Watching Movies

We love watching movies at our house.  It's great to be able to watch on our big screen at home, and although the quality isn't so good during the day when it's bright, it's still doable.

We recently got Toy Story 3 as one of our LoveFilm films and this has to be about the 4th time Cara has watched it, she loves it. She has a friend from school coming tomorrow to watch it with her too. I wonder if her friend enjoys watching films so much.

When we watch a film together, Felicity either potters around doing something else, or snuggles up close and falls asleep. Today, she did just that.. it was lovely, my little hot water bottle snuggled right up close, cheek to cheek enjoying the film, and then we both dozed off.. beautiful!

Unstoppable

The other night I came home from work to find out that Andrew had got us free tickets to go see Unstoppable, and arranged for a babysitter (thanks Hannah!). It's been a little while since I'd been to the cinema and it was really fun to go with Andrew and see a film that I had heard nothing about. I really enjoyed the film, which was based on (now found out quite loosely, more like inspired by) real events. I never really knew that much about freight trains so it was interesting for me just seeing more closely what these trains were like and the kind of jobs that people do. It was kind of predictable at the end, and with the stories of lives as the action plays on.. but it was all good. Not a film I would watch over and over but a really great movie to see at the cinema.

Beyond Monopoly!

I found out that York had a board game club not long after we moved to York (2 years ago), however it has taken until this week to manage to remember when it is, and be free to go. I wish I had gone earlier. Much of my childhood was spent playing games with my family, and while at university I accumulated many games of my own. I like all kinds of games, I'll play whatever everyone else wants to play, but my favorites involve thinking moves through and not too much luck.

I went on Wednesday evening to my first meet up with Beyond Monopoly! and learnt to play a great new game Mississippi Queen, and enjoyed the company of fellow game lovers. I wasn't sure if I'd make the day long play on Saturday as I knew Andrew had a lot of work to do this weekend, but he dropped me off around noon and said stay as long as you're having fun - so I did :)

On Saturday I played a real mixture of games some I'd played before, Perudo and Apples to Apples, and others that I hadn't. Really want to play Dominion again, Ticket to Ride, a really fun car racing game (think my brothers would really this - actually, who wouldn't?, but what was it called?), a fun little game aimed at young children, and an interesting card laying game with an Irish theme.

The club have so many games (above photo was just two of the cupboards), and they really are as friendly as advertised. Can't wait to play some more games next time.

Fun with Felicity

After we dropped Cara off at school, Felicity and I did some shopping followed by a little play at the park.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.4

Local Council Meeting

Tonight I went to the Heworth Ward Committee Meeting. I've been to 3 or 4 now since moving to York, and have always found them interesting and also poorly attended. Today, as I arrived I was greeted by one of the Councillor's, who obviously didn't recognise me as having been to the last few meetings, and almost assumed that I had come as I had a particular problem with something. I realise that not many people seem to come to these meetings unless they have some problem, or have asked to present something, but to assume that I think is quite sad. I really would encourage people to get to their local meetings, and maybe we can all be more involved in where money is spent and what is being done around us.

One of the presentations tonight was about the Magistrates Court. It was really interesting, I may even look into applying to become a Magistrate. I definately hope to get to the open day that they are having here at the York Court. While looking up this information I also found out about becoming a Councillor. I can't do it all, but I really hope to find something that I can do to really make a difference in my local community. On Friday I'm attending my first Partnership Board Meeting for the local Children's Centre. Should be interesting.

Nappies on the line

Nappies on the line, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

We've been using the re-usables for a while now, so I thought I'd do a little update. I am loving them. I absolutely love that we are not filling our bin full of used nappies, or wipes. (Our bins get collected one week for waste, and the next week for recyclables - we used to fill our bin in two weeks, pretty much to the top. Now, and we have started composting and recycling more stuff too, but we have just a tenth maybe full at the end of two weeks, feels so good!)

I'm using reusable wipes too. So much easier, cos where do you put a used wipe if you're not throwing a nappy away? So use toilet roll for the mass that will be put down the loo, and then put water onto a cloth to wipe the bottom and throw it in the nappy bin with the nappy - tada. This also means no, whatever they put in those wipes that means they clean just about anything, on my baby's bottom.

It's made me think about how much toilet paper we get through.. and maybe we should be using reusable wipes too! :D Andrew's not so keen on the idea.. we have a stash to use up anyway.. but I'm definately thinking about giving it a go.. I'm doing lots of washing anyway - why not...? I'm sure I'll be posting more on other eco-friendly, cost-effective things we've been doing at some point.

My only problem with reusable nappies is when out, although lots of places these days have nappy changing facilities they don't always cater for 'real nappy 'users. We need a toilet and sink nearby please!

Luckily, Felicity tends to poo at a regular time each day at the moment so I haven't been caught too off guard. When it did happen once, I luckily had a disposable nappy bag still on me, and so I put the poo in there, in the bin... not too bad I guess..

I would highly recommend using reusables. They are a little bulkier, but not too much, and they are better for baby.. and although a big lay out to start, I haven't had to buy another pack of nappies or wipes.. yay! :D It helps having sunny weather to dry them, but these only take a couple of hours outside. I haven't had any night-time leakages (sleeping 12hrs plus) with the night-time booster which is huge.. but she's sleeping anyway, so all is good.

Andrew's Birthday

26, originally uploaded by Hedgen.

It was Andrew's birthday today, and what a fun day we had! The girls didn't get up to early, thankfully, and so after getting the cards and presents ready we all went to wake Daddy up. Cara likes to give kisses to wake people up, so it was lovely. We sang 'Happy Birthday' one of Cara's favourite songs to sing.. she always wants it to be someone's birthday.

Cara had made her own card for Daddy, which was very unique and lovely We got Daddy some lovely shorts - the ones pictured above, some walking trousers, that zip off to shorts, and some hand warmers.. not needed today.. but maybe for future hikes. We then played some games and enjoyed each others company before heading off to Grandma's. Andrew had more presents, cards and birthday wishes. Cara and Felicity spent the day with Grandma while Andrew and I headed off to Malham Tarn for a walk.

It was beautiful! We walked from the Tarn down to Malham Cove, which was my favourite. It was such a different landscape, walking over what they call the limestone pavement. It is seriously worth a visit. Seems that there is loads more that we didn't get to see. For part of our walk we were on the Pennine Way - maybe one day we'll do the whole thing together. It was just lovely to spend time with Andrew, walking in the lovely English countryside. How can you beat that. Love you Andrew!