Now We're Three ~ A Letter to my Children

My beautiful children,

I could write this and pop it into a box or find some place safe but you know me, it'll end up lost under all sorts of other bits. So I'm writing it here, where all our other memories are and all my other thoughts are for you to one day read and look back on.

I'm sorry things didn't go the way we planned. I loved your Daddy very much, and for a long time he loved me too. But for a few months we drifted, then life, money and work got into the way and we lost ourselves. Sadly we drifted apart and one day Daddy left. For a long time we worked well but we are so very, very different and as we grew older we noticed this more and more. Daddy leaving was a shock, I never thought it would happen to me, to us. There's a lesson there my little ones, none of us are invincible to anything in this life.

I will never forgot your faces on the morning we told you Daddy didn't love Mummy anymore. Especially yours Midge, I know it hurt you a lot my sensitive, beautiful little girl. You both have come so far in just a few months and you must know I am incredibly proud of you. 

As a new family of 3 it's been tough at times hey?! Mummy has dropped a few balls but you know why? It's because I'm not perfect. It's because I was hurt and upset and I had to stay strong, face things that scared the hell out of me but I'd do those things again and again and again and I'd try not to drop those balls but sometimes juggling is hard! You'll understand one day.

I'm not going to say I hope you're happy because I know you are. You have both carried on doing well as usual in school, we've had lost teeth, more gym badges, new clubs, residential school trips, days out, and we totally conquered our first Easter holiday as a single parent family *yey!*

Yesterday you met your Dads' new girl-friend for the first time. You seem to like her, I'm glad she's nice and I hope in time you'll have some fun together. Just remember, she's going to be cool, nice and fun and I'm Mumma. I have to be all those things but I also have to tell you off and run our house, sort all your things and keep you in check and I won't always be as cool as her. I want you to know that you never have to hide anything from me, that I'm always here and I love you so very much. If there's anyone in this world that wants to help you, be there for you and love you in a way no other person can it's me. I am always here for you my babies and I know I won't always be fun, I won't be able to drive you to days out or holidays but I can and will always try to do and give you my best.

I'm happy for your Daddy. I don't always feel friendly or happy but one day you'll understand this. I'm also happy too. In a couple of months you'll meet someone who is special to Mummy and I hope you like him as much as Mummy does. Your Daddy will feel the same as me and he will always be there for you. You have so many people looking out for you. So many people who love you guys and I hope you never forget that.

I love you, I am proud of you and I thank you for being the two most amazing children I have ever known. How lucky I am that you call me 'Mumma.'

Cupcake Mumma

Paradise Park Cornwall ~ Birthday Treat Part 1!

Hi Cupcakes!

Yesterday we commenced phase 1 of Little A's birthday (which is in 2 days time...6 eek!) We decided to go to a place we have been many a time and is a favourite attraction of ours in Cornwall: Paradise Park!

We have celebrated at least 4 birthdays here in different years, the children just don't seem to tire of it! I actually really love visiting too. We were going by A's plan this time as he is much older than the last time we visited as a family and it was his treat after all. He wanted to play in the Jungle Barn before doing anything else. Normally we make a big thing of doing things in such an order but do you know what? Why do we!? The children must have spent 2 hours in the Jungle Barn then were more than happy to go and look at the animals. They enjoyed it more because they did things their way and I am going to take this approach again in the future!

Midge went around following the fairy and pirate treasure hunt and she enjoyed it. I'm usually the one doing it as we go around because they're more interested in rushing around to get to the play area! Here are some photos I took of just a selection of the parks beautiful birds:

Flamingos. Their colour is simply beautiful

Northern White Faced Owls So fluffy and cute but they'll nip ya!

Buffon's Macaw. He was so, so beautiful

Red Squirrel 

We looked at all the different birds, the owls were a big hit this year even with me. We saw the red pandas who were hiding away ignoring people (I don't blame them) and then we went to the farm area where we hung out on the play equipment, stroked a giant rabbit and said hello to the sheep.

