29th December 2015
Esme : can you believe Christmas has been and gone!! We had a fab time. On Christmas Eve Henry & I were so excited and I never thought I would get to sleep but I must have done as the next thing I knew the Big Red Guy had been, the mince pie & carrots were gone and the lounge was full of presents!! After they had all been opened we headed over to Mama & Grandad’s for a lovely dinner alongside Aunty Lisa, Uncle Pete, Paige & Ellis. It was great to all be together not least because it meant lots more presents!!
Henry : Boxing day we headed off to Nanna & Grandad’s for a few days of relaxation and yet more presents!! Uncle Marc was also there and in the evening we were invited along to Aunty Bev’s for a big family party. I was on my best behaviour and didn’t break anything which is always a result! Although at one point I did strip down to my socks & pants - it’s a long story!! On Sunday we had a walk along the marsh where there was lots of jumping in puddles and I was saturated before we had got out of the car park! Back in the car I was yet again down to my pants & socks - anyone would think I was some sort of exhibitionist!!
Pebbles : I was a bit concerned about the idea of some big chap bumping down the chimney but turns out he is a good guy leaving even little old me gifts galore! I then got to go and play with my buddy Ruby before heading off to Lincolnshire where I repeatedly tried to snuggle down on Nanna’s new sofa without any success!! I am certainly a big fan of Christmas and am going to try to be good for next year - don’t hold your breath though!! 20th December 2015
Esme : Friday saw me break up from school. However there was no resting as we headed straight to Cody’s birthday party at Chucklebutties. I was the oldest guest so took charge of organising the troops - a task I embraced wholeheartedly!! Yesterday we hedaed to the Treak Cliff Tavern for a tour and then an underground carol concert. Even Santa made it down the 300 steps to join in the festivities. Then by this morning his was back on ground level and having breakfast with us, Elliott, James and their Mummy Alison. That guy will have earned a holiday by the end of this week!
Henry : remember reading about Esme’s pony riding weekend, well my treat was a trip to the Winter wonderland at Butlins. Not quite as cosmopolitan as Esme’s break but just as much fun. Mummy and I went swimming, played and watched the shows my favourite of course was Thomas. It was such fun to have Mummy all to myself for a few days although I did miss Esme loads - I’m just not going to give her the satisfaction of telling her that!
Pebbles : with Mummy away Esme has been required to accompany me & Dad on our early morning and late night walks. She was really brave in the dark although was glad when Mummy got back so she could stay in bed of a morning!!
13th December 2015
Esme : this week saw my school play where I had the lead role of Babushka. A big thank you to Mama who sewed my costume so I made a very convincing Russian peasant women! Mummy & Daddy both said I was brilliant and Mummy cried so I must have been good!! Yesterday we went to see how the (semi) professionals do it at the Chesterfield Pantomime - Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs. We had a great time - cue you “Oh no you didn’t”!
Henry : Today the Thespian theme continued with a trip to Chatsworth where Ruby & Esme played angels (talk about being cast against type!) and I played Shepherd No.1. I wasn’t that great at looking after the sheep but I played a mean jingle bells. We then headed to the cow shed for a picnic - in mid-December I ask you? Tomorrow is very exciting s I am off to Butlins with Mummy. Esme has kindly offered to open my chocolate advent calendar whilst I’m gone - that girl is just give, give, give!!
Pebbles : it seems to have rained all week so my usual walking route is resembling a mud bath. Of course not a problem for 4 legged dogs but Mummy was certainly struggling this morning - at times she resembled Bambi on ice!! 7th December 2015
Esme : well Christmas has officially started in our house which can mean only one thing....Mummy has gone into overdrive!! Saturday started early with a fry up with Santa! Johnny, Helen & Ruby joined us and I told Santa all about my Christmas list. This appeared to make Daddy go all pale - perhaps he is coming down with something! Then it was off to get our Christmas tree Daddy came over all lumberjack and cut ours down with his bare hands! Then later we met up with the Hurts again and headed to see The Good Dinosaur at the cinema. It was Walt Disney so of course it all ended happily, as did my day with a trip to McDonalds!!
Henry : In between breakfast & the pictures Mummy, Mama & I also squeeze in a trip to Nottingham o see the Beanbag Music club performing lots of Christmas music with singing & dancing thrown in. Then I got to try out some of the instruments my favourite being the double bass - do you think Santa could get one of those down the chimney?! Today we met Nick, Charlotte & Archie for lunch before we headed off to Alison’s to have our Christmas haircuts! Esme decided to go short, I just wanted to look like a boy again!!
