Thursday 31 October 2013
Early Years Autumn Reads: Savouring the Season Linky Party 7
Anyway, we've been soaking up the autumnal theme in our house, and hunting down those books that make for good talking points. The following books are probably suitable for children between the ages of 1 and 5...
Here are some of our autumn favourites!
Guess What - Fruit? (Yusuke Yonezu)
I'm a bit of a fan of all the books in the Guess What series - both Ava and Heidi love this one. It's a lift the flap book that transforms pieces of fruit into animals, and Ava loves guessing what animal is going to be revealed (although she's read it so many times now, its not really "guessing" anymore! It's great for familiarity with the names of fruits and is a nice one to use if you're learning about description and opposites. It's a good one for conversations on colours as well. And, of course, it ties in with that autumnal, harvest theme!
The Gruffalo (Axel Scheffler and Julia Donaldson)For me, the forest is just a symbol of autumn; leaves, bark, fir cones, conkers... and the first story that pops into my head when I think "forest" is this one. No child's book shelf is complete without it. I have yet to meet a child who doesn't adore this story, and adults will appreciate the cunning plan of the clever little mouse. I'm a big fan of everything Julia Donaldson, but this one is definitely the number one choice in our house.
After the Storm (Nick Butterworth)
Percy the Park Keeper conjures up images of my own childhood; I distinctly remember the Deputy Head of my Primary School regularly reading Nick Butterworth stories to us during assembly. And this one is a classic; particularly useful after this past weekend for talking about storms and the damage they cause - not just for humans, but for wildlife too. It's a cute little story about a raging storm, and then the aftermath when a huge tree has fallen down. The story shows how Percy the Park Keeper helps the animals, who have now been made homeless, and it is just a lovely story of teamwork, as well as a great one for this time of year!
The Forest
One of the things that teaching has taught me, is that its really important for children to be familiar with a wide range of genres, and so finding non-fiction books that are accessible for little ones is key. Yet good ones are SO hard to find! This is a bit of a gem as I came across it in a german flea market, but a bit of research has shown me it is available. It's all about the forest, throughout all the seasons, but the majority of time is spent on autumn. It's a fascinating little book which talks about the animals that live in the forest, as well as showing how the forest changes through the seasons. It also has some great stuff on berries and mushrooms which have been great for discussion with Ava about what we can touch and what we can't when it comes to forest exploration. Highly recommend!
A Year in the City (Kathy Henderson)
This book is literally just a picture book but its FABULOUS... there is SO much to see on each page, and it works through the months of the year so there's always something relevant to talk about. It's particularly good if you are town/city dwellers as the changing seasons can be a bit less obvious. To be honest, its a great one to have on the bookshelf all year round, and you really can go any direction with it as there is no official "story" - its just pictures!
So there you have it; our autumn reads. Do any of you have any autumn stories? We're always on the hunt for more!
In the meantime, link up your autumnal posts below - anything autumn related! Crafts, Recipes, trips out, thoughts - anything and everything! I'm eager for ideas!
Wednesday 30 October 2013
Lazy days...
We are loving these lazy half term days...
Playing in our pyjamas all morning...
Sleeping in crazy wacky positions...
Being attacked by art monsters...
Rocking the 'tache...
And just generally having a whale of a time!
Tuesday 29 October 2013
Monday 28 October 2013
A night I'll never forget...
My reaction to their entrance totally surprised me. Ava and I were seated about half way back, and we had a good view of the children entering. Their voices were raised in song... beautiful harmonies, beaming smiles, faces of hope. And the tears just started flowing.
Since 1984, the African Children's Choir has raised awareness of the needs of poverty-stricken and orphaned children in Africa by touring with young children aged between 7 and 11 years. Their beautiful voices sing out on behalf of Africa's 12 million AIDS orphans as they seek to raise funds for the continued development of the Choir's relief programmes which care for the children's physical, educational and spiritual needs. Once children have finished a concert tour, they are able to return home and continue, with their brothers and sisters, into education, supported and sponsored by the programme. It is a wonderful gift.
The concert had lasted a mere ten seconds and already I was streaming.
