10 good things January

January wasn't all doom and gloom even if it did feel that way a lot of the time! Here are 10 good things from our January.

Midge's birthday

She had a lovely day with cake at home and school, lots of gifts including a pug onesie, nail and bath bits plus books and money so she was very happy. The phone rang lots of times and there was very little room left for all her cards!

Midge's sleepover

The girls sleepover went so much better than I thought. They were all well behaved overall, they all got on for the most part and they didn't find me embarrassing by joining in with dancing and nail painting!

Both back to school okay

It sounds like a strange one but I always find relief when school starts okay after a break. Midge is never a problem, she went straight back in with no problems but sometimes the break in routine upsets A. He was fine going back and over time he's become more independent in the mornings which is fab.

Started volunteering

I now volunteer 2 mornings a week at school and am really enjoying it. I get to work in reception on Monday doing phonics and hearing some readers then Friday I change the books and hear readers again but I also float around a bit listening to their stories and playing their games.

Caught up with some family

I've had some nice weekly visits with my Gran and aunt, a long FaceTime with my sister and I had 2 good phone calls with my aunt and my grandparents in Portsmouth. Despite the sad circumstances of us getting together, catching up and seeing each other is special as we all live so far away.

Lots of happy mail!

Got the dog sorted

Peppa is all booked in for an operation to remove some lumps on her tummy. I'm grateful for good family and pretty decent vets. There was a hiccough but overall things are okay and this month she'll be lump free.

Spending time with my nieces

Plymouth Aquarium and pantomime

I had such a good time with year 1 on their school trip. They were shattered by the time we arrived back to school but every single one loved all the activities and so did the adults!

Telling Uncle M I loved him

My favourite moment was telling my late uncle I loved him and saying goodbye knowing it would be our last goodbye. I will treasure that memory and pray to never forget.

Cupcake Mumma

Reasons to be Cheerful

October has overall been a good month and this week has been a good week. I have a few reasons to be cheerful this week the first being yesterday. I turned 27 and had a wonderful day. I saw a friend who treated me to lunch and a Costa plus brought along balloons and her little ones gave me some lovely cards. I saw family who popped in and my Mum came over who made a wonderful chocolate cake for me and which the children decorated beautifully. I've had some lovely gifts and surprise mail, I'll blog about my birthday properly next week but I had such a nice day it is most definitely a reason to smile!

Morning birthday Costa!

We've had a really good half even though we haven't done much. At the beginning of half term I felt awful for not being able to treat the kids to any days out because our purse strings are simply pulled too tight. I know you don't need day trips or holidays to make a good half term but sometimes it gets you down. We've taken pleasure in the simple things like enjoying friends, going to the park, playing football, seeing family and Midge even slept over her Aunties house with all her cousins which is a huge step for her, I was very proud. We've had movie day at home, celebrated my birthday, bought toys from the pound shop and taken pleasure in each others company.

Mr B is finally getting a holiday from work; he is off until next Friday and I'm looking forward to spending some time with him. Although we have the back to school routine, he'll enjoy getting to see the children properly and I'm sure he has some plans of his own!

I hope you've all had some reasons to be cheerful this week too.

Cupcake Mumma

Reasons to be Cheerful

Hello all! It's been exactly 20 days since I last posted a blog. I have been in one of those up and down places for the last couple of weeks but even though I am waiting for all these dental appointments, I am currently not in pain (oh such a difference to the frame of mind that makes!) By saving in previous months, selling some things and my wonderful parents giving me some money I am able to afford the private dental care and am positive that the outcome will be very good. Although we are in a situation with my husband redundant, we have an opportunity that we can go for and it seems to have come at just the right time. Basically I feel like I'm being looked after both on land and off is what I'm saying.

So all of the above are reasons to be cheerful and here are some other things:

My new slow cooker. I have felt so organised this week after finding it at a cheap store, it is my new favourite toy! I've made mince for a spag bol, a chocolate rice pudding and a lovely veg and mince stew with some gluten free dumplings. Although I'm struggling to watch what I eat, I think I've made a good choice in getting this little thing to help me along.

