With the bird seed costing 99p and the lard 28 p it was a fantastic cheap activity to do . With lots left over to do again !
Thursday, 31 October 2013
Getting ready for winter making bird seed cakes :-)
I've wanted to make cakes for the birds for ages . So decided it would be a great activity to do with little miss !
With the bird seed costing 99p and the lard 28 p it was a fantastic cheap activity to do . With lots left over to do again !
With the bird seed costing 99p and the lard 28 p it was a fantastic cheap activity to do . With lots left over to do again !
Keeping warm , trying not to use the heating !!
We don't have central heating in our flat , we have expensive electric heating . So I am trying not to switch it on till we really need too !
So just a few items we have are :
So just a few items we have are :
- Fleece Pjs , onesies for little miss !
- Extra thick socks
- Dressing gowns
- Rugs on the floors
- Draught excluders
- Lined curtains
- Lots of blankets for our beds
- Matters toppers designed to keep you cool in summer and warm in winter
- And hot water bottles ! One for the sofa , one for mummy's bed and a wheat filled owl for little miss !
I know we will have to put the heating on at some point and I would never let my little miss get cold , just to save a few penny's !
But if the winter of 2012/2013 is anything to go by it will set in cold and stay that way a long time . So I don't want to get use to something that quite simply we can't afford to have on the all the time !
We also try to get out and use places like the library which are warm and cozy !
Saturday, 26 October 2013
Small achievements : puzzles
I went bargain hunting and found n orchard toys big aeroplane puzzle for little miss . She loves puzzles and I'm always on the luck out for new ones to spice things up a bit .
She started work with nana . Now nana made her work hard she would tell her what colours and shapes/objects were on the next piece . Little miss had to find them !
I was worried she would lose patience or wouldn't be able to do it !
I was amazed nana made her work hard and she did it !
Yes being two she did dance around get distracted but she did it !!
Well done little girl !
Friday, 25 October 2013
Learning what's real , what's just bad experience and what's feels right !
Of all the places for me to have a thinking spree . Today it was the turn of the exercise mat .
I've found lately or felt like I've speant a lot of time on my corner of the sofa . Probably no more than normal and the majority of the time I'm sitting I'm knitting or sewing .
But in winter I always get the body blues . That really isn't what I was going to wrote about but explains how I ended up on my exercise mat in my 3 child free hours this week.
Maybe the exercise mat reminds me of this time last year when I felt the only way to have any control was to control my body . If I could lose all that baby weight and co ft weight . If I could go though the pain of pushing you body to your limits. I wouldn't have to deal with the fact other things hurt .
That those hours of sleep I so des partly needed weren't coming . Those answers today I really wanted and needed couldn't be found . Maybe if I became the size I was before my daughter was born maybe I could recreate the situation where I would feel wanted again .
This time last year I went searching I went searching for something I'd lost .
I wanted that someone who made me feel ,I've someone remembered I was here everyday.
I didn't need a father for my daughter. I wanted what I had lost before things went wrong . I wanted someone to text me everyday , just because they wanted to hear from me . I wanted someone who wanted to spend my child free time with . I wanted to feel 23 again . I wanted to crack open that evening dress those high heels and see the outside world past 6 pm again . But without causing and leaving any damage to me and more importantly my daughter .
I found that someone it was great for a while . It was what I needed . It helped me though those early days of leaving my daughter . It taught me that I had done nothing wrong . It taught me that I was attractive . It taught me that I didn't need to change . It gave me confidence and it made me feel me again .
Yes when it needed I cried , I was sad . But that last 1 hour of a glass of wine with a friend .
I became more accepting of my situation . I know in my hear too hearts that I'm lucky because I have the chance to love and be loved agin .
I also know I'm lucky I'm only 24. I'm not sad and I'm not searching . I'm accepting and learning what I want .
Now I have what I wanted , I have that person who cares . I can't tell you that it will go anywhere , I can't tell you it will last . I can't tell you I won't get hurt .
