EASTER BAGS '18

I wasn't aware Easter bags/baskets or Christmas eve ones for that matter were a thing, Until I joined the blogging world a couple of years ago and I just loved the idea,

Some people are all for them others aren't to keen.

I'm on team keen and it's since become a tradition in our house to have one for Easter, Halloween and Christmas, this year I wasn't actually going to put one together until Doo's asked if they'd be getting a bag/basket this year, shes become pretty fond of waking up to one and how could I disappoint? it helped my itchy palms too! 

I'm a sucker for some tat! because if we're honest these bags tend to be full of things you only throw away in months to come or you kick it around the house because it doesn't quite have a place.

Although I plan on getting a storage box for Easter related items for things that can be whipped out year after year and any Easter bargains I manage to grab for future baskets.

Nothing in the girls bags cost me anymore than £2, £3 at the absolute maximum. 

 I hunt for bag fillers in the god send that is Poundland, Homebargains, B&M and Poundworld each one has great little fillings such as activity books, teddys, skipping ropes, colour changing cuties, head boppers/bands, Novelty pens etc.

This year I had an extra little bag to make up for little L, She's only 8 months this Easter so won't really understand to much about whats going on and definitely won't be needing much chocolate but I couldn't leave her out and TheWorks, Poundworld and Poundland made that pretty easy to do so!

Some items I grabbed have the usual 0-3 with the sad face on but are all things I plan to entertain her with myself like the collapsing bunny and if she does get her hands on it, it will be under very close supervision. 

L loves a book and each of the books I grabbed are perfect one with a little finger puppet and one 'lift the flap' book with different kinds of animals that come from eggs. 

FORRERO ROCHER WREATH | D.I.Y GIFT

Instead of going for the usual biggest box of Ferrero Rocher we could find for my mother in-law last Christmas, I decided to mix things up a bit and make a wreath of them instead.
So I ordered my polystyrene wreath from Hobbycraft along with a glue gun, Picked what colour tissue paper I was going to use and stocked up on Forrero Rocher in Asdas 3 for £1O offer.
I totally under estimated just how many boxes I'd need to cover the wreath ring I'd purchased and ended up using 81 Ferrero Rochers altogether.

You'll need

Polystyrene wreath ring in desired size and shape - Hobbycraft

Ferero Rocher or  chocolate/sweets of your choice - 3 for £10 Asda

Glue gun

PVA glue 

Tissue paper

Using PVA glue I covered my wreath ring with my chosen colour of tissue paper which was a nightmare in itself but the further around the ring I got I worked out how best to do it, While the wreath ring dried I cut tissue paper into squares for the Ferrero Rochers to be put in around the wreath to give the wreath a fuller look.

Squares cut and glue gun at the ready, I started by gluing on my bow so I didn't add any unnecessary ones, then began adding the Ferrero Rocher's to my wreath starting with the top, then into the centre and again to the outer edge making sure my Forrero Rochers were sat closely together, this is something I also got the hang of the more I added. 

I ended up squashing my bow a little to much but  it was all a learning curve for any future ones I make, You can make these kinds of wreaths with all kinds of chocolates Heroes, Celebrtions, Lindtt etc.
I was going to make my mum a Lindtt one but very quickly ran out of time, maybe next year.
They make giving chocolate during the festive season that little bit different!

LITTLE L'S BIRTH STORY

Well I totally failed at documenting my pregnancy here on my blog didn't I!

This post has been written up for months just sitting in my drafts section and with little L now being almost 8 months I think it's time I hit that publish button.

16th July 

With both girls being late I was so sure this little lady would be no different, I was even trying to book cinema tickets for me and the girls as one last little mummy and us date before there was three of them but there was no viewings available for that Friday (It was a sign.) With a week to go my bag was packed but I'd only just hit panic stations of where and what the girls would be doing when the time comes, So I began writing up a list and contacting those I trusted to have them and worked out who could do what times and what days depending on this little ladies plans.

With still a week to go I didn't stress a major amount so that list was left unfinished to contact more people and finalise in the week.

17th July

I woke up feeling odd but had done many times in the previous weeks so started to run myself a bath before heading into the girls room to get them up and ready for school. 

Daisie was distraught when it came to leaving for school and was stuck to me like glue she had to be peeled off me once she had finally calmed down, I'm 100% sure she knew something I didn't now! 

Discomfort came and went many times through out the day but nothing painful so I put it down to braxton hicks and got on with my day as normal, Andy was popping in and out the house all day running all kinds of Andy errands appearing every so often for reassurance that I was okay after spotting me swaying side to side to see the discomfort through.

Each time I assured him all was fine and to get on with his day while I ripped the girls bedroom apart before the school holidays began.

4pm

My discomfort started to become a bit more painful and needed a little more focusing to get through, So I decided to try and get some sleep while I had the chance to and downloaded a contraction timer so I can time just how long the discomfort was lasting. The girls returned home with Andy they came and told me all about their day and again I assured Andy I was fine and had started timing things but was still sure there was nothing to it. I was pretty sure they were coming every 10-20 minutes so really wasn't panicking in the slightest after a few pains with a 6 minute rest time between them and Andy popping in to check on me I decided it was time I rang the hospital just to get their opinion on things. 

