Rainy days with my children

This month has seemed to have more wet days than any other I have experienced and to say I have irrational hatred for this month of June would be vastly understating the point.

June 2011 was  a total washout and an utter plonker and needed to have a word in it's own ear and buck up and dry out and just basically sort it out.

Thanks goodness we have sunshine today or I would have developed some sort of weather directed tourettes and been the mad lady shaking her fist at the sky. Actually we do have a tourettes chap that lives by us so for pure originality's sake I'd have to come up with a different mode of attack.

Anyway.

These are the things that have made me happy this sodden month

You see rainy days are perfect for making colourful splodges on paper and whilst we're waiting for our art to dry well it would be rude not to make biscuits wouldn't it?

And unfortunately we always seem to eat them all before Daddy gets home. Sorry about that.

String

Monty seems to be infatuated with joining things together. He constantly requests ''Mummy can you get me just a little bits of rope because I just have to tie some things together.''

The toy boxes are full of cars joined together with string. The boy loves the stuff so much I just took this photo of him in bed with his beloved string.

I just don't get it. But then again. Not many things small boys do make sense. Well, to anyone other than themselves of course.

Don't hate me but...

I want to stay at home and be the one looking after my children.

This is not a post knocking working Mums, nothing of the sort but it is a post about choice.

 I haven't posted in a while.  And mostly it's been because the big money, work, childcare debate has been taking over mine and the gorgeous husbands lives. We need more money, but all I earn could be eaten up by childcare. And round and round and round again.

Huge arguments have been had.

When I was on maternity leave with Monty as my time off with him was drawing to an end I knew by the quickening of my heart and the panic setting in that I couldn't do it, couldn't leave him. Coupled with the fact I worked in childcare I felt sad at the thought of going to work to take care of other peoples children, when what I really wanted to be doing was taking care of my own.

So I set about registering as a home based childminder, it was the best decision for all of us and I loved it (aside from the fact my home resembled a nursery and I became a bit taken with cleaning.As people were paying me to take care of their kids- In my mind that meant my house had to sparkle!)

Monty started preschool and then Blossom came along and my childminding came to a close and I settled into my routine of another maternity leave this time with Blossom.

I love it, I thoroughly enjoy the beating of the drum that is what some might describe as the monotony of family life. I enjoy the baking and the painting and the snuggling on the sofa on rainy days with my two precious little people.

But we do desperately need more money.

I have recently obtained a qualification and this meant that I was able to apply for jobs that I wouldn't have been able to before. So I applied, and went to interviews and worked out financially that after tax, national insurance, childcare and petrol that my salary virtually halves.

The thought of leaving my children with someone else 4 or 5 days a week, then my policeman husband rarely getting a weekend off and THEN having little more to financially to show for it was a little too much to bear.

So, I'm continuing with the social media work that I've been doing with Claire, someone I've been hugely indebted to as this work has allowed me to be at home with Monty and Blossom. And I shall be going back to childminding.

I do wonder if I'm letting all the feminists down by not going out there into the world of work. But isn't feminism about choice?

But for now, this is right for me, and for my family.

And that's what it's all about right?

I'd love to know your views, were you deperate to stay at home with your kids or do you enjoy the independance you get from working? Do you work because you had to or did you want to go back? Is there ever a right choice? Is there really a choice? What do you think?

Creating traditions

The older Monty and Blossom get, the more I am realising that I want life to be about the experience of an occasion ( I'm talking Christmas and Easter here.) Rather than the stuff it brings (I'm talking piles of plastic crap and double figure of Easter eggs.) Not that they get much of a look in at the eggs as I eat them for them for medicinal reasons.

Anyway it is on that ilk that we spent Easter in a park hunting eggs.

The excitement Monty had at snaffling springtime treats from the trees was blissful to watch

Blossom watched her brother in bemusement. Already can't wait to see her with her basket next year.

This is a part of parenthood that I am seriously enjoying. Watching the magic and seeing them believe.

This summer the plan is to go camping and partake in a dusk fairy search. I want it to be the children wearing pyjamas, with torches, little lit tea lights, letters in elf scrawl and treats left by the fairies.

