My Christmas Sunday Photo

My Sunday Photo, Merry Christmas From Toby x

        

My Sunday Photo

My Sunday Photo, Paris, Las Vegas

My Year Of Blogucation

So it's 19.48 Saturday night and I am sat on a train pulling out of Euston station having just been to Blogfest. It was a truly wonderful day, the highlight being meeting my amazing blogging friends who I chat on line to daily yet have never met. They are all a lovely as I hoped they would be, so kind, caring and supportive. Yet I come away feeling slightly overwhelmed. 

I take you back to June 2014 when I attended my first ever conference Brit Mums Live. Wow I was totally courted and wooed by the blogging world such a glitzy affair.  I learnt so much and met so many wonderful people. I came away buzzing high from the blog bubble, but looking back totally naive. 

I had no idea about stats; no follow links, publishing laws. It was all like a lovely wonderful fairytale. Don't get me wrong blogging is still my fairytale every time I press publish I get that excited shiver down my spine, I look upon my blog like another child that needs nurturing and attention, have grown to love it, but it has been a learning curve.

My next event was Tots100 Blog Camp. So totally different to my Brit Mums experience but again I met so many generous, caring people and learnt loads. But, and its is a biggish but; I was overwhelmed at the concept of pitching to editors, advertising and working with brands. 

Nativity 3, Dude Where's My Donkey

On Sunday we were so lucky to get the opportunity to watch the Nativity 3 Premier at The Odeon Cinema, at the Trafford Centre Manchester. The Premier supported The Save The Children Christmas Jumper Day, so off we went; I in my Christmas jumper ready to watch the film.

When new "teacher" Mr. Shepherd loses his memory in a nasty accident along with the nativity Donkey Archie, the students of St Bernadette's set off on a mission to save the day. Return Mr Shepherds memory, and attempt to get him to New York to marry his fiancée Sophie and make his daughters Christmas wish come true, by giving her a new mummy. And also discover the whereabouts of Archie.

This is definitely not a film for the serious logical adult, I don't mean that in a negative way; but the story breaks every rule of logic and normality. It really does require you to leave the serious adult side of you outside the cinema door. 

Tricks For Mums

This week on Striking Mums the lovely Kate has set the topic Tricks for Mums. A great topic; us Mums have to be resourceful, don't we? We have to be able to rustle up a costume at a moments notice, be experts in all sorts of homework subjects.

Make grumpy kids smile, nurse our poorly children, and shape them into human beings to be proud of and everything else that comes with it.

Its weird, although I come from a huge family with lots of aunts and cousins that have between us all, produced a new baby every year since the 70s, which is wonderful to be part of. I was never prepared for being a Mum, even though I had always babysat, so knew my way around a nappy and changing box. 

I could never, however have prepared myself for parenthood, for feeling that love, despair, stress, tiredness, pride and joy that you feel as a Mum. I remember feeling utterly out of my depth when we brought Jack home. Who turned our organised calm home upside down. Now I have evolved into a resourceful Mum. Who within reason can solve, repair, mend, and even bake Burnley Football cup cakes. 

So here are Kate's questions

1. How do you outwit people or circumstances who prevent you getting the life you want?

I don't always get this right, I am a passionate person so tent to speak out rather than play the long game. However if someone does try to make things hard for me, the stubborn side of me is always determined to not allow them to beat me.

My Sunday Photo, My Brother

I would like to share a photo of my lovely brother today. A serving soldier in our great British Army. Our brave soldiers see things no person should have to endure in life. People like my brother make me incredibly proud to be British, and a big sister.

Next Winters Nights Wish List

With the night drawing in I thought I would make a little wish list for those snugly winters nights. I love nothing more that coming home in the evening and snuggling by the wood burning stove in my PJ's, slippers and a snugly blanket. 

Grey Print P.J's  Oatmeal Snuggle Top  Fluffy Slippers  Shorty P.J's  Throw and Pillows Mug of Hot Chocolate