07/06/201501/01/2019 by jo

Project 365 Week 23

Sunday 31st May. We had to go into Sutton today to get last minute school things and Father’s Day stuff. Shaun went off to get his hair cut and H and I did a sneaky shopping trip. We found these sandals, and at only £6 they won’t break the bank (good job really!) – we had to go down two sizes too – I’m like that in my Birkenstocks, weirdly.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on May 31, 2015 at 10:02am PDT

Monday 1st June. Back to school and H chose a new library book at last – it had been three weeks since the last one (which was okay as it was one of the Katie books by James Mayhew) – she chose a TinTin book. I told her we had one upstairs and went to get it – only to find it was the same one, but of course in French (we bought it the last time we went to Belgium, seven or eight years ago)!

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Jun 1, 2015 at 7:55am PDT

Tuesday 2nd June. Southern Trains are my favourite thing to moan about as they’re so unreliable. Then they’re reliable and you think they’ve changed, just to find that actually, no, they’re still the same. Anyway, their app broke this week. This was the message I got when I tried to look up my delayed train. Ends up the train was 18 minutes late, the app kept crashing, and I still somehow made it to school on time to pick up H.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Jun 2, 2015 at 6:29am PDT

Wednesday 3rd June. H had her second playdate this school year and she had a brilliant time! We walked past the River Wandle which has been done up and cleaned up – it’s looking so much better now.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Jun 3, 2015 at 2:36pm PDT

Thursday 4th June. Having our tea outside in the warm, although I was a bit shivery. But still, eating outside after school – you can’t beat it. I picked up a Higgidy Quiche for me, and some salad, then did home-made potato salad, it all seemed to taste fine anyway.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Jun 4, 2015 at 10:53am PDT

Friday 5th June. I made a trip to H&M Kids on my lunch break this Thursday just gone, spotted this dress in H’s size and HAD to buy it. Luckily she likes it too!

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Jun 5, 2015 at 8:34am PDT

Saturday 6th June. A busy day – H had football first thing, we headed up to Mayfield Lavender afterwards as it was just up the road. We had a wander around the fields picking up litter and enjoying the space before it all gets too busy again. After that we drove into Sutton for a look at their Chilli Festival which Alex had told me about the day before. It didn’t disappoint – in fact, the biggest downside was the amount of stalls who didn’t take cards and me not having enough cash. H tried lots of mild chilli sauces and enjoyed it too. The stall which made the biggest impression was The Chilli Alchemist for their fabulously shaped bottles. They have chilli popping candy in test tubes too which H bought for herself! The whole presentation of their stall was fabulous – it drew you in. It’s no coincidence we spent the most money there – and they took cards!

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Jun 6, 2015 at 7:12am PDT

31/05/201527/03/2018 by jo

Project 365 Week 22

Sunday 24th May. Recovering from Eurovision, we did what all sensible Euro-music fans do, and picked our favourite songs to play H. I think we may have stayed in our pyjamas for most of the day until I saw a 50% off code for Zippos Circus who were in a nearby park. We booked tickets for the 7pm show, so H got to go for the first time. It was interesting – the animal side of things I wasn’t so keen on, but all the people parts were incredible. More often than not I’d be clapping along then realise I was mid-clap with my hands and mouth open, completely gobsmacked at what was going on. The bikes inside the large sphere were the most impressive – managed to get this photo with four of them inside it.

Monday 25th May. My dad’s birthday. So I showed H some pictures of him, to remember the Grandad she has never met. We drove to Knole and it was the perfect weather, with loads of activities and space to walk and climb. I keep forgetting we’re really close to Kent here – we need to explore more. Knole is a beautiful place with beautiful deer all around – and somewhere we’ll definitely go back to. I’m still getting my head around the fact the family still live there, in a private area which they rent from the National Trust. How cool?