I can't wait.

(Monty's super cool trousers  were made by Nat at Sophie 4 Sophie - they were an Easter treat for both the kids and I love them. Because quite fittingly they make my children look totally Innocent. Which is exactly how it should be. Thanks Nat.)

Dear kids. Sorry Mummy has gone a bit crazy over the royal wedding.

If you had asked me about the royal wedding a few weeks ago I would have scoffed at the cost at the tax payers expence.This  based on the fact that I am married to a police officer and public sector cuts are hitting us hard and blah blah blah!

I also had reservations as to the role model of marrying a rich prince and all your wishes coming true. I'm not so sure how healthy that is.

But anyway.

Boring.

The closer it got the more excited I became. For the children of course. I arranged for us to spend the day at the park with our family and watch it on massive screens while scoffing a picnic. I wasn't born when Diana and Charles married so I suppose I was excited that this was something that was happening in both my childrens lifetime.

But on the day itself, I seemed to go a tad bonkers.

Both Monty and Blossom were dressed in red ,white and blue.

I was overcome with emotion at what was a beautiful day. I question my hormones frankly.

Memorabilia was purchased, we have fridge magnets, flags, mugs, newspapers and magazines. All for the childrens memory boxes you must understand.

Now I am obsessed, I keep googling for new facts, I must know where they are going on honeymoon I MUST!

And not only that, it is contagious, this wedding fever. Monty has stalked all  the newspapers with me. Looking at 'that man and lady who did a kiss.'

He is even planning his own wedding now. He will be marrying me, and there will be a steel band.

From Mummy, with love #2

I recently paid homage to the gorgeous letters that a favourite blogger (and friend) of mine writes to her son Piran at her blog A place of my own.

 I have had this letter to lil legs swimming around in my head for a while. Here goes.

Dear Monty,

We have had a bit of a difficult ride over the years. It has taken me a long time to work out your quirks and what makes you tick.

But you know what, sometimes if you've not worked hard at something you don't know you have it.

And I definitely have you buddy. And you have me. As you say to me daily. I love you mega.

After Blossom was born I felt like I lost you. Or lost a part of you. You were besotted with your sister but you seemed angry with me somehow. Her first year has been a hell of a ride for us and it is only now I look back I see it with clarity. You were very poorly and went into hospital for an operation, you have had a difficult time with eating and we have struggled with temper tantrums that have reduced me to tears and tested every ounce of me as your Mummy.

But you know what? I may have lost you for a small time, but now you are back and I realise how much I missed you.

You are the best friend a Mummy could have.

You chatter from the moment you wake up until the very second you drift off to sleep.

You have so many hugs for me in a day I could easily lose count.

I love the secret kisses you send me when you think no one is looking as I watch you do your weekly gym class.

No one can make Blossom laugh the way you do. Despite how much we try only you can make her laugh like a drain.

You are my special helper.

I never expected that the protective big brother would be so innate in you, if Blossom even attempts to crawl near danger you throw yourself in front of it like a human shield!

You will be four soon, in August, weeks later you will start school. You are ready. I am not.

I was once in a play (over a decade ago)and in the dressing room I found a beautiful silver ring engraved with this phrase:

''At my back I always hear times winged beast drawing near''

The truth in that was lost on me at the time, but all of a sudden it seems to ring bells in my head. Soon I will lose you again this time to 'big school.' You can't wait to go. I will sniff your neck daily until September, refuse to cut your hair, grab all the kisses I can and enjoy your free spirited urchiness before society put their stamp on you.

Nearly four years ago I gave birth to a boy, but you were the maker of me.

Love you little legs. More than you will ever know.


Mummy. x

The day where so much crap happened I can't think of an appropriate title for this blog post

Today I congratulated myself on being super frigging women as by ten a.m I had achieved an awesome amount of domesticity.

Word of warning people, never ever do that. The washing may be done, the floor may be hoovered, the bogs may be skid free, and this evenings dinner may be bubbling on the stove but listen. THERE IS SO MUCH THAT CAN STILL GO TITS UP. Sky high I tell you.

