A-Z Challenge: D

D is for Date Nights

Our lovely cousins across the pond came up with this great idea called 'Date night,' where you and your partner spend some quality time together once a week or once a month. What you both decide to do is entirely your choice and there are so many ideas all over the internet.

My Husband and I are now big fans of date nights. Every Saturday evening we bath, dress and read a story to the children who settle within the hour on a good night. After that, Hubby will run to the local film store and grab a new DVD for us to watch while I prepare our weekly (almost traditional now!) meal of homemade fish and chips.

Are date nights something you and your partner enjoy doing together? I'd love to know what you plan every week/month whether it's big or small like our Saturday nights in.

Gluten and dairy free homemade battered fish with peas and chips. Absolutely delicious!

CupcakeMumma

A-Z Challenge- J

J is for Jason

Jason is my very wonderful husband. We have been together for 6 years and in August it will be our first wedding anniversary which we are both looking forward to. In our time together we have had many ups and downs. We have battled depression, job loss, unemployment for over 2 years, family troubles. We have been there for each other on so many occasions and I can only pray that that will remain the case for many, many years to come.

I met Jason when we started college. We were inseparable from that moment. Even though we were very close, we didn't get together for at least 6 months. We found ourselves facing parenthood at the tender age of 17. That was terrifying if I'm honest but we got through it. I will always be thankful to him for his amazing support after the birth of our daughter.

We had our beautiful son just 3 years later at 21 years old. Jason managed to get a job after a long time and lots of disappointment. He is proud to provide for his family and is a hard worker and an amazing Daddy to our children.

He snores like a train (I have evidence), he has been known to book holiday for football (don't get me started) and can be an awful lad when he wants to be. But if I changed him in any way, he wouldn't be my Jason. My Husband.

So there you go. J is for Jason. My one and only.

CupcakeMumma

My No Technology Day

So, a week ago now I took up the challenge to use no technology for a whole day. This challenge was introduced to me by Joanne who wrote her own account of her day off from the gadget world along with a blog post written by her daughter who held all said gadgets hostage!

I kept a written account throughout my day and here's how I got on:

Lets just start with how much I use shall we? Like most people I use the microwave, toaster very rarely the kettle for a hot water bottle or for visitors who drink tea. I use my camera, laptop and watch TV pretty regularly throughout the day. Then there's my phone. This is strapped to me! I use Twitter, Facebook, Kindle, music, Instagram, photos and camera and I write blog posts which involves me using photo editing apps in order to mark my photos. 

For this task (which I'm not actually looking forward to now I've listed the above!) I'm allowed to use the oven and I'm allowed to be in front of the TV when it's on but I'm not allowed to turn it on or be in control of the remote (and it's Match of the Day night!!)

7.25am I woke up next to my sleeping baby. I allowed myself to log onto my phone to link up a post I published the day before but couldn't link it up because of the different time zones. I said as it was important to me I'd link up but then turn my phone off. I did just that.

7.45am Realised if phone was on I'd already have Tweeted about my dream (which was horribly real) and the fact Little Man had drunk old milk..Realised I was in fact, pretty sad!

8.10am Husband came down to get ready for football (strapped to his phone). As Husband prepared to leave I soon realised there was no one to make me hot chocolate in the microwave! Nor would there be anyone for most of the day to hoover or turn on the TV for the children if they asked.

8.30am Just proved how much we re lie on technology by walking into the kitchen and turning the dryer on (which is full of work and school clothes) Soon realised my mistake, cursed myself then thought, 'that's how much I use technology, I don't even think about it! Now majorly aware of all things technological!

8.45am Husband left for football. He couldn't hoover and he didn't switch the TV on. Settling for colouring with the children instead.

10.15am Cleared out the downstairs toy box, got a nice big bag for the charity shop and a small bag of rubbish. husband came home due the match being cancelled so waiting on him to hoover! Sat with Midge and done her reading, maths and writing homework!

10.30am Just made hot chocolate the good old fashioned way- on the hob! It was a total success (obviously) but not tasting the same as my microwaved version..

11.30am Feeling peckish. Husband refuses to make me toast so just popped 2 pieces in the oven! I know some people make their cheese on toast this way but we don't even do that! ( In case you're wondering, it's 180* for 10 minutes for gluten free bread!)

11.50am- Toast was good! I forgot to turn it though but not too fussed.

2.00pm Been shopping. Midge used the self service check out (honest, I didn't touch anything not once) I nearly forgot about the ATM machines but luckily I just put the card in and Husband did the rest-phew!

2.30pm Husband using Facetime to chat..Instead of joining in I'm colouring again with the children which is really nice.

