Surrendering.

After reading a great article on the Power of Moms website earlier, it had me thinking about 'surrendering to Motherhood'. And I realised I needed to try this. So this afternoon while J was napping and the others while playing quietly in one of the bedrooms, I crept in and quietly sat and watched them play. I didn't speak or interrupt them, I just watched.

Elise, Nathan and Marissa were playing super heroes on a camping trip. Or should I say 'Johnny, Alice and Molly' were playing, as these are there make-believe alter egos.

Of course, Marissa (Molly) was drawling in a very thick American accent as usual when they are role-playing.

As I sat and watched it did choke me a little as, for once, it actually hit me that this won't last forever. Things will change!

I'm glad I took a few moments to just enjoy them at this time and make a note of it here.

I hope I will stop a little more often and instead of always rushing around, STOP, and enjoy being a Mummy.

Daddys birthday

Jared is 32!!!

Hooray! As Jared is my toy-boy my 2 1/2 years, I love when its his birthday and it makes the gap more on the 2 year side.

well, as we are having themed days, yesterday was 'secret party day'. As a typical man Jared didn't want any fuss made, so I thought I would let the kids plan his whole party.

They were very proud of this poster, especially, Nathan was proud of his letter 'i'. He was actually bowing to it and making up songs about it. A little over the top maybe, but he did keep in the lines.
We had a personalised table cloth with messages for Daddy on. (I think this may become a family birthday tradition, it was so cute!)

Daddy did get into the spirit of the party and even danced, which I do have pictures of but I know he would kill me.

And he loved his presents, especially his new suit.

And J loved the birthday cake and being allowed to eat it on the sofa.

N.B. Jared's cake has to be shop bought because he is so mean and picky about my cooking.

We finished the day by playing paper aeroplanes in the garden.

Fun day for all. Even Daddy Nit-Not.

Week 1 of the holidays.

Well we are in to the Summer holidays now and I have started using my new school holiday strategy. As I have mentioned I have a terrible memory and I am therefore not as organised as I would like to be, so I racked my brains to find a way to always have something for the kids to do. And I came up with 'themed days'. Each day has its own title and the activities we do on that day relate to the theme. And to avoid disappointment and arguments, Mummy announces the theme when they wake up (after checking the weather forecast).

O.K. if that didn't make sense, hopefully the next couple of blogs will.

These pictures come from 'PARK DAY'. We tried to see how many parks visits we could fit in one day. We started with the County park. I love these pictures below, they really sum up Ellie's and Nathan's relationship.


I love how these guys look out for each other.
We then went for a long walk round the woods next door and found lots of fun wood carvings. I was very impressed with how far these guys can walk when distracted.
We only did fit in one more park visit as J decided to have a 3 hour nap!!!

We have had other 'theme days' of music, love, pirate, family,make-believe and Worcester day. But Friday was 'FARM DAY'. A member of our stake owns a farm, and invites the whole stake once a year for a fun evening.

The kids loved the bumpy tractor rides,

...and lots of baby animals. Ducks...
...donkeys...
...goats....
...horses...
...piggies(a special favourite as 'Charlotte's Web' is our bedtime story at the moment)...
...chickens...
...and JJ had a special bond with the very cute puppies.
Also at the farm they had some great climbing places and fun play activities.
Marissa eating in the hay stacks.
And I spent half the evening with Ellie and Nathan on the zip-line.

More fun days to come :)