Don't you know? There's no such thing as a ..... Gruffalo!

Monday 23 July 2012
If you have kids, you'll know all about the Gruffalo.  I love the Gruffalo and the kids love the Gruffalo but I'm afraid I didn't love the Gruffalo show as much as I wanted to.  Gosh - I'm such an old trout.  We decided it was time for George to experience his first live show and we chose to take him along with Ben to see The Gruffalo at the Leeds Grand on Saturday.  As we rounded the corner to the the theatre, the shrieks from the many terribly excited and very noisy children threatened to kill off my hearing for once and for all - I'd forgotten the ear plugs again.




As it was promised sun for this weekend and indeed it did peek its head out, I donned a dress.  I love dresses but I don't love wearing them as much as I love buying them so I did make a mental promise to myself at the start of this year that I really needed to get on with it and wear some of the dresses I had hanging in my wardrobe.  So out came the bunny dress.

Closet Bunny Dress (2011)
G21 Cardigan (2011)

Breeding like rabbits!


The Bunny dress so called because of the quirky bunny print which you only really notice when you are close up and it makes a nice change from all the other bird and butterfly prints going around.  The dress is very comfortable, doesn't blow up in strong winds and best of all - it has pockets which I love jamming my hands in.  Have pockets - will jam hands in.... like a sulky teenager.  Topped off with a cotton cardi and the Carvela Krimble sandals.


Yes ... back to the Gruffalo show.  Errr ... it's not bad.  It's just that it's not that good either.  I guess if you don't know what to expect, you build up your own expectations and they did have to make a 5 minute book last 55 mins.  Which is okay because you get something for your money because you wouldn't want to pay for just 5 mins entertainment but in dragging out the show - you lose the lovely rhythm of the book.  Sitting in a theatre with small children is also very different to an adults evening out watching a ballet or play where you get the odd little cough and a polite "excuse me" as someone gets out of their seat to answer a call of a nature .  You go to see a kids play and there is just ...... noise.


Sneaky photo of the show
And yes that strange thing is the Gruffalo.


I had to pay £1 for the privilege of hiring those!


The boys seemed satisfied so money not entirely wasted. The Grumps muttered something about "Thank goodness, that's over" and so we trotted out in to the sunshine once more and had a wander around Leeds - something which we rarely do together because it raises my stress levels as the Grumps and Ben hate shopping and George likes to chase after the pigeons.  


"Leave the pigeons alone George!"

Are those giant tentacles in the window?

They are.  Could someone tell me what this is all about?

We lunched in our regular little Chinese restaurant (Ho's Bakery) which we adopted a few years ago and Grumps wanted to go to today as he had man flu starting and wanted some comfort food in the guise of Congee and noodles and Dim Sum.  For those unfamiliar with congee - this is a kind of savoury rice porridge eaten in Hong Kong/China usually as a breakfast dish.  I call it poorly food - a bit like having chicken noodle soup for when you're a little under the weather.  I didn't get many photos of the food because it was devoured as quickly as it arrived and if I didn't stop taking pictures, I was going to go hungry.

Oh chopsticks!!!

All gone!!!


And then home as we were all feeling contented, full and very very sleepy.  And I tried to stay in my dress as long as possible but eventually gave in to the joggy bots as it's murder on unprotected knees crawling around building train tracks.


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If you are not familiar with the Gruffalo but if you ever get the chance - try and get hold of the wonderful adaptation which was shown on the BBC at Christmas time. It is fab and the actors doing the voices of the characters are fantastic.  Who couldn't love Robbie Coltrane as the voice of the Gruffalo and Helena Bonham Carter as Mother Squirrel?  I love it so much I refuse to let it be deleted off the Sky Plus because I am so thoroughly charmed by it and possibly the reason why I am not so delighted with the play. It's a hard act to follow.


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And last but not least, I couldn't resist sneaking this picture in of mine and Ben's Gruffalos which we made for one of his homeworks this year. 


Sitting under the shade of the Basil plant.
Together.
Awww.

17 comments

  1. Love the Gruffalo - only it made my eldest cry on his first day at pre school and he's never forgot ( 11 now!) . You made me laugh out loud about the pockets in the dress - my middle son said to me when I put a pretty skirt on recently " you look nice , but don't pick me up from school in it!" Back in the joggers then! X

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    1. Yes my son Ben doesn't quite know what to make of me when I wear anything other than jeans either - oh well.

