Hamster Shock

We took our eldest's hamster to Trowbridge for the weekend as we thought it would be easier than getting someone to feed it at ours. However, the water bottle leaked from the jiggling of the car and made the bedding all wet. Whilst tidying up the cage we found a rather surprising discovery.

A number of pink wriggly things in Emily's nest. We all jumped. It seems that she has had babies. We wondered why she was a bit slimmer and has more prominent nipples. She must have been pregnant when we bought her on the day after boxing day.

Our eldest is very excited and is working out her profit if she can sell them on.

No pictures as yet as it is best not to disturb baby hamsters lest they be rejected by the mother. We don't even know how many there are...

To Trowbridge

We had a long drive on Friday to stay at a Friend's house in Trowbridge. It was cold and slow but it was worth the trip. They had left us a chilli which we ate with chips from the chippy down the road. Yum.

Friday tomorrow.

Tomorrow is Friday. I am looking forward to the weekend. It has been mad this week, what with our car in the garage, the boiler freezing, our youngest starting school, the cold and snow, our eldest being slow in the mornings, accidents closing the roads on the way to work but, as I said. Tomorrow is Friday!

Reading

Went to Reading today to help a customer solve some problems.

It was freezing.

Boiler Trouble

The boiler has gone awry. It looks like the cold weather we have been having has frozen something up. That's weird as we has a freezer that broke when the heater in it failed and now we have a boiler that doesn't like the cold.

At least our youngest is prepared for the worst if the dripping from the boiler gets worse.

Snow and School

It was out youngest's first real day at school today. To add to the excitement it snowed and the hill up to the school was very slippy and slidy. He bounded in to the classroom full of enthusiasm and seemed to have had a great time when his mum picked him up. Our eldest was a bit disappointed to be in school and not sledging.

Holiday End

Today is the last day of the holidays. Tomorrow is the first day of school for our youngest and a new term for our eldest. It's been a great time off. We have mostly relaxed and just had a nice time. The new year looks to be full of the usual challenges of budgets, trying to be good parents and trying to make sense of life. I'm looking forward to it...

As part of the first challenge I went to Lidl to get some value fresh produce. 

Walk in the countryside

This morning our eldest was still at a sleepover at her friend's house. My wife and I decided to go for a run. She ran and I scooted with our youngest.

Back to work.

Back to work today. At least it's Friday!

New Years Day

It's a brand new year and my last day off before starting work after the Christmas break. A perfect time to make dinosaurs and fairies.   

Christmas Do

Today was the works christmas do. A chance to get very drunk and get to know what your colleagues are like when they are also drunk.  I kind of spoiled this as I didn't get very drunk but never mind, enough other people did.

Another milestone

Another milestone in our youngest's life. His first day at his new school. He looks so grown up in his uniform - though at the same time so little. Today is just a day to get used to the school - he starts properly in the new year.

Our youngest and his proud sister.

Outside his new classroom.

The first pupil - lets see if he stays so keen!

HDR

I think high dynamic range photography and the effects it creates can be amazing so I thought I'd have a go:

Blue Jelly

We sometimes make jelly - and although it is red, our youngest calls it blue jelly:

A yob in the making

Looks like our youngest is well on the way to being a hoodie wearing yob!

Pizza - Raaarrrr!

We sometimes make pizzas - our youngest wanted to make a dinosaur one. This is the result. We went for a dinosaur shape rather than flavour.

Monkey Song

As a fan of Veggietales I commend this funny video to you - demonstrating the dangers of a simple classification structure.

More fireworks, chocolate fondue and a giant television.

We once again went to our friends bonfire party. This year I got to help light the fireworks. Great fun - I love blowing stuff up.

Mmmmm. Chocolate.
Giant TV. Shame they watched Alvin and the Chipmunks.

The barely discernable Guy. The bonfire took several doses of petrol to get going, much to the horror of various mothers.

12 Years

No not a prison sentence but the length of time I have been married to my beautiful wife. It has been a fantastic 12 years and I am looking forward to many more.

Aforementioned beautiful wife.

My wife and I. In front of the baptistry where our children were to be (have been) baptized.

Fireworks

We watched the council fireworks from my eldest's bedroom this evening. No rain, no cold and a great view.