Will it be you?
Thirty thousand is the price to pay Lives worth less than money Less than “freedom” Less than convenience But who will they be? Will it be me Will it be you Will it be someone we love Will it be someone unknown whose loss precludes a life bringing change and wonder Are our lives less … Continue reading Will it be you?
Lockdown half term
I love using my blog as a bit of a diary. I documented our 2019 summer holiday, the weekly churn of the first lockdown and our 2020 summer roadtrip. So this half term holiday has been a bit odd. Usually, at February half term, the boys would be in a holiday club somewhere. Usually, as … Continue reading Lockdown half term
Making Stuff 16: Chocolate Banana Cake
I haven’t done a making stuff post for a while, but two are probably going to come along at once. The first week of February was Children’s Mental Health week in the UK and so school gave us two Zoom free days. Mostly, that meant the boys watched a lot of TV and played on … Continue reading Making Stuff 16: Chocolate Banana Cake
Marley’s Cards: a valentine’s story
The wonderful Eric at The Thoughtful Beggar asked me to write this for Valentine’s day 2021. Well, here was a turn up for the books. A bright sunny morning as spring was starting to think about kicking into action, breakfast was almost finished and Sam had run off to play with his Christmas Lego. Dad … Continue reading Marley’s Cards: a valentine’s story
RED January Review
I already shared some pictures of my RED January efforts. Its the first time that I’ve participated in an effort like that, I did some last year but not officially and didn’t run every day. I quite wanted to look back and reflect on how I coped, what I learned and plan what I’m going … Continue reading RED January Review
Lessons in Loss 7: Four-legged Friend
Today’s post comes from the kind and generous Brenda at My Angel’s Voice. Losing my four-legged friend We have and will always experience different types of loss in our lives. Not one is more important than the other…nor will they be without tremendous heartache. But for me. this loss was almost more than I had … Continue reading Lessons in Loss 7: Four-legged Friend
Things I don’t have time for
What with all this home learning and working and the recent spate of regular running, I’ve found that its really hard to fit in all the things. Add to this all the lovely kind people who are sharing extra bits and bobs that might “help” keep us occupied and I’m finding that I’m ignoring lots … Continue reading Things I don’t have time for
December 2020/January 2021 Reading
I’ve decided to do a monthly round up for everything we’ve read each month. Himself focuses on science articles and forums and news, so he’s not getting a section – books only! Large boy Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling It really good and told me all about the world of … Continue reading December 2020/January 2021 Reading
Boy3’s Second Anniversary
Today is the second anniversary of baby boy3 being born. I’m finding things harder this year. With all the busy-ness and stress of working and home learning and me doing RED January, I’ve barely had a moment to pause and take stock. I’m not in a place where I have much that I can put … Continue reading Boy3’s Second Anniversary
RED January in Pictures
If you follow me over on Instagram, you probably won’t have managed to avoid noticing that I’ve been taking part in RED January. Its been a very interesting month to venture out every day, we’ve had some wet weather, some snowy weather, some very cold weather, some dreadful weather, and some really hard runs in … Continue reading RED January in Pictures
Interviewing my kids
I saw a post by Damion at The Northern Dad where he interviewed his kids. I’ve always liked those Facebook Q&A posts to see what funny things our kids say, so I asked and Damion kindly allowed me to steal his idea. The Interview Process We were sitting around the kitchen table, the boys eating … Continue reading Interviewing my kids
Review: Our Kids’ Best Christmas Gifts
As usual the boys got plenty of interesting gifts for Christmas and large boy’s birthday. Rather than telling anyone what we thought of them straight away, I decided to wait until we’d played with them for a while and then do some reviews. Blokus Small boy got Blokus for Christmas from himself’s sister (purchased from … Continue reading Review: Our Kids’ Best Christmas Gifts
