2015

2015; a beautiful year. It was settled, it was calm and it was without stress or anxiety. I wasn't pregnant or didn't have a new baby, we didn't move house or job, we were just settled and loved almost every minute (minus cleaning up dog sick, potty training, cleaning the house, being up all night with a non-sleeping child, standing on duplo etc). 

I'm such a home bird, I love nothing more than being home with my boys snuggled up watching TV. I've never had dreams to travel the world, being a wife and mummy were my aims and this year I feel like I've been able to do both of those well and we've made some really beautiful memories.

A few highlights of this year were our podding adventure with friends in February, a trip to Spain with Marmar in May, birthday celebrations for me, a gorgeous summer off with my boy, a wonderful fortnight in Portugal, a very special 2nd birthday, a trip to Peppa Pig World, a weekend in London and so many other lovely Christmas activities before the big day itself.

We aren't the richest people in the world, we don't have a huge house or amazing cars, we don't earn huge amounts of money or go on magnificent holidays, but I go to bed every single night feeling like the luckiest girl in the world and I believe that's the secret to a happy life; not comparing yourself to other people, not being jealous of what others have that you don't, making the most of what you have and focusing on the little things in life: the smell of your baby's head as you kiss him goodnight, the Friday night bottle of Prosecco with your husband after a busy week, a walk on the beach, a long afternoon nap. Life is beautiful and we are all so so excited for 2016.

Christmas books for toddlers

Henry loves story time. We have it without fail before bath time every night, as well as odd stories throughout the day. He goes through favourites that we have to read EVERY day, and then others that we dip in and out of every now and then. For Christmas we've been reading the same set of books and I'll be really sad next week when we have to put them away, he's absolutely loved them this year and we've had a good set that have been perfect for his age; not too long, lovely illustrations and fun stories.

The Gruffalo's Child - Julia Donaldson

This isn't Christmassy really, more wintery and it's been a favourite for well over a year now. He knows every word and just adores this book, as well as the TV adaptation that goes with it. 

Stick Man - Julia Donaldson

Again, not overly Christmassy so we'll get away with reading it in January but Santa does appear at the end. Another of Henry's absolute favourites. We can't wait to watch this on Christmas afternoon this year.

The Snowman - Raymond Briggs

I love that this has no words, it's perfect for all ages really. Henry looks so carefully at every picture and we tell the story between us. The teacher in me knows how important this is as a pre-reading skill and the mummy in me loves telling stories with my little boy.

Father Christmas - Raymond Briggs

Another book with no words and an absolute favourite. We saw this on stage in London last weekend and Henry loves the DVD too. 

Mog's Christmas Calamity - Judith Kerr

The book that goes with the Sainsbury's Christmas advert and sold in aid of children's literacy projects in the UK. A really lovely short story with gorgeous illustrations. Henry spends his time saying "silly Mog" while we read it! 

Nativity Flap Book - Usbourne

Henry got this as a present from one of his baby groups and it's so perfect as an introduction to the Christmas story for little ones. He loves lifting the flaps and looking at the gorgeous illustrations too. A definite winner.

Maisy's Christmas Tree - Lucy Cousins

We got this from a story party we went to at Seven Stories a few weeks ago and it's really short and simple for little ones. He'll probably be too old for this next year but it's perfect now.

Mr Men's Night before Christmas

Another gift from a baby group Santa and he really loves this. It's a nice simple story with cute pictures and longer than some of the other picture books which is nice.

Lucy and Tom's Christmas - Shirley Hughes

As you can see from the picture this is an old book, it was mine as a child and I feel so emotional when we read it together. I remember how much I loved it when I see the gorgeous illustrations and Henry just loves the story too. It's such a lovely book, I'm not sure if it's still in print but if not then it should be. One of my favourite books ever.

The Night Before Christmas

Another one of my old books, it even has a little 'Rebecca Davis' name sticker in the front cover. I absolute love this poem, I remember learning it for our year 2 play at primary school (I was a child, nestled snug in their bed!) and I do it with my own class every year now. Henry loves it too and some of the illustrations are really magical. Henry particularly loves seeing Santa coming down the chimney, he's particularly obsessed with that at the moment; just yesterday he asked me if his friends who were visiting would be coming down the chimney or in the front door!!

And that's it, our little daily pile of books. Like I said, I'm going to be so sad putting them away for another year next week, let's hope Santa brings us a few new ones to read in the meantime.

A few days in London

Last weekend I ran out of school at lunchtime on the Friday to jump on a train with my mum and Henry to go to London for a Christmassy weekend. As it happened we had heavy snow at home all weekend and it was 12 degrees in London, we definitely weren't in the most Christmassy place but it was so lovely nevertheless.

Henry was amazing all weekend, honestly amazing. He slept most of the way down, here he is with very rosy teething cheeks. 2 back molars had appeared that morning! 