A on the Tractor!

Oh yes...We found some dinosaurs again!

After lunch which was a nice little picnic from home and a few treats from the shop, we hopped aboard the little train that runs round part of the park. It takes you around twice and only cost us £1 each. I got a few nice snaps as we went around:

We had such a lovely day. Midge said she loved the whole park and couldn't possibly pick a favourite part. Little A loved the Jungle Barn, the train and posing with the dinosaurs and I loved chilling out with my children, taking photos of some truly wonderful birds and seeing a flamingo egg! Mr B was feeling rotten but didn't let that spoil his fun either. He enjoyed the train that took us around and watching the Mini Cupcakes run around the Jungle Barn.

Right now I'm preparing an Iron Man themed party so be sure to come back and find out how much fun preparing and hosting a party for 10 children was!

Cupcake Mumma

Plymouth Aquarium

A week ago I went to Plymouth Aquarium with year 1 including my little man. We did the panto and Pizza Hut too but it's the Aquarium I want to blog about because I love them.

We were greeted by two members of staff and were soon being shown around by Stu who was lovely and energetic. We started the tour looking at starfish which I love but I have to say I distracted Stu somewhat by asking about the Spider Crabs which I was fascinated by. He didn't mind and all the children who were fascinated along with me got a quick education in rather cool looking creatures. We moved on to a starfish chat and a little story before heading over to the Jellyfish, another sea creature I love.

Lots of lovely Starfish!

Close up of the Starfish

Beautiful Spider crab 

The Jellyfish didn't disappoint anyone least of all me. I took to the upside-down Jellyfish because of their beautiful colours. There were slightly larger Jellyfish, some smaller and a tank which must have been full of baby Jellyfish but I forgot to ask. All their colours were amazing.

Upside down Jellyfish

Beautiful, brightly coloured Jellyfish

Next we moved on to the big boys, the sharks. There were some big ol' sharks swimming happily around the plane wreck in their tank with their fish and stingray friends. Enzo the shark was hard to miss given his bizarre shape. Turns out he's a sand shark, one I've never heard about before. It was quite surreal being this far down, trying to imagine how much water was above our heads! Stu gave us a brief chat on the different sharks in this giant tank and a talk about the anatomical structure of some fish.

We viewed another part of the tank, going even further down! Then moved on to the last section of the tour before lunch. The beautiful octopus who stayed still in his corner during a quick talk soon showed his beautiful long tentacles off to us adults the moment the children moved on. Something that looked so bunched up, small and vulnerable suddenly didn't look much that way once his tentacles splayed demonstrating he was easily the length of his tank.

Octopus giving us a show!

We learnt that octopus can stick their tentacles up their noses and can reach around up there fairly easily. There were some other gruesome facts but they made me feel a little sick to be honest! The final stop was to look about the reef where the children spotted their favourites (Nemo! Dory!) It was sad that the turtle had passed away but she lived a much better life with Plymouth Aquarium than she would've done in the wild; something to do with her shell I think but I forget. It was a great tour, I really enjoyed myself and really want to go again with my family so we can look around the whole aquarium and take our time (the one luxury you don't get on a school trip with 5 year olds!)

Little crab walking along his tank

Cupcake Mumma

*Apologies for the photo quality! Understandably you can't use a flash as this upsets the fish..and my isn't what it was *laughs*

Stay Safe this Halloween and Bonfire Night

I adore Halloween. Ask anyone and they'll tell you it's up there with Christmas for me, I'm not so keen on bonfire night but since I've had the children I do let them watch the fire works from our skylight as this is less noisy for me and A who have very sensitive ears and is still good fun. We stand outside with our sparklers too which is great fun.

