Term finished for the boys at the end of June. Wasting no time, we switched on the 'out of office' emails, packed our bags into the car*, and boarded the overnight ferry from the port of Belfast. We awoke as the ship sailed up the River Mersey to dock. Oh, and these are pretty much … Continue reading We’re going this way, that way, forwards and backwards…
Category: Reflection
Stepping out
As I slipped on my shoes this morning I noticed they had sand in them. Puzzled, I tried to remember why. These last 7 weeks have been an absolute whirlwind of end to end house guests, bank holiday weekends, work trips, and adventures...so it took a few moments. Yes! A couple of weeks ago I … Continue reading Stepping out
PhDad
Here's a funny thing. I was procrastinating earlier, considering where to start with this blog post. Scrolling through the Facebook memories function* I came across this. 11 years ago Mum was awarded her PhD here in Belfast. She's an expert in Early Years Education (...a very well qualified Granny). Anyway. That only becomes a funny … Continue reading PhDad
Stifling creativity or shaping character?
I've started lots of blog posts this past month, and none of them have made the cut. They've either trailed off, been too hard to write, or just been plain boring! Luke, on the other hand, is having no trouble with his creative writing. Today, as he was doing his homework, he muttered, "I think … Continue reading Stifling creativity or shaping character?
How do we measure success?
This has been on my mind a lot recently. My insecurities about my own career 'success' were compounded this week by the the myriad (often self aggrandising) social media posts and news features on International Women's Day (IWD) about women who have smashed the glass ceiling before they turned 30, who are changing the world … Continue reading How do we measure success?
What a difference a year makes…
Over Christmas, I noticed this post in my Facebook memories, and I was struck by the enormity of the change our family has been through since then. What on earth made us do it? In December 2017, we came to Northern Ireland for our pre-Christmas holidays, before heading to the Netherlands for Christmas celebrations. I … Continue reading What a difference a year makes…
Advent…what are we waiting for?
In my new normal, I'm extremely behind with life admin. So Advent totally snuck up on me this year. We have a family tradition, you see. Joel's Godmother sends treats for the Advent Calendars she handmade for the boys when they were tiny. They stay in the parcel til 30 November, when we put the … Continue reading Advent…what are we waiting for?
Whirlwind Week
I could (justifiably) blame BT...but the reason for our silence has been work, so I won't! This week Simon has been getting Sellars Legal off the ground, celebrating his birthday, doing the school runs, making packed lunches, keeping the house in order, the cupboards stocked, and making a delicious slow cooker pulled pork for our … Continue reading Whirlwind Week
School days
I know you're mostly reading this for news of the boys and not to hear my views on life, so here's the long awaited school update! This was the first week back after half term. The boys started at our local primary school on Monday, leaving us free to unpack and pester BT (who have … Continue reading School days
Making a house our home
What does 'home' mean to you? I'm sure there's truth in the saying 'home is where the heart is', and I've been thinking about that a lot this week. My definition of home - in terms of the four walls in which we dwell - involves order, cleanliness, and calm. I find rest only when … Continue reading Making a house our home