Last half of 2008
went by with no blogging. Oops. Just going to fill in a few blanks, mostly for my reference as it’s nice to look back and remember what we did.
August
Jan and Jonathans party. Was lovely as it always is! Unfortunately the weather wasn’t so much and our tent collapsed in the high winds.
Had lots of car problems this month, one left us stranded on the motorway next to the Tinsley Towers. A few days later they were demolished, still quite weird not seeing them when you drive past.
September
Taught Alex to knit, she really loves it and managed to pick it up really easily.
Marcus finished his first proper book - Captain Underpants.
Apple Day - a local orchard holds an apple day every year so we popped down to that aand came back with bags full of apples to do things with! Pear tree from FILs was prolific too so lots of preserving going on!
Went to a friends wedding, James was a best man (1 of 3).
October
Ireland: Guinness Factory & Dublin
Tullamore Whiskey Heritage centre
Walking in the Wicklow Mountains
Visit to BallyKissangel
Alex’s birthday - 7!!!!! Had some friends over for a play.
Halloween. Both kids were very excited at Halloween and duly dressed up as a witch and Darth vader and pounded the streets 
Most neighbours happy to do the whole thing so was very nice.
November
Fireworks. Didn’t go anywhere specific but wandered round our estate watching them all which was fun.
Nic’s. Visited Nic and Ady and had a lovely time with them. Kids get on so well with hers so always fun to visit. Made a detour to Reading while there to another friends pool party. Hadn’t seen those friends in ages so particularly nice.
December
Helmsley. Wish I’d managed to stay for the whole time here but when it was booking time we were skint. Since it’s so close we managed to go for the ‘Xmas day’ and Nic kindly let us sleep over in their room so we could be there for S’s birthday the day after. Had a fab time there especially as it snowed! We never get snow so this was a big novelty. M had lots of snowball fights.
Nativity play. Went to a local Nativity play which, while overpriced, was very nice and the first time we’ve ever done that as we missed the Pennywell trip back when we went to Okehampton years ago. M predictably wouldn’t join in though (which made the over priced part worse!).
Xmas. Argh Xmas! Should have been lovely but unfortunately we had a bug which Alex got on Christmas Eve Eve, M got on Xmas Eve and I got on Xmas day. Luckily we had Boxing day free of Sickness but J then came down with it the day after. The kids had a good day though so that’s what matters I guess.
Finally to end 2008 we visited Em for a party. I don’t tend to ‘do’ NYE but that’s from having parents who don’t celebrate it either. Normally we go to James’ family so it was nice to do something else. I so love these get togethers, it makes me feel so lucky to have such fab friends. Was a perfect way to end and start the year.
