Birthday Gift Round-up

It is official, I have been well and truly spoilt with both gifts and love! I thought that I would share with you some of my gifts and some things that I plan to treat myself to with some of my birthday money!

My family know that with Cath Kidston items they simply cannot go wrong. This is a brand that I love! So when I opened this beautiful British Birds Curved Saddle Bag I was over the moon. This is a bag that I had pointed out in the past to the hubby. It is smaller than my other bag and is perfect for me to take to work. As the bag is smaller he knew that I would also need a smaller purse, so also wrapped me up this lovely little leather Cath Kidston purse. As I have recently started my new job I also wanted some new work shoes. I like my shoes to be a bit different. If I am wearing all black I like a pair of shoes that give it a bit of contrast. These Elvington Rose Embossed Ballerina Shoes are a fantastic addition to my shoe collection!

Anyone that knows me knows I love gin! So receiving a bottle of Thomas Dakin small batch gin got the thumbs up from me! This is a gin that I have not tried before which made it even more exciting! For my coffee at work the kids also gave me this quirky quote mug that says "Do more of what makes you happy" this is a perfect quote for life!

Life and Luck Before 40!

Photograph courtesy of Pixabay

Today is my birthday.

Today I turn 39.

39, how can I be 39?

All of a sudden the years seem to have crept up. Next year I hit the big 4 0. I remember feeling dread as I went from my 20's into my 30's then once my birthday was over I realised it was not such a big deal. So why is 40 such a big deal?

People say that once you hit 40 you have hit mid life but I am going into my final year of my thirties with a different view. When I hit 40 I am going to be going into some of the best years of my life. During my thirties I have noticed a huge difference in how I feel about life. I went into my thirties as a single working mum to J. During my 30's I met, fell in love with and married my hubby. He turned my life into something that I dreamt of. He gave me the stability and completed me in a way that I always longed for. We have been blessed with our beautiful twins and have a loving family. My 30's have been the most settled, happy and stable years. Lady luck has definitely been on my side and as I go into the final year of my 30's I am actually looking forward to seeing how my life changes during my 40's.

Tunnock's Tea Cake Birthday Cake with Aldi

For this weeks Aldi baking post I am going back to cake week. Yesterday was J's 12th birthday. As his birthday was on a Monday we decided to make it into a birthday weekend for him. We had a family meal out for him and birthday cake on Saturday, followed by another meal out with family on the Sunday, followed by a treat dinner last night and yet another birthday cake!

This year I managed to make two birthday cakes. Both cakes were made using ingredients and equipment from Aldi. At the moment Aldi have a wide range of baking equipment special buys on. I have seen utensils, cake tins, baking books and even electric mixers and all at the great price that you expect from Aldi.

Today I am going to share with you my recipe for the Tunnock's Tea Cake Birthday Cake that J had yesterday. All of the kids, especially J, and the hubby love Tunnock's Tea Cakes which are sold in Aldi so I knew that they would make an easy yet effective cake topping. This cake was a huge success with everyone!

This is what I did.....

11th June - 17th June 2016 - One Picture Everyday For One Year

Another week done and I am another year older. This week has been a funny week, not funny ha ha but funny odd, if that makes sense. My moods have been really up and down again, but mainly down and I do not know why. My motivation has been quite low and I have been having trouble sleeping so I feel like this week has sort of gone by in a bit of a sleepy daze through the day then awake at night. For the first time this year I actually forgot to take a picture! But I did have a picture that I edited for a blog post on for that day, I know it is cheating but it was all that I had, whoops!

Anyway, this week has seen gin, me turn a year older, cake, flowers and train tickets!

Saturday 11th June 2016

Saturday was World Gin Day so it would have been rude to not join in! I toasted World Gin Day with an aptly named Kirsty's Gin from Arbikie, this was one of the gin's that I brought back from our holiday in Scotland and has become a true favourite!

Sunday 12th June 2016

While I was in the garden on Sunday I spotted this busy bee collecting nectar from our lovely Foxgloves.

Catering for the Party Season

We all know that the party season is almost upon us. So I thought that I would write a post telling you how to make catering easier. This will include my tops tips for the food and drink, but also for the all important serving plates, cups, cutlery and how you can make your life so much easier!

These are my top tips and how I am going to cater for the parties that are on the way!

Plates and Table Settings

In the past when I have catered for birthday parties, summer barbecues and Christmas I have used my regular plates, bowls and cutlery. This not only means that I run out of serving platters and we all have different style plates but, wow, the dirty pots at the end of the party certainly so stack up! This year I am planning to do things differently. 

This year I will be looking at catering supplies for plates, serving platters and cups. Catering supplies are available in various designs, colours and styles and are so much better that they used to be. I have found them to be a great way to ensure that, even if you have a lot of guests, everybody will have matching plates, bowls, cups and even wines glasses!

The Twins Turn Three

I still cannot believe that our babies are now three.