As fun as these special events may be they can also be dangerous. There are naked flames, frilly clothing, pumpkins with candles lit inside both out and in the home. There are Battery or switch operated lights which can cause fire if faulty or if plugs are overloaded and of course there are fireworks, bonfires, sparklers and in the case of Halloween and trick or treating, there's stranger danger. I'm not here to scare the heck out of everyone, I love this time of year but I want everyone to enjoy it and after last year where several children were badly burned by their fancy dress clothing setting alight and the accidents involving sparklers and fire works a yearly problem, I wanted to share these tips and great infographics from Eacapade.

My Tips
Make sure any costumes meet the European Standards and Regulations. This should be on the label of the clothing and all companies must have this on them.

Try these fantastic lights from Escapade to place in your home and in your pumpkins to completely avoid the dangers of fire. These are great and still look fab giving off enough light that you won't be disappointed by them not being real candles. They are much better than my pound store lights which ran out quickly and these even change colour.

Watch my video!

These are my tips but please visit the safety guide which has been written in collaboration with
St Johns Ambulance, London Fire Brigade, South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue: Kevin Ronan, Head of Community Safety and Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service: Oliver Franklin, Community Safety Officer. Please share and download the below info graphics so everyone can stay safe over this very fun and enjoyable few months.

Cupcake Mumma

Dennis the Menace Beano Annual 2015!

Yes! The two craziest and most unruly original rule breakers are back and this year they're making it big by hopping on the Beano town Express to London's St.Pancras station to create some fun and mischief throughout Autumn to get us excited for their fab new 2015 annual.

Dont miss out!

As a child I spent many a day watching Dennis the Menace with my brother and just like many others we loved it a lot. This year, The Beano Annual features all of your favourite characters from Dennis and Gnasher as well as The Numskulls, The Bash Street kids and Minnie the Minx all creating havoc in cartoon sketches, quizzes, puzzles and more.

Little A can enjoy these more simple cartoon strips with less writing featured.

One of our favourite pages so far

Enjoy the 75 years of Beano fun at one of our most iconic London Stations or enjoy it right now at home with your very own wacky, cheeky, full of fun Beano 2015 Annual. Priced at £7.99 I'm thinking this is a fantastic annual to get under the Christmas tree this year.

I was sent a free copy of  the Dennis the Menace Beano Annual 2015 in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and photos are, as usual, my own (unless specified)

Cupcake Mumma

Broody.

I have two beautiful little children who are growing up so very, very fast. When Midge was 3 I was in the final weeks of my pregnancy with Little A and the age gap we have is a wonderful one in my opinion. It fitted us perfectly in terms of Little A arriving and Midge starting her new pre school, sleeping through at night and dropping her dummy!

I have seen so many tiny babies recently and each and every time I swear my womb slightly tightens and silently screams (only I can hear it you see, clever huh!?) who doesn't love tiny little babies? They're on my Twitter, they're wrapped in slings all small and cosy on their mums at school, placed in their buggies looking all snugly and irresistible. You'd have to be 100% sure you're done with babies for these gorgeous little bundles not to effect you..Or have a womb of steel, now there's an idea!

The thing is, when it comes to having more children both The Husband and I are really unsure. I feel like it's time for college or studying of some sort, but at the same time I've had 2 already, to go to work and then have my third seems odd to me, like I'm going backwards. I guess I'd like to see a future where I'm not pregnant, move on and concentrate on being a mother but also being me. With studying and then career. I think I'd be very reluctant to have a baby and return to work after what I've seen of my other two. Luckily I've not had to make those decisions and to be honest, I'm not sure I want to.

Pregnancy itself is a tough ride for me and my body. Perhaps if times were easier with Little A right now I'd consider going from 2 to 3. I do think how he'll be 4 next year and also in nursery. But it isn't the arrival that causes me problems, it's the stuff before that! My first two pregnancies were plagued by sickness. A lot of it and all the time, nausea and sickness, it was awful. Thank god it wasn't worse. On the outside I looked pretty good in both my 2nd and 3rd trimesters but inside I was feeling very ill and suffering some nasty pregnancy ailments. The fact this happened twice really doesn't make me feel a third pregnancy would be any different at all! I think I'd find a pregnancy now incredibly difficult if I had the same level of tiredness and problems as I have done previously.

