tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66542004200865097732024-03-27T18:42:50.051+00:00Our Cherry TreeOur Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.comBlogger334125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-6325295072876719862023-12-03T11:08:00.004+00:002023-12-03T11:08:35.718+00:00A Christmas Mum Rant<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Santa's Sack.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s a heavy load to bear.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s only the first week into December. During what, according to films, stories and adverts, is meant to be a glossy, magical time of year.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtiQ4uCwOKFyTN2VsnvZXSpaCwl2KyW1i_eR9NL1I0mU-SGqvE4pCADNe923_XWK-vx0zr_mcaRcaR0jLxYPMZEa4jirxeiyeD80V7tPwRjoaAe7p9sNvu3JGFeBE5iz55B9o8MBmBe-UvAKMSdGhoO_icTcJtN74eNerWjGnM7mOQRJI1c-EyLFrXMQ/s1080/ChristmasImageforBlogPost.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtiQ4uCwOKFyTN2VsnvZXSpaCwl2KyW1i_eR9NL1I0mU-SGqvE4pCADNe923_XWK-vx0zr_mcaRcaR0jLxYPMZEa4jirxeiyeD80V7tPwRjoaAe7p9sNvu3JGFeBE5iz55B9o8MBmBe-UvAKMSdGhoO_icTcJtN74eNerWjGnM7mOQRJI1c-EyLFrXMQ/w640-h640/ChristmasImageforBlogPost.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I pause and look at myself.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m a mess. Inside and out.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Instead of being a break from the mundane, this so-called wonderful time of year is leaving me frazzled. The workload is tripled. The mental load is quadrupled.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My head hurts and I’m crying.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The problem is, each festive season I seem to take on a number additional full-time jobs.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am Santa. Delivering Christmas cheer and gifts.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am an elf. Decorating the home, planning activities, juggling schedules, attending performances and organising socials.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am Mrs Claus. Buying in provisions, cooking and baking, tidying and cleaning.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am a fairy. Responsible for the wishes of the whole family, for sprinkling that Christmas magic and making memories.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On top of everything else I have to do. Juggling a job and home and the weight of constant expectation.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In all honesty? It’s a bit much. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And that is why I’m sitting on the floor sobbing. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My mind feels like it’s about to explode from having to think about everything. Not only what I need to do but what I need everyone else to do. What nobody else seems to be doing.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is not magical. It is not a time of wonder and cheer. There is no time for quiet Advent contemplation. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Even when everyone else’s demands fall silent, my mind is shouting at me constantly.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I need to finish the shopping. Buy gifts for friends and extended family. Clean the house. Wrap the presents. Bake biscuits and mince pies. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Like Altogether Andrews from a Discworld novel, there are multiple personas jostling for space in my tiny, shrivelled brain.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At this point, another role enters, that of the Grinch. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_pswgOjJnIkRVulFz-ewtoZcCH0ZiUCk8MN5m6C5-yFX8Vsc7mSJYcFDEW-SKO6yD0gmeM6Fev-5EFj748Vu_gU32W-An8PdiXjHbjx72krPLqbinpJ8FCNtG31uc-tCi7DGRB9p0gbj8wF-_kID70f5jn2kbtw1IJVPKZaGEuYAaBWzXk1nALyOz_E/s1080/Grinch.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_pswgOjJnIkRVulFz-ewtoZcCH0ZiUCk8MN5m6C5-yFX8Vsc7mSJYcFDEW-SKO6yD0gmeM6Fev-5EFj748Vu_gU32W-An8PdiXjHbjx72krPLqbinpJ8FCNtG31uc-tCi7DGRB9p0gbj8wF-_kID70f5jn2kbtw1IJVPKZaGEuYAaBWzXk1nALyOz_E/w640-h640/Grinch.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve had enough. Christmas sucks. It’s just a ton of work for an already overworked Mum. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am tired of being this magical Christmas fairy, smiling serenely on the outside whilst falling apart internally under the weight of expectation. That sprinkling of magic? It’s the crumbs of my broken Christmas spirit.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Instead I am embracing my inner green monster. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Christmas is cancelled. I refuse to wrap a present, I’ll just chuck them under the tree and cover them with a blanket. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I will not shop for, or cook, Christmas dinner. My husband can cook spag bol, that will do. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Who cares if we miss yet another Christmas event anyway?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There will be no more magic sprinklings from this Christmas Fairy, no planning or researching the best fayres and attractions, no baking and filling the home with the smell of cookies and mince pies, no Christmas crafts and carol singing.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am the Grinch. Fed up, disillusioned and grumpy.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Is there anything that can bring me back from the brink of impending Grinch-ness? Probably not. But if someone could pop over, hand me a glass of Baileys and start cleaning my house, then that might help.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just a little.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></div>Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-91308717912745046792021-03-21T13:21:00.002+00:002021-09-30T13:50:20.750+01:00Party Planning - Feathers and Fur Tea Party<p>Who would have thought a year ago that we'd be celebrating yet another birthday in lockdown? This time it was Ollie's turn. He managed to squeeze in his birthday treat and party last year just before we went into the first lockdown but was not so lucky this time round.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_p_sWk8C5X-8_jKZaB0oiDUL-FxHYdFkvKiXiLQuK5rF-UUz6-cpeZBg_l2emx86-YJhfu0Op0lMjF_OFnc6rvA5cZchZ4r6K3-kghAeKmDW-1CdhHQN7FYKM5IclfZmJnVQ7GlTar4/s2048/IMG_1173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_p_sWk8C5X-8_jKZaB0oiDUL-FxHYdFkvKiXiLQuK5rF-UUz6-cpeZBg_l2emx86-YJhfu0Op0lMjF_OFnc6rvA5cZchZ4r6K3-kghAeKmDW-1CdhHQN7FYKM5IclfZmJnVQ7GlTar4/w640-h640/IMG_1173.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>I always like to make sure that I cater for the kid's favourite things at each age, whether that has been dinosaurs, princesses, castles or science; and so for Ollie's 6th birthday we decided on a falconry and woodland theme, for a little boy who loves learning about the wildlife on our doorstep and has spent the last year watching Deadly 60 on repeat.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj385QU6KgDn-fgEmpFq7orTGHEGPXcxA7562k9m04DRwjbOfvCfXHTdRCE3AANftHyNib2kGqcuInJvak_aNqXfwSPV2UJST5tmOVEG2nqPpsBQB61cLKLWNyoaUOesTfUXi12kWfg0_U/s2048/IMG_1192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj385QU6KgDn-fgEmpFq7orTGHEGPXcxA7562k9m04DRwjbOfvCfXHTdRCE3AANftHyNib2kGqcuInJvak_aNqXfwSPV2UJST5tmOVEG2nqPpsBQB61cLKLWNyoaUOesTfUXi12kWfg0_U/w640-h640/IMG_1192.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">One of Ollie's current favourites to learn about is owls, hawks and eagles. At some point, we'd love to book in for a family session with the lovely Feathers and Fur but there is no sign of that on the horizon just yet. Instead, I put together a tea party and at home camping style activity to try and make Ollie's birthday without his friends as fun as possible.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mArMJ6QWUWVSxRl-hz4CU1OzXSv3X1QRVuqT3yxbUXHfpm78CaQZGER2LlfnWH6PAGGl7oFb9GLUKSjtIBh-W6N-uGyJo1wDton14v2HHf775hWlMP2r0gnUSFpfTGtK4eXGlSLONe8/s2048/IMG_1204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mArMJ6QWUWVSxRl-hz4CU1OzXSv3X1QRVuqT3yxbUXHfpm78CaQZGER2LlfnWH6PAGGl7oFb9GLUKSjtIBh-W6N-uGyJo1wDton14v2HHf775hWlMP2r0gnUSFpfTGtK4eXGlSLONe8/w640-h640/IMG_1204.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipb0xDTBKChI6gWXClKtCNa4Sllw0VtKc-A8L5s8dAgadF5v5r4ELElK2hQhIgEzSx7KmqmChR3LKXgw3Sl2YYePJoBrqeWwTYbYTmUhXKxZdaUrdQUzAwjpPjtUTfGRXaxBLJQuMqljo/s2048/IMG_1210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipb0xDTBKChI6gWXClKtCNa4Sllw0VtKc-A8L5s8dAgadF5v5r4ELElK2hQhIgEzSx7KmqmChR3LKXgw3Sl2YYePJoBrqeWwTYbYTmUhXKxZdaUrdQUzAwjpPjtUTfGRXaxBLJQuMqljo/w640-h640/IMG_1210.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CH78bkJyUJv6U_FxX1P3FjPeblMg9Z5MdhgE0I5pd8k7_hoFk9X4XMU9pGUf1W3zMNAzRYIXBnjB7-0H-YQk9LMDC-zX1HRlhP6Yjyt_jwpXhfx2_vWo7IjZa-gZ-5Lf0TA45WHcW2c/s2048/IMG_1217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CH78bkJyUJv6U_FxX1P3FjPeblMg9Z5MdhgE0I5pd8k7_hoFk9X4XMU9pGUf1W3zMNAzRYIXBnjB7-0H-YQk9LMDC-zX1HRlhP6Yjyt_jwpXhfx2_vWo7IjZa-gZ-5Lf0TA45WHcW2c/w640-h640/IMG_1217.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Despite the venue being our home, I put up the tent we bought at Hobbycraft last year and we planned a pretend camping day, complete with a pretend campfire and real s'mores. We set up the tent, made beds for Lily, Ollie and all the teddies, and then sat down to enjoy some tasty treats and a few board games.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vNTouD83XYMWygxQZrUHo9CsF3AK3wAmAQUizM4VGbWqqiKZwQcjmhlH1uPELl6yljgaePklHUgN0RtIU87tlolW8NLJsG3xLB7oG3vzYG_dCV4eWnsKWpR4a2JLSOHlA5WO6piu3Lg/s2048/IMG_1219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vNTouD83XYMWygxQZrUHo9CsF3AK3wAmAQUizM4VGbWqqiKZwQcjmhlH1uPELl6yljgaePklHUgN0RtIU87tlolW8NLJsG3xLB7oG3vzYG_dCV4eWnsKWpR4a2JLSOHlA5WO6piu3Lg/w640-h640/IMG_1219.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>The next day, we threw Ollie a tea party. It was only the four of us there but I still wanted to put in the effort when it came to making is special. Starting with the decor. It took me a while to settle on the exact colour scheme I wanted for this party and in the end I went for copper tones with white and green balloons, then added lots of natural touches. I probably spent a little more than I meant to, usually I'm a little more budget-savvy, but with very little else to do, I didn't mind spending a little bit more on extra balloons and random rustic decor from craft shops!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3B6nA80kq8MmuNewWB9xhmoVWufW_V4456nea6Kr9Evqy_63jfT2LiY3XsbZQdEUj5o1d7gg8pAIJSBQvG5PjeRKKpZp5tI9QseFCBeT3GHDtWT1VmY4CC8AeV5maMlPqbE1gUDpCpYk/s2048/IMG_1221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3B6nA80kq8MmuNewWB9xhmoVWufW_V4456nea6Kr9Evqy_63jfT2LiY3XsbZQdEUj5o1d7gg8pAIJSBQvG5PjeRKKpZp5tI9QseFCBeT3GHDtWT1VmY4CC8AeV5maMlPqbE1gUDpCpYk/w640-h640/IMG_1221.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>For catering, I kept the food simple but in keeping with the theme. I used an owl shape cookie cutter to cut out our sandwiches, served crisps and popcorn with cream cheese or peanut butter dip and made cupcakes to look like toadstools.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUWL7_1XtDXnWBJJuX5-8Tp-ubdmUpGSl86Ft_0-j8rFUzt8I6AtJjdzLQiB8jKzrRt9V3Xk0ejacRDjguwd1M_n6aM-zLfzGrURv7X9FSVcAaDmDconXrAiazAbUFpt1Y6D6V_SWf8o/s2048/IMG_1317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUWL7_1XtDXnWBJJuX5-8Tp-ubdmUpGSl86Ft_0-j8rFUzt8I6AtJjdzLQiB8jKzrRt9V3Xk0ejacRDjguwd1M_n6aM-zLfzGrURv7X9FSVcAaDmDconXrAiazAbUFpt1Y6D6V_SWf8o/w640-h640/IMG_1317.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrW2GSO6LfrXJzXRRTFjvOzjV89NcSGuLt-rPdVl0wKnhQ316Hup8_YKCf20JPkVgf7AuPdkvWoF8qd3QD_nznfOmT4eAorirpv69EzG8-_mxQ7B9m9cwoNIZ7HLKnco073Jp2cBppnY/s2048/IMG_1296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrW2GSO6LfrXJzXRRTFjvOzjV89NcSGuLt-rPdVl0wKnhQ316Hup8_YKCf20JPkVgf7AuPdkvWoF8qd3QD_nznfOmT4eAorirpv69EzG8-_mxQ7B9m9cwoNIZ7HLKnco073Jp2cBppnY/w640-h640/IMG_1296.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>For the cake I tried something new, with it only being the four of us, I didn't want to make a huge cake that might end up going to waste. So I tried my hand at making a yule log style cake and decorated it with a cuddly owl bought from Amazon. I have to admit, I was really pleased with how it turned out! I'm a big fan of using toys to decorate cakes, it saves my blushes when it comes to making my own decorations and yet doubles as a lovely reminder long after the cake and crumbs have been consumed.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNy-WN5XK2dVPgI7l_y34hL1XyxshyphenhyphenZy9wIlpgb7_lJJD1kq0NaionQQ89bZROqVdUwJKZrfGtpJSNKqdhIJuUz6kgr7Dwf_BrljPAHyX8EKyxbnZk6Zp7KebaNfZpJMd1lC8sf6c2ic/s2048/IMG_1287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNy-WN5XK2dVPgI7l_y34hL1XyxshyphenhyphenZy9wIlpgb7_lJJD1kq0NaionQQ89bZROqVdUwJKZrfGtpJSNKqdhIJuUz6kgr7Dwf_BrljPAHyX8EKyxbnZk6Zp7KebaNfZpJMd1lC8sf6c2ic/w640-h640/IMG_1287.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><p>I'd been so worried about how this party would turn out. I didn't want it to be boring or disappointing to Ollie to still be stuck in the house with only us to celebrate with. As it is, I'm glad. It was a lovely, relaxed family celebration and one that I really enjoyed. I think Ollie loved it to and hope you've enjoyed reading a little about it for your own inspiration! Creating lovely and memorable parties on a budget is one of my favourite things to do, lockdown may have thrown me a bit of a curve ball but the challenge has been one that I have enjoyed (this time at least).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziRZKdNDd0xBcQssgZCPLT2q91Y3l-A6JEkedYitKLX1a-OPhiwZXwVPDWT-braxMi_8Kmf_7tOJXAny9m2veRCvIWT2oKTK3jKGPF6_tLb8pHt3AXFSH6EuWcsN7rPsICk3IFMvVbsc/s2048/IMG_1353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziRZKdNDd0xBcQssgZCPLT2q91Y3l-A6JEkedYitKLX1a-OPhiwZXwVPDWT-braxMi_8Kmf_7tOJXAny9m2veRCvIWT2oKTK3jKGPF6_tLb8pHt3AXFSH6EuWcsN7rPsICk3IFMvVbsc/w640-h640/IMG_1353.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEVaW9gz3S2mntjx8jY9eTk3lj9kL_8EwmI8E0EZGTsq3faorx2qmeNb3Il-JNvVg9scpjDgvn87so1pa06Oykl6YDQBH5DzocePn_gsjRLq3_Pkeoy6UQXSKm0CFwS9nTBoY386Y6Fc/s2048/IMG_1172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEVaW9gz3S2mntjx8jY9eTk3lj9kL_8EwmI8E0EZGTsq3faorx2qmeNb3Il-JNvVg9scpjDgvn87so1pa06Oykl6YDQBH5DzocePn_gsjRLq3_Pkeoy6UQXSKm0CFwS9nTBoY386Y6Fc/w640-h640/IMG_1172.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>How have you been celebrating special events during lockdown? I'd love to see your events, please share them with me in the comments or over on Twitter!</div>Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-78808193069902138982020-09-29T19:35:00.030+01:002021-09-30T08:06:49.243+01:00Party Planning - Science Tea Party<p>2020 has been a funny old year, you all know why. All planning went out of the window months ago, as did all blogging and anything which resembled an 'old' or 'pre-COVID' routine.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQowJNtURSPUj-ie3nw3IQbHkvw-9nP7k0We0v-hOYG4RLKK3izM9ru1bYd78eUBaAUCWJhxpFaG7jl-aDyWndvhrV5SpSCLarcwUQ4bALN8ElJIJSkdtsl1bnYiwDCloMrqHWxppH-z0/s2048/IMG_8380.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQowJNtURSPUj-ie3nw3IQbHkvw-9nP7k0We0v-hOYG4RLKK3izM9ru1bYd78eUBaAUCWJhxpFaG7jl-aDyWndvhrV5SpSCLarcwUQ4bALN8ElJIJSkdtsl1bnYiwDCloMrqHWxppH-z0/w640-h640/IMG_8380.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>With that, we, like many other families, have found that we had to make adjustments when it came to birthdays and celebrations. We were relatively lucky, in that <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2020/03/review-warwick-castle-2020.html" target="_blank">Ollie's 5th birthday</a> was just before we went into a nationwide lockdown in March. But by the time Lily's birthday was approaching, I had some serious decisions to make.</p><p><br /></p><p>I like to plan many months ahead when it comes to picking and planning a themed party or combined treat/birthday tea for the children. I do this partly because I like to be organised, partly to spread the cost of purchases and really because I genuinely <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2016/08/party-planning-how-i-plan-events.html" target="_blank">love and enjoy the process</a>.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8kzbql5_b08HXe3KWNfgThk-yJKK4zsVf9bZIk24gseYXqRn64VCre4uKSqMJ9HP6L0NpGHAHUrfXDO-8Ams8kOkwP33Vqxuavsh6MI_vJjFRWgc5MYk6c8yqKpOFsVxGizW_USkVcQ/s2048/IMG_8070.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8kzbql5_b08HXe3KWNfgThk-yJKK4zsVf9bZIk24gseYXqRn64VCre4uKSqMJ9HP6L0NpGHAHUrfXDO-8Ams8kOkwP33Vqxuavsh6MI_vJjFRWgc5MYk6c8yqKpOFsVxGizW_USkVcQ/w640-h640/IMG_8070.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>This year, Lily had her heart set on a science themed trip and cake. We'd decided early on to visit the Science Museum in London with a small birthday tea for her and a few friends after school. This is similar to the format Ollie had earlier this year when he visited Warwick Castle and then had a couple of friends over for a Knight themed lunch on his actual birthday. The problem was, with Lily's treat day, that we were in between lockdown measures and there was still a lot of social distancing and red tape to go through.</p><p><br /></p><p>As this was the case, and with COVID numbers rising throughout the summer, I decided that we should do the trip into London whilst we still could. Another lockdown was looming on the horizon and there were so many caveats in place for travelling on the tube and visiting museums that I found myself just wanting to get that bit out of the way. I was scared of waiting too long and missing the opportunity.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvcuS96O6DoYHcAOJRI7A8_AbagE5legi1jSQIO6pT_yUnnhbmq0fQcwCAHc8klajQWlBkX0961y5NuT-T5rk0gcZ5SLmqki3c3N8UQmjfgCOI98ojgtCuk-_r1OOmgxZWkFNtHlLFAQ/s2048/IMG_8092.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvcuS96O6DoYHcAOJRI7A8_AbagE5legi1jSQIO6pT_yUnnhbmq0fQcwCAHc8klajQWlBkX0961y5NuT-T5rk0gcZ5SLmqki3c3N8UQmjfgCOI98ojgtCuk-_r1OOmgxZWkFNtHlLFAQ/w640-h640/IMG_8092.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>So we booked a slot online and spent a lovely day in London. I must admit, it fell short of my original hopes because of the many restrictions but I honestly don't think Lily minded and she seemed to have a fabulous day all round. Even if it was a whole month before her actual birthday.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI__lJVWWzhveAJqIZ10e7L-9K6g4F1580FlHp-2FCNyrPt_CsSt6y74tG87TgEfSnQzdOlvCuxBS2zFFEiC-IBru0KTZi37h7Ozplnr4DdVexjztVk4392hUAg052bVdU6UF2w8NrgoM/s2048/IMG_8164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI__lJVWWzhveAJqIZ10e7L-9K6g4F1580FlHp-2FCNyrPt_CsSt6y74tG87TgEfSnQzdOlvCuxBS2zFFEiC-IBru0KTZi37h7Ozplnr4DdVexjztVk4392hUAg052bVdU6UF2w8NrgoM/w640-h640/IMG_8164.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>And then, after being back at school for just a week, the suggestion of stricter rules was mentioned and sent me into a second panic. Once again, I decided to bring my plans forward, so that Lily would actually be able to have friends in the house for tea after school one day, rather than risk having to cancel.</p><p><br /></p><p>I won't lie, it was rushed and the cake didn't turn out quite as expected. It just goes to show that sometimes you just have to go with it and hope for the best!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2oAm89GQI-t7lWkhq_elAWaNDxevQYlJGxGGLpuOH62VKMgVgwvKBiNQhg4GgCGegWKsQKBuf3S6cK4m2zzPflWdYwcb5xKaFUz8R7EfW_jygtYSlpWXez0zkWWvdovLjJDWmrmxpiJQ/s2048/IMG_8378.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2oAm89GQI-t7lWkhq_elAWaNDxevQYlJGxGGLpuOH62VKMgVgwvKBiNQhg4GgCGegWKsQKBuf3S6cK4m2zzPflWdYwcb5xKaFUz8R7EfW_jygtYSlpWXez0zkWWvdovLjJDWmrmxpiJQ/w640-h640/IMG_8378.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>For the science theme, I wanted something that was still girly, bright and colourful. I found these pastel, chrome effect balloons on ebay and then tried to order other products to tie in with that colour scheme. The other items I bought were a more traditional pastel colour but I felt that it still went well, all things considered! I did like the iridescent pink plates and the pastel napkins with iridescent 'happy birthday' design.