Reasons to be Cheerful

Today, the news has been telling us that GCSE results are down for the first time ever.  English exams have been marked really harshly with the grade A boundary being raised by 10%.  Thankfully, neither of these statistics have been relevant to my daughter!  Ella has done amazingly well and got six A*s, two As and two Bs.  Her A*s are in both English Literature and Language, Maths, German, Geography and Chemistry.   Her results are even more remarkable because of the problems that she has endured this last year.  I hope her success proves to her just how brilliant she is.  We are so proud of her for so many reasons!

We officially have taken our house off the market having missed the window of opportunity for relocating.  With the new term about to start I am not going to give my children any unnecessary upheaval.  Freddy is due to start nursery, Kizzy is going into year 5 and Ella, with her fabulous grades, will be starting a new college to study her A'Levels.  Although I initially wanted to escape this place, things have changed.  Throughout the summer Ella's circle of friends have become closer and tighter and my house has become the place to be.  Last night we had seven 16 year olds sleep over, so they could go to collect their results together.  They are all good kids and it makes me so happy to see my daughter having fun with such a lovely bunch.  They have forbidden us to move!  I am happy to stay.

Ella and her friends with their results.

My amazing 16 year old daughter!

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I also heard some really sad news this week, as a lad who we knew very well has died while at V Festival.  He was one of my son Joe's best friends when they were growing up on the estate where we used to live.  He spent a lot of time at our house and was a real cheeky chappy.  He always made us smile with his antics.  It is so tragic that he has died aged just 22.  The coroner's report has proved inconclusive.  Although this obviously isn't a reason to be cheerful, it reminds us to hold our loved ones closer and be so grateful for each other.  RIP Timmy x

Reasons To Be Cheerful....Change!

I've had a bit of a rubbish week.  But even rubbish weeks help you learn valuable lessons.  Life is all about growing as a person and although sometimes things have to change, things will hopefully work out for the best in the long run.  This week has been about this in lots of respects, and we're going through the aftermath and coming to terms with a whole heap of changes as a family.  However, lessons have been learned and for that I'm grateful.

1:  Yet again I've realised how amazing my husband is.  He is a man of integrity.  He puts our family first and I love his simple outlook on situations.  I've been a bit emotionally wobbly recently and he has put everything into perspective for me, making me see things for what they are.   He supports me 100% and just being reminded of these qualities makes me happy.  His job situation is still a bit flaky, but our relationship has never been stronger.

2:  My daughter Megan has finished university.  Three years of studying Business Management and Marketing at The University of Manchester has come to an end.  I'm so proud of her.  She has struggled with her health whilst she has been away and has had some problems that she has had to deal with on her own outside of the protection and comfort of her family.  But she has worked hard and now holds the honour of being the most educated person in our family with a well respected degree under her belt!

She has some recently had some big changes and more are on her horizon.  Times are tough for her right now. The economic climate means everything is more of a struggle but she will find a path befitting her abilities, talents and her personality.  She has got so much promise and potential.  Whatever she ends up doing, she'll make her mark on the world.  I love my daughter and am honoured to be her mum.

3:  Ella has almost finished her GCSE's.  Three more exams to go and she has coped admirably with her revision.  Like her big sister, she is also going through a lot of changes as she is leaving the comfort of her local school to attend a big sixth form college in a town which is an hour's bus ride away.  She has some lovely friends that she will be leaving behind, but they have plans to meet up every week for a catch up.  Ella's not had it easy these past months, but again I am so proud of her of her amazing self-resilience.  She'll be moving onwards and upwards and will have our full support as she takes on the next challenges in her life.

4:  My eldest son Joe is about to move house.  It's never easy!  But it is exciting to think of him and his girlfriend setting up a new home with the thought of their new baby being born into it.  Unfortunately Joe's moving date is the same as the date Megan is meant to vacate her student accommodation.  There will be juggling for us to do in order to help them both!!

5:  Our tickets have just arrived for The M Fest, Morrison's festival of Food and Music (two of my favourite things!!)  It will be Freddy and Kizzy's first weekend festival and it is something that Ian is very keen for them to experience.  It's also across Freddy's 3rd birthday weekend so will be a treat for us all to celebrate his special day!

We'll be postponing his birthday party for a few weeks, but it is something I'm really looking forwards to.  Lots of cake baking, music, fun, friends and family.  It will be fabulous and an opportunity for us to get together and give thanks for all that is good in our life and put behind all the bad bits!