Firstly I had achieved greatness only to look down and realise that I was still in my pyjamas and smelt not dissimilar to a builders bum cleavage. Whoops. And what is that noise? Oh that would be Blossom waking from her nap. So no chance of a shower.

Blossom has had a bit of a bug so on that theme had crapped right up to her ears.  I am  a poo ninja so it takes more than that to rile me.

I wash and quickly bung my hair up so we can get out for a walk with the dog in the sunshine, we all need the fresh air. Monty still has his pyjama top on, no underwear or anything on his lower half for that matter and if you were to google feral urchin his image would pop up. Obviously not quite super women then given that I neglected to get both of us dressed.

We venture out, Monty looking less Russell Brand,I no longer smell of an armpit and Blossom has all traces of poop removed from her earlobes. Monty is on his balance bike and about five minutes into our journey my heart sinks. We are never going to get home before my fifty second birthday. Could a kid move any more slowly on a wheeled vehicle? I swear he is talking in reverse and it's actually last week on account that time is now going backwards.

Finally we stagger home but we are now stars of a black and white movie and it is 1963 or something. We eat our lunch and Blossom doesn't throw up all over the table which I take as a positive based on yesterdays bench mark.

We head back out into the sunshine, this time to the beach and with the scooter thank god. Monty narrowly misses scooting through the fresh pile of vomit of a lady who clings onto a wall as I feebly ask if everything is ok in a very high pitched voice. Apparently according to her husband she was a bit under the weather. I hate to think what that spew is going to be like under this weather. It's really hot!

Just as we get back to our house a dog runs out in front of a van as I screech and flap my arms like big bird to make the van stop. I called the owner who comes to pick the dog up as Monty informs her we are heroes. Well we are aren't we? The kid is not wrong.

Of course just as I am  about to start sorting dinner I realise I have made spaghetti bolognaise and we have naff all spaghetti so out we trundle again to pick some up and I also remember some other bits we need from Boots so we dash in there as well. Monty shouts very loudly that Mummy needs lady nappies to everyone in the shop which I do not and that is not what they are but that is now what everyone thinks I have in my basket. I would like to reiterate my pelvic floor is in top condition despite having two children and I was not buying tena lady.

It is only when I am asking the lady at the counter about nit shampoo because oh yes I forgot to tell you MONTY HAS NITS when I clock someone I know smiling at me . Shitshitshit! She heard about the nits.

'Hiya' I squeak.who says hiya I mean really? 
'You look well' she beams back at me.
'Yeah hot innit?' I reply aware that my answer has no relation to her previous statement.

Cringing I slink away trying not to scratch my own head in case she thinks I am riddled with lice.

Does anyone else have days like these because I am starting to think that a documentary is being made about me but no one has told me? I mean it's fine, as long as I get a large amount of money at the end.

Oh plop

This is a too much information blog post. If they make you come over all unneccesary then I suggest that you toddle off now as you will not like this.

Both Monty and Blossom were in the bath and I was in the kitchen emptying the dishwasher. Before you scorn in disgust Blossom was in a bath chair and the bathroom is downstairs directly off of the kitchen like it is in a lot of Victorian houses. So I was within earshot and only a few feet away.

I digress.

I am emptying the dishwasher and I can hear Monty talking to his boats and Blossom making a noise that I can only compare to Shaggy  on the song boombastic.

You know the one. Playing the song in your head? That grunty growly voice?

Mr lover lover....grunt....

Got it? Yes. That.

Odd I think to myself and pop my head round the door.

I am greeted by Monty sailing his boats through  floating lumps of turd, totally unperturbed. Blossom just grins.

I scream, Monty suddenly clicks and starts shouting 'get it off me, get it off me, her plop is on me.'

Having no idea what to do first I grab him out of the bath and then grab Blossom, turn around to throw a towel around Monty and as I do Blossom finishes off what she started and proceeds to move about thus treading the offensive bodily function into the bath mat.

Gosh I knew Motherhood would be rewarding but no one told me it would be this glamorous!

Baby loves disco review

* I was given free tickets for myself, Monty and Blossom by Baby Loves Disco to attend this event  in exchange for writing a review. I did not receive any payment other than having our names on the guest list.

