(Lack of) Patience

So very, very often I feel like I'm failing at being the mother I really want to be. 

I want to be a fun, happy, chilled momma but instead I feel like I'm a bad tempered, irritable one. 

Today I really shouted at missy (on 2 separate occasions) which resulted in tears from both of us and now I'm feeling v.v.GUILTY...this isn't the kind of memory I want her remembering when she's a grown up 'oh my mum was always so cross. This one time she went mad just because I got chocolate on my new top...' 😕

I think it's been a combination of the summer holidays, a brain full of 'stuff' whizzing round my head, back to work dread and a very rainy bank holiday Monday that made me SHOUT today. But still....I need to lead by example. They say your children become who you are so be the person you want them to be (or words to that effect). I really need to start repeating this mantra on a daily basis! 

So kids, when you're grown up and reading this remember, your momma loves you both more than life. I'm so sorry if it felt like I always shouted at you and was often cross, bad tempered and irritable. I hope you remember the fun stuff and good times. There's lots more to come.

Xxxxx

July round up

There are 2 words that sum up July for me - hot and busy.

The month started off well - the dude became a fully fledged beaver when he took his promise.

Then one night he decided to give himself a hair cut....O.M.G. Yes - that is all his hair (which he hid behind his bed - like we wouldn't notice!!!)

Rectifying the hair cut from hell!!!!

He looks so happy.

I was weeping.

End of term swimming - 400m badge for missy and 10m badge for the dude!

We had a couple of cracking weeks weather wise and enjoyed some lovely days out

All the cool mums loom band at the pub doncha know.

These Cliffs are a danger to no one!

My loves

Missy had her first school camp trip away. She managed to leave her beloved bunny behind but thankfully the lovely PGL staff kept him safe until daddy could go and rescue him. Phew.

The dude managed to sleep in some cracking positions yet again!

The kids school had a fabulous end of term/end of world cup celebration with a samba parade and performance in the park on a Friday evening. The sun was shining, the music was incredible, the wine was flowing and the sausages were a'cookin! It was such a fun and unexpected evening - the impromptu ones are usually the best kind!

But then the next day it all went a bit wrong when I got a call to say our beloved momo (my mum) had had a nasty fall and broken her shoulder and smashed her knee cap :(

I saw a lot of this bridge over the coming weeks on numerous hospital visits. 

However my last trip down I encountered my first ever genuine random act of kindness - a man paid for my bridge toll for no reason at all. I can only put it down to the fact that Lauren and I were entertaining him with our singing and dancing in the traffic jam?! Thank you Mr Lovely Fiat Driver. With the money I saved on the bridge I treated the kids to ice-creams and magazines so they weren't bored in the hospital!

Sneaking in a Joe's ice cream whilst back in Swansea. The BEST ice cream in the world.

Enjoying the sunny weather

Beauty

Meeting baby Lois for the first time - be still my beating ovaries!

The month ended on a high with an unexpected trip to the theater to see 'Singing in the Rain.' 

What an amazing show!

Xxxxxxx

June family portrait

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

'WHERE THE HECKLE DOES THE TIME GO?!!' 

We're in July already ffs!

No doubt my June catch up will be published about 3 weeks too late. But at least I'm only 2 days late with my June family portrait!

We've had some cracking weather this month and a few days ago we had a lush couple of hours at a newly refurbed (is that even a real word?) park near the suspension bridge. The sun was shining, the kids were playing nicely with each other (for once) and we had sausage and egg sarnies to eat. What's not to enjoy? 

One day maybe I'll actually get someone to take the photo instead of using my super long arm! 

Not even my fuzzy head from the school mums night out the evening before could stop me enjoying myself!

That day diet coke really was my buddy #thebesthangovercure 

Holiday part 4 - The Pools

I'm sure if you asked the children what their favourite part of the holiday was it would be a collective 'the swimming pools!'

We were fortunate to have good weather and lots of lovely pools to spend time in every day!