6:  Today I helped sponsor a child in Niger along with a whole host of other bloggers.  This is another example of the good that can be done when the blogging community pulls together.  I'm so proud to be a part of  this!  If you want to be a part of something amazing check out this post from Merry at Patch of Puddles for #ShareNiger  You don't have to give a lot (I couldn't donate too much because of my husband's uncertain job future) but every penny counts.  A one off donation or a monthly payment can literally change the lives of children in Niger.  Together we truly can make a difference.

How To Get It All Back #R2BC

Is Your Glass Half-Empty?  Then Why Not See It As Half-Full Instead? 

I've spoken a lot recently about things that have affected me quite negatively, knocking my confidence and undoing some of the good that I have achieved over the last couple of years.  It seems that sometimes life has been conspiring against me, testing me and chipping away at the happy veneer I had developed.  I hate things that are out of my control.  I hate the fact that I allow things to eat away at me.  I feel myself being eroded and I fear totally losing myself to my inner, ever lurking darkness.  But it doesn't have to be this way.

I am refusing to let all this destroy what I have worked hard to achieve. I am empowering myself again.  I am reminding myself of all the positive things in my life instead of focusing and obsessing about the negatives.  Until you concentrate of the positives, the spiral of doom will just continue. You can't always change the situation you are in, but you can change the way you perceive  it.

•  I have some amazing people in my life.  My husband is simply wonderful and we are about to celebrate fifteen years of marriage.  My children are a constant source of joy, love and pride.  My relationship with my parents is better than it's ever been and the relationship that my kids have with their grandparents is so enriching.  I don't have many friends, but the ones that I do have (both in the real and virtual worlds) are absolutely brilliant, supportive and very positive influences in my life. I have been overwhelmed by some of the support I have received recently. I am so thankful to have all these wonderful folk in my life.
• Ian's health scare a few months ago was a real shock to me.  I never like to think of him as anything less than in perfect health and talk of kidney failure and dialysis was really scary.  Ian's last hospital check up was not 100% perfect, but the doctors were happy enough to discharge him under the proviso that he self-monitors.  At first I was upset by this, but looking at it realistically he is now fully aware of what the problem is.  It will never creep up on us again and if symptoms do return we will act immediately.  We are in a much better place with it all and he is fine. I am so grateful.
• I have a lovely home.  OK, I'd love to move to a better place with more opportunities, but if that never happens, my house is still pretty cool.  We are happy when we're at home together and there are things that I'd miss if I moved away.  So until we move (or in case we never do manage to find a buyer) I intend to enjoy my favourite Indian takeaway, my awesome dentist, Fordhall Farm and the other few things that I really like about my hometown.  Focusing on the negative will not help anyone. 
• I really have low regard for Ella's school but she will be moving to a new college in September.  Kizzy has two more years at Primary School so I don't have to have any involvement for a while.  I am excited about the next stage of Ella's education with the prospect of better facilities, teaching and opportunities.  Her close knit network of friends from her current school will still be here for her, giving her the best of both worlds.  
• We are thinking about our future.  Things are changing for our family and although this is potentially quite scary, it also opens doors.  Rather than being fearful of change, I'm intending to embrace it.  Our financial future is looking rocky for the first time in years, but I am focusing on belt-tightening and budgeting and am actually getting quite a kick out of saving money!
• Too often I've been grabbing something from the freezer for dinner rather than making meals from scratch.  You can get in such a rut and just lose sight of your inner Domestic Goddess.  So I'm going to enjoy cooking again and will be planning healthy meals for my family.  I'm stocking up on lentils and pulses. I'm in control again!
• I've got things to look forward to.  Some really good things.  I want to be in the right state of mind to completely enjoy them...I will be in the right state of mind!!

I can really do this, and if you are feeling like you have lost your self belief, give it a go.  It is a good way to start rebuilding yourself.  Look at what you have got and be grateful, rather than pining for what you can't have or focusing on what is wrong in your life.  See the beauty in your life and remove the negative thoughts and feelings that are so damaging.  

Thanks to the positivity of S.A.M. for giving me the courage and support to adopt the 'Glass Half Full' approach!

I'm linking up to Michelle's Reason to be Cheerful.  Click on the badge to read more stories of gratitude and cheer.

Reasons to be Cheerful

It has been a lovely week...one of those weeks where I can't stop smiling to myself.  Even though Ian's job is on the line and the weather is appalling and the follow/no-follow link situation has seen my head nearly implode, there has been enough good in the world to make me very happy!

Birthdays

It has been both mine and Ella's birthdays this week. Megan came home for the weekend to join in the celebrations and we had a wonderful time with lots of laughs and love.  Ella's wonderful friends really spoiled her with some very thoughtful gifts and enjoyed an afternoon at our house for a lunchtime party.  In a world where people are suspicious of the motives of young people and where teens are regarded in a negative light, it is lovely to see that Ella has picked her friends so wisely.  Both the boys and girls are polite, well mannered, friendly and engaging.  My daughter is well loved, respected and  cared for by her posse of pals and I am very happy about that!

Ian spoiled me on my birthday.  He took the day off to be with me, which was wonderful.  As if that wasn't enough he also surprised me with my brand new toy...a gorgeous laptop!  Thanks to the kids for helping with the surprise!

My eldest son is visiting this weekend which will be wonderful.  He makes me so very proud, I can't wait to see him and his girlfriend.

I know I say it a lot, but I really do feel incredibly blessed in my role as a wife and mother.  I wouldn't swap what I have for anything in the world.

Blogcamp 2012

I attended Blogcamp last Saturday and as well as learning a lot of stuff....albeit a lot that has caused me lots of headaches...I met up with a lot of fellow bloggers and enjoyed catching up and chatting with everyone.  I am really grateful to Sally for all she does for us.  I think the blogging world is on the cusp of great change, and I am doing my best to embrace this and hoping it leads to great things for our vibrant and diverse community.

Fab TV

I know it's shallow, but anyway....with Dexter, Desperate Housewives, Homeland and Touch on the tellybox, I am enjoying some topnotch TV programmes.  Add to that the fluff that is The Voice, The Apprentice, TOWIE and One Tree Hill and I am loving my television right now.  Ella and Meg are also telly addicts so we share the joy of sitting together on the sofa, watching TV and trying to second guess the plotlines! 

Reasons to be Cheerful

It's mostly been a good week!  After a great weekend with all my family I felt more motivated and happier than I have done in a long time!  So that set me up in a good mood.

Local to where I live is a farm, Fordhall Organic Farm, and it is pretty famous!  It was threatened by having its land brought by Muller to expand its factory, but it fought back in a David and Goliath manner.  Charlotte and Ben Hollins worked tirelessly to find 8000 investors who all became honorary landlords, raising the cash to secure the farm's future.  It made national news and Charlotte and Ben have appeared on TV and have had some celebrity support.  Since being saved, they have built a gorgeous eco-friendly tea-room, shop and function room.  I took Freddy to their Saplings and Seedlings Toddler Group on Tuesday and then we went for a walk to see the pigs, lambs and chickens.

Fordhall Farm

Then, on Wednesday Ian was off work and we decided to try out the Tea Room.  They do a vegetarian 'The Full Shropshire' breakfast which we have been keen to sample.  We were not disappointed. 

The Full Shropshire

The food was excellent!  Freddy happily played with the toy kitchen in the tea room which keeps toddlers entertained.  Afterwards we went for a walk around the farm and saw the newborn piglets and the baby lambs.  It is a lovely place and somewhere that we will continue to make the most of while we can.

For Sale

Our house is now officially on the market and we have our first viewing on Saturday.  We are throwing our future into the hands of the Gods!  I am keeping a completely open mind as far as what happens next, but it feels good to empower ourselves in this way, whatever the end result.

Kezia had a lovely day when children's book illustrator Lynne Chapman visited her school.  She was delighted to get her autograph and a sketch of Stinky the Warthog!  The visit has rekindled her interest in art and drawing and Kizzy has been busy creating her own characters! 

