This week has been super hectic, beyond hectic! But we haven’t stopped smiling and the children have been in seventh heaven. The weather has been gorgeous, we are blessed to have each other and life as a single parent is actually getting easier. Not that it was a major struggle before, but it’s hard raising children by yourself, you’re constantly over stretched, overtired and pushed to your limits living on half of the sleep that you need and half of the income of a two-parent family. Fortunately the summer holidays mean no more early starts for us after a restless night, and it makes such a difference to naturally wake up rather than have an alarm blaring in your ear.
The Children Loved Our Trip To Windsor Castle
I’ve been trying to gradually tempt Gabriele into his own bed as he’s approaching 28months of age, as for the past year he’s been sleeping in my bed since I became single parent because I honestly needed his hugs at night just as much as he needed me. He has always been a very restless sleeper, despite being in his cot, pitch black and perfectly silent. For seemingly no reason at all he wakes up screaming each night and as he had breathing problems as a baby it was thought that he might have night terrors. When breathing lightens during sleep, the bodies natural response is to give you a kick and wake you up so that you don’t stop breathing, so Gabriele wakes up scared, crying or screaming and although he’s not as bad as he once was, he still wakes up a couple of times each night and neither of us have slept through in years. He sleeps longer after using his inhaler and the doctor advised that he may grow out of it as he approaches five years of age, but for now it’s just one of those things. I hope that I can get him into his bed over the remainder of the summer holidays, but we’re taking things one step at a time right now. Gabriele comes first and I’m here for him with all of the love and patience in the world for when he is ready.
Our Visit To Buckingham Palace
We had the most lovely afternoon at Windsor Castle followed by another day in the week at Buckingham Palace and it is something that we shall cherish forever. I cannot even begin to put into words, nor do it the justice that it deserves, by explaining just how stunning and outerworldy the palace was. The children and I stood in the Throne Room adorned with striking gold and rich red drapery and wall coverings, in the exact same place as the royal family themselves. It is quite possibly the most famous landmark in Great Britain, the official residency of the Queen and guarded by thousands of foot soldiers and police. The pinnacle of our heritage, and there we were, wide eyed and speechless. It was such a humbling experience and we loved every second of it. To walk where such great people had walked before us, to take in the atmosphere, grandeur and timeless elegance of the worlds greatest artworks, furniture and sculptures was just wow. And I mean wow. Photography and phones aren’t permitted within the buildings so unfortunately I couldn’t take a picture of the beautiful sights that we saw. But they are engrained in my memory forever and I have some lovely shots of the children playing in the garden and having lunch, they didn’t stop smiling all day. It’s not often that you get to take your own little prince and princess to a royal palace.
I Accidentally Went On A Shopping Spree Whilst In London
What girl can visit London and not resist a spot of retail therapy on Oxford Street? No girl! That’s who! I’ve been trying to keep my sensible hat on and not go too crazy with shopping, as in this past year it’s safe to say that I’ve shopped for a lifetimes supply of clothes. For the past several years since becoming a mum I have literally lived in the same boring and mundane outfits of jeans and a vest, or jeans and a wooly jumper and it almost became my safety net. It was a timeless look that I could turn to each day, consistent, safe and sensible making me blend in with the crowd and it was a rut that I was well and truly stuck in. Mumsy-mum-anonymous. But since becoming a single parent it’s given me an entirely new lease of life and I’m able to see the world from a unique and alien perspective for the first time ever, my own. If I like a pair of shoes, bag or outfit then I buy it and think why not? I deserve it, I’ve been a good girl and I’m allowed to look and feel nice. Despite being a mother of two at the age of twenty six, I am still like any other twenty six year old, young enough to not yet be classed as mutton, yet old enough to pull off every trend so I intend of making the most of what I have before gravity sets in.
Millie Has Befriended A Little Caterpillar
It’s mind boggling to think that after such a busy week of visiting exciting and new places, playing with technology, and learning about venues steeped in history and heritage, that a little girl could become so fascinated with a tiny baby caterpillar she found in the garden. She spent absolutely hours walking it from leaf to leaf in her hand, talking to it and making sure that it was fed on pretty petals and leaves in the hope that it might live alongside her and one day hatch into a beautiful butterfly that she can befriend. How incredible it would be for Millie to hatch her own butterfly. It shows the priceless innocence of childhood, the imagination and unconditional love. In a day and age where television and tech rules the world, something as simple as Mother Nature can astoundingly pull everything into perspective. There is no greater joy than the gift of life, in whatever form, shape or size. Creation is beauty, and beauty is created from love.
My Blog Reached 300,000 Views This Week
I am super excited that my blog has reached over 300,000 views this week. As you can probably tell, I adore writing. It has been my love since I was a little girl and a few years ago I was speaking to a friend who knew the mother of a girl I used to go to primary school with, and I’d played at her house over twenty years ago. She asked me at the time what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I told her I’d like to be a writer. Fast forward two decades and my dreams have come true and it was so lovely to hear that she’d remembered from such a long time ago. It just goes to show that the hopes and dreams that you have as a child can become a reality, no matter how big or small they are. To think that so many people from across the world read and share my blog with me is incredible. At times when I’m writing I am in fits of laughter when the children have done something funny, I’ve been in tears over heartbreak and bad health, and empowered by the amazing people I have met and the feats that I have achieved and overcome. Regardless of what I write about, it all comes from my heart, I give my honest and somewhat quirky opinion and hope that I can inform and help others with my words. I am honoured to share it all with you, and I would like to thank you for being a part of my incredible journey. Here’s to you! Chin chin, I’ll toast the occasion with a nice glass of wine and some ginger nut biscuits.
My 28 Day Teatox Has Begun!
Finally, this week I’ve started a 28 day detox, or teatox as it’s known, whereby chinese herbal medicines are blended to help cleanse, revitalise and invigorate my body, flushing out toxins and aiding my digestion. My period is approaching and I feel like a manly bloated lump of lard right now. I want to slouch when I sit, I have dark circles under my eyes and my lower back has begun to ache as my stomach cramps build up. I am all for herbal remedies, extracts, leaves and natural cures, and the tea tastes beautiful. So far it has left me glowing and feeling more energetic and healthier in myself. As it aides in digestion it also helps with weightloss, so I’m hoping the several slices of my mothers birthday cake that I so merrily consumed at the start of this week will kindly bid my hips farewell by the end of my detox. And then I just need to figure out how to wire my jaw shut and/or blindfold and handcuff myself to a sturdy fixture far enough away from my fridge, whichever’s easiest really.
