Mickey's Christmas Party

Whilst over in the US, we were fortunate to be able to take our girls to Mickey's Christmas Party. This is an event that is pre-bookable, where by they close the park to the general public at 7pm and only those with tickets are able to attend.

Now, little did I expect when paying to attend such a bash, that our family would be attending with 21,996 other people!! Oh my, now for one that doesn't cope too well with large crowds, when entering the Magic Kingdom, I could quite easily have turned around and left! Two eager children however prevented this from happening, so I took a deep breath and negotiated the 22k strong crowd with the pushchair...yikes...and decided to delve deep inside the Cath Kidston 'Stanley' Backpack (that accompanied us everywhere on our trip), and pull out my best, crowd coping 'Christmas Spirit' to make it an evening to remember.

As the time progressed, it really did turn into a magical evening, the air was filled with the smell of gingerbread and hot chocolate, which was being served around every corner and fireworks exploding above the beautifully lit castle as Dumbo flew by!

The girls had fun dancing with the Ugly Sisters....

We were even sprinkled with snow as we promenaded down Main Street..OK,OK...'negotiated' Main Street, avoiding people's ankles...

The parade was truly spectacular with all the magnificent floats lit with thousands of tiny lights accompanied by fabulous Christmas music creating an atmosphere that only Disney know how...

We were all mesmerised as we eagerly awaited the next perfectly decorated float.

Two Peas in a Pod!!!

In between the floats that looked good enough to eat, we were treated to Santa's helpers dancing past....

Gingerbread men leaving behind them them the wonderful aroma of Christmas spices....

And my all time favourite Toy Soldiers

As we stumbled out of the Magic Kingdom at 11.30pm, two children fast asleep in their pushchairs we knew we had created memories to last a lifetime....

'Always Coca-Cola'......

To me Christmas always commences when I'm sitting down in the evening and the very first Christmas Coca-Cola advert comes on to the television, I love those adverts, truely magical, they even give M&S food adverts a run for their money (you know the ones where you want to reach into the tv and plunge your spoon into the melt in the middle chocolate pudding)?

Well not only am I addicted to Coca-Cola, and actually experience withdrawl symptoms if I go a day without a glass (I know, not very healthy), but I also I have a penchent for the packaging....the older the better.

My obsession with Coca-Cola continued throughout our trip to Disney World and I just adored all the vintage merchandising throughout the parks. I thought I'd share a few of these piccies with you because only you can truely understand my enthusiasum at a rusty old coke machine!...people stared in wonder as I stood photographing such things...they just wouldn't understand!!!

Isn't it great? It still had the original bottles in it! A bottle of coke for 3 cents..bargain!

Look at these old crates stacked and awaiting my camera to snap them.


When in Asia......

Obviously these are vending machine/cool boxes from bygone years and have refreshed people from all over the world, however if I fancied fueling my 'addiction' whilst wandering around the parks I was even treated to purchasing them from these unusual outlets.

This beauty was full to the brim with ice and bottles just waiting to re-energise me..

This kiosk was found at Hollywood Studios (previously MGM Studios).

This was my favourite however located at the entrance to Hollywood Studios, where the entire entrance is Art Deco themed which delighted me no end.

Whilst I'm having a little 'red & white' themed post, lets just throw the 'big guy' in for good measure...I was going to show you a picture of him with the girls but they didn't co-ordinate!!!!

Oh, shucks...now I feel guilty.... what mother doesn't include a picture of her children because they don't match?!!!

Santa Claus and Coca-Cola..."It's the real thing".

'Mickey Christmas Everyone'.........

I explained in my last post that I hadn't been around for a while....the reason for this was because I was trying to get everything prepared for Christmas and all the family coming before we went on holiday to America, enjoying Disney World and the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. I wanted to be totally prepared; presents wrapped, decorations up, food all bought before we departed so I could enjoy the holiday in the knowledge that I didn't have it all to do when we returned.

Also my wonderful, kind and generous (is that enough creeping now?) sister Rachel, who is returning home from New Zealand this week has VERY kindly volunteered to look after the little people whilst Rob and I enjoy a week of bliss straight after Christmas, visiting our holiday home in Cyprus, ordering furniture etc ready for our first family holiday there in May next year. This has meant that I have had to be really organised and prepared, but it has all been worth it.

