A couple of weeks ago there was a regatta along the river. I'm not a huge boat fan I must say but it was better than staying in all afternoon. The boys had gone fishing with there dad so Ellie and I decided to check out the regatta and what a great afternoon it was too! Ellie really enjoyed it and I did too.
Unfortunately my phone went dead so I didn't take that many photos but as you can probably see by the photos I DID take, it was fun all around!

We started off by walking along the river bank where were were greeted by swans, ducks and geese! "Ahhhh the swan will get me" Ellie yelled, haha. Bless her. She's a bit afraid of swans because they're as big as her! But they're magnificent creatures.

The boat show was about to begin so we found an empty bench and sat and watched it for a little while before heading off and finding some lunch.


Just across the way from where the boat race was being held, Ellie noticed the fire station was open! There was an open day so we went and had a browse around the fire engine and rescue vehicles which Ellie thought was wonderful.



We headed into the (tiny) town and bought some fish and chips before heading home. We had a really nice afternoon! I hope to be able to take the boys next time as I know they'd really enjoy it as well.

Sarah xXx

Last week I wrote about how I had started working out again and eating healthy. Not only have I been doing Jillian Michaels thirty day shred everyday and eating healthy but I have also been power walking/slow jog a few times, too. In nine days I lost a grand total of six pounds, which I am really, really chuffed about. I am going to weigh myself every 9-10 days I think. I am still going to do the 30 day shred every day and eat healthy as well as 10,000 steps. Although, my fitbug orb has sadly broken and will no longer sync with my phone, which totally sucks. Maybe I'll change the battery and see if that helps. I'll do a power walk/light jog a couple of times a week (at least), too. I am so lucky to live where I do as there are so many beautiful places to jog and not many people around. I especially like jogging through the woods, well around the edge of the woodland.

I've been eating a lot of salad and healthy food. I am getting a bit bored of salad now though if I'm honest. I've done low carbs a few times this week just gone, which was actually not as hard as I thought it would be. I have also not eaten any bread for a while (first time in ages yesterday), which is good, too. It's definitely bread that makes me bloated and causes stomach cramps, since cutting that out of my diet I haven't had any problems with my tummy. I had a wholemeal roll yesterday for lunch and sure enough, as soon as I'd eaten it, I had stomach ache and my tummy was ever so bloated.

Sarah xXx

Here's the kids meal plan for this week!

Monday - Sausage, chips and peas.

Tuesday - Spaghetti bolognase with garlic bread

Wednesday - Tuna and pasta with sweetcorn and salad.

Thursday - Chicken nuggets with chips and beans

Friday - Pork chops with mash potato, carrots and gravy

Saturday - Pizza day!

Sunday - Sunday roast (chicken)

What's on your meal plan this week?

Sarah xXx

Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. “Jess and Jason,” she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.

And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel offers what she knows to the police, and becomes inextricably entwined in what happens next, as well as in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?

A compulsively readable, emotionally immersive, Hitchcockian thriller that draws comparisons to Gone Girl, The Silent Wife, or Before I Go to Sleep, this is an electrifying debut embraced by readers across markets and categories.

This book was recommended to me a while ago and I've only just got around to downloading it onto my kindle. I was really looking forward to reading this book! Personally I thought it started off a bit slow but I soon got into the book. It's beautifully written, kept me guessing all the way through and I loved all the twists in the book. If your looking for a good thriller, this book is for you. 

Sarah xXx

I am seriously so crazy about cats! I can't even tell you. If I had it my way I would have a hundred cats, I just love them and I can't get enough. We have two cats, one called Lotti and one called Sylvie. Lotti is three years old and we think Sylvie is probably slightly younger, we don't really know because Sylvie adopted us! Her owners didn't really tell me very much when she agreed to let us keep the cat (we had no choice in the matter - the cat choose us and that was that!)
Both our cats are sterilized and micro chipped and are in great health! We love them so very much.

This is Sylvie! She loves the sunshine, hehe.

She is obsessed wit boxes! Both the cats are obsessed with them

We have a huge corn field out the back of our house, which the cats just love to explore!



I love my fur babies so much! They truly are a part of our family.
Oh and before I go, I thought I'd share a photo of my mums new kitten 'Elsa'. Isn't she lovely?


She's sooooo purrrrrdy, now I really want another kitten.... Uh-oh.

All day Thursday it was so hot! After school the little's wanted to go to the park but we decided it was just too hot for that. So after dinner we went for a walk in the woods instead! The weather had cooled down a bit and it was a gorgeous evening. A stroll through the woods is exactly what we needed.We're very luck to live in such a beautiful area with fields and woodland and lots of a public footpaths! So off we went to explore some more!


We walked past the corn field at hte back of our house, sticking to the public footpath. "It's such good fun living in the countryside" Ellie told me. I'm glad the kids love living in the countryside because I am a country gal! I didn't like living in a big town with hoards of people and nowhere much to walk with non beautiful views. The boys seem to enjoy living here, too! I'm sure that's because there is more space for them to burn off there energy, bless 'em.

 The boys also wanted to take a football with them! They do love there football and having a kick about.. Typical boys! Haha.


The kids also found a tree to climb on. I remember when I was young and I use to climb trees in this woodland too! I am so pleased my children get to have that childhood fun that I had.




