Monday 13th April - Zoe's First Birthday

I think Zoe's teeth know when there is a major occasion happening - the last time she was this bad with her teeth was Christmas! Still, I think she had a nice time (sponsored by Calpol!)

Zoe with Ian's mum, Emily and Rachel, Ian's nieces, Linda, Ian's sister and Robert, Ian's sister's partner in the background.

The Birthday girl in her new frock

Zoe and the party spread - it soon disappeared! (apart from the mini rolls for some reason which have been sent to work with Ian before I eat them all)Zoe tucking into her party lunch.

Ben helping with the cake and candle. The cake was delicious - I love M&S cake!

I didn't give Zoe any birthday cake (that would have been far too messy) but she did enjoy sucking all the chocolate off one of the chocolate finger 'spikes' from the back of the hedgehog :-DBen giving Zoe her Upsy Daisy dolly.

Getting to grips with her Wheelybug which my mum and dad gave her. She got some lovely presents - a Fisher Price 'Pretty Learning Purse' from Ian's mum and dad; a baby tent and tunnel from Ian's sister and family; a 'buggy driver' steering wheel and book from my brother and sister; a cutlery and plate set from my cousin Angela, and some money from my aunties and uncles.

Sunday 12/04/09 Easter Egg-stravaganza!

We have had a lovely easter weekend, despite Ian working for some of it. I had my parents on hand to help with Ben and Zoe, so it was good.

My dad and brother have been sorting out our back garden to make it more child friendly and just more practical in general. It was a bit of a state as I didn't really do anything to it last year, and Ian can't tell a geranium from a dandelion! I will do a full before and after once it is all finished, but here are a few 'moments' from the weekend.

Ben playing with his tools and the wood offcuts - he's had a great time, running from job to job in the garden and getting lots of adult attention.

Stephen, wondering whether my dad is going to fall forwards through the new trellis or backwards into the garden of the house behind ;-) (whose washing I am trying to hide with the new fence!) Ian put Ben's hard hat on and Ben sang 'Daddy the builder, Can he fix it? Daddy the builder, No he can't' :-D

Finally, I could not believe how much chocolate Ben and Zoe were given for Easter, so I took a photo of it. This is just for them, Ian and I also have a more modest collection hidden from little people. I've been through it all and checked the best before dates and it will probably last them till Christmas!