Natural Blonde

Natural Blonde, what a lot of girls dream of, having light blonde locks. So most people go for the bottle of peroxide. Luckily, I have always had blonde hair, but it has gotten gradually darker as I have gotten older.
I have never dyed my hair, and vow never to do so. But now, people can't even tell I was blonde! Which is a bit disheartening.
So I have decided to have a go at naturally lightening my hair, with lemon juice and sunlight.

Work lemon juice into dry, clean hair and sit out in the sun until it is dry.

Can't be too difficult can it? I juiced a lemon (we had some left over with no zest from the lemon drizzle cake we made yesterday so it was perfect to use it up) I brushed it through with an old pastry brush that we don't use anymore and sat out in the sun. The lemon seemed to thicken my hair, which is an added bonus, as my hair is so dreadfully thin. It also made my hair very knotty and dry, so you need to keep brushing/combing through to help stop it going hard. Once it was dry, I reapplied some more, from one lemon I got about three goes.

I thought that it might have been a pretty good experiment, but after two goes, I don't think it has done anything :( Which is a shame :(

I don't really want to go using harsh chemicals as I just don't believe in it. Maybe the sun will gradually lighten my hair over the summer, but I think I will keep at the lemon juice for now, at least give it a few more goes, and you never know, I might be blonde again soon?

Saturday 9th

 Today was a beautiful day! Gorgeous weather in the 20's, perfect for playing in the garden, picnics, racing on wheelybugs and football, of course!

Today was a big match for our family, Leicester V Burnley. Us being from Leicester, Dan and his family being from Burnley. Last season Burnley were in the Premiership and we were in the Championship, so we didn't get to play eachother, but Burnley were relegated and we stayed put so this year, we had two matches against eachother. The first match, played at Turf Moor (Burnley) ended in 3-0 to Burnley. 

So David (Grandpa) and Grandpa (Great Grandpa) came down for the game! I tried to get tickets to go but unfortunately, they wouldn't let Louie in :( Their rules state that he should be able to walk on his own, unaided and sit on a chair on his own, unaided, both of which he can do! No lie there! But they said he was too young :( So I donned my Leicester shirt in good spirits and we put forward our predictions, Mom guessing 2-1 Leicester, me guessing 4-0 Leicester.

Leicester scored at about 23 minutes, then went on to score three more in the second half!

Leicester 4 - 0 Burnley

So it is safe to say, that Dan was quite a sore loser yesterday!

Dave brought down my belated birthday present from himself and Jo and Elle. It is the most beautiful sewing box, Cath Kidston :)

My present from Elle, a cute hedgehog pin cushion!

So this morning I have sat and organised everything, as my last, very small sewing box was shambolic to say the least! Louie helped me sort all my bits and bobs and throw away all the odds and ends that can't be made use of.

So hopefully, Louie permitting, I can get on with some bits today and have some more to show you this evening! :)

Bradgate Park

When I stepped outside first thing this morning, I knew it was going to be a nice day . So I made plans for Louie and I to visit Bradgate Park for the afternoon. We have been a few times with Louie but never up to visit Old John. It has been blissfully warm so perfect weather!

We went all the way to the top, then back down to enjoy some Elderflower cordial and a banana then back home to play in the garden. Louie enjoyed himself so much, climbing up the rocks, exploring the grass and admiring the scenery (yes, even a 14 month old can appreciate the view!)

I think it was too windy/sunny for Louie!

I love this one!

Climbing already!

Half way up!

Washing Line OCD

I am so particular when it comes to sorting laundry! It has to be hung out in a particular order. It is funny because I am not like this with anything else!

Coming into contact with other cloth users, it is clear that seeing lovely clean nappies on the washing line has a common appreciation. From Grandmothers sharing their joy for the stringent white terries hanging out, to the modern Mums admiring all the colours and patterns hanging out to dry!

At the UKAware show, I met a Mum who was quite like myself, who was a little obsessive about her washing line! We bantered about how things have to be in order, and how she couldn't use odd pegs and things like that!

Wipes and Liners

Inserts

All In Ones

Pockets and Wraps

Lovely Weekend!

