''my mum is....''

I bloody love it! This top, married with Lily's killer evil stare will ensure she rules the playground. Oh god, I have said it once, and I will say it again, that one has the potential to be the one that causes us trouble lol.

My sweet, darling last born and I, have a special day today. It is our last proper day off like this, just her and I with Maia at nursery. Tomorrow dear mother in law arrives for a week, and on the 10th we start schooling Lilypops in at nursery, ready for  me to go back to work on the 24th. The end of an era you could say. Sweet salvation for a mamma's brain springs to mind too. Disaster for a mothers aching heart and an ever growing guilty conscious for not being there is another thing. Comfort, in knowing that I have actually done a good job so far in raising confident, secure and happy little souls, that are full of love and cuddles, goes someway to mend the afore mentioned negatives. Or are they really negatives? Can you tell I am feeling philosophical today!? Sheeessssh!

Seeing as Lily is actually having another super early nap today I am going to make the most of it and put some washing on and tidy the mornings playtime away and try and catch some Z's too. Tonight will be a late one I think, doing decorations and a last spruce up and dusting, washing floors and hoovering ready for MIL tomorrow and the party on saturday. Laters!

snuggles on sofa before bed last night <3

keep calm and drink tea

The Mamma isn't all hopeless eh. No, not only did I manage to source frames & print the pictures, I actually hung them too. Woot-de-woot. And yes Husband, I used NAILS not screws, so there. It is a bit of a running joke that only the man in the house does the picture hanging and I have to nag nag nag to get it done when I want it done. Fool that I am, I rather enjoyed it for the first little while, but now being stuck as the incapable wife is annoying. OK, tad dramatic lol, but still, I think you get what I mean ;)

Life still feels a bit in limbo regarding work, which really isnt much fun. The prospect of the next 3-6months with little to no wage on my part feels extremely daunting, but in the long run its something that will be worth it. This time next year I hope to be wondering why I was so very anxious, when I just needed to be a little bit so. But its always easier to be efterklok, hindsight is a wonderful tool, but foresight is where the money is (pardon the unintentional pun). If you could bottle and sell that, boy would you be carefree!

 Enough ramblings, Lily is down for a snooze already so I best take advantage and tidy up the toys and do the morning dishes my dear husband forgot, and then have myself a cuppa and start preparing lunch. An average day all round it would seem <3

caught in the act...

One a nose picker, the other in training for the Olympics. Maia has the most fanatical need to jump on everything and everyone possible at the minute. Of course, her running full pelt at me to jump in my lap and give me such a squeeze and a kiss, isn't actually that bad. But, standing in the corner of the sofa like in the pic, jumping to land on her bum on the cushions and then slide with a bump to the floor, is that bad. Naughty naughty miss M! The boundary pushing and patience testing is high on this lady's agenda at the moment, the terrible 2's come late or 3's starting early?? I think 3's.

The Terrible 2's dont really exist here, the Terrible 3's is the dreaded phase that has tongues wagging from when baby is in the cradle. It causes mild panic, and special parenting classes and textbooks to take home. Active Parenting, so the movement is called haha. Some of it a load of tosh, other bits quite useful. Most of all, its just bloody common sense. You set boundaries, you keep your boundaries, and if toddler finds itself crossing those boundaries then action must be taken. Simples.

Anyways, Autumn is knocking at the door here in northern Sweden, and this Mamma is all excited for her favourite time of year. So much so, that its not even 8am and I am going to be getting kidlets dressed and down the park now that I have finished blogging. 'Til next time!

a new meaning to work wear

Mamma got herself a new bit of bling today, thanks be to my work buddies! Rather random, but I like it -  kinda brings a whole new meaning to work wear no? Maybe I'll see if I can get hubster a saw or hammer ear cuff for his birthday? Or maybe, we should replace his wedding ring that he lost whilst rafting first. Silly man. You should have heard the conversation, all the grovelling before hand, trying to explain the seriousness of it and how sorry he was, made me think he'd really hurt someone and was in alot of trouble haha. Perhaps that was his plan all along...soften the blow as it were, that he had ''only'' lost his ring.