The tears didn't last long. How could they? When these children, who know hardship better than my children probably ever will, were singing with such expressions of joy and hope. We heard their stories; many growing up without parents, living in one room houses with up to ten other children, walking miles for water with no prospects or education. And yet they stood on that stage and told us what they wanted to grow up to be: a pilot, a teacher, an eye-doctor, a lawyer, a midwife... the President of Uganda! Why do they have such hope? What chance of fulfilling these aspirations do they really have?
The answer is simple: The African Children's Choir.
Ava and I were riveted for the entire performance. She sat on my lap, literally squealing with delight, her two year old mind soaking in the voices, drum beats and incredibly rhythmic dancing of the children. Sometimes she couldn't resist and would clamber off my lap to have a little dance and clap of her own. She was mesmerised. As the charity so beautiful puts it "in spite of the tragedy that has marred their young lives, these musically gifted children are wonderfully entertaining. They melt the hearts of audiences with their charming smiles and joyful African melodies and dance."
It was an evening I'll never forget.
You can see where the choir are performing on the remainder of their tour here... Why not have a look if they're heading in your direction? I can promise you, it will be an evening you won't regret...
You can find out more about the Choir and how to support them here.
In the meantime, I'll leave you with them and Gary Barlow performing "Sing!" last year...
Friday 25 October 2013
Lessons learned when you are sick...
On Wednesday night I got hit by a tummy bug... thankfully just one of those 24 hour ones. Yesterday I spent pretty much the whole day in bed. I felt rough.
But there are life lessons in illness! Here's what I learnt yesterday...
1. That you don't realise how much you cuddle your babies til you can't.
2. That it physically hurts when they look up at you with those pleading eyes and you can't just scoop 'em right up and cover them in kisses.
3. That my Mum is UTTERLY amazing and drops everything for our family.
4. That my girls adore their Nanny (my Mum) and have no problem being whisked away while Mama recovers.
5. That two-year-olds are really, really naughty when they know their Mama is weakened.
6. That next door's hoover is really loud through the walls.
7. That Ryvita never tasted so good.
8. That you don't appreciate feeling well until you feel ill, and then you can't remember what it feels like to feel well.
9. That a 24 hour bug is a mercy, because its exactly that - 24 hours.
10. That flat lemonade is the best medicine ever.
So there you have it! I'm feeling SO much better now, and thankful to all of you who sent prayers and well-wishes my way.
I feel very loved.
Happy half-term everyone!
Thursday 24 October 2013
Gardening Fairies: Savouring the Season Linky Party 6!
Back in the spring, I planned out my fairly extravagant plans for the garden... we managed to do most of them... our scarecrow watches over our shrubs, our Creepy Crawlie Hotel is teeming with life and our trellis wall is covered in autumnal blooms of red and yellow pansies. But my vegetable patch? Well, I built the patch and cleared it, and then the summer came and went and this happened...
An overgrown wasteland of dandelions and weeds.
YUCK!
With our seeds in hand, we tackled the plot, ripping out all the weeds from their roots and turning over the soil ready to sow some seeds. One little lady was loving the gardening glove look, and was perfectly happy digging with trowel in hand while Mama went in with the giant spade!
The plot is now cleared and ready to go. Today we will plant our seeds and hope they will survive the winter frosts (and snow and blizzards and ice-storms - supposedly the worst winter on record? Oh help!)
What autumn activities have you been up to this week?? Share your seasonal love below, and please go take a look at what other people have been up to... I've loved stealing some fab ideas from some of you!!
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Wednesday 23 October 2013
Sharing...
"Hey sweetie, did you have fun with your friend this morning?"
"Yes... but I want to play with the telephone"
"I know you did, Ava, but when our friends come round to play its nice to share, isn't it?"
"Yes, Mama. I also like to play with the Etcha-Sketch"
"I know. But your friend wanted to play with the Etcha-Sketch and we have two Etcha-Sketches. You got to play with the other one. It is really kind when you share it Ava..."
"I like Evie..." she smiles up at me
"...but I want to play with the Etcha-sketch"
Oh boy. We've got fun times ahead!
"Yes... but I want to play with the telephone"
"I know you did, Ava, but when our friends come round to play its nice to share, isn't it?"