Lessons in Loss 6: Losing My Hair
Today’s post comes from the wonderful Michelle at Boomer Eco Crusader. Her blog is a beautiful combination of sage advice, contemplations on health and wellbeing, and touching lessons learned from personal experience. Losing my hair First, a big thank you to Smelly Socks and Garden Peas for asking me to be part of this series. … Continue reading Lessons in Loss 6: Losing My Hair
Scooby Memories
We recently said goodbye to our second Subaru Impreza. Himself has had a long history of affection for scoobies, so he’s going to help write this post. He’s a self-confessed petrolhead, long since a member of various web forums, lover of Top Gear and The Grand Tour, huge consumer of motor racing autobiographies, and if … Continue reading Scooby Memories
Small Joys Tag
Even with all the challenges of 2020, Christmas is a time to be joyful. A big thank you to Michelle from Boomer Eco Crusader for tagging me in the Small Joys Tag. This is a fun tag where I get to share 15 things, and 5 bloggers, that make me happy and bring joy to my … Continue reading Small Joys Tag
Home Learning Round Two
Ding ding ding, seconds out! We’re on our own again, well sort of. As everyone suspected would be the case, English schools closed for the spring term. No, not at the end of the winter term, during the holidays, or just before reopening. No, they closed after one day of the children being back – … Continue reading Home Learning Round Two
Lessons in Loss 5: Musical Interlude
This post is short and simple, inspired by Liz Kershaw on BBC Radio 6 Music discussing Bruce Springsteen’s new album: A Letter to You. I was listening to this show while running not long after I decided to start a series on Lessons in Loss and it really connected with me. A Letter to You … Continue reading Lessons in Loss 5: Musical Interlude
Reflecting on 2020
A year ago I wrote my first looking forward post to 2020. After the awful, disastrous year we had in 2019 I didn’t ask for much. I’m not making resolutions – I just want 2020 to be less painful than 2019 please. Please. And, well, 2020 was certainly a rollercoaster but it wasn’t as painful … Continue reading Reflecting on 2020
Silver Linings
Tens of millions infected. More than a million dead. Businesses crippled. Nearly everyone’s lives upended in ways great and small. All because of COVID-19, which made 2020 a terrible year even for those of us lucky enough to have not been personally touched by the virus. But as we enter 2021 — with all the … Continue reading Silver Linings
Here comes 2021
A year ago I wrote my first looking forward post to 2020. After the awful, disastrous year we had in 2019 I didn’t ask for much. I’m not making resolutions – I just want 2020 to be less painful than 2019 please. Please. And, well, 2020 was certainly a rollercoaster but it wasn’t as painful … Continue reading Here comes 2021
Finding Weakness
Or “I’m not as strong as you think I am” We all see post and self-help articles, memes and books, every day that tell us we are strong, that we are stronger than we believe, that we can find our inner strength in adversity. Well, here I’m talking about the opposite. Sometimes we do find … Continue reading Finding Weakness
My Favourite Christmas Posts 2020
I haven’t taken part in Blogmas this year, the organizational mountain required is just too intimidating. It looks so much fun though, so maybe next year you’ll find me planning Christmas advice in August… or maybe not. Anyway, I would love to share some of the lovely Christmas posts I’ve read by other bloggers over … Continue reading My Favourite Christmas Posts 2020
An ode to my pyjamas
In the days before, when things weren’t strange Pyjamas were bedtime attire, Useful and needed for warmth in the dark Keeping us cosy in the cold of the night. . But hiding indoors away from all people In isolation, quiet and calmness or chaos Grasping for connection and missing old faces, We’ll take any comfort. … Continue reading An ode to my pyjamas
Some Christmas Tags
The Christmas Tag The wonderful Undaunted Adventure has created a lovely new Christmas Tag to share some love between us bloggers. I’m totally thrilled to be nominated in the kick off post. Then a little while later the fabulous Chehak at ChehakChirps and the lovely Gemma at This Brit’s Life tagged me too. The Christmas … Continue reading Some Christmas Tags