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8wn1Y0tE5rGJ2hUwys4L2Yi4UG04E4hlOiV5hhUtGn9SFnnTYSmhLfhGOFTJxxnwnIPeurUgPaleEW4gLIR9AnvrTcCHpfKVQlF-wragpkOl08LxXhAqkf01Ybta-4y0n6Yxaeb3yfQ/s2048/IMG_8395.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8wn1Y0tE5rGJ2hUwys4L2Yi4UG04E4hlOiV5hhUtGn9SFnnTYSmhLfhGOFTJxxnwnIPeurUgPaleEW4gLIR9AnvrTcCHpfKVQlF-wragpkOl08LxXhAqkf01Ybta-4y0n6Yxaeb3yfQ/w640-h640/IMG_8395.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Obviously, we had to have the event at home, with a limited number of guests in line with the law and government guidelines. It meant that I could keep catering very simple with just a few sandwiches, crudites and crisps. For sweet treats, I made the cake, cupcakes and bought some delicious meringues.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVy3dPDuKX66xkRvYT4qSy8o4eUov3RqooMZpiBT8bwS-xZQYkZFRw3K_g20zAuwTxKsRaJw89HxhePyxgqJIgUMafw-gxK2HbYD8dOx7pllnFnHVtLoFyh0ZBNi4Oe45jljwWneCPhI/s2048/IMG_8392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVy3dPDuKX66xkRvYT4qSy8o4eUov3RqooMZpiBT8bwS-xZQYkZFRw3K_g20zAuwTxKsRaJw89HxhePyxgqJIgUMafw-gxK2HbYD8dOx7pllnFnHVtLoFyh0ZBNi4Oe45jljwWneCPhI/w640-h640/IMG_8392.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I've previously spoke about my dislike for party bags filled with plastic tat, so for favours, I bought some small plastic test tubes from Amazon to fit with the science theme and filled these with sweets. I was amazed at how well this went down with the kids and they looked really fun on the table too!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYcABTdEj-TN1f9s5e3aTDq5wFLehLSJIJKEYBS2Pk7G_fHk9IqilYCAzAFCiK6H6dCoWYa9PmnDkMLAPjreXM3_Elb1cB8cNw1OXzqUPqETHov4QwIYM5UqN2EsHdZiCuSWCbb1h3Qw/s2048/IMG_8394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYcABTdEj-TN1f9s5e3aTDq5wFLehLSJIJKEYBS2Pk7G_fHk9IqilYCAzAFCiK6H6dCoWYa9PmnDkMLAPjreXM3_Elb1cB8cNw1OXzqUPqETHov4QwIYM5UqN2EsHdZiCuSWCbb1h3Qw/w640-h640/IMG_8394.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Really though, no matter how much I tried to make this party stand out and still be special, it was a bit of a weird set up and I think the only thing that really saved it was the cake. It wasn't quite as I wanted due to using the wrong kind of butter for the butter icing but I loved planning this cake and putting it all together.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXuV9xe69AWGb3nZo7jiIkMd-0tauG7u-ZZo4vrPDwiEdBEzBQuJjvOwEwKqv8NQ-Y_JRU1-m1nzfF65Qvdfc1I_q3aOFKuPG_xhKF7rqN79a2yoL4lYcvpbtvmPGbY_7WrvX1b_S4G0/s2048/IMG_8374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXuV9xe69AWGb3nZo7jiIkMd-0tauG7u-ZZo4vrPDwiEdBEzBQuJjvOwEwKqv8NQ-Y_JRU1-m1nzfF65Qvdfc1I_q3aOFKuPG_xhKF7rqN79a2yoL4lYcvpbtvmPGbY_7WrvX1b_S4G0/w640-h640/IMG_8374.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>My favourite part was the gelatine bubbles overflowing from the conical flask. Technically, these bubbles were edible but I wouldn't recommend it! Making them was a precarious task but it was a messy and fun skill to learn. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7qK9CmYpyc30tGV86FOnGdzaUeDXFIz34AlIUTNughfVY61J4DdkGknRtF0inItxIXvA5LwuNrV9lLJkD_Hw4qM1ETT0pHDdu5EBcLjNfWDzeM6xifY3qOsg1VKYZA_Mcokt_3oy0JE/s2048/IMG_8367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7qK9CmYpyc30tGV86FOnGdzaUeDXFIz34AlIUTNughfVY61J4DdkGknRtF0inItxIXvA5LwuNrV9lLJkD_Hw4qM1ETT0pHDdu5EBcLjNfWDzeM6xifY3qOsg1VKYZA_Mcokt_3oy0JE/w640-h640/IMG_8367.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>With the limited number of guests, we kept things simple, returning after school and having a quick party tea with a bit of cake before saying goodbye and snuggling in. Just a few days later we ended up with tighter restrictions, which meant that Lily's actual birthday was quieter still but I like to think she still enjoyed spreading her birthday out over a month! I really felt sorry for all the people who missed out on the chance to celebrate with their families and really hope they get the chance to make up for it soon.</p><p>What do you have planned for birthdays during COVID? Are you going with something simple or are you waiting until 'all this is over' so you can really splash out? Let me know in the comments!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Au2JyFv3FBDWk_AAV4pHhdnNLlz02yeZVjqO6M-oJ1d194NBbDTDUqzXtSjbgo8m3yvVeYUlcIaGk37lYwoe3mi4yjkm94bUJEawFLU5qwUedx1xrUyuTeOWCKxUwaD7-vHZrjKtH3s/s2048/IMG_8434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Au2JyFv3FBDWk_AAV4pHhdnNLlz02yeZVjqO6M-oJ1d194NBbDTDUqzXtSjbgo8m3yvVeYUlcIaGk37lYwoe3mi4yjkm94bUJEawFLU5qwUedx1xrUyuTeOWCKxUwaD7-vHZrjKtH3s/w640-h640/IMG_8434.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVXt4TBMFQizwBxR4kP0Q8_cc9JVsbZ8Riz3fybI7x1B0d9wBnxEHmYmKJv7ESPAjWBTU5IBCkjVFJX1Z8S3hja9O7-Gf6coXRqAGMKmMyWg_6LC6pzchVvIxxC59Td3mo8OdrJpwe94/s2048/IMG_8375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVXt4TBMFQizwBxR4kP0Q8_cc9JVsbZ8Riz3fybI7x1B0d9wBnxEHmYmKJv7ESPAjWBTU5IBCkjVFJX1Z8S3hja9O7-Gf6coXRqAGMKmMyWg_6LC6pzchVvIxxC59Td3mo8OdrJpwe94/w640-h640/IMG_8375.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmZdqvYfkNuz5RE0S4VwvsBOQFl4oVjVapAaTdNxHLddD9HBxCJjNDPHP477997uaR636vGh7a9XeGBZ-1fE4y1YdvlC_QNWpfmAIBDbvgc85uubmuteXFnOxY4DPFtlgUaEHiQM2qmw/s2048/IMG_8425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmZdqvYfkNuz5RE0S4VwvsBOQFl4oVjVapAaTdNxHLddD9HBxCJjNDPHP477997uaR636vGh7a9XeGBZ-1fE4y1YdvlC_QNWpfmAIBDbvgc85uubmuteXFnOxY4DPFtlgUaEHiQM2qmw/w640-h640/IMG_8425.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-11628988775138851032020-05-15T17:08:00.002+01:002020-05-15T17:09:09.839+01:00Staying Home, Saving Lives - A Covid19 Diary, Week EightSo, welcome back to anyone interested in finding out how we're doing as a family in lockdown.<br />
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I use the term 'lockdown' quite loosely as, compared to other countries, the UK hasn't appeared to be as strict in it's approach. There are still reports of people having house parties and get togethers, something that is hard to stomach for those of us sticking to the rules. This week, Boris Johnson announced a 'change' in the restrictions, leading to much confusion and added anxiety.<br />
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Another couple of weeks have passed and our routine is much the same. In fact, I think it is only the routine that is keeping me sane at the moment. On the days where I long to stay in bed and hide under the covers, I get up and plan the learning for the day, shower and get dressed (or just put a clean tshirt on) and start school with the kids around 9 o'clock. Without this, the days seem to lose their meaning and get lost in a haze of anxiety and overthinking.<br />
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<i>School</i><br />
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I haven't really been messaging the teachers at the kid's school. I mean, what is there to say? I don't need them to mark work and can't ask them to mark work that I've set the kids myself outside of the school tasks they are given. However, after my <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2020/05/staying-home-saving-lives-covid19-diary.html" target="_blank">crisis of confidence</a> I decided to send them a summary of the work the children have been doing and just check that it's OK.<br />
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It was at that point that I realised just how much we had been doing. A couple of hours each day doesn't seem enough compared to a whole day at school, but I do hope it is better than nothing and it has given me a renewed motivation to keep going.<br />
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Our topic is still animals, life cycles and habitats which feeds into Lily's topic from the end of last term and Oliver's topic for this term. This week Oliver called round his friends and family to ask them what pet they would choose, he then learnt how to tally the answers, make a pictogram of the results and then make a bar chart. Lily said she hadn't done bar charts before, so she joined in and learnt something too. Today we took it a step further, counting, tallying and creating a bar chart of different colour smarties in a tube - with the added bonus of eating the smarties when we'd finished with our maths!<br />
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We've had some new additions to the family, in the form of five caterpillars that we purchased from <a href="https://www.insectlore.co.uk/" target="_blank">Insect Lore</a>. They've been around for nearly two weeks and we have been observing and monitoring their growth and changes with our very own caterpillar diaries. I've found it as fascinating as the kids, watching them transform. I obviously knew how caterpillars changed into butterflies, but seeing it happen is incredible.<br />
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Right now, our caterpillars have formed into chrysalides and have been moved into the net, it'll be an exciting week or so until they emerge!<br />
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Meanwhile, the school has set a poetry challenge for the children to learn a poem and then perform it as a video which can be shared with the rest of the school. After some thought, we decided on Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll and Lily has been learning the poem off by heart. As a tricky one, I have also set her some tasks to ensure she understands the poem and so she has re-written the story in her own words.<br />
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Oliver wasn't as interested in learning the poem or reading it aloud on camera but we all worked together to ensure that he was very much involved with our video. Matt got roped in too, although he wasn't too amused with me taking pictures of him in costume! Keep an eye out next week when we'll be sharing the results!<br />
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<i>Skills</i><br />
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I don't know about the kids, but my skills as a mum and housewife have been stretched to the limit in lockdown. I feel like I'm either in the kitchen or playing at being teacher and the pressure of both is palpable. With very little choice for getting a takeaway and no chance of eating out at a family favourite like Nandos, it's hard to keep thinking of new and exciting things that we'll all eat as a family. Most of my meal planning is based around tried and tested faves but that gets boring quickly, especially when tedium is already hovering at your shoulder waiting to strike. I'm constantly on the look out for new recipes and ideas to try.<br />
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When it comes to everything else though, I feel like I have stagnated. I suppose that keeping the children learning, entertained and happy, the family fed and the house relatively clean is enough of a challenge but I do miss having the chance to write and feel like maybe I'm missing out by not learning a new skill.<br />
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<i>Screentime (and Stories)</i><br />
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My main downtime relaxation consists of binge-watching Chicago Fire, Chicago PD and New Amsterdam and reading. It was hard to start something new after finishing Kingdom of Copper so I had a day or so without anything (usually unheard of) and then picked up Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas.<br />
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WOW. I wasn't sure what to expect from one of my favourite authors, usually a mix of modern tech and fae magic doesn't appeal to me, but this was epic. The last couple of hundred pages were a rollercoaster ride which left me with little sleep and a racing heartbeat. I can't recommend it enough as an escape from the realities of 2020.<br />
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For the children, Oliver doesn't get much more screentime than usual really, he will start watching something like Paw Patrol but after an episode or two he drifts off to play. Usually leaving me listening to Mayor Goodway's inane babbling. His other choices seem to have regressed slightly and he's enjoying watching the programmes he liked as a toddler, like Mickey's Clubhouse on Disney+ and Bing on CBeebies.<br />
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In the last week alone Lily has read The Worst Witch, the third 'Killer Cat' book by Anne Fine and has decided that she is going to start reading The Hobbit. It's slow going so far but it makes me so happy when she interrupts her reading to tell me something funny has happened, or spends an hour planning a <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2019/10/is-this-greatest-show.html" target="_blank">'show'</a> consisting of a rap/dance number and her own musical rendition of the dwarves' song. When the weather is nice we sit in the garden to read, me and my new reading buddy and I honestly love it, even the interruptions when she asks what a word is or tells me something that has happened.<br />
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After finishing 'Land of Roar' a few weeks ago we have now started a new bedtime chapter book: 'The Adventurers and the Cursed Castle' by Jemma Hatt. It's great so far, a bit like the Famous Five and with an Egyptian themed mystery it will feed into our half-term topic about Ancient Egypt.<br />
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<i>Supplies</i><br />
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As a family, we received the news of KFC reopening for delivery with much celebration this week. The excitement when the package arrived was tangible - which probably says a lot about my cooking!<br />
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We also received a rather lovely treat on Wednesday from the amazing <a href="https://hillscafe.co.uk/?fbclid=IwAR36IyevaSd7I2kLDS171LwjuuK-JitfdlMdmWlth-UrviSeoDc7pmm5Lpk" target="_blank">Hills Cafe</a> - some custard donuts to taste test! I wasn't expecting it so it was a pleasant, very tasty, surprise. It's great that they're adding more to their delivery options and doing so much to support the community. For us, it means we can get fresh bread and treats that we can't get anywhere else, for others, it's a lifeline in getting ready meals and even a phone call just to chat. If you fancy a donut or other sweet treat, you can order online!<br />
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I'm happy to report that we are well stocked with toilet rolls, it seems crazy to think about how they were all sold out a few weeks ago. I feel vindicated now in my refusal to panic buy, even if it did cause me a bit of stress and worry at the beginning.<br />
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<i>Socialising</i><br />
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Having missed last week's quiz, I'm really looking forward to it tomorrow. Other than that, my social highlight this week was baking some scones for a friend and taking them over, standing a few metres back for a quick chat which meant a lot.<br />
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Other than that, I've been hiding a bit over the last week. I tend to keep to myself when I'm not feeling too positive, after all, no one really needs to hear my moaning when we're all facing the same problems!<br />
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Even without seeing people, it's still nice to get out and about for a walk or the opportunity to just sit in the sunshine and watch the children play with a different background to the garden or the woods.<br />
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<i>Stress Levels</i><br />
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Sunday had me anxiously sitting down to listen to Boris' latest update. And had me shouting in disbelief at the television when he mentioned that Reception and Year One might be the first classes to return to school.<br />
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It's bonkers. Utterly bonkers.<br />
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I don't mind admitting, worrying about the kids going back to school is causing me a lot of anxiety at the moment. It has to be the right time and I'm worried about the consequences, not just to their physical health, but the mental and emotional challenge of expecting them to adhere to social distancing in an educational environment. I know I'm not the only parent waiting and worrying about what is going to happen next.<br />
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As it stands, I will not be sending the kids back yet. No matter how much I wish things would retrun to normal.<br />
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And so the waiting game continues. We don't really know what is going to happen and how long this could last. I personally am now ignoring the endless speculation, it doesn't help. I can't stop what it is going to happen, and so for now I am concentrating on just coping with the things that are happening now in the best way I can.<br />
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Are you doing the same?<br />
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Read about our previous weeks here:<br />
<a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2020/03/staying-home-saving-lives-covid19-diary.html">Week One</a><br />
<a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2020/04/staying-home-saving-lives-covid19-diary.html">Week Two</a><br />
<a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2020/04/staying-home-saving-lives-covid19-diary_10.html">Week Three</a><br />
<a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2020/04/staying-home-saving-lives-covid19-diary_17.html">Week Four</a><br />
<a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2020/05/staying-home-saving-lives-covid19-diary.html" target="_blank">Week Six</a>Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-87356816654814975692020-05-01T18:27:00.000+01:002020-05-15T09:08:05.670+01:00Staying Home, Saving Lives - A Covid19 Diary, Week SixThe days are long. Excruciatingly so at times. But the weeks are short.<br />
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I missed a week of updates. I'd like to say it was because I was completely busy but I wasn't. I don't feel like I get busy anymore, I don't work but I am homeschooling the kids, and as much as it is time consuming, I don't feel like my days are full or busy in a fulfilling way.</div>
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If anything, I guess I was busy being miserable! I do try and keep this blog positive but I have to admit that I am really struggling sometimes.</div>
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I find it hard to believe that it has been six weeks of this 'new normal', the weeks themselves now seem to have blended into one hazy week, similar to the summer holidays but without the highlights of trips, days out and friends to draw your attention.</div>
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Still, I set out to record these times for us as a family and so I will continue to do so. The rest of my writing seems to fall to the bottom of any to do list, I miss the uninterrupted space I was <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2020/01/school-struggles.html" target="_blank">only just getting used to</a> and so it is nice to have this one ritual every Friday, to sit down and think over the week that has passed.</div>
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<i>School</i></div>
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My homeschooling has been hit with a major crisis of confidence in the last couple of weeks. Nothing has triggered it, I just feel that I'm getting to end of my stored enthusiasm for playing at being a teacher. As the children ask for more and more work and seem ready to start the next topics, I'm left feeling like I can't keep up. I can help them with the work they are given, taking it further and adding more to the timetables set by school but I feel like I can't create a lesson once that work is completed.</div>
