What made me smile

November '16

November and the weather turned colder. Time for fire works and a really long walk.

Lilys rememberance service at school
Jake coming with me to the rememberance service in Shoreham
Fireworks at Shoreham beach with Zoe and Lily
The long walk to find all the snow dogs!
Lily's class assembly - Lily was in the bak off bit!
Lily having to step in an do the dance at her assembly due to Evelyn being sick.
A lady buying a homeless guy a drink of coffee in Brighton
Lily making me a 'Pig of Happyness' picture.
Making Jake and Lily's pumpkins
Lily going to Eleanna's party and diving off the high board.
The Gambit and Paladone Star Wars evening
Lily and Zoe going ice skating with the guides.
Lily getting selected for the athletics team for the school
Gambit Sunday - numbers back up!
Zoe went out for a drink with Maryann and Emma - Paul came, obviously a great night, very merry people that I picked up at 1:30am
Jake going to the Booth museum for school and taking pictures of snow dogs for Lily
Jake deciding not to come to club so he could finish his homework
Lily getting selected for the cross country
Jake deciding to stick with his CRACKIT club even though everyone else was dropping out.
Being thanked by a lady for helping her to cross the railway line.

October '16

October was a really busy month which ended with CONQUEST at the Shoreham Centre.

Jake going to the cinema with Ben for a belated birthday.
Lily's Parents evening.
Staying with Susan and David in Half Term
Going for a ride around the lake with Jake and Lily while away
Going for a walk with Jake, Lily and Jenny and David while in Wales
Lily playing and sitting with Roger
Getting the Chickens with Jake and Lily
Setting up the Chicken coupe with the Children in Wales
Going to the Harvey Meal in Wales
Doing the Quiz in Wales and Lily getting 10 Downing Street.
Going to Hay-On-Wye with the children on the way back from Wales
CONQUEST 3
Having coffee with Barry after Conquest,
Halloween with Ben, Daniel and Emma
Remeberance Service at the Fort
The super moon at the fort
Jake getting his blue stripe in kick boxing
Lily getting her yellow belt in karate
Jake helping at Lilys school on his inset day
Jake starting his Crackit club at school
Lily writing the hedgehog story as a comic.

September 2016

September and it is all back to normal. BAck to school for the children and back to work for me a Zoe.

The new artificial grass at Baby Ducks
Watching the Paraolympics - lots of great performances and medals.
Being asked to run a Star Wars eveing for a local company.
Lily giving a card to Mr Chips at Shoreham Fort.
Seeing Zoe's family for Sunday lunch (Sam and Pier from Canada, Paul, David and Aunty Ann)
Lily having a sleep ver with Roxy
Lily and I going for a walk round at Shoreham academy
Seeing my mum in hospital and making her feel better with Lauren, Zoe and Sarah.
Lily doing a dance routine with Roxy and Mia
Seeing the snow dogs in Brighton
Seeing a double rainbow at the marina
Lily sending her dog 'Eeyor' to look after mum in hospital
Mum coming home from hospital
Going to Will's for a games night to celebrate his birthday
Going for a walk at the marina to look for snow dogs
Finding out the snow dog at Hove Park is called Marty like the car - Lily was very impressed.
Seeing a fox with Lily.
Seeing two badgers and a fox with the whole family on the way back from the hospital.
Lily playing Pokemon Go on her own account and getting to level 9 in one day.
Jake and Lily going to get me a coffee at the hospital by themselves
Lily making me a tea on her own by looking it up on the internet on her tablet.
Lily getting into the running club even though it was full. (She is a helper)
Lily spending the whole day at Grace's farm - even if she did fall out of a tree.
Jake problem solving an issue with his french homework which could have resulted in an hours detention.
Jakes school telling us he was in isolation only to find out it was the wrong Jake!
Lily going out after school on her bike and buying cat food for the cat as a treat.
Seeing Lily doing her bikability on my way to work.
Lily doing really well on her bikeability
Seeing pictures of what Lily had been doing at PGL with the guides
Going on the dodgems with Jake and firing a cork gun at the fair.
Jake winning a pokemon cushion at the fair
Having a meal with Jake at the Indian Cottage.
Walking with Jake to see his friend Alfie and playing Pokemon Go.
Jake laying with Molly (Nicks dog) on the floor in the shop.

