Family fun

Last Saturday we went to the summer party held by the company Mark works for. They had really tried to make it a fun day out for families by putting on a bouncy castle and arranging for the nearby military base to bring a helicopter over for the children to explore.

Lily was a bit freaked out by the giant clown on top of the bouncy castle and immediately wanted to go back to the car. I therefore spent the first 15 minutes after we arrived in the car trying to persuade her to go and have some fun. We eventually coaxed her out with the promise of a look inside the helicopter. Tom and Lily were both thrilled to be able to sit in the pilot's seat and push a few buttons. Lily was quite annoyed that we wouldn't fly the helicopter for her and was quite put out that when the helicopter did take off, it didn't take her with it! Tom loved watching the helicopter fly away and later told me it was his favourite part of the afternoon.

"So tell me again why I can't fly this thing!"

Tom loved all the letters and numbers on the helicopter

After the helicopter left, Tom went straight on the bouncy castle. After some gentle coaxing and reassurance that the giant clown wasn't going to hurt her, Lily also ventured on. Once she was on, I didn't think we'd ever get her off again! Both of them had a great time and both managed to escape without anyone jumping on them, despite a very large age range of children using the castle.

With the addition of a large slice of chocolate cake to finish the afternoon, Tom was convinced he had been to a birthday party. He knew we were at 'Daddy's office', so I think he thought it was Daddy's birthday party. I dread to think what he'll expect at his party when he turns four in October!

Lily taking a breather on the bouncy castle

Frazzled

It would probably give you some clue as to the week I've been having if I told you that as I sat down to type this post I spilt my cup of tea over my keyboard! It's been a long week and I'm tired and ready for the weekend!

The children have both been ill this week, one after the other. As Lily's temperature started to go down and she stopped being sick, I could feel Tom's forehead getting hot, hot, hot! Sure enough, within a few hours he was one poorly boy. Mark, of course, was in various locations around Europe all week and I've hardly seen him. I don't know why it always happens that the children are only ill when he is away from home, but it does. So, on top of all this, we had plumbers coming round this morning to do some work on the house. Amongst other jobs, they were fitting a heated towel rail in our en suite bathroom, which meant I had to paint the room before they arrived. So, with two sick children, an absent husband, mountains of laundry and very little sleep, I also had to fill in cracks, sand walls and paint a room before this morning. Frazzled does not begin to cover it!

I must have been coping well though, because this morning when Tom decided to be sick all over the dining room when the plumbers were here and the water was turned off so I couldn't clean it up, I actually smiled with the humour of the situation rather than getting stressed. I must be getting good at this multi-tasking mummy lark!

Both the children were much better this evening and Mark will be home around midnight. The Podlings are now sleeping, so I plan to do a little baking, play a little piano, read a little Dickens and drink a lot of tea. In short, I'm taking the night off!

Fearless

The girl terrifies me...she has no fear!

Distraction

The Podlings really love ice lollies at the moment, so I will often give them one after their lunch. When they have a lolly for their pudding, I will usually give them some sugar sprinkles in a paper bun or muffin case to dip the lollies in. In a moment of high spirits at lunchtime (trying to get a laugh out of Lily, no doubt!), Tom tipped his sprinkles all over the table. I proceeded to tell him off and told him that it wasn't funny. "Well, it is a bit funny", was his cheeky answer (I was very good and didn't even smile!). "No, Tom, it isn't funny to make a mess for Mummy" was my controlled reply. Clearly figuring that arguing his case wasn't going to work, Tom tried the distraction technique. He put his paper case on his head, looked straight at me with a smile and said "Am I the muffin man?".

He won. I laughed!

Daddy time

As soon as Mark comes home from work, Lily drags him over to the laptop to watch cartoons. She normally gets quite possessive over him at this point, as she considers this to be her 'Daddy time'. This evening, she condescended to allow Tom to sit on Mark's other knee while they enjoyed their supper and a snack. I thought they looked adorable all cuddled up together like this. I love my family!

My darling boy

I love this picture I managed to take of Tom this morning. I'm going to have to print it and put it in a frame. He's getting so grown up!

Having a ball

Tom tries to inflate the pool without the pump

The weather is absolutely beautiful today. It is gloriously sunny with just enough breeze to stop it from being too hot. With British summertime being what it is, I thought we'd better take advantage of the lovely weather before the rains return! I hunted out the Podlings' paddling pool and inflated it in a shady part of the garden. I then filled it with the hundreds of little plastic balls my parents gave the Podlings a while ago and created our very own little ball pool. We had a lovely morning playing in the garden and finished up the fun by having our lunch outside.

If the wind doesn't pick up any more I was thinking that I might put their swimming costumes on this afternoon and put some water in the pool. Unfortunately, it's getting pretty windy out there, so we might just have to stick with the balls today. Water or not, the children will have a fantastic time and, therefore, so will I!

" This is how you do it Tom!"

One happy little boy


Lily enjoying her lunch al fresco. I adore that hat!