What We Got up to In April

Wow April just flew by huh? I don't think it was a very busy month all in all quite chilled out really. I started it with a visit from my friend who brought her 3 little ones down to stay locally and that was a nice visit even if it was a quick one. Because of tooth pain I have spent a lot of April being pretty lazy and chilling with the pooch who kept me company on my low days. We did a fun colouring book Twitter party and the children got their own books, crayons and masks to wear while I Tweeted along, I thought it was fun!

 A masked Midge// Peppa Dog sunning herself// My happy place on the sand// Porthleven harbour// Seaside// Footprints in the sand// Siblings on the beach// Breakfast in bed// Frank the cat

I also spent a weekend at my parents house with Midge and Roo at the beginning of April. It helped take my mind off things. We went to the beach, I got caught on 3 occasions by sitting down watching the children and not noticing the tide coming in! The children had so much fun running around, Roo really enjoyed himself once he got used to the feeling of the sand. I think I'll get him some beach shoes soon. I was really in my happy place. We baked cakes, watched Iron Man, had hot chocolate, a lovely hot bath each and I made Mum and Dad breakfast in bed as I got up early leaving Roo watching Netflix and Midge still snoring away.

 Peppa and I chilling// Quick Costa// The Dawlish line// Time with Little T// Roo on the merry-go-round// Blossom// Breakfast// Roo reading// Scrap booking letters

I went away for 3 days to Trowbridge to see my friend and her brood. The train journey up there wasn't fantastic, well once we switched at Plymouth it wasn't so bad! I always get nervous going across the Dawlish line because the waves can get pretty big and you'd have to live under a rock not to have heard of the damage caused by the sea in that awful storm last year. It's a lovely bit to pass but it always unsettles me! Coming back to my babies was wonderful though, I really missed them and Mr B as I always do. 

Peppa in the sun watching me clean// Pen pal writing// Delicious salad// First visit to new dentist// Screen time with the kids// Roo as Iron Man// Steam engine at Trevithick Day// The Viewers band// Roo admiring hand crafted boats

The end of April I had my first appointment at the new dentist (he's fantastic by the way) and I got everything sorted for future appointments including 1 filling and 1 root canal but I'm not so frightened about them anymore. We had a lovely day at Trevithick Day on April 30th. We only saw a few steam trains because Roo was with us and it's really about how much he can deal with. He loved watching the band for 10 minutes and we escaped to see the miniature railway, hand crafted boats and Meccano projects, all very interesting. They both had fun bouncing around on the giant bouncy castle and bought a Slushie to share plus getting a treat each. Roo chose a new dog which was red and reminded him of the red dinosaur teddy he dropped on the train track last year heading to Cambridge *sniff sniff* 

It's fair to say April was a bit tough much like March. Now I'm in May and am pretty much pain free my mood has lifted considerably. The weather has helped a lot too of course but it isn't that reliable! I have no big things planned in May, we are just plodding along with school, hygienist appointments and whatever else life has planned for us.

April on the Blog

I pretty much had a blogging break over April but I did write about a lovely crafty day I had with the children, our March catch up plus doing my usual blogging on a train thing I do whenever I'm well, on a train.

Hope April was good for my lovely readers

Cupcake Mumma x

Reasons to Smile ~ March and April

As both March and April were quite difficult months for me in terms of low mood and some stressful goings on, I didn't feel I could pick out 10 things for each month but I didn't want to ignore the wonderful things that did happen so I've combined March and April together for this happy post.

March

1) Seeing my sister! Issy came down to celebrate her birthday and I put on a spread for her and some of the family. I baked a cake which wasn't great but tasted fine so that's the main thing!

2) Parents evening this year was really encouraging. Midge is doing well and I got to hear so many wonderful things about my number one girl, she makes me so proud. I wish they knew how they were getting on at swimming though because I have no clue! She just says "Well, I didn't drown today," so I'm guessing it's not going all that well but she's trying!! Little A is being referred to a educational psychologist to come in and see him and his teachers so we can get some ideas on how he learns best. He's doing well but does struggle to settle down and focus on his reading and writing.

3) Reading lots! I got to read at least 4 books and I was so happy to be enjoying my books again. I dip in and out of my reading, when I do read though I read a lot and I love it.

The Unmumsy Mum, I enjoyed reading this book

4) I've been discovering some new free from goodies at Tesco! I've found some delicious ice cream which reminds me of mini magnums! They've brought back chocolate ice cream tubs too and garlic bread is new! I enjoyed some chicken nuggets and since Midge has been free from wheat for a few months now she was over the moon to have them on her plate.

