Should I be concerned for the future?

I hate the thought of labeling one of my children as naughty or challenging but the truth is that one of them is just so much more spirited than the other two. I have to say I like feisty and I always prayed prior to having my children that I would not get boring and submissive children.  Of course now I'm regretting that, as an obedient child would be much easier, not half as much fun but definitely easier.

Don't get me wrong we are now past the stage where every day is an issue, in fact we can go weeks without her getting in trouble but she does just look for the ways to be minxy! Touching the things she should not touch, going against what you say, telling fibs, making up stories and dreaming of being so much older than she is. When will I let her have high heels, when can she get the bus into town with her friends? Have I mentioned she is not yet 6 years old.

If God was not on my side, I'd seriousness be worrying for the future. Take today for example - in the car on the way to pick Daddy up from the station she asked me what it means to be grounded. We talked about it and I ended by saying 'but you hopefully won't get grounded, as your behaviour will be good'. 'Oh OK Mummy' she says 'but I can't wait to be old enough for detention. Do you know what detention is Mummy?' 'Yes babe I know about detention you don't want that though, it is just for kids who are naughty at school'. 'No Mum, it is really fun, me and my friends are going to all go together and we can whisper and stuff'.

Oh dear, where do you go from that?

Phasing out the American pre-teen TV series I think!

Oh how I love this little madam, just look at her. My precious poppet.

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Reasons to be Cheerful is the best linky ever - fact!

That is quite a big claim - isn't it? But this isn't about me and how great I am, this is about YOU and how fabulous you are.

Two and a half years ago I created a linky, one that I knew I needed. It was to help me focus on what is great in life and to remind me to stop and be thankful for all the blessings God bestows on me.  Not content with doing this alone, I invited you all to join me and over the last 124 weeks so many of you have done that and that in itself makes me really grateful.

Reasons to be Cheerful is not one of the BIG linkys, I can't boast of ever having 150 or even 80 people linked up in one week.  If you join in, it won't give you 100's of page views or masses of comments. This linky was never meant to be one that people joined in with to boast their stats and get an easy win.  Oh no, this linky is not what I would call a 'blogging linky'.  #R2BC is about self-awareness and about you as a person, our blog is just the way we are expressing ourselves.

I suppose I ought to substantiate why I feel #R2BC is the best linky ever -

+   I know that one woman used it as a way to stay focused on the future and the positive in life when her husband was made redundant and had no job for quite some time

+   There's another lady who has continued to cite her reasons to be cheerful even when grieving from the loss of her father

+   Then there is the super strong lady who joined us when she was going through two (yes two) different types of cancer

+   Not forgetting the woman who has always had a downer on life, she recently emailed to tell me that #R2BC had changed her outlook on life and she now sees hope in each day

+   Just on this weeks post someone told me that #R2BC was a comfort blanket to them and they could come back to it when they needed it

I could go on, there are plenty more stories and so many people who keep coming back and joining in and that is why I'm so pleased to be here when they need my little linky.  At times I have wondered why I do this linky, it is a big comment to keep something going for such a long time but like with everything God has a plan and a reason and this week I really see it.

Not only has Reasons to be Cheerful helped me to see the good (or God) in things but it has helped so many of you too.....

Thanks for joining in.  Sorry if I sound a bit soppy, I am genuinely wiping a tear away as I type this. Thank to every one of you who has ever joined in with #R2BC, long may it continue.

Love this community!  Mich x

Image Credit

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Starting every day well - #R2BC, week 20 year 3

Welcome to this weeks edition of Reasons to be Cheerful

This weeks I am sharing a life lesson that I have learnt and then forgot and have to re-learn again.  Over and over I go through this, all part of my journey of faith. It annoys me that I forget things and can't seem to retain everything I need but thankfully I have a loving God who likes the fact I try and blesses me anyway.

I find that when I make time to pray first thing in the morning, everything else is kept in perspective and tends to fall in place during the day. This lesson makes all the difference to my attitude and helps me feel more grateful and cheerful.

Have you ever read this?

I got up early one morning, 

And rushed right into the day; 

I had so much to accomplish, 

I didn’t have time to pray. 

Troubles just tumbled about me, 

And heavier came each task. 

"Why doesn’t God help me?" I wondered. 

He answered, "You didn’t ask." 

I tried to come into God’s presence; 

I used all my keys at the lock. 

God gently and lovingly chided,

"Why, child, you didn’t knock." 

I wanted to see joy and beauty, 

But the day toiled on gray and bleak. 

I wondered why God didn’t show me. 

He said, "You didn’t seek." 

I woke up early this morning, 

And paused before entering the day. 

I had so much to accomplish 

That I had to take time to pray.

Source unknown

I love that, it makes so much sense to me.  Like much of life we rush about and expect to accomplish everything when actually sometimes we just need to stop doing and start being!

Who will write for BritMums for June and July?
Congratulations to Mama Syder, you were the lucky blogger chosen to write the Positively Inspirational round-up for BritMums for June and July.  I know you will do an excellent job as your whole attitude to life just seems so balanced and positive.  Thanks to all those who expressed an interest.