Christmas Treat Recipes
I’m trying really hard to get into the spirit of Christmas. It just feels too early still. My brother’s birthday is early December, so I grew up with Christmas not being thought of until after he’d had a celebration. Now large boy’s birthday is around the same time and we do the same thing. The … Continue reading Christmas Treat Recipes
And now he’s nine
This time of year always brings a nostalgia trip for me, as I write this its the 9th anniversary of my waters breaking and being still four days away from meeting large boy. Remembering that first labour, the total lack of respect for my plan shown by our bodies. The complete naivety about birth, sleep, … Continue reading And now he’s nine
Lessons in Loss 3: A Poem
This poem comes from Ingrid at Experiments in Fiction, it was first published on her site in October 2020 and she’s kindly allowed me to share it again here. I love Ingrid’s poetry for its honesty and clarity; her wonderful blog combines her artistic use of words, cuisine and windows into her life. 30 Years … Continue reading Lessons in Loss 3: A Poem
November 2020 Reading
I’ve decided to do a monthly round up for everything we’ve read each month. Himself focuses on science articles and forums and news, so he’s not getting a section – books only! Large boy The Miserable Mill by Lemony Snicket He’s watched the whole TV series on Netflix and the first couple of books, he … Continue reading November 2020 Reading
Inclusion – a how to
Warning: I’m just going to dive right in here, no gentle preamble or stories about silly things the boys did. The issues around inclusion and unconscious bias (as well as just basic exclusion based on gender, race, social position, education, religion, and orientation or identity) are a bit of a bug bear for me. From … Continue reading Inclusion – a how to
Thanksgiving 2020
We live in the UK, so for us Thanksgiving is usually some far off celebration that doesn’t mean very much to us, not unlike Bastille Day or Indian Independence Day. For me, it means a lovely quiet week at work as my company has a large presence in California and the North East of the … Continue reading Thanksgiving 2020
Lessons in Loss 2: Old Friendships
This post comes from Tom at The Doubting Thomas. Does Losing Friends Mean You Should Lose Yourself? When I was asked if I wanted to write a post focusing on our reactions to losses, I had to think long and hard about what I was going to do; I guess I’ve been fortunate enough not … Continue reading Lessons in Loss 2: Old Friendships
Homemade Advent Calendar
Last year I used a beautiful fabric advent calendar that my mum made to plan out a set of activities for the boys. Of course they didn’t all go quite as planned, but we had a great time not eating chocolate. Previous years I’ve been more organised and bought them each a little something each … Continue reading Homemade Advent Calendar
Emotional Football
Or “why watching football with your dad is important for boys”. (Where “dad” means father figure, male respected adult, whatever, just someone not in the “soft and fuzzy” stereotype.) Now, I’m sure that anyone who has read this blog for a while knows that I’m fiercely anti-stereotypes and pro-equality and fairness in the face of … Continue reading Emotional Football
Blogger Recognition Award
Blogger to blogger awards are such a supportive way of showing our appreciation for each other and the work that other bloggers do. I’ve been lucky enough to be nominated for a few other awards in the past, you can access them here: Awards. Each time I’ve been hugely flattered and grateful for the opportunity … Continue reading Blogger Recognition Award
Remembering
11 November 2020 They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun and in the morningWe will remember them. Today I’m remembering the fallen, the sacrifices, the efforts of those involved in and affected by war. I’m remembering … Continue reading Remembering
Keep Up!
How to go for an autumnal walk with the kids in, well, a whole bunch of easy catch phrases. Right, wellies on! Do your coats up, don’t want to freeze. Don’t run across the car park. How can you need a wee? You went before we left. Keep up with Dad please. Watch where you’re … Continue reading Keep Up!
