Disneyland Paris - Day 2

Paris has some new rides and one of them is 'Cars'. Here are all the boys having a blast. This was the longest queue I think of all the rides - 40 minutes. Eventually they made it to the front while Ruth, Daisy and I waited on the side lines with a lovely hot chocolate in hand.

If you are wondering where I am in this photo, well I am behind the camera.

Here I am with Rob and Oliver.

Disneyland Paris - Day 1

Our first day at Disnelyland Paris and it rains !! We spent the first few hours by ourselves as Ruth, Henry, Fred & Daisy were still on their way. They arrived around lunch time so we all went off to eat together and then hit the parks again.

Everyone had a good time despite the drizzle. Fred and Oliver get along so well and Daisy is just so adorable.

I've been tagged

I've been tagged by Jayne. I've read a few of these on other blogs so here goes!


1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet, current car) Bill Omega

2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (favorite ice cream, favorite cookie) Vanilla Chocolate Monty

3. YOUR FLY “GUY/GIRL” NAME: (first initial first name, first 3 letters last name) K Swa

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Pink Dog

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Anne Bankstown

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (first 3 letters last name, first 2 letters first name) SwaKy

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink and add” the”) The Brown Rose

8. NASCAR NAME: (first names of your grandfathers) Phillip George

9. STRIPPER NAME: (favorite perfume, favorite candy) Pleasure Rasberries

10. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s and father’s middle names) Joan Frederick.



That was fun. Now to tag some new people. OK I tag Karen, Anna, Cheryl.

Disneyland Paris here we come

Ok, we are off to Disneyland Paris this afternoon for 3 days, so we are back on Sunday.

I will post some photos when we get back as I don't know if the Disney hotel has internet access.
I think I am more excited than Oliver!!

DCM Challenge - Vrooooooooooom

Today's challenge is:

Cars, Boats, Trains & Planes is the theme for our Little Extra challenge this week. A good chance to stock up on kids cards and make a few of those poor, unloved "cards for men", maybe? How about "congratulations on Passing your Driving test" or "Got your Wings" for newly qualified pilots? - ok so we may be reaching a bit far with that one, but you never know! Basically, what we'd like you to do is put some transport on your cards this week, how you do it is up to you!

I made this card back in August and due to Oliver being unwell, I haven't had time to make a card today.

Been Busy Doing Nothing

This is Oliver the Pirate!! Ahhh, how cute!!

I've not posted this week as I haven't made any cards or been anywhere interesting to talk about. Mostly, I have had Oliver sitting on my lap wanting cuddles as he has been ill. First, he is contstipated (poor thing) and then Thursday morning (2:30am) he woke up with a very high temperature. I took him to the doctor and after looking him over, he said the temperature was due to a slight ear infection and tonsilitis which are not helping his contstipation situation. Oh dear!!! We've now got some laxatives and they are working a treat but it still seems to be painful for him to go. We are all very tired due to Oliver waking up and Rob is working all hours under the sun so he has been busy too.

We are off to Disneyland Paris next Thursday so while Oliver is down for his nap, I am washing the clothes in preparation and also clothes we need to take to Australia as we leave the day after we get back from Paris. Busy, busy, busy!!!!

Wedding in Manchester

We went to our friend's (Roger & Wendy) wedding in Manchester today. Wow, what a lovely day it was too. The sun was shining and the temperature was nice. This picture is not the best but we were sitting at a bad angle as you can hardly see Roger. Wendy looked absolutely lovely as did her bridemaid's. They were very grateful we drove all the way from London to attend their wedding and it was no trouble at all!!



Here are the boys together, Oliver drawing with the pencil set that was a gift for the kiddies to keep them occupied. Oliver be-friended Sophie who is Wendy's little neice and while Wendy's father was speaking, both kids went up to him and as Oliver likes to copy everyone, he repeated what Sophie was saying which was 'Grandad'. Everybody was laughing. The following morning while having breakfast in the hotel, Wendy's parents came up to us and I apologised about the interuption and they were saying how funny it was.

DCM Challenge

Friday's DCM Challenge is:

This week I dare you to use a Word as the main focal point to your card. It can be a name, a greeting or just a word that inspires you. You can use other text but only one word as a main embellishment. So dig out your dictionaries, die cutters, alphabet stamps, rubons or download a funky font and show us what you can do! The design team have come up with some fabulous creations to inpsire you.

I put this together for a friend who asked for 'Thank You' cards. The 'thank you' doesn't come out very clear on the picture (sorry about that!).



Supplies: Stamps: HOTP (QVC UK kit). Ink: Brilliance (Pearlescent Coral). Paper: Bazzill cardstock, Basic Grey (Blush), MME (Bohemia). Accessories: Bazzill Wings (Bitty Blossoms Flowers (Pink & Brown).

Criss Cross Card

I didn't think I would be able to make this card until our holiday in Australia in 2 weeks time, but I made some time tonight while I wait on my friend Ruth to give me information for Christening Invitations she wants me to make.