After checking into our hotel we met Uncle Simon in Fulham for my first Vagabonds trip for wine and a platter before heading to Byron for a burger.

We were up early on Saturday morning and grabbed an Uber car straight to Holland Park which was just amazing. There were wild squirrels and peacocks everywhere, huge carp in a Japanese pond, black rabbits hopping around and birds everywhere. Henry was in his element and we loved it too. There was a gorgeous toddler play park which would be perfect in the summer and we had a lovely coffee too.

Next we headed to the Kings Road for a spot of shopping and some lunch in Bluebird. I've wanted to go there for absolutely years, I never dreamt that my first time in such a posh place would be with a 2 year old toddler! But he was a dream, we didn't even need to get out a sticker book or colouring pad, he just chatted and looked around, tucked into the bread and taramasalata and waited for his food. I was so so proud of him.

After a lovely long nap back at the hotel we headed to Christmas at Kew where we had dinner, saw the gorgeous lights, toasted gourmet marshmallows, rode a little train and walked for miles. Again, an amazingly behaved toddler and a lovely family evening.

We were up early on Sunday to go to Uncle Simon's theatre to watch Father Christmas. It was honestly totally magical. I could have cried on several occasions watching it and Henry was just captivated. A perfect way to start a Sunday.

We went downstairs for a coffee in the theatre afterwards, this photo makes me laugh because you can see a chubby little hand in the background stealing a chocolate muffin that didn't belong to him!! 

We went back for Sunday lunch and cocktails in Bluebird again on the Sunday because Uncle Simon couldn't come with us the day before. Another super lovely meal and we went back to my brother's for a lazy nap straight after. Later on that afternoon we headed back to Kings Cross to catch our train, all tired, a little weary, but having had a really gorgeous weekend making some lovely memories. 

Another festive weekend

Friday 

Poor Henry had been so poorly all week we thought we might have to cancel all of our plans this week but luckily he perked up at the last minute and we made it out of the house finally! Hurrah!

We'd booked to go to Crook Hall for the Christmas light switch on and to see Santa Claus and it was really lovely, the perfect thing to get us feeling festive. Henry was really shy to begin with and wouldn't even look at the elves but by the end he was decorating the tree with them and helping one to make reindeer food. Santa's grotto was perfect and we finished our afternoon off with mince pies and mulled wine. Delicious. 

Saturday

We left Henry with my mum this afternoon and headed into Newcastle to do some Christmas shopping. We had a lovely lazy lunch in Zizzi, shopped until we dropped and finally stopped for coffee and cake in the new Fenwick's food hall. A really lovely and very productive afternoon! 

Sunday 

To say Henry has been difficult today would be an understatement. It's been a hard parenting type of day, he's been a very typical two year old and beyond grumpy! 

We went to Seven Stories event this morning based around the book 'Maisy's Christmas Tree'. When we got there Henry was so naughty - he was the type of child I usually look at and thank god that he's not mine haha. Well today that naughty child was mine so after about 5 minutes of watching the other children participating and enjoying the story while Henry stropped in front of me, I took him outside. After some firm words about making mummy sad and a threat that we'd leave if his behaviour didn't improve, he was a totally different child. The 'elf' running the session was amazing, she clearly sensed my mummy stress and gave Henry a job to do and he was fine from then on in. Santa arrived and gave all the children a copy of the book we'd been reading and then we headed off to do some Christmas art in the basement. Of course Henry didn't want to do anything I wanted him to and just wanted to glue his hands together, it was just the mood he was in today!! We had a cake and juice in the cafe afterwards and again, Henry wanted my cake and not his. Sigh. All in all not the most relaxing morning out but it could have been worse!!

We came home for a nap (which he fought for a good hour first, crying and moaning) and then got up for lunch. We then headed out for a bit of food shopping and went for some hot chocolate to cheer ourselves up!! We called in to Marmar's quickly and then came home to make dinner. Henry and I made another Christmas cake and then I did my usual Sunday run around, getting all of my jobs done whilst listening to Henry fighting his sleep for his daddy. Joy. He's now still wide awake at past 9pm and I am ironing. Not the end to a lovely festive weekend that I would have liked, but real life!! 

A Christmassy Weekend

We are all beyond excited for Christmas this year. Henry is full of 'hohoho's whenever he sees a picture of Santa and we can't wait to build all of his toys with a bottle of mulled wine one night soon when he is in bed. We are so excited to see his face on Christmas morning when he realises Santa has been and to spend time with all of our family in the coming weeks. I may have gone a little OTT and booked pretty much every Christmas event possible for the next few weeks but it's all so exciting, Christmas truly is magical again when you have little children. 