Reasons To Be Cheerful

I can't believe we are racing towards the end of another week.  Time to take stock again and give thanks for all the good bits!
1:  The sun shining today gave us a taste of Springtime, which I hope will soon be upon us for real.  The sunshine always makes things feel better!  It was the first day that I didn't crank the heating up in the car on the school run.  It'll soon be air con time :)
2:  Kizzy was announced as the Face of  Princess Galt.  We attended an official photoshoot where some absolutely stunning professional photos were taken.  She was an absolute star and did her mummy (and Galt Toys) proud!
3:  Operation De-Clutter went off to a flying start with a car boot sale held at the local sports hall.  We did really well making over £100 on the kids' old toys and other bits and bobs that we'd sorted out.  The thing that I liked best was seeing our pre-loved toys re-housed with new boys and girls.  Lots of children were made very happy getting something new to play with.  It is recycling at its very best!Plus it takes us one step further towards our ultimate goal of moving house.  We've seen some amazing homes in our price range in a lovely little town close to Northampton.  It makes me believe that it is an achievable plan!
4:  Freddy's new glasses are proving a bit of a challenge, but he is getting better at keeping them on with every passing hour.  This makes me think they must be doing some good and getting his eye working.  He looks so cute in them too!

 

Reasons to be Cheerful

This week has been pretty good.  I enjoyed an impromptu lunch out with Ian and Freddy at a garden centre as Ian was working from home for the day on Wednesday.  We had a buy one get on free voucher so it was a bargain too.  Funny how food always tastes better when it's free!

We had a little wander around and bought Freddy a lolly which he thoroughly enjoyed. I remembered how much I hate lollies when he started biting on it, but he loved it and I'm not going to deprive him of a treat!

My Boy Lollipop

I am very cheerful that the snow has melted although more is forecast for tonight.  We had fun in the snow, but I'm always glad to see the back of it!  Freddy found one of the remaining lumps of snow which he promptly threw at his dad!

The Last Snowball!

We had our house valued yesterday and were quite surprised that it was worth more than we thought.  Although that doesn't necessarily mean we will sell it, it is nice to know how much equity we have to play with should it all go ahead.  In de-cluttering and tidying, I have re-discovered many of the things I really like about this house, so I'm a lot happier in that respect.  Our bedroom had become a dumping ground, but it has been restored into a haven of tranquillity now it's all tidy and uncluttered!  Next step is to sell/donate and dump everything we've sorted out to go.  Each step we take feels so cathartic and moves us towards where destiny will take us!

My kids continue to delight, amaze and astound me everyday.

Megan has just come back from Paris and survived Arctic temperatures, an attempted pick pocketing and a mis-understanding with a bus driver who thought she had propositioned him when all she asked was whether he had a bin!!  It could only happen to my Megs!!

Freddy has had absolutely no potty related accidents and he has stayed dry every night.  What a star!  I'm such a happy mummy :)

Link up at Michelle's and discover more reasons to be cheerful!

Reasons To Be Cheerful

It's been another tough week Inside the Wendy House.  But even during this relatively dismal few days, I have reasons to be cheerful.

Ian's operation is now over and done with and will hopefully prove to be successful.  As it was his first time under the knife I was incredibly worried.  You hear about people having bad reactions to general anaesthetic. Thankfully, Ian was fine.  He is now recovering and although it isn't pleasant, he is OK.  I am so grateful for that!

Freddy is at last embracing the joys of being nappy free!  Two days in and we have had four successful wees and one poo!  He asked for the potty each time.  Seeing him in his little CBeebies Underpants is so cute.  I'm proud of him and seriously impressed that he made the decision to potty train independently.  I was going to wait until Springtime!  Well done Freddy!

There have been other personal problems that have come to a head this week.  Although they have been extremely upsetting, we are sorting them out, together as a family.  I'm so proud of how everyone rallies round  and I know we will come through it all even stronger.

Link up this week at Michelle Mummy From The Heart's blog and read other people's reasons to be cheerful.

Reasons To Be Cheerful

This week has been very testing for me.  What is it with the start of new years to knock me for six!  

First of all Freddy has been really poorly.  We have had a touch of a flu bug but were both on the mend.  Then a couple of nights ago at 3am I became aware that his little body was violently shaking.  I tried to calm him thinking it was just him having a nightmare but I quickly realised he was actually having convulsions. Freddy wasn't with it at all and his temperature was starting to rise.  I phoned the out of hours medical service.  They ran through a checklist of symptoms and advised me to give him Calpol and Calprofen.  By now his temperature had spiked at 39.8 degrees and his hands and feet were freezing cold.  Thankfully the medicine brought his temperature down and Freddy came back, but not before projectile vomiting everywhere.  Today after a rough couple of days, he is back to his normal self and his temperature has stabilized.  I marvel at the resilience of our little ones and how they can bounce back.  I thank God that he just had a virus and has no ill effects from his ideal.  I am so, so grateful that my baby is OK.  However, the stress and lack of sleep has set me right back and I feel so ill again with infected sinuses.  I'm not as young as I used to be...it takes a long time to get over things!

