A Request From Midge and a Proud Mummy

I'm not sure where it came from, but as I was walking to school yesterday morning Midge started talking about the school and their Facebook page. Then she asked if they had anything else that had them on, which I replied yes, they have Twitter and a website. Midge looked up at me slightly unsure for a second and then said "I no longer want to be on the schools' Facebook I don't like it. Or their website."

I still havent managed to fully understand where this has all come from. She isn't alone, there are at least 5 other children in her class who are always positioned carefully out of photo and filming view, she will now be one of them. I went to the school as soon as I had seen them both off and spoke to the receptionist who promptly gave me forms, which I filled in there and then and that was that, no more Midge on the website or social media. I'm absolutely fine with that, especially Twitter, which I'm not 100% sure about as a parent but that's a different discussion!

Later in the day we spoke some more, I think she's been learning about the Internet in school and it's suddenly dawned on her that people ALL OVER THE WORLD can see not only what you write, but also YOU. Funny how an 8 year old can get something so much quicker than most teenagers and even adults! I wondered something then, "Midge," I asked, "what about Mummy's blog?"

"Can the whole world see that?"

I replied that yes, they can. Midge has asked me to no longer share photos of her on Cupcake Mumma. Little A will feature a little, but I don't want to have him on here too much because I feel like I'm not including Midge. Our photos will be printed and kept in albums as usual but the blog will be a Midge photo free zone. I am informed that her feet, hands and awesome clothes are still available for blogging purposes should I so wish to use them!! She doesn't want to miss out on a review after all!

I feel incredibly proud that my 8 year old daughter has had the confidence to tell me she no longer wants these things. She may be mine but she is not mine to share. Midge is starting her own blog where we will get creative with photos, this is to show her how fun the Internet can be. I don't want her to fear the Internet. I have shown her how private my Facebook is, gone through the list and can say who those people are so she is happy to still be featured on there, I did have to admit that going through over 600 posts looking for her face would be a tall order so perhaps we'll draw a line from here on in!

Today I feel proud of my daughter and also a tiny bit proud of myself too, for truly listening to my daughter. This is the beginning of teaching her about herself, her own person, her own body and how it is up to no one else BUT HER what happens to it be it standing up to a fellow peer shoving her in school, posting a photo online or anything else.

Do you post photos of your children online? Have you stopped because your children have asked?

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

Proud Mummy Moment: Midges Year 1 Parents Evening

This is rather delayed 'Proud Mummy Moment' which I won't apologise for! 

 Midge walked into school one morning last week to see her name on the 'Star of the Day' board. She came bounding up to me and showed me the star, I was so pleased I took a photo of it to show Jay (and show it off on social media naturally!)

After school we had Midges Year 1 patents evening. They're usually fairly predictable these evenings because the school work so closely with us parents all through the different terms. I was so proud to hear the teacher say such wonderful things about my daughter. That she was kind, thoughtful, supported her friends and listened brilliantly.

Work wise, her writing has come on so, so much. Every night midge writes stories and draws pictures before she sleeps. Her reading is spot on after some slow progress and she has moved levels twice this year which has given her so much confidence. Maths is her biggest struggle but the school have recognised this and are helping her every way they can. She is in a good group of friends who find the work challenging too and they work together. While Midge is still enthusiastic about her maths, I'm keen to keep her learning so she doesn't turn to hate it and struggle with the subject throughout her school years like myself.

All the photos have come from her work books which were a pleasure to look through. I'll leave you with a very pleased Midge holding her Star of the Day card which went straight on the fridge as soon as she came in the door!

Cupcake Mumma

The Olympic Torch Comes to Cornwall

It was the moment I had almost forgotten about until a late night browsing the Internet reminded me, Saturday 19th May was the day the Olympic Torch would start its journey through our country, starting with Cornwall, (Lands End to be precise).

