Boys and their toys

At the first sign of warm weather this weekend, Mike and I were out in the garden admiring all the hard work of last year. We realised that now we have this perfect putting green like lawn that it had in fact grown rather a lot since it was first laid. We also realised that we didn't actually have a lawnmower either with which to cut it. So with that in mind we trotted off to B&Q to make said purchase. Whilst there we spied a rather nifty pressure washer too, ideal for our very dirty decking and back patio. With purchases made we arrived back home and Mike set to mowing the lawn, feeling impressed with his efforts and the skill of pushing the machine over our lovely long green grass. Job done and the lawn was back to its original velvet plush green carpet. Mike's excitement was building now to fever pitch as now was the turn to put the pressure washer together and hose down the patio and decking. It's funny how excited someone can get with a small plastic nozzle and a length of hose. Still, it did do a fantastic job and the once tired and dull looking decking now has a new lease of life.

Charlie on the other hand is becoming more and more familiar with domestic household equipment and all my efforts to teach him how to become self-sufficient are beginning to pay off. The washing machine is top of the pops at the moment, the dishwasher is not far behind. However, in true male style, it wasn't long before the novelty wore off and he was back to his cars which really are his true favourite past time.

Charlies 1st Birthday

In true Bailey style, Charlie succeeded in celebrating his 1st and momentous birthday twice and in 2 countries no less. His first party took place in Morzine, France on our snowboarding holiday. We took him out sledging in the morning and then had a gathering of the chalet dwellers in the afternoon. As France does have the best patisseries going, a large chocolate gateaux was purchased along with some other gorgeous pastries. Balloons decorated the chalet, presents galore and the celebrations began. Luckily with my musical family in tow, a very hearty rendition of 'Happy Birthday to You' was played out on the guitar and accordian to accompany the roudy singing. Charlie had a fantastic time eating chocolate biscuits for the first time and other french delights. Round two was a party back in Whitstable, UK with family and friends, a banana cake and more wonderful presents. Charlie is indeed a very lucky boy and we are so proud of him and it marked the end of a wonderful first year of our new life with our wonderful son.

Snow Beautiful Snow

This was the beautiful scene that your eyes could feast on once up on the slopes and what a view. This amazing vista never ceases to fill me with awe and wonder. This was Avoriaz, the resort where we boarded for most of the week. An what a week it was. Day one, I tentatively strapped myself onto my fabulous christmas present and headed off down the run. What ensued was a ride of thrills and spills, I have never been so fast in my life or experienced the unexpected mogels which popped up out of nowhere launching me into the air at one point, expletives exploding out of my mouth. The boys looked on in surpirise at my advanced boarding skills and I like to think were impressed with the ease and grace with which I Ianded. Mike had an unfortunate stack on the icy red run on day one resulting in a very black and swollen knee. Undeterred he carried on boarding the rest of the week, boarding better than he has ever done.

Charlie absolutely loved the snow, on his first venture out he just couldn't contain his excitement, he promptly sat down, picked up a handful and started eating it. One day I took him up in the cable car, buggy in tow and pushed him through the thick snow that was falling really rapidly. He loved it and I feel sure will take to the slopes as soon as he is able. We hired a sledge one day for him and took him up the nursery slopes and let him go he thought this was hilariaous.

We had a brilliant week all together, evenings spent cooking large quantities of wholesome food, silly games and general story telling oh and of course plenty of wonderful french wine.