On Saturday, Louie and I spent all morning in our pyjamas, Louie not getting dressed until 1:30! (He did have a super big sleep over lunchtime though so he can be excused!)
We spent all day spring cleaning, from top to bottom and I managed to get some crafting done!
I painted an egg box ready for the Easter Egg Hunt, so we are nearly ready! I made some daffodils for our seasons table, which is looking really good now, what with the flowers, eggs, knitted and wooden animals and books. I am proud of it!
I also got to work on the activity blanket that I am making for baby Splodge. Anna requested a sensory blanket, so I am going to have a go at doing both, all being well. I have about 10-12 weeks to get it done I think! I had better get cracking! One panel is well on the way though, with the main features on the panel, they just need sewing.
Meanwhile, Dan was busy fixing Dougie, discovering the damage, two very large patches of rust which he gutted ready for welding. She is still going though, poor car! I can't believe I have had her for over three years now!

Mothering Sunday I was given a beautiful gift, of Belvoir fruit cordials in a lovely box, inside a really gorgeous Cath Kidston bag :) We had breakfast made for us and then we went out for lunch, with Martin and Becky, Sophie-Mae and all of Becky's family. It was a lovely afternoon. Then we went to visit Teresa and the clan :)

Crazy Hats 9th Annual Charity Walk!

On Sunday morning, we got up very early (with protest I may add!) after a manic few days, to drive down to Wicksteed Park in Kettering for the Crazy Hats 9th Annual Charity Walk!

This is the second year that I have attended. Last year, I was a mere 5 weeks post partum, and bearing in mind the state I was in, I was very proud to have completed two of the five miles, carrying Louie in a pouch sling. Everyone cooed at him whilst he slept most of the way!

Crazy Hats Walk 2010

March 2010, 5 weeks old!

This year, I am proud to have taken part, we marched around the park and completed the 5 miles at 12:00. It is my first charity walk in which I have used my Ergo, which was kindly donated from the Ergo folk in Germany. We plan to do more fundraising events throughout the year.

I am pleased to say that I carried Louie (weighing approx 22lbs) extremely comfortably, and as you can see, he was comfortable enough to have dozed off!

I adorned my crazy statue of liberty hat which I have had for about 15 years, which my Mom bought for me to grow into which is still too big :P Unfortunately I didn't have a silly hat for Louie, but I have one in the pipeline for the future so I will keep you posted! We managed to hit the £100 mark this year too!

Anyway, here are the pictures and proof I did it! 

Marching on ahead!

To prove my 5 miles!

Louie and I with Glennis, the founder of Crazy Hats

With my medal and certificate!

Louie wearing a silly hat with Nana!

You can find out more about the charity here at Crazy Hats Breast Cancer Appeal

Leicester Mercury!

Today, my brother, sister in law and baby niece have gained front page coverage with the story of the arrival of Sophie-Mae!

You can read the article here! http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/pregnant-baby-days-later/article-3381136-detail/article.html

Spring has sprung!

Time for leaving the back door open, picnics, planting seeds, chasing Louie around, playing with Bertie Bee in the garden, walks to the park, not having to haul your winter coat on and welcoming the warmer weather!

This week I have been preparing for Easter, making fabric eggs for Louie's easter egg hunt. They are all pink so far, and I would rather Louie have pink eggs than have fabric go to waste! He won't even know the difference anyway. He loves playing with them already, especially when Nana juggles them!

Sugar and Spice

A little girl can be sweeter oftener than anyone else in the world. she can jitter around, and stomp, and make funny noises that frazzle your nerves yet just when you open your mouth she stands there demure with that special look in her eyes. A girl is Innocence playing in the mud, Beauty standing on its head, and Motherhood dragging a doll by the foot.

Sophie-Mae Jaquline Raynor - 08/03/2011

Evangeline Florence Sarkis - 19/03/2011

The two new beauties in my life :)

May they be happy and healthy young things. With the world at their feet, who knows what they will achieve. 

Welcoming Baby Sophie Mae

The little whirlwind, Sophie-Mae Jacqueline was born on Tuesday 8th March at around 1am weighing in at a perfect little 6lbs 4ozs!

She has a hair lip and no palate, well, it has grown outside her mouth, which means she is being tube fed at the moment. But when she has grown stronger, they will be able to sort it all out for her :)
She has a lot of complications, but so far, she seems a healthy little thing, very strong, and very aware :)

Welcome to our family Sophie-Mae and massive congratulations to Martin and Becky who have been desperate for a little one for so long :)