Tuesday 26th May. Back to work for me, Shaun and H had the week off. Lucky things. Today they kept it simple and made cupcakes. When I got home from work we headed to the park, where H started to cycle on two wheels for the first time which was amazing. This also means we need to buy her a new bike as her current one is way too small for her.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on May 26, 2015 at 2:50pm PDT

Wednesday 27th May. Shaun and H went to Legoland, and I worked. In fact, I worked a 8am to 6pm day with my lunch break being the travel from Wandsworth Town to Tottenham Court Road – I had a meeting at Google. Fortunately afterwards we went to The Angel for beer with old and new friends, and it was an excellent time. We walked past what was the 12 Bar to get home. Sad. It’s just a shell.

Thursday 28th May. Back to the park again after work, and more cycling on two wheels as well as moving onto paths. H still can’t quite start herself again but she’s getting better – the balancing is fine, it’s just the starting off. Her new trampoline arrived on Wednesday, so Shaun spent an hour putting it up – it’s really nice and sturdy. We raised the money to buy it by selling H’s baby toys (a good way to declutter and convince her they need to go as well!).

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on May 28, 2015 at 6:54am PDT

Friday 29th May. Rainy. In between the hailstones we got bits of time outside, so tried to get H’s home learning done. She was having none of it, until we decided that a Lego Carnival Float would be a good thing to draw and write. I ended up doing a lot of the drawing, with H adding a lot to it and customising it, and labelling it with the things she’d added to her model. I had to help her draw it, but she’s written and labelled and coloured everything that needs doing..

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on May 29, 2015 at 8:39am PDT

Saturday 30th May. A lazy day, we all needed it after the previous week. We painted one of the wine boxes we have outside that we use for plants – it’s all bright and colourful. It is now covered in varnish, drying – soon to be returned to the garden.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on May 30, 2015 at 9:01am PDT

17/05/201501/01/2019 by jo

Project 365 Week 20

Sunday 10th May. Today was ‘Rainbows Go Global’ at the Girl Guiding South HQ and fun outdoor area, which also happens to be right next to Painshill Park. It was awesome and exhausting. I’d put a picture in, but it involves other kids so I won’t be, so instead you can see the badge I was awarded for going!

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on May 10, 2015 at 9:44am PDT

Monday 11th May. Rainbows again. The joys of a warm day meant H’s shirt from the previous day was washed and dry, her new badge sewn on. She had lots of fun tonight and I could see a more confident H emerging – she stood up and talked about things rather than being shy. It makes me so happy as she is a shy girl, it feels like a breakthrough. We got home and put on the Matilda soundtrack I’d bought from eBay. She particularly liked that she had the words to read along to on the CD booklet.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on May 11, 2015 at 10:09am PDT

Tuesday 12th May. This was easily the busiest day of the week and Sunday was stupidly busy. From rushing to the Osteopath, H’s swimming lesson, PIlates and more, somehow I found the time to also make tea for everyone, even if it was just chopping up vegetables and putting them into the Soup Maker.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on May 12, 2015 at 2:03pm PDT

Wednesday 13th May. Ocado had Douwe Egbert’s on offer for £4, which included the limited Edition Orla Kiely jars. So I ordered two. I figured if they picked two of the same I might be able to swap one, but if I ordered three and got three of the same that would be tricky. So I saved myself £5 – I’ll still have to buy the other jar at full price, but oh, the pretty!

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on May 13, 2015 at 8:58am PDT

Thursday 14th May. The latest issue of Storytime Magazine arrived. I asked H a question to be met with silence. My baby bookworm was so engrossed in her magazine. Magazine subscriptions are the best presents you can get, I think. H is subscribed to Storytime, Okido and Anorak magazines, and has been getting the free Lego ones since she was born, pretty much!

