Ice cream has to be up there on the list of our favourite things. If we visit an ice cream parlour, Daddy heads straight for the lemon sorbet. When we found a rather nice ice cream place in Betwys-y-Coed on a visit to Wales, Daddy managed a second helping after first polishing off an extra large cornet.
My personal favourite is Ben &Jerry's Cookie Dough ice cream - great on any occasion.
You seem to have inherited Daddy's taste for ice cream. On your second birthday, you enjoyed ice cream with us whilst watching the band at the open air, which the owner of the ice cream stall gave you when he saw you watching the band in your little suit. He'd missed you two weeks previously, when your visit was cancelled.
You also made good work of Daddy's mint choc chip ice cream in Devon...
Pictures to follow....
With the warm weather coming, I hope you will enjoy a few ice creams without us. We think of you when eating ours.
Love
K
Monday, 28 February 2011
Monday, 21 February 2011
Things we like: Handel
In 2009, Daddy and I went to no less than three performances of "Messiah" in the run up to Christmas. You just can't beat a good bit of Handel.
The down side to it is that Daddy learned a good deal of the score to Messiah whilst he was young enough to still be singing alto. These days, he still insists occasionally on singing along the alto line in the car, even though his voice is definitely NOT alto any more.
In good news, we are singing the "Hallelujah Chorus" at Songsters at the minute, and they are not going to let him get away with singing alto, so our ears might get some respite!
I asked Daddy to tell me his favourite piece of Handel. I got a list a paragraph long as a reply, so, here are some highlights for you to listen to with us, the next time we get to spend a car journey with you:
"The King Shall Rejoice" from Handel's music from George II's Coronation
The "Amen" from Handel's "Messiah"
The first part of the music for the Royal Fireworks
The quirky recorder movement in Part III of the Water Music.
At two you display signs of a natural musicality. Probably not surprising given your Grandad, your Daddy, and your uncles are all musical. We hope those around you nurture and encourage that musicality and enjoyment of music. We miss seeing you bouncing around to Farnon's "jumping bean", demanding for the band to play louder whilst marching with us and beating impeccable time for the YP Band with your pencil while they rehearse.
The down side to it is that Daddy learned a good deal of the score to Messiah whilst he was young enough to still be singing alto. These days, he still insists occasionally on singing along the alto line in the car, even though his voice is definitely NOT alto any more.
In good news, we are singing the "Hallelujah Chorus" at Songsters at the minute, and they are not going to let him get away with singing alto, so our ears might get some respite!
I asked Daddy to tell me his favourite piece of Handel. I got a list a paragraph long as a reply, so, here are some highlights for you to listen to with us, the next time we get to spend a car journey with you:
"The King Shall Rejoice" from Handel's music from George II's Coronation
The "Amen" from Handel's "Messiah"
The first part of the music for the Royal Fireworks
The quirky recorder movement in Part III of the Water Music.
At two you display signs of a natural musicality. Probably not surprising given your Grandad, your Daddy, and your uncles are all musical. We hope those around you nurture and encourage that musicality and enjoyment of music. We miss seeing you bouncing around to Farnon's "jumping bean", demanding for the band to play louder whilst marching with us and beating impeccable time for the YP Band with your pencil while they rehearse.
Sunday, 20 February 2011
Things we like: books
Daddy and I both love books. I have read voraciously for as long as I have been able to. There are many books which to me are as much childhood friends as many of my actual childhood friends.
Daddy shares my passion for books, to such an extent that when he moved his things in, we had to make a trip to Ikea to purchase new bookcases to provide adequate storage. Daddy brought more books than anything else when he moved in.
Yesterday, we popped into town to buy a box to store the keepsakes we have put aside from you and couldn't resist going into a bookshop displaying a sign advertising a closing down sale. We spent a happy half hour or so and came out with a whole box full of new books. You weren't forgotten - amongst our purchases were some for you - we hope we will have the opportunity to read them with you.
With love
K x
Daddy shares my passion for books, to such an extent that when he moved his things in, we had to make a trip to Ikea to purchase new bookcases to provide adequate storage. Daddy brought more books than anything else when he moved in.
