I don't know about anyone else but I've found January to be so incredibly long. It hasn't been a bad month it's just been slow. Midges birthday helped pass some of the time with her yummy dinner made by Mr K and a rather delicious cake. I love the children's birthdays but once it was done and dusted things have really slowed down.
Showing posts with label january. Show all posts
Showing posts with label january. Show all posts
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
January at The Cupcakes
I can't be the only one who felt January was never going to end? It was such a long month! I started the month by planning Midges birthday party. She wanted a sleepover so we sourced some invites from the internet and wrote those out. There wasn't much to do until the day of the sleepover.
I got to go on my first trip of the year with year 1 which included Little A. We set off just after school started for Plymouth and had a good journey. First we visited Plymouth Aquarium which was a huge success as predicted. We then went to the pantomime to see Snow White (featuring Duncan James!) and we all had a Pizza Hut dinner (well I didn't, I left my purse on the bus but I was glad because I hate eating in front of people!) I had loads of lovely happy mail in January and read some good books. I also treated myself to new shoes and slippers!
Lots of new year happy mail//Invites//Shattered Little A//Jelly fish//Crabs//Reading//Sending out happy mail//New unicorn slippers!//New shoes!
Then things took a turn. We got the news my uncle wasn't well, then we got the news he was really unwell and then we got the news he was dying. It was quick and it wasn't easy. I said goodbye on the phone and sent him photos of the children. It's been a very emotional month. I printed some photos off of him and bought a special candle which really helped me.
I had a few days of self care, long hot showers, reading my new books, walking and napping in the day. That took me to Midges birthday with her chocolate covered cake and lovely gifts from everyone. Then we had the very busy but wonderful sleepover!
New mail from a new pen pal//Uncle M's photo ad candle//Uncle M in hospital// New book//Bath time fun//Chocolate birthday cake//Birthday girl!// Party time!//My nieces and I
I've kept up my weekly visits to see my Grandma and Aunt which I started before Christmas. Penzance has been looking lovely recently, even in the stormy weather I've enjoyed being there. Sadly my Aunts dog passed at the end of January, I was just glad to be there to support her. We had a small lunch and some vegan cake I had brought along with me in between talking about happy memories.
I discovered binoculars in my Grans glove compartment!//Ticket to Penzance//Little A not sleeping..//Midge the gymnast//They bridge has gone in town and it looked weird but lovely!
Midge has been doing well at gymnastics and our new sleeping arrangements are working out better for all of us. I also started my volunteering at school which has been going well.
January's posts
Reasons to be Cheerful
I haven't been feeling very inclined to blog at the moment so I missed last weeks link up. We've had some upsetting news in the family but we're all coming together as you do in these times and I suppose that in itself is a reason to be cheerful.
Other reasons to be cheerful:
This photo of my beautiful little girl. She will be 9 next Tuesday and I can't believe it. This was a quick snap before school. She does her own hair in the morning now and is starting to take pride in her appearance which is always nice to see.
We have implemented some new rules in our house this week and I made some homemade reward charts for both Midge and Little A. I enjoyed getting crafty and using what I could find instead of buying a chart (even though I later found some in Poundland mine are prettier!) they are working..still no stickers for bedtime though...
I called my mum yesterday to find out how everyone was up on Portsmouth. They are all good and my uncle though very week is still happy to see everyone and I think he's enjoying their company. He's very unwell now and isn't going to get better. I haven't spoken to him in many years because of various reasons; mostly his health has always been poor and he's moved about a bit. I was put on loud speaker last night and I told him I loved him. He tried to say it, everyone was saying 'he's saying it back, he is!' And just writing it now my heart aches yet I'm so happy. I never want to forget this so I am putting it down here, on my lovely blog full of my most wonderful memories.
Finally, I've read one book and have started another (an as yet unpublished book which I'm reviewing in a way I suppose.) I've written some letters, received some lovely ones back and I'm happy with my budgeting too.
What are your reasons to be cheerful?