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It's a shame because actually, the lessons with the children were giving me back a sense of purpose that I haven't had since everything went pear shaped a few years ago. It's an exhausting job but I enjoy sitting down with the kids and showing them something new.</div>
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Our lessons are a little more spontaneous now, a bee on the windowsill in the bathroom inspires a morning of learning, that then feeds into art lessons and the topic about animals and life cycles. Lily painted a picture and labelled it, then wrote an acrostic poem. Oliver learnt about beehives and honey and was sad when the bee finally flew away (it threw itself off of the windowsill, so I hope it flew anyway).</div>
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Oliver's topic this week has been The Jolly Postman and so we have been working towards having a fairytale party today - playing Post Offices, designing invitations, talking about fairytale characters, writing a shopping list and even doing some budgeting. With so much of his work being centred around play, I feel more confident with expanding his learning and working around a topic.<br />
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The end of Ollie's topic party today was the highlight of the week. We dressed up (even me, but there aren't any photos), ate the cupcakes we made, played around and danced. My heart almost burst when Ollie asked Lily to dance and he twirled her around, kissing her hand and bowing at the end. He can be so cute sometimes!<br />
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Lily needs more work and more planning ahead. I'm using <a href="https://www.twinkl.co.uk/" target="_blank">Twinkl</a> resources and <a href="https://www.themathsfactor.com/" target="_blank">The Maths Factor</a> as well as the school's recommended <a href="https://whiterosemaths.com/" target="_blank">White Rose Maths</a>. However, I worry more about her falling behind, especially as she would have been doing her Y2 SATS this term under normal circumstances. On the positive side, she is so keen to learn and do things that it's easy to set her a task and leave her to it, she's also enjoyed getting involved with Oliver's topics and, when all else fails, she will sit and read a book.</div>
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We had a few exciting deliveries later in the week, including this tent from Hobbycraft which has been turned into a book den in the living room. On Friday night the children slept in it, even having a midnight snack (at 8pm shhh). I like to think that it's moments like that they will come to treasure, even if they don't notice the stuff I'm actively trying to teach them.</div>
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<i>Skills</i></div>
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Teaching the children to cook is a great idea and a really important life skill. That said, I wouldn't mind being able to cook a meal without help at least once a week!</div>
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As we've settled into the routine of cleaning and cooking, housework and gardening it seems there is less to actively learn and just more time spent going over what the children have done already. But this week I decided to teach the children how to cross stitch using these <a href="https://www.bakerross.co.uk/butterfly-wooden-cross-stitch-keyring-kits" target="_blank">butterfly kits from Baker Ross.</a><br />
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I feel like my motivation, my resolve, to take something positive from this experience has settled now to more realistic expectations. Teaching my kids to cook and clean may turn them into future Michelin chefs and super spouses but that isn't the point of staying home. As much as I want to give the kids everything they would have at school and more, I'm realising my own limitations and I can only do so much.</div>
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<i>Screentime</i></div>
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After saying <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2020/04/staying-home-saving-lives-covid19-diary_17.html" target="_blank">last time</a> that we hadn't had as much screentime, it has jumped up again this week. On the days I've been finding things hard it's easy to just let the kids spend an hour on the Kindle, reading, playing games and watching something different to whatever their sibling is watching on the TV.<br />
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Matt and I have finished watching The Nest and Race Across the World and are looking for something else to watch so have started watching New Amsterdam on Amazon Prime Video. It's already proving to be popular and we're a few episodes in after a couple of days.<br />
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I finished City of Brass and started Kingdom of Copper straight away! This book caught my attention more than any other in a long time and transported me away on a flying carpet to a world of fiery Djinn and mysterious Marid. I have pre-ordered the third book on my Kindle already and am counting down to when I can visit again.<br />
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<i>Supplies</i><br />
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I've come to dread the weekly shop. I put it off as long as possible but no matter when I do it I always find myself close to having an anxiety attack. I think it's the combination of fear (of catching Covid19), stress (at buying the right thing, not forgetting anything, finding what I actually want to buy) and worry (about the cost and how long the supplies will last).<br />
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When it comes to cooking with the supplies I do get, I am enjoying cooking different meals but at the same time resenting the feeling of being chef on top of a teacher and a cleaner. I find that I prefer cooking a hot main meal for lunch and then letting Matt prepare a snack for tea time, otherwise I feel like I never leave the kitchen and dining room.<br />
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It's a bad decision for my health but I have bought a deep fat fryer. Frankly, I don't care. The chips are amazing and in the absence of Nandos and my favourite restaurants and takeaways, I need something get me through. Homemade chips for the win.<br />
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<i>Socialising</i><br />
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The social highlight of my week has become a weekly quiz with a small group of friends. It's not long and it's not fancy but just seeing their faces and having a bit of a giggle means so much to me. I also joined a quiz with Matt and his school mates which was a great laugh, lockdown or not.<br />
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When it comes to missing everyone, I just tend to put my head in the sand. It's a bad habit I've had for a while and means that I'm not very good at calling people or arranging to chat on Zoom or similar.<br />
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However, as time goes on I'm finding that I really do need to be better at contacting the people I'm thinking of and I plan to be more intentional about organising quizzes and virtual get togethers over the next week. I'll let you know how I get on!<br />
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<i>Stress Levels</i><br />
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More than anything, I wish I could switch off my dreams. I have always had very vivid dreams and nightmares that I find hard to shake off the next day, combined with my anxiety about this whole situation, and the fear of losing people I love, I don't think I have a good night's sleep in a long time.<br />
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Even on the days when I think things have gone well, when I've avoided the worst of the news and kept the fears and worry at bay, it's at night when the thoughts creep up on me and the dreams hit me. I'm trying some mindfulness techniques before I sleep now, and spending time in prayer properly before I try and sleep.<br />
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If I find it hard to sleep then I find that listening to some of my favourite worship tracks help a bit. It's better to have one of those songs in my head than Baby Shark!<br />
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How're you finding things? Are you enjoying the time you're spending at home or is worry causing you anxiety? Let me know in the comments or join me to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ourcherrytree/" target="_blank">chat over on Facebook</a>!<br />
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You can read about previous weeks here:<br />
<a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2020/03/staying-home-saving-lives-covid19-diary.html" target="_blank">Week One</a><br />
<a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2020/04/staying-home-saving-lives-covid19-diary.html" target="_blank">Week Two</a><br />
<a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2020/04/staying-home-saving-lives-covid19-diary_10.html" target="_blank">Week Three</a><br />
<a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2020/04/staying-home-saving-lives-covid19-diary_17.html" target="_blank">Week Four</a></div>
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Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-79728442491444489932020-04-17T16:00:00.000+01:002020-05-15T09:08:05.642+01:00Staying Home, Saving Lives - A Covid19 Diary, Week FourYesterday the lockdown in the UK was extended for at least another three weeks. I'm not surprised, I may hide my head in the sand when it comes to statistics and news reports but I know that outside of my home there are people dying everyday.<br />
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At the same time, you get idiots who are refusing to adhere to common sense social distancing. Throwing parties, or getting together to 'clap for the NHS' in Central London when it is perfectly fine to do it from your own front door.<br />
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As much as it chafes being home all the time, unable to live life 'normally', I really believe that a stricter, more enforced lockdown is the way forward to stop the spread of the disease from overwhelming our public health services.<br />
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Inside my bubble, things are getting trickier each week, harder to shrug off anxieties and keep a positive outlook.<br />
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<i>School</i><br />
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Home learning in the morning has become the cornerstone of our day. We haven't taken a break for Easter holidays because having it there brings structure and routine, a reason to get up and get the chores done before we do a little bit of work. Having said that, enthusiasm for the task is better some days than others!<br />
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Our 'Fantasy Story' topic is drawing to a natural close. Lily is busy writing a chapter or two every couple of days, snippets of story that I prompt with a few questions about the setting and characters. I'm finding that her own ideas are nearly always better than my own! I'll ask her to describe something, like an attic, with a simple adjective and instead she comes up with 'it's dark, dusty and the floorboards are creaky'. I'm loving seeing where her imagination takes her.<br />
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We've found the <a href="https://www.storyjumper.com/prices" target="_blank">Story Jumper</a> site where you can make, illustrate and even narrate your own story, with ability to order a printed copy when it is finished. Both Lily and Ollie are having fun designing their books and typing it up, uploading pictures and saving the work adds an element of ICT into the topic.<br />
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In addition to The Maths Factor, which is the maths lesson each day, I have printed a number of worksheets from <a href="https://login.mathletics.com/" target="_blank">Mathletics</a> and <a href="https://www.twinkl.co.uk/home-learning-hub" target="_blank">Twinkl</a> which the children can complete and take into school 'when this is over'.<br />
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Our next Topic is continuing the one Lily had at school, we're looking at Animals, Habitats and Lifecycles. I'm planning it at the moment, have ordered some caterpillars from <a href="https://www.insectlore.co.uk/?SID=e3elq3l613bpmopgf54uhqeus6" target="_blank">Insect Lore</a> and am putting together some resources for researching different animals and their habitats. I'm hoping that it'll keep us going for another few weeks before we either go back to school or we see what work is set by the teacher. Just in case the children really don't return to school before July, I have also lined up a couple of other topics to keep us going - I'm planning for a worse case scenario here.<br />
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<i>Skills</i><br />
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Cooking lessons continue most days, even if it is sometimes pouring sauce out of a jar and serving with some pasta. I want the kids to feel like they can easily throw together a meal when they're older, and we're discussing about healthy eating and snacks regularly too. Sure, it'd be nice to turn my children into future chefs but I'm realistic, they need to know how to chuck fishcakes and chips into the oven just as much as they need to prepare some of our more ambitious meals!<br />
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With the weather being so wonderful, it has been lovely to get out in the garden. However, Matt decided that this week would be the perfect time to treat the lawn. Honestly? I could have hit him with a spade. It has meant that the kids haven't been able to play on the grass for a few days.<br />
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This weekend I'm thinking of digging out the white paint and giving the downstairs of our home a fresh coat of paint. It's something I've been meaning to do for a while but have kept putting off. I guess now seems like a good time, we'll see how it goes!<br />
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<i>Screentime</i><br />
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If I'm honest, I was expecting our screen time to increase as the weeks go on, but if anything it does seem to be trailing off as the children would rather play. When we do sit down to watch something I find we're still relying heavily on Disney+ or the usual suspects on Netflix and iPlayer.<br />
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I'm reading at any opportunity. Which, let's face it, isn't anything new! I think I'll always love sitting in a quiet place with a book and glass of wine. Having finished the Oremere Chronicles by Helen Scheuerer (which I loved) I have now moved on to City of Brass by S.A Chakraborty. It's a vivid setting, so rich with colour and character - perfect for escaping from the endlessly repetitive days.<br />
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Once the kids have gone to bed, I've succumbed once again to the Chicago Fire/PD series. It's a guilty pleasure! We're going to need some more binge-worthy television soon, so hit me up with your recommendations.<br />
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<i>Supplies</i><br />
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I had another stressful visit to the supermarket this week. Despite the queue to enter the store being much shorter than my last visit, I found the experience to be a nightmare. There are still lots of empty shelves, flour seems to have over taken toilet rolls as the hoarders product of choice and the remaining options are limited and more expensive.<br />
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At the same time, I found that so many people this time round weren't adhering to the social distancing measures put in place by the store. I realised last time that I hadn't adhered to the arrow guides on the floor and so had been going the wrong way. I decided to make up for it this time by following the assigned route throughout the store. Only for a couple to loudly refer to me as 'f***ing stupid' for apparently coming too close to them - but they were the ones going the 'wrong way'. It put me on edge the whole way round and I couldn't wait to get out of the shop.<br />
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An easier way to shop for the basics like bread, milk and eggs has been our lovely local <a href="https://hillscafe.co.uk/?fbclid=IwAR36IyevaSd7I2kLDS171LwjuuK-JitfdlMdmWlth-UrviSeoDc7pmm5Lpk" target="_blank">Hills Cafe</a>. They've mobilised their resources and suppliers and are providing services to the community. I ordered some basics and a couple of extras (like pastries and brownies) and it was delivered to my front door the next day by someone who stood back and still asked if I was doing OK.<br />
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<i>Socialising</i><br />
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My week has been brightened by the odd little conversations and encounters with my friends. A FaceTime call, Jesse Spencer gifs and some great memes have made me smile in the hardest moments.<br />
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On Thursday we discovered that if I call the kids in the garden then a friend who is walking in the woods behind my house can hear me well enough for a brief exchange of 'I miss you!' and today Lily and I both ended up in tears after another chance doorstep encounter, making us realise just how much we're missing the people we're used to seeing everyday.<br />
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<i>Stress Levels</i><br />
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I don't think anyone is finding this easy. I'm trying to maintain a positive attitude for the children but this week I've also sat down with both of them to explain that it's OK to sometimes feel sad about it all.<br />
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With so many lessons to learn from this time, I'd like to think that as a family we can demonstrate to the kids how to look after your mental health as well as your physical. It's just that I feel as woefully inept in this area as I do in most other areas of parenting!<br />
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So as always, despite my best efforts at planning, organising and thinking, I'm still winging it and hoping for the best. I take whatever hope I can from the 'little things' like the excitement on the kid's faces when I tell them we can play 'Mummy's special Lord of the Rings Monopoly'. I just hope there are enough of these little things to get us all through this.<br />
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How has your week been? Leave a note in the comments!<br />
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Find out how things went <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2020/04/staying-home-saving-lives-covid19-diary_10.html" target="_blank">last week here</a>.<br />
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The summary for weeks <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2020/05/staying-home-saving-lives-covid19-diary.html" target="_blank">five and six</a> can be found <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2020/03/staying-home-saving-lives-covid19-diary.html" target="_blank">here</a>.Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-6889006647412282792020-04-10T18:01:00.001+01:002020-05-15T09:08:05.611+01:00Staying Home, Saving Lives - A Covid19 Diary, Week ThreeThe end of our third week in isolation coincides with a day that I find tough at the best of times, my Dad's birthday, and it's harder than I expected it to be last year. I have nowhere to escape to.<br />
