Normal Service Resumes. Sort of.

So we're back in the swing of things..shiny school shoes and lunchbox frenzy, early morning shoutiness and trying to find where Charlie has hidden various items before whizzing off to school. Then it's a full working day with intermittent washing and ironing and a forage in the freezer for tea.
I'm still working from home as this is the best option for now but soon it will be all change.

Our lovely Office Manager Charlotte will soon be leaving us for a while..she is off on maternity leave to prepare for the arrival of her baby. We will all miss her but are absolutely delighted for her and her family and I'm sure she will be a wonderful Mummy.

In the meantime Catherine and myself will be steaming ahead with painting and running the office while Steve battles with the wooden stuff. The run-up to Christmas always fills me with total panic and this year will probably be no exception! We have my Mum and Sister In Law on standby to help out but I am going to try and keep calm this year and not have a meltdown. It's such a hectic few weeks but feels like it will never end. I must focus on the good points (masses of orders) and not think about the bad stuff (4am finishes anyone?)

November has come around so quickly and I am not at all organised for Christmas presents or even what anyone will be getting. Alfie already has a growing list but to be honest Charlie would probably be happy with just the wrapping paper come Christmas morning.

I have started my own list..not for magical gifts but a massive 'to do' list which will also continue to grow as we head towards the big day but despite the panic I truly love Christmas. The family time, the sparkly stuff, the sherry (!), watching the kids smiley faces and lying on the sofa after eating my own bodyweight in Quality Street and trifle...that's Christmas for me.

So for now it's head down, focus and b-r-e-a-t-h-e.......

PANIC!!!!!!

****UPDATE****

Since writing this post, Charlotte has been admitted to hospital with pre-eclampsia. She has had lots of tests and plenty of rest and this afternoon she was induced. We'll keep you updated with any further news. In the meantime, we are keeping everything crossed for her!

High Days And Holiday Helpers

Autumn again and I feel like life has been on fast forward. My eldest is back at school and the youngest is almost walking...I wish the world would slow down a little!

It's been an age since I've had chance to post anything but to be honest most of the time I was having too much fun with the kids so that's a good thing!

This was our first proper 'school holiday' and I was worried about how I would entertain the boys in the days that stretched ahead (45 days to be precise...Alfie had counted them) I also had to fit in my full time hours to keep up with the business. I thought I might unravel at the seams.

I actually really enjoyed the holidays and spending time with the boys and the family was fabulous. The number one star in all of this and who helped us through was my wonderful Mum. She also takes top prize prize for Best Nanny Ever

She looked after and entertained the boys when I had to work, took us all out on day trips and generally chivvied me along when I was feeling exhausted. She's the best and I would like to say an enormous thank you to her for all her brilliant help and support. My Dad also gets a mention for being the Best Grandad Ever but his navigation skills need brushing up - he 'lost' Rutland Water. Yes, that vast expanse of water somehow eluded him and we went on an epic journey that took much longer than anticipated and ended with youngest being sick in his car seat! Alfie sighed from the back 'I wish I was in a car with somebody who knew the way' ...I couldn't stop laughing!

We had some lovely days despite the thrashing rain and grey skies which put paid to our 'bbq party Summer'.

Our trip on a Steam Train and picnic in Ferry Meadows was glorious. The boys loved the journey on the diesel train to Peterborough first, then a walk to the station to catch the steam train. The diesel train part of the journey was less enjoyable for my mum as she misjudged the cinema-style train seat and landed in a giggling heap on the floor on the train. I wasn't much help being in hysterics at the time and even more so when she did exactly the same on the return journey!

We had a slight wait for the steam train so we ventured into 'Rail World'. Sadly it was rather run down and neglected but is run entirely by volunteers.

Disappointed we decided to see the 'nature garden' across the bridge. We were not quite sure what to expect at this point but the garden was beautiful! This was obviously where the regeneration of the site was taking place first with lots of volunteers working on the garden and features. It was full of beautiful wild flowers, beehives, a tiny stream and winding paths with new attractions in the pipeline.

Dora The Explorer!

The steam train ride was a joy - wish normal rail journeys were still this exciting! We arrived at Ferry Meadows in the sunshine and ate our picnic with a view of the lake.

Our Rutland Water trip started badly...my Dad's epic journey, car sickness and drizzle weren't a great combination but we were determined not to let this ruin the day. As we left the car park, the sun came out and we headed to the game zone. Alfie was in his element on the quad bikes, trampolines and bouncy slide. Another tasty picnic provided by Best Nanny Ever and then it was Alfie's favourite pastime..Crazy Golf. This new attraction along with the childrens' play area was hugely enjoyable and highly recommended for a family day out. 

We all enjoyed the Olympic coverage over the Summer and Alfie decided that when he grows up apart from being a stunt driver, a spy and a karate man he would also quite like to be a Pole Vaulter. I loved the stories I heard online from friends and through overheard conversations 'You can be Cavendish I'll be Wiggo' said two little boys on bikes and kids playing diving off the sofa.

It was brilliant to see the delight on Alfie's face each time we won a medal - he was overjoyed (and particularly liked the fact that he could stay up late to watch 'history in the making'!)

At the end of the holidays we managed to squeeze in a short family break to the seaside - a much needed escape from work and chores and a chance for the 4 of us to spend some proper time together. The car sickness returned but this time it was poor Alfie who had 2 changes of clothes on our outward journey which should have taken an hour but took 2 and a half! Still it didn't matter once we saw the sea and breathed in the sea air. The family hotel room was very nice and Charlie loved the fact that he could climb onto all of the beds and go and sit in the shower cubicle at will.

We had a fabulous few days of fish 'n' chips, building sandcastles, skimming stones, paddling (even swimming!) in the sea. Playing in the park, amusements, fair rides and of course crazy golf!

There were also lots of trips to the local park and paddling pool, walks to feed the ducks and Alfie went for tea at friend's houses. We played in the garden, stayed up late watched films and started each day relaxed without the school-morning-mayhem

I didn't want the holidays to end!

Bittersweet September

Autumn has always been my very favourite season. The colours, the fresh crisp days and those nostalgic feelings of starting a new term at school. I loved the first day of term...new pencil case, new smelly rubber (I remember one smelled like swiss roll), new bag, new uniform...everything was exciting. I loved writing ever-so-neatly on the first page of my brand new exercise book (page 2 never quite matched up to that precision) Finding out who your new teacher was and who you got to sit next to..I loved every minute

My first class....I'm on the back row in the luminous orange jumper!

This year there was another brand new term but this time it was for my 4 year old son and my feelings weren't quite the same. We bought the new uniform, the new shoes and a brand new lunch box but there was no excitement on my part...I just felt so sad. My little boy is growing up and seeing him in his uniform for the first time pulled so hard on my heartstrings, I cried as he skipped off into his bedroom feeling so proud of himself. He just looked too little to be starting school...how had it come around so quickly? "Don't be sad Mummy" he said looking at me with those beautiful big brown eyes "I'll come home again!"

new shirt and tie

His first week of half days eased him (and me) into school life gently but he took it all in his stride which I knew he would - he's such a confident little boy. This week he started full time and he loves it. He's making friends and is full of tales of floppy the dog and Mrs Anderson's magic bag. He's been rolling down hills and scuffing his new shoes. Every morning in his classroom, he puts his book bag away in his tray and he's off...I have to catch up with him to steal a hug before I go.

My big schoolboy

I still feel sad but I'm also immensely proud of my fabulous little boy and so happy that he has settled in so quickly. I hope he has the most amazing adventure at his new school and I'll try not to be sad...