My new dentist! I'm actually not scared of seeing a dentist! I know it costs a blooming fortune but the care I have received so far now that I'm off the NHS is just amazing and I haven't even had my big scary root canal yet! It's just, you really cannot underestimate how important it is to be made comfortable the minute you walk in and then see dentists and nurses who are so friendly. It also helps my new dentist works with a lot of anxious patients.

Warmer and sunnier weather. Oh it has done wonders for my mood. I have some lovely photos of different flowers blooming which I get to pass everyday on the school run. We had a lovely walk today, Midge was telling Roo all about How to Train your Dragon and he was listening intently, asking questions, then they overtook me on the pavement and I caught this precious photo:

Brother and Sister hand in hand

Beautiful pink flowers

My friends and family have made me not just cheerful but thankful. I cannot thank my parents enough for helping me, I know they don't want the thanks, I know I'd do the same for my children but still, I'd still be utterly miserable if it wasn't for them. A friend that always texts me everyday means so much to me. I've had help from a blogger about my little man and his writing, a friend bought a camera off me which enabled me to take my babies to the fun day out in the town that they had been talking about all week. A friend that is going through so much and yet still calls to see how I am when I had bad news. Pen pals for staying in touch and making me so happy every time their letters fall through the letter box. Not to mention all the positive root canal stories from everyone and words of encouragement, Thank you all.

What are your reasons to be cheerful this week? Please visit Michelle's link up to read more happy posts.

Cupcake Mumma

Date Day!

Since becoming parents of two lovely children it's been harder and harder to grab some time to ourselves as partners, not just parents. I can't remember the last one Mr B and I had a date night or set aside something decent for during the day. Over the last few months I have made bookings for hotels not too far from home but they have had to be cancelled due to work or other commitments Mr B has made. Last week though Mr B was determined to be the successful date organiser and thinking outside the box (which I'm not so great at because I'm more dine me then take me to a lovely hotel with a massive bed with no kids in and a huge tub I can lie in for an hour..) Mr B did have plans for a nice hot meal in town but first he had something much more spontaneous in mind...

Yep. We went skating baby! Now my Husband is not the smallest man in the world, he's built more like a rugby player and carries a few extra pounds (who doesn't these days!) you'd expect him to be all over the place right? Well I thought he would be but no, I'm yet to find a sport related activity or form of extraordinary exercise that my husband is rubbish at. I was awesome at blading when I was a pre teen so thought I'd be a natural at this 4 wheels on the feet lark. I wasn't, I fell over within 5 minutes, the second time I stacked it so bad I had to hang my head and go and get wrist and knee supports that were oh so wisely offered but turned down by myself. When I returned it took me 15 minutes to fall again, I very nearly had a paddy I can tell you this, there were six year olds' doing better than me! I lasted another 20 minutes I suspect before heading to the slushie machine where we both decided enough was enough. We both had loads of fun, Mr B was really good at skating so was obviously banging on about going again straight after we left the building! He was however squeezing his feet into a pair of size 12 boots when he is a 13 so taking them off was quite a relief to him too! I'll be getting 4's next time, I mean obviously I was so rubbish because I was wearing 5's..... *ah hem*

We mooched around the market but that was a let down so went into the supermarket to explore the free from aisle (it's a habit I have) I got some new bits and some other items I find irresistible like lemon wafers, rice milk chocolate, peanut and coconut cookies and these Nakd salted caramel fruit pieces.

We headed back to town where we both enjoyed a sit down (myself rather gingerly) to eat a nice cooked meal. I stuffed my face with chips, sausage, egg and beans. I wasn't disappointed. We then headed home to enjoy the peace and quiet of the house before the children tumbled in an hour or so later from Grandmas house where they had seen Great Grandma, helped in the garden and popped over to see Pops and play for a bit.

We all had a great day out actually but it was so wonderful to spend that quality time with my husband after not having done properly for a long time. He wants to skating again... I've suggested swimming, cinema and of course a hotel stay but I'm thinking I might not get my way (skating then hotel to ease my pain perhaps?)

When was the last time you enjoyed some me time or time with your partner? What did you get up to? If you're in need of some, I hope you get some soon!

Cupcake Mumma