I can remember way back when I had just had  Monty finding out about this craze over in America that was just hitting our shores but only in London at the time. I was disappointed and strongly believed it would go down a storm in Brighton. I mean whats not to love about mooching along  to your fave evening establishment during the day and having a boogie with your baby? Beats rhyme time at the library hands down!



''Yeah! Lets like totally boogie yeah?''



As we arrived we were greeted by the DJ box spinning some actually pretty decent tunes ( definitely something for everyone.) And a gaggle of pint sized groupies bopping along in awe.

Woah!

Monty found it all a bit much to begin with. There was a lot to take in! But  before long he was wiggling and shaking his thang in an inappropriate Lady Gaga fashion (seriously he loves her!) and emptying the snack table before dragging me over to get his face painted.

I was very impressed by the snack table, which was an open buffet of healthy snacks and juices and particularly liked the fact that it was all covered in the price of the ticket. As was the face painting. Great stuff.

Another fab fact worth mentioning is the great buggy storage, a whole floor dedicated to keeping your buggy safe. So often the bane of a Mamas life is where to put your sodding wheels!

But the moment I really fell for baby loves disco hook line and sinker was when Monty asked a member of staff where all the free ice lollies were and she told him they had all gone. His little face was so forlorn she dashed off and gave him hers out of the staff quota! Talk about service.

All needs are catered for, there was plenty to keep Blossom amused as she crawled around the play area, while the others danced.

I am totally doing crawling on nice soft carpet while my big brother struts his stuff!

There was also a cool down chill out area where the kids could grab a crayon and create some art.

Cost of a ticket is £8, and non walking babies are free. The details for the next Brighton Baby Loves Disco are HERE

and for more information about other venues are on the main website which is HERE

I really enjoyed it, and the kids experience will get better each time as it becomes less overwhelming and they get older. We will definately be at the next one in May!

Thanks so much to Baby Loves Disco.

Story time (for those that listen)

This weeks entry to #silentsunday. Click the LINK to be taken to Mocha Beanie Mummy's blog to take a look at all the other entries.

Words you don't want to hear while you are baking

''Mummy this bowl that we made the dough in is the bowl that I sometimes do sick in when I am poorly''

A little bit lovely

Yesterday was one of those perfect days.

I took Monty and Blossom to Brighton, on the train as requested by Monty. We stopped by the pottery cafe on North street and Monty decorated a plate and we made foot imprints on Blossoms plate. They are to give to a very special someone on her imminent birthday.

I took them for lunch and they behaved beautifully which always makes me incredibly proud.

We spent the afternoon exploring the North Laines aimlessly, one of my favourite things to do and Monty loved looking at all the street art while Blossom looked on from the buggy.

Have you noticed that he's refrained from the inane grin that was his usual pose for pictures and is now adopting the mean and sultry look? Ever the artistic temperament.

We finished the afternoon with a trip to the toy museum, on Trafalger Street.Mecca for retro train sets and dye cast cars and buses and puppets and and and........all those things that leave 3year old boys in awe and Parents smiling at the nostalgia.

And then to top it off by chance I ran in to the lovely Naomi aka The Kids Coach and her gorgeous boy.

As always I have childfriendlybrighton.co.uk to thank for brilliant suggestions for things to do with my little people what ever the weather.

I'm only sorry that the gorgeous husband was on a night shift the night before and slept through all the fun.

Brighton Banksy

Here is this weeks Silent Sunday photo. Pop over to Mocha Beanie Mummy's blog to see all the other gorgeous contributions.

The one with 'nastics'

Finally after two years, yes TWO YEARS of having Monty's name down at the gymnastics centre his name has finally reached the top of the waiting list and he had his first lesson this week.

He was always going to have gymnastics classes, (or 'nastics' as Mo calls it.)I am sure it is written somewhere in his DNA as his Daddy is quite the gymnast.Many a drunken back flip I kid you not, even on our wedding day, in his suit, across the beautiful lawn. He used to teach gymnastics and has always encouraged Monty to do his exercises and point his toes as he executes them.