So tonight is my last night home alone, and I'm spending it half wathcing Elizabeth - The Golden Age on tv and making Lily's party decorations. Mad to think that this time next week I will have a one year old and a two year old! Other things I ought to do tonight is work out what fika we are having, I dont actually want just sweet things like cakes, but something savoury too, verging in healthy. I know, I know, party food and healthy dont normally find themselves in the same sentence, unless the word not is thrown in the mix. But hey, there can always be a first ;)

super snooze

Someone only napped for ten minutes yesterday and fell into a deep sleep at 5.30pm. Which I thought was either going to mean a long nap for her and up half the night, or the luxury of an extra hour just me and big sister and an earlier wake up call in the morning, hoping that if best I would get her usual 11hours.

 I got neither.

In fact, the little darling stirred a few times which woke me up - must have been sleeping light expecting the worst - but nothing to require me getting out of bed to see to her. Maia joined me in bed at just after 4am, a lovely little habit I am in no hurry or worry to end. I know it frustrates Mark, so it didnt take long convince him we need to get a bigger bed (another thing to add to the list....) Maia decided morning was 6.15am - much better than 5-something which it usually is. As we tip toed to the bathroom Lilypops was just stirring awake - practically 13 lovely hours sleeping! Mamma feels refreshed and smushy, having had lot of extra wonderful cuddles with my lovelies this morning on the sofa.

Close friends of ours suffered the devastating loss of their baby daughter last week, and the shock and upset of such a tragedy has made this week stand still and I've spent a lot of time reflecting on life and giving the girls that extra little bit of love, Mark too. He's away in the UK now for the funeral and I am missing him something terrible. We were so many who longed for and were excited to meet little Ruby Rose - the funeral directors had to send an extra car to carry all the flowers for her. I fail to find the right words or things to say, but I suppose in this case, there just aren't any. They know we are here should they need us <3 God bless and rest in peace Ruby Rose xxx

aprons,work and rain

On our trip down to Gothenburg, I aquired several new aprons. This one, and a most fabulous red gingham one that ties at the waist are the genuine article from way back when it was cool the first time. Mum's friend Marie (also M's godmother) and husband inherited their summer house from his auntie who lived there all her life, and is filled with fabulous old furniture and trinkets to go nuts for. A dream come true for me to raid and get inspired. Shame I didnt get to do any raiding but I did get inspired. Is it sad that I think its rather fun to wear this apron when cooking and washing up? I mean, I can be REALLY clumsy, and I was making a tomato-based sauce and I didnt want to ruin my dress...I guess I cant help but think I have the adult version of a Lily ''cover-me-all-up-proper'' bib on haha. But gosh do I love it!

There is lot of prep work and exciting things going on for going back to work in 4weeks, but its scaring the crap out of me aswell. I am so used to my little bubble now, child rearing and homemaking seems to be all that I am at the moment, and I am a bit perplexed as to how I ever made it to work before with a job, house chores and being mamma. I suppose this is what happens when you've been off work for ages too, you kinda lose the will to go back to all the needs and musts? I worked my last day before maternity leave July 22 2011 - over a year ago!! Luxurious, tiring, fun & frustrating all at the same time. Raising children is NOT a walk on roses, but even after a day from hell (which I have had a few of recently, thanks terrible 3's for coming early) I wouldnt swap it. I'd miss the chaos, the smiles, tantrums, tears and all.

Anyhoo, off to bedski I go, listening to Lily coughin and the rain. I cant remember last I saw it rain? Well I did daaawn saaarf like, in Gothenburg, but not here....hmmm what an odd feeling having lived in Devon, aka the wettest place on earth!?

monday

Finally, that bulb went <ping> and I knew what I wanted to put up on that boring wall. Some blubblerblies! (M's word for butterflies) I thought it quite fitting really, what with having two woodland pictures already hanging. Plus I have a hankering for a much larger old school wall poster of various butterflies (and one of flowers) but until there are more pennies in my purse to spend on frivilous things (so says the husband) I will have to sort myself out. Which, really is the more fun thing to do -  I can be rather mean with money even if its something I really really want!

There are a couple of more things I need to print off and hang, until I feel ''done'' - but I need to find a printer first. I only managed to do the ones above as I got them onto a memory card and plugged that into the printer and used the touchscreen quick print. For some reason, my parents sh!t hot printer and our laptop dont go. Strange really. I need to print some A4 stuffs not just normal sized photos. Ho hum, I'll be asking around anyways, and maybe by the weekend I will have it all done I hope. I have a little under two weeks until mother in law arrives and it will all be done by then!