3.45pm Woke up from a half hour nap on the sofa while Husband cooked dinner. After last nights poor sleep a nap was much needed. I usually keep myself awake even when the opportunity for a nap is available by reading a book on my phone or browsing a social network.

4.00pm Baked apple pie with Husband which was nice instead of letting him getting on with it. Midge figured out the TV so they got Max and Ruby on without too much trouble..I'm surprised it's so far into the day with no TV.

4.45pm Kind of wanting to check the old phone now...Husband is constantly on his (he's just walked in with it!)

5.00pm Yey! Husband is hoovering!

5.30pm Husband has destroyed tea and I have lentil soup instead of lentil roast. Roast dinner has been re-scheduled so now heading to Wetherspoons instead!

6.45pm Had a lovely dinner but was weird not having my phone to snap photos. The children always behave so well and look so sweet when out that I love taking their photos and Husband doesn't take many.

7.00pm Midge and Little Man are playing up because they're a bit tired. I'm not feeling 100% so this is when I really want to curl up and immerse into the iPhone world!

7.40pm Both children are in bed so just waiting to see what Husband puts on TV. He has hidden my phone as was a bit tempting! I don't want to waste a whole days good work though. It's been a good experience.

That's where I finished my dairy at the end of the day. I even went to bed earlier than normal and I caught up on a lot of studying before I turned in which is really good. Here's what I learnt from my day:

-  If I use my phone as much as Husband used his then I use it a lot and that needs to change. I paid much more attention to both children and felt really relaxed colouring and playing trucks with them.Did  make me feel a bit guilty.

- I drank a lot less hot chocolate which didn't impress me! I was just too lazy to keep getting up and heating milk on the hob (shameful)

- I use my phone WAY too much. I have a really good camera and yet I use my phone? I sit and blog on it when the quality of my blog is better when using a laptop and I go on and off Twitter far too many times.

- I will probably never be parted from my phone in all honesty. What I want to do however, is spend more time with it put up somewhere (and Husbands') switch the TV off and bake, colour, craft all the things I used to do before we lived in the town. We lived in the countryside for years previously and were always out and about, hardly anything to watch. I want to make more memories and spend more time in front of happy children and less time in front of screens.

Thanks to Joanne for putting me up to this challenge.

CupcakeMumma

This Weeks Reasons To Be Cheeful

Well, the weather has turned and the school runs are a little wet to say the least! I'm very happy to have my spotty wellies which make this wet weather a lot more enjoyable. On the way home from school, Midge and I did lots of puddle jumping which set me in a rather good mood for the rest of the afternoon!

Today I got a little package of mustaches  I know, how random. I did win them though as part of a Twitter party and it's all part of the Movember fun. Anyway, there was more than enough for all of us! As you can see below:

Family fun is always a reason to be cheerful!

Little Feet. Oh I just love them! This is Little Man's step by step guide on how to successfully watch TV and find your foot (not forgetting to have a good nibble) all at the same time. Now one thing that makes me cheerful? Laughing a lot!

Finally, cake, cream and chocolate syrup. That must be a reason to be cheerful!

Please link up and look through this weeks Reasons To Be Cheerful here.

CupcakeMumma

Birthday Post!

It's Birthday Time!!

Ah finally I get a chance to blog about my birthday. I turned 23 on Monday and had such a wonderful day. I was all recovered from whatever horrible illness I had a few days previous (much to my joy!) I had nothing planned, just a nice, normal day with my family to start half term.

I was woken up at half 6 by Midge. This is too early for me and she knows it by now! I felt her snuggle up beside me, then half an hour later Daddy brought up some presents. I had lots of help from both Midge and Little Man that morning. Here's Midge showing off the lovely cushions she helped Daddy find just for me.

I opened one other present before breakfast which was a really, really pretty necklace I had spotted when out shopping in a local charity store. Now, some people may pull a face at a thrifty find being given as a gift, but I could not have been happier. It smells so old, it's from Spain and is also a locket. Thank-you Dearest!

After we all had breakfast and watched a bit of TV my Husband was desperate to show off the cake he had made me. I was very pleased indeed! He bought some candles, made a lovely chocolate icing and the children refrained from poking their fingers in (long enough for this photo to taken anyway!)

In the above photo is: 

My lovely birthday cake.

A really, gorgeously soft pink blanket covered in cupcakes and 2 cupcake note pads from the lovely Kat who blogs at Kat A Pillar. Thank you so much Kat, my gifts are fab!

My Hello Kitty balloon that Midge insisted Daddy bought for me...I'm thinking it was more for somebody else though!

I received a lovely cook book from Husband as well as a Florence and the Machine CD with our wedding song on and the prettiest wellies I have ever seen. Seriously, pink polka dotted wellies with ribbons on!