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on May 14, 2015 at 8:57am PDT

Friday 15th May. At knitting on Thursday night my friend Katharine gave me a pile of Brownies and Guides annuals – some of which I remember owning back when they came out. H loves them – she’s been engrossed in the Brownies annuals, and has already started asking when she can join. She’s got a Very Long Wait.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on May 15, 2015 at 8:08am PDT

Saturday 16th May. It was our first Summer School Fair today – it was busy, hot and tiring – four hours on the raffle was not good for my back. I had to pop to the shops afterwards and went to Lidl as I’d heard they had Jeeves in stock – their bargain priced Pimm’s-A-Like – and there it was in all its glory. We had a couple of glasses later on and I can confirm it is just as good as the proper stuff. It also costs half as much, if not more. Bravo Lidl! As they say, ‘Get it while you can!’ – so I did…!

10/05/201502/07/2015 by jo

Project 365 Week 19

Sunday 3rd May. After the hectic Saturday it was a rainy Sunday so we decided to have an easy one. So we went to Ikea then on to Carshalton Park afterwards for a bit of calm. H was wearing her Nirvana t-shirt and some denim, plus an oversized check shirt and she was in an absolute stinker of a mood – a proper emo-child. We decided it must be her chosen outfit which sent her a bit doolally, as she’s never normally as grumpy as she was.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on May 3, 2015 at 7:37am PDT

Monday 4th May. We went to Hatchlands Park, primarily to spend some money which would benefit Clandon Park, but also because the bluebells are out in force right now. It was packed – so much so that we gave up on eating there and decided to go to Winkworth Arboretum which isn’t just up the road, but isn’t that far away. They didn’t have much food there though, but we had enough – plus got to see more bluebells and the azalea steps. Anyway, Winkworth had one of the new ’50 Things to do Before You’re 11 3/4′ books so H got a new one.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on May 4, 2015 at 8:24am PDT

Tuesday 5th May. If I don’t take a photo of anything, I’ll take it of my food. So here’s my soup as made in the Morphy Richards Soup Maker (Butternut squash, red pepper and broccoli), and some bread from the breadmaker. I like having machines that do all the hard work for me.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on May 5, 2015 at 12:25pm PDT

Wednesday 6th May. I am not vegan, but I do eat vegan food, what with having been a vegetarian since around 1983. Fry’s foods are my favourite – their curry pies are amazing. I discovered the coconut oil spray in Tesco so thought I’d give it a try – the two go well together as well!

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on May 6, 2015 at 10:18am PDT

Thursday 7th May. Yeah, that. We did it. H said “you ONLY have to put a cross on a piece of paper?!”

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on May 7, 2015 at 9:09am PDT

Friday 8th May. Finally after several months of trying and H getting angry and frustrated, she showed me how to tie a bow on her school dress. She worked it out at school and I’m relieved – she got so cross with herself when she couldn’t do it straight away.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on May 8, 2015 at 7:43am PDT

Saturday 9th May. We took H to Carshalton Athletic this morning after recommendations for football groups you don’t have to commit to. It’s really close to our house so walkable, but for her first week we drove, mainly as I was sure it was going to rain anyway – it did, but nothing to get wet with! H was paired up with another girl and really got stuck in. When she did Crystal Palace lessons she would often get frustrated by things, but today she was so much happier and confident, and got on with it. She was put in the older kids group too – and her coach said she has good skills, we just need to work on her thinking which was encouraging! The best bit of all? Girls go free. How awesome is that? So we have no excuse not to go.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on May 9, 2015 at 2:48am PDT

03/05/201501/01/2019 by jo

Project 365 – Week 18

Sunday 26th April. Disney on Ice. H and her pal F from school had tickets for Disney On Ice – and they both loved it. I wish I’d had blinkers to put on H when we entered Wembley Arena with all the merchandise on offer – my girl has expensive tastes… but we kept it simple thank goodness. It was a great show, and we headed to the South Bank afterwards for food and to have a run around – plus we wanted to show them the two Shaun the Sheep statues there – a busy day and loads of fun. Our next planned trip is to see Matilda the Musical!

