About Me

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I live in Kent with my husband, toddler Tilly (henceforth known as Monkey) and another baby due in November. We have two cats, Duncan and Lady Macbeth, and four chickens who kindly lay us eggs daily. We live in the picturesque seaside town of Broadstairs. I enjoy reading, knitting and cooking. I'm trying to be a bit 'greener' (not sure how successfully), and to be a gentle parent. Extended breastfeeding and co-sleeping don't freak me out, we use cloth nappies and try to follow some of the ideals of Attachment Parenting. If that sounds as if I know what I'm doing, I don't! I am also a psychotherapist with an interest in Focusing-oriented therapy, and I have a small private practice in the area.

Friday 29 May 2009

Monkey's Tea Party

The Duck Cake, courtesy of Nanna

It went down very well!

A family afternoon

Opening presents


Thank you all for your good wishes, both to the Monkey and to me. We had a lovely day yesterday, and it really did feel like a celebration. I had a last-minute dash to Sainsbury's for party snacks (not a single home-made thing, I was being easy on myself!), bought a couple of helium balloons, spread some blankets and toys out in the garden and hey-presto, we had ourselves a tea party. Both sets of grandparents were there, plus one Great-Nanna, five Mummy and Daddy friends with their babies. Best of all, Daddy was able to be there. Nanna's duck cake looked perfect and tasted delicious. Monkey had lots of cards and some beautiful presents including a wooden shape sorter and some Osteheimer animals (the African animals). I was pleased that she wasn't snowed under with gifts, and that she received lots of lovely books. 
Now we move onto the next year, and I've a feeling that this will contain some significant challenges in terms of coping with strong feelings and a determined, willful little girl! It's something I'm not at all confident about managing well, but I'm sure we'll do our best for her. 

10 comments:

Joxy34 said...

Awww beautiful photos Sam :)

Looks like a grand day was had by all.. ohh and that duck cake looks great!

How's things going with the house you're hoping to buy?

Unknown said...

Looks like a lovely day, and wow, a great-nan too! She's a lucky girl.

I love xylophones! What a super cake too.

Glad it went so well, you've created memories to treasure.

Daisypip said...

Lovely pics, looks like much fun was had! Happy Birthday Monkey, how amazing the change and growth in the first year and I'm sure the 2nd will be a whole new adventure too!

I too love the cake, what a talented nana!

Alison
x

Earthenwitch said...

Happy birthday to the Monkey, and what a lovely tea-party! Nice to see you back, too; loved the pics from France, and I'm assuming that's Nenuphar with Mylo in the mei tai? (She ought to get a blog... ;))

Like Mon, I too love xylophones - we've been thinking about buying the witchling one. Do you know which sort the one the Monkey was given is, and is it nice in the flesh, as it were?

willow81 said...

Thanks Joxy, all still going ahead with the move, just very slowly. We're in limbo and desperately want some news!
Mon & Alison, I'm so pleased we had a celebration and yes, lots of lovely memories to treasure.
EW, yes, that was Kate/ nenuphar in the France photos, we had a lovely time and OMG Kate is a masterchef, my seriously foodie DH rated her gratin dauphinois as one of his best ever meals! Tilly's xylophone is from Plan Toys. They do some lovely wooden toys and instruments. I have to say it isn't the most satisfying playing experience, I'd probably buy a longer one with more notes so you can actually play something.

nocton4 said...

oh lovely photos, your birth ones are amazingly beautiful.

Happy days to you all.

Did you get the books ok ?
xx

willow81 said...

Mama4, thank you so much for the books. I left a little comment on your blog, we received them and Tilly loves them! xx

Antoinette said...

Welcome back! Looks like you had a great holiday!

Lovely photos of Tilly's birthday! A thoroughly delightful tea party there. Good times.

That cake is brilliant...how on earth did you do it? I have no talent for cake decorating. I made The Moon a ladybird cake once, but it more resembled a sqaushed bug.

Earthenwitch said...

Aah - had wondered about that! Will try to find something a little longer, then; I guess not many tunes include only one octave...

And perhaps we should start a new section on the AP board - menus and recipes! ;)

kat said...

I was so emotional at DS's first birthday. I basically sulked all day and I felt awful about it later, but I just was so sad and shocked that a year had gone by so quickly!