The one question I went to sleep asking myself and actually awoke with though has had me questioning myself all day. As I smile at babies in pushchairs, get amazingly excited at my best friends new arrival due at the end of the year and feel amazingly warm and broody looking at cute little ones being cuddled at toddler group, I ask myself: Do I want a baby or a child? Two very different things when you really think about it. What do you think?

Cupcake Mumma

Tantrums are Tough

Little A is roughly 30 months old (I stopped counting a while ago, it's whole numbers from 2!) and we're in that very uncomfortable phase of the daily tantrum.
I hate tantrums. I hate how they turn my loving, cuddly little boy into a little, wailing monster. But they are something which pretty much every toddler will go through (yes, even your perfect blue eyed little baby who will 'never behave like that in public' ) will most likely have a good few tantrums when they reach the toddler years.

My son is one of those toddlers whose tantrums are hard to deal with. The crying and screaming go through me like nothing I've ever known, he thrashes around like his sister never did and worst of all he head bangs. This is something that occurs mostly at night when he's upset about being left for bedtime. We've come to know that whilst it looks bad, he isn't doing any permeant damage to himself. Since we've learnt to let him get on with the head banging, he has done it less and less and certainly not for as long. He will only stop completely when we move him from his cot bed to a proper bed, which isn't that far off now.

I don't believe anyone really knows how to 'deal' with temper tantrums. Children have little way to communicate and sometimes when something hasn't gone their way it can be hard for them to deal with their feelings. They are confused and angry, they can't talk it out or crank up the stereo like I know I do. So what do they do? They scream, cry, hit, thrash about or perhaps, like my little guy, they do all of the above!
This is a phase we as parents block out I believe. I know we did time out (as opposed to calling it the naughty step/corner) with Midge until I grew thicker skin and learned that letting her have her moment was the best thing. She wasn't half as erm... energetic as her brother is though!

What I'm saying is that most of us have been through the tantrum phase before. If you have, don't forget that. Offer up a smile to the parent in town whose little one is being less than angelic. You can be glad it's over (I know I will!) but don't forget it. There's little worse than feeling like you're doing all this wrong. That people are looking down on you and your child.

When it comes to temper tantrums they work themselves out. Being there for your little one after is the most important thing. We all go through it as parents, I believe it's another phase we just 'get on' with, there are no real tips or easy things to do (at least not all of the time)

If you have a pretty wild toddler when it comes to throwing a paddy, you are not alone!

Cupcakemumma

Early Fathers Day Post

My Dad means the world to me. He's full of quick come backs, sarcasm,honesty and lots of good advice. He's more cuddly in his old age (shhhh) and laughs more which is nice. As I've grown up I've become closer to my Dad. I can see how, looking back, we were so, so alike that it made us just fight. We were both so stubborn, we never listened to what each other had to say and as most parents do, it ended with the parent being right and the teenager skulking off to brood angrily in her bedroom!

All that is in the past. We are much closer now. I can't think of being without my Dad, I honestly can't.  He's the man that taught me to read, that laughed when I cried through the fear of telling him I was pregnant (I thought he was going to kill me!) He taught me to whistle one evening when what he really wanted to do was have a long bath after working with horses all day!

Now he's into playing guitars, writing songs, tending to his garden, bike riding and studying with the Open University (he's 52- that's a pretty inspiring list of things to do!) He's sung me songs over Skype and is the only person who can cover a SnowPatrol song I like (seriously, I hate all covers of Chasing Cars I've ever heard) In short, he means the world to me.

CupcakeMumma

Weekend of Fun! Part 2

As promised, here is part 2 of our wonderful weekend. After having a long but great day on Saturday, we made a rather last minute decision to ask Hubbie's sister if she fancied us taking her 3 eldest out for a while. Of course, as is only natural, she was very pleased and turned up with 3 very excited little people an hour later.

