As the new school term looms, we decided to have a relaxed weekend playing with our friends and visiting Uncle Vinnie.

In a blink of an eye, we find ourselves face to face with Barney, the embodiment of enthusiasm and perpetual tail wagging. This mischievous little rascal is always ready to join our adventures and fill our days with endless amusement. His infectious energy and vibrant personality make him the true life of the party, the undisputed champion of playful chaos! So brace yourself, for in the presence of this tiny furball, laughter and joy are guaranteed companions!

Laila Warren & Pandora not to forget Barney!

In this captivating scene, we find Grandad Jay and the ever-mischievous Uncle Skinny (or should I say, Vinnie), engaging in their delightful banter. Oh, and there’s that audacious character flipping me the bird, adding just the right touch of cheekiness. Auntie Claire, of course, completes this lively cast of characters. And let’s not forget about Luca, subtly lurking in the background. Although I failed to capture his essence in this description, his presence was certainly felt. Ah, and I simply couldn’t resist including a dartboard, as I do have a soft spot for this beloved game. Laila and I even indulged in a playful match while Vinnie made his way outdoors.

I am absolutely captivated by this mesmerizing photograph, showcasing the extraordinary Warren adorned with the remarkable hat of Uncle Vinny. With an air of sheer delight, Warren captures the perfect moment, immortalizing it through a vibrant selfie that emanates warmth and joy.

steph and the boys called in

After a hard day at school.

Fast asleep nice and early, this makes a change as she’s not been sleeping very well. She is a chronic sleepwalker; some nights it’s funny, others, well, when she mistakes your room for the bathroom…

Spoke too soon a few nights later, and she can’t sleep, so we played Uno until 10:30 on a school night! Can’t believe a five-year-old repeatedly wins me…

the luna cinema

At Harewood House

I was fortunate enough to win 2 coveted tickets to the exclusive showing of the highly anticipated blockbuster, Top Gun Maverick. As an ardent admirer of the charismatic Tom Cruise, my excitement knew no bounds as we approached the grand entrance. The atmosphere was charged with an electrifying anticipation. A few individuals sauntered leisurely by, while the seemingly endless road stretched out before us. The gentle breeze whispered against our skin, creating a perfect balance of comfort and thrill. As we passed the majestic main house, a sudden realization washed over me – despite residing in the vibrant city of Leeds for my entire existence, this marked a truly extraordinary moment – my inaugural visit to the resplendent Harewood House!

With fervor burning in our hearts, we eagerly retrieved our chairs from the trunk and ascended to the marshal’s station. There, we were guided to a designated spot, the anticipation building within us. The ground beneath our feet seemed to slant, yet I paid no heed as I was consumed by excitement. As the sun began its descent, the time drew near for the commencement of the cinematic masterpiece. Completely enthralled, I remained blissfully oblivious to the encroaching darkness that enveloped our surroundings. The film played, captivating every fiber of my being, as time itself seemed to blend with the magic unfolding before my very eyes.

Good night Harewood House

HAPPY 14th ANNIVERSARY

Scarborough 09/09/23

Every year, we book a night at the Grand Hotel. Unless we’re out of the country, we attend the -honda-goldwing- Light Parade. It returned after a four-year absence. The previous year, it was cancelled at the last minute, but we still stayed there regardless. I took a video of the Whole parade.

selfies

After the crazy parade, we sprinted back up to the fancy veranda at the Grand Hotel to catch a glimpse of the mind-blowing pyrotechnic extravaganza. Boom! Bang! The fireworks were like a visual party popping and crackling in the night sky. And oh, the finale! It was the grand finale to end all finales! We were awestruck, our eyes wide like saucers, and our mouths agape. We couldn’t help but let out a collective “ooh” and “ahh”. As we sat there, sipping our drinks, we couldn’t help but think, “Life is good when you have an amazing fireworks show just a few steps away from your hotel room.” This year, we had some unexpected guests joining our little escapade – Amanda and Lexii. Hey, why not? We had to make sure we had an audience to witness our oohs and ahhs, right? It turned out to be a delightful change of pace, spending some much-needed quality time together, watching explosions light up the night.

you can watch the explosions here and the finale here

good morning scarborough

I thoroughly enjoy the beautiful scenery that greets me at the break of dawn. Following everyone’s awakening, we proceeded to descend to the shoreline, availing ourselves of the tram service, and embarked on a leisurely stroll along the waterfront just as the local establishments were preparing to open their doors. I simply found it imperative to capture a photograph of the striking Lagonda V12 gracefully parked outside the amusement centre; undoubtedly, it garnered a considerable amount of attention from passersby.

After our leisurely stroll, we headed to the sandy shores. Picture this: me, sprawled out on the beach, rocking the latest fashion trend – a tea towel donning my head as a makeshift sunshade. Hey, don’t knock it till you’ve tried it! I was simply being resourceful in the pursuit of ultimate coolness.

After a nap on the beach, I headed back uptown for a latte and some lemon cake from The Cat’s Pyjamas. It was really nice, while Amanda and Lexii cruised the arcades and bought from the rock shop!

