Although I have got Izzy, I still struggle to think of myself as a "mother". Not because I don't love the ginge or anything like that (heaven forbid - she is the best thing ever), but because I don't have a single maternal bone in my body.
I remember when Izzy was a baby; I would be cradling her in my arms and passers-by would casually ask me why I was holding a rugby ball. The technique never came easy. I always looked and felt stiff when it came to nuturing babies. When I rocked them, I looked like a human Newton's Cradle.
And things haven't changed much as she has gradually grown. On occasion, I have tried to organise
cook-ins whereby me and Izzy spend the day in the kitchen baking cup-cakes and the like. But to be honest I find cooking a bit bloody boring and would rather drive her to a theme park and bung her on a roller coaster for some proper thrills.
At first I felt a bit guilty, (because Izzy LOVES cooking) but then I realised that Izzy has loads of superb 'Aunties' who fill the gap. In particular Auntie Sarah from Leeds, and Auntie Gary from Castleford. And Auntie Clare who spends loads of time playing with her.
The girl is doing good. And just because I am not
Any, enough of my rantings........ I have got some photographs of my marvellous Mothering Sunday ..... enjoy ....... (they seem to roughly present themselves in three sections: 1. Presents; 2. Walk in the countryside; and 3. Dinner in Oxford).
So let's jump straight in ...... presents.
Pic.No.1 Izzy and Steve turned up with the most beautiful bunch of all-white flowers including lilies, roses and chrysanthemums ...... and Iz helped me put them into the vase
Pic.No.2 Izzy made this fantastic Mothers Day card - it was an Indian elephant crafted from felt, and decorated with jewells. It was the best thing ever, but I am not sure about the significance of the elephant
Pic.No.3 Izzy's Mother's Day message. Cute as .... and the best bit was that she had signed her name as 'woo woo', which has been my pet name for her since she was born. And in case you were wondering, it means nothing to anyone other than me and woo
Pic.No.4 Izzy had made me a keyring with a picture of her on one side .... I was chuffed to bits with it
Pic.No.5 And there was an 'I love Mum' message on other side. She had spent most of the morning colouring it in so the the colours were all inside the lines. It went straight onto my key ring! Who needs Armani dahlink?!
Pic.No.6 After the excitement of the presents, we then all decided to take Naughty George for a long walk in Shotover Park (NG is the black blob next to Izzy's feet)
Pic.No.7 This is me and the ginge in Shotover Park (I love Mother's Day!)
Pic.No.8 I randomly shouted 'Zoolander!' at Iz and she almost made it ........ ok maybe a little more practice needed
Pic.No.9 Izzy and Steve (her dad) standing next to a very wonky tree
Pic.No.10 At last! A picture with just me in it. Huzzar! I wouldn't want my beauty diluting or anything
Pic.No.11 Then I walked across this log. It looked like nothing but it was actually about 6-7 feet above the ground. And I do not like any form of heights. C'est bloody horrible (that is foreign for 'rubbish')
Pic.No.12 And the grand finale for Mother's Day was a dinner out in Oxford. We parked in Merton Street (next to Merton College, Oxford which was built in 1264 - 600 years ago)
Pic.No.13 We continued ambling down Merton Street until we reached the arch that led into Christ Church University College.
It was then that the penny droppped - the reason that it was so pleasant walking through Oxford was because the students had all gone home for the Easter Holidays. We literally had all the beautiful back streets (of one of the most beautiful cities in the world) to ourselves ...... no students, no tourists, no residents ... perfect
Anyway, back to Mother's Day ................. Izzy decided she wanted to take me to Pizza Express...
Pic.No.14 The Pizza Express Restaurant in Oxford is located in a small, ancient, and characterful courtyard
Pic.No.15 Once inside Pizza Express, Izzy wanted to do a random bunny impression. Unfortunately her lack of front teeth slightly spoiled the full effect
Pic.No.16 This is me and Steve. See, ex-partners CAN still get on in a funny bunny kind of a way
Pic.No.17 Or maybe they aren't so good at coping if their bunny ears are smaller?! Either way, a good punch sorts out the dilemma
Pic.No.18 Who cares about anything? I ate a bloody enormous pizza this evening. It was called a Diavlo
And what a particularly top evening it was out. Thank you dahlinks!!
So, to all you Mothers out there - what kind of special shenanigans did you get up to?
Aw, so cute! Happy Mummy's Day, Lady M!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lovely Mothers Day. She really is a little 'mini-you' isn't she, so pretty. (Even without the bunny teeth!)