I can tell you that I'm a strong lady in my own right , I don't need a man . But I'm honest with you , I would love to feel loved my someone again and I would love to love someone again .
I am scared , I am realistic and I'm honest to the point of self distraction . Because the last year has taught me be yourself , when your scared admit it to yourself .
When you wanna cry , cry !
When you wanna run , find that thing that will realise that frustration .
When you feel unwanted and alone . Look around . Look out your window there's every chance in the world for you . Go out and get it !!
People will never be in the same situation as you , never at the same time but it dosent mean you aren't understood or wanted by them .
Now this honest post comes from the fact that I had a moment of doubt on my exercise mat . That something I wanted hasn't texted today . If you had caught me a year ago I would have told you it's because they had forgot I existed or had found someone better .
Today I tell you there busy with their on goings and that text will come .
It's a lesson I've learnt on my rollercoster and it feels good to write it down and let go !!
I've found lately or felt like I've speant a lot of time on my corner of the sofa . Probably no more than normal and the majority of the time I'm sitting I'm knitting or sewing .
But in winter I always get the body blues . That really isn't what I was going to wrote about but explains how I ended up on my exercise mat in my 3 child free hours this week.
Maybe the exercise mat reminds me of this time last year when I felt the only way to have any control was to control my body . If I could lose all that baby weight and co ft weight . If I could go though the pain of pushing you body to your limits. I wouldn't have to deal with the fact other things hurt .
That those hours of sleep I so des partly needed weren't coming . Those answers today I really wanted and needed couldn't be found . Maybe if I became the size I was before my daughter was born maybe I could recreate the situation where I would feel wanted again .
This time last year I went searching I went searching for something I'd lost .
I wanted that someone who made me feel ,I've someone remembered I was here everyday.
I didn't need a father for my daughter. I wanted what I had lost before things went wrong . I wanted someone to text me everyday , just because they wanted to hear from me . I wanted someone who wanted to spend my child free time with . I wanted to feel 23 again . I wanted to crack open that evening dress those high heels and see the outside world past 6 pm again . But without causing and leaving any damage to me and more importantly my daughter .
I found that someone it was great for a while . It was what I needed . It helped me though those early days of leaving my daughter . It taught me that I had done nothing wrong . It taught me that I was attractive . It taught me that I didn't need to change . It gave me confidence and it made me feel me again .
Yes when it needed I cried , I was sad . But that last 1 hour of a glass of wine with a friend .
I became more accepting of my situation . I know in my hear too hearts that I'm lucky because I have the chance to love and be loved agin .
I also know I'm lucky I'm only 24. I'm not sad and I'm not searching . I'm accepting and learning what I want .
Now I have what I wanted , I have that person who cares . I can't tell you that it will go anywhere , I can't tell you it will last . I can't tell you I won't get hurt .
I can tell you that I'm a strong lady in my own right , I don't need a man . But I'm honest with you , I would love to feel loved my someone again and I would love to love someone again .
I am scared , I am realistic and I'm honest to the point of self distraction . Because the last year has taught me be yourself , when your scared admit it to yourself .
When you wanna cry , cry !
When you wanna run , find that thing that will realise that frustration .
When you feel unwanted and alone . Look around . Look out your window there's every chance in the world for you . Go out and get it !!
People will never be in the same situation as you , never at the same time but it dosent mean you aren't understood or wanted by them .
Now this honest post comes from the fact that I had a moment of doubt on my exercise mat . That something I wanted hasn't texted today . If you had caught me a year ago I would have told you it's because they had forgot I existed or had found someone better .
Today I tell you there busy with their on goings and that text will come .
It's a lesson I've learnt on my rollercoster and it feels good to write it down and let go !!
Shaving foam sensory play !
A spot of shaving foam for 28 p a can and some food colouring ( optional). Squirt it in a tub , we used are outside play table at Nana's house .