"Yes, Mama. I also like to play with the Etcha-Sketch"
"I know. But your friend wanted to play with the Etcha-Sketch and we have two Etcha-Sketches. You got to play with the other one. It is really kind when you share it Ava..."
"I like Evie..." she smiles up at me
"...but I want to play with the Etcha-sketch"
Oh boy. We've got fun times ahead!
Tuesday 22 October 2013
Cosy days...
There is something lovely about cosy, rainy days; the ones where you're shut inside in the warm while the rain patters on the windows. Yesterday, after my mad-dash clean (see yesterday's post), the girls and I snuggled up on the sofa with a cuppa, some "Fifteens" (my lovely friend Jenny reintroduced me to these cakes I hadn't had since I was a kid... recipe to follow!) and one HUGE pile of library books. Pretty close to perfection in my book.
My girls love to read, and so do I. We hit the library once a fortnight and stock up on a few new reads... We're pretty predictable and pretty much go for the same authors every time. Once we've exhausted them, perhaps we'll branch out, but for now, here's what the girls are loving...
 |
| These are a recent discovery, but the stories are SO cute. Ava is making me read them on repeat! |
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| Maisie is an absolute favourite... The stories are short and sweet and Ava loves them! |
 |
| We are probably the biggest users of the library's bilingual section! |
 |
| Anything Julia Donaldson is a winner in my book! |
And our favourite two non-library books at the moment...
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| She never gets bored of this one! |
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| This is a recent discovery! A very successful one! |
(OK... Heidi pretty much loves anything she can put in her mouth, so she tends to have one of our own books that I know where it's been while we read the library ones!)
We had a lovely cosy afternoon reading, and then we played "Shopping List" again, and again... and again!
What do you like to do on a rainy afternoon???
Monday 21 October 2013
Out with the old, in with the new!
I am increasingly learning that life is all about seasons...
The other week a friend mentioned to me a post I had written a while back about my cleaning schedule. I am a massive fan of routines and to-do lists, and Ava, who was 6 months old when I wrote this post, was at the age where babies are happy to sit and play while Mama whizzes around with hoover, duster and baby wipes (the most multi-functional item ever invented!) in hand.
Oh, boy; those days are long gone!
I want our home to be clean and tidy and organised; but I also want it to be manageable. And with a two-year-old and a 7-month-old in the picture, I've pretty much waved goodbye to my old way of doing things. I DO think that as the one at home, there is a responsibility on me to do the bulk of the housework. Its only fair when you have a husband working all day (although I must admit he is fab and does far more than I think he should do!) but I also have found that spreading the work out over the week doesn't work for me anymore.
Our family grew last March, and with two children, life became a bit more manic - I struggled to remember what I was "supposed" to be doing, what needed doing, or when things had last been done, and to be honest, my response to feeling a little bit overwhelmed by it all was to let it go a bit...
Cue disaster zone.
Add in a month's stay in hospital and a summer away from home, and you can imagine what it was like. If it hadn't been for Dave, the house would most probably have resembled a bomb site.
It was frustrating and I felt like I wasn't really achieving anything, and I felt I wasn't fulfilling the role I was meant to. And so I ended up being grumpy, and feeling guilty, and then feeling guilty about being grumpy...
And so evolved my cleaning day.
Hello Blitz-the-house Monday!
On Mondays, I put Heidi down for a nap at 9am (as usual), and then its all systems go... I strip down the beds, stick a wash on, clean the bathroom while Heidi's settling and then I dust and hoover upstairs while Heidi's in her initial deep sleep. That way the hoover doesn't disturb her. After that, Ava and I head downstairs and I have a good hour left of Heidi's nap to get the rest done. Whatever doesn't happen on a Monday, doesn't happen. I found that hard at first, but I'm learning that I need to be realistic, and actually, in a weird way, knowing its my one opportunity keeps me motivated and makes me get on with it. I can't put it off til "tomorrow".
The thing is, I'm holding it all loosely, because I've no doubt it will all change again when our circumstances change. Right now, it works for us, and the extra incentive of a cup of tea at 11am (or lunch if we're running a bit behind with getting everything done in time!) with my lovely friend Anna post cleaning morning helps me have a target to work to too!