Mark decided to build a massive tower yesterday out of M&L's newest toy. Very hard trying to keep them both from succumbing to their urge of kicking the crap out of the tower and cause mass destruction, but we managed it ;) You should have seen the pure joy on Lily's face when she delivered the devastating tap that sent the tower toppling and then the proudest grin ever that followed. Funny little thing =)

Speaking of Lily, I can hear here in her cot which means nap time is over...t'was lovely to get the chance to sit and watch trueblood in peace and drink a cup of tea all alone. Now for some playing and doing the dishes and collecting Maia in an hour....toodles!

Maia - the photographer?

The many faces of Lily

Well I'll be damned if it isnt the weekend again...it was only tuesday a minute ago?! I cant blame being a super mamma with lots of fun packed in this week, far from it. .

Miss Maia went back to nursery on wednesday after having 11 (!!) weeks off, and it was like she'd never been away the staff told me when I picked her up. Incidentally, when I was there picking her up, I put Lily down on the floor to help Maia put some toys away and before I knew it Lily had gone into the other room, found some friends with toys and started playing. Dont think I really need to do the schooling-in, I recon I could just drop her off with big sis and it would all be fine. But I wont, ofcourse not! Wouldnt look terribly well now would it hah ;) Actually, I really like the ladies on M&L's avdelning (section??There are 5 groups/sections at the nursery, I think) so am looking forward to the schooling-in and dont see it as a chore. Yes, what a good mamma I am.

I let Maia play with the camera yesterday. I had in my mind I would set up the tripod and the remote and snap away some 'oh-so-casual-eating-our-lunch-on-a-glorious-summers-day' shots to show how life really is at the Wilsons, but no (and no, we arent that glam haha). I gave up before I even started.  You see, Maia had to be in control. She really is turning into a little miss bossy boots that one! So I left her to it and got some lovely shots in the wrong direction and out of focus lol. However, much praise for her creative eye, one cant be stifling their creativity now can we =)

camera turned the way it was ment to...and then

..it wasnt. Better luck next time dear daughter ;)

Even removal of camera could not curb M's enthusiasm 

uninspiring tuesday

Lack of inspiration, good tv, and a husband to talk to means I am giving up and going in that bike. I dont want to today. No, I would much rather be doing something with that  frame making a mess on my sofa, and hang all the other photos I want up. I need that flash bulb to pop and let me see where it is all going to go...I dont want to make holes in walls just for the sake of doing it. Very frustrating.

So a home makeover show and endorphins it is. Yippie!*

*sarcasm (obviously)

an average day

After a very lazy morning, which is rapidly becoming the norm here, it was good for us all to take a walk down to the local football pitch for the build up to the local derby. Tell you what, that sodding walk is enough exercise for today. The double must weigh atleast 20kgs, Maia somewhere between 17-18kgs and Lily,  10kgs maybe? That is like pushing almost 2/3 of my own weight up hill for a good chunk of the way, and if you add humidity and no wind I think that entitles me to a rest evening after two in a row on the bike! Yes-that is my excuse and I am sticking to it.

Undoubtedly the best bit for Maia was the FREE bouncy castle, which surprisingly seeing as it was free, was not overrun by kids. Ideal.  Instead of following the pack and jumping/trying to run from side to side, Maia actually realised she had ALOT more fun jumping really high in one spot and then launching herself on the steps up to the castle. She's been watching too much Olympics that one.

 My best bit of day was when we had finished eating our packed mellis, and mormor turns up from her wander around the stalls with some gooey chocolate muffins. Maia has two super quick mouthfulls, turns to me and says...

Maia- 'Ank jooo* Mamma! <gives me gooey chocolate kiss on the cheek.leaves nice smear>
Me- aaw thanks! no probs gumman
Maia- Maia gå oppa nuuuu!/ Maia go jumping noooooow!

*Thank you

The day ended rather cosy on the sofa, but of course it wasnt plain sailing to get there. Exercise bikes crashing down ontop of children, children whinging for dummies, mamma whinging for food, daddy moaning at mamma for whinging...but we still feel the love. Tomorrow we have a 1st birthday party to get to, and Mark is having to do some extra work- meaning that ironing I STILL havent done NEEDS to be done tonight. Silly me doing what seemed good deals at the time means I alone MUST do it all this time..rubbish.

friday chillout

Ta da!! the finished frame =) I thought I would like the black in there to add a bit of depth, but infact I think it looks rather naff so I am going to paint those tomorrow haha. Win some, lose some right?! I am loving this mood I am in of doing stuff and getting creative. Feels like another piece of the me puzzle has slipped into place. Bursting with ideas but with too little time and not enough resources. Shame my birthday wasnt that long ago and christmas feels too far away...

