Reasons to be Cheerful: End of Term, the Sun and Time with Mum

Joining in with Becky for Reasons to be Cheerful.  It's been another good week so I need to celebrate and make sure I record all the things making me feel grateful.

The End of Term
We still have a couple of weeks left but it is definitely on wind-down. The end of term exams have finished, the kids all seem to be without homework, JJ's had a couple of good taster days at college, ready to make a decision of where he wants to attend in the Autumn and the girls have a trip to a zoo Monday. JJ is also starting work experience for a week very soon.

Time with my Mum
It's my Mum's birthday and so I took a couple of days to go and stay with her and my Dad. We had a lovely time, eating good food, seeing Rocketman, visiting Windsor Castle and having afternoon tea as we sailed on the Thames. I also got two days free of cooking, cleaning up and washing.  Wish me luck when I get home Saturday, we'll see what the house looks like!

I love this photo as it is part of a series when mum was larking around and laughing so much!

The Sunshine!
Yes, I am a tad pale and I do get burnt easily. It's also not the easiest in the heat when you are my size, but I really can't moan as it has been just lovely. In fact I'm sat in my parents garden with the laptop writing this now. I've enjoyed Pimms on the bench outside my house, read my book out, supervised the girls at the lake, chatted to neighbours and tomorrow we have an event shelter (gazebo type thing) arriving so I can get some shade outside!

That's it, back to basics, a classic Reasons to be Cheerful 1, 2, 3.....  post!  Just like in the good old days when this linky first started.

I'm linking up with Becky at Lakes Single Mum as she is the host for this month.

Girls Time in London - Remembering to be Thankful! #R2BC

Despite the promise of strong winds, rain and pretty horrible weather all round, as well as a landslide closing my regular train line and thus having to take a much longer route, I headed up to London last Friday to meet my Mum.

It's become a tradition that we meet just before Mothers Day and enjoy some time just the two of us. We were booked in to the Premier Inn at County Hall on the South Bank and had plans to go to the Shard on Saturday morning but the rest of the time was free of plans.

We love to see a show together, so were hoping for a musical but due to my train problems I didn't arrive into London until much later than normal. I hadn't managed to bag any deals in advance even though I'd played the theatre lotteries and tried to get rush tickets via TodayTix and I figured we were a bit late for the Leicester Square half price ticket office so I went for tickets for a play instead. I'd read rave reviews for The Curious Incident but sadly it didn't turn out to be a play we enjoyed. It was certainly clever and an excellent insight to what it must be like to live with Aspergers but we ended up leaving half way through.

This one hic-cup didn't spoil our time though, here's some of the things I was super grateful for -

*  Finishing up series 2 of Designated Survivor on the train. I love that you can download Netflix programmes,

*  Great bedroom at the Premier Inn, County Hall. The position is amazing, you get two king size beds in a twin room and we even got a free breakfast as we were woken by noisy door slamming by the staff.

24 Hours in London - Reasons to be Cheerful #R2BC

This week I'm dedicating my reasons to be cheerful post to a great 24 hours last weekend spent with my Mum in London, belatedly celebrating Mothers Day. We've done this the last few years and it is a really nice treat to look forward to.

We start the weekend off with me heading over to meet Mum at Waterloo and enjoy a good cup of coffee at Costa, of course having a right old natter to catch up on what has been going on since we last spoke. The weather is then far too nice to head down to the underground so we walk along the South Bank and take in the street performers and the great atmosphere on the way to Westminster tube station.

There we pick up the tube to go to High Street Kensington as we are staying in the Holiday Inn just off the High Street and only a few minutes walk from the tube station. It proves to be an excellent hotel and I'll write up a review, even though I paid for it as my Mums Christmas gift.

Great Personal Service at the Mercure, London Kensington

Last weekend to celebrate Mothers Day, my lovely Mum and I headed up to London for 24 hours together, just us, no kids and no real agenda. We've done it before and had an amazing time and we vowed this year that it will become an annual thing.