New soya yogurts, ice cream, ginger biscuits and garlic bread

5) Making candy bunnies and cones for Easter which people loved. I had great fun making these, I made them for a few of the children's friends and for their teachers and helpers then I sent some off to a Facebook friend who wanted some for her children. I loved getting a smiley photo on Twitter from one of her children holding his bunny packets!

Bunny bags and candy cones

April

1)  Seeing Kat and the kids. Kat visited fleetingly at the beginning of April which was lovely and I made my way up to see her on April 15th for her birthday. I stayed for 3 days and had a lovely time with her and the children, it was all pretty relaxed (well, as it can be with 3 little ones and a teenager!) I think we all had fun celebrating Kats birthday with cake and gifts.

2) My new dentist. He is so wonderful and although I'm still a very anxious patient, I am able to go through with the treatment I need and I now feel positive about my future treatments.

3) Trevithick Day was once again a brilliant success. Last year I only took Midge with me as we were still struggling with Little A's sensory processing difficulties, but this year we were more prepared and we all had a fantastic time. The children understood it was one ride each, they both happily spent 10 minutes on a huge bouncy castle while I watched, wishing adults could have a go too. We listened to some live music, saw lots of school friends, shared a blue Slushie and both children bought something from a stall. We all enjoyed looking at the miniature railways, Meccano and the boats too.

Little A looking at all the boats

4) I took the children to Pothleven to see Pops and Grandma which as usual they really enjoyed. It was a very relaxing weekend and to be honest, none of us wanted to go home but we couldn't stay becasue we had school the next day! We enjoyed a roast dinner and some cake baking but what we all most enjoyed was being by the sea, playing in the waves and burying our feet in the sand.

Siblings on the sand

Beautiful seaside

5) I caught up on some pen pal letters in April and after clearing up the clutter in my bedroom I have found my room to be my favourite space in the house. It is calm and peaceful which I love and it's been so nice to write while having the window open and the fresh air flowing through.

The dog likes to keep me company when I'm upstairs

As always I'd love to hear what made you happy in March or April, do share in the comments below!

Cupcake Mumma

Ten Things to Smile About April

April was a lovely month for us. Sure, Mr B had to do overtime a lot but it's worked out okay and we had to cancel a family holiday to Cambridge for definite because it was just too pricey but again, not so bad really, we can plan some nice things for the children in the summer holidays instead to make up for it! As usual I'm writing up my Ten Reasons to Smile and I've found a new link up at Cornish Mum which you should all check out too.

1) Firstly I enjoyed several Costa's this month. One with both the children over Easter and one just me and Little A before nursery. In order to form better spending habits I didn't set foot in a Costa at all in the last week of April. I've been going too often and wasting money, I'm annoyed at myself! I enjoyed my dates with the children though, we had a lovely time.

2) An impromptu day in the sun watching the children cycle up and down the street was followed by a camp out in the lounge and homemade S'mores (gluten and milk free style!) so tasty and a great night (even if it was one which ended in severe back ache!) 

3) Happy mail from New Zealand! My friend holidayed over there for two weeks and sent me back some snacks and two postcards which was really kind.

4) Plenty of reading. I love picking up books and grabbed some recipe books from the library which I copied recipes from before returning promptly (to avoid charges which I'm oh so good at incurring) I read crime novels which I rarely read (I won't pick up another again for a while, they really get in my head and freak me out but they're so well written and hard to put down. I'm having a break at the moment to enjoy other hobbies but a good book is never far away.)

5) We enjoyed nature on our school walks. The children have found snails, pine cones, different birds and a nest too. It didn't look like there were inhabitants in it anymore but we still walk by quietly just in case.

6) We had a lovely day in Penzance to see my Gran at the beginning of the month. To get out of the house we all took a walk by a river then went paddling for a bit. I had a lovely time with my babies dipping our toes into the water and giggling. A big dinner followed, it was such a nice day.

7) To spend some time with my sister I went to my parents house with Little A. Midge had stayed the night so was already there. We went to the beach and I took some nice photos of my parents hometown. I had a paddle, chased Midge with seaweed and just re-embraced my inner child.

8) Mr B won his football cup! Since this is a late post he has now had his final cup game which they also won! Yippee! He's the one sticking out like a sore thumb in his bright yellow goal keepers kit.

