tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21489188130139114802024-03-20T11:13:42.348+00:00Mums guide to insanity!Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-2622511883166895072015-10-11T13:18:00.001+01:002015-10-11T13:18:29.373+01:00<span style="font-size: x-large;">This is my old blog, please visit us at our lovely new blog over here <a href="http://tiarasandwellyboots.com/" target="_blank">Tiaras and Wellyboots</a> </span>Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-32137865111462446422015-02-22T22:04:00.001+00:002015-02-22T22:04:35.374+00:00Slug Slime & Snail Slime What a Joker!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pf9-AmHONYQ" width="459"></iframe>Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-6654814841893337062015-02-22T16:09:00.001+00:002015-02-22T16:09:29.712+00:00Moving Blogs, please visit my Brand New One, Pretty pleaseThis has not been a easy decision to make, I have thoroughly enjoyed this journey with mumsguidetoinsanity, but it became a little too close to home.<br />
I have suffered depression on and off for a few years, so decided to take a break from the blogging world, I have carried on reading others blogs, but not done anything with mine.<br />
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So I had to decide, did I want to start up again or start over, so I am being very brave and although this will always be here, I am now blogging on our Brand new Blog<br />
<a href="http://tiarasandwellyboots.com/" target="_blank">Tiaras and Wellyboots</a><br />
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Please do pop over and say Hello and to those that followed me on this one, please think about following our antics over on the new one, I would love you forever if you did. (No pressure then)<br />
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Thank you and I am looking forward to sharing our journey into the future,<br />
SadieSadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-388233704508047742014-01-11T22:41:00.000+00:002014-01-11T22:41:34.009+00:00week 2 of #Project365 and yes I am enjoying it very much<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Welcome to week 2 of #Project365</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I post my photos daily over on my <a href="http://instagram.com/sadiequinton" target="_blank">instagram</a> account</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is my week in photos, joining in with the linky over from <a href="http://www.theboyandme.co.uk/" target="_blank">theboyandme</a> </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.theboyandme.co.uk/category/365/" target="_blank" title="TheBoyandMe's 365 Linky"><img alt="TheBoyandMe's 365 Linky" border="0" src="http://www.theboyandme.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/365.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Selfie of a before the hair got the chop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After listening to my children say I looked old, one asked if I was going to be their Gran now, or still their mummy, I decided to take drastic action.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For I rarely wore it loose like in the photo, but more often had it tied in a pony or a bun, so I was with my silver hairs looking old.</span></div>
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This is the after photo, it feels great. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Spot the school playground bench.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The children's school was also suffering from the weather, areas were covered in water, the fields looked like lakes and the playground, was a giant puddle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I spy a knight in the deep dark woods.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was walking with my lovely neighbour and her twins, both had the cutest little knitted hats on, they were ready to slay dragon's or sit with an umbrella looking incredibly cute in the dappled sunshine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because sometimes its good to have hearty food.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On a cold and wet evening, we enjoyed good old cottage pie.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have to think if it's cottage or shepherd's pie, but this time it was made with beef.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVA-vfzK3uiBdDv-ykgSuPTiFfwgVTGAu_AfP-b7gzti8e_n4dQUe1VIbY17dT1FxQWCE1CQn-BTm6JNwnIjknntReMSZ16KYxv1HksBXiKXRKiK7jhE866kOIKa_iFpkOCIraIGQw40/s1600/9-365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVA-vfzK3uiBdDv-ykgSuPTiFfwgVTGAu_AfP-b7gzti8e_n4dQUe1VIbY17dT1FxQWCE1CQn-BTm6JNwnIjknntReMSZ16KYxv1HksBXiKXRKiK7jhE866kOIKa_iFpkOCIraIGQw40/s1600/9-365.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because kisses make things better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Isabella has been to A&E after cutting her finger quite badly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She needed little butterfly strips and has to keep it dry for 5 days. My very brave daughter.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWf8UN3QjZ5MrWquWaqMzFNF7XGCZa7HyacotCCPjMvsxDVL4_OEiFvJ-vSzhL_g63wjfmRG-YuWgbfwB9NNxZKtge-Rq71PlPRF9YtmYuZUG6T0uCR7lR5Ay9cRcIb4gXLFMc_iyVOs8/s1600/10-365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWf8UN3QjZ5MrWquWaqMzFNF7XGCZa7HyacotCCPjMvsxDVL4_OEiFvJ-vSzhL_g63wjfmRG-YuWgbfwB9NNxZKtge-Rq71PlPRF9YtmYuZUG6T0uCR7lR5Ay9cRcIb4gXLFMc_iyVOs8/s1600/10-365.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The view from my bedroom window.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can see sheep and the River Thames, flooding the fields.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUi0GL0ji72GoP83b2kiluNS5zspN5pJ7__bcvkMTI9vBB7jvdKEOdd__oyrOXgjk9PUx9LAQ1JiPbHmIslhNCpg3f2BlLwTeazMnYobN1Y_XiPr0fsnaYhmHWKjeU0jrkDsAMMT60iG8/s1600/11-365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUi0GL0ji72GoP83b2kiluNS5zspN5pJ7__bcvkMTI9vBB7jvdKEOdd__oyrOXgjk9PUx9LAQ1JiPbHmIslhNCpg3f2BlLwTeazMnYobN1Y_XiPr0fsnaYhmHWKjeU0jrkDsAMMT60iG8/s1600/11-365.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So here is my second week complete. I am loving taking memories each day, sometimes its choosing which is the best photo and sometimes it is just remembering to take a photo.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Go over and have a look at all the other lovely photographs on the blog, all you have to do is click on the 365 logo under this. </span></div>
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Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-46655151452808171432014-01-05T22:23:00.001+00:002014-01-05T22:23:17.889+00:00New Year, New ME and a New #Project365Welcome to the year 2014<br />
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I can't believe how the days just fly by, scrap that, I mean the years!<br />
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Here we are another year older, another year of promises ahead, of unknown adventures, of chores that never seem to end and a year for me full of promise and many things to look forward to.<br />
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On January 1st 2014 I turned 43years old, I normally would put young after my age, but to be totally honest I am feeling old and tired.<br />
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This year is the year about ME.<br />
I was going to start a new blog, but I am such a techno dinosaur I couldn't work out how to add in linky's and so I thought, I know let me go back to my old trusty blog, that has been left alone too long and get back to it, it will always be about my family and me, but more so about me this year, well I hope.<br />
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So here it is my first blog post of the year, and I jump straight in with joining in with a challenge, started over on <a href="http://www.theboyandme.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Boy And Me</a><br />
It is a linky with a slight difference, as it is a challenge to post 365 photos, one for every day of the year, it sounds simple enough, but let us see how I do.<br />
We are already on day 5 and I have been taking photos and shared them over on what was supposed to be my new blog, <a href="http://www.back2myself.com/" target="_blank">back2myself</a> but now will resubmit them here and carry it on over here if I can, that way I can share where it originates from and the links I need to join in.<br />