ReplyDeleteGood to see you enjoying your self.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the perfect Mother's Day. I have no idea how one measures "maternal instinct" but as far as you being a wonderful parent (Steve, too) I would say that is more than evident. Izzy is a lucky little girl.
ReplyDeleteI think it is great that there are things that extended family/friends can bring to the table. I was fine at the cupcake baking but sucked at anything related to sports. I would rather poke my eyes out with a stick than watch professional football. (Having a son, this matters...thank god for my husband) My kids are better off to have had the inclusion of other people with other interests.
Your gifts were lovely.
What a great Mother's Day you had Annie! That card from Izzy and the key chain she made are TREASURES!!
ReplyDeleteYou are a very cool photographer Mother dearest (lol)! Love that shot of Steve and Izzy on Merton Street....all alone, go figure! You know it looked like a movie set but in a good way! I can't imagine a street/town as well known as Oxford to be empty of people! How lucky were you three!
Great post, great parents, great Izzy, great NG for his appearance, and one great Mum you are!
Happy Belated Mother's Day young one. It certainly looks like you had a good time. What's with the key in Pic. 5. Do you have someone locked up in a dungeon somewhere?
ReplyDeleteKids have all left home, but me and their Dad went out for lunch anyway and had a roast in a pub like old people. I mean, because we are old people. By the way, trying to comment on your blog is like going on one of those rollercoasters. I press 'add your comment' and it shoots me up to the top of the post so I have to scroll down again. Are you trying to give me a migraine?
ReplyDeleteWell. . . .I think your the best mum ever. . . .and not just because you named your only child after me.
ReplyDeleteWOW! What a great day! Lilies and mums are two of my favourites flowers. The card and key chain were beautiful. Oxford looks absolutely spectacular. And pizza to end the day (that would make Brahm's day!). Seems you are a pretty good mom. Glad you enjoyed your day!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a totally fab day, and I love the flowers and the key chain... ooh, and the pizza! Thats the way to end off a day!
ReplyDeleteOne question about your totally admirable mothering skills.... you held her like a rugby ball?
Annie, now I think you are being too hard on yourself. You are a brilliant mother! I am constantly amazed at the wonderful outings you plan for your daughter. I can tell Izzy adorns you...from your wonderful sense of humor to your passion for life. The only thing I question is having Izzy plant a kiss on your head...if that keeps going you might want to trade in that fancy rig and get yourself a Pope Mobile. Glad you had a nice Mother's Day. You deserve it!!!
ReplyDeleteAwww Annie, thanks for that, you've made me blush!! she is a little gem, I must admit ;-)
ReplyDeletePope mobile? Now that sounds like just my kind of Bling mobile!!
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It was a fab day Brahm. Shame you couldn't have been there - aren't you a fan of pizza too?!!
ReplyDeleteI held her like a rugby ball, means that I looked like a dork holding her, cos I couldn't do it properly ;-)
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The flowers were gorgeous - Izzy chose them herself and the girl done good!
ReplyDeleteOxford is fab - you guys should really try and come over and visit so I can give you a guided tour.
LOL - Brahm and pizza! A man after my own heart ;-)
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OMG! Yeh, of course - your surname is the same as Izzy's nickname. That's gotta be cool!
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Eh up Fran. Glad to hear that you don't need kids there to enjoy mother's day. It's all a load of commercialised bollocks anyway! Not that I don't appreciate Izzy's wonderful cards and pressies mind!!
ReplyDeleteYou know what - that thing where you try and comment and it shoots back up to the top of the page is really bugging me. Me and my mate Clare have spent an hour trying to work out why it happens, and can't find reason. Weirdly, it doesn't happen to everyone. How annoying is that?
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Why thank you me dear! That key is for my front door. Told you my house was bloody old - the front door must be nearly 500 years old!!
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Aww thanks Jim, it was a fab day. Izzy was so excited by the card and keyring she had made!
ReplyDeleteOxford is so pretty, but you are right - it is unusual to get so much of it to yourselves. Bloody marvellous!
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It was a wonderful Mother's day - thanks Cheryl!
ReplyDeleteFor some reason I can imagine you being good at cupcake baking - why is that? Bloody good you can delegate the football to the hubby - so they do come in useful sometimes then?! ;-)
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Why thank you very much. I just love balancing on random logs over streams!
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Twas a lovely day, thanks sue! I am not sure she is quite a mini-me, what with all that auburn hair going on. I wish mine was that colour though. The gaps in her teeth, well, suffice to say, it takes a bit of getting used to!
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Why thank you my dear!
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