I am really struggling to keep my blog updated at the moment, it's either a sign that we're having too much fun, I'm too tired or have lost motivation.  I'd like to think it's a combination of the first two and I will try harder during the Summer holidays - perhaps shortening my entries would help hahaha!!

Martha has now started at playgroup and seems to be enjoying it greatly (as does Lauren!).  Lauren has really settled down again now that Martha is with her, even on the 3 days that she doesn't have Martha joining her.

Last Thursday we accompanied Peter to work whilst he serviced a site in Blackpool.  We were really blessed to have wonderful weather and Martha had a great time stripping off and running full throttle into the sea!  thankfully Peter was there to ensure she didn't reach Ireland!!  Lauren had a great time playing in the sand and it was so lovely to see them enjoying the water - it makes me homesick though and really miss the luxury of living near the water.

We had a Tesco.com home delivery and I will jump up and down to say it was the best service ever - I have had such bad service in the past, this was fantastic to see such an improvement.  This was the first time in all the years I've used online grocery shopping that the driver has actually asked where I'd like it delivered and once he'd delivered it to the kitchen he even helped unpack things!!  Also, before my timeslot, I received a call from the Call Centre saying that my driver was running a bit late (by about 10 minutes) which I thought was very proactive! 

Oh dear!  It's been a looong time since my last entry.  Julie's visit with the twins have been and gone along with Martha's 2nd birthday party.  She had a wonderful time even although the teddy bears picnic had to be held indoors not due to rain itself but rather the fact that the grass was too wet for people to sit/walk on.  It was very exciting to re-configure the lounge to hold all the guests and their parents - it was like a glimpse into the hopefully not too far off future when we have our second building phase completed!!

Peter did a great job of being part party-host whilst I organised upcoming events and generally felt a lot less stressed than at our previous parties - perhaps that's the way forward!!  Everyone appeared to have a great time and left fed, smiling and eager to come back!  Martha received some wonderful gifts (thank you so much!) and we've all enjoyed playing with them.  Jan and family sent the coolest craft thing ever...Wikki Stix.  If you can imagine string dipped in all different colours of wax, then cut into 15cm/8cm lengths.  They can be used to make pictures or moulded to make models but best of all...NO MESS!!!  It's great seeing Martha being creative with no constraints!  She also received a bubble machine which the girls both love and in the couple of sunny days we've had since her birthday we've had it out.  She also received a couple of lovely (and brilliantly matching!) teasets which are used on a daily, if not hourly, basis!!

The last week has been hard work as Peter was working away again, I guess I'm lucky that he's on the other end of the phone so I can at least get virtual support when things are fraught, some people don't have that option, nevertheless I was very glad to have him back home on Friday safe and sound.

The biggest news of the last week was Martha's commencement at Playgroup.  I have decided, for the remaining couple of weeks of term, to enrol Martha on a Tuesday and Wednesday morning.  My rationale for that is she is getting two days together to get to know how it works before the long summer break.  There are going to be so many new starters in September that I think her having a slight head start will be easier not just for her but the staff as well.  On her first day she bit a ball and broke it, the second she ripped a key off the new laptop - oh dear!!  I guess that's to be expected and thankfully playgroup were really kind about it as I felt so awful.  She's never had anyone else in charge of her, giving her directions etc and I think that she's found that more difficult than I imagined she would.  I'm very pleased that Lauren is there with her, as she listens and copies everything Lauren does and Lauren in turn is very proud to be the "helpful big sister" and I've noticed such a change in Lauren this last week whilst dropping them off.  Since returning after Easter break, Lauren has been very clingy and cries each time I leave her yet as soon as I go, staff tell me that she is perfectly fine and the crying stopped instantly.  Now, even when I leave just Lauren at playgroup (Mon, Thurs & Fri) she gives me a kiss and hug declaring "I'll see you soon Mummy, have a lovely morning!"  I think this is as we had a chat about Martha seeing Lauren being sad and Martha getting upset and not wanting to stay at Playgroup - whatever, it's great to see her being back to normal.

My friend Kath came up to visit us on Monday following her long 6 week holiday in Florida.  We've all missed her a lot and it was lovely to see her and for her to join us for lunch.  She bought the girls a lovely gift each, Perfect Petzzz, Lauren has a  Shih Tzu and Martha a King Charles Spaniel, both in very cute (and robust!) carry cases (not like the cardboard cases on the site!).  They are so lifelike that even Peter was fooled when he saw them "asleep" in the hall!

Today was spent at the local Fun Day which as last year, was sadly taking place in torrential rain but the playgroup stall made over £30 doing a 50p a go "everyone a winner" game, which is great news.  We then decided to go out for dinner and we had a lovely meal whilst sheltering from the thunderstorm!