I don't have this sussed. The down side is, I no longer really get to do the "deep clean" stuff - you know, the proper clearing out drawers and cupboards, cleaning out the oven, descaling things etc etc, but you know what? That's OK for now. I just need to find other opportunities to do those things and they aren't going to get done as regularly as they used to. Keeping our home clean and safe, with clean clothes and food on the table is the main thing. And ultimately, my priority is not having a show-home house that could be part of the Ideal Home Show. Its providing a home for our family.
The other week a friend mentioned to me a post I had written a while back about my cleaning schedule. I am a massive fan of routines and to-do lists, and Ava, who was 6 months old when I wrote this post, was at the age where babies are happy to sit and play while Mama whizzes around with hoover, duster and baby wipes (the most multi-functional item ever invented!) in hand.
Oh, boy; those days are long gone!
Our family grew last March, and with two children, life became a bit more manic - I struggled to remember what I was "supposed" to be doing, what needed doing, or when things had last been done, and to be honest, my response to feeling a little bit overwhelmed by it all was to let it go a bit...
Cue disaster zone.
Add in a month's stay in hospital and a summer away from home, and you can imagine what it was like. If it hadn't been for Dave, the house would most probably have resembled a bomb site.
It was frustrating and I felt like I wasn't really achieving anything, and I felt I wasn't fulfilling the role I was meant to. And so I ended up being grumpy, and feeling guilty, and then feeling guilty about being grumpy...
And so evolved my cleaning day.
Hello Blitz-the-house Monday!
On Mondays, I put Heidi down for a nap at 9am (as usual), and then its all systems go... I strip down the beds, stick a wash on, clean the bathroom while Heidi's settling and then I dust and hoover upstairs while Heidi's in her initial deep sleep. That way the hoover doesn't disturb her. After that, Ava and I head downstairs and I have a good hour left of Heidi's nap to get the rest done. Whatever doesn't happen on a Monday, doesn't happen. I found that hard at first, but I'm learning that I need to be realistic, and actually, in a weird way, knowing its my one opportunity keeps me motivated and makes me get on with it. I can't put it off til "tomorrow".
The thing is, I'm holding it all loosely, because I've no doubt it will all change again when our circumstances change. Right now, it works for us, and the extra incentive of a cup of tea at 11am (or lunch if we're running a bit behind with getting everything done in time!) with my lovely friend Anna post cleaning morning helps me have a target to work to too!
I don't have this sussed. The down side is, I no longer really get to do the "deep clean" stuff - you know, the proper clearing out drawers and cupboards, cleaning out the oven, descaling things etc etc, but you know what? That's OK for now. I just need to find other opportunities to do those things and they aren't going to get done as regularly as they used to. Keeping our home clean and safe, with clean clothes and food on the table is the main thing. And ultimately, my priority is not having a show-home house that could be part of the Ideal Home Show. Its providing a home for our family.
So today, while you're reading this, I'm probably flying round the house with a duster in hand while Ava creates chaos behind me!
What do you do to keep on top of your cleaning? Do you have a system? Have you found there are "seasons" in life where you have to let some things go? How do you stop becoming too "house-proud"? I'd love to know your thoughts!
Friday 18 October 2013
A love-hate relationship...
I am currently having a love-hate relationship with a certain Sunday night ITV drama...
Poor Anna!
I LOVE Downton; along with "Call the Midwife", its the biggest highlight of my television-watching year (admittedly I watch very little, but that's beside the point)
I love the characters, the costumes, the witty comments from the Dowager Countess, the dry sarcasm of Lady Mary, the beautiful Downton grounds, the highs and lows of the servants quarters. But you know what? Lately I feel like there's a bit too much drama at Downton...
I mean, really? Must they destroy the lives of every single character???
I feel so sad for her and even though I know its only a TV show, its put a real dampener on my enthusiasm for this show. I'm only glad that's all it is - a drama!
Bring back "Call the Midwife" - at least there are some happy endings in the real life stories!
Have any of you been hooked by this series? What are your thoughts on over-dramatising drama?!
Thursday 17 October 2013
An Autumn Disaster! Savouring the Season Linky party 5!
We have been up to all sorts of autumny bits and bobs this week! I raided my old Kindergarten resources and unearthed this cute interactive harvest story. We had great fun with our rabbit and mouse puppets, and Ava enjoyed helping them find all the harvest goodies dotted around the lounge!
