Word of the Week - 20th March 2015

This week my Word of the Week has to be...

Challenging

This week has been challenging in many ways.

The twins have been challenging.

The puppies have been challenging.

My moods are challenging and we have had an awful bullying moment which has been challenging for us all.

This week the twins seem to have lost their hearing. Obviously not literally but it has certainly felt that way. However we have found that the trusty time out spot is starting to work and is slowly becoming a good deterrent. On the other hand we have had some lovely play times this week. I am even more aware that their start date for nursery is getting closer and closer so am trying to get the most out of these last few weeks.

Having two puppies is certainly a challenge. If I am honest it is more challenging than we expected. The majority of the time they play lovely together and snuggle up to sleep together during the day but there are times when they get over excited and their play turns rough. We have realised that we need some dog training help and will hopefully be getting someone to come and see us next week to spend a few hours with us telling us how to train the dogs.

My moods are challenging me at the moment. I am not too sure why this is happening. I am wondering if it is all connected to the impending changes that the twins going to nursery is going to bring. I know that they will be positive changes as the twins will be learning more and I will have some me time but it is still a change. I have found that I am having moments of anxiety again and moments when I over react about and over think situations. I am sure that it will pass soon but I do find it challenging.

This leads me to the bullying incident. Unfortunately Joseph received some awful racial bullying on Monday. This was the first time that he has had remarks about his colour. An older child, who really should know better, called him the worst, racist name that you can think of, yes my 10 year old was called the N word. We were all disgusted to hear that children still use this word to intimidate and as a form of bullying. To have Joseph come home and ask me what that word meant was heartbreaking. I have contemplated keeping quiet about the incident and not sharing on my blog to the world but then I realised that the more people keep quiet, the more people will think that everything is ok. The reason that I am speaking out about it is because I want people to know that racial bullying between children is still out there. I naively thought that these days children could see beyond colour and was disappointed to find out, first hand, that I was wrong. I long for a day when skin colour is not an issue. My job as a mum is to make Joseph feel proud of the person that he is and to feel confident in the skin that he is in. God knows I am so proud of him and I want for him to grow into a proud mixed race young man and anyone who is too narrow minded to see beyond that are not worth the time.

Wow what a week! That is why this week has been challenging!

As always I am sharing my Word of the Week with The Reading Residence - Word of the Week.

2nd March - 8th March 2015 - One Picture Everyday For One Year

Another week and another month has gone! We have welcomed March with a lovely spring feeling week. It has been a welcomed sight to see the sun shining, the children playing in the garden and washing blowing on the line! 

This week has been a busy one with lots of plans coming together. You can read more about our plans in my Word of the Week post. 

Here is our week in pictures...

Monday 2nd March 2015

Monday was a glorious day for out door play. The twins thrive on being outside and love nothing more than getting their wellies and coats on and being in the garden. The three children had fun playing on the trampoline when Joseph got home from school.

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

On Tuesday I took Opie back the the RSPCA centre where we got her from for her final vaccination. All of the staff were delighted to see how well she was. While I was there I asked about the other pups from her litter. I was told that all but three of them had been adopted. The hubby and I have been talking about getting a play mate for Opie. I said that I would only get another puppy from the same litter. So when they told me that they still had some I went to have a look and was greeted my this sad little face. Yes, you have guessed it, we are going to adopt this little lady! The pups are on antibiotics at the moment for a tummy bug so I couldn't introduce Opie yet. However, fingers crossed, on Tuesday they will get the all clear from the vet so we can arrange a time to take Opie over to meet her sister again. If all goes well on that visit we will be bringing her home.

Wednesday 4th March 2015

Wednesday was all about planning our extension. This is our project of the year and hope to finish the year with an extra bedroom and a lovely, large open plan kitchen and living area.

Thursday 5th March 2015

Another garden day. This picture was taken as I was trying to round the twins up to come inside for their tea. Believe me, getting them in is a battle!

Friday 6th March 2015

On Friday we took an unexpected visit to the vets with Opie. I noticed that she started limping on Thursday after playing outside. On Friday it seemed worse and she was yelping when her paw was touched. As it was a last minute appointment the twins came along too. They were so good! I was amazed by how big and grown up they looked as they sat on the chairs in the waiting room. Thankfully Opie is ok, she has just pulled a ligament from pulling her claw.

Saturday 7th March 2015

Saturday was a down day for me. Since Friday I have been getting shivery and felt generally down. There is nothing to pin point but I just feel like my body is fighting something off! So Saturday was a relaxing day. The hubby painted the twins play house and started work on the new path up the garden, while I was staining wood in the sunshine. 

Sunday 8th March 2015

My Silent Sunday picture.

I am sharing our week in pictures with...

The Boy and Me - Project 365

Make Do and Push - TWTWC

Running in Lavender - My Captured Moment

Eco-Gites - Animal Tales

Word of the Week - 7th March 2015

I know, I am a day late this week! This is due to a manic Friday combined with not feeling great. Anyway here is my Word of the Week...

Planning

This week has been a productive week in respect to our house and the plans that we have.

Last year we had the front garden converted into a drive. But since then we have been waiting and chasing up quotes to get a dropped kerb installed. This has been an up hill struggle and has felt like a battle to get some figures back. This week we have accepted a quote and finally have an idea of when the kerb will be changed!

We have been planning to have an extension built to the back of the house for a while now. We have been toying around with different ideas.

Do we go for a two story extension?

Do we have a single extension?

Do we go for a conservatory?

We have had so many thoughts and ideas flying around. At times it has felt that it has been all we have thought about. At last, after a meeting with an architect, we have finally decided what we would like to be done! I have drawn up some plans for a room to be extended for the additional bedroom that we need and an orangerie built off  the kitchen to create a large open plan kitchen/living area. At last I have submitted all of the forms and plan to the councils planning department and now we wait.

