Dear Annie,

You are strong willed and opinionated; you know exactly what you want.

You are wild like a hurricane, rarely calm and still, always moving and so full of energy.

So rare moments of peace are cherished as they are few and far between. Like this evening, as you sat on my knees with your new Hello Kitty ears, just happy to be sat with me. Engulfed in a sea of calm and bliss, we just sat together. I stroked your back and you snuggled in to my chest and we sat in silence, just being.

You are the love of my life. I love every little piece of your ever growing personality. 

I love you, always.

Mummy xxx

Father's Day Family Day Out!

Our plan of spending Father's Day at the beach with a picnic was completely ruined when we pulled back the curtains yesterday morning and were greeted  with big, dark clouds and rain.

We opted for a lazy morning instead and decided to go over to Xscape for the afternoon instead.

Ian chose our lunch destination so we went to TGI Fridays. (Good call Ian ;)) 

Annie was so excited about this motorbike, she wouldn't get off it for ages!

They were really busy (but they were the least busy option in Xscape! Ian's first choice was Nando's but they were queuing out the doors!) so we had to wait a while to be served. Luckily I'd packed Annie's little Frozen figures to help keep her entertained while we were waiting.

Annie was fascinated by everything. On the wall, just across from our table were all the Toy Story figures mounted in frames!

Waiting for food silly selfies!

 (That's a slush, not a cocktail!)

Annie had chicken burger and chips, though for a while she couldn't decide between that and meatball pasta! (Indecisive like her mama.) She ate it all up and had a blue slush that looked so much like a cocktail that I had to taste test it first ;)

Ian and I had a feast! We had Jack Daniel's sesame chicken strips and mozerella dippers to start. I swear, those Jack Daniel's chicken strips were just sent down from the heavens. If you haven't tried them, you really need to! Don't be put off if you don't like Jack Daniels, I absolutely hate the stuff but this glaze is divine. We both chose the same main- French Dip burgers and Sam Adams cheese and bacon fries. I cannot put into words how delicious the cheese and bacon fries were. I can only urge you all to go and try them!

Since it was such a special occasion, we decided to all be naughty and have dessert too.

Ian had the Apple Waffle Crunch, I chose the Popcorn Brownie Sundae and Annie had the cutest dessert ever! It was a Sweet Shop Sundae. It came with a little bag of chocolate drops, gummy worms and popping candy! I think our eyes were bigger than our bellies though and we couldn't finish the desserts, as nice as they were.

As we were leaving I just couldn't resist going over and taking a photo of Iron Man. Everybody who knows me, knows that I am Iron Man mad. Ian pointed him out to me as soon as we got to our table!

After our meal, we headed out to the Xplore Soft Play for Annie to have a play. Ian and I sat down with a coffee and watched Annie playing and making friends.

After soft play, we headed over to the arcades for a play. We couldn't resist!

Annie was actually surprisingly good at whacking the aliens and didn't like it when Ian tried to "help" her by hitting them with his hand, he's such a cheater! We earned loads of tickets and when we'd spent all our change up, we exchanged our tickets for a little Unicorn toy for Annie, she loved her present and played with it all the way home!

We had such a lovely day out. Ian really enjoyed himself and loved his presents too. Family days out are my favourite, I really am so lucky to have such a wonderful little family!

Time Flies.

This week really enforced just how much Annie is growing up. We attended an "Open Day" at  the Nursery School Annie will be starting in September! She was filled with excitement as we walked through the doors. Straight away, she noticed a sticker on the table with her name on it and stuck it on herself, the teachers were very impressed that she knows how to read her name.

Annie jumped right in, she made friends with other children, played with the teachers and squealed with excitement as soon as she saw the paints and easel all set up! She ran right over, helped herself to an apron and asked for some paper. She painted slugs, apparently. She's a truly charming child.

Annie's next port of call was the play corner with all the animals. She sat down nicely with one of the teachers and together they set all the animals out and played farms!

Then we went over into the "house." There's a little kitchen, washing machine, tea party set and dressing up box, Annie was in her element. Her and another little girl made cups of tea for us and we drank up, obediently, and just watched them playing together. Annie also made me some toast, she's a thoughtful soul.

Shortly before it was time to leave, Annie played with the water table, she was quite content just stood there, splashing and pouring the water all alone. She found some nets too and played "fishing!" 

She was very upset when it was time to leave, she actually cried. One of the teachers helped to calm her down and explained to her that she could come back again soon and finally she calmed down and agreed to leave.

It's such a bittersweet milestone. I'm so excited for her to be in school, playing with other children and learning new things but at the same time I just can't believe she's actually old enough to go to school! She was only born 5 minutes ago, right?!

We've got a Home Visit at the end of this month and a few play sessions in the nursery in July. Then before we know it, we'll be getting her dressed in her school uniform and sending her off for her first day at school! 

Time really does fly when you're having fun.