We packed a few food bits and some blankets into a ruck sack and headed down to the local park. I love this park, it's gorgeous. I must photograph it properly. We spent just over an our playing on the swings, slides, teaching our eldest nephew how to use the monkey bars and shoot hoops. He was ace!

Little A didn't need me hovering over him as much as he used to and in fact got a little grouchy if I tried to help him up the steps to the slide. I eventually backed off and let him get on with it (not sulking, much..) I sat down and took photos instead!

Playing with his cousin and being pushed by Daddy on the swings

A very dizzy Little G on the round about 

Very happy Midge

Hanging out with Z

After the park we were all a bit peckish so all 5 children, myself and The Hubby piled into Whetherspoons for a nice big lunch. Needless to say we were all very full when we arrived home. Midge, Z and Little G did some painting whilst I relaxed on the sofa watching O and Hubby play PlayStation. Little A was so tired he went straight to bed waking up to play with his trains just before everyone headed off home.

We had a great weekend. I hope you did too.

CupcakeMumma

Ballet and Birthday Parties

Saturday was a busy day for those of us in the Cupcake House. I usually grab a good lay in on a Saturday, being that it's the day where Husband gets to play his football and then go to the pub until the evening, but this time I didn't have much luck! I may* have woken up in a bit of a panic remembering that Midge had her first ballet lesson today and I had to compete with the 'ballet mums,' who in my mind were going to be looking oh so wonderful...I had greasy hair and had fallen asleep in my slippers- i needed a shower!

*I definitely did

Midge and I had a mad rush to get to ballet on time. I had agreed to meet a Mum friend whose daughter has joined the same ballet class in the hope we wouldn't be late due to my bad geography. As it was she was running late so we both turned up just in time, ushered our girls into the hall whilst being gawped at by the awaiting mums (who turned out on the most part to be completely normal and not so well groomed as I had initially assumed) phew.

Midge cried for the first 10 minutes then spent 5 minutes clinging on to me with her thumb in her mouth as I attempted to balance on one foot and demonstrate how to jump gracefully on tiptoes. I wasn't the only Mum subjected to looking like a prat so I didn't feel too stupid and besides, I always wanted to be a ballerina and the teacher was suitably happy with me (insert big grin).

By the end of the lesson Midge was pretty happy and had enjoyed herself. I'll keep up the lessons for now to see if she can settle better. At the moment she's just shy but as time goes on she won't be such a new face and will hopefully feel able to let me put my feet up and sleep watch. 

The second half of our day was spent at a little boys birthday party. All the Mums from reception invite the whole class so now Midge wants a nice big party just like all the other children. It's great to see them all running around but as a Mum who doesn't get welcomed into the folds I'm always dreading these parties slightly.

This party was actually pretty comfortable. I was spoken to by several different Mums and ignored by the usual. I befriended the children's entertainer who was a lovely lady and Little Man cracked me up with his groovy moves (which I videoed for future bribery) I always secretly enjoy watching the children of the mums who ignore have to deal with a hyped up child screaming because they didn't win pass the bloody parcel when my daughter is over the moon with a Starburst sweet. (Insert another big grin- I'll get wrinkles at this rate)

Saturday was a good day. I even got to scold Husband for turning up nearly 2 hours later than usual. Turned out he had got carried away planning this weekends drinking session whilst watching the football. It was okay, I was cranky because I was worried when he didn't phone or text back. I'm an awful worrier! We made up and had a nice relaxing evening together.

Mum and Dad had the children on Sunday which was a day of house clearing for the Husband and I. I'm going to do a separate blog post on that to show off some of our homely finishing touches which have cheered me up no end! I hope you all had a lovely weekend too!

CupcakeMumma

When Your Baby Just Won't Stop Crying

If you're here looking for answers, for an amazing new product or some revolutionary piece of advice, then I'm sorry, but you're out of luck. However, if you're here because you've just had the night from hell then please, take a seat, have a cuppa and know you're not alone.