Cupcake Mumma
January's Bargains, Freebies & Wins
Hello! I haven't had any time to blog this half term, we haven't done anything remotely exciting but we have enjoyed eachothers company and that's all the matters. Now I've got a spare moment on my Sunday morning, I can finally share with you January's freebies and prizes!
Because I'm being careful with the pennies I try not to pick up things I really don't need. However, I've started a box of books which I've bought for family and friends and plan to give at Christmas this year. I can't take any photos because they may see them and guess which book belongs to them, but so far, all the books I've purchased have come from The Works in their massive sale, several at only 50p!
Freebies
I had some good freebies drop through the letter box over January I'm pleased to say! I never just get freebies because they're free like some people may do or may think I do. All the free things I sign up for I either genuinely want to try or I already like the product and getting a free sample is ace. Plus it's better than bills!
I got several Bodyform samples plus several vouchers for money off future products in the same range, always handy to add to the handbag and bathroom baskets and the vouchers will be useful too!
Money Wise Magazine
This offer popped up in my mail box and I decided to sign up with them and see what's in the magazine. I haven't read it properly yet but just by flicking through I'm thinking it's pretty good and will inspire me to keep saving.
Dylon colour catcher
I forgot I signed up for this one and I'm glad I did purely for the laughs! I got a red envelope on my door step and thought it was from a pen pal, when I opened it this tiny booklet fell out with this small sheet floating after it. I thought it was really funny sending literally a sheet out for sample but then it is a sample! I haven't used it yet mind you, I'm too nervous!
I'm not sure how I ended up with several La Roche Posy creams but I'm not complaining! I've popped them in my bathroom basket for future use, I haven't finished using my other samples yet and don't like to open them all in one go, it's such a waste.
Another cream I received last month was this Aveeno cream. I saw it advertised on the television and thought it sounded nice so when it popped up as a sample with Magic Freebies I wanted to try it. I really like this cream and I think I'll buy the full sized product in the near future.
Finally I got this face wash from Soap and Glory! I wasn't expecting their samples to even be this size to be honest, normally big companies can be fairly stingy so I was pleasantly surprised! I've not used the face wash yet but I'm sure it'll be fine on my skin and I'll use it again.
I also got a Purina cat food sample and voucher which I passed on and a Little Dish voucher which I stupidly forgot to use!
Prizes
I was getting a bit fed up with not winning anything after the beginning of December but 3 wins came at once. I won £50 in Iceland vouchers by entering their Facebook giveaways for 3 days in a row, then I won a £50 lingerie voucher with Bras&Honey via a blog giveaway so I was over the moon! I also won a Muggles Tour in London for 2 adults on a blog giveaway too, really pleased.
February has been good for wins so far and I look forward to sharing them with you when the month is out. I've not had quite so many freebies this month because as I said, I don't just grab everything going, I dislike clutter so wait for something I really would like to try. I hope I have a few more goodies to show you by then though!
Cupcake Mumma
My Favourite Five Blogger Posts ~ January
Over the last few weeks I've been reading posts and saving them thinking how nice it would be to share those posts from other bloggers on my own blog. I like to share the love and although I enjoy leaving comments and sharing on Twitter, I think sharing a round up of my 5 favourite posts from each month on Cupcake Mumma would be really enjoyable. I hope you enjoy reading the following posts from fellow bloggers.
1 ~ Hannah from Make, Do and Push!
Hannah wrote about her social anxiety in this post titled Social Anxiety and Motherhood: Dear Fellow Mama at Soft Play. I will be honest, this post hit a real sore spot in me and made me really emotional. It takes a lot for a blog post to do that (unless it's really sad of course!) but this post just hit me because I can completely relate to what Hannah is going through in regards to blushing and being nervous but wanting so badly to talk to others without feeling the way social anxiety makes you feel. Do read this post if you have time, especially to leave some virtual hugs for this lovely lady.