Husbands' parents got me a great little kit to make some lavender hearts and I also got some other craft bits and a handy little notebook (I love making notes)

I was seriously spoiled this year. To add to my list I received: some rather tasty smelling bath bombs, a new sewing machine (thank you family!!), chocolate, a lovely onesie from my sister so now I have 2 which is ace, a lovely new jumper with some new pajama bottoms and my sister-in-law bought me this great little kit to make your own purse. I'm half way through and can't wait to finish it so I can show it off!

I had such a wonderful day and I got even more than I have written. I do love a birthday! 

Look out for my new blog post on our rather awesome Halloween party that we've literally just finished and also my Mug Swap link up party!

CupcakeMumma

Poorly Tummies, Birthday Prep and Half Term!

Hello! I am back after a fair few days of being quiet on the blogging front. I was very unwell last Thursday. It all started off at midday just before I was due to leave home and watch Midge at her Harvest Festival when I developed a terrible pain my stomach. Because it was such bad cramp I figured it was something to do with my IBS, took a few remedies and went to watch Midge perform anyway (I wasn't missing it for anything!) The que to get into the hall was huge, Mum and I were very lucky to get a seat (even if it was just the end of a bench!) We were right near Midge who was desperately looking out for us in the crowded hall.

Her Harvest Festival was really brilliant. I videoed it for Husband and her Nanny who has just had an operation so was unable to come and watch so I don't have any photos but what I did snap a shot of  was her fantastic drawing on the 'Dazzle Board.' She was put on the board for her great piece of work on observational drawing. Definitely another creative little person to add to the family!

Midge's daisy drawing

Unfortunately, when I got home my cramp and sickness become worse. Husband went out to get some special tablets for me to try which helped a little. My Mum, in the mean time, had to go and do some of my weekly shopping! Midge tagged along and Little Man was napping.
I spent the rest of the night clutching my sick bowl and feeling sorry for myself!

By Friday I was shattered and mostly slept. I managed to eat a little as the day went on and saw Midge off for her last day of school before the Half Term. I'm really looking forward to this Half Term as we have our Halloween Party and I promised we'd go swimming too.
Midge had a great time at the after school monster party and came home loaded up on sugar! (Thanks staff!) Husband took another day off work as I just couldn't keep my eyes open.

I woke on Saturday feeling a little delicate but no longer in pain which was enough to make me happy! My sister in law popped over and gave me a onesie which is all pink and covered in cupcakes. It's so warm but needs a little taking up as I'm so short! Look out for photos soon (yes, I do look like a giant baby and no, I don't care.)

Later on in the day Husband left for football so I took Midge and Little Man to Penzance on the train all by myself! Little Man was pretty ratty and ended up sleeping on me as we traveled home. Midge developed another earache but was really well behaved. I bought a few more Christmas presents which is the main reason we went over there in the first place so I was pleased.

In other news, it's my birthday tomorrow which I'm really quite excited about and I just know I'll blog about it. Husband has been swearing as he wraps gifts in the kitchen and has baked me a delicious smelling chocolate cake (with a little guidance from me of course) By the looks of things I've been a little spoilt this year but I'm always grateful whatever I get. I'll be seeing my Gran and Aunt in the early evening before the children go to bed and my parents will spend some of the evening with me as Husband works in the evenings not returning until 11pm.
So, tomorrow I'll be showing off my birthday post as soon as I can. There are a couple of other special birthdays out there tomorrow so happy birthday if it is yours too! I'll leave you now with my freshly carved little pumpkin. x

CupcakeMumma

Baking and Football Fun

Saturday (unlike yesterday) was a very good day. I woke up in the right frame of mind and this helped get the day off to a great start. Husband gave me a little lay in after I sorted Little Man and Midge's breakfast while he cleaned his football boots so I got a bit of rest before being woken up by Midge and her new school song. (They're learning a song for their Harvest Festival assembly this Thursday.)

I decided to get my late morning off the ground by spending some time with Midge and baking some cookies. These cookies were so delicious and were gone within the hour (seriously, I think Husband only got half a cookie after I made the mistake of putting them on the kitchen table!)
Midge adores baking and is always asking to make cupcakes but at the moment I'm loving my cookies. We added chocolate chips and Halloween sprinkles to our cookie mix this time and have decided to make some more for our upcoming Halloween party!

At 12 0'clock on a Saturday, Husband always leaves for his football match. For the second week in a row the team were playing a home match so I thought I'd wrap us all up to go and surprise Daddy who had no idea we would be coming to watch him play.
The walk to the park where he plays football is actually quite a nice walk. We usually just walk into town or to school so going somewhere new (with a park) is always a nice thing to do. Midge took her scooter while Little Man played with a huge leaf which had fallen from a tree.

Midge's fabulous find of the day! Pretty little
ladybird.

