New Year New Start!

The time has come. Its been roughly 4 years since I decided I wanted to become a youtube vlogger and now Tyler and Sophie are hounding me to do it too. We are most definitely a youtube family and we watch various vloggers daily. From the kids favourites of Dan TDM and Chase's Corner, to mummy's favourites of The Conway's Claire Witt  and Rebecca Lamb to name but a few. Each year passes and I have either given it a small try or wished I had given it a serious go, and each time its fear of people laughing or fear of people not "getting it" that stops me. But as a family, this is a hobby and something that we really want to get in to. So here goes! Forget what people might say! Here's to a happy, healthy and FUN 2018 full of laughter love and enjoyment!

Happy New Year!

With love,

The Harvey's.

Lets get organised!

Since I became a mum of 3, 16 months ago, my life has become chaotic and unorganised. Don't get me wrong I wouldn't change my little family for all the neat filing systems and empty washing baskets in the world but I do always wish my life was a bit more organised. Purely for the fact that if everything was planned in advance and in order, then I would have more time to spend doing the things that my children and I love to do. Somehow though, every time I try to get order in my life I always end up back where I started. I have enlisted the help of some fellow bloggers to make myself ( and you!) a list of tips to keep on top!

• So, firstly, from Jen over at Just Average Jen "Write coffee at the top of your to do list and then it is easy to do at least one thing."
• Rebecca, over at The everyday mummy says "get things prepped the night before"
• Mummy Gummie Blog's Lisa says "write a list with only three things a day, that way it isn't daunting and you get the satisfaction from having a completed list"
• Birthdays and parties are always sorted last minute in my house. When I say last minute, I usually mean a mad dash to the supermarket half hour before the party starts! Hannah from The Amphletts buys cards in bulk, including a variety of aged and plain ones so that she never gets caught at last minute like I always do!
• When working or getting important stuff done, Louise over at A strong coffee to go says " don't have Facebook or twitter on! So easy to get distracted!"
• Lastly, Hollie from thrifty mum says "Before bed, visualise the next day and write a list, get out anything you can prepare in advance and then get a good nights sleep. You'll feel mentally and physically rested that way and therefore more able to take on the day."

With all of this in mind I have made packed lunches and laid out uniforms and bags and coats for tomorrow morning. Here's to an organised week!

Mrs Hx

Living Arrows 5/52

This weeks Living Arrows, sees the end of January. Thank god, hasn't it been dark and cold!? I honestly have never longed for springtime as much as I am right now. I want to be able to just throw a cardi on and walk out the door, and not worry about hats and scarves etc. I'm fed up of winter bugs and coughs and sneezes, and I'm fed up of uber dark mornings where it still feels like night time!

Anyway enough of my moaning. This week Jaxon had his hair cut as it was getting a bit wild. He hates having it done as he doesn't like to sit still and he doesn't like anyone touching his ears or neck. I was armed with dummies, chocolate buttons, the lot. He's still ended up with a wonky chop, but he is still gorgeous. Glad I decided from an early age not to short back and sides him with the clippers until he gets a bit older as it just wouldn't be doable!

There isn't too much we can do in this cold and dreary weather (I'm moaning again, but can you feel how much I am so done with winter right now?) but we did manage a short trip to the local park, before we all froze and marched home for a hot chocolate!!

“You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth” Kahlil Gibran

Living arrows 4/52

This weeks Living Arrows. We've got out and about in the past week and done some new exploring. Jaxon is now getting his confidence when walking with shoes on outside so even though it is ridiculously cold right now, we wrapped up warm and took to the park. He donned his reigns and had a lovely winter walk, chasing pigeons and trekking across the muddy grass, he loved it! We also tried a new café/soft play which had Jaxon in his absolute element. He ran himself ragged until lunchtime where we sat and had a sandwich and then went home and he had a lovely long nap! Bliss! Definitely on the cards again for this week!
I am loving this new independence my baby has where we can actually go out and do things together, rather than him just being in the pram, he can actually get out and have fun. I know he's loving it too, just look at that little face!

“You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth” Kahlil Gibran

Luxury Camping

We've bought our tent! This is the one we have gone for from Decathlon.