Lessons in Loss
I think about loss from time to time, as you probably know if you’re a regular reader over here. I’ve discussed recovery from loss of a baby and other people’s reactions. But, we don’t only struggle or grieve over the loss of a person – whether they were fully-formed or not. Sometimes loss is part … Continue reading Lessons in Loss
Rite of passage: Watching Top Gear
Does that sound a bit ridiculous? Well, I would have said so too until himself suggested that since its half term and large boy is almost 9 and the clocks went back so it’s not such a late night, would large boy like to stay up and watch Top Gear with us this week. A … Continue reading Rite of passage: Watching Top Gear
Review: Photowall Canvas
Disclaimer: The canvas and frame were gifted to us for the purpose of this review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. I’m the first to admit that I don’t really have very much idea about interior design. We’ve renovated a kitchen in a previous house and two bathrooms here – I just don’t … Continue reading Review: Photowall Canvas
Lessons in Loss 4: Rosary Beads
This post comes from one of the wonderful folk at T.B.C. Rosary Beads Allow me to set the scene. In the past four years I have visited Iraq five times. Four of the visits have been for charitable purposes and to take part in a widely unknown pilgrimage called ‘Arba’een’. Arbaeen is the largest annual … Continue reading Lessons in Loss 4: Rosary Beads
Lessons in Loss 1: Y
First up, is Lovely Bill from A Silly Place. Losing my Y First of all, many thanks to Smelly Socks and Garden Peas for inviting me to take part. I greatly enjoy her blog, and she’s a great supporter of what I do over at A Silly Place. So here goes … When I went … Continue reading Lessons in Loss 1: Y
October 2020 Reading
I’ve decided to do a monthly round up for everything we’ve read each month. Himself focuses on science articles and forums and news, so he’s not getting a section – books only! Large boy Artemis Fowl Artemis is this rich kid who captures and studies fairies and robs banks. He gets attacked by the fairy … Continue reading October 2020 Reading
Sunshine Blogger Award 2
What is the Sunshine Blogger Award? The Sunshine Blogger Award is a peer-recognition award given by bloggers to other super creative, talented, and entertaining bloggers. It is an excellent way of opening yourself to the community and your readers and brings overall positivity to the blogging community. It’s a great feeling to know that other … Continue reading Sunshine Blogger Award 2
Beautiful imperfections
A sunflower whose petals aren’t formed quite right The dewy spiders web with a strand missing The husband who can’t stack tupperware The colouring that goes outside the lines A storyteller who can’t find the right words A stunning landscape on a cloudy day The friend too absorbed in their own troubles The faded design … Continue reading Beautiful imperfections
Baby Loss Awareness Week 2020
It’s Baby Loss Awareness Week. On Thursday 15th October 2020, it’s a special day to remember our babies we didn’t get to keep and raise awareness. I’ll either be taking the day off social media or muting some topics. It’s vitally important that we raise awareness of baby and infant loss and miscarriage. Families that … Continue reading Baby Loss Awareness Week 2020
Hallotober Tag
Exciting Halloween fun for all Bloggers Who doesn’t love a bloggers tag. This Hallotober tag is spooky Halloween fun for bloggers to join in with. It is perfect for those who love this time of year or if you’re joining in with Blogtober this year. The Rules Thank the person who tagged you and link … Continue reading Hallotober Tag
Guilt in the time of COVID
This is one of those random musings posts that I started writing my blog for. Letting the thoughts out of my head. We’re all used to mummy guilt, or parenting guilt. We feel like we aren’t doing enough, or we aren’t doing it well enough, we’re missing things or our kids are missing out or … Continue reading Guilt in the time of COVID
Making stuff 15: gin bottling and jam (2020)
Last year I had a marathon session making jam and chutney and kicking off the gin. The fruit stays steeping in the gin for at least a month, then its bottling time. This year, I wasn’t planning to make any jam, there’s still a cupboard full from last autumn. However, the elderberry laden trees at … Continue reading Making stuff 15: gin bottling and jam (2020)
One of those days
One of those days where every little thing seems hard or stressful or goes wrong. One of those days where no one else is getting things right either. One of those days when the boys share a sofa and end up kicking and twisting each other’s feet. One of those days when you take three … Continue reading One of those days
