Party of Twelve

Just in case you missed my last post, it was the Pixie's birthday last week. Much celebrations were to be had. We do like celebrating.

In the midst of the celebrations, I took a few little moments to reflect on the crazy collection of people that make up my family.

The day after Pixie's birthday we went to visit DB for dinner. Never let it be said that we cannot make our own amusement. When I was little my mum told me only boring people get bored, and I have refused to be bored ever since*.

Other people might make drives less stressful by making them shorter. Not us. We amused ourselves on the drive to DB's work (about 90 minutes away) by making it longer. To be fair it wasn't so much the driving that took longer but the random stops to take pictures for our Alphabet Photograph Scavenger Hunt.

Buglet also decided that she was going make as many dad jokes as possible. Her father thought this was a great idea. I was much less convinced. Sadly, I can't share any of them with you because the whole experience was too traumatising to remember.

The only one I have remembered from the day was Buglet telling off someone for turning off the fans before she had finished dancing because "I like to perform for my fans".

I will pause here for a minute while you finish groaning.

Pirate socks - I was watching Buglet and Pixie do a pirate dance.
You can tell they are my feet because the socks match.

*Side note: I tried that line on the girls when they were little. It didn't work so well. Pixie cried for about an hour because "You said I was boring, Mama. I can't help being bored. Now you think I am boring". In my defence, that was not the intention. But you have been warned - use this line at your own risk.

Sunday night we had dinner with my family. We went to dinner at Sizzlers (all you can eat buffet type place for those of you who may not have heard of it).

I always tease the girls for only eating yellow stuff when they go to Sizzlers. At least until they get to the dessert.

A perfectly coloured meal - if you are a member of my family.

There were 12 of us at dinner that night. Mum, three sisters, two brothers-in-law, two nieflings, plus us. Every single person's first course was shades of brown, yellow, and beige. (Me included. Mum and I were having pumpkin soup; not a variation of pasta, potato, corn or cheese!). Tink insists that she had red bits so she was different. One BIL insisted on going to get green stuff when he heard me teasing so I don't think that counts. Did I mention that I am the oldest?

My family. The perfect example of how nurture wins over nature.

Sharing this photo because this beanie makes me laugh.

PS the alternative title for this post (in case anyone was wondering after my recent musings about blog titles) was "50 Shades of Beige", but I just couldn't bring myself to write about my family with "50 Shades" in the heading!

Disclaimer:

• It is doubtful I am qualified to give parenting advice, there is still time for me to stuff up.
• I would not take road trip directions from me.
• I am not qualified to give nutrition advice.
• I am not even allowed to give legal advice without supervision.

I would recommend finding more reliable sources for any advice of any nature.

Pifecta

While my St Patrick's Day celebrations may have been a bit hit and miss this year, we did celebrate International Pi Day in spectacular fashion.

I should make the disclaimer here that I am a total hypocrite. I usually dislike the MM/DD/YYY US format of writing the day. On Pi Day and Star Wars Day I totally forget this and join the celebrations in style.

While maths is not my subject in any way, shape or form, both my parents are mathematicians. Mum is a statistician who does clever medical research stuff, and Dad lectures in Maths at Uni. One of my sisters has a maths degree, and one of my other sisters got Mum to help her make a Pi dress for some event (possibly Pi Day? A lot of dedication went into that dress, I am sorry I don't have a picture to share with you). So Pi Day almost feels like a family celebration. There are not many Maths inspired days that I have come across.

I only had Buglet for International Pi Day, but she had three friends sleep over. They supported my pie for dessert plan!

Apple Pie for breakfast ....

 

... Meat Pi for lunch ....
 

... Lemon Pie for dinner .... its a Pifecta

 It was a Pifecta! (Get it? I think I am hilarious. The girls disagree).

In other news, the Pixie is continuing the family tradition of making up words. She has just informed my that the dog will not demuntification the house. She is trying to say that Flip-Flop will not make a mess. Although, as I am pretty sure that would make it a double negative, Pixie may have been sneakily telling me that Flip-Flop will make a mess.

I am being a bit social media happy at the moment. Check out a blog post one getting the girls' passports, or follow us on Twitter or Pinterest .

Happy Saturday everyone!

Disclaimer:

• It is doubtful I am qualified to give parenting advice, there is still time for me to stuff up.
• You will note that all my pies were shop bought.
• I am not qualified to give maths advice.
• I am not even allowed to give legal advice without supervision.

I would recommend finding more reliable sources for any advice of any nature.

Mother's Day

This was the Pixie last year on Mother's Day:  "If we were going to make you breakfast Mama, which we're not, how would you like your eggs? Now go walk the dog and make it a long walk".

Mother's Day*. The day that is supposed to be all about mothers. I have to admit, I adore it.

When I was younger I loved bossing my younger sisters and brother into making mum and dad breakfast in bed and was so sad when mum put an end to it (cooking is not my strong point!).

I love the home made presents and cards, and the gifts my girls pick out from school. I love the cuddles, and for that for one day I can use emotional blackmail to stop the girls from squabbling and not feel bad.

This year I wandered around the shops while my Buglet supervised the Pixie in a shopping trip. I need to say here that clearly I had no idea what they were shopping for. I am a mother, I know all about selective comprehension.

This is what they made me.

Buglet gets her cooking skills from her father. He also taught her beautiful presentation. My breakfasts in bed always come with a flower (sorry Mum! You really were ripped off, but I promise your breakfasts were made with love).

And this was dessert. Tinker is claiming this one as her idea.

I am pretty sure the fact the girls made me breakfast dessert means I am doing something right!




*or is it Mothers' Day? I really struggle with this. If I am talking about someone particular I make it singular but when I am talking about everyone I make it plural? Anyone else?