As expected try a bath, have paracetamol and just see how I get on, I rang my mum to give her the heads up I may need her to watch the girls for me while I go and get checked over. 

After speaking to the hospital the discomfort had become a lot more painful and took A LOT more focusing and breathing through and were only 2-3 minutes apart. 

Mum arrived and I got Andy to ring again because there was just no way I could stay at home any longer not knowing if this was even labour or not, Crazy huh 3rd baby and still I wasn't sure this was even it!

Andy rang my brother to ask if he would mind dropping us off to the hospital, he was on his way home from work and had a few errands to run but would be with us asap.

Doo's attempted to distract me with a game of snap but the pains were just to close together and more intense for me to follow, I told Andy I didn't think we had time to wait for my brother and we needed to find alternative arrangements.

So Andy knocked our neighbour to see if she would mind being our saviour and take me in while he followed on his bike, The poor woman had just got out the bath with a hair turban perfectly placed but would be with us as soon as she was dressed. 

I gave the girls a kiss goodbye and assured them I'll be home soon and said bye to my mum, Off we headed still not 100% this was actually it because why would it be, I still had a week to go until I was due! 

6:3Opm

We arrived at the hospital, after ringing the buzzer for the wrong section we made it to where we needed to be. Seriously I know they have to ask these things but I'm doubled over in pain does it really look like I can answer your questions? but yes as soon as I can stand up right, I'll whip you up a fresh urine sample! 

Urine sample done I was taken to be checked over, introductions with the midwife that would be looking after us done, waiting out a 'braxton hicks' I really didn't think I'd be comfortable laying down until I climbed onto the bed OMG it was like laying on marshmallows, Observations done I was 4cm dilated and wouldn't be going anywhere. 

I'd set my heart on a water birth over on the birthing centre this time round but became anaemic in the last couple of weeks and taking folic acid I'd also been doing whatever else I could to get to a safe stage for delivering in water, My midwife took my bloods to check if I was able to head over to the birthing centre and have my water birth. 

In the end I was so comfy I didn't even make it into my nightie despite requesting Andy get it out of my bag once I knew I was staying put and it being above my head, I was to spaced out on gas and air AMAZING stuff that! 

Pressure building I tried my hardest not to let go entirely because I really needed to pass wind, here it comes again and I can't hold it que the ever so lady like wind passing (all glam this labour stuff) 

Which of course gave the midwife the heads up that I was getting pressure *face palm* 

Midwife advising I go with it if I have the urge to push unlike my previous labours when I was told not to (seriously if your a mother yourself you know there is no way in hell you can stop pushing because it isn't you!!)

Baffled because my waters hadn't gone yet like they already had when this time came around with the girls, She assured me to just push and they would go eventually, a couple of pushes and there went my waters with the famous pop I told Andy all about (he missed Daisies birth by 14 minutes after being there all day) 

So this was quite something for Andy to experience for the first time

A couple more pushes and our little lady followed....

7:43pm

Our beautiful little bundle had arrived

A perfect 5lb 12oz and BLONDE!

she was born before my blood results made it back to us, I was able to have my water birth but this little lady wasn't hanging around.

To this very day it amazes me we have a little Blondie, Now I'm a Blondie myself but through out my pregnancy I was sure she would be dark like Doo's, I even bought a certain outfit to go with her dark hair but here she is our little blonde and blue eyed little lady.

DEAR TEACHER

Dear teacher, 

I wonder if you know just what I'd give to spend the hours with my child that you do?

What I would give to not have to send them into school but to hold them tight all day instead?

That you get some of the best years of my babies? 

I wonder if you know why I hang around the door until I can't see her or know she is fully happy in her environment?

I know you see it every day, mums that can't seem to cut the 'apron strings' she's just another child to teach to you but that's my baby there, my baby that grows that little bit more before I get to see her again, that comes home with a new story to tell and so many new facts she learnt that day.

I wonder if you recognise the little look in my Daisie's eyes when everything's getting to much?

I wonder if you know that when she has that look  she needs to be away from the world or pulled into the tightest embrace you could possibly give her?

I wonder if you know the anxiety building up in her little tummy that even I can't take away or sooth?

I wonder if you know and cherish just how much Issy loves to have you as her teacher?

I wonder if you know my Issy and appreciate her little ways?

I wonder if you know just how much that little face you see among the sea of pupils you teach means to me?

I wonder if you know my little Daisie has her heart set on becoming a teacher too when she's older, An art teacher in a secondary school to be exact.

Dear teacher,

Thank you for having so much patience with my little person along with a sea of others as she finds her feet in a world that's oh so new to her, I know it can't be easy.

Thank you for teaching her so many new and wonderful facts.

Thank you for keeping my baby safe in the hours that you have her.