The homework dilemma
I know homework for primary school children can be a contentious topic. In 2017 an OFSTED report stated that more than 30% of parents don’t think its helpful. Indeed, its recently caused lots of chat in large boy’s class parent’s Facebook group. I certainly found in year 1 that there was a lot to deal … Continue reading The homework dilemma
September 2020 Reading
I’ve decided to do a monthly round up for everything we’ve read each month. Himself focuses on science articles and forums and news, so he’s not getting a section – books only! Large boy North Child by Edith Pattou A child, Rose, meets a polar bear who used to be a man but trolls enchanted … Continue reading September 2020 Reading
Modern day corsets
Warning: I’m feeling a bit ranty. If you disagree with this post, please don’t take it as a judgement or personal attack. I use my blog as an outlet for random thoughts and this is one of those posts. I’ve been seeing these adverts all over on Instagram lately. Adverts for body shaping solutions, basically … Continue reading Modern day corsets
Le Mans 24 Hours 2020: Our Picks
The delayed Le Mans 24 hours race takes place at the Circuit de la Sarthe this weekend (19-20 September 2020). We missed it in June and the experience this weekend has been rather odd – no crowds, no smoke from the campsite barbecues wafting around, and of course much more racing in darkness in September … Continue reading Le Mans 24 Hours 2020: Our Picks
Veggie harvest report
After my progress report a couple of months ago and as we’re nearing the end of vegetable growing season for us, I figured its time for a report on the harvest. I love growing veggies. I’ll never forget the first year that I grew 5 courgette plants in a sun blessed garden and a friend … Continue reading Veggie harvest report
29 hours and a test
So the boys went back to school the first Wednesday of September 2020. On the first Monday of September 2020, 6 days later after just 4 days in school, amounting to 29 hours including their breakfast and afterschool clubs, large boy spiked a 39.4°C temperature and they were both sent home. Booking a test After … Continue reading 29 hours and a test
Post-Lockdown Road Trip: The Reality
We’ve been back a few weeks now and I’m already feeling like we need another holiday. Instead, I’ve been thinking back to all the lovely things we did this summer and how lucky we were to get to go. Back in May 2020, the Lovely Bill over at A Silly Place imagined the end of … Continue reading Post-Lockdown Road Trip: The Reality
Golden Bloggerz Award
What Is The Golden Bloggerz Award? It’s an award made to motivate and reward all these amazing bloggers that work daily to serve their audience and they worth more recognition. Their priority is to do their best to help their readers solve their problems & reach their goals! Rules Place the award logo on your … Continue reading Golden Bloggerz Award
August 2020 Reading
I’ve decided to do a monthly round up for everything we’ve read each month. Himself focuses on science articles and forums and news, so he’s not getting a section – books only! Large boy The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan Apollo is still Lester, a human teenager. He has to defeat Triphinus, the dark Oracle … Continue reading August 2020 Reading
Back to school countdown 2020
Back to school 2020 isn’t quite the same as 2019 was. It’s been so much longer since they were in and we still aren’t quite sure what school will look like next Wednesday. School have sent us an email with some information but there are still plenty of questions. Here’s how we prepare for R-day, … Continue reading Back to school countdown 2020
Staying home, staying safe in review
After 17 weeks of staying home and safe, gradually going out a bit more, and reflecting every week on our ups and downs I’ve learned loads about what keeps our family ticking. Home learning has taught me at least 10 things, doubtless many more. I wanted to look back and reflect on our family’s experiences: … Continue reading Staying home, staying safe in review
Pause and play
Contradictory title right? Well, yeah kinda. But let me explain. The other day large boy spent an hour chatting with his best mate on my phone and multitasking playing together on Roblox on the tablet. This left small boy and I at a loose end. What should we do together? Spurned were ideas of reading, … Continue reading Pause and play
The Vincent Ehindero Blogger Award
The brilliant Live, Parent, Teach, Repeat answered some questions. Go check out her answers and the rest of her blog, and her nominees of course. The absolutely lovely Smelly Socks and Garden Peas nominated me for this award. I’m continually grateful for the support she gives to my little blog and suggest, no, damn right … Continue reading The Vincent Ehindero Blogger Award
