Little Loves in January

As January comes to an end (finally), I wanted to share some of my favourite things from the month.  New Years Day seems to have been months ago and isolation schooling certainly isn't making anything go faster, but there have been little things that have made the month enjoyable, from a good read to tasty snacks. Here are some of my little loves from the month.

Read - A Brief History of Seven Killings

I am hoping that by the time the month ends, I will have read 10 books, probably a record for me (apart from my Uni days).  I have tried to start the year with a real variety of authors and genres but my favourite by far has been A Brief History of Seven Killings.  Set in the Jamaican ghettos in the 1970s this book gave me an insight into a different world.  I loved the way the language was used, the characters and it is one I am keeping on the bookshelf to read again.  

Watch - Gilmore Girls

I decided to start watching Gilmore Girls from the beginning and it was a great choice.  The show is familiar, easy going and feels like coffee with an old friend.  It was the light tonic I need when the news is so dire, I could sit and colour in as I watched and I was sad when it ended.  There aren't many shows I watch more than once but I am already looking forward to the next time I start Gilmore Girls.

Wear - Owl and the Pussycat Jumper

Pyjamas have featured heavily in January's outfit of the day but when I do go out, it is all about comfort and warmth and this jumper from The Owl and the Pussycat (Pr Product) is snuggly and such a beautiful colour.  I have worn it with jeans and under dungarees as well as on top of pyjamas on a lazy day.  

Listen to - Lucas Graham

My children get a song in their heads and then listen to it on repeat for the next month.  This month was apparently the month for Lucas Graham.  I am pretty sure Archie now knows all the words to 7 Years, in fact he typed them out on his online learning instead of answering the question at one point.  If they aren't asking Alexa to play it, they are singing their own (incredibly loud) version.

Drink - Baileys Orange

I am not a big drinker, but I couldn't resist trying orange truffle flavoured Baileys and it does not disappoint.  At the end of a long day of isolation school battles, it is delicious poured over ice.

Eat - Mini Eggs Dairy Milk

It took me a long time to get hold of this after finding out about its existence.  Lockdown means less time in shops of course, but when I eventually got hold of some, I bought a few bars in anticipation of it being delicious.  It is.  I don't want to guess at how many bars I have eaten this month, but my hiding places are running low. 

I would love to hear about what has made you smile this January, either as a comment below or over on social media!

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The Ordinary Moments // Hot Chocolate at the Beach

It is hard to find things to look forward to when we just can't plan ahead but I have found with the introduction of isolation schooling, I look forward to the weekends like never before.  Two whole days without battles around expanded noun phrases and subordinate clauses are treasured.  We don't get out much during the week with everything else that needs to be done, but every weekend involves a good walk down to the seafront, a run around on the sand, a game of balance on the wall and a hot chocolate to warm up chilly hands.

We bought the giant insulated bottle with some Christmas money and when I remember I bring a can of squirty cream and marshmallows as well, recreating the sweet treat we would usually grab in a cafe on a winter day out.  It is the kind of walk that wouldn't be so special if it weren't for a global pandemic turning it into the only thing we can do, and this ordinary moment becomes one of the things that gets me through the hard days.  This time together with no pressure, no time restraints, nothing else we should be doing is one of the only good things to come out of lockdown.  

I love the idea of sharing an 'ordinary moment' each week, but it seems to be something I flit in and out of, probably writing these posts when I need to see the positivity and the beauty in the every day the most.

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5 Simple Ways to Make Your Child's Birthday Extra Special

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This year has been hard on everyone in different ways. Maybe you’ve had to directly deal with the effects of COVID-19. Maybe you’ve experienced a change in your career. Or, maybe you’ve had to adjust to having your kids home and not in school. 

Whatever the case, we could all use a bit more comfort and excitement, all at once. 

Even if you’re still staying home in light of the pandemic, one of the best things you can do to bring a bit more joy to your family’s life is to make birthdays extra special this year, something I am having to think about now with Archie and Finn both celebrating next month.

On average, parents spend anywhere from £50-£100 on their children for their birthdays, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money in order to do a few little extras. 

Thinking outside the box and coming up with ways to make your child’s big day more memorable could spark lasting traditions. So, how can you make your little one’s birthday better than ever this year? 

1. Eat With a Birthday Plate

Everything about the day should be individualized for your child. Give them a special birthday plate to eat their meals from. You can even decorate a chair at the dining room table for them to eat at for the day, almost like a “throne”, so they can be a prince or princess on their big day. 

2. Surprise Them With Flowers

Adults aren’t the only ones who like to receive flowers. Whether your child is at home or in school, surprise them at some point during the day with happy birthday flowers. Choose arrangements filled with different colors and varieties to really get your child excited. It’s a small gesture, but it can make a big impact on their day. 

3. Fill Their Room With Balloons

The birthday fun doesn’t have to stop when your child gets home from school, or even before they go to bed at night. Take the time to fill their room with balloons and other decorations as a mini-surprise. While they might not get to have a full party this year with friends and family, you can turn their favorite space in the house into party central!

