ill, ill and iller-if thats a word!

What a week-I guess me being ill last Sunday wasn't a good omen but this week has been a bit bonkers. I could probably understand it if we all had the same ailment this week but then that would be boring I guess.

So the week I had set aside to crack on with the decorating started with me feeling quite ill, headache, sore throat, dizzy etc.

Monday morning we were greeting with the power cut (earlier blog for details)

Tuesday- Abbs and Hollie were so ill they slept most of the day. Which I was relieved about as it was nice and quiet-until the older ones came home, then the fun began! Danny had a friend over for dinner. Emm was sick all over her carpet,(not fun cleaning that one up) and then again all over the bathroom. Hollie also started being sick at the same time-synchronized puke again not fun. I got no sleep that night between Hollie and Abbs who's tonsils had got so big she could barely breath and kept waking up coughing.

Wednesday- Emm off school, Abbs at the doctors as she had come out with a rash to go along with her flu like symptoms, Hollie not eating the puking after drinking anything. Danny walking home complaining of a sore toe. Amiees turn to have a friend over for tea. Chris spent the night being sick-still no sleep for me.

Thursday - Emm back at school, Danny off due to toe which had got worse overnight and now needed a trip to the drop in center where they dressed it and said it would be better in a few days. Just as I was thinking he would be back at school, he started being sick! All over the carpet and bathroom-delightful! Abbs still ill and getting worried about Hollie as she still was still lethargic and being sick. Aimme playing up because she somehow had escaped the whole week without being ill and therefore had had to go to school every day. In her mind this was a great injustice. No sleep again.

Friday-Danny still off because of sickness, but toe still hurting. People had stopped being sick but then my throat started hurting. Hollie looking really ill so got Chris to give her blessing. Spent most of the night holding her so still no sleep.

Saturday- Me feeling rubbish, probably due to no sleep. Hollie still not well but showing signs of getting better. Took the dressing off Danny toe to find that instead of getting better it has got alot worse so another trip to the drop in center to get some antibiotics. I then went out with Emm and left Chris with all the kids. Got back, got tea sorted and just as we had finished, the power went off again- so grabbed their PJs by candlelight and went to grandmas for baths. Got home, kids in bed and just as I had finished my tea we could hear Danny crying due to his toe. Brought him downstairs and when I looked at his foot I could see a red line going up his vein indicating septicemia! Off to the A&E we went. After seeing the doctor he was admitted, had to have x-rays and an IV put in for antibiotics and told not to eat in case he would need surgery in the morning. We were taken up to the ward where we had our own room-they had even put a bed in for me! So even though I was still in the clothes I had had on that morning and felt minging at 3 am I finally got some of the best sleep I've had in ages. No interruptions, dark, quiet and the nurse even made me breakfast. What a silver lining!

Sunday- Finally got in touch with Chris to let him know where we had been all night. Relieved to see that the antibiotics had stopped the infection traveling up his foot, but has had to stay in as he may still need surgery in the morning to drain the puss-yuk.

So now I'm here on my own with the girls in bed thinking how grateful I am for all the blessings in my life that have sustained us this week, daring to wonder what next week will hold for us.

PS If I can workout how to get it off my phone I have a rather gross pic of Dannys toe.

Julis' project

Behold Julis' project bought off Ebay for 99p. Bargain? Dud? Rip off? Gem? You decide! The aim is to upholster, paint, change the handles and place in the hallway behind the door.

Good Intentions

With the kids back to school today was the day that the decorationg was going to resume. I had it all planned out, was just about to get things ready and....the power went off. Typical. I took it as a sign and went shopping instead-much more rewarding.

After school we took the kids bowling as they had wanted to go in the holidays but it's much cheaper during term time. So off we went. It's been a while but the kids love it. They've updated the computers so it told you how fast you bowled the ball. Well that kind of information completly changed to point of the game for Chris. It was no longer a game to see how many oins you knocked down but how fast you could bowl the ball. I did have to laugh when Aimee got a stike at 3.4mph and his 29mph ball knocked down 3!! Hollie was hillarious too-she kept wanting to give us high 5's and was cheering with us. The evening was only marred by Anna-Belle getting a very sudden, very high temp. Calpol and ibrofen starting to kick in now so a little better. She insists she will be ok to go to toddlers tomorrow-we'll see.

