Mikeys acting career………

Mikeys acting career.........

Mikey has always been quite dramatic and artistic. He has been going to an art class for two years and seems to have a real talent. image Over the last year his passion had shifted from art to drama. He had been asking for months to start a drama class.  Another after school club was the last thing I needed!!! However,  it was really refreshing to hear him ask me to do something. Usually I am dragging them to their extra curricular activities kicking and screaming. After a bit of research he joined Britkids. A Saturday school at The Brit School in South London. He went for his first audition in March for a show at our local Theatre. When we got the call to say he had got a part he was over the moon. It’s something he really enjoys and takes seriously. The next step he wanted to take was to sign to an agency to try and get some work and experience in the industry. This is totally out of my comfort zone.  I was the total opposite at his age. The thought of performing infront of people would make me sick . I am so proud of him.  He has a subtle confidence which is really endearing. I’ve heard the same as everyone else about child acting and model agencies. They are rip offs, they charge you fortunes and you get no work. An industry full of pushy mums and arrogant kids. I did tons of research and found an agency I wanted to approach. After seeing his photos and application Mikey was asked to come and take a workshop for the agency based in London. We took Mikey up to a studio by Tower Bridge where he met the ladies running the agency. There were about ten other children there and they all stayed for two hours,  They learnt about how to cope with castings, acting tips and the agency assessed whether they are suitable. Whether Mikey gets a place on their books or not, he had a really wonderful morning. In the meantime,  keep your fingers crossed for him. He might just be the next Daniel Radcliffe!  😝

Only one place to buy lingerie and swimwear

Only one place to buy lingerie and swimwear

I remember 14 years ago,  sitting at my mother in laws kitchen table sorting through bras and knickers with her ready for the next days work. Chris (my MIL)  and Sue, her friend and business partner would load all their merchandise of bras and knickers into the back of the van and travel to various hospitals to sell lingerie off their stall. They had discussed opening a shop for quite a while before they found the right premises. After months of looking they finally found the perfect spot. D’braz, Banstead has been open thirteen years this year. Over that time Chris and Sue have built a wonderful business based on a gleaming reputation. The awards the ladies have been given are to long to list but they are extremely highly regarded within the industry. An intimate lingerie shop where you can get measured and know you will leave with a bra that fits perfectly and looks beautiful. image The stock they have is stunning,  they stock brands from Freya, Mary Jo, Aubade, After Eden. Primadona, lejaby and Mareyan Melhorn and Gottex swimwear plus many more top brands. Stocking bra sizes from A to K, they also specialise in Mastectomy and maternity bras. After the success of their Banstead store they opened Cobham in 2009. Apart from the simply beautiful lingerie and nightwear, the swimwear they stock is like no collection I have ever seen. image They have something for every shape.   Long bodies,  tankinies, high leg, shorts. Underwired and cup sized. The cover ups, kaftans, skirts, shorts and dresses to wear with the swimwear is equally as gorgeous. Christine always tells me that it is quite amazing how many women are wearing the wrong size bra. Not only is this bad for you. It will not be doing anything for your figure. If you are due a measure, a new set or are off on holidays get yourself down to Banstead or Cobham. The girls are really welcoming and knowledgeable. image A little tip for you ladies to…. The men’s Waxx pants D’braz sell are a real hit. Every man I know that has had a pair now wears nothing else. They make great pressies for the other half 😉 http://www.dbraz.co.uk/home

