Pokémon Masters - Unite!

I wanna be the very best

Like no one ever was

Catch them is my real test

To train them is my cause

I will travel across the land

Searching far and wide

Teach Pokémon to understand

The power that's inside

Pokémon!

It's the long awaited weekend, where pokemon masters across the UK gathered together to... eat cake and celebrate the youngest Nephews birthday! My nephew had specifically asked for a pokemon magic show for his birthday from my hubby and, being incapable of saying no to the niblings, of course we had to make that happen. The last few weeks have been spent secretly building props and rehearsing fun ideas and, I'm pleased to say, I think it paid off. 

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Firstly was the worst drive down to Manchester I've ever had (I blame my eldest neice who tagged along for the ride with us and my mum, she's jinxed!). Between people forgetting things, a crash on the M74 and overnight works shutting the M6, it took us 6 hours to get to Wythenshawe where we were staying. 

On the morning of the party I took Missy a nice walk and then we all got kitted up and made our way to help set up the party. Yep. We. Through inside contacts and a stretch of the truth of Missys status as a therapy dog, she came along as a real life houndour. I was a bit worried people would feel we were overindulgent about bringing her, but it was an absolute success. I have several wonderful photos of kids grinning away in gatherings about her, but I won't post them here on the Internet out of respect to the fact I don't have permission. 

The magic show went brilliantly. From Alakazams collapsing wooden spoon to pulling a scorbunny from a hat and a pokemon race that saw the birthday boy being the winner, it went great. The scorbunny was claimed by the birthday boy and I was pleased at a day well done. 

After that was a tidy up and a trip to the playpark before everyone, exhausted, ended up at my sisters for left over sandwiches and birthday cake. Nephew opened his pressies and I was delighted that the Espeon I made went down so well! Neice has commissioned. E for a female pikachu, so that's her birthday organised! Then we thieved off with some board games and introduced my eldest neice to Latice back at the Airbnb. 

Today was a meet up for the playpark and lunch before we set off back up the road. A short trip, but worth the effort. As I said to my hubby, it's days like this weekend that become core memories - this 6 year old pokemon party will be fondly remembered for thr longest time.

Missy is sleeping off her newfound fame (I often forget how smitten the extended family on that side are with her) and we're having a well deserved quiet evening ahead of work tomorrow.

Until next time - Gotta catch 'em all! 

A Viking Victory

It's been a very quick weekend! My brother dropped off Pouty McPoutface on Thursday before going off on his Eurovision adventures, and Maisie quickly settled into the routing. I think she's stayed with us enough times now that she knows the routine!

I had the girls over Thursday and, it being the first time they've met Maisie, I'm pleased to say that first impressions we're good! Friday was a relatively quiet day with us all working and then the weekend was upon us. 

So, originally my friend was meant to come along to Duncarron, but cancelled, then I asked another, who also cancelled. I was set to just go myself when hubby (who was working) suggested my nephew to help dog wrangling.

And so I went with my nephew who was pleased to have gotten out of a day hanging about his parents office bored. He gets in very well with Maisie, so was happy to wrangle her for us! We still took turns with the archery and the axe throwing and my nephew qualified for the competition. At 5ft 11, he was made to compete with the adults, and came joit second, so to say he was pleased is selling it short!

We paused the day to take a walk around the reservoir and let the dogs cool down and then we were back in the fort for more viking shenanigans. They had a best dressed viking competition, which I put Missy in for as a joke. The Viking who was doing the announcement broke character and nearly fell over laughing at Missy. Whilst she got the loudest cheer, the prize rightfully went to one of the children (although several people came up afterwards and told me they thought she should have won.)

And that was the day. All done. 

Sunday was a quiet one to recover. Much sewing was done and, whilst Maisie dislikes the overlocker, she allowed me to use the sewing machine. 

Then my brother arrived to pick up Maisie, filled me in on his Eurovision adventures and that was that.

A pretty good weekend. 

A Catch up for the Coronation

It's been... A bit up and down the last few weeks. So, I'll start at the beginning:

The ups? Caught up with friends and we've started a new campaign boardgame called the Animals of Baker Street. It's super cute aesthetically, it has a great game mechanic and we all love our characters. I'm really looking forward to working through the campaigns over the next few months! 

Hubby and I went to see The Ocean at the End of the Lane in the theatre, as a belated anniversary date. 

Just go. Go and see it. You will thank me. 

Then after that, my Manchester based sister managed a sneaky trip up for the bank holiday. She's had a lot in her plate, between the after effects of covid and ill health in the greater family, she really needed a break where she could hand over the car keys and put her feet up for two days. She wanted to have a quiet day at mine, and then spend the second one giving the wider family a surprise visit. 

I had the family come here, neice and nephew leapt out from under the table and there was delight all round. I showed them round the House of The Binns, which is where I'm planning my neices photoshoot of her prom dress.

Then sister went home, visiting Stumpy at the Five Sisters before leaving (I was in work at that point, jealous isn't a strong enough word!)

So, the downs? I'll start with the biggie - after the bug surprise get together, my mum messaged to say she had covid. So I've spent half the week as a headless chicken trying not to panic at all the vulnerable people I've been about. (My mum is fine, otherwise that would have been the primary concern!) 

No, back to the start. Missy injured her shoulder - nothing serious, but it's been short walks and bed rest for 3 weeks now, and she's getting frustrated. Her health behind the scenes isn't spectacular, but it's being monitored and I'll update when I know what's going on. The vets assure me it's nothing serious, but it's hard not to fret. 

Big sister is struggling with a full plate owing to I'll health in the wider family and her own health. Sound familiar? Unlike my other sister, big sister doesn't take time out for herself and then ends up off loading to you in a 2 hour long phone call. Every attempt to get her away from the house to have time to herself doing something she wants gets cancelled because of the family. 

Which included today. I did not intend to do very much with the Coronation today (we have my friends coming tomorrow with the neice and nephew to have a Coronation themed lunch), but I did want to do something a little more than being stuck in my same four walls again.

So I ended up having a sewing day and listened to the Coronation on the radio. It was a productive sewing day (grand unveil next week) and I got some magic props made for my nephews party. I cheered up in the end, but it's been an odd run for me.

Still, adventures are planned for next week when Missy should be fully recovered (she already is, but the vet said to give her a week longer than we feel she needs). We also have a certain little Pouty McPoutface coming for a girls weekend, so even if it all goes wrong, there's bound to be a funny story to tell!