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  2. Lawks - I'm so happy I've found your blog. I am in such a terrific grump this morning and you have made my day. I am always snorting about shows that I have taken the kids to over the years. (Except the Wiggles - they were Awesome!) I could not do the Gruffalo live show, he's my all-time hero. AAAAnd I keep telling myself (as I send all my frocks to my sister in New Zealand) never never buy anymore dresses (for one you have to shave your legs...)Then I go online and look at more dresses...

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    1. Agreed. The Gruffalo is awesome. I wish he'd been around when I was a titch. I wa born in the era of Wombles and Klangers - cool, but not as cool as the Gruffalo. Yes - at all costs, please avoid the show - but do try to find the film version I mentioned - it's just lovely. And yes, I need hitting over the head too for everytime I go and look under the dress sections too - I don't know why I do it because I much prefer jeans anyway?!?

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  3. Your sons are just delicious. Chinese food is the best for comfort. My mum grew up in Hong Kong so I grew up on Congee delicious. Love the bunny dress, I have a dog print shirt that provides sartorial entertainment for M too.

    Hope your husband feels better soon
    xxx

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    1. George goes through bowls of the stuff - it was also his baby weaning food and it was a bit of a Godsend with his dairy and egg allergy as a lot of the western diet wasn't good for him. That's interesting that your mum grew up in Hong Kong and that you like congee - has she taught you how to make it?

      And Grumps seems to be coming out on the other side ... he's marginally less Grumpy.

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    2. I know I really should learn how to make it for Matilda. Her porridge (oats and milk zapped in the microwave) is repulsive but she can put away bowlfuls so there's really no need for anything else.

      Glad the man flu is receeding :)

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  4. Charlie and I loved the Gruffalo but I think the Snail and the Whale is better. My boss used to bring Congee in to work every morning, never offered me any, that was years ago when I worked for a Chinese ship owner.

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    1. Do you know - I haven't read the Snail and the Whale. Next on my reading list for the boys I think. And if you come up to Leeds, I'll buy you a bowl of congee :o)

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  5. Really happy to have found your blog! I love the way you incorporate a variety of brands into your own, unique aesthetic. We seem to like a lot of the same stores/items, too!

    I also have the Carvela sandals: the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn, which makes me dread winter somewhat, because they shall have to go into hibernation.

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    1. Hi, I love your blog and have been following for quite some time! I love your personal style as you seem to have found your own way without having to have the latest thing in fashion and being led astray by the next fashion statement (unlike me).

      Yes, I've been surprised by my choice of summer sandals this year compared to previous - all over 2 inches high at least and very comfortable. The Krimbles are lovely and lend themselves to so much. I find it too easy to pair them with everything as well and find myself in danger of putting them in every post because they just work with everything.

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    2. I read that back about not having to follow the latest thing in fashion and I didn't mean to sound like you weren't fashionable or anything - it was meant as a compliment to someone who is sure of themselves!

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    3. Hahaa! I know what you meant, of course! If only I actually was sure of myself, though....I never feel as if I have really got it quite together, sartorially speaking. But that is a huge compliment - thankyou! x

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  6. Lovely photos! You look great in the bunny dress:) The boys are very cute! Have a good week:)
    ~Anne

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    1. Thank you. We did have a nice day. And the boys are cute in the photos and something else in real life! I have a poorly George this morning but at least the Internet is working today so I can catch up with the world outside whilst being inside. You have a good week too!

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  7. I'm the same! I always make sure the dress passes my "wind" and "squat" tests. And the pockets are so important. Dresses without pockets are simply tossed into the drawers, all forgotten. Lil L wasn't all that impressed with the Gruffalo but I'll have to check out the Xmas adaptation. Ack, I forced the hubs to take her to the theater. Can't remember which show and he announced that he simply can't bear to go to another.

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    1. Yes - there are some dresses which work and some which just don't. I'm always trying maxi dresses but keep treading on the front of them when going upstairs which sometimes mean accident in the making or extra cleavage shot. Not good. Lucky you - getting out of going to the theatre. It was painful.

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Susie So So