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So despite being really lucky (I have my home, my family, my garden and a good book, to name but a few things I'm grateful for), it's been hard to think of the positives. As always, the kids have pulled me through, even if they're currently driving me crazy by playing the YMCA on repeat...</div>
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In general, I'm still trying to keep my head under the covers and ignore the statistics and news reports. I was worried when Boris Johnson was in ICU, he may not be my favourite person but I wouldn't wish him, or anyone else, ill. I kept a vague eye on the updates and relied on Matt to let me know when he was moved onto a normal ward.</div>
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Like others, I sat and watched the Queen address the nation and felt, once again, like this is a moment in history that people will want to look back on. Not at me particularly, my life in lockdown is pretty mundane, but at humanity as a whole. It's one of those times when you feel part of something momentous.</div>
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So, as the kids move on to Party Rock Anthem (they're supposed to be tidying their room, but instead they appear to be having some sort of party), I'll let you know a summary of our week.</div>
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<i>School</i></div>
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Both the kids and I cope much better with a routine in place, and so although it is technically the Easter holidays this week, I have been continuing with some of our home learning. The school hasn't provided anything over the break and so I'm flying solo and working hard trying to think of topic and challenges that appeal to my children's interests.</div>
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For Ollie, this has meant dinosaur maths worksheets and some reading, he likes to play more than Lily and will do a task or two before disappearing to do something else. He's been playing with a wide variety of his toys which has been nice to see, I guess he's used to having so many different toys and activities in Reception that I'm happy for him to just learn through play. When we're together we've been working on telling the time and Ollie has invented his own monster character for the 'Land of Griffin'.</div>
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With Lily, we've been writing more of our 'Enchanted Elvenia' story, working through writing prompts and outlining more of the story line. She's also been reading lots and so we're starting to write book reviews of each one.<br />
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In art and craft we made shields using the designs for our magical land coat of arms which was easy and fun. We then used a monster scratch art kit that Ollie received as a gift to help us think about more characters for our magical lands, I fully expect the kids to be able to write the next Lord of the Rings at the rate we're going!<br />
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Then in RE we've obviously been learning about Easter ahead of this weekend. It's nice to have varied topics we can dip into!<br />
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For exercise, we've been playing in the garden every afternoon, making the most of the really sunny weather. When inside, we've all been taking part in Oti Mabuse's daily dance workouts. We shared a video of Matt and the kids dancing to the Bare Necessities with her last week on Twitter and it had over 2,500 views! If you want to see the whole video, you can check it out here:</div>
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We made the video as a birthday message for Lily's friend Samiyah, which is why you can see the banner in the background!</div>
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<i>Skills</i></div>
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After letting things slide last week, I've been trying to catch up with the chores. Lily has turned out to be pretty good when it comes to sorting and folding the washing, even if she is carrying a tally of how much money we're going to owe her for chores when this is all over.</div>
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On Wednesday, we combined our morning lesson with more life skills and made our lunch from scratch. It was really fun to do, using an easy recipe for 'beer bread' from a friend and pairing it with a delicious soup that the kids helped to make.</div>
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We did more baking today, attempting a recipe for yeast-free hot cross buns. Yeast is like gold dust apparently! Our buns came out more like scones than we expected but they tasted great and I'm planning on trying again tomorrow, not like there's loads of other things to do!</div>
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<i>Screentime</i></div>
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We've spent more time in the garden this week and so screentime has been limited to usual viewing and the odd extra film for quiet time. I snuggled with Lily earlier in the week to watch The Hunchback of Notre Dame which was nice, I still remember going to watch it at the cinemas!</div>
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Disney+ has saved my sanity more than once, and I'm loving the retro classics like Gummy Bears and Rescue Rangers. </div>
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I finished Heart of Mist and am on to the next book, despite having Sarah J Maas' new book Crescent City waiting to be read, I'm really into this story and am loving the twists and turns.</div>
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<i>Supplies</i></div>
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It shows you the state of things with shopping and hoarding in the UK, that I found an unopened pack of Dettol Anti-bacterial wipes under the sink and felt like I'd won the lottery! I don't need to go shopping for anything at the moment but not being able to is causing my some anxiety anyway (whoops) and I have to admit I'm really missing being able to get a takeaway or go out for a meal.</div>
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We couldn't get to a shop with proper Hot Cross Buns and I decided it wasn't worth a trip to the supermarket, which is unfortunate but we just made our own. It might not be the same but it is close enough and we had fun making them.</div>
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I'm glad that I picked up two Easter Eggs for the kids when I did the last shop, as it has been hard buying any online and I have given up trying. I looked for myself but decided it wasn't worth splashing out on a chocolate egg for the sake of it, and am instead looking forward to getting some truffles from the <a href="https://www.highlandchocolatier.com/" target="_blank">Highland Chocolatier</a> which was my own treat to myself this Easter.</div>
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We have enough food stocked up at the moment and I'm not worried about running out but I am concerned for our budget. I thought that without eating out and staying in, we'd save money, which is true, however, our usual shopping and snacks is really, really expensive right now. It nearly balances out for us but it's still a concern at the back of my mind. We're certainly not saving money for a big holiday when 'all this is over'!</div>
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<i>Socialising</i></div>
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For someone who is a <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2016/08/i-am-rubbish-friend.html" target="_blank">self-confessed rubbish friend</a>, I am really missing my buddies. Really, really missing them. </div>
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I know that they're only on the other end of the phone, but it isn't the same as seeing the Mums on the school run twice a day, popping into town to meet a friend for a coffee or having a house full after school.</div>
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At the same time, I'm feeling overwhelmed and am desperate for my own space. I've got used to being on my own for big chunks of the day and I miss that silence and the opportunity to just do whatever I want, even if that is usually putting off the household tasks in favour of reading a book.</div>
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<i>Stress Levels</i></div>
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I haven't been feeling very well this week and it has sent my anxiety soaring once again. It's a cough, sore throat and fatigue and so I swing between thinking I have Covid19 and we're all gonna die and dismissing it as a cold because I haven't had a temperature. As I have no idea and no way of being sure right now I am keeping to the house, not even popping out for a walk round the block. We still have the garden but really, all I have wanted to do most afternoons is have a lie down and read or nap.</div>
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In the last few days both Lily and Ollie have felt unwell too. I keep telling myself it's only a cold because if I have to acknowledge that they are poorly, even mildly so, I know that I will find it hard to keep the fear and panic at bay. As it is, I'm worried about Matt who is still the most vulnerable in our family and I've been having awful nightmares about stuff happening to him.</div>
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I've been trying so hard to keep positive for the kids as I don't want them to remember this as a time of being afraid but I fear that I am failing. I paste on a smile and crack on with things in the mornings but then end up feeling more unwell later in the day, and I don't want to add being ill to the list of things that are already strange and unsettling for Lily and Oliver.</div>
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I'll be back with an update next week! I'll also share some more of our activities and have a few product reviews in case you're looking for something to do with the children! Matt has been hogging the PC to work from home but now he has a few days off I'm hoping to catch up a little.</div>
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To read about week one you can see it <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2020/03/staying-home-saving-lives-covid19-diary.html" target="_blank">here</a> and week two is <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2020/04/staying-home-saving-lives-covid19-diary.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Have a good week and stay home!</div>
Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-49486346402762081652020-04-03T18:39:00.003+01:002020-05-15T09:08:05.523+01:00Staying Home, Saving Lives - A Covid19 Diary, Week TwoOur new normal continues. Days spent at home, not seeing our friends face to face, not going into the workplace or popping to the shops whenever we need to pick something up.<br />
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In the world outside the death toll is rising and the numbers of people sick are only the tip of the iceberg. In many ways, I'm almost glad to stay home, where I have at least a small chance of burying my head in the sand (or under a duvet) and blocking out the fear and anxiety that swamps me whenever I read or watch the news.<br />
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It hasn't been the easiest week as the novelty of having the kids at home has worn off slightly and I'm feeling the strain of keeping everyone fed, entertained and happy.<br />
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<i>School</i><br />
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Home learning activities are still proving to be fun but I'm struggling at managing the tasks for Lily and Ollie's different age groups. Both relish having my attention, but I can't easily teach Ollie his phonics and Lily her reading comprehension at the same time. It's definitely a challenge!<br />
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We have good days and bad days. On the good ones I feel like I achieve something, the kids enjoy their activities, their exercise and cooking. On the bad days I feel like a complete and utter failure, incapable of keeping my family looked after, let alone happy and progressing as normal. Today, Ollie wanted to do a spellings test like Lily, so I gave him some key words to do, all great until he got the very last one wrong. Despite getting 9/10 it just wasn't good enough for him and he cried and screamed for 15 minutes straight. By which time, I was ready to call it a day.<br />
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It was 10:30.<br />
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We're still reading <a href="https://jennymclachlan.com/2019/07/11/the-land-of-roar/">The Land of Roar by Jenny McLachlan</a> and it is proving so popular we are also reading it during the day at any available opportunity. We've been working some more on our own fantasy lands, creating characters on the computer and then writing character descriptions. We've also been using the Writing Challenge prompts from school to feed into our own storytelling and ideas. I've also set aside time for us to write to friends and family, thinking that receiving something in the post might brighten their day. Everyone loves receiving happy mail right?<br />
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For PE we've been continuing with Oti Mabuse dance classes. Instead of learning a different one each day, Lily is working on perfecting her routine to the 'Bare Necessities'. Even Matt has been joining in! Oliver only wants to dance along when he can wear his Bear onesie.<br />
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On Thursday we had a walk around the neighbourhood for our daily exercise, delivering a bottle of wine to a friend in need and some chocolates to the teachers holding the fort at school for key worker's children. When we were there Lily picked up a couple of books that were to be donated to charity and enjoyed Anne Fine's Diary of a Killer Cat so much that she finished it in one day.<br />
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As someone who isn't very good at Maths, I was worried about my ability to teach the kids this at home. I much prefer doing English, Science, History or various projects. However, I signed up the kids to the Maths Factor by Carol Vorderman and they are loving it so far. They've only just started and so the lessons are quite basic (the sessions are teaching Ollie to count to ten, he can count to 100 already) but I think the practice is still good for them and I expect they'll be more challenging soon.<br />
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<i>Skills</i><br />
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As a family, our enthusiasm for constant cleaning and chores is waning this week! Instead, we made a start on tidying the garden on Sunday, enjoying the bright but brisk spring days whilst we have them. We also had a family walk in the woods near us, the kids enjoying the time to play in the trees and Matt and I enjoying just being out and enjoying a relatively 'normal' activity.<br />
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The kids do still love to cook and with a *nearly* full cupboard and freezer, we've been able to have some really tasty meals this week, including a Greek-style gyros with homemade tzatziki. The next day we used the leftovers for a yummy lunch that we could all share in, a pleasant change from cheese sandwiches with a packet of crisps.<br />
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<i>Screentime</i><br />
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Truth be told, we are watching a lot of TV! Lily enjoyed watching Malory Towers on iPlayer and is now working her way through the Tracey Beaker series again. Ollie likes to watch the various Andy Adventures and the Numberblocks, currently giving us a break from Paw Patrol and Fireman Sam!<br />
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In the evenings, Matt and I don't have one thing to completely binge at the moment and so instead we're watching the second series of Liar, the latest Race Around the World and dipping in to Netflix's Tiger King - it's way to bizarre for me to watch in one sitting!<br />
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Similarly, I finished reading Hold Back the Tide in just over 24 hours, sobbing at the ending. I've now moved on to reading Heart of Mist which was free with my Kindle Prime and worth a try! I haven't had much time to read uninterrupted at the moment, I'm missing the chances I'd have to read whilst the kids were at school.<br />
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<i>Supplies</i><br />
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It's now nearly impossible to get a slot for home delivery with any of the big supermarkets and so this week I braved a trip to Asda. I can't remember a time when I've been that stressed out shopping for food and household supplies! On the upside, I got most things I wanted and most people were adhering to the 2 metre social distancing measures put in place.<br />
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I'm hoping that if we eat sensibly then the shop should last us over a week, so it'll be a while before I have to venture out again. In the meantime, we've had some tasty meals and far too many snacks!<br />
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Oh, and I managed to purchase a 24 pack of loo roll, which means that not only are my fears of being toilet paperless are alleviated, but I also feel like I've won the lottery...<br />
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<i>Socialising</i><br />
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There have been a few birthdays this week and I'm feeling a bit sad for the family and friends who can't celebrate as normal. I've been chatting with friends about the parties and social events we'll all have 'when this is over' and it still seems quite far away.<br />
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FaceTime and similar tools are great, it's great to be able to see someone's face when you're chatting.<br />
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But it just isn't the same as being there in person.<br />
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<i>Stress Levels</i><br />
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My stress and anxiety are still keeping me up at night and dominating my thoughts during the day. I've cried more this week than last week and have had headaches for the last couple of days. I'm glad it's the weekend, not that it really makes much difference as we can't go anywhere, but at least Matt is around and we can do more as a family.<br />
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Next week is meant to be the Easter Holidays. I'm gutted that we can't go back to Warwick Castle with out rainy day guarantee this weekend as planned. It was something we were all looking forward to, by the time we're out of lockdown our re-entry would have expired which is terribly disappointing. I know that in the grand scheme of things, this isn't important, but I'm still a bit sad about it all.<br />
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I guess 'sad' is how I'd some up my feelings for the week. There have been many good points but I'm definitely not feeling as positive as I was last week. I'm a lot more emotional and tearful than I have been, the positive and nice 'stuff' just as likely to make me cry as the bad bits.<br />
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If you want to read about our first week, you can <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2020/03/staying-home-saving-lives-covid19-diary.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
Check back next week for a new update!Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-54740154770642996752020-03-27T18:40:00.000+00:002020-05-15T09:08:05.581+01:00Staying Home, Saving Lives - A Covid19 Diary, Week OneHow quickly situations change. A month ago we were out and about, visiting Warwick Castle and juggling the school run with numerous requests for play dates and activities.<br />
