What James Does At Church

Today was ward conference, which means an extra long sacrament meeting.  Which means James spent an extra long amount of time helping Rosie put stickers in her fashion sticker book.  I think he enjoyed it more than he'd like to admit:

Monday's Smile Lines

Today was another bank holiday so we took a stroll along the river.  Noah picked some flowers and decided that I should have one in my hair, and he would have two on his ears.  He also thought it would be fun to see how long it would take for anyone to notice.  Ten minutes later he puts his hands on his hips and sighs.  'Uh, guys.... hello!  Do you not notice anything?'

A Royal Affair

Six hours of today were spent doing this:

Thousands of miles away Jay had stayed up late for the occasion and was watching the wedding on line.  We were instant messaging each other and as there was no commentary her end it was decided I should be her official Royal Correspondant.  I filled her in on who was who and what would happen.  It was almost as if she were in the room (but not quite!).
We made several observations:

- Money doesn't buy you good taste in headwear.
- Our churches would be perfect if they were old buildings complete with choirboys.
- I want trees in my house.
- Catherine and her dress were beautiful!
- Catherine's dad walking her down the aisle to the traditional 'I Was Glad' brought a tear to my eye.
- Prince Harry turning around to check out the bride as she walked up: priceless.
- Prince William saying 'You look beautiful': perfect.
- Jerusalem finished me off, it reminds me of Jay's wedding (she walked down the aisle to this song).
- It always makes me smile when Prince Phillip sings God Save the Queen to his wife.
- I could get used to a fanfare whenever I enter and exit a room.

Back at the palace the balcony gathering produced not one but two kisses, much to Rosie's delight.  Noah preferred to see the flyover of the Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane planes.

I loved the Aston Martin Prince William drove from Buckingham Palace:

If there is anything Britain does well, it is pomp and ceremony.  It was so great to see my children witness a bit of history, just as I had when I was a child.



Wedding Prep

Royal wedding talk has taken over the country for months, and today at school all learning was cancelled in favour of a street party on the playing field.  The children made bunting, coloured their Union Jacks and had a feast!  When I picked up the children the bunting was still flapping in the sunshine:

Noah's class had made crowns:

They also were given a badge to mark the occasion, Noah was most proud of it!

We're looking forward to the big day tomorrow.

Internet Has Returned

Dear Jay,
I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to update you with our shenanigans during this heatwave of a holiday, but we finally have broadband back and I can upload my pretty terrible phone pictures!  Let's start with 9am last Tuesday morning shall we?  Here are my minions 'helping' me put together the new trampoline (Noah is hiding somewhere holding a box of bolts):

By 10:30am all the children were jumping like lunatics which left me free to finish painting the mile long fence around our garden.  I know I'm exaggerating, but it really did feel like a mile long in 24 degree heat.  Mr Miyagi would be proud of my brush strokes.  I also spent the next two days painting the decking with a 1 1/2 inch paintbrush because I'm too tight to spend money on a bigger brush.  I have a wicked farmer tan.

Where was James while I was doing all this manual labour?  On Dartmoor for two days and nights doing a manly walk and camp out.  Do you like the hat?:

'Tis beautiful:

The newlyweds graced us with their presence for the Easter weekend so on Friday we met up with the family for a supersized picnic.  We missed you and the girls, we always do when we get together and you're not there.  We took a walk in the woods...

 ...and stumbled across a witch and Shrek!:

Bank holiday Monday was spent larking about at Spitchwick with some friends.  Ben took Noah out on the dinghy, they had such fun:

 You wouldn't believe how hot it is for spring, Noah stripped off to his swim shorts!:

 I managed to get a picture of Ben by pretending I was texting:

 I needed no such tricks with Rosie:

Today the children all were back at school, it was eerily quiet again.  Not for long though, we have two more bank holidays so it's another four day weekend!  I wish you were here to share it with us.  Miss you,
Love Naomi xxx

Catching Up And Catching Tadpoles

Much to my dismay I have been without internet connection for a while and shall continue to be for another week.  I bring you this post via James' work connection which is slightly naughty of me, but desperate times call for desperate measures! We have almost three weeks off school for the children thanks to Easter break and a royal wedding.  This last week has consisted of walks in the sunshine, painting fences in the garden, and my children watching the whole 9 hours of Anne of Green Gables for the couple of days it rained.  Oh, and drinking out of cups using correct etiquette:

I also helped organise a St George's Day full English breakfast for this month's Relief Society activity, it was delicious!  The YSA decorated the hall, it has never looked so patriotic!

Yesterday we took our Sunday afternoon stroll around Stover Park, a firm favourite of the Miles family.  Here's where I empty my phone of pictures... first up we were high in the trees on the ariel walk, looking down at the squirrels:

While looking at hundreds of fish Noah says 'Look at them all, I bet they're having a party!': 

Nothing grabs their attention quite like a pond full of tadpoles:

After many desperate attempts Noah finally catches one:

The excitement was too much for James:

This bench always makes me smile:

I wonder what next week has in store?

Sun It Rises

We're having unseasonably delicious warm weather at the moment with beautiful blue skies.  After school today James finished up his work early and we ran away with the children to the moors for a picnic in the late afternoon sunshine.  A stream and a stick is all you need to entertain children:

Oh, and a play around with some tarp and a walking stick:

Mothering Sunday

This morning James and I awoke to the sound of the smoke alarm quickly followed by thundering feet on the stairs.  A tray was carefully placed on my lap with breakfast, cards and kisses.  The children did this without any prompting from James... oh, how I love them!

The good thing about Mother's Day falling on a General Conference weekend is that I could spend the day lounging about the house watching conference on the laptop and eating chocolate.  My mum joined us in the afternoon and gave away all of her chocolates to the children.  I didn't.  She's still the better mum!

Party Animals

The above image is the result of a glorious afternoon walking in the spring sunshine with wonderful friends followed by some amazing comfort food, conversation and a late night film with popcorn and blankets.  Thanks to the Marshalls for having us!  And yes, Noah is in Rosie's girly pink car seat.

Friday's Smile Lines

My children don't get into each others beds, it's just not something they have ever done.  Much to my delight this morning I found Ethan and Noah snuggled in together.  Ethan looked so much younger than his 11 years, his cheeks appeared chubby and he had his pouty baby lips out!

Noah has been telling me all week that he was making something special for Mother's Day, but it was a secret.  Today his class came out waving their presents for mum in the wind... but not Noah.  I asked Noah where his was.  He opened his flat book bag and pulled out his delightful treat, reshaped it and gave me a kiss: