April at The Cupcakes...

Finally it's the 1st of May. April wasn't awful but it wasn't exactly my idea of a good month either. It's taken me every ounce of strength, some wonderful friends and my children to get me through April and I'm keen to look ahead and put April behind me and keep moving forward.

As I said however, April wasn't all bad so here are a few things we got up to:

• Costa with the Mini Cupcakes
• Beach cleaning at Porthleven with the little ones, my Mum and Dad
• Beach fun in Porthleven. Paddling, sand art, running, picnics, sunbathing and photo taking!
• Dad helped with the beach cleaning!
• Little A spending time with his Dad at the park doing football practice
• On a bad day we went trampolining in town with friends, it was tough but the children had a lovely day out with their school friends and I had some distraction

• We spent Easter at my parents and had plenty of eggs, a roast dinner and  chilled weekend
• I read some books this month which was nice
• I did some crafting and put together my postcard frame, I like to swap my postcards around
• I went to Tehidy Woods twice. Once with my aunt for dog walking, which Peppa loved and once with the school for an all day trip
• We saw lots of animals, had an outdoors story, walked in mud and saved a few wanderers!
• I volunteered at school reading, doing phonics, handwriting and just generally being helpful. I'm gutted I have to step down soon thanks to the lovely job centre but I intend on sticking to it for as long as I can, I'm gaining more confidence every time I go in
• The pooch and I chilled out on my down days, I got a lovely photo of her smiling in her sleep
• My sister sent me a brand new toaster which is one of the best things I've ever had (I'm serious!)
• We celebrated Trevithick Day on Saturday 29th April and it was such a great day with the Mini Cupcakes, Mum and Dad. I took plenty of photos and will be doing a separate post so do look out for that!

So that was our April. The children enjoyed our little day trips, they've been doing school stuff and enjoying their outside school clubs too. They're pretty happy and that makes me really happy, I'm doing something right anyway!

May should be a nice month. I have to job search, and visit the dentist and doctors for all my reviews and I start some counselling which I really do need. I also plan on having more Costa mornings with my friends, reading more, Midge is off to London on Wednesday, A starts his football club next week and we have half term at the end of May too!

Hope you've all had a good April, here's to May.

Cupcake Mumma x

What We Got up to In April

Wow April just flew by huh? I don't think it was a very busy month all in all quite chilled out really. I started it with a visit from my friend who brought her 3 little ones down to stay locally and that was a nice visit even if it was a quick one. Because of tooth pain I have spent a lot of April being pretty lazy and chilling with the pooch who kept me company on my low days. We did a fun colouring book Twitter party and the children got their own books, crayons and masks to wear while I Tweeted along, I thought it was fun!

 A masked Midge// Peppa Dog sunning herself// My happy place on the sand// Porthleven harbour// Seaside// Footprints in the sand// Siblings on the beach// Breakfast in bed// Frank the cat

I also spent a weekend at my parents house with Midge and Roo at the beginning of April. It helped take my mind off things. We went to the beach, I got caught on 3 occasions by sitting down watching the children and not noticing the tide coming in! The children had so much fun running around, Roo really enjoyed himself once he got used to the feeling of the sand. I think I'll get him some beach shoes soon. I was really in my happy place. We baked cakes, watched Iron Man, had hot chocolate, a lovely hot bath each and I made Mum and Dad breakfast in bed as I got up early leaving Roo watching Netflix and Midge still snoring away.

 Peppa and I chilling// Quick Costa// The Dawlish line// Time with Little T// Roo on the merry-go-round// Blossom// Breakfast// Roo reading// Scrap booking letters

I went away for 3 days to Trowbridge to see my friend and her brood. The train journey up there wasn't fantastic, well once we switched at Plymouth it wasn't so bad! I always get nervous going across the Dawlish line because the waves can get pretty big and you'd have to live under a rock not to have heard of the damage caused by the sea in that awful storm last year. It's a lovely bit to pass but it always unsettles me! Coming back to my babies was wonderful though, I really missed them and Mr B as I always do. 

