THIS week has been much different.

It seems to have levelled out a bit and I am actually getting a lot of love and a lot of cuddles and I am LOVING it.

This week my eldest has been so loving and so kind that when at the end of a day of running around entertaining them and spending loads of money, and he still wants to play, I say yes. 

That makes me feel guilty, that statement right there, for two reasons. 

1. Because I want to want to do that all the time, but when I'm not appreciated and feel like a slave or a certified snack holder, it kinda makes me feel slightly resentful and just not want to do it.

2. Because I'm on my period and still hurting from the cyst and somehow I feel like I need to be stronger and not feel tired and not feel in pain and just be able to move with them as they do all the time.

But the reality is, I’m a mum of two, overweight, still relatively fit, perimenopausal, pushing 40, menstruating and internally bleeding oh yes and let’s not forget HUMAN. I’m human. And so are you.  Why can’t we cut ourselves some slack? It’s like an illness. 

I digress. Nice times. Nice times. We had a nice time. 

Of course…it’s been lovely. Monday was something to be desired. Day in the life of said Monday will be coming in next weeks column! Be prepared for chaos. 

Tuesday was a lovely day for me. I baked. 

I baked cherry pie and jammy dodgers. Both perfect, both lovely. I’m at a stage now where I really want to focus on my cooking and baking and so I have designed a course for myself come September and I am very excited.

I was never one for making things look nice or for decoration but I’m getting there. So I really enjoyed that outcome. 

Wednesday I took the boys into town to meet Bumblebee and have a Greggs sausage roll and doughnut. We don’t get Greggs very often but the boys love the sausage rolls from there and they had the best time.

My husband's gran gave the boys some pocket money so they lapped up the opportunity to shop for what they wanted to the value of. 

Meeting Bumblebee though, who else watched Transformers as a kid? I remember going to the cinema at 18 all by myself when the first film came out. 

How was that 20 years ago? I think I was more excited than the boys. It was their first time meeting a character so I think it took them by surprise a little.

My eldest did say after how much he loved it. So when it came time to take his picture with another character we met on Thursday, I had to encourage him slightly knowing that he would appreciate and love it afterwards. 

Thursday, so far the best day. We went to the Dairy Festival on the beach lawns and it was amazing for many reasons.

Tractors, pizza, doughnuts, inflatables, dancing, animals, entertainment and sunshine! Feels like the first time in a month it has been sunny! Of course a British summers day wouldn’t be complete without a total sudden downpour for about ten minutes.

We loved it. We were there on the go for four hours. We kept going back to say hello to the animals from Puxton Park and the guys are always so friendly and helpful, I love that place.

We're really lucky to have it on our doorstep and is definitely worth a membership if you have a little one that isn't in school yet.

The boys went mad for the inflatables which was a great price, £3.50 per child but you could go on five inflatables in five minutes and for a five/six and two year old it was great value for money. 

The boys then had pizza which was super tasty and the fella was very kind to give a sample before buying to all of us just to see if we did like it and that too was a great price. £10 for a 12-inch, wood fired pizza at an event like that they could easily charge more. 

Of course they wanted a donut, they weren't amazing but I'm guessing it's because they had to be made the day before because there were loads there and had travelled from Taunton (Dough Bros). They were quite pricey but my eldest was very happy. 

Now, the entertainment was amazing (Disco Steves Little Disco Company). Many people may not of liked it but mine liked it so much, they watched and partook in it twice.

That is a man who has had to move with the times. I can imagine that when he first started he didn't have rude children questioning him all the time but he embraced that and adapted his act around it and made them the hero! He's much more forgiving and patient than I am that's for sure. 

As we left we just missed the start of the live music. We would have loved to have seen that too. I had noticed that the Like-Minded were due to play Sunday aswell.

They were amazing at Summerfest. If you haven't heard of them make sure you find out the next time they are playing. They are a talented young bunch of musicians who have such a great sound, and I'm slightly disappointed I didn't catch them

So next year, I will be more prepared. I will check what live music is on and what days and maybe go a little later, possibly. 

Friday was Party in the Park at Clarence, that should have been an amazing time. But the boys were ON one. Maybe because we had such a fun long day the day before? I don't know.

My youngest kept demanding I pick him up and dance. I was exhausted! My eldest kept kicking off because he didn't want his luxurious biscoff milkshake anymore and because he couldn't find his friend from school.

I on the other hand also must of had too much excitement because I was sick, in the park, as we got there, whilst chasing the boys. Luckily we were under a tree so not many people saw me. I was weak and hadn't eaten yet, so when my eldest got his milishake, the youngest got a brownie, I got a smoothie to put some goodness back into my body.

I danced, I had both kids on my shoulders, obviously not at the same time. Luckily, my husband came to join us for the last half an hour and took the boys off me. Literally, carrying them both! I felt like a tree! With that I came on my period with a gush! Now there's that! 

We went home and made the most lovely handmade pizzas that even my husband really enjoyed. He doesn't eat cheese so I did him a BBQ version. Delicious. 

Saturday was catching up with a friend or two. I had arranged a surprise birthday party at the Coachouse for him but because I had only had confirmation from 3 people, I had to cancel.

Typically when I cancelled with friends that's when they had said they were going to come! So we just had a couple of friends at our house just to say a quick hello, the kids play and have a slice of cake that I made.

That went well. Salted caramel cake with caramel sauce, caramel shards and salted caramel buttercream, as pictured. 

I do love it when you do food for a gathering and by the end of it, it's all pretty much gone. 

Sunday was also lovely. We actually got in the garden to see how our vegetables were doing and I have runner beans! One of many things that pleases me. It's so satisfying to see things grow from seed. They're like children, they just don't tell you they hate you. 

Huh! Maybe...i should have turned my hand to gardening before I had kids. 

So, Sunday was roast dinner, making cheesecakes for work at the gym and going to a birthday party.

Action Pussycat was the entertainment and I can see why he has won awards, he was great. For adults and children. It's been years since I've done the superman! 

My husband and I spent time talking about his business, and the cars he worked on this week and plans moving forwards. He really is the best at what he does.

He has worked for himself for almost a decade and never once advertised his services, that's how good he is. He's incredible and he has no idea.

His reputation is immaculate. Before you ask, he owns MW Dent Removal. He does paintless dent removal for vehicles.

So, if you have a dent in your car, be sure to contact him to see what he can do. You won't come across anyone in the business that's the perfect mix of kind, skilfull, knowledgeable and won't charge you the earth either! Find him on Facebook. It will be the best thing you do this week. 

I got lost in that for a moment. My husband and I never talk, we never get a chance. There are always interruptions from someone or something. So when we do talk, especially about something exciting like growth and progress in life, I get very excited and happy! 

Anyway back to the point. 

What have I learnt this week?

 

  • Before an event, do research into times and days of acts you want to see. 
  • Confirmed that it is great to be prepared for warmth and cold, and the extreme versions. I did well there!
  • Accept help and admit defeat. Just when your kids are involved! Otherwise, carry on!
  • When kids are enjoying it, stay, even if your tired. 
  • Make the most of the free things and events your local area has to offer and take a picnic. 
  • Also, it is ok to give yourself permission to have fun. Dance with your kids, act silly, run with them, roll around in the dirt (it's just dirt) and get up on the dance floor and look silly at a party. 

Why? Two reasons

1. No one will be looking at you thinking your weird, they're looking at you wishing they could do that with their own kids.

2. Your kids think you're amazing! 

Jolene Wilson, Weston mum.