The Liebster Award
Yey!! I’ve been nominated for an award! A big thank you to my fellow blogger who nominated me, the lovely Lindsay from Live Parent Teach Repeat. The Liebster Award is by bloggers for bloggers. The award is a great way to “pay it forward” in the blogging community, encouraging us bloggers to keep discovering others in … Continue reading The Liebster Award
Learning to run: part 4
I started running a bit on holiday in summer 2019. Then that autumn I started couch to 5km, never finished it as I got a bit bored of the treadmill. In January, I ran every day except Sundays, finally making it to 5km. Then in February and March I managed 10km, surprising myself and discovering … Continue reading Learning to run: part 4
Holiday 2020 Roundup
This is just a round up of our 2020 summer holidays. We gave up our usual jaunt to a Eurocamp somewhere hot in France (like last year). We had long since dreamed of and longed for a road trip to visit family. The lovely Bill over at A Silly Place imagined the end of lock … Continue reading Holiday 2020 Roundup
Holiday 2020 days 16-17
This year we’re foregoing our usual jaunt to a Eurocamp somewhere hot in France (like last year). Instead, we’re playing out the dreamed of and longed for road trip to visit family. The lovely Bill over at A Silly Place imagined the end of lock down and passed the baton to me, having received it … Continue reading Holiday 2020 days 16-17
Holiday 2020 days 13-15
This year we’re foregoing our usual jaunt to a Eurocamp somewhere hot in France (like last year). Instead, we’re playing out the dreamed of and longed for road trip to visit family. The lovely Bill over at A Silly Place imagined the end of lock down and passed the baton to me, having received it … Continue reading Holiday 2020 days 13-15
Holiday 2020 days 10-12
This year we’re foregoing our usual jaunt to a Eurocamp somewhere hot in France (like last year). Instead, we’re playing out the dreamed of and longed for road trip to visit family. The lovely Bill over at A Silly Place imagined the end of lock down and passed the baton to me, having received it … Continue reading Holiday 2020 days 10-12
Interview With a Parent – @andsmelly
Thank you so much The Doubting Thomas for including me in your series. It was so interesting to step back and think about my answers. If you’re reading this and don’t already follow Tom, go visit his blog now – its marvelous. So it’s now time for the LAST EVER “Interview With a Parent”! I … Continue reading Interview With a Parent – @andsmelly
Holiday 2020 days 7-9
This year we’re foregoing our usual jaunt to a Eurocamp somewhere hot in France (like last year). Instead, we’re playing out the dreamed of and longed for road trip to visit family. The lovely Bill over at A Silly Place imagined the end of lock down and passed the baton to me, having received it … Continue reading Holiday 2020 days 7-9
9 Things learnt on a wet holiday
This summer our planned expedition to deepest darkest France, meant to be like last year, was cancelled. Instead, we headed to bonny Scotland where we learned many things about travelling with kids in bad weather. When I say bad I mean it poured. We were soaked to the skin on more than one occasion. Sure … Continue reading 9 Things learnt on a wet holiday
Holiday 2020 days 4-6
This year we’re foregoing our usual jaunt to a Eurocamp somewhere hot in France (like last year). Instead, we’re playing out the dreamed of and longed for road trip to visit family. The lovely Bill over at A Silly Place imagined the end of lock down and passed the baton to me, having received it … Continue reading Holiday 2020 days 4-6
Holiday 2020 days 1-3
This year we’re foregoing our usual jaunt to a Eurocamp somewhere hot in France (like last year). Instead, we’re playing out the dreamed of and longed for road trip to visit family. The lovely Bill over at A Silly Place imagined the end of lock down and passed the baton to me, having received it … Continue reading Holiday 2020 days 1-3
July 2020 Reading
I’ve decided to do a monthly round up for everything we’ve read each month. Himself focuses on science articles and forums and news, so he’s not getting a section – books only! Large boy Jack Stalwart 3 France: the Mystery of the Mona Lisa by Elizabeth Singer Hunt Well, come bedtime on 1st July large … Continue reading July 2020 Reading
Holiday 2019 Round Up
This is just a round up of our 2019 summer holidays. We had loads of fun in the Loire and Dordogne in France. D minus 1 Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Day 14 Day … Continue reading Holiday 2019 Round Up
