Ellie’s Birthday (Weekend)

Ellie had her 3rd birthday this weekend. It really is hard to believe that she was born three years ago. The time seems to have gone so quickly.

On Saturday, which was her actual birthday, we had to wake her as Ellie was being a lazy bones and decided that she would sleep in. After waking, Ellie came into our room where we gave her some of her cards and presents.

“Oh, ” she would say each time she got an unopened present. “What’s inside?”

“You need to open it to find out,” we replied.

After that we all got up and came downstairs for some breakfast, and also to give Ellie her main present, a battery powered jeep.

Ellie had a small ride in it and wasn’t very impressed. She couldn’t work out how to stop as she careered across the garden towards her trampoline, getting out and declaring that she didn’t like it. Hopefully she will grow more accustomed to it and have another go in the near future.

Once Ellie had had her presents we made a trip to the supermarket to do the weekly shop and also get the food for the party. After returning from our shopping trip, the three of us went to Knowsley Safari Park.

We had a great time. We were pretty fortunate with the weather too. Ellie even had a go at driving around.

After our visit to Knowsley, we headed back home, but first we had to make a stop at Wigan train station to pick up Gemma’s brother, Shaun. Ellie was very excited as she loves going to see the trains.

Once Shaun was safely loaded into the car we headed home, where Gemma set about making Ellie’s birthday cake. She had done a trial run the previous weekend and it looked and tasted brilliant. This one was no different.

On Sunday, we had a BBQ party, and we were very,very lucky with the weather. During the previous week the weather forecasts had not been too promising, so it was with some trepidation that I lit the BBQ shortly before our guests were to arrive. And very soon after I had lit it the first spots of rain began to fall.

“At least I’ve got a waterproof coat,” I thought. But luckily for us all, it was only a brief shower and the sun soon showed his face to make it a gorgeous day. Gemma and I were very thankful for this as it would have been a bit of a tight squeeze trying to get everyone inside the house.

Shortly, after the BBQ was lit, guests began to arrive. My sister Lynwen and her husband Geth were first to arrive with their two boys, Dafydd and Aled. Next to roll up were Nana Mandy and Taido, with Carl, Craig and Ricky. We had a few other guests who came to see the birthday girl.

Once all of our guests arrived, Ellie began to open the mountain of presents that had been bought for her, while I got on with cooking the huge amount of food that we’d bought. (We bought way too much!) Gemma gave me a helping hand with all of the salads and extra bits and pieces. After serving up and everyone tucking into the vast amount of food, it was nice to sit down for a few minutes in the sunshine.

Ellie in her “Stephanie from LazyTown” wig	Me slaving away at the BBQ
Party Guests in the Garden	Blowing her candles out (for the 2nd time)

Once everyone had finished their food and given it chance to settle, it was time for Ellie to blow out her candles. The cake was brought in to a chorus of “Happy Birthday”, and before it was finished and the photos were taken, Ellie had already blown out the candles. Cheeky girl - no patience. So we had to do it all over again so we could get it on “film”.

It was a really good day and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. We did had one minor mishap when a stray gust of wind blew our parasol over right on top of my sister. Luckily she escaped with just a bump on the head and a bit of a sore neck. Sorry!

Thanks to everyone for coming. And a big thank you from Ellie for all of her presents

3 Years Ago…

Our Daughter Ellie was born. That’s right, our little girl is 3 years old.

She has been really excited for the past week or so. We are having a party for her on Sunday, and hopefully the weather will hold out so that we can have a BBQ.

I’ll post some pictures later when Ellie’s opened her presents

Happy Birthday Ellie!

A New Bed For Ellie

Ellie was very excited today.

After weeks of waiting her new bed arrived this morning. All afternoon Ellie was waiting for me to get home so that we could put it together, so as soon as I got home, Ellie was dragging me upstairs to get the job done.

First job though was to dismantle the cot-bed so that we could move it into the nursery ready for the arrival of the new baby. Reassembling the cot will be tomorrow night’s job.

The process of putting the new bed together was much easier than anticipated and the whole thing was put together in about an hour. To finish it all off we out on Ellie’s new duvet set. It is “Dora the Explorer”, and Ellie couldn’t wait to try it out:

 

The bed must be pretty comfy, as she has gone straight off to sleep tonight.

Sleep tight Ellie.

Love Dad.

Kids Do Some Funny Things

Yesterday Ellie had Gemma and I laughing.

Gemma was talking to her Mum on the phone when Ellie asked to speak to Nana Mandy. Ellie wanted to tell her about her holiday, and to show her the photos that were taken at the holiday.

All excited, Ellie took the phone off Gemma and headed upstairs to her bedroom where the photos were to show Nana. Gemma and I remained downstairs where we listened to Ellie saying to Nana Mandy,

“Look Nana, photos.”

We just knew that she was then holding up the phone for Nana to have a look, as Nana kept saying to Ellie,

“I can’t see them”

As Ellie gets older there are going to be some more treats to savour.

Making Cakes

Over the past couple of weekends Ellie and Gemma have been making cakes.

Last weekend they made Jam Tarts :

 

And this weekend they have been making Chocolate Krispie Cakes, we’ve got to use up all of the Easter Eggs that Ellie was given somehow!

 

Here’s Ellie after cleaning out the bowl, mmmmm, chocolate:

They were all lovely, and there aren’t many left.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

It’s Mothers Day today.

And as it’s Mothers Day, Ellie and I greeted Gemma with breakfast in bed this morning. Hot, buttered crumpets and orange juice. Mmmm!

Ellie walked in carrying Gemma’s card and present, announcing “Breakfast, crumpets!” It was one way to make sure Gemma was not asleep! We bought Gemma some flowers, picked by Ellie, and also a DVD, “The Bourne Ultimatum“, one of Gemma’s favourite films.

I’d also like to wish my Mum a “Happy Mothers Day”, and I’ll pass on Gemma’s best wishes to her Mum for a “Happy Mothers Day”

We’re off to visit our Mums today, and spend the day with them.

Ellie’s off to School

We got good news today. Ellie has been accepted for a place at the local infants school for a place at their nursery in September.

Ellie will attend the morning session, 9am to 11.30am. This will get her prepared for going to Infants school proper in the following September.

Before she starts we will all go for a pre-visit. This will be to have a tour of the nursery and discuss things with her teacher. Her teacher is a man, which I was surprised at, as its not really a position you expect to find a man in.

I’m sure that it’ll be an emotional day, that first day when we actually have to leave her there, on her own. I’ve no doubt that she’ll be fine as once she gets in there and starts playing etc. then we can relax.

With Ellie going to school, it makes you realise how fast she is growing up.

Our little girl is growing up

Yesterday, Gemma took Ellie to an Open Day at the local primary school. This is where we hope to enrol Ellie in nursery next September.

Thinking of our little girl going to school, made me realise that Ellie is growing up. But, she will always be our “little” girl no matter how much she grows up.

Ellie is turning into a cracking little girl. Like every other 2-year-old in the world she has her share of tantrums, but the vast majority of the time she is really good.

Her speech and talking is really coming along, and we can have real conversations now, which is fantastic. She is beginning to recognise the letters of the alphabet and can even tell us something that begins with that letter.

Gemma said that Ellie really enjoyed going to her “new school”, joining in with all of the older children who were drawing and colouring. She was not shy with them at all which was very encouraging. We think she’ll be happy there, we should know in the next couple of weeks whether she has got in.

Soon though, she is going to be “big sister”, and this will be another step along the road of growing up.