We then played a describing game; this is something Ava's just getting the hang of, so I gave her opposites to choose from (eg is it hard/soft? hot/cold? long/short? round/pointy?) We had a lot of fun!
We learnt how the little dormouse gathered up all his autumn treats, ready for hibernation!
Finally we played "Kimspiel"... You know, the game where you have some objects under a cover and you take one away and she has to remember...?
Well it was useless! Every time I took something away, she said the banana was missing. I think she was trying to be funny as Mama got increasingly red-face frustrated (cue steam coming out of ears!) There was no banana in the first place! Grrr...!
Finally, when I boiled it down to just four objects she managed it. Ha! A case of aiming too high, methinks!!
So things were already going a little pear-shaped when I decided I'd rustle up a gorgeous post bout some apple and cinnamon muffins. I didn't have a recipe, so just decided I'd adapt a banana and cinnamon muffin recipe. It all looked so beautiful...
... Until I got them out of the oven and took a bite!
Yuck!
Beautiful on the outside, but apple gloop on the inside!
Needless to say, I wont be sharing that recipe! They made for pretty photos though!
So link up your autumn posts, grab a button below, and go share some comment love!
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Wednesday 16 October 2013
History repeating itself...
My Dad always used to say he could tell when my Mum was going through a tough patch with one of us kids... The parenting books would reappear on her bedside table and she'd be scouring the pages of "Dare to Discipline" or "The Strong-willed child" or "Raising boys", or anything by Dr.James Dobson for that matter, for any advice she could grab.
I think history is repeating itself...
These past couple of weeks, Ava has been throwing some pretty typical toddler behaviour at me. No surprises there. She is learning to discern her own opinions about things and pulling no punches on making everyone clear on the matter. She is a delight and a joy the majority of the time, but she is also learning she has the ability to disobey, ignore and answer back.
Oh boy.
I flit, in these moments, between feeling perfectly in control, and feeling utterly out of control. This parenting thing is BIG. Like, really big. It only takes a second of dwelling on the fact that you are shaping little lives to realise that.
How do you stop feeling overwhelmed by the task? How do you make time to ponder on your reactions and judgements and realise there are times when you have handled a situation well, and times where you've flipped your lid and reacted totally improportionately to the issue?
This is all stuff I'm learning.
And I'm learning its grace. I will get this parenting thing wrong at times, and that's OK. Because there's a heavenly Father involved in these kids lives who has them in his hands, and no good or bad parenting on my part will affect the fact that He has the final say. But I want to do it as right as I can, and thats why I'm so grateful for books that I can fill up my bedside table with, just like my Mum did a couple of decades ago.
I have pretty much been devouring this book and reaping every shred of wisdom I can from it...
I'm not finished but it is fabulous. It hits the nail on the head with the responses I've been having to Ava that haven't sat comfortably with me, and its been SO helpful in navigating you through how you peel away the layers of naughty behaviour to get to the heart issues underneath. I'm loving it.
And I intend to start on these two next...
I'll keep you posted on the pearls of wisdom gained, but in the meantime...
Any top tips or great reads on parenting toddlers? Recommendations most welcome!
Oh boy.
I flit, in these moments, between feeling perfectly in control, and feeling utterly out of control. This parenting thing is BIG. Like, really big. It only takes a second of dwelling on the fact that you are shaping little lives to realise that.
How do you stop feeling overwhelmed by the task? How do you make time to ponder on your reactions and judgements and realise there are times when you have handled a situation well, and times where you've flipped your lid and reacted totally improportionately to the issue?
This is all stuff I'm learning.
And I'm learning its grace. I will get this parenting thing wrong at times, and that's OK. Because there's a heavenly Father involved in these kids lives who has them in his hands, and no good or bad parenting on my part will affect the fact that He has the final say. But I want to do it as right as I can, and thats why I'm so grateful for books that I can fill up my bedside table with, just like my Mum did a couple of decades ago.
I have pretty much been devouring this book and reaping every shred of wisdom I can from it...
I'm not finished but it is fabulous. It hits the nail on the head with the responses I've been having to Ava that haven't sat comfortably with me, and its been SO helpful in navigating you through how you peel away the layers of naughty behaviour to get to the heart issues underneath. I'm loving it.