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Today, marks the first full week spent at home full time, restricted to the home and avoiding all face-to-face contact with friends and family.<br />
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It's been a mixed week, I've been tracking little bits in my bullet journal, something to look back on when my grand children are studying this in their history lessons. Because it is a unique (dare I use the word 'unprecedented') situation for our modern world, that so many of us are sat in our homes in the hope of keeping ourselves and others safe. And in the future, it'll be good for historians to know exactly what so many ordinary people were thinking and doing amidst the fear and eerie quiet.<br />
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However, I've quickly realised that a bullet journal isn't enough for me to explain, or work my way through, the emotions and anxiety I'm feeling. So I'll be publishing my thoughts on my blog, my space on the internet for writing about the things that interest and effect me, as a geeky mum who would rather be swanning around in a pretty dress and reading a book about knights and fae.<br />
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To curtail my rambling, I have tried to sort my thoughts into categories: School, Skills, Screentime, Supplies, Socialising and Stress Levels... I'm hoping the reasoning behind these becomes clear as you read!<br />
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<i>School</i><br />
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The children left school at 3:15 on Friday 20th March and don't know when they'll return. It might be a few weeks, it could be a few months, and it was the uncertainty of it all that really got to Lily. Her class were dismissed in tears at the end of the day after receiving a message from their class teacher (who I think may be self-isolating, but I'm not sure). Lily and her best friends walked home in tears and I couldn't even tease a happy picture from them.<br />
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It hit home to me just how important it would be to make this time enjoyable for her and Ollie, and made me think about the ways in which I want to protect them from the stress as much as possible.<br />
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With that in mind, we started Monday full of optimism. It felt like playing schools at first, Ollie asked to line up in the living room at the start of the day and we have a loose routine to follow, we covered a lot that day and finished a lot of the work sent home by the school. Whoops.<br />
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I was inspired on Sunday evening by our current chapter book - <a href="https://jennymclachlan.com/2019/07/11/the-land-of-roar/" target="_blank">The Land of Roar by Jenny McLachlan</a> and decided that our weekly project would be to create our own fantasy worlds, characters and stories. With that in mind we did some 'research' in books we had around the home and made maps for our magical lands on Monday. Just as we were finishing I saw that Jenny on Twitter had shared a tutorial on how to make your own maps and it was great for helping us with the last few ideas.<br />
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Since then we've also researched and created a Coat of Arms, designed our magical portal and instructions on how to get there and have started writing about our characters and plot.<br />
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Personally, I love it, mainly because it's something that I love to do and it includes lots of reading, writing and imagination. It's something that has worked out great for me as well as the kids as I'm not particularly good at fractions!<br />
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<i>Skills</i><br />
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No matter how much I enjoy 'playing teacher', I knew from the start that it just wouldn't be feasible to recreate a school day here at home. I wanted to balance, or at least <i>attempt</i> to balance, some school work and learning with other skills and fun. We've dedicated the first bit of time each day to chores, with the kids jumping at the chance to dust and help with hoovering.<br />
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Towards the end of the day, Lily and Ollie have been taking it in turns to help with the cooking, our menu might seem limited but they've been enjoying helping out and I'm hoping it will help them with skills they're going to need later in life. So far, it's going well!<br />
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<i>Screentime</i><br />
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Realistically, I don't think I could have survived this far without a little screentime. Both Lily and Ollie have taken part in PE with Joe Wicks and Lily has also enjoyed dancing with Oti Mabuse. We've also been saved by the new series of Malory Towers on BBC iPlayer and the launch of Disney+<br />
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When things have got a bit much, I've also found online teaching tools to be immensely helpful. We've been doing a lot of Reading Eggs this week and hope to start the Maths Factor from Monday.<br />
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For me? I've finished two books and have today started Hold Back The Tide by Melinda Salisbury. Reading is the escape I need to maintain my sanity right now.<br />
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<i>Supplies</i><br />
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Luckily, I booked a slot a couple of weeks ago for this Wednesday... but unluckily I now have no further slots booked and fresh supplies and snacks are starting to dwindle. There seems to be a ridiculous amounts of selfish people still panic buying and the queues outside the supermarkets are scarily long.<br />
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For now, we have enough in the freezer and cupboard for just over a week and I'm working hard to make it last. The hardest thing is having four people at home during the day wanting lunch and snacks all the time, I'm actually debating hiding the biscuits...<br />
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And I can confirm that we're doing OK for loo roll despite not stockpiling 100s of rolls. A friend managed to grab some for us at the beginning of the week and I'm rationing it.<br />
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<i>Socialising</i><br />
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It's hit me today just how long it could be until I see my friends and I cried. I miss the simplicity of popping into the local cafe after the school run, chatting at school pick up and all the times I see my friends during the week at toddler groups and kids clubs.<br />
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Most of my conversations now happen on WhatsApp and is mainly a cavalier attempt at humour when we're all struggling slightly in our own ways. As well as a fair few conversations about how busy the shops are and whether it's possible to get everything you need!<br />
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<i>Stress Levels</i><br />
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Honestly? My stress and anxiety are through the roof but I've been trying to stay optimistic as much as possible. It's been hard because last week I had a traumatic emergency dentist appointment after getting an abscess in my tooth... it still hurts and the swelling has only just gone down, which has had a huge effect on my mood and physical well being this week.<br />
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When I'm not feeling sorry for myself for having toothache I'm worrying. Worrying and stressing about everybody and everything. Will I get ill? Will someone I love get ill? What if someone I love dies? How long is this going to last? How bad is it going to get? What about my friends and family, are they doing OK?<br />
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Over the last two days I have stepped back from checking the news in an attempt to avoid triggering panic attacks that were looming. It's still hard with navigating social media but I find it a little easier when I'm not obsessing over rising statistics and pictures of makeshift mortuaries outside of hospitals.<br />
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And so am I still optimistic? Perhaps not as much as I was on Monday, but I'm still feeling hopeful that something good can come from all this. So far, we are all well and reasonably happy, Matt is able to work from home and the kids are adjusting to the new way of things.<br />
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It's also helped to be able to go for a short walk or sit in the garden, the weather is beautiful and so we're making the most of it, even if it is strange just waving to our friends from the windows of our homes!<br />
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Let's see how next week goes! Let me know in the comments or on Facebook how you've been finding things. Are you optimistic?Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-79173456126315223972020-03-03T11:35:00.000+00:002020-03-03T11:35:15.584+00:00Review - Warwick Castle 2020Ollie decided last summer that what he'd really like for his 5th birthday was a Knights and Dragons themed party.<div>
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I was (<a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2015/11/my-unusual-hobby-bedn.html" target="_blank">obviously</a>) more than happy to oblige! I mean, I love history, I love tales of Knights in Shining Armour, heraldry, jousting, combat... I got planning straight away, I sorted the colour scheme, the plates, the room layout, the balloons. Everything. Combined with <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2017/05/party-planning-in-action.html" target="_blank">party planning</a>? This was going to be EPIC.</div>
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And then, just before I started purchasing things. Ollie changed his mind.</div>
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He didn't want a big party anymore, he wanted a treat, something like his trip to the <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2018/10/natural-history-museum-day-trip.html" target="_blank">Natural History Museum</a> except with his current passion in mind - Knights and Castles.</div>
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So with that in mind I started planning a day out at Warwick Castle instead.</div>
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We've <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2017/02/review-warwick-castle.html" target="_blank">been there before</a> as family when we had Merlin Passes a few years ago and I was looking forward to returning with the kids a bit older. I knew there would be more for them to do and more to interest them this time round.</div>
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My two little Knights were ready to go and we were first in line when the castle opened it's gates. Having got there early we parked relatively close and we had already pre-printed our tickets at home which saved us time queuing for the ticket office. It's worth booking your tickets online as it saves you time and money on the day, as well as including a guaranteed return for free if it rains for a certain amount of time during your visit.</div>
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We decided to go the week before Ollie's birthday, during half term, because there was a week of special archery demonstrations in addition to the usual shows and attractions. On arriving we immediately checked out the timings of the shows so that we could plan our day without missing out on something we really wanted to see.</div>
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Our first activities included the <a href="https://www.warwick-castle.com/explore/castle/attractions/" target="_blank">Kingmaker exhibit, the Time Tower and the Princess Tower</a>. These were all inside and perfect for keeping out of the torrential rain which hit shortly after our arrival. Ollie wasn't a fan of the dim lighting in the Kingmaker exhibit but it <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2017/02/review-warwick-castle.html" target="_blank">remains one of my favourite areas</a>, I love the idea of exploring a castle in the midst of the inhabitants preparing for battle. We were able to explore the sights and sounds, try on the helmets and armour and read a bit about Richard Neville which is always fascinating.</div>
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Lily particularly enjoyed the Time Tower with it's pre-recorded interactive features which take you through the history of the castle from Anglo-Saxon times to the present day. It was the first time we'd visited this feature and it was a great way of introducing you to the castle and it's history! If you visit, try and head here first as it sets up the rest of the day really well.</div>
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The Princess Tower <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2017/02/review-warwick-castle.html" target="_blank">had been a big favourite</a> the last time we visited. You need to get a ticket for a time slot but this is free and the slots are regular so you don't have to wait long. We used the time before our slot to visit the Great Hall and State Rooms which was good timing and kept us out of the rain. Having <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2017/02/review-warwick-castle.html" target="_blank">visited the Princess Tower before</a>, the experience wasn't <i>quite</i> as magical for the adults but Lily was still amused even when Ollie was grumpy and I'm always a big fan of a princess story.</div>
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As Ollie's birthday is usually a little wet and windy I didn't expect a day of bright sunshine. However, I was glad for the previously mentioned Rainy Day Guarantee because the weather during our trip was truly horrific and it did impact the enjoyment a little. Ollie struggled when he was wet and cold, as I imagine most nearly 5 year olds would and I would have felt bad if his day had been ruined by the weather. Luckily, we were able to make the most of it and worked our day around the weather as much as posisble.</div>
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The wind and rain was worse around lunchtime and nearly everyone visiting seemed to head inside to escape the downpour. We had planned to take part in the Children's Tour but it seemed really busy. So, to avoid the crowds we decided to grab some lunch and headed out of the castle into the town to the Chip Shed for a tasty lunch (I'll review that separately another time).</div>
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We got soaked both before and after lunch but were relieved to have a brief respite in the afternoon which allowed us to watch the show in the Bird of Prey arena and also spend some time on the Have A Go Archery which went down really well with all members of the Kirsch family!</div>
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The staff were very friendly and good with the kids, despite there being a queue behind us I didn't feel like we were rushed at all which was nice and we had enough arrows for all of us to have a go. Ollie loved this part of the day and all of us would've have done more archery if we could.</div>
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We also used this time to explore <a href="https://www.warwick-castle.com/explore/castle/attractions/castle-exteriors/towers-battlements/" target="_blank">The Mound</a> which is the oldest part of the castle and offers some great views from the top. There were so many learning opportunities on our way to the top and I loved sharing my passion for history with Matt and the kids. </div>
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Warwick Castle does feel like more of an attraction than a historic castle in many ways but I don't see this as a bad thing. I enjoy the modern amenities associated with Merlin Attractions whilst also being able to learn and explore about history with my kids and that's what I love most about Warwick Castle as somewhere to visit for a day out.</div>
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Ollie refused outright to go into the 'Gaol' of the castle - the original castle dungeon. But Lily bravely ventured down with Matt, shes always up for adventure! They're still a bit young to try out the '<a href="https://www.warwick-castle.com/explore/castle/attractions/the-castle-dungeon/" target="_blank">Castle Dungeon</a>' so we didn't purchase this with our tickets. I'd like to try it out one day, perhaps when the kids are older.</div>
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Determined to pack in as much as possible to our day, we wandered around the 'Royal Weekend Party' before braving the elements for the Horrible History Maze. We didn't hang around too much but did ensure we visited every area of the maze to get our history passports stamped - and putting Matt and Lily in the stocks. </div>
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Of course.</div>
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By the time it got to the archery demonstration at the end of the day we were pretty soaked and beginning to get <i>really </i>cold. However, we refused to be deterred from the last bits of entertainment, squeezing everything we could out of Ollie's magical treat.</div>
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I'm glad we stayed because the skills shown by the performers were seriously impressive. I used to be part of a historical re-enactment society and, I'm ashamed to admit, it has made me a bit fussy when it comes to costumes, characters and combat. And yet I found little to criticise as the group performing the show were fantastic. I like the attention to detail in their clothing and their backstory, the snippets of history they gave and the way they made it all so entertaining. It ignited a fire in my tummy and me want to rush home and put on one of my dresses, desperate to be part of something like that once again.</div>
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The last part of our day was the Knight Training. By this point Ollie was flagging and so only Lily took part, unfortunately slipping in the wet mud at the end (whoops) which meant we just <b>had</b> to enjoy a warming hot chocolate in the Coach House restaurant. I didn't complain, it was a lovely way to round off a fun-filled day.</div>
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Despite being there from opening to close I still felt like there was much more we could have done. I'd love to take a tour of the castle on our next visit as well as explore more of the grounds and the castle exterior. I was secretly a little relieved that the Battlements and Towers were closed due to the high winds as I'm not really very good with heights but it would be good for the kids to try it out again as they were small the first time we did this.</div>
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I'm also looking forward to new attractions coming to the Castle from Easter time, so we'll be using the guarantee to visit once again and (hopefully) enjoy some brighter weather and even more of the castle.</div>
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Most importantly, Ollie had an amazing time. The trip fuelled his imagination and he couldn't stop chatting about it when he got back to school after the break. I may have been sad about not planning a party for him this year, but the smile on his and Lily's faces made our day at Warwick Castle a worthy birthday treat!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoaGl9Ab4LHSBouyQOh1R0yNf687ZQjn7OIKOoVWzGUIeaiZxkoYQqlhWkLa9kSAtpF3lhVeywSLuqnHOgXU40QaT20Pu1gHp2cHE7CWxVm9y23Wxy6Dd7oQgMK7LwAJCOA6J7iozr6M/s1600/WARWICK-CASTLE-REVIEW-DAY-OUT-2020+%252815%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1508" data-original-width="1508" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoaGl9Ab4LHSBouyQOh1R0yNf687ZQjn7OIKOoVWzGUIeaiZxkoYQqlhWkLa9kSAtpF3lhVeywSLuqnHOgXU40QaT20Pu1gHp2cHE7CWxVm9y23Wxy6Dd7oQgMK7LwAJCOA6J7iozr6M/s640/WARWICK-CASTLE-REVIEW-DAY-OUT-2020+%252815%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>*I have not been asked by anyone to write this review, all opinions are my own*</i></div>
Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-53009438270413055592020-01-23T17:55:00.001+00:002020-01-23T17:55:32.571+00:00School StrugglesI was lulled into a false sense of security when <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2019/09/a-letter-to-ollie-starting-school.html" target="_blank">Ollie started school</a>. For the first couple of weeks he skipped into school with a bright smile on his face, telling me to leave when I was hovering anxiously to make sure he was alright.<div>
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And I smiled to myself, looking forward to a bright future of days with hot cups of tea and time to read and blog.</div>
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But, after the novelty of going to school had passed, things began to go downhill. Fast.</div>
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It seems like hardly a week goes by when Ollie doesn't refuse to walk into school with his friends.</div>
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We arrive in the playground and he hurries to stand at the front of the line. Depending on his mood, he might interact with his school friends and teachers, but he doesn't like me to go far. Then the whistle goes and he just refuses to walk into class. He won't go in holding his teachers hand, he won't walk in. He says he just wants to go home and be with Mummy.</div>
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I expected <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2019/07/bye-bye-baby.html" target="_blank">a period of adjustment after Ollie starting school</a>, but the truth is, after the <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2019/09/a-letter-to-ollie-starting-school.html" target="_blank">brief success</a> it has felt like both he and I are struggling with the changes. On the days he cries and refuses to line up and walk in with his class mates, I'll pick him up and carry him, struggling and flailing, into his classroom where I have to put him down and nearly run out of the door, closing it behind me to stop him from running after me.</div>
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And I get home and I cry. Because as much as he doesn't want to be in school, I really miss him when he's away.</div>
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I'm still not used to having all the time to myself during the day, and I've been feeling down, depressed, lacking motivation and missing the structure of a stricter working routine. I crave the peace and quiet when the children are here and yet it feels so oppressive when they are gone. I feel like I'm worth little more than a housekeeper who shepherds the children to and from school, like I don't have a purpose beyond that.</div>
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My only routine or sense of passing time is the school run.</div>
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And one of the hardest things is, as soon as I pick Ollie up he's tired and throwing tantrums, stroppy and headstrong and I feel my own temper fraying around the edges.</div>
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Having two children leaving school, hungry and overexcited, tired and sensitive, is ridiculously harder than I thought it would be. I miss them so much when they're not around that I can't wait to meet them and give them a hug, always one of the first parents at the school gate, wondering what how their day has gone.</div>
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Only to walk home ten minutes later, feeling stressed and pressured, wondering what on earth I'm doing wrong as Ollie screeches at me for not letting him have a biscuit, or Lily stomps her feet and shouts with her friends over something small and petty. We get home and the demands hit me at once, food, drink, television, toys, dinner, reading, bathtime, teeth, pyjamas, stories and bed.</div>
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I live for the moments I spend with my kids and so, no matter how natural it is for them to be tired and demanding, it can feel like a bit of a kick in the teeth. Like I'm doing something wrong.</div>
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I feel lost.</div>
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It's hard to explain, but it's like I'm not myself in any situation. I would say that I was robotic or that I was on autopilot except that I'm overflowing with thoughts and feelings instead of walking around like a zombie.</div>
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Does that make sense?</div>
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I think I'm struggling with Ollie starting school just as much as he is. Maybe his behaviour is even my fault because he's picked up on my feelings? I have no idea.</div>
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Who am I now that I'm not the Mummy of a pre-schooler? What do I do when my children aren't home but I can't work because I need to be around for them? (Don't get me started on childcare).</div>
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I just want to find myself again before this depression sucks me in even further. I want to have some purpose to my day, a focus for me during the day when the children at school that will keep me to a structure and make me feel like more than a maid. And a pretty rubbish maid at that. Whoops.</div>
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In the meantime, I'm clearing the weekends for Ollie and I. I want to spend that bit more time with him. Indeed, I want to spend a bit more quality time with both him and Lily, whilst also trying to leave some precious space for myself, maybe to nap or something... I want to be me, Stephanie Kirsch, happy mummy of two happy school children. Am I asking for too much?</div>
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*And, lastly, I'm not moaning. Nor do I want to make out that everything is bad. It's far from it. I know that most of the time my kids are both lovely and I'm an immensely proud Mum. I guess it's just hard to face these school struggles and the adjustment is taking longer for all of us than I would have thought.*</div>
Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-57107429599348114442019-11-05T12:19:00.000+00:002019-11-05T12:19:38.839+00:00My Happy Half TermWhen I was working in a school I found that each half term and holiday posed a dilemma. Sure, it was great to have a break from the office and spend time at home with the kids, but I find being at home with the kids full time is just as exhausting as working, and so I was often left feeling cheated, like I'd missed out on a proper break. <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2018/02/a-quarter-life-crisis.html" target="_blank">I missed the opportunity to be myself.</a><br />
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It's crazy to think that I have now been a full time stay at home mum for over a year and actually, I've really enjoyed it. I do miss working and the purpose it brings me but I've found a sense of fulfilment in my every day routine.<br />
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However, the holidays can still be difficult, the pressure to constantly entertain two demanding children, financial and budgeting restraints, and weather that never seems to play ball. It all adds up to a <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2019/08/the-school-holiday-space-and-time.html" target="_blank">time and space conundrum</a> that has me once again looking forward to the school run.</div>
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And that is what makes this last half term stand out, because I was surprised, more than once, by how happy I felt.<br />
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The sort of happiness that bubbles up inside you and you realise: "In this moment, I am <i>happy</i>".</div>
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True, the first day was awful and a combination of period pain and over-tired kids left me sobbing on the phone to my mum, questioning how I could survive the week...</div>
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But after that, it all brightened up.</div>
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We didn't do anything extravagant. I'm a big believer that my children need to have time to play without my direct input, we'll do plenty of activities together and I will play with them, but I think boredom can encourage creativity and it's important for them to learn how to entertain themselves. There's a lot to be said for <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2016/10/simple-pleasures-part-two.html" target="_blank">simple pleasures in life</a>.</div>
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On Tuesday we met friends for a hot chocolate at our local cafe, found a shortcut to their home through the woods and had a play date. Wednesday saw us meeting other friends for pizza before another play date, this time with pumpkin carving. Who would have thought I'd have been so happy sat cross legged on the cold floor, wielding a blunt knife in an attempt an artistic design long after the kids had lost interest and were tearing around the garden with their friends.<br />
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It hit me again the next day, as we baked a cake together, laughing and fishing pieces of eggshell from the cake mixture, whisking and then licking the bowl. Ollie dressed as spiderman but wearing a pretty Cath Kidston apron and Lily helping to clean up after.</div>
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We had fun laughing about random things, a fox riding a badger, film quotes and silly games.<br />
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And once again that evening, as we snuggled to watch films and hand out sweets to the trick or treaters that knocked on our door.</div>
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It was nice, and a great reminder of why I <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2016/05/fun-for-free-challenge.html" target="_blank">love my local area</a> - the parks, woods, libraries and cafe that mean we can get out of the house for a bit without spending a fortune. I felt like it was a break for us, one that was needed to break up the monotony on the school run and every day routine.</div>
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I'm often too quick to moan. I may try to make light of parenting situations that I find stressful or difficult and I talk about my anxiety and constant over-thinking. But this half term I was happy, I was happy laughing and hugging my children and spending the extra time with them.</div>
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It was a happy half-term, the sort of time I want my kids to remember. And the sort of time I want to remember too, the next time I'm feeling negative about an impending school holiday. Roll on Christmas!<br />
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Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-40782639893054407212019-10-31T08:09:00.000+00:002019-10-31T08:09:20.534+00:00Even black needs a refresh #ACEWinterRefreshMy friend was laughing the other day.<br />
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"Let me get this right, you signed up to a blogging challenge about washing <i>colourful</i> clothes?!"<br />
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Um, yes.<br />
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And at first glance, the idea is quite ironic.<br />
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Because when it comes to my wardrobe, the colour palette is best described as 50 shades of black. I have black jumpers, black tops, black jeans, black leggings and a black coat. I like it. It is my happy colour.<br />
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Friends and family often despair.<br />
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"Why don't you wear more colour?"<br />
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"You should wear pink"<br />
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"Now it's spring/summer/autumn/winter why don't you introduce some different colours?"<br />
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And sometimes I do try. There is the odd splash of colour in my drawers, usually in the form of navy blue, or grey. Usually, dark, muted colours that go well with black. But even if the actual garments are another colour, the accessories are still usually black.<br />
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Like my soul.<br />
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Just kidding there. It's an in joke.<br />
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I do like the idea of wearing a cosy yellow jumper or a maroon knit dress for these beautiful autumnal days. But in the end, if I'm buying new clothes, I purchase what I'm comfortable with. And it's (nearly) always black.<br />
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So, back to the #ACEWinterRefresh challenge with <a href="https://www.britmums.com/" target="_blank">BritMums</a>.<br />
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I'm not the sort of 'influencer' who shares what I wear and poses with perfect style and make up in seasonally appropriate places. This is me and I write honest posts about my life and that includes an <i>awful</i> lot of laundry. I've written about my huge pile of dirty washing many times before and am likely to write about it again.<br />
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It's a never-ending, thankless task.<br />
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One that I'm always looking to make easier.<br />
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Last year I <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2018/10/aceforschool-school-adventures-without.html" target="_blank">reviewed ACE products</a> as part of a challenge for keeping school uniform looking it's best and I've been a fan ever since. So when I saw a new product launch, I was quick to sign up.<br />
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<i>The brand new ACE for Colours Powder reinvigorates clothes, using stain-removing powers and bringing coloured garments back to life. Plus, unlike other stain removers, it comes in a plastic-free, fully recyclable carton.</i><br />
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Of course, the rest of my family wear colour and the kids wardrobes display more of the rainbow than my own. Keeping those clothes clean, fresh and bright is important for both our smiles and our bank balance. As the weather turns and the days get colder, I dig out the jumpers and hoodies from the back of the drawer (I'd love to say that I pack last season's clothes away but that requires being organised, so it'd be a lie) and check to make sure they still fit and are ready to wear.<br />
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After a few months of being stuffed at the back of the cupboard, the clothes often need a bit of reinvigorating, which is where <a href="http://www.acecleanuk.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ACE for Colours Powder</a> comes in.<br />
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<i>- ACE makes life easy with the never-ending school laundry pile by gently removing stains</i><br />
<i>- ACE keeps garments bright, robust and clean meaning clothes last for longer</i><br />
<i>- ACE for Colours Powder comes in a fully recyclable Tetra pack</i><br />
<i>- You can use ACE in your daily wash to keep clothes looking fresher for longer</i><br />
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Which is all great when it comes to bringing the kids' winter wardrobe back to life after it's summer sabbatical.<br />
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But it also fabulous when it comes to refreshing my endless collection of deepest black clothing. I fold up the black maxi dresses, black playsuits and black beach cover-ups and instead get out my black comfy knits, black tunic dresses and black long sleeved tops.<br />
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And because I still want to look a little bit 'mum-chic' and less 'faded-scruffy-zombie' on the winter school run I used ACE for Colours Powder on my winter wardrobe in the hope of giving black a refresh.<br />
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The first thing I noticed about the <a href="http://www.acecleanuk.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ACE for Colours Powder</a> is the lovely fresh smell that you get when you open the washing machine. As I hang it up to dry the light scent floats up through the house and I really do love it when my home smells really <i>clean</i>. The clothes stay fresh whilst drying and folding, although they don't all get put away before it's time to wear them and start the process all over again.<br />
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(Putting every single item of clothing away is a feat never achieved in this house).<br />
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And I'm happy to report that although my winter wardrobe may look dull and black at first glance, the garments do actually seem to be brighter and more vibrant. As vibrant as black can be. For the purpose of doing a proper test, I also used it on my black and grey items and my faded blue GAP hoody is looking much better so I'm impressed by that.<br />
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I may not be overhauling my wardrobe in favour of brighter colours anytime soon, but thanks to ACE for Colours Powder, I don't actually need to. Even black deserves a winter refresh!<br />
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You can pick up the ACE product range, including ACE for Colours Powder at your nearest Morrison's store or buy online at Amazon.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>This post is an entry for the BritMums #ACEWinterRefresh Challenge, sponsored by ACE for Colours Powder. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Get help for all kinds of stains with the ACE Stain Helper <a href="http://www.acecleanuk.co.uk/">http://www.acecleanuk.co.uk/</a> and pick up the range at your nearest Morrison’s store or buy online on Amazon.</i></div>
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<i>I received this product for the purposes of this review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.</i></div>
Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-38017746298086061422019-10-24T06:00:00.000+01:002019-10-24T06:00:14.628+01:00Our Rhodes Activities - Rhodes Town Boat TripAfter the <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2019/08/our-rhodes-activities-bee-museum-and.html" target="_blank">epic storm and torrential downpour</a> during our day trip to Lindos, and spending the majority of our days relaxing by the pool and all the facilities <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2019/08/review-mitsis-rodos-village.html" target="_blank">Mitsis Rodos Village</a> had to offer, we couldn't have a trip to Rhodes without visiting the medieval Old Town.<br />
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We spent time earlier in the week considering how we'd visit the town as it was at the other end of the island and (despite being cheap) travelling by bus could take up to two hours, an unpleasant prospect in hot weather with two children. Other viable options included hiring a car (approximately £40 plus petrol), taking part in a tour operator excursion or considering a taxi.<br />
