It’s been an odd week or so at home as we’ve had decorators in repainting our whole house. There is mess everywhere, nothing is where it’s supposed to be and, truth be told, I’m finding the whole process a little bit unsettling. Still, it’ll all be worth it in the end as we’ll have a lovely bright, fresh home free from fingerprints, scribbles on walls and endless amounts of ‘stuff’ that we no longer need. One week down, one week to go… Anyway, as a result of the upheaval I’ve not been able to see clients at home, and I’ve done my best to stay out of the decorator’s way so I’ve spent as much time out of the house as possible which, with hindsight, is exactly what I’ve been needing after weeks of relentless grey and rain.

Here’s what we’ve been up to:

Day 681:  Most days, whilst the girls are eating their tea, I ask them all what the best part of their day has been.  Today, Mimi said “Coming home to you” and my heart burst into a million tiny pieces.  Yesterday did not finish well – challenging behaviour (theirs), tears and shouting (me) and honest truths delivered in only the way children can say it.  So this little bit of magic made all the difference 🙂

Day 682:  Delighted to have lost tooth #10 (and despite being adamant that she doesn’t believe in fairies, the tooth fairy is apparently an exception to the rule)

Day 683:  A weekend visit from Sophie.  She’s absolutely brilliant with her little sisters and plays whatever they want to play – everything from ‘schools’ to ‘mums and dads’ to Kerplunk.

Day 684:  Happy tulips to make a dull Monday a bit brighter 🙂

Day 685:  Funky sky on the morning school run.  How beautiful is this?!

Day 686:   Back in December I managed to snag some first class seats in an online Virgin Trains sale for prices much cheaper than my usual standard class tickets, so throughout January I have been able to travel to and from London in style! Lucky me 🙂  Last one today, so I’m enjoying the extra space (and quiet) as much as possible.

Day 687:  A beautiful frosty morning

Day 688: A lovely long walk as a glorious blue-skies-and-sunshine afternoon emerged following a morning of rain.

Day 689:  A morning spent doing homework and de-cluttering the house = an afternoon visit to Birches Valley to get out in the fresh air, stretch our legs and run off some energy

Day 690:  All three girls got certificates and badges at their swimming lesson this morning – they were thrilled to bits and I’m so proud of how hard they’ve worked to make the progress that they have.