Surprise, surprise...

February is always a big month for us. Having bought extra annual leave this year, for once I managed to get away with the kids at half term for a wonderful short break in Banchory, before we continued February's party theme with T's birthday. I'd managed to plan a surprise day out with a foodie trip to Nick Nairn's at Port of Menteith for lunch, followed by a walk-it-off round Loch Ard, then a rock-tastic Snow Patrol at the Hydro in the evening. Well at least two out of three were successful - the walk was, err, somewhat drenching, but an awesome singalong Snow Patrol gig soon knocked that out of us.

Then the next day was Nana and Baba's 60th anniversary of meeting. And more surprises were in store as we'd planned a family party following Rosie's Uni dance show. I have to say I was blown away by the dancing, and I think Nana and Baba were equally blown away by the party. There was great food, great banter and some great games to keep everyone giggling away.

And surprise, surprise all of this was tremendous fun to give winter a final boot.

February may be winter's end but we have lots to be grateful for in the Rooke house. And party season is not over yet... next up is Ly's 18th!!

Food-tastic at Nick Nairn's

En route to Snow Patrol

Videoclip: Snow Patrol

Or you can watch the video here

Videoclip: Glasgow Uni Dance Show

Or you can watch the video here

(For Rosie spotters she's bottom left corner in the third dance clip)

All the family minus Rosie

Still having fun 60 years on

Fierce, feisty and a little bit flighty…

The last few weeks has seen some strong, independent and unconventional women rule the roost in the Rooke house. First up was Eowyn. Her role in Lord of the Rings saw her as a fierce independent soul not one for doing as she was told – and when Storm Eowyn hit it was pretty much like that. The winds blew with some force, rattling us as hard as I can remember. Thankfully bar a few things broken and a few roof tiles missing we escaped a little better than Tolkien’s character, but it was quite a day and night. The video below was taken a good hour or so before it’s peak and really doesn’t do justice to the ferocity of it all.

And then came Niomi’s tenth birthday. She’s a feisty character at times, full of unconventional fun, mischief and ferocity when the mood takes her. You’d never know that from her party at Build-A-Bear however, with her and two friends all coming back with wonderful new stuffed toys. But whilst ‘Bubblegum’ has been the new favourite in Niomi’s ever increasing cuddly toy parade – the highlight present has to be a mobile phone and a portable speaker and shower speaker. She must have said at least 100 times how much she loved her new phone. So despite not having a SIM card or any access to social media – her glorified tv screen seems to be keeping her much amused and feeling very grown up.

In between times there's also been a feisty performance from KT Tunstall doing a 20th anniversary concert of Eye to the Telescope in Celtic Connections, and a definitely flighty performance by both T and I at Viv and Liams 50th birthday. Quite the party it was as we danced the night away.

Then last up was another solid role model in the shape of the flighty and feisty Mary Poppins. We all took a trip over to Edinburgh to see the musical and, if you’ve not seen it, it comes highly recommended. We do love a musical in the Rooke house and Mary Poppins was up there with our favourites – a really great day out for the 5 of us, topped off with some excellent food at Home Noodles opposite the Festival Theatre recommended by Ly.

So, I’ve been feeling a little bit in the shade surrounded by all these strong women – and with more birthdays for the ladies in my life coming up that’s likely to continue for a few more weeks yet.

Videoclip: Storm Eowyn

Or you can watch the video here

Happy mobile 10th birthday face

Birthday lego

Videoclip: 10th Birthday

Or you can watch the video here

Definitely flighty at the golden party