4. Draw a Birthday Bath

Getting your child ready for bed? The birthday fun doesn’t have to stop yet. Let them have a “birthday bath” with lots of bubbles and toys. You could even put in safe colour-changing tablets to turn the water their favourite colour, or use tile-safe crayons to let them draw their favourite pictures on the shower wall. 

5. One Last Gift

As you’re getting your birthday boy or girl ready to go to sleep, surprise them with one last, small gift - a new book! You can choose a book that specifically talks about birthdays, or just one you think they will enjoy. Let them open it, and then curl up with them to read it before they go to bed. It’s a fantastic way to add one final touch to a birthday they’ll never forget. 

As you can see, none of these ideas are expensive or extravagant. But, in their simplicity, your child will feel extremely special, and love every second of their big day.

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Staying Home

I love going into London, I tried to go once a month when I could, sometimes for work and meetings, sometimes for visits and sometimes just because I love being in the big city, wandering the streets and people watching.  I love travelling to different countries, travel has always been a priority to us as a family and we spend so much time planning where to visit and what we want to see and do.  I love where I live, but I love getting away too.

I spend far too much time looking at holidays we will be unlikely to take, planning days out that may not be what we want to do once we are actually able to do it.  Trying to change the attitude of feeling trapped at home is hard work but it is the challenge I am facing.  We are limited to exploring only places within walking distance of our house and with some members of the family having littler legs than others, that doesn't take us far.  We need to get out though, we need to walk and breath the outside air and feel a part of something bigger than our household so we are getting out, mostly to the same place but it is out and it is beautiful.

This is where I live, a tiny corner of the UK surrounded by coastline.  Sandy beaches, colourful beach huts, chalk cliffs, little harbours, dramatic skies.  We can walk to several different beaches from our house, we all have our favourites and they aren't all the same. Whichever one we end up at though, I feel better for seeing the sea.  The children love climbing on the sand that is piled up to protect the buildings, they love throwing stones in the sea, they love planning which boat they would choose in the harbour if they had enough money to buy one.  They love having a hot chocolate in their tin mugs and stopping for a cone of chips to accompany us on the way home.  The beach provides their imaginations with a holiday, with a day out, with a different backdrop to normal and different possibilities.

  I love the smell of the sea, the feel of the sand under my feet, the sound of the waves, the warmth of a hot drink in my hands on a cold day, the sight of the sun setting behind the boats as we walk up the hill back home.  I love staring into the sea on a good day, thinking I could be almost anywhere looking out at the same view, I love shouting into it on a bad day, wondering where my words will end up.

This post is a way for me to try and write down a little bit of how I feel and share the beauty of where I live, because all in all, staying home is a good place to be. 

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Lockdown 3.0

This lockdown was hardly unexpected, in fact I asked for new pyjamas and loungewear for Christmas in anticipation of a long winter spent mostly at home.  Expected doesn't mean easy though and I think the government's insistence that schools are safe even on the first day of term gave me a false sense of hope that schools would remain open.  I struggled heavily with the news that home learning is resuming and the first day was incredibly challenging balancing the needs of four children, three whom can't complete school work independently and the eldest who still needed lots of clarification.  It all felt too much and I hastily sent emails to teachers asking them to lower their expectations of us. 

The second day involved less tears from all of us, a little compromise and intelligent use of the tin of Christmas chocolates I hadn't brought out yet, and over the week we are slowly slotting into a routine where most of the set work is completed, and there is less guilt for the pieces that are not.  I imagine much like the first lockdown which I documented weekly, this is an attitude that will change daily for the entire course of home schooling but I am hopeful that we can find a balance that helps us get through this long winter.

We are lucky to live near the seaside so we always have somewhere beautiful to walk for our allowed exercise, although the children have been complaining that they would rather find a forest or something different once in a while.  I have invested some Christmas money in a giant insulated bottle so we never again have to leave the house without hot chocolate and I am trying to get outdoors every day as I know my sanity needs it!  This lockdown is going to be harder, we are missing the sun and we have some idea how long this is going to last rather than taking it week by week.  I know there will be days I am overwhelmed by it all and that is just something we will have to deal with.  I hope the start of Lockdown 3 hasn't been too tough on you.

We finished all our work before lunch today, a combination of starting earlier and less being set on Friday, and they are all relieved that the first week is over and they can relax.  I am trying to catch up on all the things I have missed this week; emails, writing and perspective.  I know in some ways I have it easier, we are lucky to have enough devices for the children to work on, a warm house and plenty of food and my job is very flexible.  In other ways they have it hard, getting only 1/5th of my attention.  I believe it is ok to feel it hard even if your circumstances are ideal.  I am thinking of all those that have it hard, and those that are struggling in any way.

The children were sent these Serkku coats as part of an ongoing collaboration with Reima, our favourite outdoor brand and I love how easy they are to spot on a dark winter day and how cheerful they look.  They are all wearing Reima trainers or boots here which keep their feet roast warm. 