Oh boy, you won’t believe what happened while we took a little break! The kiddos decided to unleash their inner water warriors and had a massive showdown – it was adults versus kids, epic style! Let me tell you, things got wild and wet real fast. Before the madness ensued, Taarna managed to capture a precious moment on camera. Behold, the fearless Pandora standing next to our brave neighbor and her buddy Aiden. Little did they know, they were about to embark on a soaking adventure like no other! Trust me, the aftermath was pure chaos and laughter.

Pandora joyfully engaged in a playful activity with her mannequin on a gloomy evening. With great excitement, she adorned it with roller boots and gracefully swirled around the room, dancing to her heart’s content despite the rain outside.

backgammon

Taarna’s competitive spirit is undeniable. After securing three victories in a row, I graciously awarded her the final triumph, understanding that her drive to succeed is as fierce as ever.

midweek mcdonald’s

Last week, we gave them the opportunity to decide which Mcdonald’s to visit. They opted for one with a play area. We enjoy exploring different locations rather than sticking to just one. It adds a touch of excitement to our outings!

a night at the circus

Although our seats were located at the back, it turned out to be a great experience. In fact, I even encouraged the kids to stand on their chairs and enjoy the view from a different perspective!

The poo bus, spotted at the circus their facebook page

There was so much to see. I took a few videos, which you can see here.

1. feet fire twirling 4.playing in the wheel 7.air walking

2.swing acrobat 5.tightrope walking 8.making shapes

3.pole dancing 6.tyre throwing & monster truck 9.stunt bikes in the dome

10. The finale stunt bike jump

The rest of this month will be much calmer due to a lack of funds and my relentless upper back pain, so a much slower pace has to be adopted.

Warren and Pandora unleashed their inner Picasso during their epic crafting session. Armed with paintbrushes and scissors, they fearlessly embarked on an artistic adventure. Canvases trembled, and scissors quivered as they unleashed their creative chaos upon unsuspecting crafts. The world may never be the same again! 🎨✂️

Warren making a start on his homework, a journal entry about the circus.

Time for some serious business with the almighty play dough! Prepare for the most epic molding adventure of your life! Get ready to unleash your inner Picasso and sculpt mind-blowing masterpieces. Let your imagination run wild as you mold, stretch, and squish this magical substance. Brace yourself for endless hours of giggles, messy hands, and pure unadulterated fun! Warning: play dough may cause uncontrollable fits of laughter and an uncontrollable urge to shout, “I am the sculpting master!” Embrace the awesomeness and let the play dough party begin! 🎉🎨✨

Warren and his friend casually chillaxing, glued to their trusty smartphones, laying the perfect groundwork for their epic escapades to unfold. 📱💃🕺✨

This morning’s adventure involved a thrilling marble extravaganza! The little ones were completely mesmerised, rolling those marbles like there was no tomorrow. Let me tell you, it was a symphony of noise! In fact, I had to equip myself with a pair of noise-cancelling headphones just to survive the chaos. Oh, the joys of parenting! Who needs a thrilling amusement park when you have marbles to keep you on the edge of your seat?

Warren confidently made the decision to acquire a new scooter with two wheels in the front, prioritising ease of use for himself. Despite being less skilled in balance, Warren’s determination drove him to utilise his savings and the additional funds he earned as a commendable student to purchase the scooter independently.

Pandora confidently indulged in her desires, utilising her savings to exercise her autonomy in deciding what to purchase.

This month, Warren had a mishap at school and unfortunately injured his wrist. It was quite an ordeal, as we had to spend several hours at the walk-in centre on one of the hottest days. Thankfully, the doctors assured us that he was going to be okay and no bones were broken.

Taarna has just embarked on a wonderful journey at a renowned discount store. I must say, it’s absolutely delightful! She surprised me with a delightful gift, a lovely box filled with delightful Thorntons Classics. As for Pandora, well, bedtime routines are proving to be quite the adventure. But fear not, for I am confident that we shall find our rhythm and settle into a peaceful routine in due time. So i shall embrace the challenge and look forward to the peaceful nights ahead!

I have recently acquired a stunning Alice in Wonderland dinner set that has become a delightful addition to my kitchen.

Auntie Amanda embarked on an exhilarating escapade with Warren to the enchanting realm of Build-A-Bear, where together they brought to life the magnificent Dino the Noisy Dinosaur. The air buzzed with excitement as their creative spirits soared, imbuing their creation with passion and fervor. With every stitch, Dino came alive, ready to roar and leap into the hearts of all who beheld its charm. It was an adventure bursting with boundless joy and elation, igniting a flame that would forever etch this memorable experience in their souls. Take a look at the creation of dino here

In other news, our beloved stray cat Afur made a heartwarming return after an adventurer’s journey of four long months. We were overjoyed to see him again, even if his visit was brief, as he stopped by for a meal and his much-needed de-fleaing treatment. It brings us solace to know he is still alive and well. May he continue to wander with safety and blessings.

A not-so-quick game of Soggy Doggy.

the art wall

It has been an incredibly fulfilling month, filled with both triumphs and challenges. However, amidst it all, countless precious memories were made. As we turn the page to October, my heart fills with anticipation and joy, for it is my absolute favorite month of the year!

That’s it and that’s all. Thanks for stopping by!