The girls were told on many occasions by total strangers just how lucky they were to be experiencing Disney at Christmas, but to be honest I think it was the other way around, we were the lucky ones to witness the sheer enjoyment and pleasure plastered all over our little girls faces for the entire 2 weeks. Many have said that they are to young/won't remember it etc, etc but to be honest I think that's total nonsense...it's the perfect age to take 2 little girls obsessed with princesses to see those characters brought to life in front of their very eyes

How I struggled to pack for a family of 4 into 2 suitcases...... even though we were allocated 4 pieces of luggage each, 2 other pieces of luggage were used up for car seats (I am not a huge fan of the American car seats). One case was full of clothes for 4, taking into account the fact that the weather could and did change from 86 degrees one day to 60 degrees on another and the last of course was full to full to bursting with Nylon Princess dresses that the girls insisted were vital for such a trip (yes Hen, if you're reading this, you were right)!!....to hell with mum and dad trying to manage with very limited clothing....

Of course with 2 daughters of a similar size and age they were able to swap and change a little according to their mood and the princess of the moment.

The highlight of Imogen's entire trip was meeting her idol Ariel from the Little Mermaid. They discussed in depth having the same colour hair...

Thankfully she didn't realize that their faces had changed!!

Now I could go on and on and on with princess pictures, as you can imagine I have about 150. However I'll try not to bore you. Just one more for Auntie Rachel who has been eagerly awaiting a picture of Mickey on this blog....

And another of little Beatrice....Who could argue that this little lady wasn't having the time of her life?....



OK,OK, enough ..not very 'bloggy' I know; nylon dresses and Disney characters, in fact I'm pretty sure I could even get thrown out of 'blogland' for even entertaining such a holiday let alone admitting to it!! We did do other things I promise you, which I'll hopefully show over the next week...that is if you haven't all given up on me by then as I haven't had the time to read your blogs and leave comments recently...I have missed you all terribly and look froward to spending a lot more time in blogland come the New Year and my return from holiday no.2....I know, I'm a very lucky lady indeed..2 holidays in a month.

Back to our trip.....

Evenings were spent more often than not relaxing...our favourite spot at the Animal Kingdom Lodge was sat around the campfire on the rocking chairs.

Each evening someone from Africa (A high proportion of the staff are from Africa) tells stories to all the children about the African Bush, however Imogen & Beatrice preferred stories told by daddy..oh and the odd cuddle now and again.


This hotel is amazing. Every time you walk through the doors you instantly relax and are transported to the African Savannah.... Everything about this hotel is beautiful and authentic...no Disney tackiness here..... genuine African artifacts displayed around the hotel, African music piped throughout (even relaxing me whilst watching the girls play in the playground), giraffes, zebras and buffalo grazing below the terraces of the hotel rooms and a beautiful pool and spa, flood lit at night to relax and unwind after a stressful day in the parks. Anyone reading this and would like to let their children experience Disney, but want a little luxury and relaxation for themselves I'd highly recommend this hotel.

When we had enough of the Princess's, well me anyway, (the girls or Mr PL for that matter, could never tire of these beautiful ladies), we'd hop in the car and unwind on one of the many stunning beaches along the Gulf of Mexico.



Where we walked along the seashore collecting seashells..


And made lots of sandcastles with the beautiful white sand.

Disney I know is not for many of you, in fact I'm sure it would be your idea of living hell ,but for those with young children it can be truly magical and create moments in time that both you and them will remember forever.

If ever you get the chance and you have small children, save enough pennies and go. If you can, make it Florida rather than Paris as they are streets apart. Especially the Animal Kingdom Park at Disney World. To me ,only the Americans can really 'do' Disney and create the 'magic' that Walt visualised when he turned that vision into reality on 17th July 1955.

The Magnificent Seven.........

Thank you so much to the following ladies for their kindness in giving me the following awards;

Thanks Lesley

Lesley, you're too kind...

Now you're REALLY spoiling me Lovely Lesley!
Thank you for thinking of me Sian.

And to Joanne thank you for the following award.