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<a href="http://www.theboyandme.co.uk/category/365/" target="_blank" title="TheBoyandMe's 365 Linky"><img alt="TheBoyandMe's 365 Linky" border="0" src="http://www.theboyandme.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/365.jpg" /></a>
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1/365 #Project365<br />
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Here I am, on my 43rd Birthday, with a tasty banana cheesecake, instead of cake.<br />
I loved that Edward my almost 3yr old said we had to put candles on the cake and put fire on it too. Don't you love how little ones explain things quite simply in their worlds.<br />
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2/365 #Project365<br />
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I thought this quite appropriate, here is me starting to look into how I will start my new journey on the losing weight battle, so I enjoyed left over ham, with salad. I was craving salad after all the hot and perhaps I was over indulging on the yummy Christmas feasts that we ate.<br />
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3/365 #Project365</div>
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on the third day of January, we had an amazing storm, I could not believe how fast it seemed to come from nowhere. Just typical I was on the internet waiting for a booking office to open, to go and watch my friends talented son Simon in a show in London to see him star in Bonnie & Clyde later on this month the ticket office opened at 11am and I was talking to Pat my friend in Gibraltar to try to book seats near one another, when BOOM the heavens opened, hailstones so big I could pick them up came down, the electricity was knocked out and car alarms went off, at first the children ran to the window to see, but I soon made them come away, it was a little bit scary to say the least and highly frustrating that at that precise moment in time, I should be pressing the purchase button, so here is a photo of some of the hailstones I picked up in my garden on my hand.</div>
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It only took 5 minutes then the electrics were back and my tickets booked.</div>
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4/365 #Project365</div>
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A wonderful day today, for my son Max returned home on January 4th, after spending Christmas with his Dad & Grandparents in the Lake District, Max gets to choose and so this is the second Christmas he has spent away from me, he decided he would take it in turns, one year spending Christmas with me and his siblings then the next at his Grandparents, we miss him dearly, but know he has a wonderful time with his family up north. </div>
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So when he returns home, it feels like Christmas to me, I love having them all home together, Edward was taking a power nap in the background to help enable him to stay awake that night until gone midnight, little pickle pot that he is.</div>
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5/365 #Project365<br />
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Now this is my favourite photo this week.<br />
My great friend Melanie came to visit with her gorgeous daughter Jessica, seen in the photo on the left dressed as Snow White, when Jessica who is 3 comes to play, my three younger ones love playing with her, so much so, Edward didn't want to miss out so dressed up as a princess with the girls.<br />
Perhaps this is one photo to bring out on his 18th Birthday, bless him, he is so cheeky at times, but also such good fun.<br />
Which reminds me, tomorrow hopefully he will be having his haircut. </div>
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So here it is, in one post my round up so far of the photographs for #Project365 </div>
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joining in with the linky at </div>
<a href="http://www.theboyandme.co.uk/category/365/" target="_blank" title="TheBoyandMe's 365 Linky"><img alt="TheBoyandMe's 365 Linky" border="0" src="http://www.theboyandme.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/365.jpg" /></a>Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-65718771045707459672013-10-11T02:18:00.001+01:002013-10-11T02:18:55.532+01:00Gulp, a letter in a brown envelope...my son banned from school...It's sometimes fun watching how our children grow up, the things they say and do.<br />
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Yesterday, my son who only turned 10 last weekend, handed me a brown envelope, now as most people know, brown envelopes usually mean important.<br />
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It said Max on the front not my name, phew.<br />
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I opened it, wondering what could be inside, some homework.....</div>
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What a surprise I got for inside was a note!</div>
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It says-<br />
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Max is banned from school for a year! PS or 2 thank you from the head teacher Miss Haige <br />
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Max pointed out, it was cut out in the shape of someone praying.<br />
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It has to be my funniest note to date that I have received.<br />
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Thanks cheeky chops, but you still have to go to school!<br />
Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-21589670253942048762013-10-06T18:18:00.000+01:002013-10-06T18:18:06.234+01:00Our Entry into becoming a CenterParcs Family Blogger #CPFamilyBreaksI have many emails, but one caught my eye, it was from tots100 offering bloggers an amazing opportunity- to have the chance to become a CenterParcs Family Blogger.<br />
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I have never been to CenterParcs, but my best friend and her family go every year and they make it sound even more amazing than the adverts I see on TV.<br />
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I have been to Longleat though and its one of my favourite places to visit in the U.K<br />
for a while I was lucky enough to live in Africa and go on safaris.<br />
At Longleat it is as close as I could come to seeing the animals with lots of room to roam around.<br />
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But me being me put the email on flagged to go back and not lose it with others coming into my account, but I hadn't realised I was nearly out of time, so we thought what could we show that as a family we love doing together, its seeing the stars in the sky, feeling the magic of its spell, as we all gaze above, pointing out the brightest to each other and making wishes, so here is our entry.<br />
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There are some amazing entries and we had fun trying to film this in the dark together, best wishes to all the wonderful bloggers out there entering x<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYGA7lm8zH8" target="_blank">#CPFamilyBreaks CenterParcs </a><br />
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Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-69184462470078458742013-10-01T23:47:00.000+01:002013-10-01T23:47:15.899+01:00October is the month for giving up for many but........But I like to be different!<br />
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Its the 1st of October and I am not giving up any foods, drinks, I don't smoke, so what can I do to mark this wonderful month?<br />
It is truly wonderful as my oldest son Max was born in October and this Sunday he will be entering double figures.<br />
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I have decided to put aside some time in the evenings for you dear blog.<br />
I enjoy blogging, I am just not very good at it, not very good at organising my life either at times, so this month is the month I start to become more organised.<br />
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I have started working and am really enjoying it, but I will be honest, as I am not super organised, my own home is suffering slightly, mornings are stressful to say the least, getting all four children up dressed and ready for school with packed lunches is not easy.<br />
I always leave things to the last minute, but need to change.<br />
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I am going to draw up a family plan.<br />
I think it is about time my children realised they need to help, for our family to run smoothly. They can empty the car of their bags and pack lunch boxes, then we won't spend time searching for them on a school morning.<br />
One of them can set the table another can clear it, they then can take it in turns.<br />
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I have so many things to organise, but apart from dedicating some time and posts for you my blog, I have Max's 10th Birthday celebrations to think about and decide how best we can celebrate it.<br />
<br />Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-56768948902309817762013-09-27T23:58:00.000+01:002013-09-27T23:58:38.042+01:00Single Mum to four, goes back to WORK....It was a Monumental week for me this week.<br />
I can't tell you how nervous I was about this new start, new beginning you could say.<br />
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My oldest son is soon to be 10 years old, my youngest is growing too at 2.5 years old, but I have bitten the bullet and decided the time was right for me, to go back to work.<br />
I was a Nanny for years, but having my four lovely children, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, has made me look for work where I wouldn't be responsible for little ones.<br />
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The Government is bringing in many changes, some needed and others all a bit confusing, but for me I have been so lucky to be able to stay at home with my children, whilst they were all babies and little ones, now because of the thought I might have to uproot and move from our most idyllic home, I decided not to sit back, but to do something about it and so my new adventure has begun.<br />
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It has been a good and positive first week, don't get me wrong, I am still nervous about what the future holds, for my family and I, but am feeling very determined to make this work.<br />
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To fit in with the children and work the hours I am able too, I needed to find something I could do well and be my own boss too, so have decided to go down the domestic services route, I have been really lucky to of started off well, people contacting me for jobs though initially I replied to adverts for a few posts available.<br />
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I am looking to the future, hoping to build on this, show my cheeky monkeys, that money does not grow on trees, but that Mummy has to work hard for the things we have.<br />
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So here I am, my first working week completed and I feel tired, but extremely happy with how it all has gone.<br />
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Working financially really does pay, its the giving up being their for the children, but doing this work, means I am there for when they all finish school/pre-school.<br />
The sorting out childcare for the youngest was a huge obstacle I thought, but I have been so lucky, as Anna started school for the first time beginning of September, Edward was offered 3.5 days in a very friendly and lovely pre-school, he seems to of settled in so well, as does Anna adjusted to being a full time school girl, so hopefully it will all continue well for all of us.<br />
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<br />Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-36562353625195691362013-09-18T22:52:00.000+01:002013-09-18T22:52:15.617+01:00Dear Blog, sorry I have been awol but let me explainI have been so lost, yes you know, struggling with things because.<br />
My beloved laptop (YES YES, I know to admit to loving my laptop is a bit mad, but where do you think the title of my blog comes from) has not been working, in fact it completely stopped working and I felt like this -<br />
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It really was a difficult time, for I use the internet a lot, its my me time, my time to be part of the adult world, I have 4 children whom I adore and love but its wonderful that thanks to social media sites, I get to keep up with friends and family and feel grown up too.<br />
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It showed me how much I relied and took for granted my laptop, poor thing, for everything was on it, if I needed to find any numbers or address's the laptop was the first place I looked.<br />
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But due to a lovely mum, I am finally back online, as she has lent me one for now.<br />
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It was amazing to be without, yes I did more, got things done that I had put off, but I moped and was not myself, I had a little access thanks to my phone, but missed lots of things going on with friends, so have since tried to catch up, I also missed my blog, as was just getting back into the swing of it again.<br />
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It is true though what they say, a tidy & clean home is the sign of a broken computer.</div>
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So my home is messy again, I wonder if the saying a dirty child is a happy child, would apply to a home too!</div>
<br />Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-722050867688297732013-08-26T13:11:00.000+01:002013-08-26T13:11:01.290+01:00Wishing on a Star ... is it wrong to let my children believe in magic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwV7sudnEXR1Z9vcpxeAwrFWehXiZ_OGq40BSpDvAc8WZTV80Yh8R__819fO7rQ2Grzw5KiQjqBiGRsHQEwqvaCaEQTYCTLmr4ZB2oKLnAQ1EqXiZZ46jNc19iIT8kPCwqhYp1CI0JSKI/s1600/Star+light+star+bright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwV7sudnEXR1Z9vcpxeAwrFWehXiZ_OGq40BSpDvAc8WZTV80Yh8R__819fO7rQ2Grzw5KiQjqBiGRsHQEwqvaCaEQTYCTLmr4ZB2oKLnAQ1EqXiZZ46jNc19iIT8kPCwqhYp1CI0JSKI/s320/Star+light+star+bright.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Last night, I let my children stay up a bit later, its the holidays and they had all been good, so we all watched 'Room on the Broom' as a treat, then just as it finished the girls went outside in the garden, it was just before 9pm, I was saying its bedtime and went to get them in.<br />
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I heard excited voices, the girls were telling me they could see a falling star, so I went to look and bless them, it was of course a aeroplane high in the sky, with its flashing lights, so I explained to the girls what it was, but asked them if they could see any stars, 'Yes' they replied excitedly.<br />
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Izzy was a little sad as she wanted to wish upon a star, so I sang the song above, as I remember it and explained she would be able to wish on the first star she saw that evening, the girls were so excited, I decided there and then to take them to the cricket pitch down the road, where on a clear night you can see millions of stars so clearly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbYaDsZU603OalF50LgZo5_klIOgE63xWVPO7nmVmX8WWTelwdRRZyt6hy3STqPCMpXyDfBwim48M76RRaXgjhS5ORNT8H8Zew5akVC6cUIVodb5tw9ehklo5bLPHTJugdsxd7ewdYhs/s1600/August+25+2013+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbYaDsZU603OalF50LgZo5_klIOgE63xWVPO7nmVmX8WWTelwdRRZyt6hy3STqPCMpXyDfBwim48M76RRaXgjhS5ORNT8H8Zew5akVC6cUIVodb5tw9ehklo5bLPHTJugdsxd7ewdYhs/s320/August+25+2013+012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Edward was also keen to come along, so even though the girls had already got their pyjamas on, it was just a case of put shoes or wellies on with coats as was a little nippy in the air and off we all set, with me telling the children they had to be very quiet as lots of other boys and girls would be in bed fast asleep.<br />
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Anna started telling me she was wishing for a star to fall in our garden, Izzy was wishing for a new dolly set, Edward was just saying twinkle twinkle little star over and over bless him.<br />
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All three children are not used to being out walking in the pitch dark, so we all held hands on the way down to the cricket pitch.<br />