Review: Dobble
It’s still only a few weeks since small boy’s birthday so we’re working our way through his new games. We loved Bug Bingo and this weekend we decided to give Dobble a go. This was another Amazon wishlist purchase: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Asmodee-ASMDOBB01EN-Dobble-Card-Game/dp/B0031QBHMA Getting Started Inside the packaging (bah humbug, too much unnecessary plastic) there’s a lovely compact … Continue reading Review: Dobble
Veggie progress report
I love growing veggies. I’ll never forget the first year that I grew 5 courgette plants in a sun blessed garden and a friend gave me 8 tomato plants. Himself is only just coming back round to considering courgettes acceptable on his plate after 3 months of me sneaking them into almost every meal. The … Continue reading Veggie progress report
10 Things Home Learning has Taught Me
Its been said thousands of times by, well, pretty much everyone. 2020 hasn’t quite been what anyone could have expected at the start of the year. I’m not going to get absorbed by the ins and outs and the politics of how we’ve ended up in such an awful mess. The 17 weeks we spent … Continue reading 10 Things Home Learning has Taught Me
Staying home, staying safe – week 17
This is a little diary of our seventeenth week in social isolation (well, ish by this point), encumbered by home learning’s last week, working from home, and himself in work from time to time. It seems a very long time since this all started now. With the end of term on Friday, this is going … Continue reading Staying home, staying safe – week 17
A morsel of normality
So today I nibbled on a morsel of normality. I went to the hairdressers. I feel totally frivolous and self-centred and vain. Its selfish and way unnecessary, just going somewhere with other people is a risk to me and them and everyone’s families. I feel guilty and self-indulgent. I’m justifying it to myself as an … Continue reading A morsel of normality
Review: Bug Bingo
Some lovely friends bought Bug Bingo for small boy for his fifth birthday. We’d first seen it in a National Trust gift shop and put it on his Amazon wishlist last autumn. Its a totally gorgeous game. Physically, its tough and well made, the cards have weight to them and the board is foldable – … Continue reading Review: Bug Bingo
Staying home, staying safe – week 16
This is a little diary of our sixteenth week in social isolation (well, ish by this point), encumbered by home learning, working from home, and himself in work from time to time. It seems a very long time since this all started now. Here are the highlights and lowlights. See what happened in week 15. … Continue reading Staying home, staying safe – week 16
The Home Stretch?
As we approach the end of the summer term in England, its tempting to feel like this is the home stretch towards a brighter reality without the weight of home learning hanging around our necks. I’m bracing myself though, for that being totally unrealistic. School Holidays After the end of term comes school holidays. Not … Continue reading The Home Stretch?
Review: Delamere Forest
We love a good outdoorsy day out in this house. We’re usually prepared to drive up to an hour for something promising. When Bewilderwood Cheshire opens, we’ll be there in a shot! This weekend gone, himself was suffering with a bit of cabin fever having hardly left the house all week. So on Sunday morning … Continue reading Review: Delamere Forest
Staying home, staying safe – week 15
This is a little diary of our fifteenth week in social isolation (well, ish by this point), encumbered by home learning, working from home, and himself in work from time to time. It seems a very long time since this all started now. Here are the highlights and lowlights. See what happened in week 14. … Continue reading Staying home, staying safe – week 15
June 2020 Reading
This is not a sponsored review, I didn’t receive anything for writing it. Any links are not sponsored either, I won’t be compensated if you click on them. I’ve decided to do a monthly round up for everything we’ve read each month. Himself focuses on science articles and forums and news, so he’s not getting … Continue reading June 2020 Reading
The Ideal Inspiration Blogger Award
The fabulous Eddie at Yorkie… Not Just For Dads recently nominated me for the Ideal Inspiration Blogger Award. Its always hugely flattering for another blogger to think of me when they choose who to nominate. It means someone likes what I’m writing and they’re kind enough to want to share my blog with other people. … Continue reading The Ideal Inspiration Blogger Award
Staying home, staying safe – week 14
