CURLY AND CANDID

We’ve had a fantastic half term holiday as you can see! It was great to just kick back for a few days, enjoy some walks, do a load of art and craft, play games, enjoy movies snuggled under blankets and have no deadlines to worry about. There might have been more than one day in the last week which found us still in our PJs at tea-time and I don’t feel even a little bit guilty!

Today however is back to school, back to pre-school and back to work day. Being a clever and organised Mum *cough* I found Kieran’s PE kit hanging under heavy school coats and needing attention after 4pm yesterday. No drama one would think (thankful for the modern conveniences of the washing machine and tumble dryer) until opening the bag. It contained one plimsoll and a school fleece. No shorts, no outdoor sports trainers, no jogging bottoms, spare socks or t-shirt.

We scrambled around and gathered together a motley arrangement of replacements and Kieran has had a flea in his ear about looking after his things and has been sent off to school today to find his original kit in school lost property (much to his disgust!).

That carry-on overcome I cleared my desk, made sure that I had a fresh notepad, sharpened pencils and filled Kieran’s pencil case, made up packed lunches, laid out uniform and clothes for Taylor and made sure everything was ok before going to bed.

This morning…. Everyone was showered and changed in good time. Taylor dropped juice down his clothes and needed a complete change, I realised I’d forgotten dinner money and had to shoot off at the crack of dawn to go to the cashpoint and then… two minutes before we were due to set off Kieran tells me he only has one school shoe.

One.

In my hallway we have a small bookcase with a basket for gloves and hats, hooks for school bags and bits and pieces and shelves for shoes and boots worn regularly. Kieran’s school shoes have been sat in their allotted space for the whole week yet this morning one is missing (I suspect 3yr old led foul play). Running out of time we ran around looking for the missing shoe and in the end I’ve sent his nibs out wearing trainers (his good trainers which we’d stuffed into his gym bag to replace the ones that are missing).

I’m ready for another holiday already and have spent time Googling late deals from the UK to a wide range of destinations worldwide and dreaming of a restful Easter break after which we may come home rejuvenated and find everything where we left it and ready for going back to school!

I’m now at my desk, have had two caffeine laden coffees and am ready to get started on sorting out the 403 emails sat waiting for me (madness!) and organise my diary /to-do list into some sort of calm, grown-up and gym-bag free order.

I do love half term with the kids but the transition from holiday to back to work and school doesn’t always run so smoothly! Is it just me?

*This post was written in collaboration will the mentioned business however is true to my own thoughts, feelings and experiences

Everywhere I look at the moment someone seems to be pregnant. In fact I’m switching to bottled water because I’m half convinced that there is something in the tap water and my two little darlings are just enough for us.

The great thing though about all of these new babies, those that have arrived and those who will be introducing themselves in the coming months is that as well as cute cuddles there are also some brilliant parties to go to! Christenings are primarily about introducing a child into the church however they are also a wonderful family occasion which enables the proud parents to show off their new arrival. These really are special events and special events deserve special gifts.

It is traditional to bring a gift when coming to a christening however that does not mean that anyone should bankrupt themselves in order to keep up with the Joneses. Gifting a new-born infant with a horse or a set of fifty genuine silver antique spoons could be considered a little too much nowadays as most people look to more practical or smaller yet equally lovely gift ideas.

These days everything seems to cost so much and so it is refreshing to see that there are option for christening gifts which are imaginative as well as budget friendly. The most important part of the christening is that family are able to attend, not that they bring a gift and if extravagant gifts were still the “norm”, on top of accommodation for those coming from out of town, travel costs, outfits and what not, I expect a few people might find themselves bowing out and missing this wonderful occasion.

Christenings for parents are expensive too. There are the outfits, flowers, gifts, food, a photographer or videographer, a hall or venue for the reception; the list never seems to end. Christeningideas.co.uk do have a handy PDF on their site which enables parents looking to plan their child’s christening to break down the costs and work out a budget they can afford and save towards the christening rather than using costly credit.

See the ChristeningIdeas.co.uk website for help with budgeting for your christening

Welcoming a child into the world is about family, introducing the child into the church and celebrating their birth and fortunately this is now much more affordable with budget planners and beautiful yet affordable keepsakes to choose from.

We didn’t christen either of our boys however if we had we would also have been looking at a budget christening and hoping no-one spent ridiculous amounts on gifts. Cuddles are much lovelier than a £300 first tooth jar, and much less breakable!

my special keepsakes linen bag — Christening gifts don’t need to be big and flashy to be much loved and appreciated

*This post was written in collaboration with the mentioned business.

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Back to Work After the Half Term

Organising and Attending a Christening without Blowing the Budget