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Christmas 2020

I decided against a round up post for last year, I feel like there isn't much to say.  We mostly stayed home, our adventures were smaller, our stories fewer, our anxiety higher.  I placed too much importance on Christmas day, thinking that a day of normality would somehow make up for nine months of not being able to hug our family or meet in the same house.  I took the children out of school a week early to minimise the risk of having to miss out on the family Christmas we had planned, persuading them that missing the Christmas lunch, play and parties would be worth it for this one day together.  It didn't happen though, a last minute decision by the government to plunge all of Kent into tier 4 just days before Christmas meant a last minute dash to the supermarket (along with everyone else who hadn't planned to cook that day) and the opportunity to plan our first Christmas at home.

Christmas is always magical with young children and all four are still fierce believers.  Father Christmas was going to bring them presents much longed for, that they had given up hope of receiving and I managed to pick up all the important parts of a great Christmas meal.  It was wonderful, calmer, quieter and more relaxed in some ways, but more stressful in others (I have never hosted or cooked Christmas dinner before).  We were all glad to be safe at home, to have time and space to play with new gifts without time constraints and enjoy our comforts, but we all felt like something big was missing - the family we weren't able to spend time with.

I wanted to take some candid shots of what this day looked like for us, hopefully the first and last Christmas we spend like this.  The house which had been tidied in preparation for the big day soon took on the appearance of a bomb site, children decided wrapping in blankets was better than wearing actual clothes and there was way more screen time than I would have liked.  We were so lucky to be safe at home, surrounded by comfort and love. Being woken up to the sound of siblings waking each other with calls of 'Santa's been' will always be a favourite memory and it will certainly be a Christmas we remember.  

I tried to take photographs honestly, not erasing the carnage but embracing it.  I want to look back at this year not with rose tinted glasses, or thoughts of sadness at what was missed, but with the knowledge that we made amazing memories, that we grew so much together, that we laughed but that we felt sadness and loss as well.  It wasn't all doom and gloom, it wasn't all looking for the bright side, it was a complex mix of everything.

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6 Simple Tips for an Enjoyable Holiday with Your Children

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As much as family holidays are fun and exciting, they are not easy to put together. While planning, you consider activities exciting enough for your energetic toddlers, temperamental pre-teens, and exhausted adults. One wrong move and things could switch from dreamy to disastrous. Below are a few tips to ensure your family holiday is enjoyable and memorable (positively) from the beginning to the end.

1.     Plan and Organize Beforehand

Proper planning and organization are the secrets to a successful trip. Trying to find your kid's toys, tickets, or snacks last minute can cause unnecessary stress. There are so many details that need your attention before you travel and the only way to keep up with them is to stay organized.

Most mums have a personal organization system, put that into action. For instance, pack in order of hierarchy and have a designated spot to keep essential items such as wallets, phones, and passports. Ensure that you create space for toys, board games, and of course snacks. Keep things in order throughout the trip and ensure to return items after each use.

2.     Involve Your Kids in the Planning Process

One of the main reasons why kids can be difficult during a vacation is if they get bored. The best way to avoid this is by involving them in the planning process. If your children are old enough, let them choose the destination and set up daily trip goals such as finding a unique place in the area or trying new food.

Allowing your children to choose the restaurants or go sightseeing will help them feel empowered and independent during the vacation. They are also likely to pick places which they find more interesting, therefore avoiding boredom.

3.     Ensure That Your Accommodation Is Accommodating

If your children go to bed before you do, which is the case in most families, ensure that your place of accommodation will allow them to do so without any disturbance. You should also be able to have a good time with your significant other- or any other friend or family member you brought to the trip- even after your kids lay down.

The only way to achieve this is by finding a suitable place for accommodation. You could settle for a property for rent rather than a hotel if you are traveling to Singapore, for instance.  Vacation rentals have separate rooms for you and your children. Furthermore, they offer amenities such as a washing machine, a full kitchen, and a kids' playroom; great for a family holiday.

4.     Limit Screen Time during the Trip

It is always tempting to throw a screen in front of your child whenever they are restless, in an attempt to calm them down. However, this can cause them to miss memorable highlights of the trip. Encourage them to participate actively as much as they can and limit screen time to situations when it might be necessary, like on the plane.

This rule also applies to you and your significant other. Avoid being on your phones, email, and social media while on the trip. Be present in every moment and enjoy the quality family time you are having together.

5.     Find Some Alone Time To Be With Your Partner

You and your partner deserve a little quality time together after a long period of taking care of your children and coping with your busy schedule. If you select a family-friendly accommodation, you can squeeze in some free time to enjoy yourself along with your partner.

Choosing accommodation with more than one room means being able to shut the door on them once they are asleep and enjoy a film or game as adults.

6.     Avoid Over planning

It is okay to feel like you have done everything possible before and during the trip. Planning a vacation can be overwhelming, and one of the best ways to avoid unnecessary stress is by accepting that not everything has to be perfect. You will always have doubts; no need to indulge them at the eleventh hour.

Find a nice park or beach near your place of accommodation, and spend some time playing and having fun with your family. Not only is this fun for your children, but it will also help them enjoy the other planned activities during the trip.

Planning a vacation with your children is not an easy task. However, with the above tips, the better part of it should be enjoyable.

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