18-365 flowers to bring happiness in the dark winter

The lovely Hazel brought me this to knitting tonight for a loan - it is so cheery and bright, of course I want all of them. My favourite - for now, are the cherries, however there a few more I might tackle. I think they will make lovely brooches, or hair clips, or an embellishment for a mini haha spring hat (actually her current record for keeping a hat on is apprx 10-15 seconds, so a pointless exercise knit).

Lots of reasons to be happy today - well two more to be precise,

Archie survived his first day in the woods - I was so anxious last night I had a really bad sleep. I was concerned about how he would cope away from us for so long, out in the woods. Strange how anxiety manifests itself in weirdness, I was all concerned about him not being able to open his own lunch - weird because he never eats anything anyways! but I also thought OMG what a rubbish mum, I haven't even made sure he can open his lunch. At 7am we were up and I made him show me how he could open all his wee snack boxes, juice bottle and hot choc flask, it made me feel better knowing he could do it and fend for himself, I want him to be independent. I was also worried people wouldn't like him and not treat him in the kind and gentle way I do........I know he can be a handful - but he is a gentle soul, would they recognise that? At 4pm we were waiting in the car for him, no phone call so hoping for the best, YAI!!! he did it, He was a big success and coped very well for a 1st day. He collected sticks 1st thing this morning, so they built him a fire, he played on the swing, sat down for lunch for 25mins and apparently had a lot of fun. Poor lamb was exhausted - no wonder, he never ate much lunch, duh after all my worries. He looked adorable trudging down the hill, his back pack on, filthy face and stinking of a camp fire, when we got home he pulled a pine needle from his hair. Happy happy days, my wee man is an adventurer.

I did my 1st ever work out. I am desperate to get fit this year and as I can't swim due to money and time constraints I thought running or free workouts were the only route. I went to the gym at lunchtime and used a spin bike, did some arm lift thingies with weights and some jumping squats, which were friggin agony - but although the world was spinning and I felt as thought I'd been on some hardcore amphetamine it was awesome! So that is it, I've started now, no more excuses. I'm going for a run/walk actually probably a bit ambitious there, it'll be a walk/run tomorrow, wish me luck XXXX

13-365 hay filled happiness in the woods

The wee man had his 1st settling in visit at the secret garden nursery yesterday. It was awesome, the perfect weather for an outdoor nursery. Both times we have visited it has been cold but sunny and bright. We were running late and rushing as usual - however we arrived just in time for lunch. The kids all sit on insulated mats around a make shift table eating a variety of foods from their flasks and boxes, ranging from a  cheese piece to spaghetti with pesto, peas and broccoli. Archie didn't eat s usual - however I'm hoping with the walk there and all the fresh air he will join in once he is used to it - I'm sure he will learn to conform One day! I don't need to add that Sadie got wired in to her lunch straight away and happily shared her goldfish with the wee man next to her.

Sadie making hay while the sun shines - duck to water, shame she has to wait 18months before she can go.

One of the things I love, aside from the kids playing in mud, hay and trees all day - is secret garden time. You just forget all about the rushing around life outside and get into calm play with the kids. It really is a pleasure to see them have such fun without toys or tv, painting with mud and digging holes in haystacks is way more fun.
Next week Archie goes solo for the 1st time, hope he enjoys it even more on his own, I'm excited to hear all about it on the drive home. He might even eat his tea!

sinking

My wee love is rapidly approaching her 1st birthday very mixed emotions in my head I can tell you. Still wee enough to bathe in sink tho!

Fathers day bonnie frock and the cons - of course. We went to 'muddy boots', was great. Kids happy playing in munchkins land, Dad happy dirt sledging, mum happy pottering round yummy food shop.

Another wee smiley face bath/sink shot.....too cute to resist. Finally have an firm answer on my return to work - I say Finally, we will wait and see but for now I return in 7 weeks at the beginning of term 3 days a week. Mon - wed which means no more boob club and no more tuesday club, sigh - the life of a working mum looms yuck yuck. I wonder if I'll ever be ready to leave them full time? I have organised Archie going once a week to the secret garden nursery, very excited - totally outdoor nursery, no building, all year round playing in woods come rain or shine, perfect for my wee 'boyish' boy.