I have also been speaking to builders and asking for quotes so that as soon as we get the go ahead from the council (fingers crossed) we can get on with making our plans a reality.

We have also seen plans develop with new additions.

We are planning to adopt another puppy from the same litter as Opie. When I took her back to the RSPCA for her second vaccination the hubby told me to ask if all of the puppies had been homed. I was told that all but 3 had been adopted. After going to see them and seeing their sad eyes we have agreed to adopt one more as a play mate for Opie. As soon as I saw them I noticed how much a loving home has brought Opie on. She is so full of life and looks bigger and healthier. They are currently on antibiotics for a tummy bug, like Opie was, but hopefully on Tuesday they will get the all clear. We are planning to take Opie to visit her sister, who will be called Jax (yes we are huge Sons of Anarchy fans!) to see how they get on and if it all goes well we will be adopting her.

How could we say no to those eyes!

There has been a lot of planning this week. Planning for the future. Exciting plans which will mean a busy year making our plans, hopes and dreams a reality.

That is why planning is my Word of the Week. What word would sum up your week?

As always I am sharing my Word of the Week with The Reading Residence.

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

9th February - 15th February 2015 - One Picture Everyday For One Year

This week has flown by in a daze of puppy preparations and bringing the puppy home. It feels like we have gone from having twins to triplets and I am loving it! Opie has settled in well with us and she really is the perfect addition to the family.

Here is our week in pictures...

Monday 9th February 2015

Monday was a manic day, it felt like I didn't stop all day, hence the shortage of photographs taken! To finish the day I completely emptied my ironing basket. It took me a whopping 2 hours to do but it feels good knowing that if I keep on top of it (note I said if!) it shouldn't take me as long next time!

Tuesday 10th February 2015

On Tuesday I christened my new range and baked this delicious Trail Mix Tray Bake. I will be posting my recipe next week.

Wednesday 11th February 2015

On Wednesday Taylor wanted Shaun the Sheep on over and over again! He has suddenly become Shaun the Sheep mad.

Thursday 12th February 2015

Thursday was all about this little lady! On Thursday we bought Opie home from the rspca kennels and she settled straight in. You can read more about Opie in my Word of the Week post.

Friday 13th February 2015

We certainly have got an inquisitive puppy! She loved sitting and watching me blog on Friday.

Saturday 14th February 2015

As it was Valentine's the hubby and I treated ourselves to an M&S meal and had a date night in. The hubby also got me a tub of my favourite ice cream and prosecco! I said goodbye to the diet for the day!

Sunday 15th February 2015

This weeks Silent Sunday.

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
Running In Lavender - My Captured Moment

Word of the Week - 13th February 2015

This weeks Word of the Week is...

Little Opie came home yesterday! Her arrival has been all we have thought about all week.

The day finally arrived and the twins and I went to collect her and brought her home. When we arrived home it was time to see what Dotty's reaction was going to be. To start with she kept fluffing up and was very wary and stayed out of the way. I am pleased that this morning she is a lot more herself.

Opie has seemed to settle in straight away and I will admit to being besotted by her, she is just adorable! She has been enjoying a lot of cuddles and fuss. When we put her in the cage for bed she just curled up and went to sleep. However 30 minutes later we could hear her crying and howling. She was gradually getting louder and louder so we both went down to check on her. She had a cuddle and we put her back but the crying and yelping started again. This time we were strong and left her to it and after 10 minutes she stopped and was quiet all night. It was a successful first night!

Opie really has fitted in with our family. It feels like we have got another baby in the house. I am feeding her every 4 hours during the day, chasing around trying to house train her and giving lots of cuddles! It is lovely!

I am sharing my Word of the Week with The Reading Residence - Word of the Week and with Eco-Gites - Animal Tales

2nd February - 8th February 2015 - One Picture Everyday For One Year

This week has very much revolved around our decision to adopt a puppy. We have looked and researched about different breeds, what they need, the work it entails, everything has been about the puppy! It really is like planning for another child! It all started on Sunday when the hubby suggested we go to a rescue centre to take a look. Getting a puppy hadn't crossed our minds until we saw them. After days of consideration we made up our minds and chose one!

This week has been a busy week with shopping trips, deliveries and work being done in the kitchen.

Here is our week in pictures...

Monday 2nd February 2015

The twins and I went out to look at items the puppy would need and price everything out. 

Tuesday 3rd February 2015

On Tuesday we woke up to more snow but as the day went on it melted so we managed to get out for a bit.

Wednesday 4th February 2015

Wednesday was a home day. We had various deliveries arriving for some home improvements that the hubby has planned. So it was a housework, play, relax with the kids day.

Thursday 5th February 2015

Thursday was all about Opie, our newest addition. She is currently 7 weeks so we are not able to bring her home until next week. But I fell in love with her immediately. You can read more about her in my Word of the Week post. We also had our check ups at the dentist. I was so proud of Isabella as she sat in the chair for the first time. Hopefully Taylor will let her take a look at his teeth next time! Thankfully we all left with a clean bill of health!

Friday 6th February 2015

On Friday my old built in oven, hob and a cupboard were ripped out leaving this great big gap. Thankfully it was only like this for a day! As I had no oven or hob we treated ourselves to a take away.

Saturday 7th February 2015

On Saturday we celebrated my niece's second birthday. It was lovely to have all of the family together. Saturday also saw my lovely range fitted and the hubby doing home improvements in the kitchen to give me extra storage.

Sunday 8th February 2015

This week's Silent Sunday is my little blogger in the making!

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