Best thing is the foam just washes away with water . Caution food colouring stains !!! Learnt that when she applied a shaving foam beard to her face :-).
And let little miss explore , mummy and nana too !
She started with the spade then hands right in there !
Laughing away whilst she washed the foam of in the water :-).
Trying to blow the foam . She had so much fun . Modelling , stirring , painting , stamping , washing and drawing with the foam .m
Best
Thursday, 24 October 2013
Enjoying the garden at west moors children's centre :-)
We don't have a garden were we live , so the idea of a safe secure area where my daughter can play outside in all weathers really appeals . West moors children centre is just the place for this .
They have this section of garden with grass , a small hill , water feature and lots of sensory play items such as wind chimes e.t.c
My daughter loves exploring and seeing if she can find any bugs :-).
They also have playhouse full of play food and play kitchen . My daughter spent ages playing in here .
Cute moment when she carried a plate over to me singing happy birthday :-).
They also have an undercover section for chairs and bikes . The centre can provide Wellies and all in one suits for rainy weather . They also have an indoor section where children can play with toys e.t.c
We love the garden tho . This is where lone parent group is held every 1st and 3 rd Thursday of the month 10-11.
After the storm has passed there's sunshine !
Tuesday storms across Dorset , Wednesday sunshine . I looked to sky and all I could think was ' after the storm has passed there's sunshine'.
In that moment I thought how true that is to the experiences of the last year . After every difficult moment I have always found a reason to smile , something to be grateful for and a reason to keep on the rollercoster .
I love these moments of clarity . Those simple things in life teaching us what we need :-).
In that moment I thought how true that is to the experiences of the last year . After every difficult moment I have always found a reason to smile , something to be grateful for and a reason to keep on the rollercoster .
I love these moments of clarity . Those simple things in life teaching us what we need :-).
Tuesday, 22 October 2013
Watching her first storm together
We've just watched are first storm together . Of course there's been other in her life time . But this is the first one that has landed when we can watch together .
We're in a first floor flat so great viewing platform .
At first she wasn't too interested and I kind thought that would set the scene . So I turned the telly back on .
But as the flashes and rumbles got lounder/brighter she too notice .
'Look mummy there's a big flash' . 'Oh I hear a noise' . ' (screams of excitement) more flashes'
On of the cutest moments was when the heavy rain cut the tv signal out . She asked me to take her to window , once there she said ' goodbye storm.' Then turned around to me and said ' mummy I said goodbye , will tv work now ' .
We facetimed nana on the phone to tell her all about it , even though she's only 5 mins away now .
My daughter dosent at this present time have things she's scared of and I'm glad she enjoyed this expernice .
To some they may wonder why I wrote about this . For me I wana remember those excited screams and cite sayings . The tiniest of things bring the biggest smiles !!
We're in a first floor flat so great viewing platform .
At first she wasn't too interested and I kind thought that would set the scene . So I turned the telly back on .
But as the flashes and rumbles got lounder/brighter she too notice .
'Look mummy there's a big flash' . 'Oh I hear a noise' . ' (screams of excitement) more flashes'
On of the cutest moments was when the heavy rain cut the tv signal out . She asked me to take her to window , once there she said ' goodbye storm.' Then turned around to me and said ' mummy I said goodbye , will tv work now ' .
We facetimed nana on the phone to tell her all about it , even though she's only 5 mins away now .
My daughter dosent at this present time have things she's scared of and I'm glad she enjoyed this expernice .
To some they may wonder why I wrote about this . For me I wana remember those excited screams and cite sayings . The tiniest of things bring the biggest smiles !!
Mid lighting flash photo :-)
Yet another memory , love this life !!!
Review : Ozeri gree earth pan 8"
We kindly got offered te chance to review the Ozeri green earth frying pan 8". http://www.amazon.co.uk/Frying-Ozeri-Ceramic-Non-Stick-Coating/dp/B006MXOUKK/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382453411&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=Ozeri+8%22+frying+pan
Currently on special offer at £24.95.