Pebbles : Right so this Christmas malarky they put balls on the tree I’m not allowed to play with, they decorate the house with soft toys I’m not allowed to chew and they fill pots with chocolates I’m not allowed to eat - bah humbug!!
1st December 2015
Esme : Friday was Roman Day at school so we had to dress up. You won’t believe what Mummy can do with a bed sheet,a couple of safety pins and a You Tube tutorial!! After Toga day it was off for a sleepover at Mama & Grandad’s so Mummy & Daddy could go out on the razzle dazzle!! Given both of them looked slightly worse for wear when they collected us I suspect Mummy overdid the razzle and Daddy definitely had too much dazzle!!
Henry : After Mummy & Daddy picked us up we headed to see Nanna & Grandad. Nanna had as usual surpassed herself in the kitchen and Daddy is still dreaming of the peanut butter tart! They had also invested in some new Thomas the Tank engine DVDs so I was a very happy little boy! On Sunday we all headed off for a walk in Jenny’s wood before a hearty roast dinner. Then it was back to Nanna’s for lemon drizzle cake . i had all on stopping Daddy demanding a doggy bag!
Pebbles : On Friday I had a sleepover too with Aunty Lisa and my buddy Ruby. Apparently because of my behaviour last time Lisa moved all of the crisps and biscuits which personally I think was a bit mean!! Then I got to go to Nanna & Grandad’s house. I was reasonably well behaved which was just as well as Nanna has a new cream carpet!!!
22nd November 2015
Esme : This weekend has been a bit of a buddy fest! On Saturday after pony riding I went over to Leila’s for a sleepover. We had popcorn, sweets and watched Cinderella followed by Strictly - the perfect evening! We then giggled until we got into trouble with Leila’s Mummy and had to go to sleep!Then today we collected Jasmine and gatecrashed Nimra’s party along with Henry. I dont think anyone noticed! us so we are planning to do it again next week, somebody is bound to be having a party!!
Henry : Mummy was on call this weekend and so wasn’t around very much leaving me and Daddy to do man stuff together. This consisted of mainly picking up 1,247,329 leaves off the garden! Daddy calls it father/son bonding, I call it child labour!! Mummy did pop in briefly and helped me bake some yummy cookies. Each was supposed to have 4 smarties on but for some reason there were only enough in the bowl for 3 on each - I fear we may have mice! Then today I got to meet up with my nursery buddies at Nimra’s party which was great fun and I hardly missed Mummy at all - just don’t tell her that!
Pebbles : II like when Mummy is on call because she doesn’t get chance to organise the family being here there and everywhere and there is a lot more Pebbles time - it’s all about me!!
15th November 2015
Esme : Well Mummy has certainly milked her birthday! On Thursday we had teh annual Birthday dinner to celebrate Paige turning 18, Ellis reaching 17 and Mummy turning....I would dare say!! Friday was Children In Need and Henry went dressed as a bear/dog - we couldn’t quite decide which and I got to wear my new skirt and as much Pudsey tat as Mummy had been able to get for a fiver at Greggs!! Straight from school we piled into the car and headed off to Bluestone one of Mummy’s favourite places. I was very adventurous and did the Skywalk challenge and the climbing wall making Daddy very proud!!
Henry : I am still too little for Skywalks and walls but give me a bouncy castle, tractor and jeep and I’m in my element. We also went swimming and I had a ball floating down the lazy river. From there is was off for dinner and storytime with Santa who was assisted by his two lady elves Tinsel & Bauble - Daddy was just spoilt for choice! We had to whisper to Santa what we wanted for Christmas and I explained I wanted Thomas Tank toys whereas Esme said a pony! I suspect I know which one of us is going to be disappointed on Christmas morning!!
Pebbles : alas dogs aren’t allowed at Bluestone and so I had to go and stay with Jess otherwise I suspect I would have had no problem with the Skywalk challenge - well at least until I got to the zip wire anyway!!
8th November 2015
Esme : Thursday was Bonfire night and so we had a mini bonfire party with no expense spared! There was mushy peas, toasted marshmallows, bonfire toffee and sparklers. It’s a good job Henry & I are still young enough to be easily impressed!! Yesterday we popped over to see Mama & Grandad and to deliver the presents for the plethora of birthdays this week. So:-
Happy 21st Birthday to Michael on Tuesday
Happy 18th Birthday to Paige on Weds
Happy 17th Birthday to Ellis on Saturday.
Think that’s everyone!!