I feel a bit of a fraud, as you may have noticed that I have been somewhat 'absent without leave' over the last few weeks. I have been extremely busy (I'll blog about this at a later stage - don't get too excited though, all very boring)!! I've had to be very disciplined however to get things done, as once I sit down at the computer, one blog leads to another and another....you know how it is?!! It's amazing how much I've achieved in the last few weeks though staying out of 'blogland', I must admit though, I have missed catching up with everyone's news.

Now, I've been tagged by Joanne to reveal 7 things about myself, well 42 actually, blimey that'll get the old brain going!...so here we go;

7 Things I'd like to do before I die.

Take my children to visit the countries and homes I lived in around the world.
Take a 3 month 'whistle stop' tour around the world with the girls before they leave home.
Live in our home in Cyprus for a period of time, enabling the girls to experience another culture/schooling system, as I did.
Own a Donkey!
Watch my children grow up, whilst growing old with Mr PL.
Study photography.
Learn to sail and buy a boat to keep near my 'dream house' in the South Hams (obviously haven't yet bought boat OR house)!

7 Things I do now.

Hyper-ventilate every time I look in the mirror at how many lines I now have and how tired, old and haggered I'm looking these days!!!
Wonder; "Should I have botox"?!! at least 5 times a day.
Spend far too much time and money internet shopping having not quite got to grips with 'window shopping'.
Dream about what lovely things I'd buy if I hadn't spent so much money shopping on the Internet.
Bake lots of glittery cupcakes.
Attempt to fill grey/dull/wet days with interesting and fun things for two very 'demanding' pre-schoolers.
Try and remember to buy 'essential food' at the supermarket when there are far more interesting things to spend money on!!

7 Things that I can't do.

Stop myself pressing 'Confirm Order' on the Boden website.
Cook; I can bake but I am a hopeless cook.
Crochet.
Anything too technical on the computer!
Speak a foreign language fluently.
Stop worrying about silly things.
Leave my daughters and husband without telling them I love them.

7 Things I say often.

Be nice to your sister.
Go back to bed, 5'o'Clock is far too early.
I'm SO tired.
Archie be quiet (the 'vocal' dog).
You're driving me bonkers!
Do you need a wee? we're going.
It wasn't 'that' expensive!

7 Things I find attractive in the opposite sex.

7 x 1 million pounds in the bank!
Oh and of course, caring, good sense of humour, nice shoes and all those things!!!!

7 Foods I like.

Cinnamon Rolls.
Cheese (The stronger the better).
Potatoes in any form.
Enchiladas.
Pickled Onion Monster Munch.
Key Lime Pie.
Stilton and Sweet Potato Soup.

So, if I ever I come to your house for dinner you'll know what to make me....Stilton Soup to start, followed by Enchiladas smothered in strong cheese with potatoes on the side, and Key Lime Pie and Cinnamon Rolls for dessert...Oh and a bag of Pickled Onion Monster Munch to take home!!!! Anyway fancy joining me?

News in Norwegian......

To most of you reading this today it's just 'Wednesday 12th November', just another day, a day of normality, off to work, taking the children to school, a supermarket shop maybe? or a little preparation for Christmas festivities. To our family it holds a little sadness but also love and fond memories of a strong and wonderful woman that left our world one year ago today surrounded by her children as she passed away, free of pain and suffering. The woman I talk of is my Mother-in-law; Adit.

It was just under 80 years since Adit (pronounced 'A'dit) was welcomed into this world by her mother Friedl and father Willie in Berlin, Germany, and who would have thought where her life would take her, on a path to England where she would spend the rest of her life.

This courageous young woman, just 18 years of age came, over to Britain in the late 1940's from her home in war blitzed Berlin, it had been an extremely frightening place for her to grow up during the war years. I remember her telling me on one occasion of how frightened she was when one day the Russians invaded, forcing her and her family into a secret hiding place in the flat above the bakery where she lived, her story had similarities to The Diaries of Anne Frank.

It must have been terrifying for her to travel, on her own, through a very fragile Europe before arriving in England, which up until 3 years previously, was the enemy of the leaders of her country...and to make matters even harder she didn't speak a word of English, How brave this young lady was in her search of a better life.