Yesterday we went to the garden centre to choose our tree. Henry was so excited; he couldn't understand why on earth we were putting a huge tree into our car and then carrying it into our house! 

We then went for pancakes and waffles at a little Austrian cafe down the road. Mummy and Daddy had boozy hot chocolates and Henry had a juice with his and he was in such a gorgeous mood, we were so proud of him. 

We then came home to decorate our tree. I had a little helper this year which was lovely, not so helpful but I wouldnt change it for the world. 

We then picked up Marmar and headed down into Lanchester for their Christmas light switch on. It's so well organised and lovely, the parish council pay for juice and sweets for all the children, as well as a little wrapped present, and there were mince pies and mulled wine for the adults. There was a brass band playing and a choir singing carols too, all very 'Lanchester' and so so lovely. 

This morning we were up bright and early to go to Fenwicks for Breakfast with Santa. We had a look in Fenwicks window first and then headed upstairs for our breakfast. 

It was really well organised, very reasonable and we had a lovely time. Henry wasnt sure of Santa, he was interested in him, watched his every move, but wasn't overly happy about having him at our table!! 

Henry loved his breakfast of pancakes and berries and daddy and I had a feast too. We'll definitely be back next year, it was really great. 

Overall a lovely start to our Christmas festivities! 

My love

You call for me at midnight,
You call for me at four.
Sometimes with a gurgle,
More often with a roar.

The night is big and lonely,
And you are oh so small.
You’d like to see your mummy.
And so, my love, you call.

It’s late and I am sleepy,
And so, my love, I grumble.
And as I pick you up again
You hear my tired mumble.

But nonetheless I hold you,
Rock you back to sleep.
I promised I’d be there for you;
A promise that I’ll keep.

Then maybe later down the track,
(In eighteen years or more!)
You’ll call me once again, my love,
At two, or three, or four.

And once again I’ll grumble,
I’ll moan that it is late.
But I’ll always come and find you,
I’ll never make you wait.

And there might come a day,
When you’re a parent too.
And in the middle of the night
Your child will call for you.

And then you’ll understand
That precious love so deep.
You wouldn’t trade it in
For a thousand nights of sleep.

Yet sometimes you’ll be tired,
You’ll think you’ve had enough.
Then you can call on me, my love;
Sleepless nights are tough.

Whether you’re a baby,
Or when you’re fully grown.
You can always call on me, my love,
You’ll never be alone.

And though there’ll come a day
When we will be apart.
You still can always call on me;
I’ll live on in your heart.

Author unknown 

Half Term Day 10 - 01/11/15

Henry had a birthday party to go to at 10 this morning so we were up and out nice and early. He enjoyed playing and eating cake while I chatted to the other mummies. He was shattered afterwards so had his sleep in the car while I picked my mum up to go shopping. 

We had lunch and coffees in M&S before picking up our Xmas PJs and some presents in the shops. Henry loved the  Christmas lights and trees so much, it looked so pretty in there. We are definitely on the countdown to Christmas now, I'm so excited! 

We then went back to my mum's for a bit, took the dog for a walk and fed the horses and then went home for a quiet evening with daddy. Henry had his first ever bath bomb tonight, he loved it and his skin felt so soft afterwards.

I'm snuggling him as I write this. He's fast asleep in my arms but I want to cuddle him for a bit longer. It'll be another 7 weeks before I'm off again, another 7 weeks before I get to spend every minute of the day with my boy. I've loved this week so much, he's grown up in these last 7 days and I'm sure by the next holiday he'll seem so much older again. Time is flying by.

Halloween 2015

I really can't believe I've bought into this whole Americanised version of Halloween, but it's so much fun once you have children and actually, being a total misery and refusing to get into the spirit of things gets you nowhere. We've had so much fun this week, our estate looked amazing tonight, so many houses all decorated for Halloween and everyone chatting to one another in the street. Here a few photos of our first real Halloween at home with Henry (he slept through his first, dressed as a pumpkin of course, and then last year we were in Disneyland Paris).

Half Term Day 9 - 31/10/15

We were up bright and early for Weight Watchers this morning, I lost another 2 pounds taking me up to 11 in total which I'm really happy with. We then went to the cafe in the leisure centre and had smoothies and cake...as you do when you leave Weight Watchers! After we'd finished we came home for a lazy few hours watching Saturday morning TV and  snuggling. 

For lunch we picked up my father in law and went to Wheelbirks for a Halloween lunch. Henry had eyeball pasta followed by a spooky looking blackberry sorbet. I really do love it there, they make so much effort for big events and the food is such good quality. We both loved the blackberry sorbet too, we've never had that flavour before so that's always a treat. Daddy went for cookies and 'scream' which was really good too. 

We were all so full after lunch that we came home for mammoth naps in bed. There's nothing nicer than spending a Saturday afternoon cuddled up in bed. 

