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.

Is Achieving Domestic Goddess Status Actually Possible?

So exactly how do they do it? Achieve that all round perfection, something I strive to every day, but I never quite make it. There is always an issue, a broken glass, spillage, burnt dinner or forgotten work emails.

Multi tasking has never been my strong point; don't get me wrong I try to juggle as many balls in the air as possible. Sometimes I get it right, but I am my own worst enemy for being soft, agreeing to work extra hours, double booking arrangements and not putting it in my diary.

I don't even feel like I am asking much. I just want my hair and make-up to look amazing whilst I graciously help the boys with their homework and effortlessly rustle up an amazing meal, in a perfectly tidy home. After all that’s what we grow up seeing on the TV and in magazines isn't it? To be an amazing multi tasking superwoman, some one who effortlessly bakes cookies on her beautiful AGA cooker.

So, what exactly is my reality of domestic perfection? Well for starters I haven't got an AGA, I blame my not being a fully-fledged domestic goddess purely on this fact. Every domestic goddesses kitchen simply must have one; surely?

I don’t score too badly on the hair front, I have to keep on top of it as part of my job so failure in this department would be a failure of epic proportion, a failure that I could not afford to make. But my makeup could be more goddess like, I always start off with lipstick in the morning but god only knows what happens to it, I need to be much more vigilant in the lipstick department. 

My Sunday Photo, My Puppy

                        

                                          

Debenhams Back to School Competition

When I saw this competition on the Brummy Mummy of 2 blog I knew Joe would love it. The competition was asking bloggers to work with their children to create the perfect school uniform. It could be anything, a fantasy school uniform. I knew before asking Joe exactly what uniform he would choose. And I was right; Joe is obsessed with the idea of being a Jockey, so decided to create a uniform for Jockey School. 

Joe has been riding for around a year and a half, and it has become his real passion in life. He rides the same horse every week at the stables where he has his lessons and is absolutely in love with Dillon the Pony and Horse Riding. I am not sure how I feel about him one day riding in a hurdle race? He may change his mind, but for now he is determined.

So here is Joe's perfect Jockey School, Uniform:

Jasper Conran Jacket £32.00 Perfect to keep him warm during lessons and when mucking out the stables.

Bluezoo Wellies £12.00, Wellies are a must, not only when riding but working in the Yard with the horses.

Jasper Conran Fitted Chinos £19.00, To look stylish and smart around the stables, but also comfortable to ride in.

Ted Baker Polo Shirt £19.00, again to look smart and stylish under jacket.

Joe was happy with the mood-board once we had finished, and feels confident he will one day be shopping for a uniform just like this. However in the meantime I think we will purchase the outfit just for Saturdays. When Joe is visiting the stables and his beloved Dillon for his riding lessons.

This is my entry to the The Debenhams Back to School Competition, with www.brummymummyof2.co.uk.

Pendle Tractor Run

On Saturday night more than 100 farm vehicles took part in this year’s sixth annual Pendle Charity Tractor Run, which celebrates the life of local farmer Andrew Nutter.

Andrew who farmed Sabden Old Hall Farm with brother Brian and mum Ruth, died of cancer in 2009 aged just 40. The tractor run is held in his memory and the proceeds donated to cancer charities, this year proceeds will be divided between the chemotherapy unit at Blackburn Royal Hospital and Rosemere Cancer Foundation, which fund-raises to bring world class cancer care to patients from throughout Lancashire.

It is something you really need to see to believe, and is worth traveling to see.  It has become a family tradition to watch the tractor run, and one that the boys really look forward to. It consists of all types of farm vehicles new and old, some vintage. Local farmers really get into the sprit; even putting tailors onto the back of huge tractors and combine harvesters, which they decorate and fill with their families, children and pets. 

Robinsons Get Your Skills on Challenge

When the Robinsons Fruit Shoot, Get Your Skills On challenge was first announced, I dismissed it. Not because I thought the challenge wasn't great, but more because the boys are so sporty that I thought I would struggle to motivate them to do the smaller skills. How wrong could I be? 

Both the boys have the odd fiend that is addicted to games consoles, that never get out in the garden and kick a ball or climb, but they are just not like that. Yes, they do have games consoles and they do use them. But they prefer the big outdoors. 