Fighting the mummy lbs

Fighting the mummy lbs

I had just managed to go from a size 16/18 to a size 14 before a big holiday we had booked to California. I had spend 2 months on the Atkins diet and was ready for my brothers graduation in Florida followed by San Francisco, LA and Las Vegas. I had felt a bit ropey on the last leg of the holiday and on touch down in Gatwick the first thing I picked up was a pregnancy test……. POSITIVE. Pregnant with twins!!! After the boys were born I ballooned. When I went shopping for an outfit for their christening and the trousers I bought were a size 20. My new wardrobe was leggings and baggy jumpers for the next 4 years! image When Libby was two I decided to do something about. My friend Rosie and I decided to join the local slimming world. That changed my life. Slimming world is not about starving yourself or living on salad,  it is about choices. I started the diet in April at 13 St 12lbs and a size 16/18. By August I was 10st 4lbs and a size 10. I could shop in any shop and buy bikinis!  It felt amazing! I cut out all the usual syns on a daily basis. No chocolate, sweets, Crisps, cakes and pastries and on the day I weighed in,  I would allow myself to eat whatever I wanted. I usually had a tapas or take away that night. I substite oils with frylight and I don’t have butter (horrible to start with but easy to get used to). Alcohol can be an issue, but I don’t deprive myself. I still have wine if I’m out for diner or if I really fancy a glass in the evening but I try to stick to bacardi and diet coke or gin and slimline tonic. I have never felt like I was on a diet. My skin felt better and I had so much more energy. When I go out for diner I don’t even consider anything with ‘cream’ in the description. I stick to Grilled meats or steaks,  salads and tomato based pasta. I had convinced myself after having Libby I would never get rid of my ‘ baby pouch ‘ but by that August it was gone! image Apart from improving my general health it also benifited my pregnancy with George. You always hear doctors say you should be a sensible weight when you try for a baby (to which I would sigh and roll my eyes during my previous three pregnancies). However, from experience I would say this is definatly true. My whole pregnancy felt different with George. At full term with him I still didn’t weigh as much as my biggest when I wasnt carrying a baby. I had more energy during the pregnancy, the birth was easier (could be something to do with being baby number 5!) and I had less aches and pains. I also feel like I was back on my feet alot quicker. I  was left with an extra stone after having George and now have 5lbs to lose to get back to my pre pregnancy weight. Aswell as sticking to slimming world,  a couple of other tips have really contributed to my weight lose since having George. I try to avoid eating dinner after 7pm and I have swapped my cappuccinos and lattes for black coffee. Everyone is different,  I have friends who look fantastic from working out in the gym. There is only one form of excersize I like to get hot and sweaty for and it certainly doesn’t include a treadmill or weights. I joined a gym recently, just to tone up for my upcoming holiday but I can’t see it lasting. I already find every excuse I can not to go. Guess I’ll just have to live with the bingo wings 😜

Morning can kiss my ar*e

Morning can kiss my ar*e

image Words can not describe how much I hate my day pre 9am! It usually starts well,  looking over at my gorgeous little boy who always beams a huge smile at me….probably because he knows what’s coming next! As I turn back over to doze off for another 10 minutes, it starts!! George has learnt that screech …you know the one. The one that makes you jump up and do whatever it takes to stop the noise! Poor sod usually has every right to screech because I usually find he has the dirtiest, wettest nappy, always a lovely start to the day . I clean George up and get him dressed. If I’m having a good morning,  he will sit in his cot playing, otherwise the rest of my morning has a constant groan in the background. I shout at Libby to wake up. Next are the twins. They are old enough to get themselves ready…..or so you would think. There is ALAWYS something they can’t find. Socks, pants, a jumper,  trousers, a school shirt. For the fifteen minutes we can’t find the missing item of clothes, I am dirt! For that fifteen minutes I am ‘ the worst mum in the world ‘ ‘ruining their lives ‘ ‘its always my fault if we are late for school ‘ We usually find the missing item in the exact place I initially told them to look,  which apparently they did and it wasn’t there! ..whatever! I shout at Libby to wake up again. In the meantime Charlie doesn’t usually have this problem as he keeps the same clothes next to his bed and will wear those same clothes every day….. Forever, if he could! So I then spend another fifteen minutes convincing Charlie that it really IS that important to wear clean clothes everyday…. Even though part of me is tempted to just let him win to save the washing! All this builds up to what I know will be the hardest part of my morning…..Libby. She is still asleep and when I try to wake her up it is like Russian roulette. On a good day She will open her eyes and give me a big smile. On a bad day she opens her eyes and spits at me how I have already made this the worst day of her whole entire life! I pick my approach on how to deal with the hair brushing. Sometimes I bribe her,  sometimes I trick her,  sometimes I shout at her. It is usually a reflection on whether George is having a good morning or bad and how late we are! The kids go downstairs to have their breakfast. This usually gives me ten minutes to get ready. I go downstairs,  make George’s bottles up,  pack his day bag and get him ready in his car seat. I’m now ready to leave. I call everyone to get in the car and then they come into the hallway and look at me like I’ve totally lost the plot. ‘we haven’t even had breakfast yet! ‘ Oh my God!!!!!!! Wtf!!!!!!!!!! Turns out they have been to busy watching The fu#King Thundermans!!!!!! Now we are late. After they have eaten they finally get in the car…. I’m out the driveway!…… Or am I? One of them is guaranteed to have forgotten something…. Homework,  a coat,  football kit… Back home we go and by now they know not to even talk to me! We have actually still been making it to school on time…. Just…. because I have found a shortcut. Problem is, once the hotel owner realises I cut across his estate every morning, ignoring every one way sign through the car park, it will be back to the ‘late’ route! I must stress, this isn’t every day,  only three or four out of five  😜 And everyone wonders why my first stop after the school run is for a coffee! The day can only get better!

