

Noah has a friend at school who is quite small in stature and whenever I see him with his huge bag on his back I wonder how he manages to stay vertical:

I appreciate security stickers on dvds warning me to remove it before I put it in the mircowave.  What?  Isn't that where you put your dvds?: