A photo a day : Slimbridge wetland centre.

Okay so I am day late with this one, but lets just pretend that it is still Friday.. 

We had been planning this trip since last summer when I was heavily pregnant with my boy. Slimbridge (or duck land as Eva calls it) is one of our favourite places to visit. As a toddler Eva adored birds and this being mainly a duck / bird place was the perfect place in her eyes. I would reccommend checking out the events before you go as it's a seasonal place, meaning not all activities are available due to weather etc. 

One new feature was the "passport". Each child was given a passport and every activity on it that they completed they were given a sticker. If they collected all of them, then they got a certificate. Sadly we weren't able to complete all the activities due to the closing hours of each one (check before you go and plan your day - had we been aware of the new passport we'd have done just this) Still Eva completed, feeding the ducks (with the bird seed provided), looking for bugs in the mud, holding a Fire Salamander, Pond dipping and another one which I have forgotten completely! 

We had a lunch in the cafe and the food is amazing! if a little pricey, but well worth it in my opinion after all you get what you paid for. We had a lovely day, Eva loved bird watching, Archie loved watching Eva feed the swans and us adults had a lovely time too.

Bean xo

A photo a day : The Forest Of Dean

After our lazy day yesterday we decided today, we'd do something very active. Walking. Of course living at the edge of the Cotswolds, we are completely surrounded by many perfect walking sites. However, we fancied something different, so headed over to The Forest Of Dean. We have been here many times, and each time we do it rains, so I was somewhat surprised and pleased that the weather stayed hot and sunny the whole time we were there. 

We decided to take a packed lunch with us, for Eva this was a egg and cress sandwich, some fruit (Mango) a pack of ready salted crisps and a drink. I had a ham and egg sandwich, malt loaf with butter, one ginger cookie and a bottle of water. Archie enjoyed Red Pepper, sweet potato and apple for his lunch, washed down with a bottle of milk. We ate our lunch over looking Cannop Ponds, Eva fed her crusts to the ducks and swans who were swimming on the lake. I remembered we still had duck feed left in the car from our trip to Studely Grange on Tuesday, so once the bread had run out we switched to that. 

After lunch, we began our walk. Honestly, we had no plan where we were going, just walk till we were tired out and then head home. We ended up somewhere, in the woods. I have no idea where if I'm honest, it all looks the same. In the end we had a 1 1/2 hour walk and then went home. I love the drive back through the Forest and much as the walking through it. This place is beautiful, it's on our list for a long weekend away next year.

Bean xo

A photo a day : Studley Grange

We couldn't decide between The Living Rainforest and Studley Grange for a day out, in the end it came down to cost (Studley is only £4.95 each, under 3's are free) plus it had so much there that we decided to do The Living Rainforest another time. It took about an hour and half to get there, we arrived at lunch time so had lunch first. Eva had a children's packed lunch which was, a sandwich, a bag of plain crisps, an apple, 4 biscuits and a carton of juice. The food there wasn't great, the Lasagna I had was over cooked, dry and didn't have much taste but then again it was a simple cafe so I don't think it should have been anything more.

After lunch we headed to butterfly world, this also lead out to the reptiles and animal paddock too. Eva adore's butterflies so really enjoyed herself here. I managed to get some lovely photographs from here. Out in the animal paddock were pigs, ducks, otters, meer kats and ducks. We brought some animal feed for £1 a bag and Eva got to feed the goats. Archie found the goats highly amusing, he couldn't stop laughing at them, he laughed even more when the goat got hold of the paper bag of food.

Next we went around the craft village, had we known just how much things there were to do here we would have brought some more money with us. We did have a look in all the shops though, and paid to go into the little lego place, kind of like a mini (very mini) lego land. We took the children into the play zone / barn in the middle and both of them had fun playing with all the toys, ball pits and slides. 

On leaving I brought Eva a lolly pop and a teddy and Archie just had a small teddy. It was a lovely little place, very small but perfect for children - and as it's all in doors it's perfect for when the weather isn't at it's best, like today.

Bean xo

Bath time.

google image

 Leaving a child alone in the bath is okay when? In my personal opinion never. Okay, so I don't mean older children (10+) I mean younger children who are not mentally mature enough to take responsilby for themselves in a bath full of water. Eva is five years old, and even though she is aware of the danger's of water I don't think she is ready to be left alone, for one I'm far too scared of something happening to her plus the fact she probably wouldn't bath herself opting for just playing instead. 

It's so easy to drown in the bath, it takes a matter of seconds, the time it takes to answer the front door, the time it takes to answer a phone, the time it takes to run out the room to get that towel you forgot. Yes, okay Eva can swim, but what does that matter in a bath? That skill is made void by the fact unless you are 2 inches tall or a fish, swimming in the bath is impossible. Of course I could kit her out in a rubber ring, arm bands and anyother buoyancy aid, but let's face it, that's a little bit over the top.

So when is the right age to leave a child alone in a bath tub? Many pediatrician's say that a child between 8-9 years is mature enough to be left alone, and I have to say I agree with this. Of course that's not to say all children are of the correct mental maturity, some may need a parent / carer in with them beyond this, but on the most part this seems reasonable. It's around that age that some (again not all) children begin puberty and I believe they should be given some privacy to bath in peace. I'm sure we already remember that awkward age and not wanting anyone looking at us naked while our bodies were changing.

So when do think a child is safe to bath alone?

Nine months.

Nine months. That's 3/4 of a year old, three months until he turns one. Oh gosh, time does fly. So where are we? Well lets start with weaning. It's been hard. He does love his food however I'm finding getting him to eat anything with a little bit of texture hard work. He makes himself choke before he has the food in his mouth and will then proceed to vomit up all his food. It's fustrating - I never had this with Eva. We have his nine month review on wednesday so I shall ask about this while I am there.

As of yesterday morning, 3am he is no longer a breast fed baby. I came naturally that we should stop. We were both ready for it. He's very happy to have bottles and I'm happy not having him biting me during a feed (Yes OUCH!) He has over the day, 3 feeds. I am trying to avoid giving him milk in the night as I don't want him getting used to that, so if he wakes I tried to settle him with his dummy (the only time he has one) or just humming to him. It's working well so far.

Talking about sleeping / night time. We've also quit co-sleeping (yes alot is going on this month, Archie has been in his own cot since last Friday (YAY) and so far so good. We've only had one bad night and that was night two. All the rest of the time he is sleeping through which is just fabulous. He never slept through while co-sleeping; although he never woke up, he tended to 'dream feed' which woke me up. I hadn't realised how much of the bed he took up! and now he's back into his own bad, it's heaven. I do miss morning snuggles with him though!

 His speech is coming on slowly. He can say - Dada, Nana, Mama, Hi & yes. He does say "mama" too, mainly when he's upset. The rest of the time he's speaking in "baby speak" gruggling and making super cute noises. 

At months he can now : 

• Crawl - army style most of the time but he can do it on his knees. 
• Pull himself up to stand. Normally the sofa or someones leg. 
• Stand for a few seconds alone. (longest being 15 seconds)
• Sit from laying down.
• Walk with help / or while holding on to the sofa.

50 Questions.

1. What's your favourite candle scent? 

I'm not a big fan of candles (shocker), However at chirstmas I do buy the christmas scented ones simply because I adore the smell of christmas.
2. What female celebrity do you wish was your sister?

I can tell you right now one I would hate to be my sister and that is Miley Cyrus, yes she has alot of fans but honestly every time I see her I just want to tell her to "Put it away love". As for being my sister, there's not one I look at and think "I wish you were my sister".
3. What male celebrity do you wish was your brother? 
Will Smith, just because.
4. How old do you think you'll be when you get married? 
Around 27-30 years old.
5. Do you know a hoarder? 
*waves* ME! and my mother.
6. Can you do a split? 
Nope.
7. How old were you when you learned how to ride a bike? 
6 or 7 I beleive.
8. How many oceans have you swam in?
One.
9. How many countries have you been to?
One. At least I've never left this one.
10. Is anyone in your family in the army? 
My brother was, he had to leave due to medical issues. I remember the day he was sent to Afgan, my mother was so upset I just remember being so excited for him. I don't think I was aware that there was a war going on or that alot of people had been killed out there. My grandad was also in the Army, he joined just after the second world war ended.
11. What would you name your daughter if you had one? 
If I had another one, I'd call her Afia or Molly.
12. What would you name your son if you had one? 
Boy's names are the worse! For another boy though, I do like the name Ostin.
13. What's the worst grade you got on a test? 
I believe I got a D in R.E which is fine by me, it's not like I need that subject in my life.
14. What was your favourite TV show when you were a child? 
Friends. I still adore it now.
15. What did you dress up as on Halloween when you were eight? 
I have never dressed up for Halloween, ok I did one year but I was about 12 years old then and I dressed as a devil. Mainly because I owned alot of red clothing.
16. Have you read any of the Harry Potter, Hunger Games or Twilight series? 
I have read the first Harry Potter book and all of the Twilight series.
17. Would you rather have an American accent or a British accent? 
British. Although I do love the way American's pronounce some words.
18. Did your mother go to college? 
Yes she did.
19. Are your grandparents still married? 
My mother's mum died when my mum was only 6 years old, my grandfather never remarried or even dated anyone. He remained in love with her until the day he died. On their grave are the words "mum and dad together again".
20. Have you ever taken karate lessons? 
Nope.
21. Do you know who Kermit the frog is? 
A green frog.
22. What's the first amusement park you've been to? 
Does west midlands count?
23. What language, besides your native language, would you like to be fluent in? 
I would love to learn Indian.
24. Do you spell the colour as grey or gray? 
Grey.
25. Is your father bald? 
No.
26. Do you know triplets? 
I know some twins..
27. Do you prefer Titanic or The Notebook? 
Titanic, although I've never watching the notebook (Insert shocked faces here)
28. Have you ever had Indian food? 
Real Indian food, nope. The kind Indians have realised us Brits love, yes.
29. What's the name of your favourite restaurant? 
Teddington hands.
30. Have you ever been to Olive Garden? 
Nope.
31. Do you belong to any warehouse stores (Costco, BJ's, etc.)? 
Not that I am aware of no.
32. What would your parents have named you if you were the opposite gender? 
Carl. My mother honestly believed I was a boy, when I was born minus the man parts she just stuck a Y at the end I become Carly.
33. If you have a nickname, what is it? 
I have many. Beany, or Bee are the main ones. They are used so often my boss doesn't even call me by first name anymore.
34. Who's your favourite person in the world? 
*people. Eva and Archie, my children. They are my favourite mini people.
35. Would you rather live in a rural area or in the suburbs? 
I love london, but I live in a market town in the country and I love it here more.
36. Can you whistle? 
Yes.
37. Do you sleep with a nightlight? 
Nope.
38. Do you eat breakfast every morning? 
I try to, but find it hard to eat anything in the morning. I tend to drink tea instead.
39. Do you take any pills or medication daily? 
Nope.
40. What medical conditions do you have? 
None at all.
41. How many times have you been to the hospital? 
I go in 6 times a week for work. For medical reasons, I don't know.. over night stays. 3 times - once when Eva was born, again a week later when she needed phototherpy and last year when I was admitted when they thought I'd had a stroke.
42. Have you ever seen Finding Nemo? 
Of course.
43. Where do you buy your jeans? 
New look, Asda. Anywhere that sells my favourite skinny jeans.
44. What's the last compliment you got? 
"You hairs looks nice"
45. Do you usually remember your dreams in the morning? 
I dreamt I was wine tasting for my wedding.
46. What flavour tea do you enjoy? 
I love "fresh" tea, or Earl Grey.
47. How many pairs of shoes do you currently own? 
Alot. But not many, I mean I have few pairs but I only wear one or two pairs of them.
48. What religion will you raise your children to practice? 
I'm not religious at all, but my daughter talks alot about god and Jesus. I have no problem with that and certainly won't tell her there is no god, just because I don't believe in something doesn't mean it's not there. Children should be able to choose if they want to take that path in life.
49. How old were you when you found out that Santa wasn't real? 
9/10 years old. I remeber being more upset that I wouldn't have a stocking that year, rather then finding out he wasn't real if I'm honest.
50. Why do you have a Blogger? 
It's my place to come and moan, to talk and share my thoughts. My own personal little world that I don't have to worry about someone judging what I say. What ever is on my mind I can write about, I'm learning it's just alot of fun.

Funny things.

Eva : What is a swear word mummy?

Me : A swear word is a word we don't say, it's a word that afends others so we must not say it.

Eva : Well, I don't like the word no. It affends me, you can't say it any more.

I walked right into that one. I love the things children come out with, they haven't yet learnt that sometimes you shouldn't say what your thinking and that you should think before you speak. Eva is a perfect example of this. If she she's something "interesting" or new she'll point it out and ask me questions. Infact I love that she does, well sometimes, other times I am trying to hide my red face and stop myself from giggling at the things she comes out with.

Eva : Mummy why is that lady sitting in that chair (wheel chair)

Me : Because some people need a speical chair for when walking get's to hard to do anymore.

Eva : Is she poorly.

Me : Something like that, yes.

Eva : What about that man? Why does he have hair growing out of his nose?

Being a mum is a mixture of fun, laughter and sometimes those red cheeked moments. 

So, what funny things has your son / daughter come out with that have left you red face?

Charity shop Haul.

I do love a charity shop! My town has loads of them, which is lucky really. Going shopping I'm always suprised by what people "throw out", children's clothes are always my best buy. Anyway, this week I headed into town to do a little Charity shop haul, I ended up spending just over £18 on items that would cost (brand new) almost £60! I am very impressed with myself.

Something for me.

 A box of six of these gorgeous bath petals cost me 99p. They have the most beautiful lavender scent. Link here if you want to buy your own. I cannot wait to try these out in a nice bubble bath, they look so pretty!

Something for Eva.

 Pink top cost me £1.75 is from Next, it has some lovely little details like glitter on the girls dress and a bow on the rabbit. Eva loved it as it's pink. The yellow time which just screams summer to me is from George at Adsa and cost me £1.95. 

Something for Archie.

 Blue monkey top cost me £2.25 which is quite expensive for a charity shop, however it's in such a lovely top plus it's next that I think it's still a good bargin. The grey Jogger's are from George at asda and cost me £1. I am a big fan of the George range, your notice Archie own's alot of their Joggers, these are the disney one's which he doesn't have. They are such good quality, wash really well and are hard wearing, perfect for Archie who spends most his days crawling around. 

Books!

Hungry Hen - 50p.

Tell the time with Croc and Bet - £1.99

Aldo - 99p

Animals of Farthing Wood - 25p

Dr.Seuss "One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish" - 99p

Jane Green "Mr Maybe" - £1.50

Photoshop Elements 8 - £2.50 (This is my biggest bargin of the day, new this book costs £22.99)

The magical Mermaids Jigsaw story book - £1.99

 

20 things about me.

1. I am carly
2. I got my nickname 'Bee' from a family friend
3. I am twenty five years old.
4. I have one older brother, Mark
5. I began dating my boyfriend on 04.05.06
6. We've been together 8 years.
7. I have two children, Eva and Archie
8. and two pets, Kiara (rabbit) and Frankie (budgie).
9. I read alot.
10. and love to write.
11. I take far too many photos.
12. I like watching The Big Bang Theory while drinking a cup of tea and eating Galaxy chocolate.
13. I work two jobs.
14. I no longer have red hair.
15. I couldn't tell you what colour it is now!
16. I'm stubborn / positive / impatient
17. My fears are driving next to lorries, being in a shop at closing time and spiders.
18. I want to be a police officer 'when I grow up'
19. I have a slight obsession with cleaning.
20. I spend too much time dreaming.

A Crocodile for Billy.

Eva came home from school on Mnday with a book, I was confused at first to why she had two books in her bag (normally she has a reading book for homework in her book bag), then after a little conversation with Eva it seems it is her's to keep. She's never been given a free book before so stright away I was interested in finding out what the story was about, and I have to say I was more then surprised by this book.

The book is written for LloydsTSB bank, it's basically to encourage saving. I myself thought this was a brilliant idea. We've been trying to get Eva to understand money more, and wanting her to save her pocket money (she currently get's £1 every week) so for us this book is going be very helpful. Eva's told me they already read it at school, which is very encouraging to know they are teaching her about saving money there too.

Inside the book was a savings chart and some stickers - which great if you have a child who likes stickers, I however don't - The saving's chart however, is and will be very useful. Now we aren't with LloydsTSB bank, but this is still a fantasic idea. I did pop over to the website (here) but it seems it's since been closed down, which I am rather confused about. It would have been nice to get some more information about it.

(Update) : The book is available on E-book here.

Back to work.

After 39 weeks off work, 31st May marked my first day at back at work *sigh*. Actually I was quite looking forward to it, don't get me wrong I love being at home with Archie all day everyday but I am one of those people who has to work, I think I'd go mad if I didn't. That's probably why I took a second job as well - working from home though so I don't have to pay for child care (score).

My first day back was tiring to say the least, after a 5 hour shift I was shattered, covered in blisters and my feet ached (I'd forgotten just how much walking was invovled!!) After a week, I'm glad to be back. I've meet some lovely patients and feel back in the flow of working. It's been a bit of a nightmare for a few days getting used to leaving early and having the children ready at the same time, but we're getting there. I'm quite proud of the fact that I am still working. It's got me thinking more about what job I want in the future, something from home full time would be perfect but for now I am happy working two jobs, spending every spare second with my children.

Co-sleeping.

Co-sleeping, sleep-sharing, bed-sharing, what ever you want to call it, has been one of the most debated subjects when it comes to newborns and motherhood. I have found myself in many discussions about it and have found alot of people aren't educated enough on the subject, they simply make things up or go from guidelines without researching the subject at all. I myself have to research something before I can put my view across I like to see something from both point's of view before making my mind up on where I stand with something. It's something I did before I gave birth to Eva and something I did again before having Archie. I was amazed at the difference from then to now.

Note : Eva did not sleep with my covers over her.

Back in 2009 when I first looked into co-sleeping almost every website highlighted all the risks and how you shouldn't under any circumstance sleep with your baby. I struggled to find any websites that offered advise about the subject. I think this was why my view for a while was "why put your baby at risk?". Of course I no longer think this way, but at that time I did. I was completely against the whole thing so when I began co-sleeping with her I felt awful and vowed not to do it the next night. Over time this feeling did go and we got into a good bedtime routine (although the first night she slept though aged 9 weeks I woke every hour) I had the full support of my health visitor who then was quite pro to the whole idea of co-sleeping which made me feel a whole lot happier about doing so.

 
When it came to Archie I was set once again that he wouldn't sleep in my bed, but breastfeeding at night meant it was just easier having him in my bed with me rather then having to take him in and out of the cot to feed him. As i said in my breast feeding post, I found it very painful for the first week or so and laying down on the bed was the only way I could feed him at first. He'd fall a sleep and having to move him back to his own bed would wake him up and I didn't see the the point in that. He's 8 months old now and still in my bed with me. I do of course plan to get him into his cot soon, I want to do that once I stop breast feeding which I am currently in the process of stopping.

Everything has changed now that attachment parenting has become more popular. These days if you search the internet (as I did before writing this blog post) you will find almost all co-sleeping information positive information about the subject. It talks about both sides to allow you to make your own mind up about where you stand about it, and over all it's a much more helpful and accepting view. I am not pro co-sleeping nor am I against it, I believe completely that as parents we have the right to choose what's best for our children without having to get into silly arguments about it all.