August 2016

August, and it is holiday time. The weather was great and we had two trips plus the Olympics to watch...Jake helping me move the stuff from the scout hut to the garage with Barry

Watching the cycling olympic events.
Camping holiday with the family.
Looking at the stars with Lily while camping.
Lily making a friend whilst camping.
Jake falling in the stream while camping.
Lily and Jake's dens at the camp site.
Sorting out the dinning room during the holiday.
Going to Lewis for a day out in the holidays and finding a great pub for lunch.
Going to Wales for a holiday.
Camathan Caravan Site - 4 days holiday.
Lily buying Jake a replacement ball after the one he found went out to sea.
Lily and Jake playing on the dancing machine
Visiting the castle in Wales
The children doing Knight school at the castle.
Jake taking pictures for his summer project for school.
Seeing the sunset with Lily on the last day at the caravan site.
Riding my bike at David and Susans
Seeing Roger (David and Susans Dog)
Spend 4 lovely days with Susan at their new home in Wales
Lily spending time with the farm dog Tess
Meeting up with Daphne in Breacon.
Seeing the great waterfall and getting to stand under it.
Lily and Jake taking part in the swimming to celebrate Team GBs efforts in the Olympics
Going to the Whisky distillery in Wales with Zoe.
Listening to Private Peaceful in the car whilst in Wales.
Lily being asked to join the black belt demo team.

Her first belt!

First Place! Well Done!

July 2016

July was a difficult month following the disappointing result in the EU referendum. It was also a good month for many different reasons...

Jake helping me move the stuff from the scout hut to the garage with Barry
Watching Jake at kick boxing and sparing with Yondan - he was doing well
Lily's sports day. She was first in both her races and second in the relay, nearly catching a yerar six girl.
Jake meeting up with friends in the park after school.
Lily getting her red belt for kick boxing - her first one.
Re-using Lily's old belt and keeping the old tapes safe.
Watching 'Evan Almighty' with the family AGAIN, it is such a great feel good movie!
Lily getting the role of understudy for one of the year 6 girls in the play.
Jake going on his school trip - 'Bushcraft Skills'
Jake coming home - really missed him.
Talking to the person running Pokemon this week and realising that they are not a touch on my 13 year old son!
Lily having her friend round to stay (the first sleep over at our house)
Jake looking after Lily and her friend at swimming on Saturday
Lily getting a understudy part of a year six in the play and doing it really well in the dress rehersal to the school
Lily racing against year six girls at the swimming gala (nearly winning would have if she was not distracted and started after the others - still 2nd is pretty impressive)
Lily going to the park by herself after school
Lily walking home from school by herself for the first time.
Jo and Matt's wedding
Lily dancing at the wedding.
The photo booth at the wedding.
Jake and Lily helping at the Baby Ducks fair
Lily doing her karate demo at the Baby Ducks fair.
The McFarlane's giving us a picture as a thnk you for looking after their children.

Breakfast on the train!

Lily's note!

Jake's attempt at drying the face clothes! At least he tried!

June 2016

June was a month of very different weather from blistering sun to thunder and heavy rain. It was also a good month for many different reasons...

Setting up or MHW on the Friday at Shoreham Fort
Riding David's old bike again - first time this year!
Military History Weekend at Shoreham Fort
Lily had her first sleep over at a friends house (Izzy after her swimming party)
I cycled from home to Devils Dyke (cross country)
BBQ at Shoreham Fort
Going away for a night in half term in Chichester
Doing the Roman treasure hunt in Chichester
Having lunch out in Weatherspoons in Chichester to celebrate both mine and Zoes birthday
Lily and Zoe laughing over the 'weatherspoobs' incident in the cottage.
Lily finiding a wooden donkey in the garden at the cottage.
Lily giving the fridge a final goodbye hug.
Getting the new fridge - so cool!!!
Lily having anoth Hanshi class and getting pair with him - again so excited by the experience
Jake making plans for his birthday
Jake getting excited about his end of year school trip
Fathers day - the children got really well thought out healthy treats.
Jake trying to help by hanging the face clothes for Baby Ducks out to dry.
Going to the harbour on Fathers Day and throwing flowers in to the sea for Zoe's Dad.
Lily had the class tomato plant - and we did not kill it!
Jake's birthday!
Jake buying Lego and asking to make it with me (like when he was younger)
Going bowling with Jake and his friends (Felix, Owen and Alfie)
Watching Jake enjoying himself with his friends on the air hockey!
Practice bike ride (making devils dyke without walking any!)
Lily's note to me on the morning of the bike ride.
The Capital to Coast bike ride!
Seeing the children when I got to the finish line of the bike ride.
Jake running the Dice Masters tournament at Games Night
Having dinner at Caruso's after the bike ride.
Getting so close to my ideal weight!
Wimbledon - a complete outside getting into the second round. He got to play on centre court against Federa - A real 'movie' type story.
Jake running another Pokemon all by himself.
Lily going Olympic night at guides.

May 2016

May was a very busy month, lots of birthdays, weddings and lots more. Here were some of this month's highlights...