Last night my Little Man (who is 20 months old) cried and cried and cried. He cried from 9pm until 3am. We watched Charlie and Lola 3 different times. He was offered milk which he refused and offered it again later which he drank. He had calpol. Lots of hugs, 'shhh'ing and pacing was done both by myself and my Husband. Neither of us could settle him.

He wasn't wet and hadn't soiled his nappy. He is teething and he was over tired. Actually he was past over tired in all honesty and just wouldn't let himself go. His head touched the cot and he screamed.

We tried the ever controversial control crying. That was useless with my Midge who didn't sleep through the night until she was 2 and a half years old (I know, hold me) but it has worked with Little Man in the past when he was being a little bit cheeky with his sleep. This time he wasn't being cheeky, or stubborn. There was something wrong and something I couldn't do anything about.

We got to the stage where the crying was too much and of course the Husband and I started to feel the stress and had a few cross words. Let me tell you something. When people are tired they can say the most horrible things but you must try not to bite back. Usually I'm pretty bad when it comes to arguments but last night I bit my tongue and knew it was just the heat of the moment, the awful stress and the crying just going through the both of us.

In the end, after Little man had sat up with Daddy once and then a second time being pushed too and fro in the front room in his stroller (after this all options were exhausted) he fell asleep. He woke up again however headbanging (which we're no stranger to).

At about 3am Husband finally came to bed after insisting I grabbed a few hours because I had to get  up with Midge for the school run. It was at this hour he asked me for a hug and apologised for anything he said. Of course I accepted this apology and told him it was all okay. Luckily, Little Man stayed asleep from that moment until 10am. I did the washing up, made Midge's Harvest Festival costume and tidied a bit before Husband got up at 9.30am.

We managed to have a good day today which makes everything better. I am absolutely shattered but have managed to do the housework, homework, blogging and even cooked myself a decent dinner. No I don't want an award, I'm just surprised at myself.

Last night I felt like leaping out of my window and running away (if I could, what with the broken ankle I'd be sure to end up with!) I hate that feeling of intense desperation that engulfs me when I hit a point of exhausting all avenues. I felt awful that my baby was crying at me and yet I couldn't do a thing to make him better.
Ultimately I know these nights are few and far between (at least I hope!) after being there with Midge I really don't want to go back there with Little Man. Lack of sleep reduces you to a miserable, anti social wreck. I'd go as far to say that when I was in that phase with Midge, I didn't even want to be here anymore. Honest.

Hopefully tonight will be a better night. We are calpoled and Anbesoled up, we are warm and cosy and clean. We have Vicks on the radiator and have had a decent routine to our day with a bit of fresh air too. Sometimes there's just nothing you can do. I wouldn't have been able to get through last night without my Husband. He really is my rock.

If you're having trouble with a sleeping child I can really offer you my full sympathy! You are not alone in the slightest.

CupcakeMumma

Calling All Penguins!!

"Follow me brother"

Okay, okay, more like my fellow readers and followers who have a little cuddly penguin perched on a wardrobe, laying at the bottom of an overflowing toy box or sat in that charity bag in the cupboard.
If they're in good condition but lacking a bit of love, why not send them off to become famous little penguins featuring in a vlog by the lovely Kay who blogs at BrinkofBedlam before being packaged up and sent off to some truly wonderful boys and girls through the charity PostPals?

To find out more about PostPals please click the image below. It really is a lovely charity allowing people to bring smiles to some very poorly children and young people.

Now, I don't own any penguins (shameful really as I do quite like them) so I'll be going on my own little penguin mission to find some little fellas who need re homing for a bit of love and cuddles (and, of course, to be made famous- lets not forget that)

If you fancy joining the 'Penguin Amnesty' then please, please do! And it's not limited to just cuddly toys either, oh no, many companies have already come up trumps donating penguin themed products.

Why not join The Penguin Amnesty and bring a smile to a child's face?
Check out the Penguin Gallery so far, something wonderful is happening right now. Be apart of it, I promise it's worth it!