24 hours (or 27 to be precise) doesn't sound much but it is amazing what you can fit in. I met Mum at Waterloo and we headed straight over to Leicester Square to the official half-price theatre ticket booth to see if we could bag some good ticket for an evening performance. After success booking for Beautiful. the Carole King musical we enjoyed a toastie and coffee together watching the world go by in this busy part of London.

The rest of our Saturday was filled with checking into our hotel and having a relax there, some serious shopping on Kensington High Street, a fabulous dinner at Prezzo over on New Oxford Street and of course seeing the amazing West-end production of Beautiful. It really is an amazing show and both Mum and I highly recommend it.

Sunday was a much more chilled day where we got up late, enjoyed a full English breakfast at the hotel and then had a walk around Kensington with a little shopping and of course coffee before I dropped Mum back at Waterloo and headed back to my family.

Mercure, London Kensington
But enough about our time together this post is actually about our stay at the small and intimate Mercure Hotel in Kensington. This 82 bedroom hotel is situated on the Cromwell Road and that makes it super easy to access. It you are travelling by tube it is between Gloucester Road and Earls Court and then around a 7 minute walk from either but because you are in the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea it is a really pleasant stroll as the buildings and area are so beautiful.

Reasons to be Cheerful - Happy Mothering Sunday #R2BC

Lucky me, the girls made me breakfast in bed

Happy Thursday friends,

How are you doing? I'm having a funny old week. there is nothing particularity wrong but I've had that horrible feeling that sometimes crops up. Do you know what I mean? Where you just feel something isn't right and is a bit off-kilter but you've no real idea what is causing the way you feel. No matter, I'm going to press through it and not give in to the doldrums.

This coming Sunday
This week's #R2BC post is all about celebrating Mothering Sunday. Firstly I am really looking forward to this weekend when I'm away in London with my Mum. Just the two of us for around 36 hours doing whatever we feel like doing. We are staying at the 4 star Mercure Kensington hotel and planning to hit the theatre, shops and at least a couple of good restaurants. To be truthful whatever we do will be fine by me as we always have a lovely time in each others company and this breakaway is long overdue.

The last time we had a weekend in London together was in 2014 as we planned one in 2015 but my Dad got taken to hospital and we had to cancel. Then in 2016, we had a weekend away with my girls to a Haven caravan park, which was nice but nothing beats time just the two of us in 'the big smoke' as my Mum would say!

My extra special Mum

I count myself as an super lucky woman, not everyone has a Mum a fabulous as mine. Each time you see those competitions where you can enter someone to win an award for being exceptional I feel I should enter my Mum. It is a bit of a tricky one really though as there is no one exceptional reason why she should win. Thankfully she has not had to parent a terminally ill child, rescue someone from a burning building or overcome a massive tragedy.

What she does is just be her loving self every day. She once told me I was the heart of her heart and I feel exactly the same way back, it is so sad that we do not live closer and get to see each other every week. I think we do well for living a couple of hours apart and I cherish the time we have together, even if there are usually three very intense children after her attention.

Whatever the circumstances I can always turn to my Mum and if I needed her she would be here in an instant. Back in October dh and I got to have four wonderful days away together as her and Dad were happy to come and stay in our house and look after our children.  No walk in the park as they are pretty full on! In fact most years since have had the children we have been able to escape for a short break to spend time together and my kids are happy to welcome their second Mum here.

It is a massive blessing to know we can turn up at my Mum and Dad's house and they will be happy to see us whenever. 'Mum, can I leave all three kids here so dh and I can go to the cinema?' Yes sure is the answer I get. If I had to ask 'Mum, can I borrow some money, we are in trouble?' I know the answer would be yes sure again and when I need a shoulder to cry on or someone to talk a difficult situation through with then she is the one I turn to.

As well as the important traits of being loving, giving and always there, I can't fail to mention that she is also fun (read a bit nutty), a fabulous shopper and a great friend to have.