Ian has a date for surgery next week, culminating months of  tests and procedures to find out what was wrong with him.  When the medical profession tells you that you have a problem that could be serious, you immediately start to panic about life threatening diseases.  Thankfully, the root of Ian's problems are nothing more than a build up of internal scar tissue caused by a childhood BMX accident.  Although the surgery is invasive and will make him unwell for up to two weeks, it will prevent him from suffering from kidney failure in the future.  Together we will get through it.  I will put on my nurse's hat (metaphorically, not literally as I do not own a naughty nurse's outfit!!) and take care of my husband like he has always taken care of me!

Kizzy has written me the most beautiful letter because I have been really unwell and it is getting me down.  She ended it by writing "You inspire me, teach me and love me.  That is all I need!"  That made me feel so proud and very humbled.  However rough I feel right now she knows how to put a smile on my face.

I am battling on and trying to see the positive in everything.  I will not allow my problems to drag me down, life is too short and too precious.  I'll be better soon, the kids are all OK and Ian will soon get 'fixed' and recover and be as good as new.  Things will get better, and when they do I am going to super cheerful about it!

Find more reasons for good cheer over at Michelle's blog.  She also has a fabulous competition for everyone who links up!!

Reasons to be Cheerful First of 2012

Can you believe it! Michelle's Reasons to be Cheerful has reached its first anniversary.  Over the last year she has reminded us to find the good in our everyday lives, smile at the little things and be aware of how blessed we really are.
So, here we are in 2012 and ready to see the positives every week in this brand new year.  Things haven't started brilliantly for us so far.  I've had a fall, the wind has destroyed our fences and we've all got re-runs of our coughs and colds.
However, there are always things to be cheerful about!
1:  We had a wonderful Christmas this year at Ribby Hall Holiday village.  All my children were together along with Joe's girlfriend and my parents for a magical experience.  We saw Santa, we had an amazing Christmas dinner, we went swimming, me and Ian had a Spa Day and we shared lots of love and laughter.  Ian also gave me the engagement ring and proposal I have waited 15 years for!  (OK so we are already married...but it's never too late!)  I'm still on a high!
2:  I fell over, as I mentioned above, and although my hand swelled up and bruised, I didn't break it.  Thinking about the prospect of having a cast filled me with dread so I am breathing a huge sigh of relief!  A reason to be cheerful indeed.
3:  I am enjoying having my daughter Megan home for an extra week before she returns to university.  It's lovely having her company.  The little girls are back at school so having my big girl home has softened the blow.  I just wish we weren't both riddled with germs.
Link up at Mummy From the Heart and share your reasons to be cheerful!

Reasons to be Cheerful

I am particularly full of reasons to be cheerful this week. Not only have we enjoyed Peppa Pig World and the Four Seasons Hotel, we have lots of personal reasons that I'd like to share!

1:  Ian has had a health scare which I wrote about previously.  I was overwhelmed with the wonderful support from this community yet again, which was heartwarming.

Ian's grandad died of prostate cancer, Ian's dad has had treatment for prostate cancer so when a scan following an infection revealed an anomaly that was possibly causing a blockage, all alarm bells went off.  With his history you can't take any chances so he was tested. I am overjoyed to announce that my husband has been given the all clear. The anomaly still exists but it is nothing to do with any cellular abnormalities.  It is probably something he has lived with and will continue to live with.  Although, with his history this will be monitored.  But for now, I can breathe a sigh of relief and remember to never take my family and our health for granted.

Thank you to everyone for your lovely comments which lifted me up when I was feeling low and vulnerable.

2: With all the negative news about young people in the aftermath of the riots, I have never felt prouder of my brood.  Joe, my eldest has made me so very proud.  He has a job that he loves but his wages are not great and he could not get an answer as to when a payrise was pending.  He decided that he needed to look elsewhere for a better paid job and after an interview with another company was offered a position for £4000 a year more.  I was very impressed by his ability to find another job in the recession.  The prospect of extra money was a real draw as he does struggle to make ends meet, living with his girlfriend away from home.  However, he realised what was really important was having a job he loved, with a career path, support and job satisfaction.  In meetings with the management of his current job he managed to negotiate a promotion and an even bigger pay rise.  His boss told him he was "a breath of fresh air" in the workplace with his attitude.  His market value has been proven by his determination.  He will go far!

