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

Disney on ice

My 2 older children and I received disney on ice tickets as a christmas present from my friend. We went to the 02 arena on 29th December to see Frozen on Ice and it was amazing!!
We decided to travel to the 02 by car as I thought it would be too late for the children to come home by tubes and trains. The journey from Carshalton to London City was smooth and surprisingly quick and we paid for the luxury of parking in the arenas car park. 30 quid was a bit much I thought!
The kids (and mummy) were SO excited!!

Because the journey had taken a lot less time than anticipated we managed to squeeze in a "cheeky Nandos" before the show!

It was time to head up to arena, but not before mummy got ripped off for a flashing snowflake wand and mini sven teddy! The kids had been given spending money from their wonderful Nanny and so they bought sweeties and a drink for the show!

When we got in, I could not believe what amazing seats we had!! So close, we could see the whole rink and more!

 The show was set in to 2 halves, and not only did they have the whole cast of frozen, but we were also treated to a performance or 2 with loads of our other Disney favourites such as Buzz and woody, all the princesses and Mr and Mrs Disney themselves Mickie and Minnie!! I wont lie and say I didn't squeal more than my 5 year old daughter! The skaters were amazing, not one single slip up. The effects were wonderful, especially Elsas Frozen magic. The build up to the infamous "Let it go" song was like a spring being compressed and when it went off was just magical. The whole arena was singing and you could literally see the Disney magic glowing in every persons eyes at that moment. As soon as we came out my children were already asking what we were going to see next! A massive thumbs up!!!!

Dealing with Anxiety

Anxiety is a taboo subject, some people suffer with anxiety horrifcly to the point of  panic attacks and taking medication for it. Some, like me can deal with it on their own. Now I am in no way saying that everyone should deal with it themselves, as for some it just isnt an option. For me, someone who doesnt suffer with a disorder, just a ridiculously panicky brain, a trait passed on from my worrier of a mother, I have found a way of calming my nerves and irrational thoughts. (Believe me they get pretty irrational)

For example, if my children are due home at 3.30 and they arent here on the dot, I am paceing the hallway thinking that something unspeakable must have happened. I worry if I am on a long journey without them that something is going to happen to me and they will be left without a mother. If we go somewhere new, I am more than likely panicking inside that they will get lost or there is a child snatcher about (todays society really doesnt help)

I know that part of this hysteria is just mum worry, being a mother, but I also know that for the most part, I really am irrational! I shouldnt pace one room to the other and my heart shouldnt be racing until those babies of mine walk back through that door. At one point i would be nervous for absolutely everything, school meetings, gp appointments, people just popping in for a cuppa. I knew it just wasnt usual to feel this nervous and so I decided to change. I learned some breathing techniques and changed my way of thinking. This is easier said than done for some I know, but for me it really works. Now if i start to feel anxious I close my eyes amd take slow deep breaths. In through the nose, out through the mouth. I picture a blank canvas. This usually calms me down and then I can reason with myself. "You are being irrational, relax!!" "Think of all the people who go through this very situarion unphased, relax!!"

I am so lucky that I have been able to help myself. My main focus in life is my children and I never ever want them to feel that illogical panic. They are my absolute inspiration, I want to explore with them freely, take them to new places, seize oppurtunities and travel.

I am a mum. I can be whatever I want to be.

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

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

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

2017 bucketlist

I don't think we will afford an abroad holiday this year. We already have a camping trip booked and maybe we will squeeze in another short caravan holiday somewhere, but apart from this it will be days out for us instead over this year. Places I would really like to visit are

• Richmond park to see the deer.
• Chessington World of Adventures, the older kids love it there!
• London Museums.
• Bournemouth Beach.
• West Wittering Beach.
• To take the kids to see another show of some sort as they loved Disney on Ice at the 02 arena.
• Longleat zoo.
• Hyde Park.
• Battersea Park.
• Box Hill Nature trail.

These are just a few I can think of. As you can tell I love to be outdoors with my children and we all love a nature trail! so much fun to be had and I cant wait for some warmer days.

Mrs H x

This was us last year at our local ecology centre on rold dahls BFG dreamjar hunt!

What weekends were made for

This weekend we have no set plans. Just pure family time. Priceless. So far the kids have been swimming with their dad whilst I caught up with college work and some chores and other then that we have just chilled out! Tonight has been an old school Saturday night with a yummy dinner and Saturday night telly. We love ITVs Ninja Warrior in our house so we all sat down to watch that together and then the new series of The voice started!
Tomorrow I think I'll take the kids to the local park and take a power walk with them around the fields to get some exercise in and hopefully boost my weightloss this week. My goal is to be able to run around that park one day! I'm gonna cook  a yummy Sunday dinner and play with the kids Christmas toys all afternoon.

Weekends were made for family! How have you spent yours?

Mrs H x