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Apr 26, 2015 at 6:44am PDT

Monday 27th April. I got the Call of Dooom from school. H was feeling dizzy and had a temperature. She didn’t actually have a temperature once I took it when we got home, but was dizzy. This is a random picture of a flower basket we bought at the weekend which H chose. It matches our purple wall planter thingummy well.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Apr 27, 2015 at 9:40am PDT

Tuesday 28th April. Still not right. Took her to the doctors later that day and she has an ear infection in BOTH ears. Her immune system is good, which meant she had no pain, just the dizziness which is a relief. Previous ear infections have been painful for her. It was an early night. I took a photo of H in bed, but I don’t need to post it here – it’s just my girl sleeping.

Wednesday 29th April. I took the day off work as she was on antibiotics and still dizzy. Except she seemed to run around with a hula hoop around her ankles. Definitely getting better…

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Apr 29, 2015 at 2:06am PDT

Thursday 30th April. I was SO stressed about today for reasons I can’t go into here. Luckily my ‘Montage of Heck’ DVD turned up at home, so while Shaun was out watching ‘Have I Got News For You’ being filmed, I curled up on the settee to watch the documentary. It was good, and interesting how it portrays Kurt Cobain. I did get a bit tired watching it, so a second viewing is happening sometime soon… (edited to add, we watched it again, I fell asleep again!)

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Apr 30, 2015 at 9:01am PDT

Friday 1st May. My copy of Hans Christian Andersen on DVD arrived! There are so many films, musicals which never get shown on tv any more (even Grease hasn’t been on for years), and I know H will love this as she knows a few of the songs already. I used to love it when I was young, so I have high hopes. Another DVD for the collection…

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on May 1, 2015 at 6:53am PDT

Saturday 2nd May. Something awoke in H today – we were invited to Petts Wood FC for a training session with Casey Stoney the Arsenal and England footballer to launch McDonalds Football Mum of the Year. We left home with H grumpy and not wanting to join in, to us leaving and her demanding another run around the fields. She even went with Shaun to the park for a game for the first time in ages. I feel slightly emotional that something as simple as a training session which she ‘gets’ could be all that restarts the love of football, and I really hope we keep it up. I love this picture – she had to run to Casey and give her a high five!

25/04/201524/06/2018 by jo

Project 365 Week 17

Sunday 19th April. Well I had plans for today! H was tired as she didn’t get to bed until 10pm, and Shaun was tired as he was hungover. So it was an extremely lazy day. I went into the loft for the first time ever! There is SO much of my stuff up there – it really needs to go. Interestingly, we found more of H’s baby toys and I’ve sold quite a few locally now which is good. After a while we realised she was being really quiet – to the point we didn’t know what she was up to. Seems she’d found a new book to read, and was on the section ‘how are babies made’. She was a bit embarrassed about being caught reading it, which makes me think she’s read something and it has blown her mind. She’s not ready to talk about what she has read yet. At least she knows Mummy and Daddy both don’t know what they’re doing either?

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Apr 19, 2015 at 8:49am PDT

Monday 20th April. Back to work, back to Rainbows and back to chaos. I like the chaos – we’re working for three badges this time at Rainbows too – crikey. One of the girls who left last term came back with some biscuits for all the leaders, so I got some absolutely delicious ‘blisscuits’ – yum!

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Apr 20, 2015 at 10:43am PDT

Tuesday 21st April – I made soup and blogged about it. This is about all I can remember about today – that and scheduling loads of blog posts which have appeared in the last few days – I found a lot in draft from last November when my back went again, so I’ve been updating and publishing. Whoops!