Peppa in the sun watching me clean// Pen pal writing// Delicious salad// First visit to new dentist// Screen time with the kids// Roo as Iron Man// Steam engine at Trevithick Day// The Viewers band// Roo admiring hand crafted boats

The end of April I had my first appointment at the new dentist (he's fantastic by the way) and I got everything sorted for future appointments including 1 filling and 1 root canal but I'm not so frightened about them anymore. We had a lovely day at Trevithick Day on April 30th. We only saw a few steam trains because Roo was with us and it's really about how much he can deal with. He loved watching the band for 10 minutes and we escaped to see the miniature railway, hand crafted boats and Meccano projects, all very interesting. They both had fun bouncing around on the giant bouncy castle and bought a Slushie to share plus getting a treat each. Roo chose a new dog which was red and reminded him of the red dinosaur teddy he dropped on the train track last year heading to Cambridge *sniff sniff* 

It's fair to say April was a bit tough much like March. Now I'm in May and am pretty much pain free my mood has lifted considerably. The weather has helped a lot too of course but it isn't that reliable! I have no big things planned in May, we are just plodding along with school, hygienist appointments and whatever else life has planned for us.

April on the Blog

I pretty much had a blogging break over April but I did write about a lovely crafty day I had with the children, our March catch up plus doing my usual blogging on a train thing I do whenever I'm well, on a train.

Hope April was good for my lovely readers

Cupcake Mumma x

Reasons to Smile ~ March and April

As both March and April were quite difficult months for me in terms of low mood and some stressful goings on, I didn't feel I could pick out 10 things for each month but I didn't want to ignore the wonderful things that did happen so I've combined March and April together for this happy post.

March

1) Seeing my sister! Issy came down to celebrate her birthday and I put on a spread for her and some of the family. I baked a cake which wasn't great but tasted fine so that's the main thing!

2) Parents evening this year was really encouraging. Midge is doing well and I got to hear so many wonderful things about my number one girl, she makes me so proud. I wish they knew how they were getting on at swimming though because I have no clue! She just says "Well, I didn't drown today," so I'm guessing it's not going all that well but she's trying!! Little A is being referred to a educational psychologist to come in and see him and his teachers so we can get some ideas on how he learns best. He's doing well but does struggle to settle down and focus on his reading and writing.

3) Reading lots! I got to read at least 4 books and I was so happy to be enjoying my books again. I dip in and out of my reading, when I do read though I read a lot and I love it.

The Unmumsy Mum, I enjoyed reading this book

4) I've been discovering some new free from goodies at Tesco! I've found some delicious ice cream which reminds me of mini magnums! They've brought back chocolate ice cream tubs too and garlic bread is new! I enjoyed some chicken nuggets and since Midge has been free from wheat for a few months now she was over the moon to have them on her plate.

New soya yogurts, ice cream, ginger biscuits and garlic bread

5) Making candy bunnies and cones for Easter which people loved. I had great fun making these, I made them for a few of the children's friends and for their teachers and helpers then I sent some off to a Facebook friend who wanted some for her children. I loved getting a smiley photo on Twitter from one of her children holding his bunny packets!

Bunny bags and candy cones

April

1)  Seeing Kat and the kids. Kat visited fleetingly at the beginning of April which was lovely and I made my way up to see her on April 15th for her birthday. I stayed for 3 days and had a lovely time with her and the children, it was all pretty relaxed (well, as it can be with 3 little ones and a teenager!) I think we all had fun celebrating Kats birthday with cake and gifts.

2) My new dentist. He is so wonderful and although I'm still a very anxious patient, I am able to go through with the treatment I need and I now feel positive about my future treatments.

3) Trevithick Day was once again a brilliant success. Last year I only took Midge with me as we were still struggling with Little A's sensory processing difficulties, but this year we were more prepared and we all had a fantastic time. The children understood it was one ride each, they both happily spent 10 minutes on a huge bouncy castle while I watched, wishing adults could have a go too. We listened to some live music, saw lots of school friends, shared a blue Slushie and both children bought something from a stall. We all enjoyed looking at the miniature railways, Meccano and the boats too.