On the walk back I asked them to stay close, as hedgehogs might be about near the bushes and Anna pipes up, so could dinosaurs and dragons, her sister Izzy straight away pointed out dinosaurs are dead extinct because they had a man go into school and talk about dinosaurs so she knows she told us, as to dragons....well I said they don't really live in this country, how can I encourage the wonder of magic if I said dragons didn't exist and there is such a thing as dragons, just bearded type lizards as far as I know.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqeV4cmBvddTCaQFUvgS7y7ymmKNTwmfTOdlx3A47_6WUWgWDxp4r2HzcGgWwM9uZp3lklisqca6iJDejtF-PZWS74v8J30wpZlh_Lw0TuB69eluQRkt0WIR2ONHRT6CKXvDuGNWPnS8/s1600/August+25+2013+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqeV4cmBvddTCaQFUvgS7y7ymmKNTwmfTOdlx3A47_6WUWgWDxp4r2HzcGgWwM9uZp3lklisqca6iJDejtF-PZWS74v8J30wpZlh_Lw0TuB69eluQRkt0WIR2ONHRT6CKXvDuGNWPnS8/s320/August+25+2013+013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Its times like this, that I love the innocence and simple joy children find in things, its times like these that I worry about the books I read to the children and the programs they watch on the TV, but is it wrong to encourage about magical wishing stars, is it wrong to teach them rhymes about wishing for things.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12lhtaq9ejduD2HyT2OS693FApfD2dErdg78j5McUlxejIkX5L3qaJEF0rgTuPhU_Y-brHEx3jdyapLtALe0uTp3GVpnu4CUbol_bJZU289Q9gCPrh_YioNqEi5cOHSfgSTxXfD1qsH0/s1600/the+wish+cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12lhtaq9ejduD2HyT2OS693FApfD2dErdg78j5McUlxejIkX5L3qaJEF0rgTuPhU_Y-brHEx3jdyapLtALe0uTp3GVpnu4CUbol_bJZU289Q9gCPrh_YioNqEi5cOHSfgSTxXfD1qsH0/s200/the+wish+cat.jpg" width="145" /></a><br />
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I personally love that my children still believe in fairies, in magic and are in awe of the things around them.<br />
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We love books that are all happy and sometimes have different endings than predicted, the night before we read the book 'The Wish Cat' by Ragnhild Scamell and Gaby Hansen and its one of our favourites.<br />
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So the next time you look up into the dark skies and see a star, don't forget to make a wish.<br />
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<a href="http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag146/theoliversmadhouse/magicmoments150x150_zps58f60c40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag146/theoliversmadhouse/magicmoments150x150_zps58f60c40.jpg" /></a><br />
This post is being Linked to the lovely <a href="http://theoliversmadhouse.co.uk/magic-moments/" target="_blank">Magic Moments</a> first time for me, but above is our Magic Moment, wishing on a stars.<br />
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Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-66200947104611441092013-08-25T09:46:00.002+01:002013-08-25T09:46:19.503+01:00Silent Sunday - 25/08/13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZx0A9UPXbmK4pF9uKIBqxKhf4iZGBnCFlNIC-1HJV9FzO7eLJ2DjsCyEms8CmuUB5P4mgVHhrhkaHO5u0XKHgTNQKq-Rfo3E3gWG99ZKA_tswywvG7pFRK1IbPIZ7kczJk7B8VF9l0s/s1600/August+late+2013+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZx0A9UPXbmK4pF9uKIBqxKhf4iZGBnCFlNIC-1HJV9FzO7eLJ2DjsCyEms8CmuUB5P4mgVHhrhkaHO5u0XKHgTNQKq-Rfo3E3gWG99ZKA_tswywvG7pFRK1IbPIZ7kczJk7B8VF9l0s/s640/August+late+2013+005.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.cosmicgirlie.com/silent-sunday/"><img alt="" src="http://www.cosmicgirlie.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Silent-Sunday.jpg" /></a>Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-80905721259007082572013-08-24T14:52:00.001+01:002013-08-24T14:52:36.338+01:00Saturday is Caption Day! 24/08/13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><b>Saturday is Caption day, so can You think of a good caption for this photo- </b></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBBKEIdcgU7G_miFak2JxxPmX3xf2ur1qx3rsUogseluxSBvJyoo5uiVCERv4x8lUhGj1i8qDcWV6AUwKqRRaPE72IWH2YNin_JOylMih5C1ai1MBEvrz6jUR-r5bvE1CVZWAi77zHaM/s1600/August+2013+middle+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBBKEIdcgU7G_miFak2JxxPmX3xf2ur1qx3rsUogseluxSBvJyoo5uiVCERv4x8lUhGj1i8qDcWV6AUwKqRRaPE72IWH2YNin_JOylMih5C1ai1MBEvrz6jUR-r5bvE1CVZWAi77zHaM/s640/August+2013+middle+003.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://mammasaurus.co.uk/category/satcap/" target="_blank" title="Mammasaurus - Saturday is Caption Day!"><img alt="Mammasaurus - Saturday is Caption Day!" src="http://mammasaurus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/sat.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-4875465963167506992013-08-24T13:42:00.000+01:002013-08-24T16:00:41.171+01:00Win a Gorgeous Owl Bag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXi0b0RPqdM2bQfRuE4js3lBJ5Aurq6pf7iw8Nh4XZuf2msDaE-U2coy5d4OZmxSVDdGKxYHoXehncvjaprV6dkVbW6ml0sNM2qnjKOvgVJatNdxxwxBNr2wRpCpixUUG6OBvUPgR7W6w/s1600/owl+bag+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXi0b0RPqdM2bQfRuE4js3lBJ5Aurq6pf7iw8Nh4XZuf2msDaE-U2coy5d4OZmxSVDdGKxYHoXehncvjaprV6dkVbW6ml0sNM2qnjKOvgVJatNdxxwxBNr2wRpCpixUUG6OBvUPgR7W6w/s1600/owl+bag+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXi0b0RPqdM2bQfRuE4js3lBJ5Aurq6pf7iw8Nh4XZuf2msDaE-U2coy5d4OZmxSVDdGKxYHoXehncvjaprV6dkVbW6ml0sNM2qnjKOvgVJatNdxxwxBNr2wRpCpixUUG6OBvUPgR7W6w/s1600/owl+bag+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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To help celebrate that I have got my blogging mojo back, I want to celebrate with offering a Prize.</div>
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I have had my eye on these for ages and just ordered one, but also going to be offering another one as a prize, so please enter and who knows one could soon be YOURS! </div>
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Good luck </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXi0b0RPqdM2bQfRuE4js3lBJ5Aurq6pf7iw8Nh4XZuf2msDaE-U2coy5d4OZmxSVDdGKxYHoXehncvjaprV6dkVbW6ml0sNM2qnjKOvgVJatNdxxwxBNr2wRpCpixUUG6OBvUPgR7W6w/s1600/owl+bag+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXi0b0RPqdM2bQfRuE4js3lBJ5Aurq6pf7iw8Nh4XZuf2msDaE-U2coy5d4OZmxSVDdGKxYHoXehncvjaprV6dkVbW6ml0sNM2qnjKOvgVJatNdxxwxBNr2wRpCpixUUG6OBvUPgR7W6w/s320/owl+bag+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Please leave a comment on what colour you would prefer and it would also be handy for you to leave a way for me to contact you, be it a twitter name, email or FB</div>
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(PS I am still learning and would appreciate likes on my new FB page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/mumsguidetoinsanityUK" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/mumsguidetoinsanityUK</a> )</div>
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1. Made from good quality oilcloth Material with pretty owl print</div>
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2. Fap-over with magnetic snap<br />
2. Two medium size open top pocket under the flap<br />
3. Two medium open pockets on the sides and back zip pocket<br />
4. Perfect for school and fit for A4 paper, text book and Ipad<br />
5. Inside come with a zipped security pocket and both mobile & key slip pouch pockets<br />
6. Dimension: </div>
<div style="color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;">
Height 26cm</div>
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Width 35cm</div>
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Depth 11cm</div>
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Adjustable Shoulder Strap: up to 132cm </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQmajwdnN-1Rd8LZg2n0vvojF6vJOs6JbQW6PcNZnV4PYxf589iT_mlPY8mLfStIBx4Fs3bHBc55myYQ8EcPsPTm7ZDuKNG1W-dPZUyZ1_vmXxWdN3GpeejPlN3mp2v5N3cqkwGat8Xw/s1600/Owl+bags.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQmajwdnN-1Rd8LZg2n0vvojF6vJOs6JbQW6PcNZnV4PYxf589iT_mlPY8mLfStIBx4Fs3bHBc55myYQ8EcPsPTm7ZDuKNG1W-dPZUyZ1_vmXxWdN3GpeejPlN3mp2v5N3cqkwGat8Xw/s320/Owl+bags.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/7cb1df0/" id="rc-7cb1df0" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com155tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-9257044649168316422013-08-23T09:53:00.000+01:002013-08-23T09:53:29.799+01:00Dinner dilemmas ...... to Enchiladas or not! I am not the worlds greatest of cooks, I struggle to bake even a simple cupcake.<br />