2 ~ Beth from There's Always Time For Tea
Beth is a new blogger and I love what she writes. This post A Letter to Anest- Your first school review made me smile. Beth and I have been pen-pals for a few years now so I know a lot about what her and her family have been through with Anest. To be told your child will never do anything must be awful but for your child to prove those same professionals wrong time and time again must be amazing. In this post, we get to share in Beth's happiness as she describes just how far Anest has come since she started her new school. Enjoy.
3 ~ Emma from From Aldi To Harrods
Emma's blog is fantastic for frugal posts, money making ideas, hints and tips and so much more. I discovered From Aldi To Harrods at the end of last year and I have gone through so many posts. One of my favourite series on Emma's blog which she writes every month is titled the 10 Weirdest Things Sold on Ebay. You'll be amazed what people not only put onto the selling site but what people actually buy! Empty cereal boxes anybody? Old, battered shoes? Read January's 10 Weird Things.
4 ~ Becky from Diary of a Fat Bottomed Girl
Reading Becky's blog lately has been tough. I've always loved her writing, she joins in a weekly prompt post and I find that her writing always brings me in. Recently Becky and her family have been coming to terms with her partners cancer diagnosis. There are a few posts for new readers to catch up on but one that obviously was hard to read but beautifully written was 'Daddy has Cancer.'
5 ~ Krista from A Life in Progress
Finally, a post that really hit me where I needed it. I can't really express what this post means to me so I hope that you will just read it and if you need to see the same words that they help you too. What if All I Want is A Mediocre Life?
Hope you enjoy this post and all the bloggers posts i've shared from January. If you see a post during February that you think I should read, let me know!
What We Got Up To In January
Last year I tried my best to keep up with a weekly catch up and mostly I did (although I started it late into the year) I'm finding it difficult to write the weekly catch up, so I'm now going to blog a monthly catch up post which will be really easy to do. I'll get to look at all the bits of the month and not just the really good bits so it will be different from my 10 reasons to smile posts!
January
Birthday cake// Wet and muddy walks// Little A shopping// Birthday layout// Pops and Midge// Little A presenting birthday pancakes// Surprise dinner// Birthday cake lighting// My lovely flower from A
Family photo in Plymouth// Midge in Plymouth// Little A on a ride// Posing at the station// Super A!// My prize winning photo// Yorkshire puddings I made at Mums// New colouring books
We all started the month bunged up which wasn't a fantastic start! I saw the new year in in bed while Mr B went out for a bit and the children were snoring (and sniffing) but I was quite happy. I was mostly preoccupied with Midge's upcoming birthday at the start of the month, it had to be good obviously. In the end the day came and her party was a lovely, small gathering of cousins and friends. There were sweet things, frozen cakes and a family roast dinner on her actual birthday.
I made several trips to Weatherspoons last month (which explains why I'm so skint at the end now I suppose!) I surprised the children with after school dinner and the second trip was Mr B's birthday dinner. That was a lovely way to end a busy day in Plymouth. We got up to lots in Plymouth, looking around, shopping, enjoying several train journeys it was all such good fun and well overdue.
There were lots of wet school runs, my wellies have worked hard and have already sustained a cut so now I'm getting soggy socks every time I go out! There are some signs of Spring popping up though which of course makes me happy. Little A had a trip to the aquarium with his class and Midge brought home a trumpet from school...say no more!
What About Me?
I've looked into some courses but am keeping things close because I'm very nervous and have a few questions to ask myself first! I booked a new GP appointment to discuss my anxiety medication and I'm going to force myself to mention my chronic blushing and see if there's any help out there. I also got busy comping and it paid off winning a £50 supermarket voucher, £50 lingerie voucher, a set of pretty goodies and 2 Muggle Tour tickets. I lost the hearing in my right ear for 2 weeks which was horrid and I'm pleased it's back! I've also watched a lot of Four in a Bed!