The packaging on this pan is very stylish and there's not much of it which is great .
I first used this pan to cook onions and found it easy to heat up and cook with .
We eat a lot of omelettes in this house hold , so I put the pan to the test on this next .
For the first time in ages I didn't burn the omelette and the pan was the perfect size for this !
It was easy to wash up after use and looks stylish in the cupboard .
All in all we found this pan did the job and liked the fact it was Eco friendly .
Disclaimer : we were kindly given this Ozeri green frying pan to review in return for an honest review .
Sunday, 20 October 2013
Sunday afternoon game play
Little miss fell asleep after a busy morning playing , she woke around 5pm .
I was a little nervous she would be grumpy and all tho she didn't want to eat .she was in a fantastic mood and really wanted me to play with here:-).
After a couple of rounds of row row your boat we moved on to board games and puzzles :-).
I was a little nervous she would be grumpy and all tho she didn't want to eat .she was in a fantastic mood and really wanted me to play with here:-).
After a couple of rounds of row row your boat we moved on to board games and puzzles :-).
My desire to find a bargain and my love of the nearly new children's sales . Means we have a range of puzzles games that I've only paid a few pence for . Perfect for a toddler who is puzzle, game mad.
It was a lovely few hours before bedtime . I had that moment clarity when you look at your child and realise no matter what your feeling , going though , how hard things may be . Your child if you shower them with love and time no no different . S
We went ...
Today we went to church . I have always been on the edge when it comes to what I believe .
I like the knowing that when the hard times come , I have a place to go and something to believe in .
Many of my friends are strong in the faith , they live by the rules and they attend there place of worship regularly .
I've always been in envy when those lonely times come of those who have a community to fallback on .
Today I went to church . I choose this church because online I had seen they have a crèche in a separate room , with audio to the service and a window to see .
We sat with everyone else but little miss was restless so we spent most of the service in the crèche . Little miss was worn out from playing with there fantastic range of toys . And for me I got to sit on the sidelines and take what I needed from the service .
I don't come from a family of strong believers in faith . So for me to go today was a big step . I'm not saying it will be right for us , but without trying how will we know .
Today we did it , we haven't told are family , we won't tell our friends just yet . But we did it, we went to church and enjoyed it !!
I like the knowing that when the hard times come , I have a place to go and something to believe in .
Many of my friends are strong in the faith , they live by the rules and they attend there place of worship regularly .
I've always been in envy when those lonely times come of those who have a community to fallback on .
Today I went to church . I choose this church because online I had seen they have a crèche in a separate room , with audio to the service and a window to see .
We sat with everyone else but little miss was restless so we spent most of the service in the crèche . Little miss was worn out from playing with there fantastic range of toys . And for me I got to sit on the sidelines and take what I needed from the service .
I don't come from a family of strong believers in faith . So for me to go today was a big step . I'm not saying it will be right for us , but without trying how will we know .
Today we did it , we haven't told are family , we won't tell our friends just yet . But we did it, we went to church and enjoyed it !!
Saturday, 19 October 2013
Saturday morning = friends and park !!
My beautiful friends husband was working today , bonus for us is we got to have some saturday fun at the park !!!
Perfect !!!!!
Perfect !!!!!
We got to feed the ducks , and hide from the scary geese !!
Get wet bottoms going down the rainy slide !!
Play shops , in the play house !
And a cheeky stop at the coffee shop for cake and tea !!
Two happy mummy's and two happy toddlers :-)!!
This is just a phrase just like every other one
You know , you've taken them to the park , you've treated them to cake , they've speant time with the friends . It's wasn't an effort you enjoyed doing it .
Then the throwing themsleves on the floor starts , just because . The crying over a crayon , the I'm not going to walk anymore . There making it hard as possible .
