Our decorating mission started this week, and it feels like the week whizzed passed. Its amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do to freshen things up and I’ve been tidying and sorting our things as we go. normally I don’t stop a job until its finished, and usually this means working late into the evening. This time, I am proud to say I have only decorated during the weekday’s when the eldest have been at school and the little ones have been occupied or napping, so the work has been slow but I feel much more relaxed.
One of the ways I am trying to improve my photography is to capture moments, aswell as portraits. James had just been wresting with Mr T in this picture, and he’s positively glowing with happiness, I love how relaxed he looks. I have taken time this week to really appreciate James. He is passionate and logical, but he has such a kind, polite, thoughtful and caring side to him, he makes me proud to be his mummy.
The two of us took a trip into town on Saturday to visit the hairdressers, and he looks so much more grown up with shorter hair. He really is growing so fast!
Lily’s week has been really busy. She went to rainbows for the first time on Thursday and she was absolutely glowing when she told us all about it. We almost didnt make it as our car wouldn’t start, but her Nanna came to the rescue and dropped her off for us. She was so happy, she had been counting down the days, and had even drawn a picture at school that morning. The leader said she did cry a little at the start but she soon settled in. We managed to jump-start the car with the help of one of Mr T’s work friends and his jump leads (we really need some!) and I arrived a bit early to collect her. I peaked through the window and saw all the girls in a circle singing and dancing. I could see Lily was shy, she was holding some older girls hands and watching intently, but not really joining in yet, she was too shy. Lily has always prefered to stand back and watch first without joining in, but her confidence has grown massively since starting school, and I think rainbows will help too.
This photo was taken at a party, she was so excited about this party as its her first she has been invited to on her own. When I asked her what her favourite part was she said the cake, and that was before she had eaten it! She loves having her face painted and she waited so patiently, it was painted by a young man who was quite apologetic for his face-painting skills, but I think he did okay, Lily loved it!
Amy has struggled this week. She tries her hardest to keep up with her older brother and sister and she is so determined to be a big girl at the moment. We always have treated all the children very equally, our household thrives on fairness, so when Lily started Rainbows and had a party this week too, it was understandable that Amy was upset. Even a McDonald’s didn’t do much to raise her spirits.
She has also tried to persuade us that she has a ‘broken knee’ and can’t walk (she has a small graze), and has insisted on a shoulder ride home from school some days. (Interestingly she can use her scooter with ease, so I think her legs are okay!) I have to say I get interesting looks walking home with a toddler on my shoulders, 3 children by my side and a baby in a pushchair or on my front in a woven wrap. I don’t always agree to carry Amy, but I do choose my battles, and at the moment she has had a lot of big transitions and sometimes she just needs to be close.
Poor Ava has more teeth cutting and has changed from a relaxed, happy little girl to an unhappy one in a few short days. Cuddles help everything, and luckily they come in unlimited supply! She is getting more mobile everyday and she is starting to move forward, I dont think it can be called a crawl just yet as she climbs on her knees and rocks to launch herself foward. It wont be long before shes following everyone around the house, and then I will need an extra pair of hands and eyes!
I still can’t even comprehend the idea of having four children – my hands are more than full with two – but seeing them there, all together and with their clear personalities it’s obvious that your home must be a really happy one. It must be so lovely to have three ready made friends to play with, share with and grow with x
Aww thank you Donna, your comments always make me smile 🙂 It is crazy here at times, I am lucky that they are quite good and they have good relationships with each other which makes things a bit easier, but I do wish i had a bit more time for me! xx