Easter with the Kyds and kids

We've been looking forward to this weekend for ages....the arrival of one of our favourite families.

Here we are at the Wrekin after the Kyds managed to get here after a very loooong journey.

The monkeys have escaped!

Some arty tree shots (credit to Zar)

Making traditional Good Friday fish.

Or in the case of the uncultured Kyds, fish fingers!!!!!

Brecwast Trygynos style, aka giant porridge and eggs.

The girls get cooking the traditional Easter treats.

With of course the little chicks.

Time for some crafts and Easter crackers (a new addition to the Basford portfolio of Easter traditions thanks to Nanah).

Quick expenditure of energy down at Dale End park I between rain clouds.

If you notice the absence of Tally in these pics it's because the poor girl was violently ill and spent most of the day recovering.

In the morning we awoke to the picture of Jesus by the tomb...and some goodies.

We had a rare family shot and the girls wore their Easter dresses.

Gorgeous kyddies.

Once home it was time for the traditional Easter egg hunt around the garden.

And a few games of Big Buddha.....I'll let Jon explain that one.

On Easter Monday the girls planted some Lillies.

We then treated then to Airspace

Beauts.

And subway for lunch.

Poor Jonny was not at the top of his game here.  It's a good job we still love him.

Miss you Kyds already.  We love you all xx

In honour of St Paddy...albeit a day late.

We let the kids celebrate St Patricks day by  letting them turn things green using a variety of medium.  In the morning I came downstairs to find that one cheeky monkey had dyed some of the rice green with food colouring. It did make us giggle!

Cymru y Ukelele; or my father my inspiration.

The reality of recovering from multiple organ failure is pretty grim. Constant exhaustion, anxiety, panic attacks and of course the weekly check ups and appointments. Whilst I'm grateful to be alive, I'm not gonna lie, waking up from being intubated with an oxygen helmet, having to spend 7 days with an oxygen mask and wires hooked up to your body because your body could no longer function by itself was pretty traumatic. 

As was spending four days in multiple organ failure without pain relief or proper monitoring.  I'm still recovering from it all and it sucks. 

I know I'm alive and that's great but although I look ok from the outside, my organs are still healing. I had a procedure in January that was pretty traumatic; it didn't work, I have to have it again in April. I've been feeling pretty miserable and sorry for myself. (Please excuse my self indulgent whinging).

However, as always, Mummy and Daddy came to the rescue and booked us into a lovely place called Trygonos in Snowden. (I highly recommend it to anyone that comes to stay with Dad or takes up his courses). We've been there before and it's bliss. Balm for the mind and soul.  It was the first time I'd ventured away from Telford since October.  It felt good to leave my moaning and self pity behind and concentrate on the beauty and splendor of North Wales and ukuleles.

The beautiful lake in the grounds of Trygonos.

Foothills of Snowden.

The girls decided to re-enact the story of Abraham and Isaac. (As you do),

My monkey.

Experiments in slate.....love that my boy is actually voluntarily mark making!!

Oh the beauty and the splendor, and of course, my beauties, my reason for living, my world.

At the hotel we played some good old fashioned board games.

As it was science week we took the kids to the science day at Bangor Uni. It was right up my kids street, especially Izzy.

Nanah made an amazing lunch which we ate at the workshop.

We helped grandpa and put the elves to work on the production line.

Some therapy  was in order - working with my hands with my daddy.  When I am with this man I am inspired.  I look at his suffering and the way he so nobly and humbly accepts the limitations he is now faced with and I give myself a mental kick up the backside. I can get through this, yes it sucks, my body functions more like that of a 60 year old at the moment, but I am blessed. I still have all my limbs, my family who love me. I have all I need. And I will get better eventually ( I'm told four more years, but I'm so impatient).

The master at work.

Man, I love my family. I'm so grateful to have such loving parents who set the example of always working hard, doing the best you can, sharing what you have with others and unconditional love.  I aspire to be like them one day.

Attingham Park

We were finally able to renew our National Trust membership.  We took full advantage and went with our cousins to Attingham Park.q

I love this place so much; thrilled that my children get to play where I used to.