3:  Meanwhile, my uni student Meg has been working hard for a Marketing Company in Manchester, given her own client to manage and allowed to take over social media platforms and write blog posts for the company.  She is doing so well and it makes me proud to see her work out there on the internet.  I'm so glad she has put her summer holidays to good use.  It shows her commitment to her future for when she finishes uni next year.  It is an exciting time for her and I'm thrilled to bits witnessing her blossoming into a real grown-up!

4: My youngest three have been delightful to have around during these summer holidays.  I love the way they are so close and look out for each other.  This was so evident while we were away this week.

And even when they think I'm not watching they are still so happy in each others' company.  I know I'm lucky and don't ever take my blessings lightly.  But for now I am enjoying my family with every fibre of my being!

Sibling Love.

Reasons to be Cheerful

This week has been a good week in many ways...but here are my top 3!


1: My Clever Girls


 My 15 year old Ella's school report was simply amazing.  (Apart from the PE comments that said she should be doing more sport and less chatting!!)  The school syllabus used by her school means that the GCSE exams are taken over two years rather than in one go at the end.  She has done so well, getting 100% on some papers.  I'm so proud of her :)


My 19 year old Megan has passed her 2nd year university exams with flying colours!  She is well on her way to getting a top class degree from the University of  Manchester in Business and Marketing.  Super proud mummy!

My clever girls x

2: Freddy is 2 tomorrow.  We are going to Pandamonium in the Park as VIP guests of Cadbury which will be a wonderful day out for my little man!  He loves music and likes to dance and sing along to every tune that he hears, so for him to see a Hans Zimmer Concert with the Pandamonic Orchestra performing songs from Dreamworks' movies will be a perfect way to spend his birthday.  We will be joining in with some Cadbury Spots v Stripes Minute To Win It games! It promises to be lots of fun...hope the weather holds out!

3: I found out today that my blog has been shortlisted in the Loved by Parents Blogger of the Year Awards.  I was so proud to be chosen!  The voting is open now at http://lovedbyparents.com/votehere/bloggeroftheyear/ and although I'm not going to be asking for votes beyond today, I am really thrilled to be in the Top Ten and appreciate any support so much!

Reasons to be Cheerful

This week I've had lots to smile about.  Here are some of my highlights!
1: We visited Megan in Manchester which was lovely.  She has finished her second year exams and will hopefully have done well.  I am so proud of her.  She is staying on in Manchester so she can learn to drive in a big city.   We had a lovely family day out and Freddy was delighted to be with his big sister again.  She is an amazing young lady who loves her family.  She never fails to make me smile.

My delightful daughter Megan.

2: My godson and nephew Tom is off to Camp Ascca in a couple of weeks to work with children with disabilities in Alabama.  He does it every summer and does an amazing job.  I am always so proud of him for the work he does.  This year however I am doubly proud because he has just passed his first year at university where he is studying to be a social worker.  I am a proud Auntie and Godmummy!

Tom doing what he does best!

3: Someone who makes me smile and laugh everyday is my little bundle of fun Freddy.  He is learning so much everyday and is exploring his environment.  He is a constant joy to us all.  His love of dancing is something that really delights me...here he is getting down to the Wizards of Waverley Place theme tune!  

Reasons To Be Cheerful

It's June...I can't believe it's come round so quickly!  I'm vlogging my reasons again this week because I am so excited about my new Cybermummy plans!!  Whereas before I was going to let my husband drive me and stay overnight with Freddy, then pick me up afterwards...I'm now flying solo with Lou as my wingman!!  Check out why on my video along with other reasons why I'm cheerful today!!

Reasons to be Cheerful

Michelle at Mummy From The Heart is yet again reminding us to be cheerful for those little things in life that make us smile.

1:  I had a lovely lunch date with Louise and her baby son Tala.  I was so proud of Freddy who is so gentle and sweet to his little friend.  He passed him toys and squatted in front of him to talk to him, while little Tala grinned and beamed.  They are going to be great buddies. Freddy was happy to pass on his Graco highchair to Tala, who is just about to start baby led weaning.  I love seeing Fred's baby things getting a new lease of life.