That's when you rember there only 2 . They need to learn ,there testing the boundaries , waiting for you reaction .
We all go though it as parents , we all did it to are parents , we all learnt and we all found our feet.
It's just a phrase . The same as the I'm going scream at 2 am to play stage , the same as I'm not going to eat that stage , the same as I won't share my toys stage .
On the bad days you feel hurt , even close to angry . Why are they doing this ? Everyone is full of advice , that you simple don't want .
On the good days you remember that you will see the other side , just like you did all the others :-).
Then the throwing themsleves on the floor starts , just because . The crying over a crayon , the I'm not going to walk anymore . There making it hard as possible .
That's when you rember there only 2 . They need to learn ,there testing the boundaries , waiting for you reaction .
We all go though it as parents , we all did it to are parents , we all learnt and we all found our feet.
It's just a phrase . The same as the I'm going scream at 2 am to play stage , the same as I'm not going to eat that stage , the same as I won't share my toys stage .
On the bad days you feel hurt , even close to angry . Why are they doing this ? Everyone is full of advice , that you simple don't want .
On the good days you remember that you will see the other side , just like you did all the others :-).
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
Sometimes weekends be lonely
A myth , the truth or just the way a lot of us single parents feel . Who knows but here's my view !
Weekends when I was married were family time , I had to be home ( or made sure) I was home by at latest 3pm on a Friday . My husband would be home , it was family time . Even if we didn't have major plans , even of it was just boring chores . It was family time and if I made plans without checking I'd feel bad !
When I became a single parent , weekends were no longer family time . Weekends were painful , they hurt , I felt alone , sad and wishing them to be over !!!
Maybe it would be different if I had A big family , if Sundays were a huge family roast round the table , but it's never been that way in our family . To be fair before my daughter it was e who worked all weekend!!
As a single parent in that first year I dreaded weekends . Give me a Monday moring any day , could we just squeeze on more day in between before Friday .
You see at a weekend , people return to there family's . You go to the park or the shop it's couples , family's . You see a person on there own you look down to there're left hand to see if there's a ring on it !! You feel alone , scared and judged !!
I'm not the only one to feel this , many many of the single parents I have meet, spoke to and been a listening ear to feel this way !
For those of us who have come out of a realonship were you have once had these happy times , you grieve . You grieve for those times , for those feelings and what could have been . It's dosent matter if you've done the right thing or your happier now . It hurts !!!
I remember the first time I took my little girl to a family attraction on a weekend on my own . I felt sick , I felt like everyone was looking at me , I felt people would judge me . It was hard , I felt low , I was tired but I did it , my daughter had a fantastic time . I had done it !!
Over a year on weekends can still be lonely , I still feel like I'm forgotten sometimes .
But the greatest advice I gave been given or have given other people is get up and out !
A walk , the park , a car journey a fun day . Learn to enjoy them lazy Sundays , put a DVD on snuggle , find a hobby .
It's ok to feel this way , it's ok to be sad , it's ok to grieve . Just know its ok !!!!
Weekends when I was married were family time , I had to be home ( or made sure) I was home by at latest 3pm on a Friday . My husband would be home , it was family time . Even if we didn't have major plans , even of it was just boring chores . It was family time and if I made plans without checking I'd feel bad !
When I became a single parent , weekends were no longer family time . Weekends were painful , they hurt , I felt alone , sad and wishing them to be over !!!
Maybe it would be different if I had A big family , if Sundays were a huge family roast round the table , but it's never been that way in our family . To be fair before my daughter it was e who worked all weekend!!
As a single parent in that first year I dreaded weekends . Give me a Monday moring any day , could we just squeeze on more day in between before Friday .
You see at a weekend , people return to there family's . You go to the park or the shop it's couples , family's . You see a person on there own you look down to there're left hand to see if there's a ring on it !! You feel alone , scared and judged !!
I'm not the only one to feel this , many many of the single parents I have meet, spoke to and been a listening ear to feel this way !
