Mini Me's

I vowed not to leave it a year before I blog again and I've done it.

Hurrah!

Life has been a bit hectic but between it all I have managed to

make mini me's.

First came a Daddy doll

(the resemblance to Daddy is uncanny)

Then a string of 40th birthdays prompted birthday mini me's

I'm particularly pleased with my sister-in-law below.

She has clothes just like that!

Most people seem to like being immortalised in wool.

Apart from my dear father who said

'don't bother knitting me something like that'

September so far

Baking :: Watching The Great British Bake Off ::

Ironing uniform :: School runs :: Coffee mornings ::

Applying for jobs (eek!) :: Steam cleaning bathroom

tiles (yaaaawn) :: Wiping runny noses :: Applying

Vicks liberally :: Watching Peppa Pig :: Buying more

Peppa Pig DVD's to save my sanity :: Making soup ::

Enjoying darker evenings and crisper air.

I love Autumn.

Oh poor me!

I often find myself wallowing in the dreariness that comes with being a woman at home. Feeling like I am the only person who has ever experienced the frustrations and exhaustion of mothering and general housework monotony. This is ridiculous I know, I just need to chat with my Mum, Sister, friends, heck, half the population to find echoes of these feelings and yet there are still times when I feel like it is only me struggling. It is always relieving to come across women I admire and find inspiring who admit to feeling the same sometimes!

I don't always feel like this, I hasten to add! I appreciate the small joys (and large) of being able to watch my children grow, but I do find the mental and physical demands (especially of a one year old) particularly draining.

On days like these I really have to remind myself to just focus on the small things like this beautiful flower peeking out from the weeds in the garden. Yes, the house may be a mess but there are lots of little bits of loveliness if I just realign my focus and keep telling myself

' This too shall pass'

Phew.

Well that's all the baking done

Now I just have to get through the rest of the summer!

Family visiting part 2 starts on Wednesday.

Off to recuperate from part 1.

See you later.

What fun!

The summer is flying by.

We have been visiting my Granny in beautiful Cellardyke.

Sometimes I wish Cornwall and Scotland weren't so bloomin far apart!

I have been baking more than knitting.

I have to produce a pirate cake and a mermaid cake

in the next month. I'm getting a little nervous!

Still, I'm rather pleased with the bookworm!

Pooh sticks and other shenanigans

The Easter holidays were very busy and full of fun.

A Hello Kitty cake pleased a certain five (5!) year old,

as did the Hello Kitty sunglasses!

Fun was had by all.

I'm still reeling!

Will blog more when my head's stopped spinning!

A change is as good as a rest....

We are back from our family holiday.

This was not a 'put your feet up' kinda holiday.

There was swimming everyday, and lots

of walking through the beautiful Longleat woodland.

Plus two small children who decided to wake at

5.30am EVERY DAY!

But we had a great time, and I certainly feel refreshed

and ready to Spring clean and face the world again.

We also visited Bristol zoo and saw this lovely fellow

(Mr R's favourite)

This very cute little fellow (my favorite!)

And lots of beautiful butterflies (Imogen's favourite)

It is just as well I have refreshed my spirits.

Spring is the season of many birthdays in my family.

In April my little girl will be 5... I'm not too worried about

her celebrations as her knew Hello Kitty obsession

makes for an easy theme and gift solution!

Just 6 short days after her my baby will be 1!

Where has the year gone?