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 6/52

This weeks Living Arrows sees Half Term. I am working a week behind. We had such a lovely chilled half term and I am sad that my bigeez are now back at school. We didn't get up to anything major, seeing as we had stayed at the Chessington Safari Hotel for the weekend last week. What we did have though was some real quality family time. I took the kids swimming and to the local parks. Tyler and Sophie also went to an adventure golf place with their Grandparents (my mum and dad) which they loved, and their other Grandparents took them bowling and for Mcdonalds! Lucky Kids.

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

The Little One Tag

I was tagged by the lovely Katie and her daughter Squiggle over at Living life our way, to do "The little one tag. I chose my daughter Sophie to take part with me. Here are her answers...

What is the best thing about being 5?
I can play all day with my mum and dad

What makes you laugh?
when my mummy does funny things, and says silly things

Who do you love and Why?
Jaxon (baby bro) and you mummy. Jaxon is so cute and you are so crazy.

Whats your favourite book?
I don't know what its called but its the one where the crocodile gets mad at the chick, the one with the hole in it.

Favourite Food?
Sausage chips and beans and ketchup

Favourite Song?
Let It go

Favourite Outfit?
My elsa dress

Favourite Tv Programme?
Operation Ouch

Favourite Toy?
3d pens

Favourite thing to do?
Play with my toys.

Now I tag....
Vicky at www.mumtimestwo.co.uk
jen at www.justaveragejen.com
Katie at www.mumof2point5.wordpress.com


Look forward to reading all your responses.
Mrs Hx

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

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