And I intend to start on these two next...
Any top tips or great reads on parenting toddlers? Recommendations most welcome!
Tuesday 15 October 2013
The tale of three girls...
There was once a tale of three girls...
One of them didn't want to sleep - at nap time she sat in her bedroom and climbed onto the window sill to watch the world go by, she read and sang and played and cried wolf a thousand times that she needed the toilet (which she didn't)... and made her Mama tired with all the running up and down the stairs. She was the-girl-who-didn't-want-to-sleep.
The second little girl loved her sleep. She would sleep all day if she could. Anywhere was fine. Just as long as she got a little shut-eye at any opportunity. Of course, pink bunny generally had to be to hand. She slept through all the noise that the-girl-who-didn't-want-to-sleep made most of the time. Her Mama was thankful for that. But sometimes she would get woken. And then she would be grumpy. And fall asleep in other random places. Like her Jumperoo. That was the-girl-who-loved-her-sleep.
The third girl wished she could sleep. She had so much to do she went to bed very late, and the-girl-who-didn't-want-to-sleep didn't let her get any rest during the day, so she kept on her cycle of going to bed late and getting up early and getting no rest in the middle. That was the-girl-who-wished-she-could-sleep.
And so they ended up three grumpy girls. Oh dear.
The moral of the story?
Get good sleep.
I think Heidi's got it sussed. I'm making it official. Bed time this week: 10.30pm. If I put it on here, I've got to stick to it... right?!
PS - apologies for the very bad quality of photos... they were taken by a rather tired me on my phone!
One of them didn't want to sleep - at nap time she sat in her bedroom and climbed onto the window sill to watch the world go by, she read and sang and played and cried wolf a thousand times that she needed the toilet (which she didn't)... and made her Mama tired with all the running up and down the stairs. She was the-girl-who-didn't-want-to-sleep.
The second little girl loved her sleep. She would sleep all day if she could. Anywhere was fine. Just as long as she got a little shut-eye at any opportunity. Of course, pink bunny generally had to be to hand. She slept through all the noise that the-girl-who-didn't-want-to-sleep made most of the time. Her Mama was thankful for that. But sometimes she would get woken. And then she would be grumpy. And fall asleep in other random places. Like her Jumperoo. That was the-girl-who-loved-her-sleep.
The third girl wished she could sleep. She had so much to do she went to bed very late, and the-girl-who-didn't-want-to-sleep didn't let her get any rest during the day, so she kept on her cycle of going to bed late and getting up early and getting no rest in the middle. That was the-girl-who-wished-she-could-sleep.
And so they ended up three grumpy girls. Oh dear.
The moral of the story?
Get good sleep.
I think Heidi's got it sussed. I'm making it official. Bed time this week: 10.30pm. If I put it on here, I've got to stick to it... right?!
PS - apologies for the very bad quality of photos... they were taken by a rather tired me on my phone!
Monday 14 October 2013
Coming to terms with the battle scars...
I have written and re-written this post. I've typed and deleted, re-typed and edited. I've ummed and aahed, I've nearly deleted the whole thing and then changed my mind. I've showed it and asked opinions and then changed it again.
Why?
Because in so many ways my head is still a bit fuzzy on this issue, and I want to get it right when I write about it. I want to get it right because its big to me, its a battle I've been fighting, and still am in many ways, and because it'll be something many of you can resonate with. But I think its an area we can respond wrongly to, and I have responded wrongly too, and.... I'll just start, shall I?
Something bothered me last week; it was this...
I saw it on Facebook. At first, I had a little chuckle to myself because OH BOY do I know this issue! Two babies in 18 months has just about done as much damage to my body as its possible to do... I've had it all... and I've shed that tear.
Yet still it bothered me.
Pre-babies, I was never one to be hugely concerned with my self-image. I've generally always been pretty content with the way I looked... I never had an issue keeping the weight off; I could pretty much eat like a horse and it did very little damage. I had the usual girly wish-list - you know, "I wish my nose was a bit smaller" and "I wish my legs were skinnier" but in reality I was pretty content.
And then I had babies.
