Hi
How was your weekend? Mine was fantastic.
Saturday the girls chose to paint a miniture teaset which I must admit was actually quite fun, even though I did worry at first that it was going to be quite messy. This is probably why the box sat on top of the cupboard for almost 5 month (shame on me!). I then almost intervened when they weren’t quite painting patterns but rather just colouring the china in. Then I thought how much prouder they would be seeing their pattern on it rather than copy what was on the box. It kept them entertained for a least half an hour and we left it to dry ready to bake in the oven on Sunday.
Sunday, the first thing they reminded me to do was to put the china teaset in the oven. It was ready almost before we’d eaten breakfast and when it had cooled down and they were able to play with it, their little faces lit up. They were so proud of themselves. We almost didn’t go swimming because Liverpool were playing at 1pm, but after some gentle persuasion from the girls they got ‘daddy’ off the settee and shortly after we were all happily swimming at the local leisure centre. Having not taken them swimming much (something we will be doing more of) you would have thought that they would be a bit nervous, but no, they absolutely loved it and their laughter filled the pool.
Being a sunny day, I took them on their skates later in the afternoon (again something they’ve not done very much of). My arms are aching a bit today as I had to hold them both up as they attempted to skate round the block, but I was so proud of their efforts to continue trying. They then asked to go on their bikes (the ones they got for Christmas and have only used twice!). I took them out the front of the house, but the eldest got a bit frustrated and the youngest kept cycling backwards. I think I need to take them out individually – it was hard trying to teach them both at the same time.
Working full time means that both my partner and I don’t get much time with the girls during the week, although the time we do get is quality time. At weekends there are so many things to catch up with, like chores, errands, paperwork etc and the girls just fit in to our plans. However this year I decided that things were going to be different, which coincided with the chapter I was writing on ‘Fun as a family’ in my book ‘Little Tips and Luxuries for Stressed and Busy Mums’ (as featured on www.tipsandluxuries.com).
My tip – How about leaving at least one whole day or even just an afternoon, where you just have fun as a family. Until next time……
Sandra
Sandra Madeira 