Wednesday 22nd April – I picked H up for the first time in ages and took this picture of our reflection in the window – not the greatest photo but not the worst either.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Apr 22, 2015 at 9:28am PDT

Thursday 23rd April – The latest Guy Fox book was delivered to us, and H is really enjoying reading about the Magna Carta. I really love the Guy Fox books – if you sign up to receive their newsletters you are sent free copies of their books, so we’ve one on how our Legal System works and one on the Economy already – they’re a charity and they’re awesome. You can find them here.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Apr 23, 2015 at 10:31am PDT

Friday 24th April. The calm after the storm. H had her first playdate without me after school, with four of her friends. I am enjoying the peace of sitting catching up on blog posts and life, and counting down the minutes until I go to pick her up. She bumped her head on Thursday but was fine at school on Friday – thank goodness. We got some Annie goodies which H thinks are the best thing ever – her Sandy dog is her new most loved thing.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Apr 24, 2015 at 9:48am PDT

Saturday 25th April – so we were meant to go to Great Fosters on Thursday for Afternoon Tea, which didn’t happen as we got the call from school saying H had a bump on the head. This resulted in a trip to A&E for the first time for H, where she was given the all clear. We rescheduled for Saturday, but would have to up the numbers to three as H would be joining us. We spent two hours eating and easily another hour and a half wandering around the grounds – if I have the time it’ll be a Country Kids post.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Apr 25, 2015 at 8:41am PDT

19/04/201501/01/2019 by jo

Project 365 – Week 16

Sunday 12th April. We bought a new table and chairs for outside, and spent a bit of time finishing off H’s box garden for her home learning – the cress is growing really well. It looks bright and summery, and a week in still nice and bright – Shaun gave it a sneaky water at school yesterday!

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Apr 12, 2015 at 9:12am PDT

Monday 13th April. Back to school, and H was super excited to be back with her friends again. My Souper Boosters arrived from the Covent Garden Soup Co – they had a Facebook offer which I went for. Interesting!

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Apr 13, 2015 at 8:34am PDT

Tuesday 14th April. School, work and so on. Back to swimming. No pilates for me for another week or two, and Shaun was still working from home while they mend Central London. We sat outside in the sun after school eating Fruit Pasti-lollies and reading school books.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Apr 14, 2015 at 7:55am PDT

Wednesday 15th April. A beautiful sunny day. Washed H’s two smaller school dresses, the ones we got from Matalan to review last year and they were dry by the evening. Good days are measured by washloads and how many are done in a day in my life – thus making this a very good day indeed. The dresses are lasting well and I’m happy with the quality of them.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Apr 15, 2015 at 8:35am PDT

Thursday 16th April. I popped into The Entertainer on my lunch break and bought H her first two wheel scooter (a bargain in the sale for £11). She said to me with the most worried face how much she wasn’t sure she’d enjoy it. Got on the scooter, and immediately scooted everywhere without a problem. She’s been trying it out in the back yard now and is loving it.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Apr 16, 2015 at 9:30am PDT

Friday 17th April. I do believe I forgot to take a photo. My friend took one of H and her oldest friend, but to protect his privacy I won’t put it here. It doesn’t need documenting on here. They played so nicely and both children played so well together – considering they don’t see each other as much it’s like they never spend time apart – and it was good for me to catch up with my friend too.

Saturday 18th April. NCT summer meet up for all my oldest parenting friends. We don’t see each other very often – indeed, the last time we were together was New Year. It was a lovely sunny day so the kids got outside to play while we all caught up with each other. By the end of the evening all the kids were inside a playhouse under a duvet with glowsticks. I had to obscure the child’s face with some careful picmonkey editing, but I did like this one.

12/04/201501/01/2019 by jo

Project 365 Week 15

Sunday 5th April. We headed to Hatchlands Park near Guildford to do their Easter Egg trail as we’ve done most of the National Trust properties near here and wanted to do a different one. Every time we go to Hatchlands or Clandon Park we end up taking a stupidly long route which is brilliant – but we almost always forget it’s just up the road from Polesden Lacey. So I’m hoping if we type this we’ll remember when we go back to see their bluebell wood. Anyway, it was loads of fun and had a Robin Hood theme, ending with H bouncing on a space hopper on their front lawn. They even had archery and pony trekking for the Easter weekend, as well as a craft area to make your own arrow – loads of fun and it even cheered up Shaun and I after the rubbish news the day before.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Apr 5, 2015 at 8:05am PDT

Monday 6th April. H was unwell overnight – the bug Shaun and I had, so it was an easy day – a 2am wake up and looking after her the following morning meant our plans to go to Legoland were put on hold. It did mean we could work on her box garden for her home learning at school, which looks pretty ace! There’s cress growing in the middle!!