Blogger of the Week

This weeks featured #R2BC blogger is Becky from Lakes Single Mum. Becky was one of the first bloggers I met online and at the time she was going through some tough stuff. It has been wonderful to watch her move up north and then see her grow in confidence and happiness as she has established herself in a beautiful part of the country with her lovely kids. I looked back at past #R2BC linkies and discovered Becky first joined up in January 2011!  She is one of our founder members.

Come and join in.....
Why don't you join up with Reasons to be Cheerful this week? It is such a fabulous opportunity to stop and reflect on your life and to see the good in it. Have a read about what I believe and why #R2BC started, it has literally changed my life to have this weekly focus on what is good (or God) in life.  How easy is it to allow things to become doom and gloom?.

So if you want to join in, go for it.  We are a no rules kind of linky - you link up what you fancy (well as long as it is not just a blatant advert), a recipe, the simple things in life, photos, a story - whatever! Add in the blog hop code so people can travel around and then visit others and share the comment love.  But if you are not sure how to add in code or anything else, don't worry - just go for it and leave a link to your post in the comments and I'll link you up.

Have a great week, Mich x

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Review: Micro Scooter Speed V2

JJ was beyond himself with excitement a few weeks back when he received a new scooter from the premier scooter brand - Micro Scooters.  Last summer his sisters received the Maxi Micro scooters and he has been nicking them since and bugging me for a new one.  Then when his own scooter was stolen recently Micro Scooters came to the rescue and made my little boy very happy.

JJ is now the proud owner for the Micro Scooters Silver Speed V2 scooter, as seen below.

From the very first day it arrived, he unpacked it himself and set it up (which took no time at all once we knew what we were up to - see my short video at the bottom of this post) and headed out the front to have a scoot round the block.

I'll tell you what JJ likes about this scooter -

• It has a big footplate and this is important to a 9 year old with size 6.5 feet!
• The handles are really comfy to hold onto for long periods
• The footplate can spin 360 degrees
• It is a really smooth ride (it has a built in shock absorber system - clever, hey?)
• It goes super fast but not too fast that he feels out of control
• The break is very good and stops him even when going fast
• It looks really smart and all his friends want one too!
• It has a small stand, so it can remain upright rater than being slung on the floor and getting all scratched

In addition to the above I like -

• It folds down nice and small for transporting in the back of the car when we have a ton of luggage
• It is a really sturdy scooter which means I don't feel worried that my clumsy boy will break it!
• It even takes my weight (just look at the picture of Nanny riding it below)
• The handle goes nice and high so this scooter will last JJ a long time
• The delivery from Micro Scooters was out of this world. I was emailed and advised it had been shipped and then advised when it would be delivered and I literally got given a 1 hour time slot, it made life so easy.

Any considerations?

• We did find the scooter hard to open at first but once I knew how it is super easy, check out the video below. I think the instructions need to be improved.
• It is quite a heavy scooter, which I see as a plus but if you were carrying for long periods then a strap would probably be necessary.
• It's not the cheapest scooter on the market at £99.95 but it is built to last and having been the owner of mini micros for about 4 years I know they last well and I was able to give them to a friend who needed a couple of scooters.

The Silver Speed V2 retails for £99.95 and it is advertised as being suitable for 7 - 12 year olds.

JJ and I are really happy to recommend this scooter, it gets a 10/10 from us


Disclosure:  We received this scooter free of charge for the purposes of this review. I have not been instructed what to write and I remain honest. 

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10 Family Tickets for Nickelodeon’s Dora The Explorer LIVE! to be Won

Most parents of young children will be familiar with Dora the Explorer. From an early age my JJ was in love and we had this program on our TV quite a lot.  I never minded though as the program is so good at engaging little minds and helping them with their numbers, letters and Spanish. All my children have outgrown the Dora the Explorer stage now but I'm sure some of my readers still have little ones and thus I bring you a superb giveaway.

Direct from the West End, everyone’s favourite explorer is embarking on a live musical adventure across the UK and we are offering 10 lucky readers the chance to get their hands on an Explorer Family Ticket to see Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer LIVE! Search for the City of Lost Toys. Coming to a town near you, don’t miss Dora and her friends light up the stage in a two act musical song and dance spectacular! The prize is based on a family of four with a minimum of one adult and one child, and subject to availability. For tickets and info visit nickjr.co.uk/doralive. Booking fees may apply. The shows run until 19 August currently and there are loads of venues across the country so I'm sure you will be able to find somewhere to suit you.

To enter our giveaway, answer this question correctly:

Which city is Dora and her friends on a search for?

A)   Lost Boys

B)    Lost Toys

C)   Lost Jelly 

Best of luck!  Mich x

Terms and Conditions

• The giveaway will close 12 noon Monday 27th May 2013
• Winners will be selected at random from all correct entries 
• The winners will be announced on my blog and by twitter within 7 days of the giveaway close date.
• Each Winner receives a family ticket for 4 to see Nickelodeon’s Dora The Explorer Live! The City of Lost Toys at their nearest venue. 
• There must be a minimum of one adult and one child in the party and best available seats will be given. 
• Tickets to be collected at the box office with no cash alternative. 
• Tickets are subject to availability and cannot be resold or transferred to another performance.
• This giveaway is run on behalf of Nickelodeon UK and they remain responsible for fulfilling the prize.

Disclosure:  I have not been provided with anything nor compensated to run this competition  I just like to be able to offer my readers some great opportunities.

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