Sharing Your Own Childhood Reads

reading, Ladybird books, story time

I’m very lucky in that both of my children are keen readers / enjoy story time. Taylor starts school in September and I look forward to him learning to read for himself and Kieran constantly has his nose in a book!

This is a quick post to share something that tickled me greatly last night. I chose this fabulous somewhat weathered copy of The Magic Paintbrush from the bookshelf for Taylor’s story last night. Within minutes I had Kieran perched on the end of the bed listening too.

This was one of my favourite books when I was little and this is the very same copy I enjoyed. Kieran loved the story as well as the pictures and the history behind the book when he was Taylor’s age and so it was great to see them both so keen to share one of my childhood reads.

Have you re-read any of the books you enjoyed when younger with your children? We have plenty to get through! While Taylor is lapping up my old Ladybird books and Kieran my old books more suited to his age I’m not sure either will share my love for The Chalet School!

Winding Down After a Busy Day 

Winding Down After a Busy Day 

This weekend (the first May bank holiday weekend) has been suitably manic on the busy-scale, as per usual. I took Kieran to Code Club and we did the library while Roy and Taylor did suitably blokey stuff (Roy showed him how to play the ukulele). Kieran had a party with a friend and onto the local fair, we’ve been walking, hit the park, there was ice cream for the fellas, we had people around on Sunday for the afternoon… it was busy but great fun.

Sometimes when you’ve had a busy day or a busy weekend you find yourself craving a bit of “me” time. I work from home full-time and so you’d think that when work is done, the kids are tucked up and what not that I’d be desperate to get out and about. Honestly, the complete opposite is true.

You see, I’m a home bod. I love my house and don’t feel the need to leave it of an evening unless we have to or have something particularly special planned. Indeed once the kids are in bed you are most likely to find me tucked up in my PJs and slipper boots. Not the look of a gal going out on the town!

Here are my top five ways to unwind after a busy day – please feel free to add more via the comments, I’m always looking for activities that are fun and don’t require summoning up extra energy!

Reading

An oldie but a goodie. I love to read and devour books. I’m also someone who will read from pretty much any genre. For those looking for inspiration in the last week alone I have read Hidden Treasures by Fern Britton (I’ve read a few of hers and they have all been excellent), Hide Her Name by Nadine Dorries and Trail of Broken Wings by Sejal Badani (I struggled to put this one down!).

A must read!

 Planning

Bear with me on this one! I love to be organised, I am a self-confessed and publically recognise stationery tart. I love being a bit creative. I’ve managed to merge these loves into a hobby of sorts which is not entirely unlike scrapbooking. I have an Erin Condren planner which I had shipped from America. if you could love a diary/planner then I’d happily state I love this one. I offers everything I need for work, family AND home and even better, I get to spend time making it pretty.

planner

A Bit of Bingo

I was ever so sad when the Regent Bingo Club here in Thirsk closed down. The building was made into apartments and a swish cocktail bar (which has be closed for a couple of years now – what a waste!). I now get my bingo fix online, and why not? I set a budget, curl up on the sofa in my PJs and thoroughly enjoy a little flutter. Next on my hit list to explore is the Bingo EXTRA website, I might even win big and treat myself to some new PJs and slipper boots!

Cookery

I am not a baker. I’ll bake with the boys and fill the scone tin up from time to time however my true passion lies in cooking savoury dishes. I adore having the opportunity (and peace!) to turn on the radio, close the door to the kitchen and just create. I’ll often do this of an evening and freeze my efforts for easy meals during the week.

spiralized

Netflix / Sky

We (Roy and I) record certain TV shows and watch them together, such as Game of Thrones. I also have my regulars such as Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, Good Wife, Madame Secretary and we both enjoy trawling Netflix for now (and old) films and seasons to enjoy. We’re both waiting for the new Orange is the New Black to start!

How do you wind down at the end of the day?