Anyhoo, today has been a good day. Chilled out start and ending with a frantic scramble to get dinner on the table and kids into bed as we have been too busy having fun. Paddling in the pool, crawling through tunnels, driving cars and crashing into one another and running like looneys are just a few of the things the kids have been up to. Spending time with the SA's is so easy - the fact our kids are so close in age is just perfect. Makes for easy socialising! Oh, and the fact that they are fun to be with too ;)

Tonight is chilled, Im jumping on the exercise bike in a min and leaving the ironing 'til the morrow. Something I have done for several days now...why cant more house related tasks be fun?? Oh, and I hads me hair done yesterday ( incase you were wondering) and I went dark & I LOVE it. 

                                          

the girls

Voila! the not so extraordinary covers, but by golly do I love'em

Good morning world! Waking up to another fine sunny view out of the living room, and a dark foreboding mass of dark clouds out the kitchen window. Yes, another typical day it is. Thunder and lightning has been predicted several times now, but nothing. Yesterday started out the same and the day turned out fab. Todays agenda is unclear -  We may be seeing the SA's later, I may get my hair done and I may start sanding Maia's bookcase to get that painted too. A rather unplanned and open day, by all accounts. 

Speaking of Maia, check out this ensemble. Daddy's crocs, Lily's sunhat and a baby in a carrier. All grownded up! Cant believe her 3rd birthday is drawing near. Mad stuffs. Also mad, is her philosopy on life that is starting to emerge. Planes do not fly to other countries, but to the moon. She is not a little girl, she is a mumin. Or a blubblerbly (butterfly). Daddy is a monster, Grandad a baby and mamma is either a mumin or butterfly too. Spankin' eh!  Someone could have told me I was getting pale and lump like... ;)

On wednesday we have an eye check up, which is part of the routine with her arthritis, and thankfully, she is still symptom free. The physio we've been doing at home has helped her knee to straighten out - she just still has the habit of putting her weight over on the other leg, but that will take longer to get out of bless her. Here's hoping things keep going as they are and we aren't in for another bumpy ride this autumn/winter. Fingers crossed people, fingers crossed!

And what about this monkey? You leave her for five mintutes and she unscrews mammas nice new body butter and smears it over her face. Nice one my love, nice one haha ;) Lily is quicker than the speed of light, sleeps with one eye open, ready to pounce and not miss a thing. Ok, she doesn't actually sleep with one eye open, but she is quick to wake and come round ready for action so she may as well be IMO.

She has finally cut teeth, two is up and three just hovering- that makes a tooth a week so far, not bad eh? She takes several steps by herself now, and we tend to walk just holding hands the normal way when going anywhere here at home. The master of face pulling and expression is our Lilypops. Lily most certainly is more forward in showing how she feels. Maia is an independent strong willed girl, not backward in coming forwards but in comparison she is a little more reserved and takes things in and assesses them, where Lily just steams through. Zoom Zoom is Lily's motto

Times like these, I wish I had started blogging sooner to be able to read back and compare how the girls are at the same ages - least I will have these nuggets of gold to look back on =) Anyhoo...time to get on with my day! Here's to feeling those happy monday vibes =)

Gothenburg

Aaaah, home sweet home! It came as a surprise, my longing for home on our little jaunt down to the westcoast of Sweden and Göteborg. Why, you ask? Well, the reasons are many, but mainly as this place epitomises what is summer, relaxation and what is good in life to me, and it is somewhere that has always been a constant in my nomadic uprbinging (that is a positive thing FYI). How exciting that I finally got to show it off to Mark, and we went on our first family holiday!

We did the obligatories, such as going to Liseberg Theme Park, even managing to steal a little time to ourselves and going on the hunt for some fun rides of our own. Dont get me wrong, it was fun and exciting riding around with Maia and Lily on the rides we went on, they just aren't as thrilling as grown up ones hehe. Poor Mark, most of the rides that he wanted to go on, like the  ''shoot you up stupidly high and drop u just as quick'' towers all had max height limit of 195cm. A whole 9cm shorter than what dear husband is. Shame. So, with the mammoth queues that abounded during the warm lovely day in the middle of the holiday period, we managed to find ourselves ONE ride, with only 35mins queue time and with no height restrictions. We ended up on the classic Lisebergsbanan, a rollercoaster, and we grabbed the very front seats - yay for us!

