Things I'm Loving

This week I'm loving....

A Previous Post

I wrote this post last weekend after an amazing experience. I love it, I think it's one of my favourite posts so far. Check it out!

Memories

It's been 5 years since my wonderful Granny passed away. I have a lifetime of memories, tucked away in a warm, special and safe place. And I love that I was able to celebrate our memories with my two cousins in London last night.

This is one of my all time favourite photos. My Granny and me.

Winter Wonderland

I popped along to Winter Wonderland last weekend and LOVED it! London is so awesome for things like this. I still get all excited after being so used to quiet old Wellington! And Meg, the whole time I was clicking away, I thought how choice you'd find it!

Frost

It's been mighty cold this week. Even colder than last week! I took a new photo which has been added to the list of my favourite photos of all time. 

Christmas Festivities

We had our kid's Christmas dinner at school on Thursday and as a tradition that my new school has, they all make and wear Christmas hats. I didn't realise the full force of what was classes as a hat, so I had to quickly whip up this puppy reindeer the night before. If I must say so myself, it is pretty choice.

Things I REALLY need 

I haven't got a Christmas tree and feel like I'm missing out big time on the whole decorations sector. Never fear guys, I bought a choice as sparkly reindeer. It doesn't fill the big longing gap of wanting more, but it's the start. And I think I can 'leave it up' all year round!

Time Management

It's the time of year where it's celebration after celebration; dinners, drinks, tea, catch-ups with friends and loved ones, and then all your time and brain power has been sucked up by the Christmas gods. So by the time I had thought about it, the deadline for international mail had been and gone, therefore no Christmas cards were sent back home. I used all the wiseness left in me, and came up with a solution, emailed it off to a bunch of people, and viola. The guilt had disappeared! 

Linking up with Meg, 'cos she has Gangnam style.

Winter Wonderland

I LOVE Christmas. I love the festivities, the crafting, the singing, the smells, the mulled wine and cider...

So what's better than Winter Wonderland? Not going there. 

Here are some snaps from my first ever visit (which was last Sunday)

A massive Ferris wheel accompanied by a massive tree

Loads of different rides and areas

A choice merry go round thing.

Crazy ride - love this photo

Ice skating rink

trying out the kids rides...

The North Pole where there were loads of different rooms you could walk through

Roller coasters

Ice Kingdom

The Ferris wheel that really confused me for the London Eye

It was HUGE! 

And right at the end we enjoyed some mulled wine in a festive cup!

In all fact, the photos aren't that Christmassy. But the atmosphere was buzzing!

Big, warm, fuzzies.

Image source - my phone

To set the scene: We're in a packed out club in central London, dancing away like we do. People are being a bit pushy, and I'm just having a look around whilst dancing. The next thing I know, there is this very short, older man, who has Downs Syndrome, dancing his way over to us.

It was one of the most heart warming experiences I have ever had. He was so happy, a great big grin from ear to ear.

Unfortunately, you get eggs in places like this who like to poke and make fun of people less able than them. I stepped in to prevent this from happening, and me and my two friends started dancing again, this time, with Fred*. 

When I realised the intent of his gazes, Fred was trying to copy my dance moves. One might cringe at the thought of this, I can be rather uncoordinated let alone wild. Luckily 'I Believe in a thing called love' came on, which used to be a favourite dance-around-the-lounge-with-air-guitars tune. Out came those air guitars, and we played like we had never played before. 

If it was possible, Fred's smile just got bigger.

The song finished, and a man came over to us and was trying to coax Fred into going back with him. Fred went with this man, gave us a wee wave goodbye whilst clutching his beer for dear life. The man returned a second later, put his arm around me and said, "Thank you. Thank you so much. You've just made his night"

And with that, this experience goes to the top of the list of one of the best nights in my life. 

I find the way I react to or around people with learning difficulties or who are less able than myself, has changed so drastically, I even get shocked by it sometimes. Working with children who have multiple and complex learning difficulties, has completely opened up my world. In fact, it's rocked my world. 

I spend six and a half hours with my children a day, changing their worlds one tiny small step at a time, then they're out of my hands. This happens five days a week. What happens outside of school hours? What's going to happen when they're older? Is there any glimmer of being able to enjoy every-day things that are 'normal' for us? 

I find there's such a perception that people like Fred shouldn't be in a club, I can understand why, but he's a human too. Why can't he enjoy a beer and a boogie? 

Fred* - I didn't know his real name, but he suits being a Fred.

Things I'm Loving!

This week I'm loving...

Gumboots

My glow-in-the-dark gumboots got their first outing on Wednesday!

Weather

Well it's been mighty chilly in London this week. Please note: look at the real feels... they're the truth.

Bargains

I walked into Tescos the other day, stopped, looked, looked again, then loaded up my basket.

Christmas

I've had the best self-control ever know to Nikki man. So far, so good, with the whole sneakily opening my Christmas presents early. NONE have been opened. Yet.

My Mum had emailed me saying I can open one of mine early as it was a kids book. It is one of the coolest books! Highly recommend it and it even has a choice as C.D sung by the Topp Twins!! I read it to the kids at my work and they LOVED it!

