Gooster Eggs

The chocolate fest truly began when Teresa and Adam arrived on Sunday with not one, but three Easter eggs for Coby AND a chocolate bunny! Coby calls them 'Gooster' eggs for some reason, even though we've been practicing:

"Say Easter"

"Easter"

"Easter eggs!"

"Gooster eggs"

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

The Boy is Back in Town

Coby has returned from his week long visit to nanny and grandad, but he had a splendid time and wore them out as only a boisterous three year old can. I think we collected him just at the right time!

During his stay the guys went to the National Railway Museum in York which is amazing. Coby saw the Mallard, the World's fastest steam train and he went on a Japanese Bullet train. The museum is also home to a replica of Stephenson's Rocket locomotive and the famous Flying Scotsman!

Coby's Easter presents from nanny and grandad included a scooter, a tent and activity centre and a ball pit which was Coby's choice to sleep at night (minus the balls).

Thanks nanny and grandad and Great Uncle Tony for taking good care of Coby!

Lost Without

Coby has been staying with nanny and grandad since Sunday. At first, honestly, the house was lovely: quiet, tidy, no interruptions, time to think and just TIME. However, we are driving up tomorrow to collect him and WE CAN'T WAIT!!!

We've missed him sooooo much! I changed his room around today and cleaned and tidied in anticipation of him being back in his little nest on Saturday. During my epic room renovation, I came across photo albums and everything of Coby's that I've collected since his birth: new baby cards, 1st, 2nd and 3rd birthday cards, albums, baby record books, weight and height measurements and even his hospital bracelet that says 'male, infant Tepper born 16/11/05 0835hr, mother, Sarah'.

I read through one of his record books and remembered some of the events in the year he was born: Live 8 in Hyde Park, Tony Blair won the election, earthquake in India, Hurricane Katrina, George Best died, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was published, Prince of Wales married Camilla Parker Bowles, terrorist bombs in London and London won the 2012 Olympic bid.

A friendship card from Jasmine:

'To Coby, I just wanted to give you a friendship card on your special occasion today. I love our Wednesday afternoons together - I hope we'll be friends for years. Love and kisses, Jasmine x'

And the ton of cards we received at the time of his birth including several that simply say 'May he bring you joy'.

That he does!

Cakes that are Jaffa

A perfectly innocent Coby was discovered under granny's coffee table on Wednesday morning scoffing an entire packet of Jaffa Cakes! The sneaky one had dragged a chair in the kitchen to the worktop and clambered to reach the box containing three packets. When I tried to take them away, a scuffle ensued followed by a teary Coby who exclaimed "you don't take them away mummy, they're MY jaffa cakes!!!"

Busted!

What?

Brown Eyed Boy

Earth Hour

On Saturday evening, Coby and I did our bit for Earth Hour and voted to switch all of the lights off for one hour. It was quite cool with just the candle lights, but Coby got a little scared so I had to relent and pop his lamp on very dim....

Before

After

Lightning McQueen

Grandad will be proud! Coby took an interest in this Mini Cooper race track that we had tidied away in the spare room. He couldn't decide if he wanted to be the black or silver mini, so played both to solve the problem! He was actually quite good controlling them both, but got VERY frustrated when they flew off the track.

Chocolate Fill

Coby is just recovering from a bout of tonsilitis, but he's much better now and returned to nursery today. He was quite poorly on Sunday through to Tuesday and as a result he has been spoilt somewhat this week, with gifts from auntie Stacey and uncle Justin, books from mummy and daddy and lots of hugs and pampering. Last Saturday we prepared an Easter egg hunt for him followed by a tea party in granny's garden with Donald Duck...

Day Out With Dad

The boys got to hang out mid week as daddy used up some well deserved holiday time. Al took Coby to Pots of Art in Hitchin to make mummy a present for Mother's Day - it was meant to be a surprise, but the photographic evidence gave it away. Then they drove all the way to Buckinghamshire to Bekonscot Model Village & Railway to see the world in miniture! The village is set in a one and a half acre landscape and was erected in 1929. It celebrates its 80th anniversary this year!

Coby sets to work on...

Wallace!

Bowling

We had a lovely day today especially as Al had the day off work. We had lunch at the fabulous Frankie & Benny's and then took Coby for his first bowling experience. I'm ashamed to admit that Coby beat me in the first round. In my defense, he did have the bumpers raised on his turn, so the ball was sure to hit the skittles. We then had a coffee back in town and made a spur of the moment purchase and bought Coby a scooter!

AND FINALLY...ANOTHER BOY!

The family has been eagerly waiting the arrival of Roxann and Pep's baby and I'm delighted to announce that Luigi Daniele De Vita arrived safely at 9.45 am weighing 7lbs 15oz!

Big love to Lorraine, Pep and Luigi but especially Roxann, after a long haul, she finally did it and is resting with baby as we speak! Well done Rocky, now your a mummy!

Work Or Play?

The joys of being a children's bookseller far outweigh the stress of working in retail and I do get to organise events for the children's department. Last week, we held a book fair for World Book Day at a local school and, on Sunday, we celebrated the Gruffalo's 10th Birthday. I did a couple of storytimes for the kids and handed out badges, stickers and chocolate coins - great fun!

Its A Man Thing

Smelly feet, sweating in bed, dirty fingernails, inability to tidy after oneself, stinking out the toilet, toilet seat up - start as you mean to go on son!

Coby Keeps Fit

After snacking on left over M&M's and chocolate buttons, Coby worked off the sugar with some football in the garden. He was meant to be helping granny plant the strawberries in the hanging baskets, but got a bit distracted.




This was followed by a couple of sprints up and down the hall way and then star jumps on the bed. Coby's record was 41 - most impressive!