So off we trundled to the next town to a centre where I used to take the reception class children weekly in my former life as a teaching assistant. It was nice to see familiar faces in his teachers but odd to be a 'parent' this time and not trying to get eleventy small people back into sweaty *gags* tights and spinning backwards jumpers around on tiny torsos. But I digress.

I paid my extortionate amount of money over and thrust Monty towards the other kids and the class began, warm ups and jumping into foam pits and such like.

Then of course the tears, and the 'Mummy cuggle' came.

Shit! I have just paid quite a sum  of moolah and he's not even going to join in? What? I had not even considered this. Bugger.

So we sat. And sat. And sat some more.

And we watched. And watched. And watched some more.

Then his group go over to the trampoline.

'Mummy can I be able to have some goes on that?'

So I did what any nurturing Mother would, I took him to the trampoline, I shoved him in the queue and ran off and hid.

With Mummy out of eye shot hiding stealth like behind a pillar and looking like an utter twat to all the other yummy Brighton Mummy's, he waited patiently in the queue and once he got his turn he executed a perfect seat drop and a 360 degree  turn.

Something odd happened that day, as I watched him spin on the  bars and listen intently to his teachers and stand straight as a pole, eager to please. I had goose bumps, my eyes were a little wet. He seemed to grow up before my eyes in the space of an hour.

I'm starting to come to terms with saying goodbye to my baby, he'll be going to school in September a few weeks after he turns four. But I hope my big boy will stay by me for a bit longer.

Favourite people favourite place

As usual I'm a bit slow to the party here but the ace of bases blogger Mocha Beanie Mummy has been running #silentsunday over on her blog where by the idea is that us bloggers post a picture on a Sunday that has been taken that week and you DO NOT ADD ANY WORDS!

So here is mine.

If you want to check out all the other entries CLICK HERE

So this is Christmas, and what have you done?

Yeah sorry for the naff lyric in the title but it did make me giggle. I wish I could have been a bit more organised over Christmas and New Year and posted right while we were in the thick of it but I didn't. However I want to sum up how magical it was for us this year as we did more, experienced more this year than we have previously. In fact while I'm here I should probably thank childfriendlybrighton.co.uk for pretty much sorting my children's Christmas festivities as we did so much that was suggested on the site and I had it booked in it's entirety by early November!

So anyway, here is what we got up to in mostly pictures.

 We had snow, Blossoms first experience of it!

 We took many trips to Brighton and warming hot chocolate were always needed by lil legs.  (Shortly after this pic he then threw up all over himself. The second time he has done it at the same place. Can't imagine we'll be going back there again. Ho hum.)

 Took the children to see their first pantomime. Cinderella.Blossoms face was such a picture it had me in tears. And they had a Shetland pony pulling the pumpkin carriage. Amaze!

 Blossom (9months) was stuffed into Monty's old 2-4 months snowsuit while I waited for hers to arrive. Sorry about that lady bug. x

 Monty did his first carol concert. This is him waiting outside the church. VERY excited.

 Reindeer ears were required

 Last day of term dressing up, the theme was Christmas. Superman is festive no?

 Snow boots were purchased for what seemed like the coldest winter ever.

 We saw the most realistic Santa. I BELIEVE!

 It was emotional.

 After stuffing Monty into his snowsuit he had an epic tantrum, which was rather like watching Barney on acid. Oh well, we then went to see the burning of the clocks parade in Brighton on the shortest day of the year

 It was a fantastic evening

 The procession was fantastic

 The fireworks were phenomenal

 But Blossom did not even bat an eyelid

 Stockings were left out and filled

 And Christmas day was enjoyed by these two

 Presents were played with

 And we learnt to stand with support

 It turns out plastic toys are not needed (I knew this already)when you have a discovery basket with a whisk

 Blossom has nearly mastered crawling

 And is rocking a towelling robe not dissimilar to what I imagine Barbera Windsor wears in her dressing room

And obviously lil legs has one too! ( I bet Paul O Grady has one like this? Except his would say Paul, not Monty of course)

We had a very Merry Christmas and we hope you did too. x