2:  It's half term next week....Yay!!!  It is lovely having my children home.  Plus no school runs for a week...bliss!  I hope we get some good weather!

3:   Cybermummy is only a few weeks away.  I've been making plans with Louise who is also staying at the Hoxton.  We have our travel plans sorted.  We'll not be partying afterwards (the world will probably be safer because of this though) as we are both going to be suffering from having our virtual umbilical cords severed for the first time, and heading back to our kiddies. Please don't mock, we can't help it!!

The last time we went out together was actually my wedding in 1997!  We were a tad tipsy...check out Lou's hair and my see through skirt though!  The world would not be ready for a re-enactment of this!

Michelle has asked us to recommend a new blogger.  I'd like to send you all to go and check out James Spence at jamesspence.net.  He's a proud new dad to a baby boy and one of my fellow 2011 Toyologists.  He draws the most amazing cartoons, and if his review that he entered into the Toyology competition is anything to go by, there will be some amazing posts coming up soon.

Reasons to be Cheerful

I missed last week because I was too ill to a) use the laptop for any length of time or b) feel cheerful enough to find three things to smile about.

This week I am feeling better and that in itself is a reason to be cheerful!

So this week's reasons are:

1: I bought a pair of Size 12 jeans and they fit me!  I don't think I'm where I need to be in my relationship with food. My weight is still fluctuating and I'd like to be a stone lighter, but having the courage to go from the mindset of being a size 16 to a size12 is a real stepping stone in my struggle with my mental body image.  One day I will get on top of my obsession with my weight. But until then, hey, I've gone from a 16 to a 12!!

2: We had a wonderful walk around Ellesmere Lake with the kids.  It is such a lovely place and Freddy has developed a love of trees, dirt and ducks!  He takes such delight in being out and about and his zest for life just makes me smile!

3: Today I met up with the lovely ladies behind three of my favourite blogs.  My friend long time friend Lou from Bloggomy and I, drove to Cheshire Ice Cream Farm to meet up with our newfound blogging buddies Heather from SAHM Loving It and Alyson from Alyson's Blog.  Along with our littlest children, we spent a few hours enjoying the soft play area, having lunch, looking at animals and of course indulging in the mandatory pleasure of eating ice cream!

New Friends and Cute Animals

Exhausted after his fun day!

Meeting up has made me even more excited about Cybermummy.  I loved that we were all exactly how we expected us to be.  I'm sure some people who blog adopt a persona that they will not be able to live up to in real life.  With us though...what you read is what you get!  It was very reassuring to know that Tweeting translates to real life conversations. So I am looking forward to meeting the flesh and blood behind some of my other favourite blogs next month.  Exciting times!

Reasons To Be Cheerful

The Easter Holidays are in full swing.  Eldest daughter is home and the house is full of laughter and fun. Freddy is relishing being spoiled by his three big sisters and is in excitable mode.  It's full on and loud...exactly how I like it!  So I'm in a pretty cheerful mood this week.

1:  I was absolutely thrilled to bits to discover on Twitter that I had won the Tots 100 March Blog Hop Competition with my post Learning Through Play.  I really enjoyed writing the post because it meant scouring through all my archives to find photos of Freddy from birth to the present day that showed his journey through play.  It was wonderful to reflect on how far my little man had come in the last 21 months.

To have something that I have done validated in this way gives me a huge confidence boost.  Similarly receiving nominations for the New Blog, Family Life Blog and Blogger of the Year categories in this year's MAD Awards has made me feel incredibly humbled.  I don't expect to get any further but it is amazing to think that someone somewhere likes my blog enough to pop my URL in the nomination box.  Thank you so much to anyone who considered me for the honour of an award. x

2:  Freddy has developed a penchant for dancing which has had us all in hysterics wondering if I have spawned the next Louis Spence!  His snake hips move is worthy of Elvis in his hey day and any song sets him off.  He also uses things as impromptu microphones and sings loudly into them.  Embarrassingly though, my boob has become his latest mic of choice, which makes for discretely feeding my toddler an impossibility!!  He is definitely a future Robbie Williams in the making!