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So the night before we had this, which is OK and was eaten, but I didn't really enjoy it, the children did, which is something I guess.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtYSp_r7fTjeXyahJ572kPvhjRw5I0D_lnzI2jx_lbDyxRUHj-n4dynjnffMcSASozpiGvmGP0YLBkUlh1qXM6rkKuGd7Yb2kLiOSAZyBSifymSLgoVz7koKVG4FA5lW5GQQh3x19RNk/s1600/August+late+2013+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtYSp_r7fTjeXyahJ572kPvhjRw5I0D_lnzI2jx_lbDyxRUHj-n4dynjnffMcSASozpiGvmGP0YLBkUlh1qXM6rkKuGd7Yb2kLiOSAZyBSifymSLgoVz7koKVG4FA5lW5GQQh3x19RNk/s320/August+late+2013+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So when a neighbour bought me over some Thai chicken curry she had made to try, I realised some of our food is pretty tasteless, like Pizza.</div>
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So I looked in my cupboards for inspiration and found this box</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPxiZuhOIJJ6xwOU5l4huILmCIu92yPsmtRaPcZQxcAYYeRJlYoM0Wf1xH-_3IF0d1U7YYpRtlG6Ezm0l54GdNy1CIueIfRL4tjsQhJzSgkdPqMDjbw8D3WvLObrGY7uDHDIgieUcyyM/s1600/August+late+2013+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPxiZuhOIJJ6xwOU5l4huILmCIu92yPsmtRaPcZQxcAYYeRJlYoM0Wf1xH-_3IF0d1U7YYpRtlG6Ezm0l54GdNy1CIueIfRL4tjsQhJzSgkdPqMDjbw8D3WvLObrGY7uDHDIgieUcyyM/s320/August+late+2013+014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now for someone like myself, who can cook, but isn't a great cook and certainly not adventurous, I will often cook things like Spaghetti bolognese, Cottage pie, Fish pie, Bacon risotto etc.</div>
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which is great staple food, food the children will eat, but I want to try different flavours, my taste-buds need more, eating food cooked by my lovely neighbours awakens my taste-buds, one neighbour is from Thailand and another from Jamaica and boy when they bring food for me to try, I love it and my taste-buds cry out in joy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iIGoKxiC-CefW_X10CskxAOh-sdNepAbFnQfEglTDZCUujAJcOmhfP9ucX-aeKBW580z_1xdwK4qz1ha6ntdfsdotfMwtXcUqCs0D5wSxlC6rXVu4IKMHrJ5rP2JA5nwJWTRoK01yYo/s1600/August+late+2013+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iIGoKxiC-CefW_X10CskxAOh-sdNepAbFnQfEglTDZCUujAJcOmhfP9ucX-aeKBW580z_1xdwK4qz1ha6ntdfsdotfMwtXcUqCs0D5wSxlC6rXVu4IKMHrJ5rP2JA5nwJWTRoK01yYo/s320/August+late+2013+010.jpg" width="320" /></a>So I want to try my children with different kinds of flavours in food, I would like to eat food with more oomph, so last night I followed the instructions on the box for Enchiladas, perfect for someone like me</div>
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It was so easy, it suits me and the results, well gives me some satisfaction, yes I wish I could could it all from scratch, but the seperate ingredients are what put me off a lot of the time, living on a budget, I find this easier and cheaper than buying it all individually.<br />
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It didn't take long to prepare, and to cook in the oven was about 10 minutes, so all in all, this to me was great.<br />
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I picked the pack in the supermarket that said MILD as know my children well and I have to say although very tasty, I really enjoyed it, Izzy and Edward tried it and ate some, Anna point blank refused saying it was too spicy, which is a shame, but its good for them to try new tastes including ones with a little bit of a kick in them, which to me this has, its not hot spicy burn your mouth, but a little touch of spice, so after eating you do taste, feel that spicy sensation.<br />
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So if ever you fancy something different and are similar to me, though can't believe anyone else has the dinner time dilemma's then I would recommend this.<br />
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Now what else can I find to cook, that has flavour to awaken my taste-buds, if anyone can recommend something that I would be able to manage then that would be great, as I am limited with my dishes right now, but going to see what else is on offer, or new for me to try on the shelves of the supermarkets.<br />
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(This is just me, no one has asked me to review this product, I just wanted to share and also hopefully get others to give me idea's on trying new and different foods)Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-10990574958635450602013-08-20T18:14:00.000+01:002013-08-20T18:14:01.820+01:00Less than 2 weeks to go and I haven't bought school uniform or shoes...I wonder if I am the only one, the thought of shopping with my children is not filling me with joy I have to confess.<br />
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Last year I was so much more organised, I had most of the uniforms before they broke up for summer, but was on a deadline to get it done, as then Max's grandmother had kindly offered to label the clothes.<br />
She was a star doing all 3 sets of clothes for me.<br />
Max and Izzy's school uniform and Anna's pre-school clothes.<br />
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This year I have my second daughter Anna starting school, one of the reasons I am putting it off, is because Anna wants to wear boys uniform, my little tomboy wants shorts like her brother and shoes too, but debating on if I should let her, or worried she might get teased, so holding off as think it best she have a girls uniform, with maybe shorts in the summer.<br />
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Not sure if I am alone, but I simply loathe sewing on name labels, to the point I would end up scribbling in permanent pen as a last resort.<br />
Over a year ago now I was extremely lucky to win, for a mum like me my dream prize, stamps with their names on that stay on from Stamptastic, I tried them and got a little carried away, but have to confess to being delighted that on the white shirts no matter how many washes, the stamps printed on did not wash off, unlike iron on labels, yes I have tried those too.<br />
The photo is Max's shirt from last year, label still showing his name, faded but after many many hot washes.<br />
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This year I am going to try the stamps mixed with labels that are not sewn on but you can use rivvits, so that is my plan, but have not got around to buying the uniform, for we need so much and the expense is more than a little off putting, I have seen lots of uniform for sale, but really need quality that will last, that is rugged and yet a bargain too, so if anyone can recommend somewhere to buy bits that would be wonderful.<br />
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Shoes, yes my girls both need new school shoes, last year we went to Clarks and got the cheapest simplest school shoes they did, costing £24 & £25 and I have to say they amazingly lasted the whole school year, I like to get them measured and checked regularly, but those shoes were amazing and so we will go get measured and see what is available this time of year, hoping they haven't sold out of the ones we like.<br />
We might try different shops too, as long as we get measured and then shop around.<br />
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I seriously would rather not go shopping, but can't keep putting it off, because in fact I have less than 2 weeks, scary ........ but I will get it done!<br />
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So where do I start, got the labeling covered, but the rest......<br />
<br />Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-63599003160340827482013-08-19T00:37:00.001+01:002013-08-19T00:37:09.331+01:00Follow my blog with Bloglovin<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5311003/?claim=xfh65yv8qmv">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-16591571060924164262013-08-18T13:44:00.000+01:002013-08-18T13:44:37.669+01:00Silent Sunday .... 18/8/13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-63542229388271051632013-08-15T23:47:00.001+01:002013-08-15T23:47:48.176+01:00Dilemma- Losing the 1st tooth and then what precedent does it set...Isabella my gorgeous 5 year old daughter just lost her first tooth.<br />
