Back With A Bang And A Song

Firstly can a apologise for such a long absence! I have no excuse, I should have made time and didn't!
Now that's out of the way lets catch up on what's been happening with Team Gray. The most exciting news is that Bobby has been doing some amazing gymnastics and won 3 silver ribbons and won the silver medal for overall score in his category in the Pembrokeshire round of the welsh rotary schools disability gymnastics and had the same results in the South Wales round. We are so proud of him, he is an absolute star!
Secondly I have been singing in a 'mum's' choir! It is a choir set up by an organisation called Springboard. They run taster sessions of all kinds of things from sewing to carpentry, bread making to car mechanics and everything in between. It's open to anyone who has a child they are related to in which ever school they are based in. The idea is to get people to try things they may never have thought to try before or have been unable to access before and for it to be a 'springboard' to further learning. They also run a crèche along side the courses as child are can sometimes be a barrier for people wanting to further their learning.
So mum choir is coming to the end of its second half term and we are ending with a performance of 3 songs in front of the juniors and then again in front of the infants and to be quite honest I am petrified as children can be such harsh critics. Luckily we have THE most wonderful singing teacher and I know we will be fine on the day! The best bit about it is that we signed up to Emma Kennedy's twitter million team and have raised nearly £100 thanks to the support of our families and friends, so thank you everyone who has sponsored us.
I will report back with how we get on, wish us luck!

The Nutcracker

Last night my sister and I decided last minute to go and watch The Nutcracker in a bid to get us feeling festive. Our local theatre in Milford Haven was showing it in a live broadcast from the Royal Opera House. I have never seen a ballet before so didn't really know what to expect.
Before the show started there was a pre recorded piece which gave us a unique insight into rehearsals, something people in the actual Royal Opera House didn't see. Then one of the main characters gave us a summary of what was about to happen on stage.
Then the lights in the Opera went down and tbe Orchestra began. The sound in the theatre was fantastic, it felt like we were really there among the action.
I won't go over the plot but the first half was fun, energetic and exciting. The Christmas tree looked spectacular, we had heard about the Christmas tree in the pre show recording and it didn't disapoint.
Then came the interval in which we were encouraged to tweet our thoughts with a unique#ROHNutcracker. Some tweets were then put up on screen for us too read. Then came another short recording with the lovely Gary Avis who played Herr Drosselmeyer in which he should us how some of the tricks and illusions were created on stage. Then it was on with the show and once again we were given a brief summary about what we were about to see.
The second half  was magical! The set was stunning,  the costumes dazzling, the music captivating and the ballet was mesmerising! I didn't realise just how many pieces of music from the ballet I had heard before! The Orchestra held our ears and the cast held our eyes as they danced their hearts out for us. For me the dance between the sugar plum fairy and the prince was the performance of the night, it literally took my breath away and it got a well deserved round of applause from our theatre.
I enjoyed it far more than I could have imagined even though it was a broadcast and I would definitely go and watch another. We live so far away from London that it would cost far too much time and money for me to go and watch something like this, as I'm sure is the case for a lot of the country so this is a great comprise.
Well done to everyone involved with the show and everyone at the Torch Theatre Pembrokeshire for making it such an enjoyable evening.

Christmas time!

This year is a very difficult Christmas as my lovely Dad died at the beginning of October. I have been trying really hard to get into the Christmas spirit but it's just not happening.
I thought that when I was busy wrapping presents over the last few nights that it would help but it just made me feel sad that my Dad won't see the excitement.
So lovely followers I'm hoping you can help. Where in Pembrokeshire can I take the children that will give me a good dose of Christmas spirit? Nowhere too expensive as there is 5 of us ( 2 adults, 3 children) but somewhere fun where we might even see Santa!
I look forward to hearing your suggestions x

#primark Poor service

We went Christmas shopping yesterday and as expected it was pretty busy.  We went to Primark before heading back to the car. It was busy but not too messy and there serene long queues at the till but there usually is.
Every Christmas eve Santa delivers a parcel to our house which has new pyjamas for us all and a note telling us to go to bed nicely. Santa's little helper (me) found some lovely pyjamas in Primark and the loveliest fleece nightie which said ' please stop Santa I have been a good girl'.
After spending nearly an hour shopping and nearly half an hour queuing we where finally at the till.
Firstly the young lady at the till did not acknowledge that we were even at her till, not even a little " Hello"  or a "Thank you " as I passed the basket over. She then proceeded to look at every other person in the store bar us as she scanned our items and pushed them at us. We then handed over our money without so much as a "thank you" or a "goodbye".
Once home and the kids in bed I started to wrap the days shopping only to find my daughters lovely fleece Christmas eve nightie nowhere to be seen! I was gutted! The cashier had spent so much time looking at other people and not at her customers that she hadn't scanned and passed it to us.
We live 72 miles away from Primark so I cant just pop back and get one. It's not too much to ask for a cashier's attention is it? It's a stark contrast to the Disney store where the staff were polite, engaging and attentive.
Primark used to be the place to go for cheap clothes but that's not even the case anymore, their clothes are no cheaper than Tesco and Tesco is far better quality. Primark I am left feeling disappointed :(

Christmas toys

Lillirose, 3 years old, has asked for a baby with a bath for Christmas. She is such a little mummy. I have also been looking for a dolls wooden cot and wardrobe without much luck. They are either far too expensive or poor quality.
Ollie, 5 years old,is very tricky to buy for, he likes playing with figures, he has an amazing imagination. I would get him a dolls house but they are all too girly.
That leaves Bobby, 6 years old, who loves Disney cars but would love a computer tablet!!!!
When did Christmas become so tricky!!!

You Parked Where!!!!!!

One thing that really annoys me is people parking over drop kerbs!! It's dangerous, inconsiderate and illegal!!!!! Please please don't do it.
For us walkers it gives us a safe place to cross, it's helpful when I have the pushchair with me.
For people in wheelchairs or with mobility scooters it's essential, they can not just bump off the kerb!
I'm going to show you a picture I took yesterday, the driver parked across the drop kerb and the safe crossing place on a very busy main road. Maybe he was rushing to the aid of a poorly old lady I hear you cry! Wrong he was going in the shop to buy fags!!!

Today I officially become a blogger!!!

Hello!! Welcome welcome come in, settle yourself, are you comfortable? Then I will begin.
Firstly thank you for taking the time to read my very first post, I will try not to
bore you to much.
My name is Rose, I am married to Jonny, we have 3 wonderful children and together we are 'Team Gray'!
Technically I am a 'stay at home mum' or SAHM a term I dislike as I try my best NOT to stay at home!
I like to try new things, little taster courses. Some I am good at, some I like to think I'm good at and some I'm rubbish at but you don't know unless you try.
I am currently nursing a broken heart as my lovely brave Dad died on the 1st of October this year. I'm hoping this blog will help ease the pain by giving me a focus and an outlet.
I'm going to leave you now, next time I will tell you all about my 3 lovely children.
Thank you for reading, enjoy your day x