5 going on 15.

"Mummy I hate you" followed by a slammed door has become a regular thing in our house at the moment. Eva has reached an age where everything is a big drama and the only reaction to most things asked of her is screaming, shouting and slamming of doors. She has become a right little diva, if she doesn't get her own way all hell breaks loose. A few weeks back she lost a pound coin under her booset seat in the car and started to scream when I explained that no we couldn't pull over and get it (we were on the M5 at the time) so her reply to me was "We were having a really nice time and you've gone and ruined the day".

Normally her one liners have my in fits of giggles but lately they've left me wanting to tear my hair out. She answers back and point blank refuses to do something. It's got to a stage where the naughty step - something I used during the terrible 2/3's stage - has been put back in place and so far it seems to be working, not to provent the outbursts but putting her in "time out" certainly gives her time to cool off and within 5 minutes she's saying sorry and giving us hugs.

During one her outburst's when she called me a "selfish little girl" (we are actually confused to where she got this from) and she was sent to time out to cool off, I was left sitting on the sofa with the realisation that my daughter is growing up and far too quickly! I could have cried. I think I've been in denial pretending that she's still my little baby who loved me singing Twinkle Twinkle little star to her, who snuggled up on my lap at nap time for a snooze and who used to think chickens said "Chicken" and not cluck. I keep getting a glimce of her growing up with the things she says and the way she acts but also I look at her sometimes and I'm amazed by just how much she has grown up, and far too quickly if you ask me. 

Of course she still loves me to come lay in her bed with her at night time for snuggles and still wants me to sing her song after song before she doozes off. She is only 5 after all, something that during her outburst I can forget. During those times I see a glimse of the 15 year old she will become and right now I'm not ready for the teenage years. I'm barley ready for her to turn 6.. Actually I said to Eva I didn't want her to turn 6 and her reply to me was "But mummy, I'll always be your little girl", and it's true, she always will.

Malvern 'Spring' Festival.

Weaning Diary.

7 months old.

Two meals a day

+ snacks.

 Breakfast : Baby porriage, I also mixed in a a spoon of his berrie baby cereal for a bit of extra flaour. He loves this (although it looks a little too sticky in this picture, I did add more water before feeding it too him)

 Lunch : Yesterday I made apple and pear puree. It was meant to have beetroot but tesco delievered the hot and spicey ones instead of the one's I ordered so I have to skip them.

 Snack : Strawberry in his Nuby. I love this thing, I normally give it to him which I am getting on with housework as it keeps him busy and I don't have to worry about him choking!

He also has his milk, I am still breast feeding him on demand, but during the day now he'son food, this tends to be only 3 times and normally around 30 mins after his meals. As of today I am adding a third meal also around 5pm.

Charity shop haul

 Shopping trip, Saturday 26th April

 Tesco 'I love pugs' T-shirt - £1.99

This is actually in a 6-7 years but it was just too cute to not buy, plus it will last that little bit longer. Eva isn't actually a fan of Pugs, she likes them yes but that's as far as it goes.

 George at Asda 'Robot dancing' outfit - £1

Tiny Ted ip front hoodie - £1.25

Both of these are in 9-12 months, but at 7 months Archie is already fitting into some 9 month clothing. I haven't got him any jackets that fit him yet so I had to buy this.

 Books all 99p each.

Duck soaps - £1.59

Mini bath bombs - 99p

I am re doing my house at the moment and the bathroom is a kind of vintage / retro feel. These super cute duck soaps aren't to use but instead shall be displayed in the bathroom. The bath bombs however, will be.

When to stop breast feeding.