So I had sort of discounted the merits of the challenge, however the last week of depressing weather changed the mood of our home. The boys went from loving every bit of summer, to a bit fed up and sick of staying inside, and going to the cinemas. I kept trying to motivate them offered to take them to the cinemas once more, but they were not keen. Don't get me wrong they have had a great summer, but one week can make all the difference cant it?

Then I had an idea, I asked them to help me with this blog post, they had to learn and practice the skills, make videos when they achieved each goal. Then edit into a 60 second movie. They were so excited; firstly we all sat down and they chose the skills they wanted to practice, and display, and off they went to practice with their list. I took my phone and we spent a good couple of hours in the garden in the gale force winds with them completing the Robinsons Fruit Shoot Get Your Skills On challenge. The next day they continued and did so until they had completed all the tasks.

The Christie's; Mad Memory Makers

When I read the Center Parcs August challenge it really got me thinking about how we record our memories as a family. And do you know what? The list is endless; it appears I have an obsession with recording memories. These obsessions have worn off on Chris and the Boys and we all are constantly recording memories without even realising it. The beauty of this is that we have almost every event or holiday in our lives indexed in some form or another. The Boys love looking back at memories and laughing and chatting about them. 

Joe recording our activities at Center Parcs

Saying that, we are a very live for today and plan for tomorrow type of family, always looking towards and planning our next adventure. But there has to be a place in everyone’s lives for happy memories. And as the saying goes, you might always know where you are going, but it is important to remember where you came from too.

So here goes; some of the ways we document our lives. I was inspired by scrapbooking in Steph’s tips on the Center Parks blog, as scrapbooking is something I loves and the Boys have always been very involved in helping with this.

 It is important to take lots of photos wherever you go, I love the fact that my photos back up to your I Cloud on apple devices, if I ever lost my phone I would be more upset about my photos than anything else. With the I Cloud I can relax knowing my photos are backed up. I also back up to snap fish just in case.

Scrapbooking, below I have added an example of a Center Parks page the Boys and I made, we document almost every holiday like this. It is fun and we can all get involved. I love the fact that we can look back at these pages and remember the moment. Plus it is a great way to express our creativity.

Center Parcs Scrap Page

Boys, What Isn't in the Baby Manual

I am so lucky to have 2 wonderful healthy boys. They make me so happy on every level. Even their strops make me smile some times. However I really had no idea what I was getting into when I brought Jack home from hospital. Now I am not generalising, this is based on facts and experience of learning the ropes as a Mum with my 2 Boys. So here are the 10 things that no one ever mentioned when I brought my new clean baby boys home from hospital. 

Should Children Tidy Their Own Rooms?

I just had to write about a post I read on Facebook last week. It was posted by my beautiful cousin Jade. It was a post that not only intrigued me, but made me laugh yet also got me thinking about my responsibility as a parent. 

Jade like most of us Mums had got a little fed up of the state of her sons Loui and Harvey’s,(aged 8 and 6) bedrooms. She had repeatedly asked them to tidy, but like some of us Mums, didn't get results. So she decided to take the boys X box remote, and left them a note asking them to tidy their room, in return she would give them their remote control back. 

We all watched out for Jade to update her status with the results of her note. When she got home from work she was greeted with a reply from the boys. 

Hoorah success, it seemed the thought of being unable to play Fifa 13 or Mine Craft to just too much for Loui and Harvey to endure. So they set too vacuuming and tidying their room.   

A Wonderful Family Party

On Saturday night we visited Essex for my cousin George's 18th Birthday Party. I wanted to share what a wonderful evening we had. My Dad is one of 6 and they all have children who many of us now have children ourselves. So you can imagine; our family is huge. 

My Aunty Joyce and uncle Graham had chosen to hold a garden party at home to celebrate George's birthday, the house and garden was packed with family and friends. It was wonderful to spend time with family and have time to chat about where they were all up to in their lives. Yes there was also a bit of reminiscing about the old days when we were children.

It was fantastic to see all our children playing together like we used to when we were that age. It makes me happy that they will one day have fond memories of family parties, like all my many cousins and I do. It was a shame that my lovely brother and his wonderful family, and some cousins for one reason or another, were were not able to come. They were all really missed. But that is the problem with huge families. It is a logistical nightmare getting everyone in one room at the same time.