3:  After 3 months of waiting, the fence that blew down in January's gale force winds has finally been replaced.  It was the neighbour's landlord's responsibility and he dragged his feet.  Eventually the Letting Agency gave him an ultimatum and it was done in a week.  This means that Freddy can once again play out in the garden without constant adult supervision.  It gives him a little bit of freedom allowing him to play outside with his sister without me worrying that he will give her the slip and be off out into the street via the neighbour's garden.  It's a little thing, but I'm so glad it has been done for the holidays.  Now all we need is some sunshine!!

Reasons to be Cheerful

1: My daughter is coming home for Easter.  We'll be picking her up on Sunday from uni and bringing her back to the fold.  I love it when my chicks come back to the nest. When Meg is home she has certain demands that have to be met in order to maximize her joy:  

• We need to make her mashes in various forms...sweet potato, potato, swede and carrot, cheesy mash...Megan has a real thing for mashed carbs, especially when accompanied by a home made mushroom pie.  
• We have to have a constant stream of chick flicks at the ready for her and Ella to watch. Megan's favourite has to be The Notebook.  She loves Noah Calhoun :)
• Sky+ has to be set up to record numerous episodes of American series such as The City, The Hills, 90210 etc.  The planner drops down to about 3% of space  because of her TV lust.

The Notebook...Meg's relationship philosophy!

2:  The kids break up for Easter which is simply wonderful.  Two weeks without school runs!  Two weeks with the company of my girls!  Two weeks of lie-ins!  Two weeks of having help to entertain Freddy!  Love it.  The only pity is that Ian still has to go to work!  It's both mine and Ella's birthdays over the Easter weekend and my big son Joe is coming to stay.  So I will be back to completeness with all five of my children with me!

3:  I am over the moon to see my blog jump to #52 this month in the Tots 100.  I am going to enjoy my moment of success because I know it may not last.  I am not competitive, but I love the feeling that something I am doing is being well received.  I try hard and I'm committed, so I am delighted to receive some validation. I know a lot of people are unhappy with this month's rankings which has taken the shine off it a little.  But I am still delighted.

Reasons to be Cheerful Vlog

Inspired by the BMB Vlogging group and my my brave sister's vlogging this week, I've decided to enter Michelle's Blog Hop warts 'n' all with a vlog!!  It's so easy to hide behind the written word, and photos capture just one split second in time and you can choose the image you want to show the world.  Vlogging is so exposed, so naked...but really exciting.  I give you...ME!

Reasons to be Cheerful

I missed last week's Reasons to be Cheerful because I was making the mammoth trek down south to get a head start on getting to Earl's Court for the Ideal Home Show.  I was a guest of Harveys and got to interview Ken and Tracy Barlow and George Clarke and had an amazing time.  But I missed Michelle's Bloghop...but I'm back this week full of cheer!

1:  Although my little monkey is full of mischief, he fills me with so much joy everyday!  Freddy is getting so chatty...I love this stage.  He is stringing together sentences and has started to sing along with TV theme tunes (his favourite is Special Agent Oso).  He delights me and makes me laugh with his funny antics.  So even if he is crayoning on the 46" plasma TV or deliberately pouring his drink on the floor so he can splash in it...I just look at his little face and realise how lucky I am to have him and smile!

2: We visited my eldest daughter Megan in Manchester on Sunday.  As ever it was lovely to see her, and despite a recent bout of ill health, she was in good form and in high spirits.  She has had her exam results and is currently achieving a First in her Management and Marketing Degree.  Ella is also doing fantastically academically and keeps getting A*s in her GCSE modules.  I am so proud of all my children...I'm so lucky to be so blessed!  I can't wait to see my eldest boy again soon too (the whole family is home for Easter Sunday which just so happens to be my birthday!!  I can't wait...Easter Eggs and Birthday Cake!)

3:  I have had a bit of a reality check this week regarding how much time I spend on my laptop.  I am now spending more time away from the keyboard to engage more with my family.  Sometimes it's easy to just sit typing, tweeting and comping away in the evenings.  You are there in person, but not really available.  I recognised my obsessive/addictive personality trait taking control and decided to switch off more.  We've enjoyed much more time to just talk or watch a film together in the evenings.  My time management is improving.  I've got some lovely review products to test out with the family and we are having fun making videos.  My 8 year old Kizzy is a natural in front of the camera as these two reviews show...EggBods and Molkky.  She's a little star!  So I feel I've got a better handle on my blog/home life balance and am involving the kids in what I'm doing.