No more trying threes

Tomorrow my son turns 4.  He's sooooo excited about it - he's been inviting people to his party before we had even planned on him having a party!!!
And I'm looking forward to it too.  3 didn't suite him in the early days, but as he's been getting closer he's been growing up in leaps and bounds.  I'm actually really looking forward to having a 4yr old boy in the house.... so I'll keep you posted as to how it goes.
Happy birthday for tomorrow my beautiful boy, and to all those other mums out there who have made it to 4, well done - we all deserve a pat on the back!

Ohhh, aren't they cute

A friend came over today and we were looking back at old photos of her twin babies..... and it was really special to remember how tiny and fragile our children are when they come into the world.  So reliant on us for everything they need.  So unknowing of what adventures they will experience in their lives.  So precious.

I think sometimes as mums it's good to look back at where our kids came from and who we thought they were when they first entered this world - makes the day-to-day strains of fighting about food, toys, getting dressed, baths, etc seem to trivial.

When really, as long as we're loving, caring, feeding, and nurturing our kids they really will grow up every day and become the wonderful people they are supposed to be.

We may help them grow, learn, love, but we can't control it for them.  In the end they must learn to grown on their own - and maybe oneday hold a precious newborn in their own arms and think "what will this life hold?"

Love is.....

Sometimes when you're yelling at your kids, don't you just feel like stopping and giving them a BIG HUG?
I do.
So today I wrote in their diaries:

I love you.
That's all
Love Mum

I hadn't been yelling at them or anything, I just wanted to let them know that while neither of them were home I still though of them with love.

Because I think sometimes we forget to tell them, and our partners, enough.

Welcome home

I've decided mums are funny creatures.  We love "getting out" without the kids, yet we're always thinking of them, talking about them or buying things for them when while we're gone.
And the best thing about not having them with us?  Is when they come home - the smiles they give, the open arms they have, and the wonderful stories about their "adventures" while you've been gone (or they've been gone).
Precious and perfect.

A quiet weekend

Us mums always love our time with our kids (well, ok, maybe not always.... but we wouldn't change being mums for the World), but sometimes it's also realy nice to have a weekend without the hubby and kids.  And that's what I'm having this weekend.  A nice, quiet, "alone-time" weekend.

Mind you, having said that I had a dinner with friends last night, and today I did 2 Zumba classes, watched 2 episodes of my favourite soapy from last week, and enjoyed an early movie and dinner with one of my best friends tonight.  So all in all there hasn't really been much "alone-time", but it's been a really nice, enjoyable time.

Don't get me wrong, after I tidy and unpack the study tomorrow (the last job on my "want to do this weekend" list) I'll be very happy to welcome them home.... but now, having wrapped all my son's b'day presents while watching tv, I'm having a nice time. 

And a happy mum..... well everyone benefits!

So, I hope you've all had a lovely weekend and if you feel like telling me about it - feel free.

Tuning in to kids

Last night I started a new 8 week course called "Tuning in to kids".  It's about emotional intelligence in our kids, so I think it's going to be interesting...... and certainly a "learning" experience for me, as I really don't pay much attention to their emotions - that is unless they're kicking and screaming, which I must say, luckily, isn't too often.

I think it's certainly going to encourage me to address their emotions when they show them, so that will be a good thing, as altough I'm a pretty emotion person myself, I don't really "do" other people's emotions very well.  I mean hey, I can listen to a friend in need, no worries, but as far as my husband and kids and the everyday emotions they show.... everyday..... yeh - not so good at doing that!

So - if you know anything about emotional intelligence, or can give me some handy hints, let me know.... I'd love to hear from you!

Enjoy.

Happy Mothers Day

Mother's Day is a funny celebration... it's when the family try their hardest to make you "relax" and "enjoy" being with them..... but when they try so hard is it actually better?  Or do you just expect great things and then get disappointed when the day isn't "perfect"?

And if it's not an ideal day for you as a "mum" - then you start to question what kind of "mum" you really are on all the other days of the year.

You know what I think?  I think we should just enjoy our families every day and celebrate the luck we have being loved by our husbands and our beautiful children every day.

So - having said that - Happy Mothers Day to all those mums out there - and I hope you all had a wonderful, very special day!