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There were plenty of excursions available from our hotel, including tours and discounted activities, but with a set itinerary we found that there wasn't as much time for exploring on our own and I really wanted to properly soak up the atmosphere of the sun baked, cobbled streets.<br />
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The best option we found was actually by chance, a high speed boat trip from the beach at Kiotari direct to Mandraki Harbour by <a href="https://kiotarisealines.com/" target="_blank">Kiotari Sea Lines</a>. The boat departed from the beach by our hotel and there were different timetables allowing you either 4 or 6 hours in Rhodes Town. It cost 45 Euros each for adults, children were half price and babies/toddlers were free and meant that we could enjoy a fun boat ride as well as a convenient mode of travel.<br />
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The journey to Rhodes Town from Kiotari by high speed boat takes approximately 90 minutes. It really was high speed and we all got quite windswept. But the views of the coast from the sea were lovely. We saw Lindos from a different angle to our previous visit and even caught an exciting glimpse of dolphins! I'm still not over that, even though we didn't see much of them, I loved it and so did the kids.<br />
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Speaking with staff on the boat, we found out that it is really rare to see the dolphins like that, as they are usually extremely shy of the noisy boats, which made our quick glimpse even more of a treat.<br />
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On arrival at Mandraki Harbour you directly pass the place where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood. Now there are two deer statues as well as a castle which now acts as a lighthouse. Walking towards the walled Rhodes Old Town there are plenty of tourist shops and stalls and handy maps with directions to the different sites.<br />
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We entered via the Liberty Gate and used on of the maps to find the tourist office, conveniently situated by the Street of the Knights (also know as Ippoton). Here you can grab a map or ask for directions as the streets can be a bit of a maze. This is where having Google Maps on your phone can come in handy, especially if you're looking for somewhere in particular.<br />
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But the best thing to do is put your comfy shoes on and just explore! There are so many covered walkways, beautiful courtyards and winding streets. We walked up the Street of the Knights, peeking inside the enclosed gardens of the various 'Inns' which were palaces for the knights and soldiers, depending on their language. There were various exhibitions available whilst we were there and many were free but there were also churches, mosques, monuments, museums and plenty of shops and places to eat.<br />
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I won't lie, I don't really think that one afternoon is enough time to truly do Rhodes Old Town the justice it deserves. It was easy to get sidetracked and we didn't get round to everything that was on my list, like the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes, but with two kids we found that they dictated our pace and our exploring was more leisurely, with plenty of stops for drinks.<br />
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Our first stop was in a stunning, shady courtyard where we stopped for milkshakes and iced tea. The <a href="https://www.auvergnecafe.gr/" target="_blank">Auvergne Cafe</a> had an extensive menu and plenty of drinks and ice creams to choose from. From other reviews I've seen, I really wished we could have spent some time there in the evenings as they often have live music and I love the idea of enjoying a meal in a medieval courtyard under the stars.<br />
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For lunch, we headed to Hermes Grill House which had an impressive 5 stars on Trip Advisor, despite being classed as a 'Cheap Eat'. Hands down some of the best food we enjoyed on the island, it was certainly great value for money. The food was fresh and delicious and fed a family of four for less then 20 euros - the portion sizes were huge. On arrival it was very busy but the owner kindly ushered us to a restaurant next door, bought us a small draught beer each and came back for us as soon as there was a table free. I could see why it deserved it's ranking.<br />
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After lunch we wandered some more, making a few purchases in the many shops before going to the Palace of the Grand Master. It was amazing in there, and again, was very good value for money. Unlike the Acropolis of Lindos which would have cost us nearly 50 euros as a family, the Palace of the Grand Master was only 12 euros (the children were free), it's also possible to get combined tickets with other museums and galleries and so you can save further.<br />
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The outside of the Palace is 14th century but the inside was rebuilt by the Italians over time. There are various exhibits, including some small archaeological finds and a history of the island as well as the old town and the Knights who inhabited it. The children were interested in this area and the exhibition spaces were cool and shady so it was a great place to spend time in the early afternoon when it was really hot.<br />
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After all that, we found that there wasn't really much time for anything else. We stopped for ice creams at the amazing Da Vinci Gelateria where it was a hard job deciding what flavour to choose and an even harder job eating it all before it melted! Matt did better than me and actually managed to get a picture of his ice cream.<br />
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The children started to get tired around the time that we needed to head back for our boat. We wandered back around the outer walls of the Old Town with the harbour on our right, I loved the boats where you could buy sea shells and natural sponges, floating shops full of treasures and sparkling blue sea.<br />
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The staff at the boarding point were helpful and friendly, especially towards the children, helping them to feed the fish in the harbour whilst waiting for the boat to arrive and talking to them about the importance of keeping our seas clean.<br />
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On the way back the boat takes a slight detour in Anthony Quinn Bay for you to take in (and take photos of) the natural beauty of the cove and again in Lindos. Both the kids fell asleep on the trip back to Kiotari, a sign of a really great day!<br />
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You can read my previous posts about our summer holiday to Rhodes <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2019/08/review-mitsis-rodos-village.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2019/08/our-rhodes-activities-bee-museum-and.html" target="_blank">here</a>! Have you been before? Where would you recommend visiting? Let me know in the comments!<br />
<br />Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-24454249103158544712019-10-17T06:00:00.000+01:002019-10-17T09:29:21.607+01:00Is this the greatest show?There have been subtle signs all day, whispering and scheming, the dressing up box upended in the middle of the bedroom floor, tiny pieces of paper scattered across the kitchen table.<br />
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My kids are putting on a show.<br />
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There is no escape now. Apparently, this is the moment I've been waiting for.<br />
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Both Lily and Ollie have really embraced this new area of pretend play over the last year or so. I’ve lost count of the performances I have <strike>endured</strike> enjoyed as they both express their dramatic creativity through the mediums of song and dance.<br />
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There’s the wonderfully original, like Lily and Jessica’s tale of the ‘Piraid’, a pirate and a mermaid who find each other on the banks of the river Thames and become best friends.<br />
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And the surprisingly artistic, when Ollie and Reuben put on a Power Ranger and Knight hybrid. Consisting of dancing around each other with slow-mo karate-style moves and sword waving, it was strangely artistic and beautiful. Until one of them came perilously close to taking out the others eye with the point of a foam sword. At which time, the show was cancelled.<br />
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All that bothersome health and safety nonsense getting in the way of great entertainment....<br />
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We’ve had stand up comedy shows, dramatic re-enactments of the battle scene from the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and more dance shows than you can shake a stick at.<br />
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So. Many. Dance. Shows.</div>
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And endless singing.<br />
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When they can think of nothing else, they take off all their clothes and break dance, naked, in the middle of the living room. Usually to "Thunder" by Imagine Dragons or "Waka Waka" by Shakira.<br />
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You can tell my kids have varied tastes.</div>
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Most of the time I love these shows. It's kinda cute, the first few times they show up dressed as Spiderman, a princess and a doctor and twirl around the stage, stamping their feet in time to "The Greatest Show".<br />
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But you know, it is possible to have too much of a good thing.<br />
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And, to be honest, there are plenty of times where watching these shows are so excruciatingly painful that I tune out and daydream about visiting my dentist (not actually true, I’d watch a thousand shows to avoid seeing him, whoops).<br />
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Then there are the times when such performances are slow, long or tediously repetitive. When I need to paste a smile on my face and reach deep within to summon just a teeny bit of enthusiasm for the display put on lovingly for my entertainment.<br />
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Those are the worst. When there's no point to them, no story, just a dull selection of items pulled together. The shows they haven't rehearsed. The ones that last forever. The ones that end in tears because someone decides they don't want to adhere to the script.<br />
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There's always one child who gets bored and buggers off half way through.</div>
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It was easier to encourage these shows when they were younger. At an age when we applaud them for using the toilet and delight in anything that means we’re not <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2016/07/what-would-flop-do.html" target="_blank">watching Bing on iPlayer</a>, a show performed by the little darlings is wonderful.<br />
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But now they’re older? I still <i>want</i> to encourage them, but watching a show is no longer a quick five or ten minutes of them being adorable but a good half hour long matinee requiring tickets, musical accompaniment and a feedback form.<br />
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I’m not kidding about that. My house is littered with cut up pieces of paper ‘tickets’ and Lily requires you to fill out your name, address, telephone number and comments before you can exit the venue.<br />
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A bloody <i>feedback form</i>?<br />
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That's what faces me this Sunday afternoon. A ticket placed on my desk where I'm working and a reminder that the show starts in 5 minutes. Making my way downstairs, I'm met by Ollie who inspects my ticket and hands it to Lily, sitting in the 'ticket office' behind the stool. She stamps the ticket and passes me a form.<br />
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"You need to put your name here, fill out the form and write all your comments"<br />
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Matt has already taken his seat. He's pulling double duty - unexcited member of the audience and sound technician, in charge of playing various songs from the Moana soundtrack.<br />
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I could say I'm looking forward to this momentous event.<br />
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But that would be a lie.<br />
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Lily introduces the show and proceeds to sing and dance to 'You're Welcome'. She's clearly been watching too much Strictly Come Dancing and her face is fixed in a rictus grin, eyes staring up at the ceiling, spinning like top with limbs flailing in time with a beat that only she can hear.<br />
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On the other side of the room, Matt is desperately trying not to giggle behind his hands as Ollie, already bored of his scripted role, starts to break dance.<br />
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I applaud as the show ends with a flourish and ask myself<br />
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"Is this <i>really</i> the greatest show?"<br />
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Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-41144622587611434472019-10-14T06:00:00.000+01:002019-10-15T07:46:11.987+01:00Review | CAT Vehicle Toys "Let's do the work!"A few weeks ago I was excited to attend BlogOn Toys and try out some really great toys. As a <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2019/10/confession-im-a-big-kid.html" target="_blank">big kid at heart</a> I was in my element and had a fabulous time checking out the new releases that I knew my kids would love.<br />
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One new range that really caught my eye was these Caterpillar Vehicle Toys by Funrise. Later in the day when I was lucky enough to win a raffle prize, I knew exactly which one Ollie would like and I can't wait to see him open his Junior Crew Build Your Own Excavator on Christmas morning.<br />
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Christmas came early for Ollie earlier this week though, when we were sent three other CAT Vehicle products to review! The kids have played with these toys every single day since they arrived - check out Ollie's smiley face to see just how much fun he had opening and playing with these.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzp9h0xq0k8aiT2HNcF0h_lWWLafmvc-21YbvqRleHqkfEL3HLYZ5VkpqpTCGFT3TE9IDwQIg-XIXP2X-LuHPT3eQeXRiSOF5DCvUc5ysLnrtMAdl5XVkjMSc5PSWWvB_6wq0oYoCpDc/s1600/CAT-Construction+Fleet+Sand+Set-DUMP-TRUCK-TOY-SET-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="1504" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzp9h0xq0k8aiT2HNcF0h_lWWLafmvc-21YbvqRleHqkfEL3HLYZ5VkpqpTCGFT3TE9IDwQIg-XIXP2X-LuHPT3eQeXRiSOF5DCvUc5ysLnrtMAdl5XVkjMSc5PSWWvB_6wq0oYoCpDc/s640/CAT-Construction+Fleet+Sand+Set-DUMP-TRUCK-TOY-SET-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Take outdoor fun to the next level </i><i>with the Cat Construction Fleet Sand Set! This set gives you all the tools you need to tackle any </i><i>construction job, including a push-powered 10” vehicle along with a hard hat, shovel, and rake.</i></div>
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<i>Safety comes first on the job site so proudly wear your Cat hard hat when you’re controlling the</i></div>
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<i>action by moving and posing the articulated vehicle buckets and booms just like the real thing. Use</i></div>
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<i>the hand tools separately or snap them together to help excavate the job site. </i></div>
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<i>Real Cat machines are </i><i>known for their high quality, these toys are no different, built to withstand the elements and perfect </i><i>for outdoor play.</i></div>
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In the fading summer sun on Thursday afternoon we were able to get outside and had a great time filling up the Cat® Construction Fleet Sand Set -Dump Truck Vehicle (RRP £14.99) with autumn leaves and conkers. This set is perfect for playing in a sand pit but don't be put off if you don't have one - we don't but it hasn't stopped play. </div>
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The Cat Construction Fleet Sand Set was sturdy and versatile. Ollie is a big fan of the hard hat, which has a handy adjustable strap, as his last 'builder's hat' was always falling off his head and this one stays put! He was also impressed with the spade and rake toys which can be used separately or clipped together.</div>
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The Cat® Power Haulers Cement Mixer (RRP £19.99) is pretty noisy! I'm not usually a big fan of loud toys but this one is pretty clever. The 'Motion Drive Technology' recognises when your child is pushing the vehicle forward or backward and activates the realistic sound features and lights.</div>
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<i>With Cat Power Haulers, kids take control! These vehicles </i><i>feature Motion Drive Technology allowing for fun and intuitive play that brings the action to life! </i><i>With Motion Drive Technology, push the vehicle forward to make the engine rev and activate the </i><i>lights; push the vehicle backward to hear back-up sounds; move the bucket or dump bed to hear </i><i>hydraulic sounds and flash the lights. </i></div>
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<i>The features are activated by the child’s interaction with the </i><i>vehicle create an engaging and realistic Cat experience every time they play.</i></div>
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Of all the toys, I was most interested in seeing how Ollie would like the Cat® Junior Crew Build your own vehicle sets (RRP £12.99) as this is one of his Christmas presents. For a child that is digger crazy, Ollie doesn't have *that* many toys like this and having the ability to take it apart and build it again is a huge selling point for me. With a figure to sit inside, it offers up so many options for imaginative play as well as the fine-motor and cognitive skills gained from tools and screws.</div>
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<i>Your child will become the engineer as they </i><i>build, take apart, and re-build their favorite construction vehicles with the Cat Build Your Own </i><i>Vehicle Junior Crew. </i></div>
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<i>Each set comes with everything they need to create their very own vehicle plus </i><i>a construction driver action figure to bring the worksite to life. </i></div>
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<i>Improve your child’s fine motor skills </i><i>as they use the included screwdriver to easily assemble the different vehicle parts using the attached </i><i>bolts. Let their creativity shine by mixing and matching the different parts to create their own </i><i>custom vehicles. </i></div>
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<i>When playtime is over everything can be stored in the reusable carry case the </i><i>product comes in, making cleanup a snap.</i></div>
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Ollie found the instructions easy to follow and needed very little help to build the set. Since then he has taken it apart and rebuilt it more times than I can count and now needs no help at all. One of the best things about this toy is that you can use it with others to change parts and design your own vehicle. For a child like Ollie, the only limit is their imagination!</div>