The leaf is bigger than his head!

When we got there, both Midge and Little Man grabbed themselves one of the teams footballs and passed it to each other. Husband is very pleased they both seem to be showing an interest in the sport! Sadly, their team didn't win but we all had a nice day anyway.

Bonding over football

Daddy the goalie

I really enjoyed getting some fresh air and enjoyed watching Husband do something he really loves. We all need 'me time' after all. The children had fun running around, clapping and cheering and 'wowing' when Daddy kicked the ball 'sooo high!' and Midge would have a good laugh when a player would slip over in the mud. Several times she shouted, 'Mummy, that man has mud all up his backside!'

You've got to love them right? I hope everyone had a good weekend whatever you got up to!

CupcakeMumma

I Want...

(It's actually 'I would like' but I'm not going to argue..) I have been tagged by the rather lovely Natalie to give you a list of a few things that I want right now. This very minute. Or something to that effect!

1. Right now I want my poorly Little Man to feel better and my lovely Midge to carry on doing so well at school. They're both growing away like nobodies business and I just want them to carry on being two great, little ,happy characters and preferably for the rest of their lives.

2. I want my husband to PUT SOME DAMN SHELVES UP in my bedroom and bathroom. I am so sick of asking him..would you?

3. I want these:

Really sweet russian doll measuring cups. My birthday is coming so.... 

4. I want my first Mug Swap to be a success. I have 22 people in total and all have been e-mailed their partners so here goes!

5. I want husband to lift the sofa so I can retrieve the base coat nail polish that Little Man threw under there a while ago. I would do this myself but I seem to have done my lower back in and don't fancy making it worse!! My nails have been painted so much and without said base coat that they have been dyed ORANGE. Don't worry, it fades. But isn't attractive.

6. I really want some new clothes/money for new clothes. Oh and to loose weight so I can fit into some size 12 jeans again and be less flabby. I may break the Pilate's DVD out tonight if Little Man can refrain from messing his nappy yet again.. *sigh*

I'm sure I could go on but I shall not. Instead, I shall tag three other lovely people:

Bex at BusyBessMummyBex

Kat at Katsighs and

Issy at LifeandTimesofaStudent

Check them out!

CupcakeMumma

A Change of Scenery

You know when you stay in the same place for just too much time you start getting a bit fed up? That's how I felt on Friday so I called Mum and said instead if coming to mine, how about I come to you with the children? So a plan is a plan and myself, Midge and Little Man set off about 11ish on Saturday morning to Mum's and Dad's place leaving the Husband behind to play his football match.

It was so good to be somewhere more peaceful. To be able to pop to the local charity store with my sister and be able to leave the house open because no one comes around and it's much safer. I live in the town so there are obvious reasons I don't do this! Mum and Dad live just up the road from a harbour in a lovely village. Although I couldn't live in their house (it's too small for me, I find it 'pokey' in some places) it's such a lovely place to escape to for a bit.
Here is my purchase of the day although sadly missing the final doll it brings back a bit of my childhood and it's lovely to watch Midge play with them.

I managed to use my Dad's computer to upload my wedding photos which I am really pleased with so now I can send them off for printing. There are some lovely photos which will make nice Christmas gifts too which will come in very handy! I made some lunch for everyone, a very new dish chucked together consisting of mushrooms, cream and pasta. Dad grows a lovely herb garden so he suggested I use some of the fresh Rosemary instead of the dry bought stuff I use at home. It really topped it off!

A lovely wedding snap

I sat outside with the children watching them play. Midge was digging in the garden a bit, Little Man was on the rocking horse which is now nearly 23 years old but due to lack of space lives in the green house in his old age. He's still going strong!

It was really good to spend a bit of time with my sister because in roughly 3 weeks she'll be off to university and not back until December so it'll be weird but I'm sure it won't be that hard to get used to. We're all signing up to Skype now which is great. Mum and I are sorting out a little something to give her before she leaves which hopefully she will love but I can't tell you any more as she has recently followed my blog!

I had a lovely day and the change of scenery did a lot of good, not to mention the fresh air. When I arrived home the children were so tired they didn't fight bedtime which meant Husband and I got some quality time together. We looked through our wedding photos, had a late dinner (I was naughty and went for my pasta and mushroom dish again!) Husband had an even naughtier pizza. We watched some TV, had a nice chat and I gave him a good massage to soothe his poor pulled muscles! I got a back tickle in return so it's not all bad! Oh and had a rather yummy toffee apple- I must  get some of these in for Halloween!

I hope you all had a good weekend what ever you got up to. Have a lovely, relaxing Sunday and while I'm saying goodbye, how about popping over and signing up to my Mug Swap? It's always lovely to receive a gift in the mail!

CupcakeMumma