As soon as it got dark we lit our pumpkins, decorated outside and headed out for Henry's first ever trick or treating session. I was a bit worried that he'd be really shy but he loved every second. He loved knocking on the doors and we'd say 'trick or....' and he'd finish the sentence off by shouting 'treat!'. So cute. He remembered to say 'ta' to everyone and loved seeing all the other children dressed up. When we came home he loved answering the door to other children and giving them sweets and would get so excited when he heard a knock. We'd bought 3 big bags of sweets for the children but we ran out about 7pm so luckily Henry isn't old enough to realise that we've also given away most of his sweets too!! Some people made so much effort, he got a full party bag from once house, a homemade toffee apple in another and so many of the houses were decorated so well. 

We came home for a lovely 'picky bits' tea of olives, jamon Serrano, bread, crisps and houmous and a bottle of prosecco for us too. I love family days with my little family so much. 

Half Term Day 8 - 30/10/15

We were up bright and early for Henry's regular Friday music class, Jittabugs. He absolutely loves it and it was so lovely watching him doing all his dance moves and shouting 'shake' and 'roll' along with the other children. My eyes filled up several times just watching him; he's growing up so quickly and I'm so so proud of him.

Afterwards we were planning a walk but it was absolutely throwing it down so we just went to Tesco for juice and snack time and to do a bit of shopping too. Henry then had his sleep and I sorted some housework and had an hour watching trashy TV on my own which pretty much never happens.

When Henry woke up we met his godmother and my mum at the farm shop for lunch, it was so good and we ate loads, just what I fancied on a cold and rainy Friday.

Afterwards we want for a lovely long walk to Hardwick Park. There are so many ducks, geese and swans there that Henry loves it, it's never really busy either which is a bonus. Of course we did lots of jumping in muddy puddles too, the rain does have its bonuses.

We had a fun evening at home with daddy and an early night in bed, and the biggest bonus of the lot was that Henry slept for 11 whole hours in his cot which is a very rare event in our house! 

Half Term Day 7 - 29/10/15

I've been loving the lazy mornings we've had this half term and today was no different. After a few hours we met Henry's Marmar and Parpar up at the garden centre to try out the new tropical world that's just opened. Henry absolutely loved it, he's been to a lot of amazing places but I'd say he was the most animated and excited about tropical world! He just spent an hour running around shouting 'wow!' at the top of his voice. There were fish, birds of prey, owls, a tortoise, terrapins, snakes, lizards, little canaries flying all over the place, parrots and beautiful plants and wooden furniture and 'treasures' everywhere too. It was really great.

We then went up the road to The Punch Bowl pub in Satley and had a lovely lunch, as we usually do on Thursdays. Henry ate loads, as per usual and we sat by the open fire which was just lush. 

Henry and I then came home for a long nap together and then we went for a walk in the park which turned into a total disaster. Henry threw an almighty tantrum about having to walk so just sat on the floor screaming while I refused to pick him up. We walked about 10 metres before I gave up and brought him home for 2 minutes on the naughty step!!

Because he's had such a long and late nap and because he'd reused to walk, I was worried that he'd had no exercise all afternoon so we went swimming after dinner which was lovely. The pool was really empty and Henry enjoyed playing in the pool before bedtime. It's not something we'd ever do usually so it was a bit of a treat with it being the holidays. 

Half Term Day 6 - 28/10/15

We woke up to totally hideous weather today: thick fog, heavy rain and a cold wind. Great. We had a lazy few hours at home before driving to the farm shop to place our Christmas meat order, so exciting! 

We then went on to Hall Hill Farm just up the road and had a lovely, if a little chilly, morning carving pumpkins, feeding the animals and riding on the tractor. Henry absolutely loves it there and our annual pass has been worth every penny this year.

We then came home and Henry had a nap while I did some housework and we then had some nice hot soup and bread to warm us through after such a cold and damp morning. 

Our friends then came round for the afternoon with their 4 month old puppy who Henry absolutely adores. It was lovely to catch up them all and Henry had a whale of a time with his doggy friend Ted, I'm not sure George was as keen on his new puppy friend who chased him round all afternoon, nipping at his face to get him to play! 

Half Term Day 5 - 27/10/15

After an amazing night's sleep I went to pick Henry up from my mum's and took him to a Halloween story party run by 7 Stories. He looked cute in his skeleton outfit but the party was a total disaster, I could go on and on but basically they let far too many people in and there were some fine examples of how not to bring up a child in there! Henry enjoyed it despite the hundreds of other kids but I found he whole thing massively stressful! 

He had a nice sleep afterwards and then later in the afternoon we met my mum at the garden centre for a coffee and a wander. Later on my mum and I went swimming before I came home for bathtime and bedtime with Henry and an early night for me and Mr B.