Homebirth

Homebirth

I have always wanted to share my birthing experiences and now I have the perfect platform! image I should start by saying if anyone ever asked my advice about birth it is simple….. Whatever makes you the most comformable. If you want to have an elected c-section,  take all the drugs available, have a hospital birth ,  have your baby at home or in the middle of the woods,  it’s your decision I hate preachers who tell you what they think you should and shouldn’t do. When I had the twins I found everything about the pregnancy restrictive. I remember asking the midwife at one of my appointments if I could have them at the birthing suit at hospital. She didn’t even let me finish my sentence before she totally dismissed the idea and told me as I was considered ‘ high risk ‘ and they didn’t want anyone in the birthing suit who could effect their A* results. My labour with the twins reflected the whole pregnancy. I was on the bed in the delivery suit,  strapped to the monitor and asked not to move. As they were my first babies I did as I was told. The pain was, as we all know,  unbearable and if I could have had an epidural I would have but there was not enough time. Michael was born 3 hours after Labour stated and Harrison followed 5 minutes later. image I was moved quickly up to a ward and Mike was asked to leave an hour later as visiting time was over. There I was,  a new mum, two babies,  no hubby and in hospital for the first time in my life. My experience wasn’t bad, but certainly not what I would have chosen. When I found out I was pregnant with Charlie I felt an overwhelming need to take total control of my birth. Thank God I did! Charlies birth was amazing. When I first mentioned a homebirth to my GP she was so supportive. She assured me that as I had a fairly easy Labour with the twins I now ticked the boxes for a homebirth. When I went into labour we called our midwife. I had ran a nice warm bath, scented my flannels with Clary Sage and relaxed as much as I could until she arrived. We had two midwives arrive and they were the perfect double act. One lady was sweet natured and very attentive and sympathetic.  Perfect for the first stage of labour. She gave me so many good tips to speed things along. I noticed the pain was so much more bearable when I was standing up and walking around. Once the second stage of labour arrived the second midwife stepped in. She was an older Irish lady who was a no nonsense midwife. She coached me through the rest of the birth until Charlie was born. After Charlie was born and he had the initial checks and cuddles I really wanted a shower. It was so nice being in my own shower! When I got out I couldn’t believe it….. The midwives had cleaned everything away,  changed my bed, fluffed my pillows and made me a cuppa. Charlie was laying in the moses basket next to my bed waiting for me. I was  so comfortable in my bed, feeding my new baby. Everyone loves Raymond was on tv and I chilled out with Charlie until Mike brought the twins home to meet their new brother. It really was that perfect. image After that experience I was determined for the same birth with Libby… Never quite the same but still as stress free as I could hope for. Libby was born at home in a birthing pool. image George was a planned homebirth.  Unfortunately, the hospital failed to tell me when I called them to tell them I was in labour that the homebirth midwife was of sick. I called them when my contractions were 2 minutes apart to be asked to come into hospital. As it happens, East Surrey midwives and birthing suit was amazing and I had an incredibly positive birth. George was born half an hour after arriving in hospital in the birthing pool. image I read an article recently that there are now grants for anyone who wants a homebirth to put towards private midwives or the birth of your choice. This came a bit too late for me but I think it’s a fantastic idea and if anyone is considering a homebirth it will be worth looking into. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/12169112/Mums-to-be-will-given-control-of-3000-to-spend-on-birth-of-choice.html

Evening in Eynsford

DSC_4158Last night we took the kids out for diner to celebrate our Anniversary.
We went to a lovely pub In the picturesque village of Eynsford in Dartford.
The pub sits next to a lovely stream which, on a nice day sees children and adults paddling, playing, fishing and having fun in the sun!
For a lovely afternoon drive out I can not recommend it enough.
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Pack a picnic and you could sit there all day!
The Plough didn’t disappoint at all, I had crab, chorizo and prawn linguine, Mike had Fillet steak and the children all had burgers.
The food was lovely, service really good and they seemed quite kids friendly
We will definatly be returning!
 
https://www.theploughinneynsford.co.uk
If you are planning a day trip there, there is a wonderful birds of prey park just up the road called Eagle Heights.
http://www.eagleheights.co.uk