The instructions for the Criss Cross Card can be found on SCS. I can honestly say it is easy to make - give it a go! Lots of samples I've seen have been in Christmas colours and they do look fantastic.

I hope the lighting is okay and you can see the colours of the base card properly. It is a lovely pale apple green colour.



Supplies: Stamps: HOTP (QVC UK kit), Anita's scribble flower. Ink: Vaersafine (Vintage Sepia), Brilliance Dew Drop (Coffee Bean). Paper: Bazzill cardstock, Wild Asparagus (Adorable Stripe/Light Blue). Accessories: Light Yellow Organza Ribbon.

DCM Challenge

I have finally remembered to look at DCM for their mid week challenge as I try to do their Friday one. This time the challenge is:

Straight on to our Little Extra challenge for this week then:
Big & Little We'd like you to use items in pairs of Big and Little - so you need to have both sizes on your card ie big & little buttons, big & little die cuts, big & little hearts, big & little circles etc The theme of your card can be whatever you like this time, so that's nice of us, isn't it?

Supplies: Stamps: Papertrey Ink: (Borders & Corners - OVAL). Ink: Versafine (Vintage Sepia). Paper: Bazzill, Basic Grey (Urban Coture). Accessories: Bazzill Wings Bitty Blossoms (flowers) in Teal OP & Apple Green, Papermania Pearl Brads (Green), Papermania button (yellow).

Victory is near!!

Yes, victory is on the horizon!! It took us 1 hour to get Oliver to eat his dinner tonight - Pasta with a tomato and basil sauce. He absolutely refused to eat one spoonful tonight so he was told he wouldn't be getting his cookie (we have had this cookie for 3 days as a treat for eating his dinner). We put his toys away and he could play with them if he ate, but no luck there either. He then went to be without his bottle or a story!! I was starting to cook our dinner and Oliver was crying in his cot. After about 5 minutes I went up to him and we spoke and he was willing to try some dinner. By this time his dinner had gone cold so a quick zap in the microwave and it was just warm. I put ONE spiral piece of pasta on his fork and he ate it !!!!!!!! OMG !!!! I sat him down and he wanted to eat some more.



We praised him and this is Oliver eating his cookie.

I think he is starting to realise that we won't be backing down so he might as well eat his food - 'cause you never know, he might actually like it.

Another Meal Time

Tonight we tried vegetables!! This is the one and only spoon that went into his mouth. Then he tried again but didn't like it. At least he is giving it a go. I shall try some pasta tomorrow.

Lunch in London

I met my former boss (Dan) and colleague (Kuldip) for lunch today in London. Oliver came along for the ride too as it is not grand parents day or nursery. Dan and Kuldip haven't seen Oliver since Dan's wedding last year so he has grown some ! To get to London we went by train and Oliver loves his train rides. He looks out the window and when another train passes in the opposite direction he gets all excited and says 'mummy, another train'.



This is Kuldip with Oliver.

I know I am obsessing...

This really is for the benefit of my parents who live in Australia as they don't see Oliver very often and know that I struggle to get Oliver to eat properly...

I got Oliver his dinner before I went out to my exercise class tonight. He had fried rice and while he was happy to eat it, after half a dozen mouthful's he came across a larger piece of bacon and that was it - he didn't want to eat any more! Oh well, no desert !!

I am off into London tomorrow to meet up with some friends so he will HAVE to eat what is on the menu !! I know I am being cruel *wink* but we have been toooo soft on him with his food - no more!

Burger Time!

This is the one and only mouthful that Oliver ate of his burger I made him for his lunch today. He was all excited to be having a 'burger' but he suddenly realised that it wasn't from McDonals !! He refused to eat any more. He also didn't get any treats. I wonder how long he will keep this up?

Big Boy!

I know, you are probably wondering what is so fascinating about a boy eating his roast dinner - well for those of you who know Oliver will know that he is the worst eater in the world. The only big boy food I can get him to eat are: McDonald's cheese burger meal, Chinese fried rice and tomato soup. Of course he will gladly eat chocolate and chocolate biscuits, ice cream and so on but not what Rob and I eat. I was watching the 'Super Nanny' on TV the other night and one of the problems she was facing was 3 year old twins eating pureed food !!! Now Oliver's eating is not that bad but it could be a lot better. Anyway, we decided to take the Super Nanny's advice.


We sat at Oliver's little table with him so he could watch us eat and we could encourage him. He didn't refuse to eat which was a good sign. The first thing he did eat was his Yorkshire Puddings - he likes them. We snuck some beans in one of his mouthful's and he ate it then we tried some chicken but he cottoned on to it and spat it back out. There probably doesn't seem too much difference in the 2 photos but he had a go at it. He did actually eat a couple more mouthful's after I took the photo. We gave him big cuddles and kisses for his effort. Let's see what happens tomorrow night.

O.B.M.S.

I made this back in July at a class at Creative Pastimes but it was just the shell as I didn't have the photo or the embellishments. I really liked the paper (Basic Grey) and the colour but had no idea what photo to use. I knew it was going to be of Oliver and what better photo but a swimming one with the blue water and a beaming big smile from the little man!! I bought the stickers (Pebbles Inc) and the rub-on letters (Doodlebug) from the shop and if you are wondering what OBMS stands for on the front of the booklet card - Oliver Brett Matthew Swain !!!

