The Christmas holidays really seemed to drag here. The girls didn’t go back until last Wednesday and it seemed like such a long time between Christmas being over and school starting again. They’ve been back over a week now though, and it seems as if the holidays never happened. We are all firmly back into our routine and I’m finally finding the time to work. A weekend outdoors At this time of year, I always struggle with being indoors too much. The children go a bit stir crazy and we all end up stressed. With the Winter being so mild…

Happy New Year! Blogging and social media took a back seat here over the school holidays and the break was definitely welcome. That said, some time away has definitely increased my motivation. It’s good to be back. Reverse resolutions I’ve never really been one for new year’s resolutions, but this year I’ve taken that attitude a bit further. Taking a step back from work for a few weeks has made me realise that for the past year or so, I’ve been getting it all wrong. I’ve been so worried about getting everything right, that I’ve hardly been blogging or posting…

Christmas week. It’s one of the few times of year that things calm down. We remained busy right up until Christmas Eve, but Christmas day brought a change of pace that continued into boxing day. My husband has gone back to work today and at the weekend we’ve got plans to visit both his family and mine. But for just a couple of days, we chilled out. It was bliss. Sudeley Castle Spectacle of Light Last Christmas, we went with some friends to visit the Illuminations in Birmingham. It was lovely to catch up with them and we all had…

We’re in the depths of our busiest week of the year. Nativity plays and ballet shows all take place this week, as does the school fair along with rehearsals and all their usual activities. It’s always a fun week but I’ll also be delighted when it is over.  The nativity Lia’s nativity play was yesterday morning and the previous day, they’d performed it to the school. Lia had been paired off with a little girl who was nervous of saying her line and when it came to performing to the school, neither of them said it. So, it came as no…

This time of year creeps up on you doesn’t it? One minute, it’s November and everything is calming down after half term. The next, you’re into the throws of show rehearsals, sorting out nativity costumes and attending Christmas events. Nights out It is unusual these days for my husband and I to go anywhere without the children. Occasionally one of us will have an evening out, but going out together is particularly rare. This week has been the exception. On Saturday, we all headed to the Eastnor Land Rover Christmas Experience. Whilst Father Christmas was there and the event was…

For the first time ever, I’m quite enjoying the colder months. It definitely has something to do with embracing the cold rather than fighting it. Better still, we managed to fit in a short break this week, with a Winter weekend at Bluestone. Despite the cold, we spent plenty of time outdoors, riding bikes and I even swam in the sea. It was surprisingly warm in comparison to the river. The decisions of a six year old For a long time now, Libby has been asking to go rock climbing. At our local leisure centre, she had to be six…

Have you started getting ready for Christmas? Unusually, I’ve started buying a few gifts already. I’m not one for being organised, but I know money is likely to be tight next month. So, it makes sense to buy a few bits and pieces in advance. I’ve ordered the big gifts for both girls, plus a couple of other family members. Now I just need to decide what to get my husband, the man who has everything. Oh, and maybe a gift for the dog who has everything. Birthday parties Birthday parties are an occupational hazard for siblings. When Libby started…