Two babies in a short space of time have taken their toll. I'm not gonna lie. Post-Heidi I've had to have physio to recover my "shot to pieces" (in the words of one midwife) stomach muscles and in all honesty, I will never look the same again. Yes, it knocks your confidence. Yes, you wonder if you're still beautiful to the Father of your children. Yes those insecure thoughts rear their ugly head from time to time... and yes, if I'm honest, I have shed tears about it.
But when I really stop and think, I'm so grateful for every single imperfection now. That last girl in the picture above should not be crying...
The stretched skin, the slight overhang, the realisation you are going to need a new wardrobe? They are the battle scars, the war wounds of our babies being carried and delivered. We have beautiful babies to show for it. The honour of motherhood. So many would long for the stretch marks and the little pot belly... so many would long to be fighting hard to lose their baby weight... so many would long to be asking the questions we're asking.
I could spend my time wishing I looked the way I used to. Wishing I could wear the clothes that I used to, wishing I could change in the swimming pool changing room without fearing a pitying look.
But do you know what? The way I look tells the story of our children. The wonder of what a body can do. The skin that used to be taught and firm now loose and stretched carried my darling girls. It is a wonder. It is a miracle. It is a God-ordained beautiful thing.
The scars and imperfections are beautiful because they proclaim the wonder of the human body and point to the incredible detail of the Creator God who designed it.
When we're feeling low about the way we look; if we're feeling insecure, fed up, sad about the state of our bodies post babies... lets remember the reason that we look the way we do. The scars are an honour. They remind us of the gifts we have. However much we sometimes think we'd love to look the way we used to, lets be honest... we wouldn't change it for the world.
I just wanted to share another post too... if this is something you are struggling with too, THIS post has really helped me...
Why?
Because in so many ways my head is still a bit fuzzy on this issue, and I want to get it right when I write about it. I want to get it right because its big to me, its a battle I've been fighting, and still am in many ways, and because it'll be something many of you can resonate with. But I think its an area we can respond wrongly to, and I have responded wrongly too, and.... I'll just start, shall I?
Something bothered me last week; it was this...
I saw it on Facebook. At first, I had a little chuckle to myself because OH BOY do I know this issue! Two babies in 18 months has just about done as much damage to my body as its possible to do... I've had it all... and I've shed that tear.
Yet still it bothered me.
Pre-babies, I was never one to be hugely concerned with my self-image. I've generally always been pretty content with the way I looked... I never had an issue keeping the weight off; I could pretty much eat like a horse and it did very little damage. I had the usual girly wish-list - you know, "I wish my nose was a bit smaller" and "I wish my legs were skinnier" but in reality I was pretty content.
And then I had babies.
Two babies in a short space of time have taken their toll. I'm not gonna lie. Post-Heidi I've had to have physio to recover my "shot to pieces" (in the words of one midwife) stomach muscles and in all honesty, I will never look the same again. Yes, it knocks your confidence. Yes, you wonder if you're still beautiful to the Father of your children. Yes those insecure thoughts rear their ugly head from time to time... and yes, if I'm honest, I have shed tears about it.
But when I really stop and think, I'm so grateful for every single imperfection now. That last girl in the picture above should not be crying...
The stretched skin, the slight overhang, the realisation you are going to need a new wardrobe? They are the battle scars, the war wounds of our babies being carried and delivered. We have beautiful babies to show for it. The honour of motherhood. So many would long for the stretch marks and the little pot belly... so many would long to be fighting hard to lose their baby weight... so many would long to be asking the questions we're asking.
I could spend my time wishing I looked the way I used to. Wishing I could wear the clothes that I used to, wishing I could change in the swimming pool changing room without fearing a pitying look.
But do you know what? The way I look tells the story of our children. The wonder of what a body can do. The skin that used to be taught and firm now loose and stretched carried my darling girls. It is a wonder. It is a miracle. It is a God-ordained beautiful thing.
The scars and imperfections are beautiful because they proclaim the wonder of the human body and point to the incredible detail of the Creator God who designed it.
When we're feeling low about the way we look; if we're feeling insecure, fed up, sad about the state of our bodies post babies... lets remember the reason that we look the way we do. The scars are an honour. They remind us of the gifts we have. However much we sometimes think we'd love to look the way we used to, lets be honest... we wouldn't change it for the world.