Thank you Mum for being super ace. I really do appreciate you and know I am blessed to have a Mum like you.

When the Halifax gave me a £50 voucher as part of their 'Giving Extra to someone special' campaign, I knew exactly who I wanted to buy a Christmas gift for. Mum has been hankering after a cream and navy spot Cath Kidson day bag and as these are £50 it seemed just perfect! I hope you enjoy using it Mum.

Disclosure: I was provided with vouchers to allow me to buy a present for someone extra special. I have not been told what to write and I remain honest.

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Cheerful at Butlins #R2BC week 22, year 3

Happy Thursday, I hope you are having a super great week.  I certainly am, we are at Butlins this week undertaking a review whilst my Dad packs up our house ready for our impending move. the best of both worlds, hey?

I'll share a few pictures of cheery times here at Butlins, Bognor Regis -

Blogger of the week
This week I am giving a shout-out to Sarah who blogs over at Ups, Downs, Smiles and Frowns.  I love the name of her blog, it is so true of the way it is in normal, everyday family life. Sarah is one of the newer joiners in this linky but since she started she has been very faithful and joins us every week (I just had a peek and actually her first #R2BC post was June 2012, so that is practically a year now). I also find her one of those great people who nip round and comment on lots of posts. Pop over and see Sarah to say hi and you can read all about her love for her kids. Grab a new badge please Don't forget my URL has changed so please can you grab a new #R2BC blog badge please or if you happen to link to me (no pressure!) then the URL nowadays is http://www.mummyfromtheheart.com.

Write a cheery post, link up, add in the blog hop code and visit a few other blogs and say hi. I really hope to be able to get round to everyone this weekend when I'm home. Sorry I did not manage it last weekend, things are pretty crazy at the moment with everything going on.

Wishing you a super week ahead, be blessed. Mich x

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If you like what you have read and want to stay up-to-date then subscribe by email for free and receive blog posts directly to your in-box - just click the link Subscribe to Mummy From The Heart... by Email or perhaps you like to keep all your blog reading in one place, if that is the case you can follow me on BlogLovin too!

Reasons to be Cheerful - Week 36

Good morning fellow cheery people, or at least I hope you are cheery?  How is your week going?

Don't you find when you choose to look on the bright side of life you feel just that much better?  If you have known me for a while you will know that I  believe everything in life is a choice, you choose how your day goes.  Yes you get thrown the odd curve ball but it is how you deal with it that defines what the final outcome will be.

Have you heard of those people who lose their fortune in a bad deal on the stock market, one will believe their life is over and they lose everything and one will take the opportunity that is handed to them and decide to scale down and live the simple life. Their children are so happy they are available to them and not at work, their husband falls in love with them again and they develop their desire to refurbish old houses and guess what?  They live happily ever after, no big house and no flash car just lots of love and fun times. How does that sound to you?  Think about this next time money feels tough, do you really need to strive for more?

Anyway, I am obviously feeling pretty deep this morning, I had not planned to write that but you know sometimes it just flows out...

If you came here to find the #R2BC linky then I need to direct you over to the super friendly Bod for Tea for she is our guest host this week and you will find the linky code there. Please add it to your post so this is a blog hop.  I have only not added it so to force people over to the guest hosts each week. Leave her some comment love too, she really is very divine.

Here are a few quickie reasons from me of why I am counting my blessings this week-

1. My Mum has been to stay for nearly a week, we have had a lovely time just being together, nothing flash
2. My baby girls started Reception this week and they are loving it, they do their full first day tomorrow, which I know will tire Miss E out so much but with time she will be fine
   