Jake getting his Blue Belt at Kick Boxing - it was really hard work on a really hot day.
Jake getting a really great school report
Hitting 14 and half stone - its been a long time since I was that weight
Lunch in the Garden at Jenny's (first one this year) with David
Launching Thin Ice on kickstarter - after working on it for 2 years.
Some great feedback on kickstarter about the game.
Thin Ice getting to £4000 on kickstarter - the amount we needed to get the game made
Sharon giving Lily £20 to buy a Toothless 'Build a Bear' soft toy - she was so excited.
Lily getting on to the sports leaders programme at school
Lily getting into the school news letter for getting her Black Belt
Trying on my suit for the three weddings this year.
Taking Lily swimming and her getting to grade 8.
Seeing my sister Sarah to tell her about the bus I had booked for after her wedding.
Signing off the last bits needed to put Thin Ice into production.
Jakes parents evening - he has done exceptionally well this year.
Lily starting work on her second gaming project "Frogs on a Log"
Jake giving Lily his old Kick Boxing stuff! (She was really pleased)
Lily getting her Sythes for karate.
The school fair at Lily's school - another busy year on the Bar-be-que
Lily being worried about her first class with Hanshi and then absolutely loving it!
The Thin Ice kick starter making £5000
Jake going for his first ever paint balling game with Ben and Daniel.
Pizza at Sharon's house for Ben's birthday.
A great bike ride with Lily to Mill Hill
Our student Becky doing so well in her last week with us at Baby Ducks
Zoe really liking the necklace and ear rings I bought her for her birthday
Lily getting Sushi for her mum's birthday
Sarah and Deans Wedding
Mark and Kierans Wedding
Laying on the grass after Mark and Kierans Wedding
Staying at Hunston Mill in Chichester for the wedding with Paul
My Birthday
Going out for lunch for my Birthday (even if the food was not 1005 at the Harvester)
Going to the Beer Festival with Sarah and Dean
Curry at the Beer Festival (last one!!!)
Getting a T-Shirt from the Beer Festival
Gambit Games at the new hall in Shoreham (first one)
Thin Ice finishing at £8000!!!!
Running our first official qualifier for Cardfight Vanguard

April 2016

April as usual was a month of inconsistent weather from really heavy rain and wind to really hot sunny days. Here were some of this month's highlights...

Jake and Lily packing the car by themselves when we emptied Jenny's loft of the girl guide things.
Jake and Lily continue to go to the swimming pool by themselves on a Saturday.
Jake taking Lily to the park on the way home from swimming (arranging it by text to his mum - so grown up)
Lily's trip to Applesham farm and her stories of the Black Sheep.
Lily doing the warm up at school karate.
Lily coming up with her own list of things to do to get ready for her grading at the end of the month,
Helping Paul to sort a few things in his house - the children got to play with Paul's kids all day.
Lily getting excited about Shoreham Academy after the visit to her school.
Going out for the Baby Ducks 10 year Birthday Meal at Seasons
Going out for dinner with Sharon and Phil in Shoreham.
Jake and Lily getting so excited about going to Legoland with Sharon, Ben, Daniel and Emma.
Seeing Samatha, Ross and Katherine, Auntie Ann and David for a family meal at Jenny's
The Grand National - Lily won £100
Lily's ability to deal with the pressure on the way to her black belt.
Lily was doing some home work, when I said to her that she could not achieve what she was trying to do and should come up with another plan, she said 'I should be more positve and nothing was impossible' - then she went ahead and did it.
Lily had some negative feedback from her teacher at school about her karate which could have knocked her off track but she chose to ask her sempai and it made her more determined!
LILY GOT HER BLACK BELT!!!
Jake spent the evening by himself - he made his own dinner again showing real maturity.
Going to Shoreham Fort to celebrate the Queen's Birthday.
Jake looking after new people at Pokemon.

March 2016

March saw things return to normal a little, especially in regards the shop. It did however see the 14 days without a fridge or freezer!

Here are a few things that still made me smile though...