January's Blog Posts
I reviewed Hippy Paste deodorant and now I smell fabulously minty but you can smell of lavender, citrus or even ylang ylang! I wrote about my beautiful daughter's 8th birthday and 10 Reasons to Smile which is always a lovely post to write up. I shared some early January bargains and freebies (I'll be blogging a round up of the latest prizes, bargains and freebies very soon!) Lastly, I shared an open post about a particularly hard day (week). I hope you enjoy looking back through these posts if you haven't had a chance to yet.
Cupcake Mumma
10 Things To Smile About January
A couple of years ago I used to write up ten things that made me happy each month and I really want to go back to that. I'll be sharing this list with this weeks Reasons to be Cheerful. January wasn't a bad month but it's been a long month. We're on a road to see if Little A has any underlying behavioural issues. I think I've come across something that screams my son and finally this month I'll be able to get some real professional insights. I've banged on about my dental pain every week of January and goodness knows it was hard and I'm still 'suffering' but hey ho, onto January's better points!
Midges birthday. She turned 7 on the 17th and had a lovely day with treats to soft play with cheese on toast (my beautiful, random girl) with her cousin G. We had a family meal in the late afternoon and she was treated to her new bike which she took to just brilliantly (see here) and there was lots of craft and Frozen gifts to be enjoyed!
We had a Family breakfast on Jason's birthday in the morning before football. I've never been to table table before. I really loved having their all you can eat breakfast and the children ate free which is good because they're picky!
There were Several meals out with Jay when the kids were at school. Sometimes we meet up and go 'heck, let's have lunch!' We did it twice this month. We never spend a lot thanks to Weatherspoons so it's not a huge thing to budget for. If we can we do it and if we can't, we don't it's really that simple but because we find it hard to leave Little A with other people at night (even my fantastic Mother) day time lunches are a great way to be us for a while.
Little A's Paediatric appointment coming through. As I mentioned above I was over the moon to finally get Little A's appointment to see the paediatrician through. I'm really hoping I'm going to be taken seriously with my concerns and not passed around. I know it happens to so many parents but just getting this far with hardly any problems at all is hugely pleasing for me!
Seeing Kat and Tilly and going to Pizza Hut. It was like an early birthday treat with Midge too having a meal out the day before complete with her cousin and a new friend and balloons! I enjoyed my pizza, I love that there's a free from option now. It was nice to see my other friend Pippa too.
Eating chicken again! Yes that is an odd one I admit but I've been a veggie since I was 14 maybe before, and recently I've loved making my pie and rice dishes with creamy chicken and it's all free from too-yum.
Lots of happy mail.
Two cool cakes I made:
Reading some books for 26 books with Bringing Up Burns challenge (see badge over to the right.) I've really enjoyed following a list of random themes for book picking. I've read old books, new books and one I thought I wouldn't like but really enjoyed!
Midge has been coming along with her reading and she received dazzling work at school this month. She's picked up her bike riding and has a slightly improved attendance. Not that it was bad at 93%! I'm just very proud of my girl.
Cupcake Mumma
January is...
When my beautiful first born turns yet another year older. I'm feeling emotional about it this year, more so than other years.
A fresh start, a blank page waiting to be filled with plans, trips, things to do.
Turning my heating on at 4pm to warm the house for bedtime. My house is very cold!
Full of dreams and good intentions
A month I celebrate with my husband his birthday. A week a part from our little girl, she wouldn't wait for her due date!
Keeping the postie busy with our large supply of thank you letters to friends and family.
Having a constant supply of hot chocolate to warm me during the day!
Waiting for snow in Cornwall. It usually arrives in January but I don't think we'll be lucky this year...
The start of another year of possibilities.
A fresh start, a blank page waiting to be filled with plans, trips, things to do.
Turning my heating on at 4pm to warm the house for bedtime. My house is very cold!
Full of dreams and good intentions
A month I celebrate with my husband his birthday. A week a part from our little girl, she wouldn't wait for her due date!
Keeping the postie busy with our large supply of thank you letters to friends and family.
Having a constant supply of hot chocolate to warm me during the day!
Waiting for snow in Cornwall. It usually arrives in January but I don't think we'll be lucky this year...
The start of another year of possibilities.
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