100 Happy Days , What Did I Learn

When I started 100 happy days it seemed such a huge task. The rules were clear take a photo every, and celebrate the reason that photo makes you happy. 

The guidelines state that it is best to avoid the materialistic things that life has to offer. Now I have to admit I am a material girl. I like the finer things in life, and do get excited by a nice new handbag. But I was determined to celebrate the simple things. 

100 Happy Days, Day 86, I am on Strike!

It's been a chaotic day at work, all positive but chaos, none-the-less. I came home weary to a very grumpy Joe, and Jack has constantly bugged him. 

You can imagine bicker, bicker, bicker. So here I am sat in the Garden with a nice glass of wine,(out of my sins) And for at least half an hour I am on strike. 

Every cloud has a silver lining doesn't it, my strike seems to be working for now at least there seems to be a truce in the house. For now anyway!

100 Happy Days, Day 83, Happy Fathers Day Dad From Jack & Joe xx

I thought I would share a few Dad photo's today to celebrate Father's Day on behalf of Jack and Joe.

It is fair to say that although Chris is an amazing Dad, he does find it tiring at times. 

100 Happy Days, Day 78, Well done Jack x

Tonight Chris and I have been to parents evening, Jack decided he wanted to stay at home, I had concerns about his reasons, but I needn't have bothered. Well, done Jack your reports were all excellent. Yes, there is a little room for improvement; but there always is in life. However overall you are a star. It is wonderful to know that your children are working hard and achieving. But fantastic to know that they are well mannered, liked and respected. We cant ask for more. The only pressure is Jack you need to keep up the great work xx

My Kitchen Story, the Centre of Family Life

 When I was offered the chance to write about my kitchen by the lovely Fairy Platinum and Brit Mums https://www.facebook.com/fairydish, and how it is the heart of my home. It got me thinking about what an integral part of our home our kitchen is. Some people’s kitchen is somewhere to cook and make a drink and really that is it. Our kitchen is the centre to our daily life, the hub of our home.

We inherited this kitchen when we moved into our home, it looks lovely when it is clean but trust me it is soooo high maintenance the black gloss cupboards must be cleaned 3 times a week to keep them looking shiny. Every finger print shows, and it seems not one of my family understands the concept of a door handle.

I like to keep it light and bright by adding a little bit of colour. I love cup cakes so I bought a cup cake canvas, which is so colourful.  I also like to buy fresh flowers; I love lilies, and always have an orchid on my windowsill to add a little extra colour.  


The little chicken egg is a real egg that Joe decorated last Easter. I dread to think what would happen if it broke, the smell would be horrific but I just can't bear to part with it, it is so cute.

The black and white pictures are photo's we have taken on our family travels, each one has a special family memory attached to it. A bit of a photographic diary of our travels.

We spend most of our time in the kitchen when we are at home, in fact we don't venture into the lounge until around 8pm at night or later. We tend to chill in the kitchen; the boys do their homework, research and listen to music. Joe will often sit and draw. It's a place we all congregate and chat, we always eat together in the kitchen, giving us time to catch up on each other’s day.

We all like cooking and baking often try out new recipes. The boys are much more likely to bake cakes than a healthy snack. Chris is an excellent cook and has always been the main cook, purely for the fact he is much better. 

I have developed a real passion for cooking over the last few years, and have really started experimenting with my cooking. I put it down to the fact that I love spending time in the kitchen, it's such a lovely room to be in, and well laid out, making it easy to cook in.

It's also a great party room and is the hub of our social life, we have built a network of friends with children, so tend to visit each others homes, rather than getting babysitters and leaving the children behind. It's great as our children enjoy being part of this; we often have visitors and have had some memorable evenings with lots of laughing with all our wonderful friends and family. And trust me after nights like these the fairy platinum really has it work cut out.  

So yes our kitchen is definitely at the heart of our family and social life, it's a family area, research and homework space, it's a great social area, and a chilled out haven after a long day at work. Probably the most important room in our family home. This post is an entry for "My Kitchen Story" linky challenge, sponsored by Fairy Platinum.