a wish for perpetual sunshine at the place i call home

Every other Friday is incredibly special for Alfie and I.
It is our 'Lunch with Lisa' day and with a bit more of a spring in our step than usual, we head out for a drive over to Cardiff Bay.  We rush out of the car park and head straight into the Millenium Centre where Lisa is usually waiting for us, sitting in our favourite spot on the settees, where we sit and catch up on things.  Today, for the first time, Alfie tipped his head to the side as I picked him up out of his car seat and asked if we were meeting Lisa!  I smiled and said 'yes'.  Apparently satisfied with my answer, he retrieved his bunny and tractor and let out an excited little giggle.  It was a touching moment.....

We were disappointed when our usual place to eat was closed to the public, so after a quick call to Lisa we arranged to meet on the opposite side of the waterfront.  It was then, that my disappointment quickly evaporated!  For when we turned the corner and headed just beyond the Pierhead Building, we were met with glorious sunshine and the loveliest blue sky.  Suddenly, I was reminded that the season of Spring is just around the corner........

It has to be said, Cardiff Bay and the sunshine are a perfect match when they decide that they like to be together...... I often wish they realised it more!  This past winter has felt so endless with its heavy grey-ness and constant rain.  Today was so different though.  Today, there was a soft, gentle breeze in the air and as I turned my head towards it, I breathed in slowly.  The quiet excitement I felt inside from seeing and feeling the sun, had given me a warm, fuzzy feeling.  We had a few minutes to spare so I sat on a bench and watched Alfie as he ran around happily - stopping to smile at kind strangers who didn't appear to mind too much that they were being disturbed by an inquisitive two-year old during their quiet midday walk.  When he wasn't talking to passers-by or running back and forth between me and the nearby buildings, he was gazing down at the boats, listening to the men drumming up business for their freshwater lake tours.  As I watched him I kept gazing out over the beautiful bay that seemed to sparkle as the sun hit the water.  It really was impressive.

Moments later, we spotted Lisa and Alfie ran like a bullet to catch her up!  Those little legs of his got more and more enthusiastic with every step......  I think we were both pleased when she suggested sitting at an outdoor table.

The Pierhead Building

Alfie spotting Lisa across the railings.....

I have always loved living so close to this place.  Although I live a few miles away, I always regard this place as home.  When we take our road trips through America we are often asked by locals what it's like back where we live.  Almost every time, we find ourselves talking about the Bay and how much it has changed since a few decades ago.  It's days like this that make me fall in love with it over and over again.  I know I'm biased, but seriously!  Isn't it great?  I'm really feelin' the looooove for this place today.

So well done Cardiff Bay and a grand ol' high-five to you dear sunshine!!

You did me proud today........

 

friday 5

Friday Five means one thing!
IT'S THE WEEKEND!!!!!
Usually that would conjure up great excitement, but seeing how we've been off this week for the half term break, it's pretty much been a week long 'weekend' for us - and it's been great!!!

Here are my top five things:

1. the kate book!
After months of dawdling and delaying, I was so excited to come up with a new name for my blog.  Titles with diary, journal and book had been floating around for quite a while, but 'the kate book' kind of just popped into my head one day and that was that!  What followed was an array of headers in different colours and different fonts.  It became quite a frustrating task.  When Jay popped his head around the door one day he ended up taking over and creating something that was so perfect for me, in less than ten minutes.  Not sure what you think, but to me, this is simple, clean and fresh.  I adore it.
Maybe next time, I should go ahead and ask the graphics teacher in our house at the beginning rather than the end!!

 Jason Erickson ©2014

2.  Half Term Holidays!

We've tried to make this one special for Alfie.  Lots of play times and days out.  We made cakes this week and made a home movie for Alfie to watch when he is older.  I would give anything to have a glimpse into my childhood - watching myself trying to talk to my parents and attempting to try things out for the first time.  Alfie will see himself pouting in concentration and constantly demanding to do things by himself!  The independent streak is really starting to show in this little man!  

At the end, he was as proud as punch!

3.  Surprises

On Thursday night, Jay secretly arranged for Alfie to spend the night at his grandparents house, so that we could go out and have a meal together.  I had ten minutes to quickly change before going out to a restaurant in Cardiff.  Great food.  Great company.  Totally awesome and such a treat!

4.  "Oceans"

This song.......

This.....song........

[May not work on some mobile devices]

5.  School Memories

An ex-pupil of mine posted a picture of me dressed as a pirate!  I have no idea why my arm is up in the air like that, but I'm giving myself a well rounded 8 out of 10 for sheer effort, which no doubt disguised a cringeworthy moment for me.  Go Mrs Erickson!!!!!!  Thanks Amy!  You brought back a funny old memory there.

Provided by Amy Elise James ©2014

Wherever you are and whatever you decide to do, I hope you have a lovely weekend!  

a little hi and how are you?

Hi there!  Hello!  Hey!  Hi and how's things?

It's been a while.
No wait.

It's been a long while.

So long infact, it must have taken me an extra 20 seconds to even find the 'new post' button.

Yes, it's been quite quiet around here - but for good reason.

Things just.....well.... - needed shaking up a bit.  That's all.  No need for long explanations I guess - except to say that we can pretty much begin where we left off.

So it is with eager fingertips, albeit with less speed and accuracy than they had 96 days ago, (yep - I counted), a good cup of coffee by my side and a whiteboard bursting with fresh blogging ideas, that we begin again.  This crazy, smiling, pouting, strong-willed, funny boy of ours is giving us so many great moments.  Some challenge us, some take us by surprise and some are just too funny for words. Regardless of the things I remember here though, I just hope that one day, in his future, Alfie knows that his Mama gave it her best shot at remembering just how incredibly life-changing these memories were to make.

Boy oh boy!

How grateful I am for him....

.... and thankful beyond words.......

Alfie's 2nd Birthday

Here is the video of Alfie's 2nd birthday we had last week.  It was so good to celebrate another great year with him.  What a fantastic day!  So grateful to all the people who helped in one way or another.  We've built more special memories with our little man.  He's already watched this a few times!!!

Thank you to everyone who has taken an interest in 'Raising Alfie'.  I have loved being here.  I will however, be drawing things to a close very soon.  This blog was only supposed to be for the first year of Alfie's life so I've kept it going a lot longer than I ever meant to.  It's been so much fun and Alfie has so many things to look back on when he is older - but I miss writing about other things too.  It's not the end of blog writing for me.  Just a change in direction.  Exciting times are ahead!

Thanks again for all your encouragement and support.
Lots of love always,
The Ericksons xoxo

#PhotoOfTheWeek

My Mum's cake that she made for Alfie's construction themed 2nd birthday!

Can't wait to share our memories of the day!

They will be here soon!!!!!

xoxo

the things you have to do for a 40th

My day may have started like this......

....but it ended up like this!

Day at the Farm

Today was one of those days when you wish it could be a Saturday every day of the week.  

We were so pleased to get to spend the day together, helping Finley - Alfie's friend and cousin, to celebrate his third birthday at the Cefn Mably farm.  Alfie had the most amazing time!!  He jaw dropped at the sight of diggers, pigs, bearded goats and tractors.  That boy of ours didn't stop running around.....

 ..... apart from when it was time to devour a piece of Finley's birthday cake of course!

There many things we hope and want for Alfie.  A happy childhood is one of them.  Lifelong friends is another.  So we thank God increasingly for Finley.... and all the other kids we know that so willingly take Alfie under their wings, taking him by the hand and allowing him to share in their explorations, adventures and endless fun.  He need never feel alone with these little people in his life......

Happy Birthday Fin!

Kate x