Back to School

I adore having the boys at home over the summer, despite the fact that this means I have the curious job of juggling quality time with the boys and working from home. What I have missed (and the boys have too) is the routine that comes with a school term, the getting up at a certain time, being showered, fed and dressed by whatever o’clock and at school, having a snack and drink and doing reading and homework when you get in….. we know what we are doing and when we are doing it during the week when we are in the school term and I (and they mostly) love that.

When it came to going back for Kieran and starting for Taylor we were chomping at the bit by the last week!

All organised and eager to start the new term.
All organised and eager to start the new term.

 

How has it gone?

It’s been a week now and I’ve just about gotten over the fact that my 4yr is now a school boy and my 9yr old a year 5 student!

Back to school

The feedback so far from Kieran is that it is “cool” and “awesome” to be back at school and as for Taylor, the child does not stop talking about how much he loves the place!  I took Taylor in on his first day, found his peg, worked out where fruit, water bottles, and book bags went and what he should do when he goes into the classroom (they self-register by finding their name card on the floor, taking it to a table and writing over it in pen).

On the second day he wanted to go in on his own! I think he was the only child who went in alone on that first day and he was so proud of himself. I saw him in the main door, watched him pause at the inside door, look up at the many grown ups surrounding him and wondered if he’d have a wobble. Nope, he turned, winked, gave me a thumbs up and a cheeky grin and shot inside to start his day.

taylorschool
Taylor was SO ready for school. He is after all a big grown up boy now!

 

We didn’t have any worries about Taylor starting or Kieran settling back in however we have say that to hear them come out at the end of the day with so much enthusiasm about what they seen, heard and learned is just brilliant.

As for me, I now have five solid days with both children in the same place at the same time. This is a bonus in itself!

I hope evevryone else has settled in and is enjoying the new school year as much as we are!

Boost Hydration and Win

Who read my hydration pledge post? I did indeed at the beginning of August pledge/promise/sincerely plan to increase the number of glasses of water I was drinking and boost my hydration levels.

Have I managed it? Mostly! I won’t fib and tell you that I religiously drink 8 glasses of water a day like a hydration champ because I don’t however I have gone from no glasses of water and lots of black coffee to  5-6 glasses of water, herbal teas and one coffee a day in just under a month. I’m calling that a success and something to build on.

Why did I take the pledge? For those who don’t click through to the original post I decided to do this for health reasons. I have to say that the results have been encouraging. Apart from that one time that I feel off the wagon, had no water one day and felt utterly awful the next day I’ve maintained my hydration levels and have been feeling great. My energy levels have risen (I’ve even taken on Yoga!), I sleep better and once I got over the initial first few days of weeing like a racehorse all has been well.

Staying motivated hasn’t been the easiest thing, it never is when you are forming new habits however I’ve found great support from Hydr8more and in particular their blog which is packed with reasons why you should hydrate, how hydration helps you and tips for getting the job done (all in a non-preachy fashion which I appreciate).

Furthermore the lovelies at Hydr8more have decided to offer one of my lucky readers the chance to win this bad boy (or girl!). The Hydr8more Alkaline Water jug is portable, holds 2 litres and as well as filtering water it introduces valuable minerals. Click through to read all of the other benefits of using this jug.

hydration, hydr8more, jug

COMPETITION CLOSED MIDDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER 2015. THE WINNER IS JAMIE BERWICK AND HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

IF YOU AREN’T THE LUCKY WINNER YOU MAY STILL BUY ONE OF THESE FABULOUS JUGS FROM THE HYDR8MORE WEBSITE.

Did I say you could win one? Yes.

I don’t run competitions often as regular readers know however I thought this would be a prize worth winning (I’m treating myself to one too as our tap water is “hard” and I could benefit from a mineral packed softer water drink).

To enter…..

Leave me a comment below answering the following question:

What is your best idea for remembering to drink 8 glasses every day

That’s it, no hoops to jump through, no need to promise me the soul of your first born child, just have a nosy at the site, enjoy their no-nonsense blog and answer the question.

Terms and Conditions:

  • This competition will end at midday on Monday September 14th 2015
  • One answer per person please, multiples will be deleted
  • The winner will be contacted via email shortly after this giveaway ends to confirm their delivery address.
  • The jug will be sent direct from Hydr8more.
  • If I don’t hear back from the winner within 5 days a new winner will be chosen.
  • The winner will be chosen using a randomiser programme.
  • My decision is final
  • I reserve the right to pinch any of your answers to help me remember to keep hydrating!

What are you waiting for? Feel free to share the post so that others might be in with a chance and good luck!

 

*Even if you don’t win it is worth having a think about your hydration levels and what you could do to improve these.