SO, it is the end of summer. Has it been long for you or has it gone quickly?

It has been torturous for me and has felt very long on the most part. So much has happened.

Don't get me wrong, there have been many times I've been deliriously happy and there have been times I have not.

My eldest was home with me ALL THE TIME and he didn't like me much before, because I was his constant and there all the time for him (which many people say is a good thing) and now that school isn't there? Jeez Louise!

It has not been as bad as I thought actually, it hasn't. I started videoing all the things we did.

I make YouTube videos mostly of family things and the boys love watching them back so I was excited to do one for our epic summer.

It was full on and so busy and we did so so much. Some free events and some we paid a little for and a couple of big outings. I'm looking forward to us all watching it back.

I have also collated a summer summary. Summer parenting by numbers if you like. It goes like this...

  • Summer: 47 days.
  • Days of torrential rain: 25
  • Days of sunshine start to finish: 5
  • Times I've fallen in stinging nettles: 3
  • Times stung by wasp: 2
  • Times boys have exposed me whilst on toilet: 17
  • Times a stranger has verbally judged me and commented on my parenting or my children's behaviour: 5
  • Bakes made: 17
  • Events booked for the next seasons: 7
  • Money spent on back to school: £250
  • Times I've felt like a failure/bad mum: 22
  • Holidays: 1
  • Times my kids have requested a different mum: 5
  • Extra cuddles from my five year old: 102
  • Burst ovarian cysts: 2
  • Pulled muscles: 10
  • Outings/days out: 17
  • Money spent: £410
  • Snack holder status: Professional
  • Snacks requested: 625
  • Snacks consumed: 210
  • Hoovered: 62
  • Toys picked up: 111
  • My 5-year olds breakdowns: 314
  • My 2-year olds breakdown: 135
  • My breakdowns: 25
  • Bottles of wine consumed: 14
  • Times asked five year old to get dressed/changed: 181
  • Times have repeated myself? 2010! 

TWO THOUSAND AND TEN times!

2010 divided by 47 = 42.7 per day. 

I hope you've had a great summer. Ours was filled with love, laughter, screaming and crying and that was just me most days finished with a bottle of wine.

I now need a holiday from my holiday (where I had a epiphany that I will tell you about next week).

The best thing I did for the family though was to make sure I knew where and when all the free events where, they were so worth it!  So next year get planning and organised and it will fill your summer days full of fun. 

Memories made: Many!

Jolene Wilson, Weston Mum.