Anyone reading both this blog and my Noodles blog will realise that for the first time I have completely cheated and put the same post on both. I am not going to worry too much about this as not everyone reads them both and after all, its not the end of the world being lazy now and again!

Anyway, thankfully a change of mood from my previous post as I am feeling distinctly better. I think we all need to reach a low point before we can pick ourselves up and feel positive again. Thanks for your kind words and understanding (both on here and on Noodles and Doodles).

Today I decided that I would go to Halloween Festival at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. I was kinda hoping there would be some indoor activities as it was probably the worst day to be going out, with the torrential rain as it was. My friend Susan volunteered to go a long with us for a day of fun too. Just to set the scene, this museum consists of a village and surrounding rural buildings reflecting the life and times of the people in the 19th century, or thereabouts. Little houses with basic furniture, tiny rooms and open peat fires, complete with village bank, shop, printers, farm, church etc (just on a totally seperate note – aaaahhhh I have just seen a mouse scuttle across my floor!). I have to say I thought we were a bit mad at first, as we had to walk to the village through the houses, totally unprepared for the weather conditions – Emily had her halloween witch costume on, Susan had to wear one of Emilys dressing up hats to keep dry (which I just happened to have in the car!), Ems wellies fell off, into a puddle, which filled with water (luckily I had spare, although not suitable boots) and we spent the rest of the day with our freezing, soaking clothes stuck to us.

We had a great time! Emily made a bat and we sampled apple pie and elderflower juice. We even got cabbage readings! Although mine was completely off (that’s my reading and not the cabbage!).

Then for a lovely hearty lunch. I positively feel much better now. Tonight we are going round friends house for a curry, so the day hasn’t even ended.

Just a little photo to show Emily having an afternoon of painting, sticking, squishing and generally getting mucky. I think I had as much fun too. I have decided to make more of an effort with activity and creative play. Sometimes its easy just to give her a box of toys or put the TV on (which she would sit and watch all day if she could!), but I don’t want to miss out on this interaction and I will definitely be making more time and effort to do things like this.

This weekend we had a visit from Simon and Lucy. Its always great to get friends and family coming over to stay, especially when we don’t get to see them very often. Emily was totally taken with Si and had him chasing her around and around the kitchen saying ‘unkie simon, unkie simon’! Sooo cute.

We all went for a walk and Emily wouldn’t let me push the pram, instead she said ‘Mommy away! Unkie Simon push!’ She even gave him a big hug, which he definitely should feel honoured by. Lucy reckons that its because Si is mentally the same age as Emily (sorry Si!). Hehe and poor Auntie Lucy had to come second, in fact we all did!

It was a great weekend and it was lovely to see you both. We were all very sad to see you leave. Thanks for the visit guys. x

I took Emily on a day out to a craft fair, with my friend Rachel on Saturday. Thought it would be a good opportunity to have some fun and at the same time give Warren a good afternoons peace and quiet.

We had a lovely time and Emily is really taken with Rachel (she calles her ‘auntie raakel’). Everytime she went out of sight she started calling her name!

Well as you can see from this weeks moblog, Emily got to have a ride in a real fire engine and sat on a policemans bike! So much fun. Also it gave me an excuse to try on the helmets too hehe! The only thing that spoiled the moment was when I fell out of the fire engine. Not only did I bang down the step, off the door and onto the pavement, but Emily almost followed suit. Lucky for us Rachel (and not a fireman I might add) came to the rescue and caught Emily. I was so thankful cause it would’ve been a nasty fall for her otherwise. I felt totally stupid by the whole thing and wasn’t hurt at all – that is until later that night when I started to develop a limp and my toe started to hurt! I think my instincts as a mommy and protector just kicked in and numbed any pain I might’ve been feeling until I knew Emily was ok. Thinking about it later, I am a bit disappointed that a big burly fireman didn’t come to my rescue!