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Apr 6, 2015 at 8:20am PDT

Tuesday 7th April. 48 hour exclusion applies, and so I worked remotely looking after H. There was quite a lot of work to do and I got most of it done which was a relief. I’m lucky that I’m able to do that with my job – especially when you’re dealing with a slightly bored five year old who can’t go to holiday club.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Apr 7, 2015 at 12:49pm PDT

Wednesday 8th April. Back to work, back to Holiday Club, H had a trip to Battersea Park Zoo today which she enjoyed. I got a delivery of Mr Kipling’s cakes from Britmums which cheered my day up – THEN I realised it was Mum Friendly’s fourth birthday. So Happy Birthday to me.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Apr 8, 2015 at 10:21am PDT

Thursday 9th April. Just work, holiday club and being happy as Shaun is working in Croydon at the moment so gets home nice and early every night for a change! Having said that, we’re tired out – so it was nice to settle with potato wedges and a Fry’s Curry Pie (and they’re delicious and vegan too) after H had gone to bed. I’m so glad I bought an Actifry at Christmas as I’m finding it really handy for making meals quickly and healthily.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Apr 9, 2015 at 11:22am PDT

Friday 10th April. Shaun didn’t need to go in to work today so worked remotely from home, and didn’t bother taking H into Holiday Club for her last day – so he worked and played until I got home from work, and H seemed happy enough playing outside and watching Annie. We did our walk down to the Honeywood Museum and around Carshalton and felt happy and lucky to be living where we do.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Apr 10, 2015 at 9:19am PDT

Saturday 11th April. Legoland! It was pouring with rain in the morning, but I’d checked forecasts and it was meant to be very warm and sunny by 10am, but with a breeze. We got to Legoland by 11am, and most rides had a 15 minute queue which meant we did loads! Afterwards we headed into Windsor, parking by the Thames for free (hurrah!) and right by the castle, trying to find somewhere to eat. We found a lovely local family-run restaurant Viva L’Italia where we got some pizza and pasta which was WAY cheaper than all the chain restaurants nearby. Yum! Afterwards we watched it get darker as Windsor Castle lit up and the Jubilee Fountain got pretty.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Apr 11, 2015 at 12:07pm PDT

05/04/201505/04/2015 by jo

Project 365 Week 14

Sunday 29th March. We had a lazy Sunday as the weather was rubbish and we didn’t want to go out, thinking the coming Easter weekend would be nicer. Well, it is, but it’s still not great! H built a den and left us this sign. “Private – only children. Please do not disturb or punishment” – her handwriting looks pretty bad as this is a pen where the nib moves in when you write which quite frankly, I can’t write with at all.

Monday 30th March. She has grown again. As we rent we can’t really keep much of a log of H’s height which will stay with us forever, etched into a wall somewhere. We can still make pencil lines in a doorframe though, they’re easy enough to paint over or rub out. 127cm. She’s only just five and a half. Sigh.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Mar 30, 2015 at 11:00am PDT

Tuesday 31st March. Every time we go to my friend Jos’s house for a party she has these amazing cheese balls – and this time I took a photo of the packaging, found them at Ocado, ordered them and made them myself. Added bonus they’re Gluten Free – and if you add dairy free cheese then it should be good for people with those issues too (read : Shaun). So I made some for H and my girly night in on Tuesday night. Shaun was busy working late as it was the Accounts Year End.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Mar 31, 2015 at 10:16am PDT

Wednesday 1st April. I had today booked off work, and was envisaging a lie-in, but H was having other ideas. Our main plan was going to see The Sound of Music in Wimbledon. The play was wonderful. H was so well behaved, considering the first half is an hour and a half long – and she really enjoyed it too. Her first proper musical on stage!

