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Enjoying December
We’ve been enjoying the work up to Christmas. It’s like a holiday: the month takes forever to show up, and then when it does, I’m never ready. Today we went shopping and saw all the festive treats, wrapping paper, gifts, and it made it all so real that I got freaked out. I’m sure a lot of moms feel this way: that we have to make it super special because this is our one chance to get this year right. Someone asked me why I was so pressured to take Jack places and to do Christmasy/Santa things when he was perfectly happy staying home. Because I feel like a lazy mom who doesn’t do fun things. I guess it’s social media pressure. I’m trying to just enjoy it as it is and look forward to the time when we’re not rushing around to work and the nursery.
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Entertaining your toddler on rainy days
Today was one of those days where I was just too tired to do much. Yesterday, I treated myself to a Nando’s lunch and the Barbie movie. (Am I the only one who cried a lot after seeing that? I think I had my own existential crisis alongside Barbie.) This morning it was all systems go with the dog needing to go to the groomer’s first thing, then Jack and I got to the movies in time to get snacks. However, we were there early and I think all those commercials are unnecessary for little kids’ movies. They just can’t sit for that long. By the time the trailers started, Jack was already antsy. He enjoyed Elemental and after a potty break, he wanted to go back to see more of it but we didn’t stay for the whole thing. We got towards the end but by that time we’d already been in the theatre for over two hours. After we got home, I had to get the dog from the groomers and eat lunch. Jack had knocked over my popcorn breakfast at the movies so I was fairly hungry and ready to call it a day. Needless to say I skipped his swim lessons and Slimming World this week. Saying that, the last time I didn’t heed my own indications that we should stay home, Jack was too tired to go swimming and I wasted time going to the pool. So when I feel like it, I stay home. If Jack wants to go out, fine, but if he wants to stay home where it’s dry to watch Boo Snoo and play with his Hot Wheels, that’s also extremely fine.
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Home sick in July 2023
Jack was sick today so I stayed home with him. He was super sleepy last night and even had a little lie down at nursery, then the sickness started around bedtime. Luckily, he slept but this morning it was much worse and we needed a nap in the afternoon. He’s eaten a bit so hopefully the worst is over.
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Summer weather in June 2023
The weather is still spectacular, so we took a trip to Corbridge and had a picnic at Aydon Castle. That was my first Saturday off in a while so it was nice to spend the day doing something fun. We went to soccer practice that morning and the next day back to swimming before the rain settled in for the afternoon. The rain cooled things off considerably, so Jack and I took a nap in the recliner. We’re now in bed and I hope he sleeps through the night. The heat woke us both up the night before, so here’s hoping the rain makes for better bedtimes.
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A trip to the farm on Father’s Day
Father’s Day was good fun. We visited Hill Hall farm for the afternoon. We missed the rain that started right as we got home. Jack fed some animals and loved the sandpit. Unfortunately, he took a tumble at the soft play area but the way the door to the picnic tables was designed, he can’t be the first to scrape his knees there. We missed the “fuzzy cows” as the farm took them into the field before they closed. Jack held a chick and saw the pigs take a wee (the highlight of his day). Earlier in the morning, Jack was star of the week at his swim class, so he’s doing exceptionally well. He will almost jump into the pool from a standing position on the side. Right now he wants to hold the teacher’s hand and semi-sit before plunking himself into the water.
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Father’s Day 2023
It’s Father’s Day and we have a good day planned. Steve got his cake and pizza last night and today we’re headed the farm to see the “fuzzy cows.” We’ve been keeping busy this week since the weather is nice. We go swimming, shopping, and even took a bus trip to town for Preschool Days at the Life Centre. I understand how much easier it is to keep kids busy but it is very tiring.
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Easter weekend 2023
This weekend is one that a lot of us have been looking forward to. I’ve been working on Saturdays a lot so to sit here in the living room and not feel pressured to go anywhere is great. Yesterday we went to Woodhorn and saw the Easter bunny for the first time. There was a nice playground and cafe on site, plus an art gallery, and replicas of coal miners’ houses to look through. The old machinery is there as well and you can see where “The Hole” was located. 888 feet below where these men worked is just staggering to imagine. All in all, it was a nice little outing and we had a nice Easter Friday there.
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All I ever say is that we’re sick and staying at home.
Guys, I just don’t even know anymore. I was going to do a whole post about having a “wild child” and empthy for moms who are looking at the calm, cool, collected moms and thinking, “why can’t I be like that?” But that’s worrying about what other people’s opinions and we’re adults who are beyond that now. Instead I can just reaffirm that pre-booking events is just not worth the time or money. There’s weather and sickness to consider and today it was both. I now have a cold and Jack’s conjunctivitis that Jack had last week. Before that, it was tummy bug sickness and not eating. I guess we’re just going to have to go to places that don’t need tickets or booked time slots. I always try to push through and ignore the pouring rain but when one of us is sick, we have to stick to home.
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Another Thursday where we stay at home and enjoy the lack of schedule. It’s warm-ish today which isn’t saying much. Jack is content playing outside with the dog at any temperature. I’m thankful that everyone is feeling better and the contentment of life can commence once again.
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Home is where the rest is
It’s very much a stay at home day. Last week Jack started with the tummy bug, then had a fever with a cough and cold. Steve had the same now, and I’ve been fighting the fever and chills for two days. I’ve had a cold since Christmas and was getting short of breath. The doctor told me that this was all viral, would leave my system, and as long as I was getting better the cough that we all have could last for four weeks. I’ve too tired to even walk around the house much today, so hanging out was definitely the best option. Now Jack and I are watching Disney Cars (again).
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Sick Day
Today has been yet another day to be home with a sick child. Jack started throwing up right as he got up this morning and has been doing the same since. He’s had sips of flavored water (squash) and a popsicle but he wanted to go back to bed to watch TV. This means the rest of the week will be us at home. If he feels better over the weekend maybe we can take a walk. I’m due to work on Saturday morning, so hopefully me and Steve won’t get this tummy bug.
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New Year’s Day 2023
Happy New Year! Things I want to do this year: Attend Slimming World meetings — I’m usually too busy to stay but I need to give myself that 30 minutes a week Exercise — Ideally I’ll get to the gym once a week at least but even a walk helps Eat healthy — This means sticking to my SW plan Read more — I’m usually too tired at night so I need to sneak time at lunch for books Plan! — Nothing entertains me more than a nice sit down with my planner Journal — I started a new bujo but I’m using it as just a brain dump of what’s going on that day
The reality of this is, of course, I’ll have to do these things around my toddler wrangling and that takes up 99.9% of my time unless I’m at work or he’s asleep. Jack still “peeps” and wakes up periodically throughout the night, so I’m still on call and can’t get stuck into anything as I’d like. But, again, usually I’m too tired to do anything more than sleep when the “baby” (he’s just turned 3!) sleeps.
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