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By Gareth, October 7, 2009 22:28

As previously mentioned it has been a very busy time in our household.

 We have all been very busy bees!

New Business

At the end of July, Gemma and I began our new business venture. We signed up with Kleeneze to make a bit of extra money, which in the current economic climate will be well received.

In these early stages it is a bit of hard work, but as with everything, the more effort you put in the bigger the rewards.

If anyone is , or knows of anyone who would be, interested in earning some extra money then please let me know, or visit our business website. We’d love to hear from you.

You can also take a look at the brand-new Kleeneze TV advert, which I have posted here.

Download Video

New School

At the beginning of September, Ellie began at “big” school.

For the first few days she was only in for a few hours, as they built up the confidence of the children, and it seems to have helped Ellie to settle into her routine. I think that having spent her time at nursery has helped also. Although in her second week there were a few days where she was not keen on going to school. Thankfully this little hiccup passed very quickly, and it all seems to be going well.

Ellie has her lunch (or dinner, as the Mother-in-Law calls it) at school, and seems to be enjoying the experience. She comes home every day and I have to guess what she’s had that day. It seems that her favourite thing to eat is “cake and custard” which seems to be a common answer, and anything with pasta!

Even at this early stage in her schooling, Ellie is bringing work home for her to do, at the moment they are concentrating on reading skills. She brings home a book each day, and then at night either Gemma or I read it with her.

It really does appear that she is enjoying her time at school.

Going Mobile

It has been a while since Liam got a mention on here. Since that last mention, he has found his feet and is motoring around on two legs.

It has taken a while to find his balance and the first few weeks were very unsteady, but gradually his confidence has increased and he has become very steady. As each day passes he gets that bit faster on his feet. This is really good to see as he can now chase Ellie, and play with her (and also annoy her as he can move a lot quicker now!)

We really have to keep an eye on him now as he can be off like a shot, because if you turn your back for a second he can be up the stairs before you know it!

Trouble is not the word!

Well that’s a quick round-up of what’s been happening lately, and hopefully it won’t be quite as long next time

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By Gareth, June 14, 2009 21:58

As I mentioned in one of my previous post this weekend has been pretty busy, with the highlight of the weekend being Ellie’s Birthday party.

With all the food prepared in the morning, it was just a case of setting up the room that we had hired for the afternoon. The theme for Ellie’s party was “High School Musical”, which she went to see the previous day.

All we had to do was sit back and wait for 20-odd hyperactive kids to arrive!

Once all the kids had arrived we let them run around for a little while before getting them all sat down for their food. We’d prepared the usual party food; ham and cheese sandwiches, sausage rolls, pizza fingers, and crisps. Gemma had also made some fairy cakes that she decorated in line with the party’s theme.

After the kids had had their fill of food, it was time to play some party games. We had a couple of games of pass-the-parcel, and also musical bumps and musical chairs. They all seemed to enjoy the games and four of them went home happy with prizes.

Its been a while since I’ve been to a kids party, and it was quite an experience to be confronted by all those screaming children! I’m hoping next year’s party is a little quieter!

By the end of the party there were a lot of tired children, especially the birthday girl. After dispatching all of the guests with their party bags, and birthday cake, we did a quick clear-up and headed for home. I think that all of the kids (and some of the parents) enjoyed themselves.

I would just like to say a big thank you to Gemma, for doing the organising for the party. Also, I’d like to thank my Mum for making a really amazing cake, and to Mandy for your help in getting things ready.

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By Gareth, September 8, 2008 13:18

Last week we had a week’s break in my parent’s caravan. It is currently pitched on a little site just outside Tudweiliog on the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales.

Gemma, Liam and I arrived on Sunday, after a good 3 hour journey. We were greeted with big hugs and excitement from Ellie, who’d been on holiday with Nana Jen, Grandad and her cousin Dafydd.

Continue reading 'Holiday – Llyn Peninsula'»

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By Gareth, June 17, 2008 22:43

Ellie had her 3rd birthday this weekend. It really is hard to believe that she was born three years ago. The time seems to have gone so quickly.

On Saturday, which was her actual birthday, we had to wake her as Ellie was being a lazy bones and decided that she would sleep in. After waking, Ellie came into our room where we gave her some of her cards and presents.

“Oh, ” she would say each time she got an unopened present. “What’s inside?”

“You need to open it to find out,” we replied.

After that we all got up and came downstairs for some breakfast, and also to give Ellie her main present, a battery powered jeep.

Ellie had a small ride in it and wasn’t very impressed. She couldn’t work out how to stop as she careered across the garden towards her trampoline, getting out and declaring that she didn’t like it. Hopefully she will grow more accustomed to it and have another go in the near future.

Once Ellie had had her presents we made a trip to the supermarket to do the weekly shop and also get the food for the party. After returning from our shopping trip, the three of us went to Knowsley Safari Park.

We had a great time. We were pretty fortunate with the weather too. Ellie even had a go at driving around.

After our visit to Knowsley, we headed back home, but first we had to make a stop at Wigan train station to pick up Gemma’s brother, Shaun. Ellie was very excited as she loves going to see the trains.

Once Shaun was safely loaded into the car we headed home, where Gemma set about making Ellie’s birthday cake. She had done a trial run the previous weekend and it looked and tasted brilliant. This one was no different.

On Sunday, we had a BBQ party, and we were very,very lucky with the weather. During the previous week the weather forecasts had not been too promising, so it was with some trepidation that I lit the BBQ shortly before our guests were to arrive. And very soon after I had lit it the first spots of rain began to fall.

“At least I’ve got a waterproof coat,” I thought. But luckily for us all, it was only a brief shower and the sun soon showed his face to make it a gorgeous day. Gemma and I were very thankful for this as it would have been a bit of a tight squeeze trying to get everyone inside the house.

Shortly, after the BBQ was lit, guests began to arrive. My sister Lynwen and her husband Geth were first to arrive with their two boys, Dafydd and Aled. Next to roll up were Nana Mandy and Taido, with Carl, Craig and Ricky. We had a few other guests who came to see the birthday girl.

Once all of our guests arrived, Ellie began to open the mountain of presents that had been bought for her, while I got on with cooking the huge amount of food that we’d bought. (We bought way too much!) Gemma gave me a helping hand with all of the salads and extra bits and pieces. After serving up and everyone tucking into the vast amount of food, it was nice to sit down for a few minutes in the sunshine.

Once everyone had finished their food and given it chance to settle, it was time for Ellie to blow out her candles. The cake was brought in to a chorus of “Happy Birthday”, and before it was finished and the photos were taken, Ellie had already blown out the candles. Cheeky girl – no patience. So we had to do it all over again so we could get it on “film”.

It was a really good day and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. We did had one minor mishap when a stray gust of wind blew our parasol over right on top of my sister. Luckily she escaped with just a bump on the head and a bit of a sore neck. Sorry!

Thanks to everyone for coming. And a big thank you from Ellie for all of her presents

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By Gareth, May 27, 2008 21:28

Yesterday Ellie had Gemma and I laughing.

Gemma was talking to her Mum on the phone when Ellie asked to speak to Nana Mandy. Ellie wanted to tell her about her holiday, and to show her the photos that were taken at the holiday.

All excited, Ellie took the phone off Gemma and headed upstairs to her bedroom where the photos were to show Nana. Gemma and I remained downstairs where we listened to Ellie saying to Nana Mandy,

“Look Nana, photos.”

We just knew that she was then holding up the phone for Nana to have a look, as Nana kept saying to Ellie,

“I can’t see them”

As Ellie gets older there are going to be some more treats to savour.