I was doing a craft fair this weekend so Daddy got the job of taking Lily together with some of her classmates and parents to see a production of Raymond Briggs Snowman at the Lowry. Apparently it was a big hit with all the kiddies and Daddy thouroughly enjoyed it too.  I'm doing the biggie Panto, Cinderella at the Opera House next weekend. I'm so excited to see Louis Spence in his tights as I think he is hilarious.

Tom came to the craft fair with me and kept himself entertained reading an Enid Blyton novel he'd swopped between taking the money.  I think he has a future career as a stall holder!

Staying with friends this weekend, we went to their local garden centre to ice skate outdoors.  Daddy was a bit unsure whether this was such a great idea as the one and only time he has skated before was outside the Rockerfeller centre In New York pre- kids. We hired a support for Tom and a seal for Lily to sit on which was just brilliant as Daddy could support himself on this whilst whizzing her round at top speed, probably taking out a few kids on route.  With Christmas tunes blaring out over the sound system Loz and I pretended we were Dancing on Ice, much to the amusement of all the kids. 

We were lucky to get free e tickets for the BBC Live n Deadly Show at Avenham Park, Preston this weekend after applying on line.  We arrived at 9.45pm and so did hundreds of others but the crowds were dealt with efficiently and we were soon in with our wristbands for the 1pm show to see Steve Backshall.  I was put on official queue duty for the climbing wall whilst Daddy took Tom and Lily to see Naomi and the birds of prey.  They loved the show and Daddy was suitably impressed by Naomi to get a signed picture!  By now I'd made it to the front of the queue and so the kids were quickly harnessed and helmeted to enjoy a 15min climbing session. After a quick buttie from the picnic we had brought along we went into the big tent for the 1pm show. Daddy couldn't join us because it was one adult per group of children.  We were delighted amongst other things by an aligator turtle who could snap his way through a broom handle and a long and venemous centipede before a Q and A with Steve.  Tom was desperate to ask a question but because we were sat in the middle the microphone wouldn't rech us. After the show we went to the Deadly Art tent where Lily and Tom learnt how to draw a chimpanzee before having a brew at the lovely cafe in Avenham park.

We bumped into lots of friends at the park so the kids then had a play and a run around.  As then sun began to set and the crowds left there was just enough time to make a bird feeder. As Tom was making his feeder he spotted Steve wandering around and wanted to ask his question but before we got to him, he disappeared with a film crew.  I then spotted Naomi and suggested Tom ask her a question instead.  So up he walks to Naomi and says "Can I ask you a question?" (with Dad grinning in the background), she politely agrees and then he asks "Where's Steve?" I found it funny anyhow.

Had a lovely meal with Daddy at Northcote Manor whilst Gran and Grandpa took Tom and Lily to Barton Grange, near Garstang.  We met them all there afterwards and were given a quick tour of the amazing christmas displays.  They had everything from the Grinch to Chitty Bang Bang plus lots of lovely foodie treats.  Makes a magical trip in the run up to Christmas, which eek is 49 days away. Advent calandars are up in 24 days- blooming christmas!