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These CAT Vehicles are new to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/FunriseToysUK/shop/?rid=440038269859681" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Funrise Toys</a> and the quality is superior to similar toys that Ollie has owned in the past. Being boisterous, we've had a few trucks and diggers end up in the worksite graveyard after an Ollie play session. </div>
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From my point of view, I really liked how strong and durable these toys were. Vehicles like this are going to face a lot of bumps and crashes when being pushed around by kids but these can easily withstand the play of an excitable four year old and be played with over and over again. </div>
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I'm also a big fan of the learning value they all have, you can tell that a lot of thought has gone into the design for each toy in the range, with an appeal for different ages and development stages. </div>
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If you've got a little one who would love these for Christmas, you can check out the range on Amazon <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=cat+vehicles+funrise&ref=nb_sb_noss_2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> or at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/FunriseToysUK/shop/?rid=440038269859681" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Funrise Toys UK shop</a>. They're also available at Ocado, Debenhams and John Lewis.</div>
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Thanks for reading, if you have any questions about the CAT Vehicle toys we reviewed then I'd be happy to answer! Just pop your question in the comments.</div>
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<i><i>*I was sent a product for the purpose of this review, all thoughts and opinions are my own*</i></i><br />
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<a href="https://3littlebuttons.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="3 Little Buttons"><img alt="3 Little Buttons" src="http://3littlebuttons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/NEW-Sept-2018-dreamteam-featured-badge.png" style="border: none; height: auto; width: 200px;" /></a></div>
Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-39310439454074426402019-10-12T08:28:00.004+01:002021-08-31T12:50:02.111+01:00Confession: I'm just a big kidDo you remember being a child and looking up at the adults around you wanting to be them? They seemed so together, so <i>cool. </i>I remember aspiring to be an adult wearing a suit, drinking red wine and black coffee, tapping away at a computer keyboard all day.<br />
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As an adult approaching my 34th birthday, I can confirm that being a grown up is not cool.<br />
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Certainly not as cool as it looked in the eyes of a 10 year old me anyway.<br />
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But then, there is an argument to say I've never actually grown up. I don't feel like I have most days, I just muddle along, pretending to be adult but really, I'm just a big kid with more responsibilities.<br />
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<b>Food</b><br />
I'm an emotional eater, if I'm stressed or depressed I either eat too much or too little and nearly everything I eat is linked more to comforting thoughts than a typically healthy attitude to nourishment. I thought this would pass the older I got, that I'd start to like eating salads and seafood, that I'd acquire a more sophisticated palette, but no. I like to eat coco pops for breakfast, fish finger sandwiches for lunch and cake and custard are go to options at all times of the day.<br />
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<b>Crying</b><br />
Despite being a parent, with two adorable children of my own to comfort, I still cry for my parents when something goes wrong. A few years ago, I slipped on an icy patch whilst walking to work and scuffed my knee. There were a few people in the street watching, so I did what any self-respecting woman would do. I got up, dusted myself down, turned around and walked home to change. And as soon as I was out of sight, I started crying and picked up the phone to call my Mum.<br />
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In the same way I expect to be worrying about my children's health and happiness forever, I know that when things go wrong, I'll never really outgrow the instinct to run to my Mummy and Daddy.<br />
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<b>Clothes</b><br />
I like dressing up (not in a kinky way, although I wouldn't rule it out, this is a family blog you know). At heart, I'm just a girl who wishes I could wear princess dresses every day. It was a big factor behind my <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2015/11/my-unusual-hobby-bedn.html" target="_blank">historical re-enactment hobby</a> and I know that if I won the lottery tomorrow, I'd happily splurge on ridiculously intricate cosplay costumes, just so I can wear them whilst doing the hoovering and washing.<br />
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Now there's an image you didn't expect.<br />
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<b>Toys</b><br />
Let's be honest here, they just don't make children's toys like they used to. Does anyone else remember the Bluebell Magical Theatre? or the traditional Polly Pocket? Micro Machines? The Sylvanian Families Canal Boat?<br />
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1980s and 1990s toys were the best. Fact.<br />
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But I still get excited about seeing the new releases I know my kids would love. And when they get them, I want to play with them too. For example, Ollie got a vTech Switch and Go Dino for his birthday this year - it has a remote control and transforms from a race car to a T-Rex in seconds and we all (parents, kids and family friends) couldn't wait to have a go. Similarly, I spent nearly an hour last week setting up Lily's Sylvanian Families sets like a little street. When the kids were at school and I was meant to be cleaning.<br />
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Oh well...<br />
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<b>Films</b><br />
In the same way, I know I'm probably more excited about new kids films than anyone else in my family. Especially Disney films. I love nearly all things Disney. Who doesn't love a bit of magic in their lives?<br />
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<b>Hoarding</b><br />
I'm not quite as bad as my kids when it comes to hoarding tons of junk, precious artwork, Happy Meal freebies and a crazy amount of cuddly toys but I will admit, I can see where they get it from.<br />
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I just hate throwing stuff away. I drive Matt crazy by treasuring tons unlimited stacks of artwork the children have lovingly produced, every single certificate they receive and extra special schoolwork, speeches, reports, letters... Actually, pretty much anything that I think I might look back on in ten years time and weep at the passage of time.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<b>Humour</b><br />
My sense of humour can probably be described as juvenile at best. Silly, rude, naughty or sweary jokes will always cause me to laugh out loud and any innuendo has me sniggering like a 16 year old. Then there's all the jokes about bodily functions. I find the sound of breaking wind hilarious. Poop jokes crack me up. Slapstick comedy rules supreme.<br />
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When it comes to comedy, I'm definitely a small child in the body of an adult. Often found at the back of the school meeting, attempting to stifle my giggles at some unintended reference to a sexual act.<br />
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Seriously, I'm hilarious.<div><br /></div><div><b>Is it time to grow up?</b></div><div>
When I first started writing this post I was yearning to be a sophisticated, mature, ladylike figure. I didn't like being described as a teen as having a 'raucous laugh' or being told I should read more serious literature than Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. And yet, here I am 20 years on with a laugh that my (oh-so-loving) husband describes as a 'witches cackle', eating a bowl of coco pops and singing along to Frozen.<br />
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In an ideal world, maybe I would be a carefully curated canvas portrait of sensible appearance and behaviour.<br />
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But doesn't that sound incredibly boring?</div>Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-41607524726434100112019-09-16T10:12:00.001+01:002019-10-08T12:33:59.142+01:00A letter to Ollie - Starting SchoolA week ago you started school.<br>
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I was not ready.<br>
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But you were. Definitely ready, you have walked into school with a smile on your face everyday since, confident and comfortable.<br>
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I cried a little the first time you said "Just go Mummy!" as I hovered around you anxiously, wondering if I should give you one last hug.<br>
<a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2019/09/a-letter-to-ollie-starting-school.html#more"></a>Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-67139851474987065572019-08-28T13:42:00.000+01:002019-10-08T14:36:02.825+01:00Our Rhodes Activities - Bee Museum and LindosAs wonderful as it was just to relax for a large part of our holiday, I felt quite strongly about visiting a country where we could also explore, soak up a different culture and learn something new. I wanted our first family holiday abroad to be one where we could all share in the experiences, creating memories.<br>
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So when it came to choosing where to go we picked Rhodes. You can read about the hotel we stayed at, <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2019/08/review-mitsis-rodos-village.html" target="_blank">Mitsis Rodos Village</a>, in my <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2019/08/review-mitsis-rodos-village.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>. The resort was lovely and contained everything we needed, including a beautiful beach, wonderful pools and fabulous food but we did find that we had to go a little further afield in search of family excursions.<br>
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Before departure, I spent a lot of time researching the island and compiling a list of all the places I really wanted to visit. Admittedly, I think my list was ambitious for a week long stay with two children but I was able to prioritise and combine a number of our activities - anything I wasn't able to achieve on this visit is a reason to return in the future!<br>
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Our first excursions were the Bee Museum and Lindos, followed by a high speed boat ride and trip to Rhodes Old Town which you can read about next time.</div>
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</div><a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2019/08/our-rhodes-activities-bee-museum-and.html#more"></a>Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-88328386281424234092019-08-16T12:44:00.003+01:002021-08-31T12:45:16.822+01:00The school holiday space and time conundrumI have a real love hate relationship with the summer holidays. In fact, I find that school holidays, and in particular, the six week summer break, are one of the most mind-bending, reality-twisting occurrences that I have dealt with as a parent.<br>
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At the end of the summer term I long for them. Days without the strict routine and pressures of the school run, the time to spend with my children without having to tick off homework, washing school uniform and attending the numerous events and clubs.<br>
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I can't wait for the holidays to begin.<br>
But then they're here and it doesn't take long before I find myself wishing for the school term to start again.<br>
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Maybe it is just the usual cliche of the grass always being greener on the other side, maybe I can just never be happy unless I have <i>something</i> to complain about but really, I prefer to think that there is some strange, other-worldly, paradox about the school holidays. Almost like a wormhole or time-loop that suspends the normal rules of, not just routine, but time and space itself.<span></span><a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2019/08/the-school-holiday-space-and-time.html#more"></a>Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-6767607890937432772019-08-08T09:10:00.000+01:002019-10-08T14:37:07.163+01:00Review - Mitsis Rodos VillageWe recently returned from our first ever family holiday abroad and I'm still not over how lovely it was to spend that time together in the sun. It was just what we needed and more. I'm already thinking about holidays next year and wondering how on earth we managed eight years without a break away by the pool (with unlimited ice creams and cocktails, amazing).<br>
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I've decided to do a little series of blog posts detailing our experience, the hotel and our excursions so do come back to read more over the next few weeks!<br>
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When choosing our destination we picked Rhodes because, although Matt had visited before, I really wanted to visit the medieval Rhodes Old Town with it's castle and ancient cobbled streets. However, when it came to choosing a hotel, we picked the <a href="http://www.mitsishotels.com/hotels/rodos-village/" target="_blank">Mitsis Rodos Village</a> which is on the South of the island in Kiotari.<br>
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<a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2019/08/review-mitsis-rodos-village.html#more"></a>Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-68498656147673034422019-07-24T18:44:00.001+01:002019-10-08T12:33:59.200+01:00Bye Bye BabyMy weekdays are often predictable. Often monotonous.<br>
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I'll do the morning school run, dropping Lily off to school and then taking Ollie down to nursery. I'll come home and I'll do the housework, or some of my virtual assistance projects. I'll go back to school at midday to get Ollie and walk home with him again. We'll have lunch and spend the time together before we head back to school once more to collect Lily.<br>
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But all that is changing.<br>
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Ollie is starting school.<br>
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Our afternoons together are numbered.<br>
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Of course I'm excited for this next great milestone in his life, but bloody hell, I'm really going to miss him.<br>
<a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2019/07/bye-bye-baby.html#more"></a>Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-55586149906017064052019-06-16T07:00:00.000+01:002019-10-08T14:05:59.933+01:00Father's Day ThoughtsSo it's 6:30am on what is, for me, one of the worst days of the year.<br>
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Father's Day.<br>
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A day when everything seems to shout at me that I don't have a Dad. That <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2017/04/overcoming-loss-by-suicide.html" target="_blank">he's died</a>. That it <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2016/04/happy-birthday-dad.html" target="_blank">still hurts</a>.<br>
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The run up to the day is painful, the advertising especially:<br>
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"tell your Dad you love him"<br>
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"treat your Dad this Father's Day"<br>
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"Only three days to go"<br>
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Don't you think I would if only I could?<br>
<a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2019/06/fathers-day-thoughts.html#more"></a>Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-90773887923445292012019-05-21T11:20:00.004+01:002019-10-08T12:33:59.230+01:00Inspiring more than girlsBack in January, Lily came home from school upset and declared that she no longer wanted to go to football training on Saturdays because some kids in the playground had told her that football was <a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2019/01/stop-telling-my-daughter-that-football.html" target="_blank">'just for boys'</a>.<br>
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But after sticking with it and joining a local <a href="http://www.thefa.com/womens-girls-football/get-involved/sse-wildcats" target="_blank">SSE Wildcats Centre</a>, her determination to keep going paid off and she won a competition to be a mascot for the Women's FA Cup Final at Wembley.<br>
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It was one of those incredible days and one that she says she'll remember forever. Let's face it, walking out with the Man City and England Captain in front of 43,000 fans at the home of British football is going to take some beating!<br>
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The Guardian published this <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2019/may/06/inspiring-thousands-a-photo-essay-on-the-womens-fa-cup-final" target="_blank">photo essay</a> about the thousands of girls hopefully inspired by the match and for me, I've found myself overwhelmed by the event and the excitement surrounding women's football in the run up to the World cup in France this Summer.<br>
<a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2019/05/inspiring-more-than-girls.html#more"></a>Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6654200420086509773.post-24200990274251108192019-04-03T12:18:00.001+01:002019-10-08T12:30:00.989+01:00My not-so-wicked StepmotherIn the steady diet of Disney films, fairy tales and fantasy stories that I devoured whilst growing up, Stepmothers always seem to get a bad rep. And let's face it, they deserve to, right? A feminist would probably argue that this is a hidden misogyny, to always portray women as jealous and spiteful, that a second wife must always have an ulterior motive, that they can't possibly be as sweet and loving as a man's first choice of wife.<br>
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The concept is so maligned. Unlike a Stepfather, so often seen as 'stepping up' and so praised and admired, a Stepmother is automatically assumed to be somehow wicked.<br>
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My Stepmother was not.<br>
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I still remember my very first glimpse of Jackie, the woman that would become my Stepmother and, in time, my friend. She was visiting a mate of my Dad. We were just leaving and my Daddy leaned down conspiratorially and whispered "see that lady, do you think she's pretty? I'd like her to be my girlfriend". My sister and I giggled. Not really able to understand the intricacies of adult dating. Especially after a divorce.<br>
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And she was very pretty. I remember thinking she was quite glamorous and rather fun when we went on days out together. A day trip to the London Trocadero. Or maybe a theme park.<br>
<a href="https://www.ourcherrytreeblog.co.uk/2019/04/my-not-so-wicked-stepmother.html#more"></a>Our Cherry Treehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937749901135220555noreply@blogger.com2