Today!

Don't ask me why I pick up my blogging 'pen' today after so long but here I am!

Today was L's Birthday Party- much excitement and anticipation has got us here- a 'butterfly party' as named by her. I realised one of the stresses of parties is the icing! I only ever make it for parties and can never quite remember how I made it the previous time, and not confident in what I'm doing- maybe I should practice between times?!

Anyway 9 girls and 2 boys (+3 1yr old siblings) aged 3-6 plus assorted parents came to enjoy- a more laid back affair than the action packed 'Mighty machine' party of 6 weeks ago. Dancing (for Musical Bumps and Statues) enjoyed by most, especially our youngest, who stood dancing in the middle of the pass the parcel circle dancing and demanded the music went back on every time it stopped!! Must get some 'dancy' music- keep borrowing it for parties!- D loves it! L is enjoying 'my new toys' and coping with sharing with big brother, tho little one isn't allowed to join in!

Sun stayed in until we finished food- phew!- the only shade at that time of day at the moment is on the slope of the garden, was trying to work out how we put out food on tables there! (funny how in October we're excited about being outside in the sun but by December we're trying to keep out of it!

This afternoon we grabbed an hour to go and look at cars... with all 3 children.... well just one (car) actually- a Toyota Estima (previa- often seem to have different names in different countries) (C liked it because he had his own 'bin' L disliked it because she didn't!). We've spent many weeks talking about what we want/need and T has done much research too and done some trawls of car yards to look at a few but this was my first. We'd decided that a hybrid estima was out of our price range!!! but still keen to be as fuel efficient as possible with 8 seats and some space for luggage etc. So had come down to Estima or Granvia (more like a van shape, and slightly preferred due to diesel engine, but very few around for sale so we've not actually got inside one). Anyway so I actually got to sit in an Estima today and it felt very big! We've fitted (squeezed) into a compact station wagon for so long its a bit of a shock to be thinking of a BIG car- even before I try and park it! I'm sure a big car will have it uses, I just need to get used to the idea I think!

After the car yard we hit the park- 2 scooters and a toddler (first time he's really gone for a proper walk (all 5 mins of it), fortunately not too many manholes to be distracted by but some exciting ducks! Alwyas good to get out and about!

Anyway just going to look at some web based cars! Hopefully get to look at some more real ones tomorrow!