Henry : today we headed over to meet up with Bella & Elliott with their Mum & Dad Emma had put on a lovely spread including the biggest bowl of sausage rolls. I didn’t all of them (that would have been rude) but I certainly gave them my best shot! i had a fab time playing with all of Elliott’s toys and looking into my future toys which seemed to consist of a lot of guns - can’t wait!!
Pebbles : Dad was worried about me being scared on bonfire night but I coped admirably! Well it seemed to consist of a few whiz, bangs and sparkly lights. To be honest I’ve been more terrified when Dad lights the barbeque using lighter fuel!!
1st November 2015
Esme : Mummy says half terms come around far too quickly, if you ask me they go far too quickly too! This week I had a couple of days with Mama doing all sorts of things until she sent me home so she could have a rest!! On Thursday we all headed to the Yorkshire Wildlife park to meet up with Ruby, Johnny & Helen for a really fun day. That lead us into Halloween and having carved our pumpkins we got out the costumes and face paint to head off trick or treating. I now have my bodyweight in Haribos to consume when I can persuade Daddy to let me!!
Henry : now I am the ripe old age of 3 I was allowed to join in with the halloween festivities. This appears to consist of cross dressing and going out begging for sweets! Turns out it works so happy to go again next year!! Today we headed to the Heights of Abraham for the last time this year as their season came to a close. We had such a good time playing and finding the ghost clues for the halloween hunt that we were the final people to leave and nearly missed the last cable car home - we could have been there until Easter!!
Pebbles : I was allowed to go trick or treating as well and even had a spooky new collar for the occasion. However I wasn’t allowed to consume any of the rewards of our labours - where’s the fairness in that?!! On the plus side I definitely think the cats are warming to me - Harry only hisses at me every other time I go near him now - progress indeed!!
25th October 2015
Esme : This weekend has seen the culmination of Henry’s Birthday celebrations. Yesterday we packed a bag and headed to Stoke for 2 days of fun. Saturday we visited Monkey World where we saw over 100 monkeys including some little baby monkey’s who were even cuter than Henry! We dined at Frankie & Bennys before we retired to bed in our hotel room for 4!! It’s a good job we got that extra hour in bed because nobody went to sleep without a struggle - except Mummy of course who was first to go!!
Henry : today I was feeling a bit under the weather so my mood went up & down depending on the volume of calpol in my bloodstream! We spent the day in Trentham Gardens where we wander around the lake with Esme in search of 15 fairies. I was more interested in checking out the play areas and cracking open the hula hoops for lunch! Daddy & Esme decided to brave the barefoot walk where they trod on stone, rubber, pebbles, hay and thick oozy mud! There was no way I was parting with my footwear - it’s late October for goodness sake!!
Pebbles : apparently monkeys and dogs don’t match and so I wasn’t able to join the trip. Instead I went to stay with Aunty Lisa and my best bud Ruby. Aunty Lisa was sensible enough this time to hide the crisps but she forgot to move the bottled water and so I helped myself to 3 bottles of strawberry flavoured H2O!!
21st October 2015
Esme : Today my baby brother turned 3. He had loads of presents to open and so I did what any helpful Big Sis would do and stepped in to help. It was almost as much fun as when the contents are actually yours! And that wasn’t my only excitement as yesterday I lost another tooth and so had a visit from the tooth fairy overnight! Unfortunately my excitement didnt stretch to a day off school but we all met up for tea after school so I could help him celebrate his special day!
Henry : today was my Birthday and have had a fabulous day. It started with more presents than I can count and I can count up to 12 I will have you know! Mummy, Daddy & I then headed off to Splash Landings waterworld where we frolicked in the pool, swam the lazy river and diced with death on the wild water flumes. Back at home there was cake for Mama, Aunty Lisa & Paige who came to visit before Esme was collected and we headed off for a special birthday tea - sausages featured obviously! Uncle Richard popped in but after I had been dispatched to bed so unbeknown to me I have more presents for the morning! How great are Birthdays?!!
Pebbles :I’m pleased to say today my unwrapping services weren’t required which is just as well with these claws! Alas my cake eating services weren’t required either which is a damn shame given these canines!
18th October 2015
Esme : What a non-stop weekend. It started with another sleepover at Mama’s. Much more often and she will start charging us board! Saturday after the usual horse riding we sped off to meet Nanna & Grandad for tea and to collect Henry’s pressies - he has a birthday coming up don’t you know! Then today I went for a playtime with Jazzy before it was a quick stop at home to catch up with Nick, Charlotte & Archie before it was into my party dress for Henry’s party & home in time for Strictly results - phew!!
