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.

Ok so I've been rubbish and missed the last 2 weeks worth of Living Arrows. Because of this I have decided not to number my posts anymore as it will get confusing. Life has been busy. Kids have had numerous birthday parties to attend and I have had a lot on with college and general mum life.

Last week Tyler had his school disco. I always get a bit emotional when he has a school disco as its a sure sign he's growing up. They have 1 disco per term and each time he goes he looks that little bit older. We were offered the chance to volunteer and I didn't as I was worried he wouldn't act like he usually would if I wasn't there. Sometimes he gets embarrassed about dancing and stuff. I wish I had though, maybe next time.

Here's my Jaxon looking super cute in his baseball cap. Little dude. We were off to see family over from America that day and he really took strange to them all, he cried the whole day for his daddy!!

Sophie has been poorly this week and has needed lots of mummy snuggles. She is back to school now though, little princess.

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

World Book Day Outfits

World Book Day has fast become my favourite day of the school year. Some people moan about it but I really like it. It's so lovely to see all the children in school dressed as different characters and people go to so much effort in our school, its fab! I have to admit, I am not very crafty at all so my children always have a shop bought outfit, but they always look great and go in to school excited.
Over the past 5 years of schooling we have had

• Fireman Sam
• Peter Pan
• Horrid Henry
• Harry Potter
• Buzz Lightyear
• Belle from Beauty and the Beast
• Doc Mcstuffins

and this year we had...

Red, the pokemon trainer (and woody the photobomber of course)

and Princess Elsa of Arundel!

Do you enjoy World book day as much as me? What did your kids dress up as?

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 I am slightly late on this weeks Living Arrows. I have been absolutely non stop for the last 2 weeks. So glad it is half term now and the kids are off school, and I have a week off of college, placement and afterschool duties!
This weekend I have had some family over from Dublin so there has been lots of quality time spent. I got to see aunties and uncles and grandparents and my kids got to see their cousin and have a nice Sunday meal out together.

Jaxon and I also headed to soft play again where he learned how to do the stairs and slide by himself!! Clever boy! That makes things a bit easier on me, now that I havent got to climb up after him for fear of him stepping out in to the open space like a stunt baby!!

“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

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

First weigh in at Slimming World

Tonight was my first weigh in at Slimming World. I was so nervous but I knew I'd been good and was definitely going to get a loss of some sort. I lost 4lbs which isn't bad going at all! I will admit I wanted a bit more than that but its better than nothing at all. Its a start. Have you seen what 1 lb of fat looks like!?

How gross is that! I've lost 4 of those in a week!
Roll on next week, I want to do the same again!!

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!

Argos Chad Valley Tiny Treasures Doll review

This year for Christmas, Santa bought my daughter the Chad Valley Tiny Treasures doll from Argos. It has been her favourite present this year.She got the boy version and has named him Charlie.

As the advert states he smells just like a newborn, like a baby powder type smell, and is also heavier than a regular doll. His trunk is soft and weighted while the limbs are made of  Pvc and are soft and look just like a newborns. (although the toes are a bit strange!) When you lift him his arms and legs flop just like a real baby. When you lay him flat his eyes close, and then re open when he is sat up. Under that hat is a head full of soft hair! He comes with a birth certificate and hospital tag around his wrist which my daughter loved. She also loved the packaging he came in so much that she has kept it to use as a car seat, as it has a harness clip and straps in it!
Argos sell this and the girl version (which my daughter wants next!) for £39.99 and a range of accessories to go with it.

Overall my daughter gives this a 10/10 even with the strange toes, so I'm one happy mummy!

Picture from http://www.argos.co.uk/product/5286032
I bought this doll myself and all comments are my own.

A Letter to my Children

Tyler, Sophie and Jaxon,

Words can never express the way that Mama loves you. Both individually and as a whole. All 3. You make me the lady that I am today. Through laughter and crazyness to upset and stress. Every single part of you all, and every single moment of the day I Love you.

Tyler, my first born, my introduction to another world that is Motherhood. You sweet sensitive loving soul. One day you will make a wonderful husband (if I approve that is) and a wonderful Father, please god. You have all the gifts that a boy should have, from jumping up and down being a ninja to calmly drawing and reading in the incredibly artistic way that you do.

Sophie, my angel, my only princess. You amaze me. You're enthusiastic about every thing that you do and I love that you are such a "busy little woman". The way you copy your big brother and kickbox with daddy or spend hours bouncing a football in the hallway. To the way you dress up, do my hair and make up and play princesses. What a beautiful mix you are.

Jaxon, my baby boy. Littlest man of the lot. You complete us. Only 5 months old and already see some of your older siblings fabulous characteristics in you. Such a happy boy. Everytime you smile you melt Mama's heart even more so than before. I cannot wait to watch you grow and see you learn.

You are my inspiration, my babies, and nothing will ever come close. I love you all with all that I am and all I will ever be.

To the moon and the stars.

Your Mama.

Controlled Crying - Does it work?

I've seen a few vloggers on YouTube approach the subject of "controlled crying" and give their thoughts and opinions on it. Right or wrong? So I thought I'd give my view.
Controlled crying is basically a method of "sleep training" whereby you leave your child to cry for 5 minutes at a time, and then you go in and settle them down again. If they are still crying you leave them a little longer each time. This supposedly works a treat. I however tried it but just couldn't deal with it. I'm a big believer on comforting children as much as they need. In saying that my first born I made a rod for my own back, by rocking him to sleep!! Eventually I tried the controlled crying but couldn't handle listening to my baby crying (as I would be crying too, and it was too much upset just to get him to go to sleep on his own)  so we ended up teaching him to self settle with soft music playing and that really worked for us. I have had 2 babies since and have never tried controlled crying again!!