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Now I do have a 9 year old son, the tooth fairy would visit and leave a shiny £2 coin for every tooth he lost, which became challenging, as she didn't always have one to hand.<br />
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So what will the tooth fairy leave for Izzy, bearing in mind she has two younger siblings, so this could at any one point get costly.<br />
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Izzy was initially scared to have a wobbly tooth, as she was brushing her teeth, she noticed it and said concerned that she hasn't been brushing them right as they are falling out.<br />
I felt awful, for at some point I must of said that if you don't brush your teeth, then they will fall out and of course didn't think about the milk teeth coming out, making room for her adult teeth.<br />
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I made it all exciting, but unlike her older brother Max, Izzy doesn't really see any value in money, its just coins to her, but still its traditional and she will grow to understand about money soon enough.<br />
So just helped to explain about growing up, baby teeth coming out is a fun thing and to wobble them even I remember loving the feeling.<br />
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The tooth fairy thought a little note would be a good idea, but when she was *cough cough* googling, she came across some certificates, so that is what was left for Izzy under her pillow in exchange for her tooth, along with a £1 coin.<br />
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In the morning we laminated it, as it wasn't going to last long, she wanted to show the world her lovely certificate, bless her.<br />
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Who knows when the next one will fall out, all I know is I have a very happy daughter, happy with a lovely certificate and she put her £1 in her piggy bank.Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-16638888571108670422013-08-11T23:01:00.000+01:002013-08-11T23:01:04.362+01:00Silent Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-36146561874349042842013-08-11T02:12:00.000+01:002013-08-11T02:12:42.229+01:00Visiting Mapledurham House for afternoon tea....We have a friend from Italy visiting us and I thought it would be a lovely idea to show her something very British, so afternoon tea at a very old traditional Manor home locally was in order and thanks to a deal I saw on Groupon I booked for us to go to Mapledurham House.<br />
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For years I had driven along the Reading road, passing the signs for Mapledurham House, but had never even been down the road, and what a road it was.</div>
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I thought it would be just around the corner, but no it was deep into the countryside and along a long and twisting road, many areas only narrow enough for one car, but driving very slowly, we arrived safely at some gates that has a man sat in a little wooden shed is the best way to describe it, where as I had booked I told him my name and was handed a white envelope with our tickets inside.</div>
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The House and grounds were not overly huge, but still quite impressive, I just love the smell, look and atmospheres of old buildings, the stories they can tell the histories they have, Mapledurham being no exception.</div>
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We went for a walk about inside, they had a little quiz for visiting children to fill in, looking around & counting objects.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6j9TsJUz-4vyHutxbThEztxKqwrk-GOp2thz4oPnN55erGJqQJrvLX7UGeDlaRj7RyaGFAEhJCRkb9A7vnoF4X8aduaTbotLXokbaVf3lZDJzngERMbx65TlAJCZ3k6xFchi7g9lixMs/s1600/August+2013+Mapledurham+119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6j9TsJUz-4vyHutxbThEztxKqwrk-GOp2thz4oPnN55erGJqQJrvLX7UGeDlaRj7RyaGFAEhJCRkb9A7vnoF4X8aduaTbotLXokbaVf3lZDJzngERMbx65TlAJCZ3k6xFchi7g9lixMs/s200/August+2013+Mapledurham+119.jpg" width="200" /></a>I really enjoyed it when my children asked questions, they laughed when I explained the tin bathes on display in a small room off the grand bedroom, Anna pointed out they didn't have taps, so I explained the water would be heated and poured in, or have cold baths, makes us realise how far we have come with technology, when you look back that it wasn't that long ago we didn't have electric showers and hot running taps. </div>
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We walked around the well maintained lawns and gardens and enjoyed the beauty of the surroundings.</div>
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It truly is a beautiful part of the country that we live in.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3h29HLq1PWaNtqEPb_iNXjZ8nD3n5YF7V5d7l4gSgM_C1v0PbTyeT_HNS6i1_W42Ukz0LGPPOT1KbkQVWQrBQdRdCUGLCqCCXGPE7mvKk2RIE_GsxiauOI0umpwQz6BCvFv4i814sg2g/s1600/August+2013+Mapledurham+205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3h29HLq1PWaNtqEPb_iNXjZ8nD3n5YF7V5d7l4gSgM_C1v0PbTyeT_HNS6i1_W42Ukz0LGPPOT1KbkQVWQrBQdRdCUGLCqCCXGPE7mvKk2RIE_GsxiauOI0umpwQz6BCvFv4i814sg2g/s400/August+2013+Mapledurham+205.jpg" width="400" /></a>They have a working Watermill still in use and we were able to go and explore and look around it, the stairs to climb the upper deck area to see the mill working, was very steep to say the least, very narrow steps, but thankfully the stairs on the otherside to come down, were more like steps.</div>
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They have a little gift shop in the watermill and you can buy flour, oats that have been ground at the watermill.</div>
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We all enjoyed the house, the grounds and the watermill, but there is one thing I feel I must be honest about, the cream teas.</div>
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For some reason I had it in my head it was to be afternoon tea, as served in the Ritz, you know the triple plates with sandwiches, cakes & scones with a pot of tea, well no I made a mistake it was cream tea, 2 good scones, with jam and cream, not clotted cream alas, in what can only be described as a cafe setting, no disrespect to cafe's, but I was so disappointed to see pub style benches, I did think it must just be a casual cafe, but then realised people were having cream teas outside.</div>
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I had to go and queue in a tiny little cafe, to collect my cream tea, carrying it outside, but there was wasps and flies about and it would of totally ruined the experienced for me. </div>
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So we decided to eat inside, we were the only ones mind and it wasn't too bad, it had some history, it felt old worldly yet still very basic cheap cafe, such a let down on a beautiful area, though I realise it costs a lot to keep these old homes going, looking around the main building there were many areas crumbling and large cracks about.</div>
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Inside the old manor house there was some history, but to be honest a lot of tatty areas, the chairs and tables were like old school ones.</div>
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I would of thought we might of been served, but no we had to collect our own, then I had to go back for butter as its not given with the scones and also for knives to use.</div>
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It was a very basic, if maybe rustic, but a cheap version of tea, it made me appreciate even more that we actually didn't pay the full price and just the Groupon costs, as had I paid £45 for it all, I would of felt incredibly disappointed, but the fact that we paid £18 via Groupon made it slightly better.</div>
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We also noticed looking around, more areas to eat indoors, the stables and another room, totally shabby, also the garage had some tables, but it also housed 2 huge deep freezers, it looked really off putting and sad. </div>
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Would I recommend a visit to Mapledurham House, yes if you can manage to get a good deal like I did with Groupon, if you like period houses, watermills, but if your going for an afternoon out to enjoy cream tea, then no I wouldn't recommend it, or be prepared that its a simple and basic eating areas. </div>