This is a little diary of our fourteenth week in social isolation (well, ish by this point), encumbered by home learning, working from home, and himself in work from time to time. It seems a very long time since this all started now. Here are the highlights and lowlights. See what happened in week 13. … Continue reading Staying home, staying safe – week 14
And now he’s five
Nostalgia strikes again. What is it about kids birthdays that makes us look back at their birth and how they’ve changed each year? Five years ago, a nice calm scheduled C section put an end to the three weeks of slow labour and the five weeks of boredom since starting maternity leave early, convinced we … Continue reading And now he’s five
Simple pleasures
Taking a minute to pause and enjoy simplicity is so good for feeling more positive. I had a compressed day at work yesterday, trying to do at least three things at once through most of the day, squeezing in home learning too. It was non-stop and I was feeling hassled and stressed. After dinner, while … Continue reading Simple pleasures
ITP, our experience
On 22 April 2017, we woke up to a 22 month old with a purple rash that looked like he’d been splattered with paint from chin to waist and on his back and arms. It didn’t disappear under pressure so our minds went straight to meningitis. As he was oherwise well and happy with no … Continue reading ITP, our experience
Staying home, staying safe – week 13
This is a little diary of our thirteenth week in social isolation, encumbered by home learning, working from home, and himself in work a few days. It seems a very long time since this all started now. Here are the highlights and lowlights. See what happened in week 12. What will week 14 bring? Stay … Continue reading Staying home, staying safe – week 13
Non-birthday
I was going to write a post yesterday about boy3’s not first birthday. But it all feels a bit strange. I’ve written before about some excellent advice from a friend: There’s only one first time. She’s very right. 17th June 2019 was the first time we lived through boy3’s birthday without him. It was meant … Continue reading Non-birthday
Missing Le Mans 24 Hours
Last weekend should have been the 24 hours of Le Mans 2020. We were never going to go this year. Well, me and the kids definitely not. Himself always harbours ideas about a last minute dash there and back in 3 days. He’s never done it though, we’ve always booked by Easter. So while we … Continue reading Missing Le Mans 24 Hours
Staying home, staying safe – week 12
This is a little diary of our twelfth week in social isolation, back to home learning after half term, me working from home, and himself in work a few days. Here are the highlights and low lights. See what happened in week 11. What will week 13 bring? Stay safe everyone, I hope you’re doing … Continue reading Staying home, staying safe – week 12
Making Stuff 14: Cocktails 2020
I love a cocktail and I recently bought myself a proper shaker and some martini glasses. I rarely follow recipes though and enjoy making things up a bit as I go. Poor Man’s Kir Royale Yeah, so who can afford champagne and creme de cassis is so 90s! In this house we drink prosecco with … Continue reading Making Stuff 14: Cocktails 2020
First blogiversary
Wow! A year ago today I clicked go on WordPress and Twitter and created my first blog site and anonymous account. Thinking back to my first post, I didn’t have the least idea what I was doing (not that I do now). I just started writing as though I was chatting to a friend. The … Continue reading First blogiversary
Ma deuxième langue: 3ème étape
Ça fait un certain temps que j’ai voulu écrire quelque chose en Français. Cela est assez dur pour moi, je parle assez facilement mais a l’écrit mon Français n’est pas terrible! Donc, s’il vous plait, soyez gentilles avec tous les fautes qui suivent. Il y a 7 mois ou plus, j’étais à Paris pour mon … Continue reading Ma deuxième langue: 3ème étape
Staying home, staying safe – week 11
This is a little diary of our eleventh week in social isolation, back to home learning after half term, me working from home, and himself in work a few days. Here are the highlights and low lights. See what happened in week 10. What will week 12 bring? Stay safe everyone, I hope you’re doing … Continue reading Staying home, staying safe – week 11
Missing things
So far I’ve been coping pretty well with lockdown. I’m used to being stuck in the house all day and working remotely, himself keeps out of the way and the boys get on pretty well and have mostly been OK doing school work. We’ve adapted to a new normal routine and that’s ok. However, there … Continue reading Missing things
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