3. They also went to after school club for a trial session.  I was so proud of them as they let me go home and leave them there alone.  Miss M was totally not phased and was straight in there.  Miss E was much more nervous and started the silly behaviour that comes when she gets nervous and shy. She asked me who would look after her and I explained that the teachers would look after her and also that JJ would be there in 1/2 hour when his football club finished. She looked pensive and then said 'I know Mummy, Miss M will look after me. We will look after each other, we are twinnies'.  My heart swelled and I confirmed that they were indeed twinnies and would stick together.
4. My diet is feeling very tough this week but I am still going.  I can do this.  Tonight I will go to my eating disorders group and that will be super to be amongst friends that understand and share my problem.
5. I am also stoked to see that Ella at Notes from Home has restarted her Friday carnival. Go and visit and think about joining in, it is another little community of the parent blogging world that is just as friendly as #R2BC

I could go on and on, I am extremely blessed and pleased to be reminded of that but that is enough for this week or I'll bore you all!

Leave me a comment, I'll come and do the same.  Link your post up at Bod for Tea and visit others on the blog hop. These kind of things only work when we all put the effort in to visit and share the commenting love.

I've said it before but I'll say it again, thanks to you all for making #R2BC such a wonderful place.

Love you, Mich xx

#R2BC - The MADS Edition!

It's that time of the week!  Yay for counting our blessings...

1.  I suppose it is a given really, that the first reason I will start off with is that I have made the shortlist of 6 for the MAD (Mummy and Daddy) Blog awards.  There were literally hundreds of blogs nominated so I have done very well to get onto the shortlist and that is thanks to all you wonderful people who nominated me.  Thank you so much, it is really nice to know you enjoy what I do!

So how do you fancy voting for me to win now?  That would be the icing on the cake!  The voting is very quick, just enter your name, email address and use the drop-down lists to choose Mummy From The Heart in the Best MAD Family Life Blog.

Simply Perfect Days

I have had some amazing days just recently, ones I have really enjoyed and you know what?  They have been so simple. There really is no need to over complicate life!

A pic-nic on holiday at Spring Harvest

Take the other Saturday, my parents and brother came to visit us and bought their dog.  Then Dh's sister, her partner and 3 of their kids came over.  Mum and me took all the kids to an Easter egg hunt and I cooked a lazy buffet dinner. We planted a few flowers, we played with the kids and not a lot else.  It was great.  JJ had his cousin to stay for the night and they were as good as gold.

Friday last week was another superb but simple day.  Dh drove down to my parents where we all watched the Royal Wedding, out for a Wimpey lunch (we know how to live) and on to the park for the kids to have a play.  Dog walking through the woods finished the day off.

Nanny H and Miss M enjoying the swings!

I used to be a bit of a crazy woman and every day and even practically every hour had to be planned out and whilst I had a very full life, I hardly ever had the time to savour it and take in all that was going on but in this last year things have changed.  I have mellowed and learnt the value of chilling and taking things as they come.  Big learning for a control freak like me!

I read an article in a quality magazine today (Fabulous, free magazine with the Sun - told you it was quality! lol), it had an article about how people worry about what they will miss out on if they are not there.  I know I used to be that person, I would over stretch myself and attend everything I was invited to 'just in case'.  In case of what who knows but I hated the thought that I might miss out.  I then had a realisation, that I was missing out.  Missing out on lazy Saturday mornings in our PJ's, missing out on whole days spent at home just watching movies and playing games with the kids, missing out on making memories in the park or at the farm.

I now say no to quite a lot of things.  I have become rather good at it, in fact I may even have gone the other way and become too laid back....  oh well, I'll live!

Me and my babies, Miss E not looking too impressed at all!

What about you, do you appreciate the simple things in life?

How to have a Great Holiday at Home...

For the second year running I have enjoyed a holiday at home for the February half-term.  Have you ever tried to holiday at home?  I would sincerely recommend it.