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Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-30360031700876610872013-08-09T22:53:00.000+01:002013-08-09T22:53:54.892+01:00Off we go to Legoland, WindsorIts suppose to be good weather today, its just got to be better than when we last visited Legoland, I got cold and wet and we left early in Spring half term now its end of June 2013.<br />
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Today we, my tribe and I are off to explore the new Duplo water park they have, so I was up late, busy getting a picnic all ready, must remember to pack the swimming things and towels for the munchkins, as I foresee lots of wet children in the sunshine in Legoland, thanks to the amazing water park.<br />
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What to pack for a picnic, well its not just lunch, but dinner as well, because I want to go prepared to spend the entire day there, make the most of the lovely weather and also wear the little darlings out, though in truth it will be I who will end up the most tired no doubt.<br />
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So its going to be traditional sandwiches and snacks for lunch, then for tea/dinner it will be cold pasta salad and rice salad and BBQ chicken, might be a tad too spicy for the younger three, but Max & I will enjoy them if they don't.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciaAdthM6exMuo5_b1UGwB8WolIk3-699XfFQOqGTMzfRTw0eovEm7_fS-npPuisiSXvj7n8rYafNGqInrRmHI6sG_3CeW23eGzhKZ8hqZDEnqhQAhrvQAw89thcL89tN3huz_wO0T7Q/s1600/June+Legoland+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciaAdthM6exMuo5_b1UGwB8WolIk3-699XfFQOqGTMzfRTw0eovEm7_fS-npPuisiSXvj7n8rYafNGqInrRmHI6sG_3CeW23eGzhKZ8hqZDEnqhQAhrvQAw89thcL89tN3huz_wO0T7Q/s200/June+Legoland+001.jpg" width="200" /></a>I started writing this some weeks ago now, but I can tell you we had an amazing time, the sun was glorious, which mean't everyone decided to do the same as us and go to Legoland, so it was very busy but fun.<br />
I am now planning to take them in August, the month I am finally finishing this post, I want to see if its even busier than the hot day in June we went.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">I don't know about anyone else, but I seriously hate queues, specially when its for a 5 minute ride, so if a sign is saying 30 mins wait or 1 hr wait, we walk on by and find another attraction to go on.</span><br />
I noticed Legoland do a fast tract pass to avoid queuing, but to be totally honest with 4 little monkeys I couldn't afford it, but realised something else, around mid afternoon, people start leaving..... yes suddenly the queues are no more, my children wanted to go on the cars and last time we didn't manage it and this time I had my doubts, but low and behold as they only had to wait 5 mins, it was brilliant, so good in fact, Max went around twice.<br />
Max, Izzy & Anna all got there photos taken and received their much loved driving licences.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4yf7iZDeiylPp5UwRkUmCguRVWI9phMh_bY5kQzA_twgxcVNXKUj1tX1mBIrADjoj6tal4DjO_B1fuvT2HnZmE1WTxmTqHMk5FZtK___y00upciRciFdT7R8QDHpPJuxhyphenhyphenHoDfUz7Ao/s1600/June+Legoland+061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4yf7iZDeiylPp5UwRkUmCguRVWI9phMh_bY5kQzA_twgxcVNXKUj1tX1mBIrADjoj6tal4DjO_B1fuvT2HnZmE1WTxmTqHMk5FZtK___y00upciRciFdT7R8QDHpPJuxhyphenhyphenHoDfUz7Ao/s200/June+Legoland+061.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vDd_K3cF-Jwu1Y853bv_qLJ5joncDdf1m-gLDPBZUtp5aDI-SLtwbXumsLHUBiiOhgZ-rKpQQfdHeUCiWfAxX3b9s1wct7X33OfI1q6cp103SO6uFGK0Da_RuT3BxEI25ttkYIF4GjM/s1600/June+Legoland+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vDd_K3cF-Jwu1Y853bv_qLJ5joncDdf1m-gLDPBZUtp5aDI-SLtwbXumsLHUBiiOhgZ-rKpQQfdHeUCiWfAxX3b9s1wct7X33OfI1q6cp103SO6uFGK0Da_RuT3BxEI25ttkYIF4GjM/s200/June+Legoland+027.jpg" width="200" /></a>We went to the water park area the new Duploland later in the day as it was heaving with people earlier around lunchtime, and it was less crowded late afternoon, the thought behind leaving it until last, was that it was still a very hot day and the children could get changed into something comfy, dry and if they fell asleep in the car on the way home, they could go straight to sleep in clean clothes.<br />
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We had an amazing day, on leaving there was queues of cars trying to leave the parking area, but we just got our picnic tea out and sat and enjoyed it, then once finished, loaded the car up with tired children and drove straight out of the magic that is Legoland and went home.<br />
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Top tips-<br />
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<ol>
<li>take tea as well as lunch, </li>
<li>hang around later, as less queuing and </li>
<li>to save money take lots of drinks with you, I am lucky I still have a toddler as </li>
<li>took our buggy, so was able to carry a few extra bits, well loads of bits on it, like picnic, swimming stuff including towels and lots of drinks too. </li>
</ol>
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<br />Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-15648000721732416452012-09-25T23:36:00.001+01:002012-09-25T23:36:34.947+01:00Never wanted to be a Football Mum!Its a fact of life, we have children and they grow up, I have to accept I can not keep them at home forever, I must allow them to mix and experience all the world has to offer ....... but FOOTBALL?<br />
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Yes I have a dear friend, who has two sons and she has without fail supported them, watched them practice and also driven them all over to attend matches, oh how I felt for her in the cold wet weather, I never ever wanted to be a Football Mum!<br />
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I have to admit though I have two sons and it was going to happen at some point and that point is now!<br />
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Max my gorgeous young man, almost 9, wanted to join the local football team, so I phoned up and was told they had training the following morning and to bring Max along a few times to see how he gets on and enjoys it, well I was surprised from just making enquiries late Saturday evening, that the following day I was to become just another Football Mum! <br />
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Max was so excited bless him, he knew others in his class and school that played for the local team, Cholsey Bluebirds but he admitted on our way to the pitch, that bless him he had butterflies in his tummy, my heart went out to him and I said did he want to go home(yes I was in a way hoping) as it was pouring with rain, but no Max was so keen and so we went, the 4 children and I and we dropped Max off and returned with 15 minutes to spare, to watch the team practice, Max was beaming from ear to ear and the energy was running on overdrive. <br />
It was cold and we got wet, but Max was so very happy, that I had this sudden inner happiness that My son was playing football, maybe he could be the next David Beckham or Alan Shearer, I stood there smiling myself with pride at my son the little football player!<br />
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Max's brother was tucked up in the buggy and his sisters seemed oblivious to the falling rain, running around after a spare ball, we got thoroughly wet and a bit muddy too, but it was fun, yes it was, so I now resign myself to becoming a proper Football Mum, I keep wanting to say Soccer Mom, but that isn't right.<br />
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When we arrived home, Max went straight into the shower, whilst I made the warmest quick thing I could think of and it went down well with all 4 children, Hot Crumpets with Hot Chocolate too, was a wonderful finish to our first experience of Football training!<br />
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This is the girls in there new waterproofs!</div>
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I went the following day and purchased wet weather outfits, for the three younger ones, as we are going to have to go no matter the weather to support Max, but we might as well try to stay warm and dry, roll on next Sunday and his 2nd practice session, I just hope he enjoys it even more so, as I have this week to go out and buy some proper football studded boots and some shin pads.<br />