DCM Challenge

This is the latest challenge over at DCM.

Well, the time has come for our first Christmas card dare of 2007.But as loads of you have already shown some fab Christmas cards on your blogs, we thought we'd make things a little more Daring, interesting, tricky or downright mean - depending on your point of view!
So, we'd like you to make and show a Christmas card which incorporates the following:
Some Paper Tearing
The colour Purple
AND
It has to have at least one hole somewhere in the design!

This is what I came up with. I don't have many Christmas stamps as last years cards were die cuts so not stamping required. I shall have to invest in some Stampin' Up! stamps.

Supplies: Stamp: Hobby Arts Surrey (Chtistmas Sentiments), Ink: Brilliance Dew Drop (Pearlescent Lavendar), Accessories: Silver Mirri Card, Silver Snow Flake Peel Off, Purple Peel Off Marker, Purple Pearlescent paper, 1.5cm (3/4") circle punch.

Australia here we come!

We are going to Australia for a family reunion. As we still don't have a date for moving to Australia (I am hoping to be there by Christmas), a nice long stay is in order. The last time we were there was April 2005 when Oliver was christened so it has been that long since my parents have seen Oliver but they speak to him on the telephone every week.

I am looking forward to seeing my parents as my dad had a heart attack the day before his birthday in July and my mum passed out Monday week ago and hit her face so she had a black eye! What a pair they make!! LOL. B.T.W. - my dad is ok and I don't think he will be doing any more 12 hour days at work!

Just Relaxing

This is Oliver relaxing watching some television with his Dad !!! Nice pillow Oliver!

Ring, Ring

This is Oliver's plastic mobile phone. He open's it up and has a conversation with himself. He says: 'Hello', 'Oh really', That's fantastic' and a few other things depending on what he remembers to say.

80th Birthday

Alison's mum turns 80! in just over a week and she wanted me to use a photo of her sister Tracey and herself (yes, they are twins). I came up with this and I am pleased with the result.

Supplies: Stamps: Papertrey Ink 'Beautiful Blooms', 'Borders & Corners (Rectangle). Ink: VersaMagic Dew Drop (Agean Blue), Versafine (Vitnage Sepia). Accessories: Photo, Light Blue Organza Ribbon.

Congratulations Katie & Marcus

I made this card as my friend Katie and her boyfriend Marcus got engaged over the weekend. CONGRATULATIONS KATIE & MARCUS!!!

Supplies: Stamps: Papertrey Ink 'Beautiful Blooms', 'Borders & Corners (Oval)'. Ink: Brilliance Dew Drops (Coffee Bean), Versamark, Versafine (Vintage Sepia). Accessories: Chocolate Brown Organza Ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder.

Hen Weekend - Day 3

Up and about early this morning as it is our Spa Day. Sarah had booked us in at the spa for our treatments and after our treatments we went to the swimming pool and sauna. We had another relaxing morning with our treatments and then a lovely lunch. Unfortunately, Sarah then had to drive me back to Glasgow Airport for my flight back to Gatwick. My flight was delayed (again) but Rob was waiting for me at the gate. We drove to Rob's parents house as they looked after Oliver while Rob was at work today. First Oliver said to me 'Hello Mummy' and then when Rob put him his car seat he said (get your tissues ready!) 'I did miss you mummy'. Bless him!! Although when I asked Rob if Oliver asked where I was, the answer was 'no'.

Hen Weekend - Day 2

We surfaced from bed around 8:30am which is pretty good considering our previous late night. We took our time getting ready and eating breakfast. We went for a lovely walk along the Highland Way and watched a group of sailing boats. It took us a couple of hours and by the time we got back to the lodge we were ready to have a nap. Instead we got comfortable on the couch and watched some DVD's and you guessed it - drank more wine !! It was fantastic, we just chilled out, chatted and drank. I haven't done that in a long time. Even better - no nappies to change. LOL!

Hen Weekend - Day 1

Sarah picked me up from Glasgow Airport along with her friend Lorraine and we drove to our accommodation Luxury Lomond Lodges and we stayed in the Superlodge. I can highly recommend if you are in Scotland you stay there - it was home away from home but without having to do all the house chores !! It was fantastic. We got to the lodge late in the afternoon so we stayed indoors and ate dinner and drank wine (lots of it!) ;¬) Sarah bought along some DVD games so we played a few of them - hilarious !! It was a late night for us all. I had spoken to Rob and Oliver earlier that evening before Oliver went to bed. My first night without him.

Scotland

I am off to Scotland for a hen weekend for my friend Sarah (who was my birdesmaid). We are going to Cameon House Spa in Loch Lomand. I haven't seen Sarah for a while but we have a friendship that if we don't speak for months we can pick up the phone and we can carry on with the conversation. I will post some photos when I get back on Monday evening. This will be the first time I have gone away without Oliver!!