Thursday 2nd April. I was up through the night being sick so didn’t go into work. I had felt a bit weird at The Sound of Music so whatever it was decided to let me know we weren’t agreeing. We’re starting to get leaflets in from all the local councillors and I couldn’t help but notice the irony in this one. Sorry to get political. As a Facebook friend pointed out, there are enough people who didn’t bother to vote, who if they voted Labour here (assuming they’re not bothering as they’re being told not to) would actually mean Labour win. Which of course is a big assumption, but food for thought. Also, this is the same tactic used here five years ago, and look what happened then. SIGH!

Friday 3rd April. Good Friday. We were lazy, I was eating again, we watched a couple of films – the first Harry Potter and the first Freaky Friday. We painted some corks to make some bees for H’s home learning project for school.

Saturday 4th April. A trip into London. We decided to go to the London Transport Museum as we’ve never been – so headed up to Victoria and walked there via the Shaun the Sheep trail which is on at the moment. We spotted seven of them and walked from St James’s Park up to Trafalgar Square, on to the Museum then over Waterloo Bridge, finishing at the London Eye (and fortunately we’d taken our Merlin Passes with us so went on there to have a sit down). This is my favourite picture of H, I’m getting a print of it as she looks so happy.

29/03/201529/03/2015 by jo

Project 365 Week 13

Sunday 22nd March. We’d set aside today to go to Limpsfield Common as it’s not far and the National Trust Surrey Hills Facebook group had posted a picture the previous week of a new trail. It didn’t disappoint. H loved Peter Rabbit’s Post Office and I liked being outside where I could breathe. She left a letter for Peter Rabbit to say she liked his house and a few coins in his postbox so hopefully the volunteers can make some more!

Monday 23rd March. At Rainbows all the girls had to find some Easter Egg prints outside in the grounds around the church. Once they’d all found two each they could exchange them for one of these. H was pretty happy with that!

Tuesday 24th March. Back to normal. Our last swimming lesson for this term before H’s class changes. She was awarded her Water Skills 2 badge which she was delighted to get – she had the happiest smiliest face. Her lesson had them doing relay races at the end, and she did half a length of front crawl without any bother – I knew she could, but with the pool being a bit deeper she has panicked a bit in the past. This all bodes well for her getting her Stage 3, although I think it’s still a bit of a way off yet.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Mar 24, 2015 at 10:47am PDT

Wednesday 25th March. Borrowed the Spandau Ballet DVD ‘Soul Boys of the Western World’ from Craig at work – it was excellent. The amount of old footage when the band first got together with commentaries from bandmembers from the start makes it a really good retrospective – and they don’t skip the court case either which is good. I was never a massive fan (I was more of a Durannie) but I could really appreciate them and where they came from with this. Recommended.

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Mar 25, 2015 at 3:36am PDT

Thursday 26th March. Popped into Tiger Stores at lunchtime and they have glitter glue for glue guns, so I had to buy some. Pretty!

A photo posted by Jo Brooks (@mumfriendlyjo) on Mar 26, 2015 at 6:37am PDT

Friday 27th March. End of term. Had to leave early to get to H’s school, and as usual my train was stupidly delayed, getting in at almost sixteen minutes late. School closed at 1.30 and the train pulled in at 1.29. Annoying. Southern Trains have been awful lately. I booked us tickets to see Frozen Fever & Cinderella, then we followed that with tea at Pizza Express. H designed a pizza for their latest competition and was very pleased with it.

Saturday 28th March. We spent the day cleaning and clearing things. Nearly all of H’s baby clothes have gone to the local Cash for Clothes place, all the money is being put towards a trampoline for H this summer. We made £25 which I’m pleased with! But I don’t actually remember taking a photo. Having said that, there wasn’t really anything to take a photo of, so I’ll leave this day blank and edit if I find one.

Mum Friendly

the things we do, the things we like

Tag / Project 365