For those of us who have come out of a realonship were you have once had these happy times , you grieve . You grieve for those times , for those feelings and what could have been . It's dosent matter if you've done the right thing or your happier now . It hurts !!!
I remember the first time I took my little girl to a family attraction on a weekend on my own . I felt sick , I felt like everyone was looking at me , I felt people would judge me . It was hard , I felt low , I was tired but I did it , my daughter had a fantastic time . I had done it !!
Over a year on weekends can still be lonely , I still feel like I'm forgotten sometimes .
But the greatest advice I gave been given or have given other people is get up and out !
A walk , the park , a car journey a fun day . Learn to enjoy them lazy Sundays , put a DVD on snuggle , find a hobby .
It's ok to feel this way , it's ok to be sad , it's ok to grieve . Just know its ok !!!!
We've visited a lot of parks this week !
Maybe it's because I'm really going to miss the mild days .
Maybe it's because we don't attend playgroup everyday now .
Maybe it's because I feel guilty we don't have a garden .
Maybe it's because we love the fresh air .
Maybe it's because I want to wear little miss out .
Or maybe it's because I love them too .
But we have been to a outdoor play park everyday this week , rain or shine !!!
We've been too ...... Poole park , Pottern park in Verwood , Calvers play park in Ringwood , Littledown park in bournemouth .
Maybe it's because we don't attend playgroup everyday now .
Maybe it's because I feel guilty we don't have a garden .
Maybe it's because we love the fresh air .
Maybe it's because I want to wear little miss out .
Or maybe it's because I love them too .
But we have been to a outdoor play park everyday this week , rain or shine !!!
We've been too ...... Poole park , Pottern park in Verwood , Calvers play park in Ringwood , Littledown park in bournemouth .
Sunday, 13 October 2013
Discovering a new library
We love library's ! My daughter absolute loves books , we have bookcases full at out flat and at Nana's house . I don't blame her for loving books , I do too !!
I have been taking her to our local library in Verwood since 3 months for Rhyme time , we both learnt are nursery rhymes from there .
In January we discovered Ferndown library, bigger than Verwood library with lots more books to discover . In winter you could often fins us in there for a few hours at a time .
So having moved to the border of a new county , I decided we should pop on the local library .
I thought it might have an ok children's section , it would be good maybe some different books . Didn't have high hopes .
How wrong could I be ?!?!
My little miss ran in , as excited as could be . Straight to the colouring table , with paper and crayons .
All that could be heard when I was signing us up at the desk , was mummy I'm colouring , I'm happy .
She got her own little card , well 3 actually two able to go on key rings .
She was so very excited about the colouring it took a full half an hour for her to notice the books !! After potty training little miss I always got a little nervous staying too long in a place without a toilet , such as other two library's I mentioned .
But this library has a toilet and a children's centre built in !!!
They run regularly story times, rhymes times and special events for half term .
There's a huge selection of cushions, beanbags, sofas and bookcases to choose from .
You can take up to 30 items out at one time for 4 weeks . We came away with 11 books to read , with plans to return for a few more this week .
Local library's are great free places to visit and what's great is in a children's section there's no pressure to keep your little one quiet .
Friday, 11 October 2013
A spot of fresh air
Adjusting to not being able to drive everywhere you want and having to ask people for lifts takes a lot of getting used too !!!
So in day two of no car to borrow , little miss decided she didn't what to leave our flat !!
With it being such a lovely day outside , I some how manged to with the help of the mention of the park get her out the flat !!
Of we set !!
So in day two of no car to borrow , little miss decided she didn't what to leave our flat !!
With it being such a lovely day outside , I some how manged to with the help of the mention of the park get her out the flat !!
Of we set !!
Taking a dolphin for a walk !
Drawing in the sand with sticks , circles here we come !
My stunning little girl with an acorn !
What are this mummy ? What are they for ? Why do the animals eat them ?
Spiders webs
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