Book club

It's my turn to host the bookclub meeting tonight, and whats more it's the first book I've actually finished! We read "A thousand splendid suns" which I really enjoyed. I've learned more about Afganistan from that book than from years of news reports. A good read. So as I knew we were going to be out today I thought I'd get ahead of the game and tidy up last night. The recent purchase of the sofas for the family room meant that both big sofas had to go in the front room. I'm surprised that I've got them both in without the room feeling too cramped. It actually feels really snug and like a proper room. Can't wait for tonight now so I can light a fire AGAIN. I love it, can you tell?

Fresh air at last

We were finally able to get outside for the first real time this year. It seems like months since we went out, wait a minute that's because it has been months.

We headed off to Herrington country park, one of the kids favorite places and ours too. The kids love the park and we love the lake and walks.

I love this one of Abbs. I think she looks so cute.

I was sure that we could walk to the park from our house so we headed in the general direction of home to see where we came out. This is Chris' favorite type of photo. I just think it looks like we have a huge family!

Abbs choice of a walking stick! We broke it down for her but she wouldn't let go of the thing.

Wellies were defiantly the order of the day! There were plenty of puddles along the way to satisfy any child.

Hollies first encounter with a , erhh pony I think.

So as it turns out the park is only about 20mins walk from out house which is great!! In the summer we can go on our bikes there no problem. I'm actually quite excited about that. After walking nearly all the way home we realized we had left the house keys in the car so ALL of us had to walk back. With the promise of 10 minutes on the park it wasn't too traumatic.

It was all too much for Abbs, having to use her legs and all! She decided to hop in the shopping basket, which by the looks of things must be quite comfy, we thought she'd fallen asleep...

apparently not! The little monkey was awake all along!

All in all a good day out. Followed by a lovely curry from the slow cooker all ready when we got in-oh and ice-cream of course!

Bargains and change-again

Well, e-bay has certainlly provided us with some bargins of late but I think these little beauties are our best but so far. I wont tell you how much we got them for as you will be green with envy as they are in perfect condition and only a few months old. Chris went to get them today so we had to move the big sofas AGAIN. They are now squeezed in the front room but these are the perfect size for the family room-really comfy too.

Oh, and our little pong chairs which were also a bargain off e-bay. Danny and Abbs have made claim to these-Danny wanted to sleep in his. He did look very comfortable in it I have to say. Don't know how long the cream covers will last mind, but again-very happy. Starting to feel like things are coming together. Just need to decide what colour to paint the walls now.

Pancake Day

So despite having made these pancakes hundreds of times I still don't know the recipe and without my Bero book I had to guess! They still went down well, but then anything smothered in jam, nuttella or marshmallow fluff will taste good!

As Anna-Belle is such a blueberry fan I had to make her some blueberry pancakes. I just wish I had time to have one! Never mind, I'm sure we can have them again next week!!

PS: If anyone has a Bero book handy can you forward me the recipe for dropped scones-please.

Aimee!

Honestly, this girl is completely in a world of her own sometimes! This is what I found when I went to check on them-note, I couldn't actually get in the room, I just stuck my are around the door!! I don't ask why anymore.

Move around-again!

Back to our normal routine of changing the room around every two minutes. Thought this habit would leave us with a new house!!!

From our first visit to the house before we bought it the little bedroom was chosen by Anna-Belle as her peppa-pig room so we chose and bought all the decor (paint, duvet set, curtains etc.) Within one day she didn't want to sleep alone and it became Hollies room (Ab's shared with Aimee). Well now Aimee is in the small room.

We have never been happy with the position of the sofa in the family room. We've had it in front of the conservatory doors, opening between the kitchen and the family room and now we are trying the only other place, in front of the radiator next to the door. We are happier with that than the other ones (so far!)

Maybe now we can get round to deciding a colour. This quite tough as it has to blend in with the kitchen, dining area and conservatory. Something tells me it may be a while!

House Update

Well I thought it was about time we did a little update of the house. We haven't done a huge amount to be truthful as we have been so busy with other stuff-although I couldn't tell you what to be honest. However the drafts coming up from all the gaps in the floor became too much one freezing morning so I did this.

I wasn't planning on having laminate, but there were just too many drafts, plus this was on offer in B&Q. I also had had enough of the yucky kitchen floor so I did that too!

Kitchen before

and then a few hours later.

It's so much better as I don't have to worry about Hollie anymore. Just the rest of the house now!!