You can find Kay on her blog: BrinkofBedlam
Or
On Twitter: @Chaoskay

CupcakeMumma xx

* Please reframe from sending real penguins, apparently there isn't enough bath space and penguins are too noisy for a family home. Although that would be a good vlog i'm sure!

Do Not Be Silent For Syria

I won't pretend to know the pain and suffering of those who have lost friends and family in Syria. 

Friday 25th May 2012 saw the men, women and children of Houla, a small village in Syria shot. Knifed. Executed. 

Murdered.

I feel sad for these families. I feel sad for those children who were busy playing, walking maybe even sleeping when cruelly their lives were taken. Just like that.

I haven't felt this sad and angry in a long time. Perhaps because it is an execution of so many innocent lives, especially the young who had so much to learn and dream about.

I held my children earlier and thanked God for my life. 

I'm sure thousands joined me in that moment.

*************************************************************

Please don't be silent. Syria needs YOU. 

There is a petition on Save The Children

There is a petition on Amnesty International

A lot of bloggers have been Tweeting today. Look out for the following tags:

#Syria #Stopthekilling #Tippingpoint

The people of Syria need us. 

Rest In Peace.

Day 24 Favourite Childhood Book

Matilda is my favourite book of all time. This book was probably one my first full reads cover to cover all by myself and it instilled my love for the great author Roald Dahl. The illustrations are cool and I just love the story of this young girl coming up trumps against all the grown ups of this world!

Another favourite would be any book featuring The Large Family. I remember my Mum reading these books to myself, my brother and sister and we all loved them!

Now I'm a Happy Cupcake Mumma

The children are in bed, I am snuggled on the sofa under my duvet and I am watching a Friends DVD which has taken me forever to find (series 4 the hardest to get hold of)I do have a rather sore gum which may or may not be down to an abscess which will definitely have to be my top priority tomorrow to sort out. abscess
I've had a lovely day spent with Other Half and my Little Man. Little Miss was with us for half the day before she had to go to nursery. We were joined early by my sister in law and her 3 lovely children (also affectionately known as 'The Tribe' when all four of them are together!) I had so many baby snuggles it was just lovely, I'm not sure if my niece was so keen I got a lot of funny faces..lets pretend it was just gas okay?

It was nice to have all the children over and playing together, none of them are any bother at all which is nice, not a lot of bickering which is always lovely! I dropped Little Miss off to school leaving Other Half with Little Man and his 3 cousins. I was pleasantly surprised to not see him rocking back and fourth in the middle of them rooms surrounded by 2 crazed twins and a screaming baby! Turns out he's more than capable but that doesn't mean I'm allowing my uterus to be open for occupancy anytime soon!

It was a mini mission later on to get everyone ready for the school run but once there I got to see my Nephew ride his bike for the first time. He has taught himself to ride his bike and couldn't wait to join in with the school's Bike To School Week which I think is a good idea. I think he really did it for the free breakfast more than anything!

I'll leave you now with some photos of my day. It was a lovey one.

Little Miss and Daddy on the moped

Uncle Jay showing his niece how to ride a bike!

One of many beautiful shots I took today

Cupcake Mumma x

Freedom

Photo Credit

I feel very lucky to be me right now. All week I have been thinking of what to write for Oxfam's International Women's Day prompt. All the time really it was right under my nose.

I am free to do as I wish. I am with the man who I love who not everyone agreed with at first. I never had to leave him though. I never had break both his and my heart because he did not live up to the expectations of some of my family.

I have the freedom to be friends with who I like. I have never felt I have to be friends with someone just to keep everything sweet. I have never been made to disown a friend because somebody I was close to didn't agree with the way this person dressed, thought, said things. I was allowed to make my own mistakes where friendships were concerned.

There is another one. Mistakes. I have been allowed to grow and make my own mistakes. No one hangs over me constantly telling me what to do, where to go. I have been allowed to bring up my 2 children the way I see fit. Sometimes I have got it wrong but I have learnt and been allowed to learn.

