The DIY has continued this week, with an exciting (oh there should be a special font for sarcasm) re-grouting of around the bath, fitting a new bath panel, fitting a new light and shelves for Lucy, plus building all her Ikea furniture (except for the half a wardrobe we left at Mum and Dad's house). I was fed up of DIY today anyway, so have been sorting out photos on my computer, and working on a new photobook.

I've kept Lucy off school the past 2 days again - she doesn't seem to be getting any better - cold symptoms, bad stomach etc. She is good company though. Today she developed a whole thing called 'Lucy Enterprises', with a newsletter, reward points system, with reward cards for the boys, library cards for them, and she's been writing out other plans for it. The boys on the other hand have been working on their birthday present lists (with the Argos catalogue in hand...)

The kids also got letters from America today from a friends' children of similar ages, which they are happy about. They have been writing their replies. The letter for Tom was so sweet, and ended mid sentence, saying that the little girl 'also collects sti...' We have had fun guessing what it is she might collect - stickers, sticks, stick-insects?

Also today a tripod came for my camera - which I used on some of the pictures below. I really have to read the book on how to use the camera properly now.

Just before bedtime tonight, I was talking to Lucy, and Harry was dying to tell me something - he kept interrupting, and then getting distracted, and when he finally came out with it, it was "Mum, 'normally' sounds like 'Norman'! " Lucy and I were highly amused, and decided 3 year olds are fun to have around.

If anyone happens to see Scott looking slightly the worse for wear, by the way, he left his electric shaver in Nottingham, and has been coping with wet-shaving, with his 'food storage' razors. He has a nice new constellation of toilet paper bits stuck on him each morning. Poor man.

Painting

I've been painting the bathroom from 7.30am till 6.30pm today with a few breaks. It took 4 coats of paint, and is finally done!! Tom was off school feeling (a bit) poorly, and so he and Harry had quite a nice time playing with each other. Tom gave Harry about half his football cards. Scott hasn't been home yet - he had a governors' meeting, and then is picking up Lucy from her second Young Womens.

Family Pictures from Conference Weekend

We stayed over Saturday night at Mum and Dad's, along with Katy and Amy (Dan was working). Niki, Robin, Adam, Dan and Great Grandma came on Sunday, and we hung out all day, in between going to various sessions of Conference at the Stake Centre. (I know we could see it on the internet, but it just doesn't seem the same as getting the kids dressed smartly, and sitting and watching it reverently at church.) The kids told us the bits they remembered on the way home afterwards. They especially like President Monson's 'Warm Fuzzies' story! All the talks from Conference can be seen here. My Dad and niece Amy

Katy and Robin Amy and her Daddy Jack playing with the solar powered spider he built while we were in Nottingham

My lovely husband... Dan took these garden ones of the kids: Harry playing with the bus I used to play with at the same age My brother-in-law Dan (with the tie I like!) My sister-in-law Niki, and Adam Harry with Great-Grandma's 'Big Eye'

Dan gave me some pointers with my camera, and so I was playing around with shutter speed on the drive home - this one was exposed for 30 seconds, and the one underneath was the rear lights of the car in front, with me moving the camera in a heart shape! A bit rubbish, but fun. I want to get a tripod for low light photos, next.

Family

Did the ironing, went to the gym (gave myself a massive headache again - exercise is NOT good for you), Scott picked up Lucy from her sleep-over at Shane and Dawn's, then went to Mum and Dad's in Nottingham for General Conference. Hurray!
Harry does like eggs really - he is just fed-up of me taking his picture:
Discussing scriptures with Dad on the draining board

My lean mean husband...

Uncle Scott and beautiful little Amy

Big cousin Lucy

Tom adores babies - he was waiting patiently for his turn to hold her.

My glamorous 'doing sanding' get-up: Harry and I played on the trampoline this afternoon.(I have always really loved my kids' feet for some reason!) Veggie soup for tea - we needed some carrots for it:

I like the sky at the bottom of our garden

Off to book club now.

Today (I Hate Forms)

I was sitting here filling in tonnes of boring forms, and felt like moaning about them on here instead. I have 4 kids in 4 different settings, so fair enough, there are bound to be a few letters and forms, but why do I have to fill in loads of parent contact froms, health forms, etc etc when they could just use last year's? Also why are online forms so complicated too? I've just done Harry's application for school next year, and what a palava - I couldn't remember my password from 3 years ago (funnily enough), with no way to retrieve it. I also have to fill in a form for it, about our church attendance. There is a box for 'Length and degree of involvement in the life and work of the church'. Ha. Give me a bigger box.

Maybe I would feel more like forms though if I'd had a bit more sleep (though maybe not). Harry woke at about 2am, and I didn't get to sleep till 5.30 ish. Harry has started coughing in the night, and I seem to have pulled muscles down one side of my back, plus my opposite shoulder is playing up again, and I've had a headache pretty much since Saturday morning. Also Lucy is really poorly again and took today off school. We had a nice day though - Lucy and I watched a chick-flick while Harry was at playgroup, then Harry and I had naps this afternoon. Harry came home with a cut on his head from a kid at playgroup, but didn't seem too worried by it.

Actually yesterday, Harry went home with one of his playgroup friends after playgroup, so I had ALL DAY to myself (which I spent talking to Mum on the phone and wallpapering). The Mum who had looked after Harry said I would have been so proud of him - he had beautiful manners and was offering to help her carry things etc! Thank goodness he's not a hooligan all the time!

Right, 3 more forms, and I am done. Come on Helen - you can do it.

Later... Down to one last form now - that can wait till tomorrow. Happy because Scott came home from church meetings (or it might have been his rehearsal as The Wizard of Oz), with the weekly shopping, flowers for me and doughnuts :)

Mini Books

I made a couple of mini books this week - one for me to keep track of when I borrow and lend books, and the other for a friend from church who is moving back to the States, with the military. This is normally the domain of my craft blog, but I just found out that my 'Books' book got picked for the top five on a craft contest site, so I am pleased!