Henry : well my birthday celebrations are officially underway! Today was my party for all my friends including Louis, Till and Keeley as well as all my new friends from nursery. Esme also got to invite Ruby so those 2 were definitely in charge! I had a ball playing in the soft play and strutting my stuff at the disco. Mummy made me a cake complete with Ben, Holly, Gaston the ladybird & Betty Caterpillar. After leaving Esme in charge of the cake for a short while Betty managed to “lose” half her body - this is cruelty to insects!!
Pebbles : After that unfortunate incident with Grandma Joey’s cake I have hardly been allowed in the house for fear of a similar incident with Holly’s fantastic fondant castle! Esme eats her way through Betty’s abdomen & intestines and nothing happens, I sniff the cake and I’m banished to the garden!! There is no justice in the world!
11th October 2015
Esme : on Friday I took part in the inter schools cross-country and came 7th in my year. Given there were over 60 runners and I was the first Crich Carr girl home I think is pretty impressive! Saturday was the usual mix of pony riding, pizza & Stricty - so definitely my favourite day of the weekend! Today I managed 2 whole lengths of the swimming pool so now can’t decide if I’m going to be Paula Radcliffe or Rebecca Adlington when I grow up!
Henry : on Friday Mummy & Daddy had a sneaky day away going for some posh nosh at The Hand & Flowers, Tom Kerridge’s restaurant. I went to stay with Mama & Grandad where the food might not have 2 Michelin Stars but the company does! Today after swimming we had another trip to Matlock Farm park to play and eat ice cream - my kind of afternoon and what’s better - only 10 sleeps to my birthday!!
Pebbles : turns out Mummy does still know where my lead is! Lately she has been full of excuses as to why she can’t walk me from it’s too cold. it’s too dark. I have a bone in my leg!! However on Sunday morning when Dad showed no signs of rising from his bed she donned her wellies and off we set. We managed to run into cows, cyclists and a runner so I’m not sure she will be taking me again anytime soon - not sure her heart can take it!!
4th October 2015
Esme : well after months of waiting my pony weekend with Mummy finally arrived and it was even better than I had anticipated. The best bit was obviously the pony riding on Barney & Monty which included cantering and jumping - for me anyway! Mummy did some trotting and only fell off once! But Mummy & I also managed to fit in swimming, a chinese and some Strictly action. I only hope it is going to be an annual event!!
Henry : so I had to stay at home with Daddy & Pebbles. There were less ponies in my weekend but still lots of fun. We went for a walk in the sunshine, to the farm park (with adjourning ice cream parlour!) and swimming. I am also now the proud owner of a Gruffalo toy so it wasn’t all bad being left behind
Pebbles : I have had a weird week. Dad took me to the vets for an operation which apparently now means there are no puppies for Pebbles. That bit I don’t mind (never have been maternal me!) but they made me wear a lampshade!!
27th September 2015
Esme : well I haven’t had time to catch my breath this weekend! Yesterday Mummy, Daddy & I went to London with Johnny, Helen & Ruby. We travelled 1st Class by train (get us!!) before heading off to the Natural History museum followed by lunch, followed by a West End Show (Charlie & The Chocolate Factory no less), a stop off at Shauninthecity at Covent Garden and then dinner in Leicester Square - phew!! It was a whirlwind day and reminds me what a very lucky girl I am!!
Henry : I am still a little bit young for London and so I had a lovely day with Mama & Grandad. I think I tired Mama out with my chattering but I must have been a hit as she says I can come again! Today was an opportunity to don our finery and head off to Archie’s Christening where Mummy & Daddy were Godparents so had to be especially sensible which I think Mummy found easier than Daddy! There was then lots of playing with Louis, Tilly & Keeley and a chance to catch up with Nanna & Grandad. All that in 1 day I ask you!!
Pebbles : apparently I am too canine for London and too smelly for a Christening so I spent most of the weekend at home being walked by Malcolm. He does very good walking so I have no complaints!
20th September 2015
This weekend Daddy & Pebbles headed off camping with Daddy’s friends Rick and Steve. This left us at home with Mummy which is a guarantee of treats the level of which are never seen when the Daddy is around!
We went swimming and pony riding and there was a girlie movie night with popcorn, peanut M&Ms and toffiffee and this was just Saturday!
Sunday we headed off to the Forest Adventure Park which combined inside fun, outside fun and lots of animals. Throw in a picnic and you have a day that is just so.....Mummy!!
It was then home to be reunited with Daddy & Pebbles. We will let you guess who we had missed most!!