Freedom is such a powerful word. There are the other more crucial parts to life that I have freedom to. I have the freedom to learn. All I have to do is search online and sign up to a university and I can study from home, feed my brain anything it craves should I wish. A lot of children don't have this freedom and it's so, so unfair.

I can drink clean water. I can call a doctor if I need one. I can get to a hospital in good time, not days. I have the freedom to open up when I have an opinion.  A lot of people in some countries don't even have that, hell even in our very own country some people are beaten down physically or mentally for uttering a 'wrong' word. I don't have that fear.

I am free. I love being free. I can walk out my front door when ever I like and do what ever I want-within reason. I'm getting married this year. I have chosen my own husband-to-be, I have chosen every aspect of this wedding with my husband-to-be and we are having the day we so want. No one is choosing what I must or must not wear. No one is telling me who can and cannot come to the big day. No one is arranging anything unless I have asked them kindly to do so. Some brides to be are not that lucky. Some have not even had the freedom to chose their husband-to-be. Some don't even know who they are marrying.

I would like to know what freedom means to you. Please link your post up with Claire at The Lazy Girl's Guide to Life and join in with her blog prompt for Oxfam's #GetTogether.
*International Women's Day is held on 8th March click here for more info*

Cupcake Mumma

What Family Means To Me:

I grew up in Gloucestershire with my Mum, Dad, my younger brother and my younger sister. I got on extremely well with my mother and I still do being the more sensitive of the 3 of us. My sister and I grew up virtually inseparable because we shared a bedroom until I left home at 18. Even when i became engaged and pregnant to my partner, she was on the top bunk in our bedroom us on the bottom! Poor love.

My brother has always been difficult to get along with simply because he has always been one to prefer his own space, his own company. He's a very intelligent, witty person who would prefer to spend time on his computers and studying to watching television and joining the family natters. I can't say I don't blame him. We get on much better now simply through age, although we always got on, all 3 of us playing games and creating art out of our clothes and accessories, he has always been closer to my younger sister. I don't mind this at all.

My Dad and I had a odd sort of relationship. One which was constantly being built up and knocked down again by either my teen angst and stubbornness or his lack of being able to listen to a word I said for many years.
Thankfully we get on brilliantly now. We listen to each other, we talk and I feel such a love from my Dad that many people don't feel from their own. I know he cares about each of us, and he shows it more. I think that's what we always wanted. As he has gotten older he has become funnier, wittier, more relaxed. I love learning his endless knowledge of anything and everything, and if I have a question of any kind I know exactly who to ask be it about bills, value for money, work problems, a tricky company, how to write a formal letter (especially a complaint) and a whole host of other things!

Family to me is about being there for each other. My Mum and Dad slept on a futon for almost a year and had my partner and I in their bed after I gave birth just so we had space of our own. Was it difficult? Oh yes it was really hard sometimes, but I think we all learnt something from that experience.

Family isn't about gossipping behind people's backs which is oh to familiar these days. It is about offering support, being there in any way possible. It's my immediate family that mean the most to me, as  I would think with most people it is the same. I don't know other family members incredibly well, some are almost strangers. I'm happiest when I am with those I know very well, or at least those of my family who make me feel like family, instead of people who have just wondered in randomly from the outside.
My family- My Mum, Dad, Brother, Sister, Other Half, My 2 beautiful babies, My Aunt, My Gran and a select few I hold dear, and they know who they are. I love you very much. You mean the world to me.

X

Other Half, newborn Little Man and Little Miss

My siblings and I at a special occasion 10,8,6yrs

See? Reading a book at a family Christening!

Little Miss and Little Man dote on one of their best Aunties

My wonderful Father with my beautiful son x

The best Grandma my children could have x

 I've written this post for Clic Sergants Do Something Yummy Campaign which I have just signed up to online to get some money raised for this wonderful charity supporting children and their families going through cancer. If you have a post to share please pop on over to Nickie at Typcast to link up and read more lovely family stories.

Cupcake Mumma