Christmas and New Year

We've had a great Christmas and New Year, and hope you have too.

Gearing up for Christmas

Last day of work and school tomorrow, and we're all looking forward to the break. Hannah's bought all the presents. I just need to get out and buy Hannah's.

Firework Show

We missed the big local show at the weekend, but fortunately the local scouts have a "bring your own" show, where everybody brings some fireworks and the organizers set them off.

Since we live only 5 minutes walk from a big scout camp, off we went. They held it next to their boating lake, in the middle of a wood. It made for a lovely setting.

The girls loved it, even Mary sitting in a backpack baby carrier on my shoulders was fascinated.

And the bonus, the loud bangs that have been scaring the girls for the last week or so, are now explained and the fear is gone. Less getting out of bed of an evening. Hurrah!

Nanny and Beth at the Ballet

Hannah's mum took Beth to the ballet last Saturday to see Carlos Acosta at Sadler's Wells. Beth loved every minute, and felt very grown up about the whole thing.

Spider-man 3

I watched this at the weekend, and although I enjoyed it a lot. It was missing the shock and awe of the first two. The special effects didn't seem to have moved on. The villains were ok, but nothing special. Four stars just for being Spider-man.

Stardust

Hannah and I went to the cinema, (first time in a year) to see Stardust. It's a great film, although probably a little too scary to take our kids too. But I reckon they'll love it in a couple of years.

It was just nice to get out and have  a few hours by ourselves, without the kids. So a big thanks to Hannah's parents for watching them.

Back again.

Doesn't time just flash past.

A quick catch up, everybody is a few months older, and hopefully wiser.

Beth is in year 1 at school, and doing quite well. Heather is enjoying day nursery 3 times a week, and Mary is sitting up and smiling all day.

That's all the good stuff. On the flip side, my father passed away in April, a week after his 65th birthday. Not a good time.

It's been a while

Mary Kate 003
Originally uploaded by BigBadJock.

Ok, it's been ages since my last post. I'll blame pressures of work and life. But something has come along that I just must announce.

Mary Katherine McArthur, born 20th February, weighing 8lb 4oz or thereabouts. Mary Kate is just lovely.

Rite of Passage

I performed another rite of passage today, I laid my own concrete foundations for our new porch. Dug the ditch last week, using a big 14lb hammer to break up the concrete, and switching to a hired pneumatic drill. Today I mixed (by hand), poured, and leveled the concrete.

It's not a completely new experience I've helped my dad and my father in law before, but today is the first time I've flown solo. 6 hours of hard labour. I've feeling ridiculously proud of myself.

My birthday surprise

Hannah took me to the ballet, last night. We saw the Moscow Ballet perform Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker.

It's definitely not the sort of present I was expecting or would ever did of my own volition. So I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. The dancers were amazingly good.

Would I go again? Yes. And that surprises me too.

Thank You, Hannah.

North Korea

Just watching NK's anti-imperialism celebrations. Maybe we should get them to manage the 2012 Olympics opening and closing ceremonies. Way more impressive than anything we'll manage.

The first Parent's evening

Tonight is our first parent's evening at Beth's school.

It's nearly half-term, and tonight we'll get the first outsider's view on Beth and learn how she is coping in the big wide world.

It's a scary thought. As a parent I hope that I have given her the love and confidence to cope.

Vanity

I am not a vain person; no really.
But as another year passes, and the Big 40 is edging ever nearer, you find yourself seeing changes in the mirror...and today's horror...the beginnings of the dreaded Dennis Healy eyebrows.

They aren't exactly bushy, but there are a few creepers edging out.

William Wallace plaque

William Wallace plaque
Originally uploaded by BigBadJock.

This plaque commemorating the execution of William Wallace is at Bart's Hospital opposite Smithfields meat market.

At the airport

At the airport
Originally uploaded by BigBadJock.

My brother Sandy's Son Ross

St. Paul's

St. Paul's
Originally uploaded by BigBadJock.

Just for Roy

Triumph Rocket III

Triumph Rocket III
Originally uploaded by BigBadJock.

I've had enough of sports bikes. They are a pain, mostly in the back and the

wrists. This is what I want next.... maybe next year... or the year after.

Camping

We spent the weekend camping at the Rendlehsam forest Centre with our neighbours.

And apart from Hannah being the source of food for every mosquito in a 10 mile radius, everybody loved it.

Beth's Joke

Beth has a joke:

Knock Knock
Who's There?
Doctor
Doctor Who???

much laughter.... It's an old one but still funny.

Ross and the T-Rex

Ross and the T-Rex
Originally uploaded by BigBadJock.

Ross got a little close and personal with a model of a T-Rex head.