10 Years ago...

Well its certainly been a busy 10 years....

 

Jon and I have been together for 17 years.  We moved down to Bournemouth from our home town when I went to university to study fashion.  We both got jobs in our fields and stayed in the area.  We saved really hard after we graduated for our wedding - Saturday 14th September 2002!

 

It was a beautiful hot sunny day and i enjoyed it so much.  We were married 1pm at Highcliffe Castle and then headed back to Bournemouth Eastcliff for the reception.  I had my sister as my bridesmaid and we had lots of our family to celebrate.

After our wedding we went to Hong Kong, Bali, Singapore and then Thailand on honeymoon.  When we came back, its been busy ever since...

 

In the last 10 years we have bought and moved places (4 times), renovated our home, had 4 children, become Christians and instead of been a career woman in the fashion world I'm now a stay at home mother (which is just so much better) and Jon is working hard to support us (not working in fashion but in data telecoms and networking).

 

On our anniversary, we went back to Highcliffe and walked along the grounds and beaches, took a tour of the castle and went to an art exhibit.  It was textiles and mixed media - My favourite - i loved seeing these pieces and makes me feel so inspired to create, i think it reminds me of my former life and who knows maybe in the future I could do something creative again.  We sat and had lunch there - they have a great selection of homemade cakes, well worth a visit (although parking is a bit extortionate) I had the Dorset apple, warm with clotted cream (delicious).  We then came back and collected the children and family life resumed.

 

There has been lots of ups and downs in the last 10 years and its certainly been a super speedy ride - i wonder what the next chapter will hold....

My Boy J is now 5!!!

Well September has come, my little boy J has now turned 5 and starts school next week....

 

He had a great birthday and this is what we did;

 

Woke up, got ready (washed, teeth and dressed) downstairs to open presents - very exciting when you're 5! especially when you've asked for a chocolate coin maker :)

 

He chose his breakfast - pancakes with fresh fruit with hot chocolate to drink.  Took the older boys to school, picked up party bags and met friends at Giggles.  We stayed there for about 3 hours, had lunch and he had a great time playing.  It was really quiet and he practically had the play centre to himself with his friends. 

 

After lunch we came home and made chocolate coins, then picked up the older children from school.  Played with some more presents, had dinner - J chose cheesy pasta - his favourite.  We waited for daddy to come home and then did the cake - a Lego cake (not my finest creation) however J recognised it as a Lego brick and he was excited, so that's all that matters.  We then finished the day with a very bubbly bubble bath (thanks Becky for the bubble bath gift) and he read a story from his new book (yes surprised me too, as i didn't realise he'd picked up so many words).  He went to sleep quite quickly (as did mummy) as it was a tiring packed full day!

 

I can't quite believe those first 5 years have gone!

Week 7 and we're done

Well i suppose its really week 6 and a half of the summer holidays....

 

I had a great weekend at my mums, it was great doing nothing and relaxing - I so needed just to be still and so needed, not to be needed.  It was also amazing not having to think about dinner/lunches etc and then clearing up from meals etc.  It was bliss to just have an afternoon nap...

 

Back to reality then...

 

Monday - Housework (well attempted) and Bourne Valley walk

Tuesday - last day of the hols, i let the kids choose what they wanted so after they all had computer and DS time, we made rocky road, scootering, finished off some homework, read stories, a sticker book, played toys and made a den in the living room.

 

I am feeling better about the school run - all school stuff ready to go - I love how white, new shirts look and i must remember to make an 'in head' photo of how nice they'll look on their first day back - as come hometime, their new shoes will be scuffed and somehow they drew on the arm of thier short sleeve shirt, the frube will have exploded down the front and even though i oxy white hot wash them, it just won't be the same next time its on.

 

I think N is feeling gutted he has to go back to school, he'd rather the hols would go on for longer.  B is not really commenting on how he feels but judging by todays events... I'd say he's feeling anxious. I'm hoping the lure of seeing his friends will make it ok in the morning.  Also i'm thankful I have some help in the morning too, with my younger children (just in case).  Its hard not to feel anxious but they pick up on your mood so i'm just gonna have to put on my happy no nonsense face and get on with it.  I can't quite believe the summers over and that the autumn term has begun. I will miss the leisurely starts, not having the stress of being at places at certain times and i'll miss having the children around.

 

However, what I do like about this time of year, is it feels like new beginnings (even though its 3/4s of the year through) and its the run up to Christmas!!!!!  Also there are lots of birthdays for us, so lots of reasons to celebrate and have fun.

 

 

Week 6

Well our camping weekend didn't go quite as expected, so we have been quite exhausted and just been recovering.  This week has mainly been a catch up on jobs week.  We also had to take B to Drs for assessment for his statement - thankfully it timed well with Jon being at home.  They have also referred us to CAMHs team for additional support, inbetween our consultant appointments.

 

Wednesday - housework and dog agility trail

Thursday - games (my oldest has discovered Cluedo) and play-do session

Friday - barbers for the older ones, hairdressers for the younger 2

 

I can't believe this is week 6 of the hols! I have been busy labelling and getting all the uniform bits together for school next week, as well as catching up on the mountain of ironing from being away.  My children seem to have just got used to the lazy starts this week and L has even laid in bed till 7.30! It could be of course due to the fact its getting darker in the mornings....

 

Jaden's birthday is next week so have been prepping everything this week as i know next week is going to be busy.  He also seems to have had a mini growth spurt so I've been sorting out the next size clothes for him to wear.  I'm in 2 minds whether to put the summer clothes away, its been an appalling summer - weather wise - will it get better and will we get that Indian summer? The last few days have been really cold I've been wearing my boots and a big thick cardigan, even thought about putting the heating on.....

 

Mentally i don't quite feel ready for the school life to resume, for packed lunches, school runs and pick ups, homework, different practises, child starting in reception - the thought of starting it all over again makes me want to hide under the duvet....  So this weekend I'm planning on having a restful weekend at my mums (by myself) and hoping this gives me the break i needed to keep on going and embrace all that September brings.