They have grown so much over the last three years and have come on so far.

When I look at them it is hard to believe that they were the small, tiny babies that they were in neonatal intensive care. The first couple of weeks were filled with worry and desperation of being apart from them. Thankfully they were not there for long and were soon home where they belong, with us, their family.

The first year of their life was a sleep deprived haze of endless feeding, burping, nappy changes and pumping milk. I remember finishing one round and maybe having an hour before starting all over again. The nights were exhausting. After they had been fed, I'd sit and pump milk for their next feed, often falling asleep mid pump.

But it did get easier.

Blocks of sleep got longer which helped no end.

The first year was hard but so rewarding.

The next two years have been less exhausting but have come with different challenges. There is no better feeling than having them both with me, one on either side, stroking my arms as they do and hearing "I love you mummy".

Over the years I have had endless comments, mainly from strangers, saying...

"you must have your hands full"

"rather you than me"

"double trouble"

I even got once during my pregnancy "that's unlucky!"

But to this I say

"No! I am the lucky one for having two beautiful babies!"

Isabella and Taylor I am so proud to be your mummy, thank you for bless me with your presence x

I am sharing with Snowing Indoors and You Baby Me Mummy Point and Shoot. I am also sharing with Mami2Five Multiple Madness and Super Busy Mum Mad Mid Week Blog Hop.

16th February - 22nd February 2015 - One Picture Everyday For One Year

Half term week has been a busy week of preparing for the twins birthday on the Friday and looking after Opie. The whole week was building up to the weekend beginning on Thursday as the hubby had a couple of days off work, which was lovely.

Here is our week in pictures...

Monday 16th February 2015

This picture is of Isabella reading to Woody. She was sat in their bedroom and I could hear her chattering away. When I asked her what a she was doing she told me that she was reading a bedtime story to Woody. Monday passed in a blur of jobs.

Tuesday 17th February 2015

On Tuesday the twins enjoyed some outdoor play in the garden while Joseph was out playing with his friends. It has been lovely to have some dry days so that we can be outside for a bit, however after all of the rain the garden has become so muddy! Wellies are certainly a necessity. Both twins came in a muddy mess!

Wednesday 18th February 2015

After an exhausting night with the twins due to their colds and the new puppy I managed only blocks of a couple of hours sleep. If it wasn't the twins it was the dog that needed to go out. I was shattered all day and almost fell asleep in the afternoon. However I did get a delivery of a stunning bouquet of flowers from the hubby to cheer me up! I also managed to push myself to attend my legs, bums and tums class followed by Latino blast session and I felt so much better for going. I never thought that I would say this, but I am loving my exercise classes!

Thursday 19th February 2015

Thursday was very much about this little lady. Ever since we have got her she has had terrible diarrhea. At first we thought that it was because of the move. The vet gave us some pro biotic powder to put on her food to settle her tummy. However after she had an even worse episode we decided that she needed to be seen sooner rather than later. So I got her an appointment and dashed her to the vets. This was such a nerve wrecking 45 minutes! The vet explained that she may have the life threatening Parvovirus. I will admit to crying when the vet explained how she may need putting down if she tested positive for the virus. Thankfully the test came back negative, little Opie, to my relief, has just had a tummy bug! So we came home with some antibiotics. I have become so attached to this little puppy over the last week. The thought of loosing her really did scare me! We spent the rest of the day as a family which was perfect.

Friday 20th February 2015

Friday was all about our not so little beautiful babies. On Friday the twins turned 3! I cannot believe that they are 3! After they had opened all of their presents and played it was time for me to decorate their birthday cake which had to be a Frozen cake!

We went out for a birthday lunch with their grandparents, which unfortunately ended with us walking out before our food arrived thanks to the poor service. We did, however, make up for that with a McDonald's! It was a lovely day spent with the people close to us.

Saturday 21st February 2015

Saturday was a busy day and not many pictures were taken. The hubby and my dad were out in the garden all day working so it was the children and I for the majority of the day. We had a lovely trip out to town to visit the market and other shops to pick up things that we needed. I was amazed by how well behave all three of the children were. Normally they moan if we are out too long, but they were great during our 2 hour shopping trip. In the afternoon we had a lovely visit from my sister, niece and mum. It is always lovely to see them. I am so pleased to say that Opie has picked up so much since starting her antibiotics. Her appetite has come back, she no longer has diarrhea and is bulking up. She is such a happier puppy. 

Sunday 22nd February 2015

This weeks Silent Sunday will be a picture to treasure. It is so hard to get a good picture of the twins both looking the same way and smiling. This picture is perfect, I love it so much. That is why I have selected it as my Silent Sunday this week.

As always I am sharing our week in pictures with...

The Boy and Me - Project 365

Make Do and Push - The Week That Was Captured

Silent Sunday

Word of the Week - 21st February 2015

This week my Word of the Week is later than usual due the the twins birthday celebrations. There will be no surprise that my Word of the Week this week is...