Loosing another 4 pounds in weight.
The children discovering and loving Tortilla Pizza.
Toxi went to Lily's school to do and art club. Lily loved it and Toxi got invited back to do another plus face painting and circus skills at the summer fair.
Finding a really cool pretend fur coat for Lily to dress up as a dog for school and her reaction when she saw it.
Jake's options evening and him deciding what he wanted to do in a really mature way.
Jake's older school friends offering help with his option choices.
Jake going swimming by himself for the first time.
Some very nice customers came in on Saturday and were so pleased to find us - they had been customers at Kids Dreams years back and were so complementary.
Running our first X-Wing store championship which went really well.
Lily getting her life savers award for swimming.
Lily had a great day at school walking along the river.
Jake carrying on after being hurt at kick boxing even though it had really knocked him back. So proud that he managed to get himself together enough.
Jake's mature attitude to his final option choices for year 9, after a rough start on Thursday he composed himself and was positive about his choice.
The family doing the Sport Relief Mile. This is Jake's 6th time. Lily did it in 7:50 and Jake in 10:54
Even though Lily made a mistake at her 1st Kyu class and got very upset that she had lost her chance to do her grading - I am so proud of her. She finished the class without a mistake and is so determined to put things right.
Lily and I went to Worthing beach to film the kick starter video for Thin Ice,
Watching the first draft of that video.
Selling out on the first event for this years CONQUEST in one day of the ticket being available.
Loosing and another 2 pounds in weight. Just 2 away now from my first milestone.
Lily running the Sport Relief Mile at school - she had an amazing last lap to come from being half a lap behind the others to finishing as the first year 5 girl.
Watching Lily's assembly about the water cycle.

February 2016

January was a very costly month and a lot of unfortunate thing happen so February promised to be much more positive. Here are the highlights...

The first event being held in the new temporary shop which was Pokemon League was a big success.
The first day trading from the new location was very busy with some great customer comments.
Although it was a long a slightly stressful day the Pokemon Cities event was a really popular and well attended event.
Jake making a swiss roll at school
Being told that Lily should go for her black belt grading in April this year.
Seeing David and Susan at Jenny's in the first weekend of the month.
Taking Jake for a bike ride, even though he fell off.
Having a trip to Ikea including a trip to Pizza Hut with the family.
A night out with Zoe (a meal at the Harvester)
Watching the boats come in at the harbour with Lily.
Sitting on the rocks with Lily during our bike ride (leaving two bricks where we sat)
Jake and Lily having a great time at Sama camp.
Lily's excitement about going to dinner with Phoenix.
Seeing Sharon, Ben, Daniel and Emma
Sarah and Dean coming to dinner.
Lily taking part in her first basket ball tournament.
Jake getting a letter from school saying he was doing well in Music.
Jake winning the senior section in a Pokemon League Challenge.
Losing 6lbs in one week.
Lily's excitment about Toxi coming to her school.
Repairs to number 8 finished and the room looking really good.
Running a sucessful X-Wing tournament at Gambit Games
Getting our 'star recycler' sticker from the council.
Lily getting her bronze award.
Lily getting a signed book from the author of Alfie Jones.
Lily being told she will go for her black belt on 24th April this year.
Lily and Jake curled up on the sofa together watching the film descendants.
Jake playing his first game of 40K at the shop.

January 2016

ColorTonerExpert Coupons for January 2014

The first month of 2016 and here are the things that brought a smile to my face during a time when I needed to spend a lot of money on house and car repairs!!!

Lily attending her very first kick boxing lesson
Number 8 becoming just mine after a twelve month wait
Lily helping me take down the last of the decorations whilst watching Olly Murrs concert on DVD
The cat appearing covered in dust after another trip into the loft
Jakes head of school agreeing to keep his attendance at 100% after we messed up his return date
Lily helping to cash up using the coin counter
Getting an email from Jake's head of school saying he could keep his 100% attendance even though I made a mistake about which was his first day back at school after Christmas
Jake's school report - four saphire's
How happy Lily was after her ice skating.
Jake and Lily playing so well with the dolls house at grandma's house
Lily spending time on her Tim Peak school homework - she made a really good job of it
Lily getting 6 best points at school
Sorting out the kitchen and throwing out clutter
Taxi driver coming back with my gloves when I left them in his car
Lily's face when she opened her bears sleeping bag and slippers on her birthday
Lily's birthday meal at Seasons
First successful FNM at number 8
Zoe sending me a picture of 'my needy cat'
Getting the car back 'nice and shiney' and saving £600
Lily helping at the grading
Jake getting his Green Strip belt in Kick Boxing
Lily getting excited about getting my second hand cracked tablet.
The children making the trip to karate and kick boxing on there own on Saturday.
First really nice bike ride of 2016. (13km including the airport, fort, house boats and river on a really nice day.
Lily and the cat curled up in our bed when mummy was away in London.
Jake putting in the effort to go to Wednesday Kick Boxing when he had to leave Monday's early due to being ill. Even though it would be a two and a half hour round trip and a long walk.
Becs came for tea and the children were so good.
Jake getting Lily from school, making her dinner and walking her to get picked up. Then Lily said he was amazing - sometimes they are so good.
Getting a temporary shop very quickly, when it could have been very stressful.
Lily using her sewing machine for the first time.
Lily telling Toxi about her dragon.