Louis’s birthday went without a hitch  a new and interesting venue for an 11 year old birthday, we held it at my friend Issy’s bar The Lost Gardens, thanks Issy for the use of that.

We had obviously non alcoholic cocktails plus a brilliant spread of food, the staff were great and Rossy-B came to DJ for us. I had to put on the entertainment my self as I couldn’t find an entertainer suitable for 11 year olds, but I’m sure I made the kids laugh and smile… I organised a few dance offs and a few cash prizes which they are always happy with.

I decided to incorporate a balloon ride to break up the afternoon and took 21 kids over to Bournemouth gardens which was a little concerning as we had 21 kids and we had to make sure we had 21 at the to bring back.  The balloon ride went well though and all the kids were having a great time!

All in all it was a great day for my boy, and that’s what it’s all about! As I try to do all the time, make each of my children’s day a happy day so they enjoy their life, and one day even when I’m not around, hopefully they will do the same for their children! I never had that privilege as a child to have parents, so it is important to me to be the best parent I can be.. Sent from my iPad

This morning I woke up to find my daughter all excited about her newest birthday present  from me. I decided I would follow her unusual request for a birthday present which was a zip wire! She was very excited to start using it, but needed me to actually put it up! Brilliant!

I decided to be the awesome father so went into the garden and started to erect it while she watched eagerly, thankfully it was a sunny day! But being young she kept asking me if it was ready yet bless, thankfully 2 hours later she was able to ride it!

I moved the runners seat placed her carefully on, and sent her flying down, with screams of joy she laughed and smiled, best present ever!

I get so much satisfaction when I make my children smile, long may it continue… The next task is for me to be able to fulfil my sons normal unusual request, but I look forward to it none the less!

I posted a video of the fun times! Check the vid below and you’ll see it!

Anniversary follow up

Following up from my 6^th wedding anniversary and my little boys 10^th birthday… We ended up as the four of us at the lovely Bournemouth west beach restaurant right on the seafront, we got seated at a fantastic window table and my wife and I enjoyed a sort of romantic evening together accompanied by my children and of course my friends James Bronson and Big black Nigel, which is fine because I enjoy their company whenever they are around.

We knew it was time to close up and head home when my little girl Lexi began falling asleep at the table which proved to be quite a beautiful round up to the evening. The only slight downside to an otherwise perfect evening was that it’s still only early May here in the UK and was a little too chilly for my liking as the sun disappeared over the horizon. This isn’t a trial we’ll need to face for much longer though as we’re all off to Dubai in three weeks time to enjoy a round of 40+ degree weather whilst staying at the stunning Atlantis Hotel which the whole family will be looking forward to.

The great features that the Atlantis offers always proves to be secodn to none as this will be Louis’ second time coming with us, so here’s to a good time!

Anniversaries and Birthdays

May holds a very special place in my heart as it is the home to many events that have happened in my most recent life and that which I am very fond of. Today is an especially exciting day for me as it is not only my son’s 10^th Birthday but it is the day of my wife and I’s 6^th anniversary.

I met my lovely wife back in May 2001 and we moved in together the following year in May 2002. In May 2003 I had the joy of welcoming my little boy Louis into the world and since then have watched him grow up into a fine young man, at least so far so good.

In May 2007 Jo and I got married and we have enjoyed 6 years of happiness in marriage together so far through sickness and in health, through the good times and the bad. It seems strange now thinking back to our honeymoon that we had the difficult task of balancing spending time to ourselves all the while looking after my son who was only 4 at the time but thankfully it all worked out fine.

My little boy has always been around during the good times as when he was born things became better for me and business has been strong ever since. The same goes for my wife, as no one can really say she was interested in me for my money as at the time I was struggling with my vending round and was with me by my side throughout long hours on the road giving me great support all the while building up another successful business which I later went on to franchise resulting in one of the most successful businesses I ever had.

So may I take this opportunity to thank my wife for her support throughout the years and I hope that we have many more years of happiness together and the same goes for my little boy. I hope that we have a great evening tonight in celebration of the big 1-0 and that this is the beginning of his journey as an equally ambitious and successful young entrepreneur in the future and that he goes on to enjoy life as much as I have.

I would like to introduce the new addition to the Self Family, my newly born Lexi lou Self , she is keeping her mummy up all night, which I am sure is par for the course, and doing what all babies do, eat sleep and well..you know the rest! She is a beautiful little thing, and we are all very proud of her…hopefully this is the end of the chapter for new borns for me and Jo!

I am looking forward to enjoying time with her, like I have done with all the others, and still continue to do so, hopefully she will enjoy her first holiday in June where we will pop over to Spain.

Lots of changes happening within my business life, but will write about that at a later stage.

Here are some pictures of my beautiful youngest daughter for you all to see.