It is a 5 man, 2 bedroom, plus living area tent.....and it is a LOT bigger in person! I can stand, with space above my head and I am 5"7. To make my first camp with children enjoyable, I plan to bring what some may see as Luxury items. We have booked an electric pitch which is amazing. I plan to bring a portable table and chairs for the lounge/outside area, and a mini fridge with kettle so that I can sit and have my beloved morning cuppa in comfort. None of this build a fire malarkey. Having electric also means that the kids can bring their tablets for night time use and I can bring my laptop which can double up as a radio and tv! I'm bringing a small portaloo for the kids so no night time toilet trips in the dark/cold and lots of home comforts like our duvets, pillows and the kids favourite teddy. Some people might say this isn't "real camping" but I just think that if we are cold or uncomfortable we really wont enjoy ourselves. Being on the Isle of Wight means there are endless things to do and explore so when we are back at base of an evening, we really want to be warm and cozy.

Mrs H x

10 Reasons why I'm #RockingMotherhood

I've been tagged to do the 10 reasons why I'm #RockingMotherhood tag by The Amphletts.
I have 3 wonderful children who are my absolute world. Tyler my first son who is 8, sophie (or Tallulah as she's known at home) who is 5, and then my baby Jaxon who is 1. Its a handful some may say but I absolutely dote on them all!

1. I have a very strong "mamas instinct". If I feel in my gut that something is right or wrong for my children I will stick to it and 9 times out of 10 I am right.
2. I am fiercely protective. Some people may say this is a bad trait but they are my cubs and I am like a Lioness when it comes to them.
3. At the moment I am limiting Ipad time to weekends only, I feel that as a mother I need to guide and show my children that they cant always have what they want and end up "spoiled". So far it is working, and they appreciate things so much.
4. We read together. As a child I didn't do a lot of reading. I remember just reading what I had to read rather than reading for fun. We read the children's school books every night but then also read something together from their own book collection too. I love it that Jaxon loves to sit and be read to already and I really enjoy it too.
5. Its hard as a blogger/social networker to put your phone down, but I'm really trying to put my phone on the side after school and not pick it up again until evening. I just feel so much more connected to the kids if I am mobile free and they have my undivided attention. By undivided I mean shared 3 ways, half way between the front room and the kitchen cooking, and undoubtedly changing a nappy!
6. I sacrifice and give selflessly. My children are my main priority in life, I budget so they can have their after school activities and I go without so that they can have extra.
7. In an ideal world, I would live in the countryside but at the moment I am on the outskirts of G.London in Surrey. I love to be outdoors in the fresh air and love to go on mini adventures with the kids so we do a lot of walks through parks and nature trails. Now that Jaxon is a bit older I cant wait until spring/summer so that we can do these things again!
8. I try not to shout. Sometimes as a mum things can get really hectic. Like today, I had an overtired screaming 1 year old and a 5 year old that had crashed heads with another child at a party and my oldest son wanted a drink. I only have 1 pair of hands and cant do it all. Sometimes it helps to just take a breath and count to 5. Children get no benefit from being shouted at so I really try to always remain calm. (on the outside anyway!)
9. Lead by example......I'm a massive believer in children being a product of their environment so I try to speak nicely, always use manners and show them how to be kind and gentle to everyone and everything.
10. Last but not least, I'm trying! I'm trying my hardest to raise these mini humans in to wonderful polite, kind and clever adults.

I would love to read your 10 reasons. I tag,

Mummy's Monkey
hacking parenthood
every cloud mummy
Five Little Doves
Mums Beauty Cave

Im turning in to my mother

Its true what they say you know, as you get older you morph in to your mother. The moment i had my first child was the moment it started to happen! You see, my mother is an absolute panic ridden sweetheart. She worrys about everything and so now unintentionally so do I! Its irrational sometimes but it cant be helped. That aside there are things that I say everyday that is like my Mum is talking. Here are some examples....

• Take that coat off or you wont feel the benefits outside.
• If I come in there and find it there will be trouble! (That was a favourite of my Mums, trouble never ever followed, even though she always came in and found it)
• I may aswell be talking to a brick wall!
• Who is "she" the cats mother??
• If the wind changes you'll stay like that.
• Dont pick your nose your brain will fall put!
• Sometimes I really wonder about you.
• Were you born in a barn?? Shut the door!
• Practise makes perfect.
• If at first you dont succeed try try again.
• Money doesnt grow on trees.
• Dont make me come up there!

Its crazy because some of these I really hated (especially, the sometimes I really wonder one) and yet they still flow out of my mouth, like some inevitable family trait. It happens to us all!!

So because this post is all about mums......heres a pic of me and mine ☺

Mrs H x