I haven't updated this for ages.... woops!

Well, since my last update, all 3 of my gorgeous boys have had their birthdays! Zach turned 4 in March, Blake turned 1 in April, and Jed turned 3 just six days ago. They are all growing up unbelievably fast and it scares me, but it is wonderful watching their personalities develop. Jed has settled well into pre-school, he is now going three mornings a week and he will be going five mornings after the summer break. Zach is now two thirds of the way through his time at Nursery and he really feels at home there. He has lots of friends and a fantastic group of teachers. He goes to Lunch Club two days a week, which he loves. Both my boys are very happy at school, and that makes me very happy too.

In other news, we are expecting our FOURTH baby! I am only a few weeks into the pregnancy, so it's still early days, but if all goes well, we will be graced with another little Whiteley in February 2010. Yes we are crazy, but we love it ;-p

SNOW DAY 2009!!!

Today it has snowed. A lot. All schools in the county have been closed while extreme weather warnings were issued on the local news and radio. I made the stupid mistake of getting in my car and driving to my parent's cul-de-sac, which I hasten to add was not gritted. I lost control of the car and skidded while turning round a bend, and I ended up crashing into a parked car. This evening I am thanking God for fully comprehensive car insurance with a protected NCB!

This snowy weather may make me crash my car, slip over and hurt myself, freeze my arse off and put me in a pretty bad mood, but boy does it look beautiful.

I think photos can describe today better than words can....

Our Snowy House:




And the river opposite:




Around Town:




And, finally, playing in the garden with 2 hyperactive boys:

(this is Jed)


(and this is Zach)


A snowman!!

As soon as I took that last photo, Zach said to me "Can we break the snowman now?" Are boys meant to be destructive, or is it just mine??!

Jed has started pre-school and he has shown a rather shocking protest to being left without me. Of course, I am ridden with feelings of guilt, stupidly thinking that I may be causing him some kind of psychological or emotional harm. His teachers have reassured me that he calms down quickly and enjoys playing once I've left, and their words are confirmed by jed's bouncy spirit when I pick him up. He is full of beans afterwards, excitedly jabbering about the fun he had, and keen at the thought of returning on another day. But then the day of his next session arrives, and we are back at the beginning again with his emotional protesting that he does NOT want to go to school.

Zach, on the other hand, is doing fabulously at nursery. He is learning so much, so fast and he is showing a keen interest in learning to read. He can recognize and write several letters and his drawing skills have developed really well. His speech is also fantastic and he is quite the conversationalist.

Blake is obviously still home with me 24/7, and he is getting more mobile and mischievous by the day. He loves opening kitchen cupboards and trying to climb into the dishwasher. I don't think it will be too long before he starts walking.

In non-child news, our house is going up on the Market this week and we are looking forward to finding somewhere with a big garden. Here's to hoping for a quick & easy sale.