Thank you for making her days so full of joy that she's been known to be sad its the weekend and she has two days off.

Thank you for helping me shape such lovely little girls with all that you teach them.

X

SCHUH IMPERFECTIONS RANGE | BARGAIN BUYS

It's no secret I LOVE a bargain, who doesn't?

I'd been after some all white converse for myself for what felt like forever but could never justify spending that much on myself THEN I stumbled across the SCHUH imperfections range section on the website and managed to bag myself a pair for purse friendly £28!! 

*insert heart eye emoji*

I hear you, something had to be wrong with them? Imperfection says it all BUT they had the smallest mark on the inside of the right shoe at the very back (photo below) where I'm more than likely to make worse when I'm being lazy and using my other foot to hold the shoe while taking them off anyway.

Sounds risky doesn't it? buying from an imperfections section but SCHUH have you covered, a photo is included so you can see exactly whats wrong with the shoes you're buying, In my case I couldn't see any issues with the two purchases I've made in the photos listed and it's been the same when they arrived.

There is the odd pair that have some very obvious imperfections but I've been extremely lucky to find two pairs of shoes with barely noticeable imperfections, without a great deal of hunting. 

Issy was in desperate need of some new shoes so I returned to the trusty SCHUH website and checked out the 'Imperfections Range' and managed to bag her some Nike Roshe One's for an amazing £5.99!!!

It wasn't until the second time of having them out of the box to get a photo for Instagram that I even spotted any slight imperfections, I've tested people I've told about my bargain and asked them to find the imperfection on them and no one has until I've pointed them out. 

Now white shoes in any other case would be a hell no but for £5.99 the girl can go wild and I won't be left twitching in the corner about how she's destroyed a brand  named pair of trainers that cost me a fortune.

Could this actually get any better? Not only are there some great bargains to be had but you can also share a code with friends via email, Facebook, Instagram and the old fashioned way of telling them as part of their refer a friend scheme which gets you 15% off your next purchase and your friend 15% off their first purchase! 

*The 15% off can only be used on full priced items.

D.I.Y PHOTO BOOTH

Issy turned 1O in January (How the fudge did that happen? I'm a mother to a TEN year old!!) and for the past year has said she would like a 'selfie party' this girl does loves a selfie!

What's better than a photo booth for a bit of photo fun?

What with making birthday celebrations a little more purse friendly her 'Selfie party' consisted of a chosen friend from school, pizza and a good old fashioned sleepover along with a trip to Gravity for the day, My house isn't quite big enough to actually hire a photo booth.

So while she was at school me and Andy put together a little home made photo booth complete with inflatable props and silly glasses. In total the 'booth' cost us a grand total of £22.18.

I purchased the inflatables, stars and Happy Birthday dangleys from eBay, the black back drop is just a black fitted sheet from Asda and the basket of glasses,pom poms and selfie emoji props on sticks are all from Poundland.

Things You'll Need

- Double/King size Sheet 

- Staple gun

- Props

- Chosen dangleys

You could easily create your own photo booth with a chosen theme eBay, Amazon,Party Pieces and those party shops randomly placed in some high streets are great for accessories for this kind of thing, I was hoping to get some wigs in too along with the other props but struggled to find some purse friendly ones considering they were very likely to end in the bin after months of moving them from place to place anyway but I know they're out there, I've seen them so they'll be something I'll be grabbing as I see them through out the year for any future photo booths we do. 

MUM OF 3 AND ME - MUM GUILT

It's no secret every mother suffers with mum guilt, What I didn't know is that guilt grows with each child you have.

Have I paid enough attention to each of them? Do they all know just how much I love them? Do they know I have no favourites and love each of them equally? Do I expect to much from 'I' because she's the older one?
Something that doesn't help the mum guilt is the growth of just how much we use social media now days, every little thing we do is documented for the world to see.

I'm a huge Instagram lover, I love that little insight into peoples lives even if it does make me feel like I live like a pig because every flat surface in my house is piled with crap, I don't have crisp white walls and bedding with a succulent on my bed side, I have washing piles that could give Dot and her launderette a run for her money.
As they say comparison is the thief of joy....

I'm well aware much of my mum guilt are things I've come up with myself and am convinced that's also how the world see it.

A few examples...

- I feel the need to add a disclaimer to my photos of 'I' and her really highly worn leggings because that's how she likes them and not that they don't fit in fear that other's may think I favour my other two girls and don't bother with or buy clothes that fit.

- That the world is bound to think I favour either child because they appear in more photos than the other one, truth is 'I' is of an age were she will refuse to get in some photos like the one with Santa this year and Doo's spends majority or her time in her nick nocks and I won't post photos of her undressed on social media or there's a pile of crap in the background and I fear being judged.

- I haven't cuddled 'I' as much as I do the younger two, when in truth it's because shes older now and doesn't want to do the cuddly thing.

- Even down to the way I dealt with things differently between them all, when really it's because each of them have taught me and helped me grow as a mother.