Emails

After flicking a few emails back and forth between my Mum about the snow on Wednesday, she enlightened me on this interesting wee story. Priorities Mumma, priorities!

 Squirrels

For a while I had seen more foxes than squirrels. That has since changed.

Snapping snaps

I love it when you're all like 'oh choice, check out that. That'll make a good photo' and then you look at what you've taken, and marvel in the beauty you've just snapped. It happened to me this afternoon, didn't even realise I had the reflection so perfect and everything!

Linking up with one of the most Choicetastic people in my life.

Things I'm Loving!

This week I'm loving...

Avacados

I'm salivating just looking at this picture! Oh beautiful 'avvy', you were delicious!

Netball

I love the game! I've played since I was about 7, but I'm just not sure about playing in the rain! Oh well!

Post-its

I'm a bit prone to forgetting things. What makes it worse is when I write all the important things down, but then I forget where the important thing is. Yikes!

Christmas

The time is fast approaching where I will be spending my second Christmas away from home. Never fear Kiwi Earthlings, your presents will be in the mail tomorrow!!

My pooch

I miss my dear little Bella, and absolutely love getting photos of her sent from my Mumma! Awww, look how cute she is!

Linking up with Missy Moo Choicey Poo ha!

A walk to remember

When the air is fresh, and the sun is shining, we walk.

When the canal is calling us, in beauty and reflections, we walk.

When the sun is descending, and our shadows start dancing, we walk.

When icons come into view, beckoning us to step closer, we walk.

When the position of the sun drops suddenly, creating beauty right before our eyes. We stop. Then, we walk.

When our time has come to carry on back home, we turn for one last look. We capture the beauty and get a fruitful reminder of how precious this place is. Then, we walk.

Have you loved where you live lately?

All photos were taken by me, can be used by me, and only me. Unless you have my permission of course. 

Things I'm Loving!!!

This week I'm loving...

This Song

Flowers in your hair - The Lumineers

Conversations at work

I was chatting to one of the office ladies this morning about how the kids have really fancy cell phones. It went like this...

Me - "It's crazy how these kids bring their phones to school. They don't even need them"

Office lady - "I know! I mean, they have really fancy ones. Like Blueberries and Samsongs"

I lost the plot with laughter. Absolute gold!

Snacks

Love a good snack. Especially Sweet and salty popcorn!

Gifts

I sent today, a special gift for a very special cousin who's having a very special birthday that I can't attend. You're gonna love it Soph!!!

Crocheting

I crocheted this bad ass rasta hat in a few hours! It's a bit wild, but my favourite colour!!

Colour

Whilst we're on the topic of colour, I'm totally loving my new dark purple hair! Also, check out how long it is!

Breakfast

Last weekend we went to the The Breakfast Club. AH-MAZE-ING. NEVER fails to impress. Ever. I had the bacon (of course) and banana french toast. Read it and salivate.

Baking

I had my first success at baking with my little kiddies! 

Ok, I lied a little bit. My T.A had to fix the mixture because it wouldn't stick, she worked her magic, chucked these in the oven, and voila! (only 4 out of 10 burnt!)

The wind

I never thought I'd say this having grown up in Wellington, but, I was big time loving the wind tonight! It reminded me of getting blown blissfully out of control around Courtenay Place. Ahhh, home away from home!

Linking up with that gorgeous chick who has McChoice pants

A whole lot of lovin'!

This week I'm loving...

Gifts

I'm a giver. I do like receiving too! I finished off the 2nd baby hat for my friend at work. Totally fell in love with how small they turned out and how cute they'll look on a wee babe's head!

Football

Last weekend I was lucky enough to go to the Arsenal vs Fulham game. The atmosphere was awesome! 

Walks

I love doing free things. I went on a walk last weekend near the canal. And the sun set, we got some beautiful shots, and Autumn is in it's prime.

Reflections by the canal

The sun peaking through Tower Bridge

The silhouette of a statue - maybe a fav. 

Little play areas

We're doing Goldilocks and the 3 bears at the moment. It's a slow process to cover all the basics of the story (I plan on teaching the 1 book for 7 weeks... eeeeek!) But I love little role play areas for the kids. They absolutely love it and spend so much time there! 

My love for onesies

Onesies are amazing. Especially when you've come home from a long day at work, it's colder at night now, and you just want to put something cosy on. Boom. That's where the onesie comes in. I bought a new one which is sooo choice!! Yes, I did wear it to work for pj day. I'm choice like that! 

Bacon

Oh my. Bacon is definitely one of my favourite things. So what better than bacon flavoured popcorn? I can sense some noses curling up at the idea, but it was delish! It tasted like Rashuns!

Crocheting

I'm on a huge crocheting buzz at the moment. I feel like my Mum when she's in a fabric shop, but with wool. I spent too much time in John Lewis' today just drooling looking at wool, and came out with these puppies. Keep watch, as there may or may not be a giveaway soon!

Coffee

I had a coffee date with a friend who I hadn't seen in ages this morning. It was so awesome to have a good yarn over some amazing coffee! If you're in London, pop over to Speak Easy Coffee just off Carnaby St. Their soya flat whites are probably the best I've had in London so far! 

Linking up with mah gurl cos she's choice!