Her English however turned out to be perfect, although she did manage the odd spoonerism or two, which down the years has had us in fits of laughter with her jumbled up words. When she'd talk of 'Cleest Intwood' (Clint Eastwood to you and I), or when she went to buy fitted sheets and asked the shop assistant where she could find "Shitted Feet"!!

Another fond memory that has me in fits of giggles is when I remember the story of her sometimes rather suspect hearing! She was extremely confused one day when the national news reader announced; "And now for the news in Norwegian"; what he actually said was "And now for the news in your region"!

There were many times, as with all us, when she'd have to reach deep within for that inner strength to get her through difficult times. One of these being when her father, Willie Klopsch, was living in what became West Berlin. In August 1961, he was working on the east side of the city the day the Berlin Wall went up. He was unable ever to return home, his family home where is wife and family were awaiting his return from work that day. That never happened. Can you imagine, leaving for work one day and never being able to return to your home? He died 6 weeks before the wall came down in late 1989. I remember being in St Louis, Missouri the day the wall came down, such an historic day. Little did I know at that time what significance it would have for my future family, the story it would hold for my daughters, of their great-grandfather.

Another time that Adit showed her true strength and spirit was when her husband 'Ted' sadly died over 20 years ago. Instead of becoming a lost soul, she started to re-build her life again and after 30 years of marriage she decided that life was for enjoying. She began to travel and loved it, visiting The United States, California, New York, Chicago...Australia and Europe.

Adit kept a very close circle of friends over the years, many of whom were German. We still don't know how she managed to find so many German friends, but she did! One of these friends included a wonderful lady, Ilsa, who was a friend going back to her childhood days in Berlin, they would often travel back in their minds to the fun they'd had together during those early years. It was lovely that she still had such a strong connection with her past. In fact the picture at the start of this post is of Adit (left) and Ilsa at 16 yrs of age, proudly wearing clothes they'd made from remnants during the war. I believe these particular dresses were made of parachute silk.

Her 2 bundles of joy were her only grandchildren, my children, Imogen and Beatrice. When Imogen was born just over 4 years ago, Adit was no longer Adit/mum anymore but suddenly became Omi, which is an affectionate term in German for Grandmother. Her biggest regret was that her time would be cut short with them. She would have dearly loved to see them grow just a little bit older. How I cried when I walked away from the hospice just a year ago holding their tiny little hands, knowing that the goodbyes we'd just said to this woman whom we all loved so much would be for the last time. How I wanted to run back in and hug her just one more time whilst she was with us instead of having to stay strong and happy for my two little girls.

Omi lives on in many ways however...Imogen has taken on her German formal side and has Adit as her middle name, whilst Beatrice has her looks, expressions and sense of fun, oh, and lets not forget the singing, like her Omi she sings ALL the time! Both however, have inherited her stubbornness and independence!!!! Oh my, am I in for a fun time ahead! Imogen can however say "Fitted Sheets" so that's an advantage!!!

Adit, we all miss you greatly but we all hold you close in out hearts and in our minds. locking away precious memories we'll treasure forever.

Ghosts and Ghouls...

Oh my, what a week! Lots of sickness here in Petticoat Lane. With a week full of half term Halloween celebrations and gatherings this was not good news!

Having had to cancel arrangements earlier in the week, by Wednesday we were more than ready to take a step outside and breathe in the fresh air, so as planned, we donned our Halloween costumes and drove on our merry little way to Lacock Abbey for a Witches and Wizards day.

Two minutes after arriving at the Abbey...

"Mummy I feel really poorly"

"Oh, you'll be fine when we arrive and you get some fresh air"

"But mummy I feel sick and have tummy ache"

We had a little chat about how poorly she 'really' felt and decided that we'd just go and have a quick look, but if she felt unwell come straight back to the car. She asked for the pushchair which was a sign that she really was poorly as she now feels far too old for a pushchair, and rightly so!

Imogen looking as white as a sheet, perked up slightly when she saw how many other witches and wizards were promenading around the abbey grounds, but she still didn't manage to haul herself out of the pushchair, leaving me to manoeuvre around the crowds, trying not to run over too many dainty little toes as I went.