Yesterday, we popped into town to buy a box to store the keepsakes we have put aside from you and couldn't resist going into a bookshop displaying a sign advertising a closing down sale. We spent a happy half hour or so and came out with a whole box full of new books. You weren't forgotten - amongst our purchases were some for you - we hope we will have the opportunity to read them with you.
With love
K x
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Things we like: White Rallyes...
(Actually, that's a lie. Right at the minute, I don't like rallyes one bit. That's because all three of ours are off the road, but I am sure the disaffection will be temporary).
Daddy REALLY likes Rallyes. His is the original - crashed, straightened, and I forget how many new engines it's had in Daddy's ownership.
Daddy's Rallye is also pretty personalised. Daddy's seat is set in the rear footwell to give him room for his long legs. I can't even reach the pedals when I sit in it!
When we have been able to snatch the time, we have been visiting Daddy's rallye in its secret restoration lair to rebuild it, part by part. It is due to relaunch this year, in aid of a charity fundraiser. Daddy will be taking a lucky guest on a track day in it to raise money in an "auction of promises" for charity.
Daddy's Rallye already has charity pedigree, having undertaken various trips raising money, including Lands End to John-O'Groats, and a trip on the continent back to the Rallye factory.
It's a long way off being able to drive it yet - it doesn't have brakes, a petrol tank, a rear beam, seats, a dashboard, lights etc etc at the minute. But one day soon, it will be roaring round the B-roads and track circuits again!
Daddy REALLY likes Rallyes. His is the original - crashed, straightened, and I forget how many new engines it's had in Daddy's ownership.
Daddy's Rallye is also pretty personalised. Daddy's seat is set in the rear footwell to give him room for his long legs. I can't even reach the pedals when I sit in it!
When we have been able to snatch the time, we have been visiting Daddy's rallye in its secret restoration lair to rebuild it, part by part. It is due to relaunch this year, in aid of a charity fundraiser. Daddy will be taking a lucky guest on a track day in it to raise money in an "auction of promises" for charity.
Daddy's Rallye already has charity pedigree, having undertaken various trips raising money, including Lands End to John-O'Groats, and a trip on the continent back to the Rallye factory.
It's a long way off being able to drive it yet - it doesn't have brakes, a petrol tank, a rear beam, seats, a dashboard, lights etc etc at the minute. But one day soon, it will be roaring round the B-roads and track circuits again!
Friday, 11 February 2011
Inspiration
I have been wondering how to fill this blog with information. Today, I happened upon a blog called "A Place to Share", which struck me as I read it as a really warm and genuine glimpse into a family's life, and something akin to what I would like to put together for you so that you can find out about life in our home and our family.
I am short of photos today, but I will start with some posts of things we like over the coming days, and I will be looking forward to the day in the future when hopefully you can share your likes and achievements with us.
Love, K
I am short of photos today, but I will start with some posts of things we like over the coming days, and I will be looking forward to the day in the future when hopefully you can share your likes and achievements with us.
Love, K
Thursday, 10 February 2011
Setting the date
Since Daddy and I got engaged last year, people have been asking me fairly regularly "have you set the date yet?", and so far, the answer has been no. Although we fully expected to have been married at some point last year, Daddy and I have barely been able to lift our heads above the mountain of paperwork that surrounds a divorce, a battle over residence and a battle over finances. The idea of planning our wedding just hasn't been possible.
But this week, we have started thinking in earnest about naming the day. It is such a bitter-sweet thing for us to do, because we always wanted you to be part of the day, alongside the rest of our families. Daddy wanted you to be his best man (I was particularly looking forward to your speech - I bet you would have given away all of Daddy's secrets!).
With no real hope that the situation with your mummy will be resolved to let you be part of our lives again until you are an adult and make that choice for yourself, we have no choice but to get on with living and to name the day.
First attempt didn't go so well - the date Daddy has suggested to our minister falls in the middle of a 3 week planning inquiry that I am working on. So for now it's back to the drawing board.
