Monk Park Farm

During the Easter holidays we have been having a big spring clean, but to treat ourselves for all our hard work, we have had a couple of nice days out together. One day was spent at Monk Park Farm near Thirsk, which is basically a farm for kids! Me and Isabelle had been last summer with friends, but it is just as good second time around! They have all the normal farm animals: cows, sheep, pigs, dogs, chickens, goats, etc and a few extras like shetland ponys, llamas, highland cows, wallabies and deer! It is all very hands on and you have the opportunity to feed and pet all the animals. Isabelle was cautious, but loved it and Lee was enjoying feeding all the animals, as you can see!!

We thought the lambs were hilarious!! The workers organized all the kids into a horse shoe shape and then they gave the bottles of milk to some of the kids. Then everyone had to shout to wake up the lambs and they came bounding out of the barn and straight to the bottles!! They were so fast drinking! Isabelle was giggling the whole time!

Here is Isabelle holding a little chick! They were so tame. They just sat there being held and chirped for the kids!! Isabelle was so thrilled!!

There was even a playground which as you can see, Isabelle loved!!

A wonderful day out, would recommend it to anyone! Happy Easter to everyone!!

Thank heaven for my family!!!

I just wanted to say that I am soooo grateful for my family! They have done so much for me and my little family! My mum especially is always there whenever she is needed!! Just the other week, I had an awful flu virus and my mum was here cleaning, doing laundry, dishes, taking Isabelle to school, getting meals ready, getting shopping for us and generally looking after me! It was such a service to me especially as my mum knows I feel better with a tidy house! They are all such a help with Isabelle and always on hand for babysitting duty!! Not only that my mum and dad gave me such a wonderful childhood with fantastic memories!! I always remember camping and hiking with my dad!! So today, I am saying, Thank heaven for the Purser Family in my life!!!

Gorgeous Girly Hair!!

One of my goals, as being the mother of a little girl, was to teach myself different styles for her hair. I particularly wanted to perfect the art of a french plait, as I loved having them as a child! I think I have got to the point where I can make it look acceptable, and in an acceptable amount of time for a 4 year old to sit for! Here is the result:

These are a few of my favourite things!

Anyone that knows me, is aware of my weakness, SHOES!! I have always loved them and apparently stepped into my first pair of stilletos at the age of two! I am well known amongst friends to have over 100 pairs, which I am aware, is ridiculous!! Needless to say that all friends who are size 5, take advantage when planning outfits!!

I am very lucky to have a husband who understands my love affair with footwear!! He humours me and even made some very wise christmas present choices!! (Brown boots and pink shoes!) So, as the song goes..... "These are a few of my favourite things."

Wonderful toe post sandals in preparation for the summer, picked up in the sale, even better!!

Special red 'sky-scraper heel' valentines shoes, again in the sale!

Gorgeous pink sequin peep-toe beauties from the hubby for christmas, best present by far!!

During the break from school we went with some of my family to Harewood House, which is a Stately Home and grounds with some great facilities like an adventure playground, bird garden, cafe, gift shops, house and gardens. Check out those views! You gotta love Yorkshire! Isabelle is still enjoying her christmas present digital camera and loved taking pictures of the birds! Here is a Kookabura:

This is a picture of a Stanley Crane, Isabelle was particularly taken with this breed!

Valentines Meal

For Valentines Day, Lee and I decided to cook for each other in the interests of saving money for the new car!! Lee is excellent at cooking main meals whereas I am much better at desserts, must be my sweet tooth!! We had a lovely meal and then met up with some friends. A lovely Valentines Day had by all!! New York Style Cheesecake drizzled with cream and chocolate sauce, courtesy of Alex!

Steamed Cod with butter sauce and ratatouille, courtesy of Lee!! Looks great, but it tasted even better!!

3D Movies?!?!

Lee really enjoys going to the movies and we are more than happy to go along with him. Bolt came out and we were really excited to go see it as a family, and even more excited that it was coming out in 3D in some cinemas! Isabelle had had a really good week at school and had recieved an award for being enthusiastic so we decided that we would treat ourselves. Here we are looking better then the Blues Brothers!!