What constitutes a holiday to one person is another person's version of hell so I won't be offended if this is not your bag and to be honest I would not do it as my only holiday in the year, but holidaying at home holds several benefits -

• Comfy, warm house with all the home comforts you could ask for
• No packing or unpacking
• No opportunity to leave the beloved teddy at home, the kids have every toy they could possibly want
• Wi-fi connection and cable TV
• No massive petrol costs
• Hot shower and plenty of water
• Safe outdoors space

See, sound tempting? Of course it may not suit you as you might not like your house but I love mine and I especially love my big comfy bed.  So in case you do fancy giving it a go, I thought I would share some of my tips on how to have a great holiday in your own house without it costing the world -

• Get the house fully cleaned prior to the start of your holiday.  I visualise this as arriving to a clean holiday house that I will then just maintain a basic standard of cleanliness over the holiday week
• Keep the computer turned off during the day, so you spend the waking hours with the kids, keep away from any smartphones too!
• Keep cooking to a minimum. We have tended to either go out or buy M and S prepared foods, that also has the bonus of keeping the washing up down.
• Save vouchers for times like this.  We have used Tesco deals for a Pizza Express meal and Necter points for a meal at Ask. Tesco deals are also excellent for days out such as London Zoo, Chessington etc
• See what your local extended schools service are offering.  JJ has been to a Spy School day for £1 and been to play at a local park for a couple of hours with the play rangers for free!
• Investigate your local theatre/ cinema to see what they are offering.  We went to see Animals United with the kids for £2 per ticket.
• Check out the local shopping centres, they often have events for half term.  Today the kids went to a free craft session and were very proud of their makes!
• Pick up a couple of Argos catalogues and a cheap scrapbook and cut and stick 'rooms' with the kids. 
• My kids always think it is a real treat to get the face paints out.  Here are our efforts from one afternoon.

The girls wanted to be Puppy Dogs!

Army JJ

Oh my, look what they did to Mummy!

• Buy a couple of cheap DVD's to watch during the week.  A two pack of Underdog and Beverly Hills Chiuowa were picked up for £5 at Sainsburys.  Then some microwave popcorn and the lights dimmed and the kids think it is a real treat!
• Get the board games out and just enjoy some old-fashioned fun with the kids.
• Other suggestions for cheap fun at home with the kids is to bake, play with play doh, make a collage and do some sticking
• and lastly re-discover the great outdoors, even though it is wet, windy and there is mud in abundance! My Mum has been here with her dog so we have been out walking and playing in the local parks and the kids just love being outdoors.  The cleaning up afterwards is a pain but frankly it is worth it for their joy at the time.

The week is drawing to an end and by the time you read this I will have returned home and fully cleaned the house!  Then Sunday is to be a day of joy, just my three gorgeous kiddies and me before Daddy returns home about 9pm.  It will be fab to have him back - I'm looking forward to the cuddles.

Writing Workshop: Snuggling on the Sofa...

It is 1981 and a winter’s night, I’m cuddling my mummy and we have pulled the sofa right across the front room so it is close to the warm fire and we are watching some television. My younger brother has gone to bed, my Dad has gone out to watch a football match and now it is time to watch something we enjoy together – just my Mum and me. We are watching some kind of drama on the TV, perhaps Tenko or Prisoner Cell Block H. Both programs I felt very grown up to be watching, just my Mum and I.


We are chatting away, as we do. I am thrilled that we get on so well, even then when I was just about to blossom into a teenager. I could and still can chat to my Mum about anything. On this evening we are talking a bit about when my Mum was a young girl and she decides to share with me a poem she wrote when at school. I have always loved this poem and felt it should have been published. So here for the first time my Mums poem will be published –

I nearly fell asleep last night in daddy’s deep armchair,

when peeking round the clock I saw a tiny fairy there.

She came and sat amongst my curls and whispered in my ear,

what is the one word in the world the one you love to hear?

I thought at first of things to eat, of all things sweet and nice,

of chocolate drops, peppermint and ice cream pink and white.

I could not make up my mind, first one thing, then another,

then all at once of course I knew and whispered quietly, Mother.

It is so true, when I am down and troubled I turn to my Mummy! Thankfully I can also turn to my Mum to celebrate and be joyful. Looking forward to seeing you again soon Mum. xx

This post was written for Josie's writing workshop over at Sleep is for the Weak.