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Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-18256297979007290992012-09-21T00:30:00.002+01:002012-09-21T00:30:55.308+01:00Forest School for my 4yr old Princess NOOOOAt my daughters little primary school a meeting was held today to explain about Forest School and I duly went along to find out what it was about!<br />
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I have never heard about Forest School and what they entail or what our children would be doing, so was amazed, horrified, worried and actually the child in me was just a little bit envious too.<br />
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For my gorgeous little Princess, who hates to get wet, is lucky to be able to attend Forest School sessions every week for one afternoon no matter the weather!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4wVwufhjntzSAE2Rhm6MeXUD2JKoVZwQmlN8pBCbHIS0eTWdQlUqzXNrxa-HCSDyUiOZ2FdpHOqjsWNmIn4TmA3DqEb56EOe_H-IKaDSSgAPAQRgtUhSG8GH5tyrZt2VeKx35_4JFcY/s1600/October+2011+084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4wVwufhjntzSAE2Rhm6MeXUD2JKoVZwQmlN8pBCbHIS0eTWdQlUqzXNrxa-HCSDyUiOZ2FdpHOqjsWNmIn4TmA3DqEb56EOe_H-IKaDSSgAPAQRgtUhSG8GH5tyrZt2VeKx35_4JFcY/s320/October+2011+084.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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They have an area in the school grounds that is perfect for this, its been going for 3 years now at the school and I was amazed to see they will be letting them try so many new things, from climbing trees, under supervision using knifes and saws too, building fires and searching out bugs and small creatures, to making dens and just foraging in the fallen leaves, my gorgeous girly daughter will hate it.......well a little of me hopes she does, but then the other part of me hopes she loves it. <br />
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I have tried so very hard with my children not to show any negativity when it comes to spiders, snails, anything small in our home or garden and I tell them spiders are friends, for they catch and eat the flies that are a nuisance, I now hope it pays off and that she is far braver than I would ever of been at her age.<br />
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So here is hoping she is adventurous and loves getting muddy and finds the whole experience a positive one!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4JpwheAs3VLudl8G9rgMLbmKq0xtVD_vF7OcVomg2lyAgh0qK1xuedHJ6HZabNcD-ePt87fUbKsI38cv3MSIo575OVnF2wAaYLyQinRJifA21JE2CRosgQ8WbZ4JBEgd2bP-aem8Erc/s1600/October+2011+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4JpwheAs3VLudl8G9rgMLbmKq0xtVD_vF7OcVomg2lyAgh0qK1xuedHJ6HZabNcD-ePt87fUbKsI38cv3MSIo575OVnF2wAaYLyQinRJifA21JE2CRosgQ8WbZ4JBEgd2bP-aem8Erc/s320/October+2011+068.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The photo is of Izzy holding a giant Beetle</div>
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We are so lucky to have this in our little local school and to me the whole school and village just gets better, the staff have a very positive outlook on the way the children are taught and how they can learn and try new experiences, I can't believe I put my name down to volunteer too, for I personally do hate getting muddy, but the little girl in me would love nothing better to jump in the mud and roll around but I would not like the mess I would have to clean up afterwards if that makes sense!<br />
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Forest School is going to be amazing and Izzy is a very lucky little girl to have this opportunity to experience! Sadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148918813013911480.post-36944780760818975222012-09-18T00:36:00.000+01:002012-09-21T00:39:38.899+01:00Have not given Anna the chance to shine!My 3 year old Daughter Anna started Pre-school on the 5th September, she was so looking forward to going and being a big girl and it was 'HER' school, I feel a little bad as her bigger sister Izzy was starting school for the first time 2 days later and it just seemed to overshadow Anna's big moment!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqM5cCkg5BtWG00AJU0abov1dMRDug_R9zzOBukzWDIJWHAGquMsW9gZhfc24DzfhhUuYfHREB1tn55u_S3dWWh9AHZwVK28cfHcaCjuCPo4WmszOOIoFR8laXCssDIEDF_IcI00wKIJc/s1600/September+2012+starting+school+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqM5cCkg5BtWG00AJU0abov1dMRDug_R9zzOBukzWDIJWHAGquMsW9gZhfc24DzfhhUuYfHREB1tn55u_S3dWWh9AHZwVK28cfHcaCjuCPo4WmszOOIoFR8laXCssDIEDF_IcI00wKIJc/s320/September+2012+starting+school+031.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Well I can confirm she seems to be enjoying it, she has a little wobble every time we get near the school and she sees one of her teachers wearing there purple t-shirts, she suddenly hides behind me, I wonder sometimes when she grabs my stretchy jeans, if she will succeed one day in pulling them down, as she pulls so tightly, but it doesn't take long and she is soon giving me a kiss goodbye and going to sit and enjoy the company of the other children and her teachers, as they all sign in.<br />
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We are fairly new to the area, since May and there is a lot of new buildings going on, so much so the junior school is having to expand, but alas the nursery is not, so its been very tricky for parents new in the area to get our children even into the pre-school.<br />
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They accept children from 2.5yrs old yet are not guaranteeing spaces for our little ones until the year before they start school, as they have a large waiting list.<br />
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I think it bad planning of the school and education authority that they haven't incoperated the Pre-school into also expanding, though I guess in fairness the Pre-School is run seperate from the school, for many new parents like myself are moving into the area with small children.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyvt5PNW6hLh5jw8MDa8CvhleOo7d69yQ5Q3oEkkdby0yYNhiyR3y56j_gZCXPYHwxL8Yh9oMvCe-ZkbmZENXO6mx5VKBNJzvyjQC3uQwf94v14DqK2U0IB1lsFKfewJhfCnRshz29pI/s1600/September+2012+starting+school+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyvt5PNW6hLh5jw8MDa8CvhleOo7d69yQ5Q3oEkkdby0yYNhiyR3y56j_gZCXPYHwxL8Yh9oMvCe-ZkbmZENXO6mx5VKBNJzvyjQC3uQwf94v14DqK2U0IB1lsFKfewJhfCnRshz29pI/s320/September+2012+starting+school+035.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I was used to Izzy going to her old pre-school 2 days a week, it made life so much easier, having the other 2 youngest at home still, it saved the hassle of dragging them out in all weathers to go to the school 3 times a day, so she just went for 2 full days and not the other half day, alas when Anna was offered a place at our new school, it was for the afternoons, I had no choice and she is loving it, but alas it is a trek to go out 3 times to the school a day, so you can imagine my joy when on arriving at the school today, one of the teachers said would I like Friday all day and Monday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, it would mean being able to go visit friends, do the shopping etc, without having to turn back to collect one of them when we arrived in a shopping town, I was starting to plan what I could do with these Fridays with just one child in tow but alas it was changed for Monday instead as they had there quota in for lunchtimes, but I could have Monday all day, my heart went from being overjoyed to being a little disappointed, for we have many bank holidays that fall on Mondays, I asked if she had any other days bar Monday and sadly they didn't, but you know what, its still wonderful news that she will go for a whole day, taking a little packed lunch in with her and I can do so many other things on that day.<br />
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The above photo is Anna coming home with ice-cream after her first ever afternoon there x<br />
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So roll on next Monday when Anna will be starting going the whole day and have to supply a little lunchbox too, must remember not to overfill it x<br />
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Anna is loving her pre-school and the staff all seem very friendly and nice xSadiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568360773193548410noreply@blogger.com0