Next on the hit list we had Slottskogen. A massive, beautiful park with petting zoo's and animals to go and see, as well as massive playgrounds and lush grassy expanses dotted with pretty flowers, also in the middle of the city. We saw a couple of Bambi's, that now are no longer in enclosures in the park, but allowed to run free, and this very much excited Maiabus. Not once did she whine and moan about not wanting to walk, and Lilypops was chilled and happy in the pram, varying between exciting squeals and giggles. Bless.

I think Marks favourite bit was driving an hour and half up the coast line to Sannäs, and being able to swim in the sea and soak up the atmosphere of a sleepy, summery idyll right by the sea.

And then, before we knew it, it was time to drive home. This time, we didnt run ourselves ragged seeing all the wonderful friends we have here, and it is with a guilty conscience that I admit that it was very nice to just be by ourselves, enjoying our family. As great as it is seeing long standing friends, some of whom have even been like family over the years, things start to feel a little stressed when we have a list of things to do hanging over us. So my lovelies, you all know where Umeå is, so get thee going to the north!...just not today, its raining so not much fun ;)


All in all, much needed, much enjoyed and certainly to be done again. But for longer. The trip has even made us consider buying a cottage by the sea and not a house, as our apartment is everything that we need, both space and location wise, and we have the bonus our own garden. One cant have it all, even if that would be nice.

tuesday

I am rather excited, yes I am. Im a little stressed too, and have a hundred things to remember even though I have a list the size of an A4 piece of paper haha. God bless lists! .....Sometimes I have even made lists of lists - first time was when we flew to Sweden before moving here with Maia. Yes, I know, you dont need to say it ;)

For now, I've packed what I can. The plan is to have the car loaded and ready this evening, and leave sometime in the morning, we cant quite decide - between 4am and 8am is a reasonable time slot haha.You may have guessed we are going on a road trip. We've got ourselves a DVD player, conveniently with two screens, thanks to Maia's friend A lending us his. Bless him, he was very cute and even let Maia borrow one of his favourite films, the Lion King.  To say that Maia in in awe of having a tv in the car is an understatement.  Here's hoping it will go someway to making the lengthy trip somewhat easier!!

Well good folks, I am gonna enjoy the cuddles with Maia on the sofa whilst Lily sleeps and Mark sorts the car out. He's all bandaged up from a cut to his finger this morning doing the dishes and subsequently having to wake me up to take him to the doctors. But that, is another story. A tad dramatic though, just to get out of doing the flippin dishes - jeeezaz!

a new week

So here comes yet another monday, another new week and another countdown until the daddio is off for a couple of days. Yet this time it is different. The daddio is actually off for 3weeks! *jumpsupanddowninexcitement*

Me being the tyrant that I occasionally am (or so my husband would have you believe), have worked my poor man hard this weekend. He's had to put up candle shelves, wall lamps and bunting in the girls room and some mirrors in ours. I made him help me with the sewing machine.Those things and I do not get on! I thought if we borrowed one from the Wattses, that is from the 90's rather than the 50's, the machine and I would get on better. Alas, no, and I fear this sewing machine lark is more about the connection the thing has with its owner, Or anyone else but me. The things conspire and plot my downfall as we speak, and as proof I have a mangled yet still presentable cushion cover nestled in my sofa. The shame. I'm a planner, not a maker. I do things, not make them it seems...

I wasnt all horrid this weekend. Yesterday we went out to a little cafe by the Nydala Lake and had a lovely hour chilling out with the girls who were in good spirits (about the only time yesterday). Unfortunately, miss Maia is just like her mamma, and now has two huge, red, hard lumps on her thighs from mozzybites. We must be very tasty. Like their own personal brand of heroine haha. All joking aside, its a pain in the butt.

project sew

Well, well, well! Finally, I have gotten everything to fall into place. It's taken me long enough, but I've found the material I wanted, managed to get hold of a sewing machine, and even roped Mark into doing sewing for me. He likes it, me..not so much. I would rather be cutting, pinning and planning. That suits me better, but if needs must I can turn my hand to the machine too ;) We only got as far as actually making ONE cover last night, before we decided that utilizing our child-free time would be much more to our advantage, ie sleeping.