Lacock Abbey is beautiful and was used for some of the Harry Potter scenes, I think this 'extra' got left behind!



Inside the Cloisters there were magicians roaming around entertaining the hordes, arts and crafts activities (that is if you could fight your way to the table or were willing to push small children flying in order to participate in such activities)!! and 'spooky' storytelling.



This magnificent cauldron wasn't displayed just for the day, but is infact a permanent fixture in the Cloisters and dates back to the 1500's. You may have spotted it in the first two Harry Potter films.




The patient managed to haul herself out of the pushchair for me to get pictures of them both, looking a little like Michelin Men with the amount of layers I had put on underneath their costumes! As you can see, I was only allowed approximately 2 seconds to get the shot before she was heading back into the pushchair!





Beatrice was a 'Pumpkin Princess (?) by the way, just incase you were wondering! I did mention how pale Imogen was didn't I?!!!

We decided to cut our visit short due to the amount of whinging and whining coming from the lady in the witch costume, and take a stroll around the magnificent village of Lacock. As a family we love this village. If you ever get the chance, please go and take a look, it's full of beautiful old buildings like this...

Lacock is often used for filming as there are no street lights, pavements, lines painted on the road etc, with every turn into the next little street you really do feel like your stepping back in time...like you're an extra in some beautiful costume drama...... Productions filmed here include; Pride & Pejudice, Cranford, Chronicles, Emma, Moll Flanders and The Other Boleyn Girl.

We waved this 13th Century picturesque village goodbye and returned home to rest and recuperate for the following day's party, filled with lots of Halloween themed party games.

Being blindfolded to find chocolate 'eyeballs' in bowls full of worms....





......and jelly 'brain matter'...YUCK!!!! They thought it was great fun!


Back home ready to carve out the pumpkin and for Mr PL to make us all some delicious Pumpkin Soup... Forgot to take a pictures of the soup, it didn't last too long!!! But credit where credit's due to Mr PL and his culinary skills, it was delicious.






We decorated the porch....

We got the big bowl of treats ready incase we had any 'trick or treaters'....

Did we get any?...did we heck! Not a single ghost appeared on our doorstep. I guess not many ghosts and ghouls venture down little country lanes! At least I was prepared. Anyone for Smarties?!!

With such a big build up to the 'big' day, (obviously this had nothing to do with me also trying to fill half term week and catch up with the girls friends), Imogen woke up on Friday 31st October expecting something similar to Christmas Day, she even wished the man that came to fix the dishwasher "Happy Halloween", he was slightly surprised!

She had to wait all day for the finale of our week's activities and spend most of the day asking; "Is it 4'o'clock yet"? as I'd told her she couldn't put her dress on until then. I must say, even I was a little excited as our Halloween evening has become somewhat a family tradition for us. Meeting up with friends and their children and taking a walk down Catherine Hill.

Each year on Halloween, Catherine Hill in Frome, Somerset, is closed to the little amount of traffic it sees and all the wonderful vintage shops, jewellery designers, florists and gift shops stay open between 5pm -7pm, giving out treats so that all the local children can enjoy Halloween in a safe environment. It's a fantastic idea with a great atmosphere. It also stops people being frightened in their own homes by knocks at the door (I know my grandmother used to get so scared on Halloween). The above picture was taken at 5pm, believe me, by 5.30pm you couldn't move for fancy dress costumes!

All the shops decorate their windows.....

Even the delectable 'Fifi' outside one of my favourite shops 'Fifi de Villes', got into the Halloween spirit..




The streets were decorated with Pumpkins....




The resident Accordion player entertained the crowds adding to the wonderful atmosphere. Only I could manage to take his picture in front of the only graffiti in the whole of Frome!!





My own little Pumpkin Princess had a wonderful evening popping in and out of the shops with her pumpkin bag and her sister collecting sweets and chocolates from all the shopkeepers....





The evening is always finished off in the same way, a visit to a local family pub where the children dance around and count out their sweets whilst the adults get to enjoy a glass of wine and a little conversation before taking the happy, sleepy, little people home exhausted to their beds...to dream of ghosts and ghouls.......................................BOO!