Three

Yesterday the twins turned three. All week the twins have been telling us how they are going to be three on their birthday. Taylor has been saying he is a big three while Isabella says she is a little three.

I still cannot believe that three years have passed!

They are growing so quickly and changing so much. Everyday they amaze me by something they'll do or say. I still look at them and can not believe that I carried them both in me for 35+6 weeks. I am so proud of them both.

As they grow they reach new mile stone's.

Now that they are 3 their next big step will be starting nursery. I have mixed feelings about this next step. I know that they are ready to take the step, but am I? It will be hard at first but we will adapt I am sure.

We will tackle that step when it comes, but for now I am going to enjoy having my not so little babies at home with me. I am going to make the most of the next couple of months with them. I do feel incredibly lucky to have been able to stay at home with them and couldn't imagine it any other way.

Naturally, three had to be my word of the week.

As always I am sharing my Word of the Week with The Reading Residence. I am also sharing my post with Running in Lavender - My Captured Moment.

Point + Shoot - 20th September - 21st September 2014

I am afraid that I don't have many photographs to share from this weekend. We have just been so busy with birthday celebrations.

On Saturday we travelled over to Huddersfield to have a meal out with the hubby's side of the family to celebrate our nephew's 21st birthday. It is always great to see him as he is also the twins Godfather. It has now been just over a week since Isabella stopped wearing nappies and I honestly was not sure how she would do on the hours journey. Despite having a sleep she stayed dry! I was so proud of her. We enjoyed a lovely meal but had to rush back to miss the football traffic. But it did give us chance to go shopping before going home.

On Sunday Joseph's birthday continued! We had planned a family meal out with our parents. Before the meal we took Joseph to spend some of his birthday money. We all enjoyed our food and invited everyone back to our house for a glass of bubbly to toast the birthday boy, my first born! Joseph got a skateboard for his birthday so spent the afternoon practising.

Even though it has been a lazy weekend cooking wise, we feel as though we simply have not stopped. The weekend has flown by in a blur of meals out and seeing lots of people. We are most definitely looking forward to a more relaxed weekend next week!

What did you do over the weekend?

As always I am sharing our weekend with the lovely Em at Snowing Indoors.

15th September - 21st September 2014 - One Picture Everyday For One Year

This week has certainly been dominated by Joseph's birthday on Friday. Every morning this week we have had a countdown and a very excited boy!

Here is our week in pictures...

Monday 15th September 2014

On Monday my mum and I went on an Italian Specialities Masterclass for the day. This is something that we have had booked for months and have been looking forward to. The day certainly did not disappoint. It was a day that was full of cooking, tasting and tips.

Tuesday 16th September 2014

Tuesday was a day to get caught up on jobs. Whenever I am doing jobs upstairs the twins head straight for the hubby and I's bedroom, jump in the bed and watch television. This is a great time for them to really chill out and gives me the chance to get on.

Wednesday 17th September 2014

On Wednesday I had my first Cognitive Behaviour Therapy session. This was something that my doctor advised to help me manage my depression. I really did not know what to expect and as this was just an assessment appointment I only have a rough idea of what to expect but I am going back. We have also recently started to drink Matcha tea in the mornings. Our second delivery arrived on Tuesday and we are still impressed with the benefits. On Wednesday we booked a holiday for next May. I think it helps with the Christmas anti climax to have something to look forward to.

Thursday 18th September 2014

Here is my very own Postman Pat! While we were shopping the twins got a comic each and Taylor chose Postman Pat and is loving his Postman Pat outfit. After shopping the day was spent getting Joseph's birthday cake baked so that I could get it decorated on Friday.

Friday 19th September 2014

Friday was Joseph's birthday. I still cannot believe that he is 10 years old. I spent the day decorating his cake, he had asked for a Skylanders portal cake. After school he played with his presents and my mum and dad came down for a pizza dinner and cake. To end the day we had a game of Monopoly, Joseph's favourite game, and spent quality time with him.

Saturday 20th September 2014

On Saturday we carried on the birthday celebrations but for the twins godfather, our nephew, as it is his 21st on Sunday. We had a lovely meal and it was nice to see the hubby side of the family. Isabella is doing amazing with her potty training. We started potty training last week and she is dry all the time during the day, she rarely has an accident. I was worried about going as far as we have today, an hour's drive, and wondered how she'd get on, but I really needn't have worried. She was dry, despite having a sleep, and when we got there she just said to me "mummy, Bella need a wee wee". I really am so proud of how well she is doing.

Sunday 21st September 2014

Today the celebrations continue. We are taking Joseph out for a meal to Frankie and Benny's with his grandparents. This is his treat and was his choice of place to go, good choice Joseph! This weekend really had been a weekend of treats, hey it's not every year your son turns 10!

As always I am sharing our week in pictures with:

The Boy and Me - Project 365
Make Do and Push - The Week That Was Captured