This doesn't sound like much of an occasion to blog about to you, perhaps? The significance for us is that even though we have to endure the pain of doing it without you, it is still the first positive thing we have been able to plan since the court proceedings started in January 2010. After over a year of living on a knife edge, we are taking the first steps to building something for the future: the family and the home that we pray daily that you will have the opportunity to grow up in.
Love,
K
But this week, we have started thinking in earnest about naming the day. It is such a bitter-sweet thing for us to do, because we always wanted you to be part of the day, alongside the rest of our families. Daddy wanted you to be his best man (I was particularly looking forward to your speech - I bet you would have given away all of Daddy's secrets!).
With no real hope that the situation with your mummy will be resolved to let you be part of our lives again until you are an adult and make that choice for yourself, we have no choice but to get on with living and to name the day.
First attempt didn't go so well - the date Daddy has suggested to our minister falls in the middle of a 3 week planning inquiry that I am working on. So for now it's back to the drawing board.
This doesn't sound like much of an occasion to blog about to you, perhaps? The significance for us is that even though we have to endure the pain of doing it without you, it is still the first positive thing we have been able to plan since the court proceedings started in January 2010. After over a year of living on a knife edge, we are taking the first steps to building something for the future: the family and the home that we pray daily that you will have the opportunity to grow up in.
Love,
K
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
For a rainy day...
Over the course of the last year, life has been so hectic that Daddy and I have managed to end up with paperwork everywhere, and all of it needs sorting and putting away. I had a good session at it last night while Daddy was out at band practice, and found amongst the papers the statement for your child trust fund, untouched since the Government endowed it with £250 when it was opened.
It is a small gesture, but I have set up a standing order to put aside your pocket money each month. It will go directly into your trust fund, where it is irrevocably yours. Daddy is going to do the same. It won't make you a fortune, but maybe when the time comes for you to claim it, it will remind you that we were thinking of you each and every day that we were apart.
Love
K
It is a small gesture, but I have set up a standing order to put aside your pocket money each month. It will go directly into your trust fund, where it is irrevocably yours. Daddy is going to do the same. It won't make you a fortune, but maybe when the time comes for you to claim it, it will remind you that we were thinking of you each and every day that we were apart.
Love
K
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
Fond memories
Daddy and I spent a happy half an hour looking back at fond memories last night. Daddy has been uploading the tapes from the camcorder onto the computer and backing them up. None of the footage is edited, but last night we watched the tape of "Christmas" in Chellaston.
Gorgeous footage of you opening your presents, and playing with your new "laptop". The video captured the moment you announced you were off to "check-a some-a emails".
I have had to shut the door to your room where the laptop now sits, untouched. That is too sad for words. But we enjoyed reliving those moments, thinking about you and wondering where and how you are.
Daddy has made copies for Grandma and Grandad, and for the family in Chellaston, and I have posted them off to share the joy in otherwise sad circumstances.
We miss you so much.
K
Gorgeous footage of you opening your presents, and playing with your new "laptop". The video captured the moment you announced you were off to "check-a some-a emails".
I have had to shut the door to your room where the laptop now sits, untouched. That is too sad for words. But we enjoyed reliving those moments, thinking about you and wondering where and how you are.
Daddy has made copies for Grandma and Grandad, and for the family in Chellaston, and I have posted them off to share the joy in otherwise sad circumstances.
We miss you so much.
K
Monday, 7 February 2011
Until we can meet you by Paddington Bear...
You are far away from us now, and we can't see or talk to you. Until we meet again, I will write for you on this blog so that when the time comes for you to seek us out, you can find out something about who we are.
Each year we will be by Paddington Bear on 6 January at 19.00, so that you will know that you can find us.
And if you want to get in touch again, when you are old enough, we will be thrilled and delighted to come and meet you by Paddington Bear, or anywhere else you choose.
With love
K
Each year we will be by Paddington Bear on 6 January at 19.00, so that you will know that you can find us.
And if you want to get in touch again, when you are old enough, we will be thrilled and delighted to come and meet you by Paddington Bear, or anywhere else you choose.
With love
K
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