I just wanted to share another post too... if this is something you are struggling with too, THIS post has really helped me...
Friday 11 October 2013
Pumpkin and Chocolate Chip Muffins... YUM!
OK, so I told you all about my ginormous 7kg pumpkin... the question was what to do with it?!
Tuesday evening I decided to have a go at an online recipe I found for Pumpkin and chocolate chip muffins, only I didn't have all the ingredients, so I had to give it a little spin of my own...
Anyway, they've been a roaring success (I've now made 48 in the last 48 hours and we only have about 8 left... I hasten to add they haven't all been eaten by us!!) so I thought I'd share the pumpkin love and let you all in on an autumnal treat that is sure to go down well!
Enjoy!
Tuesday evening I decided to have a go at an online recipe I found for Pumpkin and chocolate chip muffins, only I didn't have all the ingredients, so I had to give it a little spin of my own...
Enjoy!
Happy weekend everyone!
Thursday 10 October 2013
A Trip to the Pumpkin Patch: Savouring the Season Linky Party 4!
We are well and truly into autumn now. On Tuesday, my friend Emelie and I packed the kids into the car and headed to the local pumpkin patch. This was a first time for me... something I've always wanted to do, but only ever seen in the movies!
Let me say this. It will now be a yearly tradition.
It was A-MA-ZING!
There we were, decked out in our coats and hats and gloves, and the sun was beaming down on us! The whole patch was a speckled field of green and orange. Initially all we saw was the pumpkins, but then as we kept walking we discovered more; every kind of squash you could think of - golden, red, green, speckled, butternut...
The moment we pulled up, Ava was off exploring. By the time I turned around from getting Heidi into her buggy, Ava had scrambled throught the greenery and was over the other side of the patch. A wide open space calling little explorers!
I'd never been to a pumpkin patch before, so I didn't really know what to expect... but there were HUNDREDS of them. And you don't need to pick them. They just seem to disconnect themselves when they're ripe, so you just gaze across, spot the pumpkin of your choice and go pick it up.
Like I said, amazing!
We picked out what we wanted; one ginormous 7 kilo pumpkin (!!), one large butternut squash (we are serious butternut squash eaters in our house!) and four little ones for decoration; one red kuri squash, two sugar pie pumpkins (one tiny!) and one acorn squash...
So if any of you have any fabulous pumpkin recipes? Wing them my way!!
And if you live anywhere near a Pick-Your-Own farm - please give it a visit! Its wonderful to have fresh produce, and a brilliant trip out for the kiddos!
For now... please share your autumnal activities in the linky below! Anything autumn related is welcome! Once you've linked up, why not mosey on over to some other posts and leave some comment love!
Happy Autumn!
Let me say this. It will now be a yearly tradition.
It was A-MA-ZING!
There we were, decked out in our coats and hats and gloves, and the sun was beaming down on us! The whole patch was a speckled field of green and orange. Initially all we saw was the pumpkins, but then as we kept walking we discovered more; every kind of squash you could think of - golden, red, green, speckled, butternut...
The moment we pulled up, Ava was off exploring. By the time I turned around from getting Heidi into her buggy, Ava had scrambled throught the greenery and was over the other side of the patch. A wide open space calling little explorers!
I'd never been to a pumpkin patch before, so I didn't really know what to expect... but there were HUNDREDS of them. And you don't need to pick them. They just seem to disconnect themselves when they're ripe, so you just gaze across, spot the pumpkin of your choice and go pick it up.
Like I said, amazing!
We picked out what we wanted; one ginormous 7 kilo pumpkin (!!), one large butternut squash (we are serious butternut squash eaters in our house!) and four little ones for decoration; one red kuri squash, two sugar pie pumpkins (one tiny!) and one acorn squash...
I got home and chopped up the giant one... it gave me 4 kilos of actual pumpkin (once it had been skinned and deseeded... now the only question left is what to do with it??
And if you live anywhere near a Pick-Your-Own farm - please give it a visit! Its wonderful to have fresh produce, and a brilliant trip out for the kiddos!
For now... please share your autumnal activities in the linky below! Anything autumn related is welcome! Once you've linked up, why not mosey on over to some other posts and leave some comment love!
Happy Autumn!
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