Country Kids

Country Kids

When we moved to the farm two and a half years ago I really didn’t think about what amazing experiences it would provide for the kids. Although they all embrace the country life,  Harrison is certainly our most natural countryboy. Part of our life here includes raising and caring for animals,  some as pets, some as food. Both are cared for and respected during their time with us regardless. IMG-20160213-WA0003 It is completely natural to Harri to handle all sorts of animals,  dead or alive and when we have lost a chicken to a fox or illness I’m often calling for him to help me (I’m not such a natural!) When we dispatched our pigs last year, Harri was on hand to help Mike with the grollocking. I had explained to all the children what was happening and that if they would rather stay indoors that might be for the best but Harri was determined to help. However, I totally respect that Mikey (Harri’s twin brother) is happy to care for them and eat the end product but doesnt feel comfortable with the killing (like his mum) Lately Harri he has really taken to joining Mike on the shoots. He helps with the Dogs and collecting the birds. Last time he went with his cousin Brook and they came back at the end of the day like they had been to Disneyworld! After bringing the birds back it was over to Mikey,Charlie and Libby to help prep them for diner. DSC_3369 It can be controversial and some friends do not like the idea of eating animals we raised ourselves. Other friends can’t wait till their next ‘Thompson Pork fix ‘.  The pork Belly I made from our saddleback was amazing. I would rather eat something that I know the history of and the taste is so different. Whatever your opinion is,  the kids are learning some invaluable lessons that I could never imagine them learning before we moved here . IMG-20160125-WA0004

Holiday Anxieties

Holiday Anxieties

The anxiety is beginning to set in. I have never felt like I need a holiday as badly as I do now and feel blessed we have an amazing trip coming up. However,  before I can slip into my bikini, order a daiquiri and lay down by the pool, I have the slightly massive hurdle of getting there!! Two and a half weeks of beautiful Florida Sunshine….. Which means two and a half weeks worth of clothes for seven people to pack ! This year the Trunkies have been shelved.  Last time Mike had to drag four trunkies through Miami Airport it nearly ended in divorce. Obviously it was my fault (even though I asked his opinion,  he did not want to offer any input into packing and our luggage arrangements). This year I have strategically bought the four older children backpacks which they have already been instructed will stay with THEM the whole trip. The suitcases is where the real anxiety begins. We have an allowance of one stored case each.  That’s seven cases! We won’t be able to manover seven cases. That is logistically impossible! So,  one for me, one for Mike and two for all the kids?  three for all the kids?  That’s five suitcases!! JESUS! Then there is the flight. The four older children travel really well.  Give them a movie or some music and a book and they will be fine on the eight hour flight. George, my seven month old however is a different story.   He is at that age now where he doesn’t want to be held and  he fights sleep. Any tips on how to keep your head when on a eight hour flights with a baby!? Once we arrive we have a four hour drive to our final destination…. Key West. download As long as we make it there without losing any kids and without the help of Vallium we will have a great holiday. In the meantime, wish me luck!!!!!

The moment all mums wait for

The moment all mums wait for

Dear George, My gorgeous baby boy. I carried you for nine months I was sick for you I gave up booze for you I missed a holiday in Vegas for you I watched Mike and other friends party while I sat on the side,  fat and uncomfortable for you After spending a year losing 3 stone, I put half back on, for you I got new stretch marks for you I went through labour for you I had piles for you I breastfed constantly for four months (bye bye boobs) for you I woke up every night to feed and settle you,  for you I’ve changed every nappy, despite its colour, stench or consistency, for you This morning,  after seven months of watching you blossom and being your absolute everything,  it happened,  your first word…….. DADDA!!!!!!!!! What a fu#king liberty!!!!! [wpvideo 0dARJIty]

Eating in an off license

Eating in an off license

When my friend Katie sent me a WhatsApp message asking if I fancied a night out in April obviously,  as always, the answer was yes!!! She had been recommended by another friend of ours to try the pop up restaurant at The Vine King in Reigate. £75 per head for a seven course meal including wine with each course. That’s about all I understood about the night out until we arrived. The Vine King is actually an off license. Think Odd Bins or  Threshers and you would be spot on. The shop was set out with five or six tables (18 heads I believe). The guy that greeted us was the sommelier for the evening and what this man didn’t know about wine wasnt worth knowing!  Salted Events were responsible for the food while The Vine King hosted and provided the wine. What followed was probably one of the best meals I have ever had. The menu : Campaillou Bread & Brown Butter Smoked Code Roe Taramasalata & Tomato Jam Croutons Cured & Roasted Salmon, Braised Fennel & Leek, Lobster Vinaigrette & Sourdough Gremolata Roasted Pork Fillet, Braised Belly, Baked Potato Foam, Roasted Cauliflower & Grilled Asparagus Selection of cheeses Iced Lemon Perfect,Shortbread,  Roasted Pineapple,  Walnuts Each course was served with a different wine to compliment the dish.  As each wine came out, it was explained to us why it had been picked and a little background. An email sent a few days before the night asked about any dietary requirements which meant Katie (who can’t eat shellfish) didn’t miss out. The food was great,  wine and service were spot on and location was intimate without being pompous. Obviously it goes without saying the friends we shared the evening with just topped it off. We laughed from start to finish. And, after all the wine and a few after dinner espresso martinis at Urban9 over the road,  we went home comfortably pissed! http://www.thevineking.com/pop-up-tickets/26th-april-reigate-pop-up-restaurant