Escape

Love how my daughter lined up the dinosaurs last night. ❤️

Five year plan

And he's the same child, just older, wiser, more perceptive, stronger, an amazing mind for someone so young, sharp, sees things most adults would miss. I'm so very proud of my darling boy...five years old tomorrow... ❤️
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Our baby boy is three; no longer a baby, but a bright spark of a child who sees and thinks about everything. It's been wonderful to watch him grow - hard at times to bring up a wilful, determined, assertive child, with very strong opinions and feelings, but I'm so glad he came to us. He brings laughter and love to my heart every single day. Happy birthday little man, may this year bring you greater understanding of the ways things work, to lessen your frustrations and decrease your fears; and may I continue to improve as your guide in an often confusing world. Love you always. ❤️

Old little people

Playing a 'let's sleep' game with 2.5 year old daughter that involves choosing cushions and lying on the floor. She asked me to choose my cushion, but apparently I wasn't allowed the one I wanted.

"That's not available right now, mama."

Her turn of phrase makes me laugh so much, my little old lady! Reminds me of son when he was three, walking down the road, and suddenly said "The wind's picking up a bit, mama."

😍❤️

Spa afternoon

After a morning at a new swimming pool, we're having a spa afternoon.

Ladies doing their nails (with daddy as the nail varnish holder), chaps resting their feet/foot. 😂❤️

Note also the fetching knicker scarf our daughter is wearing. 

First day at nursery

First (half) day of nursery for the two year old.

She loved it. Super cool when I asked her how it was "Oh, yeah, good, played with Gemma (keyworker), I'll go back. Let's go home." Then a belated massive hug for me.

She's asleep ridiculously early and was sad that she's not going every day. Yay for our independent little girlie. ❤️

Silver linings among grey clouds

Third night of night weaning and daughter slept through until 4am (only waking for a wee). Yay for potty training successes, yay for my efforts teaching her slowly to fall asleep on her own and yay for daddy's lack of boobies and night time patience. We make a good team. ❤️

There's always a solution

After the hardest day this year, I'm done with battling.

Too much fighting, so I've given them some patients to look after... So far, so good. ❤️

Rainbow cloud

If you're careful you can see the rainbow cloud in the wispy bits. As noticed by my son. Absolutely beautiful! ❤️

Third day

Boy says he's made two new friends who he has lunch with, loves his colourful and compartmented lunch tray, loves being able to choose his lunch for himself (distinct lack of fruit or veggies!), has been playing with his friends and generally seems happy. Said he likes being four and wouldn't be two again because he likes school. Yay for my brave and adaptable boy! I'm so, so proud of him! 😍 His sister however has been a massive struggle today, but she says there's too much change and she's tired. Here's to her settling soon. ❤️

So much change

Daughter decided she wanted her own bed tonight for the first time ever. "I big girl now." No idea if it'll last all night, but I'm not sure I can handle so much change all at once. Both kids asleep by 7pm. Clearly change tires them out too. ❤️

Strong girlie

Me: pretending to be daughter-eating monster in playground *roar*

Daughter: [grabbing me by cardigan tails, speaking firmly and without fear] No!! Come here monster, eat food, not SuperAmi! Or I put you in bin!

My strong girl! 😍❤️

Second day of school

Son ran in without looking back, first in. ❤️

2.5 year old perception

Daughter: wind is picking up my hair when I walk. Feels nice.

❤️

First day at school

I have taken the obligatory school photos and with not a single door or mantelpiece in sight! 😂 Major struggle getting two sets of smiles or sensible poses, but I think I got some lovely ones. My beautiful boy ready for school. I'm so massively proud of the person he is and I wish him so much luck in the independent journey he has just begun. ❤️

Letting go

Thinking of all my friends whose babies are starting school tomorrow (or who started today). Some of us are letting our first babies go and I know some who are letting their last go. Parenthood is just a series of moments of letting go and then holding tight when they need us, from the moment they leave our wombs. Ups and downs. Joys and sadnesses. Reminds me of Kahlil Gibran when he talks about how the depth of such sadness is proportionate to how deeply we love. How lucky we are to love so greatly. I know I'll be crying tomorrow. ❤️