And up she goes

A few recent snaps of the littlest Allen.........

look at that clever girl!

spending some time with the older kids on the trampoline

blowing raspberries on Jasmine's tummy

what a beautiful, face-splitting smile :-)

simply beautiful!

London Part 2: London Zoo

Simples

with her uncle, my brother, Ben

ROAR! GRRRR! SSSSSS!

Happy 8th Birthday to my not so little man!

Wow, Benjamin is 8.  How does the time just speed up like that on me?!  I can remember everything from finding out I was pregnant, to my each of my scans, to his birth - all like they happened just yesterday.  To say that I am proud of the caring, funny, intelligent boy he is would be an understatement.  I LOVE this little boy!  And this not so little boy (as far as he is concerned) LOVES comic books.  Specifically The Dandy and Beano.  And most specifically the Dennis the Menace strips.  So what could be more perfect than a Dennis the Menace themed party? 

Since we have very little belongings during this transitional phase of our lives, it was quite a feat to put together.  And despite the fact that, bar some edible cupcake toppers I found on Ebay, I couldn't find ANY Dennis themed party supplies, we pulled off quite a respectable party!

I'm so proud of my cake :-)

hand made bunting from Ben's stack of vintage comics

Jasmine dressed as......

Walter!

Pippi dressed as.....

Minnie the Minx!

In true Dennis style, the party was a menace! Apart from a treasure hunt, the kids were left to run free. There was wrestling, water fights, tadpole and frog hunting, balloon fighting and lots of screaming and shouting and running around.  All finished off with a 'civilised' game of cricket!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN!!!

So long, farewell.....

June 21st

So, the Allen's were on the road again.  Leaving the house was strangely not as an emotional moment as I expected.  But then, we have moved  5 times now in the last 4 years - with another couple moves in store for this year still...... 

Some good friends seeing us off

Last day of school

Because of my sporadic internet access, moving about like the littlest hobo and not having all my pictures to hand, my blog posts are all out of sync at the moment.  Anyhoo, back on 17th June, the kids spent their last day at North Leigh CofE school.  And awww it was such an emotional day!  Benjamin and Jasmine were ok, but quite a few of their classmates - boys and girls - cried on and off throughout the day.  I felt quite emotional myself, wondering if we are doing the right thing, and feeling incredibly guilty for making so many kids cry!!!

Both of the classes made some beautiful cards for them both, including poems and personal messages and memories of them.  It was really touching. 

Jasmine with her teacher Mrs Day (she also used to teach Ben)

We will really miss North Leigh School, with all its lovely teachers and students.  And the village community.  Especially if we end up in a school which is 10 times the size (only 100 odd pupils in the entire school here).

What we've been up to....

since moving in with Pippi.  The garden has provided endless hours of fun (and time out!)


Lots of climbing trees.....

fishing for frogs and tadpoles

, playing in the paddling pool and finding different things to dive in off, chilling on the grass, picking and eating the lovely berries, fruit, herbs and vegetables, having picnics......