May Bank Holiday Weekend

I cannot believe it is the first of May already. We had a busy bank holiday weekend, full of family time. On Saturday I spent the morning cleaning (aren't I always?) and then went to my local pub which had a beer festival on and bouncy castle out for the kids.

That evening early on we went to what was my first ever "gender reveal" party, it was lovely and so cleverly done! We also went to a friends house for a takeaway and to watch the big boxing match.
Sunday bought the first fair of the year as we went to a local secondary schools Spring Fete. The kids had lots of fun on the games and stalls and I came back with a coat for Frank! (my dog, who hates the cold and rain)

On Bank Holiday Monday we took a trip to pets at home, and I bought 3 new fish for the kids fish tank. We were supposed to win some more from the fete the day before but it seems they have stopped that stall now, which is a shame as they have had that stall there since I was a child. Anyway the kids spoke to the worker at pets at home, who was very informative, and he told us what fish could and couldn't live together. We ended up with 2 goldfish, one yellow, one speckled and a weather loach, which looks like a cross between a catfish and an eel.

Rest of the day was spent playing minecraft, monopoly and making fairy gardens. It was lovely.

I hope you all had a fab long weekend!

Mrs H x

What is happening to Carshalton Ponds?

For a while now, I have noticed the water level in our beloved local ponds getting lower. I kept thinking to myself it couldn't have been from rain levels. I mean I know we are having a lovely spring so far but a drought, in April, is just unheard of!
This week my 3 children and I ventured in to Carshalton as we do weekly to burn off some energy in Grove park and feed the ducks and squirrels. As we got to the river, we noticed that the water was down by at least 2 foot. The birds were literally walking through sludge. Smaller ones able to float, just about, but the geese were just wading in the mud. It was hard to watch I have to admit. So we took a walk up to the main pond, which may as well be called Carshalton Puddle at this moment in time. It was empty! Apart from the small amount of water in the centre, it was completely drained. Birds that should be nesting were without their home, some sat on concrete ledges and a lot of them huddled together on the Wilderness Island.
I cant believe the state that the pond is in at the moment and it is so sad to see the wildlife suffering like this in their natural surroundings. I for one, hope this gets fixed as soon as it possibly can be. Those ponds are the heart of Carshalton, one of the few things left around here that holds the village's heritage and history.

Dieting for a fussy eater!

I have been dieting now since the start of January, and so far I've lost a stone. (yay go me!) I go to a slimming world class on a Monday eve and mostly follow this plan. However, I am fussy. Not ridiculously fussy with meals but when it comes to snacking I'm not a lover of fruit so sometimes I'm not 100% on the SW plan. I have swapped a fair few things in my diet that have definitely helped me so far though. These being:

• Instead of having a chocolate or biscuits with my evening Tea I will have one of these NAKD bars. My favourites being cashew cookie, and the bakewell tart that is A-MAZING!
• In the late morning between breakfast and lunch I have swapped biscuits or sugary cereal bars for a banana with a cuppa. (try it! it surprisingly tides you over!)
• I have a massive sweet tooth and have found a new love for dried fruit and nuts. A small bag like this from sainsburys is much better than a chocolate bar or a few biscuits.

• I'm trying to not drink fizzy drinks but when I do I have Sugar Free versions.
• Swapped my 2 sugars in a cup of tea to sweetner tablets.
• Limiting bread to once a day.

All of these are just little changes but added together they are definitely making a difference. That alongside slimming world and I have lost a stone since start on January, which isn't bad going right?

I'm learning that everything can be enjoyed in moderation, and just because you may "fall off the diet wagon" with a cheat meal or treat, it doesn't mean you have to stay off. Enjoy the treat, and jump straight back on that wagon. Everything in moderation!

Mrs H x

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Living Arrows

So as you may or may not know, I'm new to blogging. I saw this on a favourite blog of mine by Kerry Conway and thought I would join in.

Living Arrows is from Donna's blog and she says that it "is about celebrating childhood. The project originally took it’s name from a poem by Kahlil Gibran, “You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth” and every week we share a moment and invite others to do the same as part of this linky".

I think it is a fab idea and will be something nice to look back on at the end of the year. Each  week I will post a picture that I think "celebrates childhood". It may be just one of my children or it may be all 3 of them. Some weeks might be more than one picture. It all depends what we get up to and what I capture. I look forward to sharing our moments with you all and invite you all to play along too.

As I am the second week in I will post 2 pictures here.....

Jaxons first try of his reigns. 

Childhood is exploring! Look at that frost!

Enjoy your week.

Mrs H x