Little A looking at all the boats

4) I took the children to Pothleven to see Pops and Grandma which as usual they really enjoyed. It was a very relaxing weekend and to be honest, none of us wanted to go home but we couldn't stay becasue we had school the next day! We enjoyed a roast dinner and some cake baking but what we all most enjoyed was being by the sea, playing in the waves and burying our feet in the sand.

Siblings on the sand

Beautiful seaside

5) I caught up on some pen pal letters in April and after clearing up the clutter in my bedroom I have found my room to be my favourite space in the house. It is calm and peaceful which I love and it's been so nice to write while having the window open and the fresh air flowing through.

The dog likes to keep me company when I'm upstairs

As always I'd love to hear what made you happy in March or April, do share in the comments below!

Cupcake Mumma

Trevithick Day 2015

Trevithick Day this year was fab! Midge and I went together for quite a few hours because I thought it would be too much for A (we took him later) we fully embraced the spirit, rain and all! We mooched around then landed in the funfair where I was suitably ripped off on a prize stall but it was her only prize stall! Midge got her prize ( at £3 for one go it was a guaranteed one but she didn't care) then she went on a bouncy castle and we went on a ride together (this was a lot faster than it looked, Midges face changed quicker than ever. I wasn't sure if she was going to cry, panic or chuck up! It was fun though.

We then sought out chips, postcards, a souvenir of the day for Midge (a very pretty head band) candy floss and sweeties then we moved on to the steam engines. As always they were spectacular. We looked at the old cars too, turns out Midge is into all this engine stuff!

We checked out the church as usual where we left prayer messages and viewed the miniature railways. I wanted to get photos because I knew A would miss this bit.

Then we caught musicians and dancers and I signed up for a Cornish language course.

Later we could hear the engines from our back garden and A was so excited we ventured out into the pouring rain to watch the engines journey up Camborne Hill. Then we took him into town to get some candy floss and see the small engines that hadn't left town yet. He is so little still that he doesn't know what he missed, he got to see the engines in their finest bit and it was the first time I'd seen them go up the hill too!

I felt so much pride this year, I'm not sure why. I've lived here now nearly 14 years and I'm pretty loyal to Cornwall, I don't see myself ever leaving and if I could I'd certainly put myself down as Cornish. I have another many years before I can do that down here though ha!

Cupcake Mumma

Trevithick Day

Here in Cornwall we celebrate Richard Trevithick, the pioneer in steam-powered rail. Richard Trevithick invented the first high-pressure steam engine and also went on to build the first full scale working railway locomotive. To read more on Richard Trevithick and why he is so important to the Cornish please click this link!

Every year at the end of April it is Trevithick Day in Cornwall and come rain or shine the stalls come out, the rides come out, the food and drink flow, the steam engines make their travels to the town centre of Camborne along with vintage cars and lots of people!

We were very lucky to have the sun shine for us on Saturday only experiencing small showers on and off through the day. We packed Little man in his back carrier to avoid the fuss of pushing the buggy through the crowds which was a nightmare last year!

First of all we did a quick glance of the stalls before buying anything, we like getting a feel of the things on offer instead of just diving in. There was this huge stall selling all sorts of sweets, have you ever seen so many?

We bought some lolly pops and flying saucers which are my favourites, plus the face the little ones pull when the sherbet hits their tongue is priceless!

Then we watched the parade come through town. The smaller steam engines led the way with Camborne Town Band playing their music behind them. Little Miss and Little Man were really interested in what was going on. Little Miss loved the steam engines and couldn't wait to see the bigger ones, Little Man just couldn't believe what was going on!

Enjoying the parade

Afterwards Little Miss bumped into a school friend who had her face painted so, off we went to find the face painter!

Then it was time for the big engines!

This is the replica of Puffing Devil, the first high pressured steam engine built by Richard Trevithick.

Me and Little Miss in front of the Colossus

Favourite shot of the day

 Finally, before heading home and popping Little Man to bed and collapsing onto the sofa ourselves, we took Little Miss around the fair for some rides. Daddy got a Scooby Doo toy for Little Man and a Hello Kitty toy for Little Miss on those over priced but fun fair ground stalls. I'll leave you with Little Miss on the rides!

Cupcake Mumma