Feeling lovely and refreshed after a good night undisturbed kip, the only exertion today has been the food shop. Since getting back we've been busy just being, and finally getting some lamps, bunting and shelves put up that have been waiting around for like forever. I could now chill out and enjoy this saturday curled up on the sofa with a film, or I could even carry on sewing. But nay, I am going to get on that bike and have a very sore butt by the morning =D

TGIF & Todays outfits

I do love a bargain, I do. Like these fab shorts- 99kr in the sale at Indiska, and the only thing to follow me home yesterday. If I hadnt have bought that silly exercise bike, then my arms would have been overloaded with gorgeous printed and jewelled dresses and tunics, scarves, wine glasses, cushions, throws and tablecloths. Indiska has it all in my eyes. Has.it.all.

Here's the kiddlets only moments ago, playing with the extra chairs brought up for dinner last night. It was the first time in a long time that both me and dear husband got to eat at the same time, without interruptions or someone wanting feeding too - we actually ate past bedtime hehe. Very pleasureable indeed! But  once that first glass of wine was consumed and I fell into a food coma, that was it. Snoozy head on and in bed just gone 9pm. Tonight we're having dinner at the parents and the mini Wilsons are staying over tonight so once they are in bed we're hot footing it back to ours and jumping into bed with a movie. Thank God Its Friday peeps!

Anyhoos, I am nippin off to the kitchen to see what healthy naughtiness I can come up with as we're having fika at ours today. Im thinkin raspberry muffins - surely that will count as part of my five a day?! ;) The weather is thoroughly wet, so I couldnt think of  better way to spend it than with lovely friends and muffins =)

mischief makers

Now that I have two daughters with a thing for being in the kitchen, I wonder how long it will take me to train them to do dinner? I will start easy, maybe a spagbol first? Here's hoping they take after their father with a love for cooking. Between us, me and the daddy can produce two super bakers-come-cooks to rival Nigella, Jamie and Delia, and sit back and reap the rewards mua-ha-ha-ha-ha!

Or, altertnatively, I can take the usual route, and hold onto them as long as possible. Let my kids be kids & allow them blossom and flourish to their own fantastic persons and hope they appreciate what we have given them. A bonus would be to see them get even more enjoyment from eachother as they grow up. My little mischief makers.

my house, my home

This little beauty followed me home last week. I found it abandoned, sad and surrounded by ugly commercial desks circa mid 90's. My heart was bleeding- I had to save it! Thanks Returnbutiken for another fabulous find!

After much deliberation, I have decided against painting it white. First off, we already have white walls. The warmth from the wood is a welcomed break in the paleness and I think it may even lose a little of its charm taking it from its original state. Though saying that, with it being white it would give it another charm altogether, but until I am completely 110% sure, I aint doin' nuffin. Plus, we have a drinks cabinet that matches rather lovely with it and makes a mix-matched set. Genius huh.

Today's project is to sand and hopefully start painting our new pre loved dining chairs. Currently black legged and backed, with an oak seat, the plan is to paint what is black white to tie it it with our white dining table. I love pre loved!  I'm all for abit of individuality and character to your furniture and not leaving it to chance that you get a house with some. For me, my  house needs to be cosy, relaxed and an easy place to be with my nearest and dearest. Somewhere that fills me with inspiration and love. Thats what makes this house  my home.

lemon tasting and burning skies

This past weekend was one for firsts.My first first in the list of first is that I willingly went out with an aim to go look at cars. Second first being the Wilson family sampling the delights of eating an evening meal out together all four of us. Thirdly first, as you may have guessed, Lily got her first taste for lemons. The pictures are rather misleading, as she actually really liked it haha. Bless her, she's a cracker for pulling faces that one!

Old American cars from the 1950's, lovingly restored to their former glory, dont quite have the same glory when you are sheltering under a shop awning from the rain and the normally big crowds of people gathering for the cruises are whittled down to almost nothing. But still, when you have had a nice meal with great company its still very much a successful evening even if the highlight wasnt as was hoped. There be always next year, and the year after, and then the year after that so I am sure I am going to be feeling the vibes and bopping along some point to the funky retro-ness that is.

pic borrowed from here

It was a good thing we had such a chilled weekend really, this week has been hectic. More visitors arriving in the shape of Michelle and Frederik, and tomorrow Nana heads back to the UK. So really, I ought to get myself to bed as I'm heading over to mothers early to see her off before she heads for the airport. I know I will kick myself for saying this, but I am somewhat looking forward to the evenings getting darker again - I find it ridiculously hard to go to bed at a sensible time when the sun shines all the time...lame as excuse I know. But hey, if I didnt stay up until the small hours savouring the light that is, I wouldnt be able to take photos like this: