I know its been a while since I blogged - unfortunately it takes a bout of tonsilitis to slow me up and make time for blogging! :o( Nearly better now tho....
Well, its just been non-stop birthdays round here! All the photos are on the webalbum so I'll just put a few in here!
Izzy's 4th birthday was lots of fun :o) She got fab presents and had a brilliant time! We discovered that Izzy doesn't like to be sang at!!! ;o) She found that most unsettling! So, what did we get up to for Izzy's birthday?! Well, we went swimming at Splash with Gaby from next door on her birthday morning. Auntie Ros, Uncle Phil and Joe and Finn stayed the night so were with her to open her presents and after Splash, we went to TGI Friday's for dinner - and discovered that Izzy HATES when lots of over excited people sing at her!!! So funny!! ;o)
2 weeks after her birthday she had a party at Crazy Corner, her favourite soft play venue near us :o) We had 20 guests and they were all super well behaved and it was such a nice party :o)
The day after Izzy's party, Caitlin had her bowling party. It was just over a week before her party but we wanted it in term time :o) That was fun - particularly the bit where Nick encouraged them all to let the helium out of the balloons and inhale.....I've taken a few bits of video which I'll try to add to this later!
Then for Caitlin's actual birthday, she had 3 friends, Tejdeep, Charlotte and Aimee stay over on the Monday night for a big sleepover in the cinema room! They're all really nice girls - but man can they talk! Finally, at 12:40am I had to suggest that if I heard any more talking, there would never be another sleepover!!! So, they slept - until 6am?!?!?!!!! They all stayed to watch Caitlin open her birthday presents and then were picked up by their parents. Caitlin had a fab day!
Their main present this year was a shared present which we picked up last saturday - a new trampoline!! :o) Its so cool and big enough for adults to bounce on too! As you might spot from the pics, its not your typical trampoline.....well, we just don't DO typical!!! Its called a Springfree trampoline and avoids the dangers of feet getting trapped in the springs (even with the pads over cos little feet can just slide under!) by having flexible rods under the mat and an enclosure that is fully attached to the side of the mat. No way to slip off, get trapped or anything.... the only danger is Nick thinking he's still 21 and doing handsprings to his feet on the trampoline and damaging his shoulder...... I'm saying nothing!!! 
The girls are now on their spring holidays - 2 weeks off. Nick's Mum and Dad came up on Caitlin's birthday and looked after the girls for us on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday I spent with them then Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, they've been at holiday club. Today, they're having the BEST time cos Lauren's back in England for 3 weeks staying with her future in-laws!!! :o) They were SOOOOooooo happy to see her! Izzy just squeezed her and Caitlin just shouted Lauren Lauren Lauren and hugged her :o) It was a very special moment! I've been over to see Lauren and Brent's new house - such a perfect first home - 3 bedrooms, separate dining room and a lovely back garden :o) They're working on the decorating etc now ready for them to move in after they get married. This summer we've been lucky enough to find another aupair to look after the girls through the holidays :o) Another Canadian.....well, the last one was no trouble! ;o) Renee is joining us at the beginning of June and will stay till the end of August. She's almost qualified as a teacher, teaches dance and is French Canadian so speaks French fluently as well as English! We're looking forward to a summer of dancing and speaking French ;o) Hopefully it will give me a chance to brush up on my French too - its quite miserable really cos I finished school pretty competent and now.... pretty rubbish! The girls loved being able to stay at home last summer with Lauren and play in the garden, see their friends, play with their toys, ride their bikes etc etc and we hope they will have a similarly lovely summer with a new friend :o)
I'll leave you with a couple of pics from today - and also a pic of Muffin the huge! We're lovin that cat! Such a character :o)
Love to allNikkixxxxoxoxoxoxoxxxxx