When I decided I wanted to breast feed Archie I discussed with boyfriend how long I would do it for. We both agreed that 6 months would be long enough, what with my returning to work when Archie was 8 months this would give me two months to wean him on the bottle and to get him on solid meals as well. However, Archie is 7 months old tomorrow and I am still breast feeding him and I have no plans to stop any time soon. I feel very positive about this, he's happy I'm happy so why should I stop? Work is no problem. I shall be returning May 31st to do evening and weekend hours meaning I can continue to breast feed while I work. The only real problem I have is deciding when to stop, I certainly don't want to be one of those mother's who breast feed their 5 year olds because in my view that's taking it one step too far but at the same time I don't want to stop before I'm ready to and totally regret my decision. So I have a question (or two) 

When did you stop breast feeding? 

What was the reason? 

Did you regret it?

~

note : I plan to do a post on my breast feeding journey, the good and the bad soon.

A girl called Eva.

Eva Ann Hopkins,
Age 5 years.
Favourites-
TV show : She's crazy on anything to do with animals, always has been, her favourite being any David Attenborough documentary. Cartoon wise she adores Tom and Jerry or Scooby doo. 
Food : Jacket potato. She could live off them given half the chance.
Colour : Pink. She does like purple too but pink is always her first choice.
Animal : She's Owl crazy, I think her obsession with them began as a toddler when she saw a barn owl for the first time. By the age of 2 she was able to tell you all the breeds. Her favourites still remains the barn owl.
Dislikes-
Having her hair washed. Flys or spiders. Meat. Wearing trousers. Dirt. The wind blowing her hair. Not getting her own way. These are the main things that can cause a melt down. She's beginning to get that teenage temper already, many days I've had her bedroom slammed in my face! She's a diva that's for sure.

Easter illnesses.

Easter is almost here and I am drugged up to the eye balls due to getting the flu. I feel like rubbish, honestly I am never ill, I'm a mum.. who has time to be ill? Normally it's the kids or Boyfriend who are unwell and me running around looking after them. I hate being ill, it makes me sad, more so now because it's Easter and I had so many plans of things I wanted to do for Archies first one and now it's looking very unlikely that I'll get to do anything for easter at all. I feel sad reading all these amazing easter blog posts and wanting to be more active and baking cakes, painting eggs and having fun with the children. Being ill makes me feel selfish because I can't just go do things with the kids like I normally do - Although I have been getting lots of snuggles from them! I am hoping that by Easter Monday I'll be fighting fit and I can do the whole easter thing in one day, if not I may have to have a late easter instead. Oh how I hate being ill.

Sunshine and parks.

Sunday morning I woke up early and full of energy, this could only mean one thing the gym. I haven't been since my birthday - not out of choice I may add - with Sean at home with Archie and Eva still sleeping at her grandparents house I thought I'd go annoy my mother and drag her along too. The most amusing thing that morning was my mother's face when I turned up at her front door all bright eyed and bushy tailed, put it this way she is not a morning person! We had a good hour in the gym, laughing at how stupid we looked and probably looking like two people who've been let out for the day rather then two regular gym goers, but we had fun and I think that's what it's all about. We normally head for a swim before steaming the morning away in the health spa but as boyfriend didn't have any milk for Archie we decided to skip this grab some food in the little cafe and call boyfriend to take us food shopping. Yes that boring weekend task that turns old ladies into crazy shoppers and have other's diving out of the way of their trolley driving. I won't bore you with what went on here, I'm pretty sure you can guess - pick up an item stick in trolley and repeat - but we decided it would be a shame to waste the rest of the day doing housework, yet another glam weekend chore, so after dropping the food off at home we headed to the park. Archie's never been, well he has but he was a few weeks old and slept the whole time so I'm sure I'll not be counting that one. Eva ran off to play with some other children the moment we got to the park followed by the boyfriend who was told to keep an eye on her while I headed to the baby swings with Archie. He cried, the moment I sat him in the swing he cried. I quickly snuggled him back up and realised there was an awful smell coming from his nappy. A quick change and back on the swing and he was laughing and giggling. He loved it! Eva and boyfriend spent a good hour or so playing (boyfriend being a huge child was loving his day out maybe more then the children) We ended the day with a walk by the river while eating ice creams.