Keeping it Real ~ A to Z Challenge

It's very easy to read blogs and watch vlogs and come to the conclusion that all a lot of us do are fun days out, educational activities, messy play and that we're happy-happy in our wonderfully tidy home. The truth? Well for me my blog is for memories and snippets, I don't really need to look back at the bad times (not to say I don't blog the real stuff, my mental health page for a start) but I get how people feel. So just for those of you who need a bit of 'please tell me I'm not the only one who can't keep my sh*t together!' This ones for you (because I can't either...)

Exhibit A- The Never Shrinking Laundry

I'm a Stay at Home Mum so my laundry should be under control right? Wrong. See also:

Exhibit B- The Multiplying Dishes

Seriously I wash, I scour the house, I tip the water away and an hour later it's like the Mount Everest of dirty dishes.

Exhibit C- The Dying Tumble Dryer

Do you have something in your home that is on its last legs but not quite done yet, so you keep it regardless of it being old and only working upside down?

Exhibit D- Clutter is the curse of all

The charity bags that pile up

The toddler bed that's been sat there for at least 2 months now (maybe longer)

The dumping ground (more commonly known as the dining table that hasn't seen a family dinner in a fair while )

Other things that keep me real:

My kids don't shower all the time and they don't stink so I won't go feeling bad about it.

My house hasn't seen polish in at least a month.

I shout, and swear and sometimes both at the same time.

We don't go out lots, we rarely do messy play, homework will be the death of me, I miss appointments, I still co sleep with my four year old, I am evil when woken up at stupid o'clock and I care too much about the mums at school (and everyone else)

What keeps you real? Can you identify with any of these? I sure hope so else I'm just going to hide under this duvet and never come out! (Yes I'm watching kids TV, with a duvet before nursery...cleaning can wait ;)

Cupcake Mumma

Imagination ~ A to Z challenge

As a child I had a great imagination. I thought I saw Father Christmas, I played awesome role play games with my siblings, I could pretend quite easily I had an invisible friend (George) and my beloved dog Holly who passed away would walk next to me when I was at school (only in my head of course!) As I've grown up I've lost a lot of imagination. Even for simple things to be honest. I love watching my children use theirs now, it makes me so warm inside. Twigs can be swords, trees are horses, they role play all kinds of games in their minds and talk to themselves (of course to them they're playing an ace game all alone, but to us they're just shut in a room with thin air- see, no imagination ha ha!)

The reason I'm writing all this is because Midge has been asked to imagine what the tooth fairy looks like and what she does with all our teeth. Below is a picture she has drawn and I've labelled and I've written exactly what she's said to me. First, my turn. I want to use my imagination a bit too. Tooth fairies were the only things that kept me happy as a child when I'd lose a tooth or had a wobbly one. Now I hate anything to do with teeth, dentists anything at all! I wonder how it changed?

Anyway, The tooth fairy to my mind is very small, with white sparkly wings, blond hair, a small white bag for her teeth (she shrinks the teeth she collects) She wears a very sparkly white dress and has pale skin. She takes the teeth and cleans them up until they're dazzling white and adds them to her castle. There, that's made me feel warm and fuzzy!

Here's Midges take on the tooth fairy-

The tooth fairy is as small as mouse and wears a little pink dress. She has a magic wand that she uses to shrink my teeth and she swaps it for money (sometimes a £1!) She puts the small tooth into her purse and then when she gets home she cleans it up and uses it to build bridges, castles, houses and paths in her fairy land!

Cupcake Mumma

Harry Potter! A-Z Challenge

There really could be no other topic for today's letter. I adore Harry Potter. The books, the movies, the studio tour which I visited last October, it's all amazing! I first read the books when I was 15 which was some time after they were released. After that I would pick up every book. I watched the films and enjoyed them but it's only the last couple of years that I've really got into the whole Harry Potter fan club!

I enjoy playing the games on the Playstation, have all the books and films, some postcards, a mug and notebook plus several tops and PJ bottoms! I have a broach I added the Deathly Hallows to too:

The tour was amazing, here are some photos:

My favourite characters are Luna Lovegood, Harry Potter, Mrs Weasly and Bellatrix Lastrange.

Do you love Harry Potter too? I'd love to know what your favourite film/character/souvenir is. Have you been to the studios or even to the Florida tour?

Cupcake Mumma

Great First Week of Easter Holidays ~ Week 14 ~ AtoZChallenge

Oh we've had a lovely first week of the Easter holidays. We are now on week 2 and I doubt you'll get the same photos as last week! We started Monday by going to Penzance to visit several fellow Mums and their children. We had chips, popcorn, chatted and laughed and more. The children played wonderfully and even had a little egg hunt around the house (which was a converted chapel and stunning may I add!) we all enjoyed our train journey to and from Penzance.

On Tuesday I took the children to town to pick up a parcel and then they tagged along for my nurses appointment at the doctors...fun! They were rewarded by a lunch out in Weatherspoons and daddy arrived after work which was a lovely surprise.

Wednesday was a day of rest for me! We literally did very little a part from movies and playing inside with cars, trains and what not. Okay I observed more than join in but you know...Thursday oh wow I read a whole book in one day, I was so proud of myself! Midge went to my Mums' to stay for two nights. She baked Easter cupcakes and had cat cuddles plus more adventures with my sister who is down at the moment.

Train journey// Playing nicely// Easter egg hunt success// Lunch out// Catching up with Kat and Baby T via skype// Big breakfast// Book I read in one day// Banana cake- yum!

Friday was pamper day! Midge and my sister both got their nails done while my Mum and I went and had back and neck massages (very nice, shame the effects didn't last longer though!) It was very relaxing and a welcome change from home. Midge went back with Mum and I went home to cook a spag Bol which I devoured. Turkey mince is so good for the record.

On Saturday Little A and I just chilled out together waiting for Midge to come home. They played together for ages and I cooked a little while they were both entertained! I watched Friends today and caught up on TV. The weather wasn't great so we didn't get to watch Jay play football, hopefully will this Saturday. Sunday was lovely, you can read about it here. A whole afternoon at my Gran's house with all the family (nearly all, my brother is still up country) it was a great day with adventure and good food.

Easter cupcakes by Midge// New socks!// My sister getting pampered// Midge's turn!// Hot chocolate in a favourite mug// Easter eggs!// Easter muffin// On the way to Penzance for family time// Paddling

Cupcake Mumma 

Easter with The Cupcakes ~ A-Z Challenge

Yesterday was Easter Sunday. I wasn't over enthused about heading over to my families get together because I'm a bit of a hermit and having been out a fair bit in the last week with the children I really wanted to 'just be' in my home. I've since thought things through and given a recent family scare, this Easter could have so easily not have been how it was today. You have to grab these things, it's so important.

We had a slow morning with the children discovering all the treats. I had muffins, Jason some mini chocolate eggs and both the children had an Easter egg they loved.

We went to see my Gran and my Aunt who were with my Dad and Sister waiting for us. My sister was cooking our roast which we settled down to after having a chat and letting the children play about. We had jelly, ice cream and even cake for pudding which all went down very well!

Five of us then went for a walk and a paddle before settling down for a final drink and chat before Grandma drove us back home. I ate my Easter egg shortly after the children went to bed and enjoyed every last bite of my orange chocolaty goodness! Such a wonderful day.

I hope you enjoyed your Easter weekend too.

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!