Summer Holidays 2018

I cannot believe as I write this, this year's school holidays are almost at an end. Usually by this time I am absolutely run ragged with all the activities I've tried to fit in with the children and absolutely desperate for them to return to school and our normal routine. I cannot say I'm eager for them to stay at home but I think for the most part this year's break has gone slightly smoother.

Me and Mine September 17

It has been some time since I posted on here. After taking a break all the way back in March I have been focusing my time on my YouTube channel and neglected my little blog. But I do still want to capture our family memories like I always have done so I thought I would write a little round up of the last few months to try and capture what has been going on with us.

The summer was relatively busy, despite me trying to rest as much as possible. We spent the first two weeks in Gran Canaria and it was lovely to be all together, switched off from the world and just enjoy each other's time. We made some lovely memories and the children loved the slower pace, daddy all to themselves and spending every day in the pool! When we got back it was a quick snap back to really as I juggled the school holidays. We had days out, trips with friends, saw family and tried to make the most of the summer without overdoing it, which is always a challenge.

Since then the children have returned to school and the transition has been pretty smooth. Jack is in year one and Holly has moved up to year two, which makes me gulp a bit as it is her last year in infants. It just seems to have gone by so quickly. And she already acts like a diva, so who knows what's to come as she gets older!

Mr H started a new job in July so has been busy whilst he adjsusts to his new role and the pressures that come with it. I'm also adjusting from the summer to autumn, which is always a harder time for me as September hits and my body just seems to go into shut down. I'm trying to not to let it affect my mental wellbeing though and just looking on it as a time to rest. So that's  pretty mich what we've been up to, in a very quick nutshell! Here is a video from our summer holiday, which now seems like such a long time ago!

Keeping Your Kids Entertained

So, it’s almost that time of year - Summer! For our kids, Summer is a joyful time of freedom, fun, and festivities, however for us parents, Summer can be quite the opposite. Out goes the freedom of the school year, when kids are at school most of the day, engaged and entertained and usually coming home exhausted but happy. Now in comes those long days of kids at each other throats, sometimes literally in our house, desperate to play with you despite you still having to work and the age-old cry of "I'm bored".

Our Big Night In With Money Supermarket

We were challenged by Money Supermarket to explore what A Big Night In is to us. In days gone by we were huge night-in hosts and always throwing fancy dress parties, cocktails parties and basically found any excuse to have our friends over and have a great night!

Whilst for the most part those days are long gone, we still find time every now and again to spend time with our friends, it's just now the children join us in the fun. So over the weekend whilst the weather was glorious we invited over a few friends and children and took our Big Night In into the garden.

I sent Mr H to the supermarket and he returned with enough food to feed the five thousand. He decided to make his own burgers, so set to work on those whilst the hot dogs and ribs were cooking. He puts on a pretty good spread, my hubby, and this was no exception.


After a day of running round in the paddling pool and enjoying the new crazy golf set, the children were ready to tuck into their grub. 

After they were cleaned up the older ones settled down on the sofa to watch Dora the Explorer on DVD, whilst us adults relaxed with a Peroni or two.

Whilst our Nights In might not be as wild as they used to be, they are just as much fun!

*I was offered £50 from Money Supermarket to spend on our Big Night In

Summer

Summer is finally upon us! After a dark and dismal start to the year, SAD seemed to well and truly stuck in, so I am so glad for some brighter weather! I just hope it lasts!

The children and I have been trying to make the most of the glorious weather and getting out as much as we can. I thought I'd share some of my favourite photos of the last few weeks, as these days have made me so happy and really helped me feel better.

When your garden is a building site, an improvised paddling pool does the job just as well!

H loved walking her dolly with Grandma

Blowing bubbles in the park

At one year old my little man has learnt to climb the steps and slide down on his own!

My water baby

A summer bath

Baby J's party

Flying high on a lovely summer's eve

Farmyard Antics

A couple of weeks ago Mr H took a long weekend and we decided to take advantage of the rare good weather and have a family day out. We visited the zoo with H for the first time in March and since then I have been wanting to go to the farm. After putting a shout out for recommendations to friends on Facebook, we settled on Stockley Farm in Warrington. So after roping in some friends to join us, we packed up the car, bundled in the kids and set off on our trip.

All I Have To Say Is...

What a beautiful weekend