What is the norm for sleepovers?

I can safely say that I never had a sleepover with friends as I grew up. Iguess it is not an english thing.

In America it seems to be the norm to have a sleepover every week or so. Now this is great except if you have multiple children like I do as your family seems to expand all the time. Expansion is not a problem except for the food quantities now that they are getting older as they are HUGE!

Now I do not mind having sleepovers or even better dropping off at sleepovers however can someone please tell me am I indulging them too much? Is it a quaint NH tradition?

So I guess my question to you is "how often do your kids do or how often do you host a sleepover?"

My peaceful mornings......

Now that the children are on holiday I find that there is not a minute of peace or tranquility for my own sanity so I have carved out a little "mummy" time for me.


Here it is:

1. In the mornings I get up at 6am.
2. Make the coffee whilst everyone is sleeping.
3. Sip my homemade latte whilst sitting on my rocking chair on the deck.
4. I watch the hummingbirds feeding.
5. Then I feel human and ready to attack the day.

Today I spent ages trying to get a photo of one of the humming birds........I guess I may need 2 lattes before I get a good photo!

Dear Guests,

We love having you visit however by the time you leave we love that you are leaving. Here are a few polite pieces of advise for you so that you are assured another invite to our humble abode:

• If you block the loo 5 times in 10 days you are obviously flushing something that you should not...hello we are on our own septic system over here!
• It is very hot in NH and you need to drink lots of water to stay hydrated. Drinking a litre of wine each every night causes heat stroke & dehydartion....doesnt it???
• We wear baseball hats and sunblock for a reason...so we do not burn! Hope you enjoyed your visit to the First Aid tent for 2 hours at the fair.
• Unfortunatley factor 5-8 sunblock will just not so it over here. We use at least 30 -50 UPF and we still tan. Oh dear did you burn again????
• Yes we do have bugs and no you will not die from that bite.
• Please shut the screen doors & do not walk through them as it really increase your chances of being bitten.  
• Why do your kids not eat anything yet they have pop tarts in their rooms?

On the more positive side.

• Thank you for the english chocloate.
• Thank you for the pear drops.
• Thank you for the wine gunes.

See you next year!

Tranquility over the lake................

For my mum.

Yesterday was a very emotional day for me yet I could not understand why.

I kept on crying which I rarely do.

I looked at flights to go home.

I craved english movies and to see England.

I was dreadfully homesick.

I listened to melancholy CD's and I had a need to be surrounded by good friends and family.

My daughter reminded me that it was the 2nd anniversary of my mum's death.

I was then filled with guilt as my memory had not registered it, yet my body was totally there.

So I have decided to wrote this post to my mum who I still miss terribly every day.

Dear Mum,

Where are you?

I need you even though I am supposedly grown up...I still really need you.

Lots has happened this year and daft as it sounds I look for signs that you are around me, watching and advising.

If I see sun rays struggling through dense black crowds...I know its you trying to inspire me.

I saw two rainbows, one above the other last week and thought of you.

You will be pleased to know the garden is looking a little better this year.

The monster sweater that I made for number 3 is complete yet he will not wear it! The brat!

Lots of injuries, broken bones and stitches for the children this year.......I still reach for the phone to call you.

I'm fed up of feeling foreign and having people imitate my accent and words....ignoramous folk!

This is the year of change some sad and some hopeful things.

I've had a change in career...not too sure it's the one for me.... I know "wait & see!"

I'm planning on going home this year so I can see your "plot" as I have not been home since your funeral.

I'm nervous to go because of all the feelings and emotions that will flood me, yet I feel this compulsive need to be there.

The recession is still lunging forward and Sir L's job seems to be on the chopping line every so often.......I know "wait & see."

You have a new grand daughter en route in the UK who you will never get to hold...we will tell her all about you.

Yes, the good and the bad.....hee hee!

Ahh where do I start with the kids??

Number 1 is growing up, great grades, great sports person, school dances....... There is a litle flutter/flirt going on with my best friends son.......you would just love it.

We needed a dress, heels etc for a dance...not my cup of tea! We needed your dress sense advise. we missed you.

Number 2 my sociable one. Good grades...could be better..he's a little lazy & chatty.. Where did he get that gene from? Excelent athlete excels in most sports. I wish you could watch him at basketball, you would be so proud.

Number 3 my cuddler and baby.Way to old for his years being around older children. Great sense of humour...the class clown apparently. good grades and fast runner...still issues with the asthma. Hopefully he will grow out of it. He has a great energy around him you would love it.

My poor beautiful Molly has Lime disease...she is ok just on antibiotics.

I wonder when the hurt & pain gets easier.....

I have waves of it...does that mean I'm healing?

Did I ever let you know how much I loved you?

Or how much I needed you?

I love you mum, more than ever.

Come back!!!











  

A Tag

I seem to be struggling to get my fingers to this pc these days...I guess it is the settling in phase of the summer vacation and the kids being home, the English invasion of guests is due to start, work is ultra busy & stressful and we are eating so much food!!!!

So I am trying to boost myself my copying Expat Mums tag: 

1. Which do you prefer city or country?

I'm definetly a country bumpkin. I need to be able to walk out of my front door into greenery, hills and fresh air.

2. Do you feel old?

Hmm interesting I had my hair streaked last night so I'm feeling kind of special. However my energy level is either lower these days or I push myself too much...not sure which one!

3. What was your most embarassing moment and can you share it?

I've lots of these. One springs to mind............. when we were taking Lamaze classes they gave us a list of what freebies the hospital provided. The first item was "Johnnies." I raised my hand and asked why. Of course everyone laughed. Let me translate here...a Johnny in the UK is a condom...a bit too late for one when giving birth. In USA it is a hospital gown. Embarassing especially as we had only been in the country for 5 months! Personally I thought it was a little kinky...maybe a new way of relaxing for the father to be????

4. What was the best thing you ever did at school?

I was Snow White in the class play in first grade/age 7 years old. I was thrilled as I got to be kissed by the school heart throb who was the prince. As I smiled cunningly at the other girls in the class when he was going to kiss me I started to choke on the apple!......unfortunatley he did not give me the kiss of life as I'm not even sure it existed in those days! He probably whacked me on the back...no romance there!

5. Who do you aspire to be in life?

I guess my mum. She was the most generous and caring person I've ever known. Its only as I look back on her life that I see it so clearly.

6. Do you think that you are ambitious?

People at work think I am "riske" just becuse I have traveled and I am differant i.e foreign. I am ambitious in sports and life but I have come to the acceptance that I cannot really have a great career and be a good mother as I have little support besides Sir L. .

7. If you did'nt do what you do now what would you have liked to do?

I wanted to be in Legs & Co!

8. What is your perfect meal?

A roast chicken dinner, Pinot Grigio and banana's & custard for dessert. Followed by a huge bar of Cadburys Caramel. Yummmyyy!

OK I'm tired so I am signing of here.

Have a good day folks!