My parents collected myself, Little Miss and Little Man and we headed off to a small but lovely village near Helston called Breage where the torch would be carried through to much jubilation. The bunting was hung including the Cornish colours of yellow and black which a was lovely idea. Everyone waved their flags, grabbed some freebies from the passing sponsors, the atmosphere was wonderful and I'm so proud myself and my children were apart of it.

Here are some photos of the momentous occasion.

People line the streets waiting for the torch to pass through. I think we were all waiting for just over an hour and not one bored, crying child could even be heard, everyone was celebrating!

 Little Miss gets her pride on. Little Man also had a small flag he went nuts with which was too cute.

One of the relay cars.

Here's what you really wanted though right? A truly great photo of the torch, if I may say so myself!

I was due to go home to decorate but being rushed out of the door I ended up locking myself out. It wasn't bad though, we stayed for lunch and dinner, I got to catch up with my Dad chatting about shares and having various debates. I even made some cupcakes in return for a couple of duck eggs on toast.
Finally, some photos of a lovely Saturday afternoon.

CupcakeMumma

The One Where Pops Turned 50!!

It was a special day today so that requires a special cake! My Dad is a music lover who owns plenty of guitars, bells,a lot of recording equipment,a flute not to mention a didgeridoo! So it seemed obvious he needed a good cake to match his love of musical instruments...what better than a banjo? I had a good go, this cake is all gluten and dairy free and tastes delicious! Mum baked the cakes as I was in charge of decorating. Dad loved it when he saw it this morning and I'm pleased to say recognised it straight away! Phew..

We surprised Dad today by all going out and waiting at a local restaurant in the Cornish village Porthleven. The restaurant is called Sea Drift (http://www.seadriftporthleven.co.uk/) I wasn't expecting this restaurant to be family friendly if I'm honest with you as when I've gone passed it normally I have never seen a young child with a family, I never saw highchairs tucked away or anything. I was pleasantly surprised and very pleased to see that the staff (who are extremely friendly and hard working ) had placed Little Man a plastic seat so he could join in the meal and I didn't have to have him on my lap fearing for my dinner as i thought!

Before first course there was a nice little serving of some mustard bread and butter. This seemed to go down a treat with everyone, even Other Half who hates mustard. Little Man tucked into this as well and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I didn't have a first course so jumped straight to ordering my roast dinner. When this came out i though it looked a little bare, not being used to this fine dining lark I didn't realise the vegetables would be coming in little bowls so we could choose! The picture below isn't very good as I had a lot more veg on my plate than that! My salmon was gorgeous and wonderfully cooked, the potatoes were lovely and crispy and the parsnips just delicious!

Crispy spuds,and yummy salmon (loads more veg went on here!)

The meat eaters enjoyed a Traditional Roast dinner. The beef was cooked pretty rare which no one had objections to but the offer was there to do it a bit more, the potatoes were very tasty and there was plenty of veg to add to their plates. I'm told the Yorkshire Pudding was very good, but check out the size! Now that's a Yorkshire Pud! To add to the meal was a gravy which I believe was an own recipie and apparently tasted very nice, but was quite rich, not a bad thing though. 

Check out the size of that Yorkshire Pud!

Now on to dessert! Those who had room tucked in to a pavlova with mixed fruits. I wasn't expecting anything as this is the norm when you can't eat wheat, gluten or dairy so I was very surprised again to be offered some dairy free ice cream and some berries, needless to say it was very, very nice. Better than the tinned fruits I'm usually offered at most other places.

Check out my sisters boyfriend who is very happy with himself, not only did he eat most of his roast, a fair bit of mustard bread and a steak my brother didn't manage, he was up for the pavlova:

Very generous serving of Pavlova  with a fruit  cooked in port

Dairy and gluten free alternative to dessert very good

Chocolate and Orange icecream free with kids meal. Very impressed!

All paid we went back home where we all celebrated with cake of course! I'll leave you with a few last photos and the happy knowledge Dad enjoyed his 50th very much as did we all.

Lovely pic of me and my Little Man

Me and Dad, both looking bit...odd

Little Miss with her Pop's guitars

Proud Mummy Moment people! Look at the writing!

 Hannah xx