9) Trevithick Day with Midge was a lovely day. I really enjoyed the rides, the cheeky chips and bacon and of course the steam engines. Spending time alone with Midge was obviously great and in May we are off for a break, for 5 days just us girls!

10) Finally a few happy April thoughts to do with the little things. Midges room was done and I'm really pleased with the result. Midge has been doing well in school, going into another phonics group, getting good results on spelling tests and loving her reading. Little A has been continuing to thrive in nursery, he got accepted into the same school as his sister and has been in general much easier (give or take a few days!) to be around.

What made your April a happy month? I'd love to know.

Cupcake Mumma

All About April ~ A-Z Challenge 2015

It's been a while since I participated in a blog challenge but I feel like giving it all a darn good try again! My first post for this challenge is April, what it has in store for us and why I love it! Nice and simple.

April at The Cupcakes...

Its the 2 week Easter holidays here and so far we're having a good time! There's a lovely family Easter lunch to look forward to and of course our Easter eggs! We also have a belated family meal out to celebrate two birthdays from March. One was my sisters who is now 21 but has only just managed to get home from university for a break.

I can sense lots of happy mail happening this month! From book swaps to pen pal writing I'm looking forward to a busy post box this month.

I'll be shortly getting little A's school report through which im very keen to read. I know he's come so far since starting nursery. Then we'll have his parent and teacher meeting too, exciting!

Trevithick Day! This is a celebratory day in my local town which we look forward to every year. We see old steam engines, vintage cars, eat candy floss and enjoy local crafts plus rides. It's good fun!

Also another local affair, the food festival in Porthleven which was a wash out last year. Here's hoping the weather is kinder so we can eat scallops, buy handmade items, listen to live music, experience the children's area and drink Cider. Ooo Err!

Why I Love April..

Easter stories, eggs and the fun egg trails.

Although it's still chilly, mostly the sun shines and I feel Spring sweep over me and the children when we're out.

The Easter holiday mean lay ins! I've had one until 10 o'clock this week!

Birthdays! One of my best friends, my Niece and Nephew and a friends little girl all have April birthdays (and I love birthdays!)

What do you love about April? Joining in the A-Z Challenge? I'll be sure to visit you back, just leave me a link below!

A-Z Challenge: T

T is for The Simple Woman's Daybook April

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...

It has turned rather chilly now but for most of the day the sun has shone, which has been nice. Right now though it's cold and the sun hasn't quite gone down therefore completely convincing the children it's not bedtime yet. Thanks clock change...

I am thinking...

About what I'll do tomorrow, what I'll blog, if I'll have another fight to get Midge to school(even though she loves it when she gets there) I'm thinking, am I going to get a good sleep tonight? and how long will Little A suffer with the pox!?

I am thankful...

For my home, my family, my health. For my amazing osteopath, for good dairy free chocolate and lovely, thick duvets to snuggle up in when I can't turn the heating on.

In the kitchen...

My dryer is busy whirring around making all sorts of noise. My washing machine is waiting expectantly for Hubby to come home with his horribly muddy football kit. All the dishes are piled to be put away and my 'to do' list is still blank..not for long.

I am wearing...

A jumper (that isn't thick enough) but is rather comfy, some PJ bottoms (my instant go-to once the school run is over) and some new pink nails! 

I am creating...

A funny monster thing from my craft box for Midge and I'm writing lots of letters which means I'm creating happiness for mail boxes!!

I am going...

To post more letters tomorrow, bake something and snuggle with my chickenpox boy! 

I am wondering...

Will there ever be a day of good news? The continuous bad news and negativity is so disheartening.

I am reading...

Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire...Again! In between my blog reading of course.

I am hoping...

For sun this Saturday as it's a local celebration day which I'm really looking forward to.

I am looking forward to...

This weekend! Trevithick Day, candyfloss, steam engines, Mum and Dad over for the day and morning ballet with Midge.

I am learning..

To manage my diet properly in order to feel better. It's all about making new habits- which isn't easy!

Around the house...

Some things are getting sorted but upstairs is a total mess with a whole bedroom to re decorate. It will have to wait though, poorly babies and all!

A favorite quote for today...

'"If you don't help yourself, no one else can"

One of my favorite things...

Cuddles

A few plans for the rest of the week:

School runs, post office trips, blogging and looking forward to Saturday. There's lots of housework to be done too!

A peek into my day...

Hope you like my different take on the letter 'T' today.

CupcakeMumma