We also knew there was a rope swing in the woods so we decided to go and have some fun on that. I may or may not have had a little go, haha. So many childhood memories! And now I'm making similar childhood memories for my children to look back on.




After a little while we decided to leave and go home because we were all worn out! We had a wonderful evening! It was a beautiful evening walk and we can;t wait to do it again sometime. We're going to explore the other side of the woods next time! :)

Sarah xXx

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A photo posted by Sara ♡ (@sassyserz) on Jun 22, 2015 at 7:57am PDT

Since we have moved house and the kids have obviously moved schools, too! They are all doing really well.
Anyway, the kids have only been at there new school since just after Easter. It took a while for Ellie to settle in as she had the same teacher (in her old school) for almost two years and the same group of friends since nursery. You can imagine how hard it must have been for her to settle into her new school! It took her a while to get use to her new school routine and make new friends and everything else that comes with starting a new school but she got there in the end! The boys seemed to adapt and settle in really fast and very well indeed.

A photo posted by Sara ♡ (@sassyserz) on Jun 22, 2015 at 7:47am PDT

They're all doing really well at school, we're waiting for Harry's SAT results. Hes glad they're over with. Ellie's doing super in English and maths, her times tables are coming along nicely. The boys are both doing wonderfully in Maths and English too. The boys hand writing has really improved this term, I think writing with fountain pen has helped them with that. Aww, I remember when I was at school, I use to love writing in fountain pen. =)



I can not believe how well Ellie's reading has come along since April, she has done AMAZING with her reading and it in fact, quite the little book worm (She takes after me, hehe). She's now reading 'hard' books (as she calls them) and she reads them so, so well! She's also been reading some children's books from the kindle which she really enjoys. I love listening to her read, there's something therapeutic about listening to children read, don't you think?

A photo posted by Sara ♡ (@sassyserz) on Jun 23, 2015 at 2:11am PDT

The boys are of course doing well! They love to read, too! Harrys been on about wanting to read 'The Hunger Games' but I still think he's a little young (not quite twelve!) for that. He's currently reading a goosebumps book! Who remember's those?! They were one of my favourite series to read and there are soooo many of them.


Charlie's busy reading some monster story or another, he does like his monster books! He's quite a fast reader, once he gets into a book he enjoys, he seems to really enjoy it.

Overall, the kids are doing wonderfully. We're going to keep reading and practising times tables at home. The kids are super excited for the six weeks holiday which is (very) fast approaching. I am also looking forward to the break from the school routine and enjoying the summer with the little's. Harry is excited about starting high school in September. I still can't quite fathom the fact that my eldest is going to be going to high school! How fast they grow and quick time goes.

Sarah xXx

As many of my regular readers know, I started the thirty day shred back in November last year. I lost almost 20lbs (or maybe just over) but then in April I moved house and had to stop doing the 30 day shred. I gained 8lbs between April and the end of May.
The week before last I started doing more walking (I already walk A LOT anyway) and getting my eating back to being healthy again. I lost 2lbs that week. Last Monday (15th) 1I started the 30 day shred again. And I'm not going to lie, It's HARD, really hard and I do struggle but I feel so good after I've done it! I am going to weigh myself every ten days this time and try not to obsess about not loosing loads of weight, I understand it might come off in inches and it's a slow process for me because of the medication I have to take.
I know I can do it though! And I will do it! Without a doubt.

A photo posted by Sara ♡ (@sassyserz) on Jun 4, 2015 at 1:19am PDT

On the eating side of things, I've been doing low carbs and not very much sugar. Which is great! But my goodness, I miss those (yummy) carbs. I can have carbs just in moderation. I found last time I did the ow carbs "diet" (I hate the word diet!) I lost quite a bit of weight. I am having a lot of salad and I really need to try sweet potato fries, I hear they're rather yummy!

Do you have any low carb recipes or ideas I could I try?

Sarah xXx

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This week has been a busy one. When am I not ever busy?! There's been ups and downs but I am focusing on the positives. Here are my reasons to be happy and cheerful this week.

On Monday I started the thirty day shred again, I need to loose weight and I am so, so determined. Yes, it's hard and yes I do ache. A LOT. I've been eating a lot healthier too and I feel better for it. Exercising makes me feel a lot happier. My friend (online) Laura is also doing the 30 day shred with me and she's really helping to keep me motivated. My friends and family are also very supportive. I'm really grateful to have some support :)
We have been enjoying lots of evening walks and fun at the park, too! Such a good, fun way to keep my steps up.

And a game of footy in the evening yesterday! Was nice and cool after a really hot day.

A photo posted by Sara ♡ (@sassyserz) on Jun 12, 2015 at 2:49am PDT

Another reason to be happy and thankful this week is.. I have almost completed everything on my 'This Weeks Goals' list. Except the reading but that's ok. I'm sure this is because I've been more motivated! I might pick up a book this weekend, there's a shop in my local 'town' (it's more like a village town, know what I mean?) that sells second hand books! Can't wait to go and have mooch at the books, hehe.

The end of the school year is coming and gosh, the kids are so excited. I am too if I'm honest. It will be lovely to have a nice long six week break from the school routine. Although, the next month will be busy with Harry's inductions days for high school, sports days, summer fetes, end of term plays and trips etc, but I am rather looking forward to it all.

So those are my reasons to be thankful and cheerful this week. What are your reasons? Do let me know or link up with the below linkies, I'd love to hear what makes you smile this week.

Sarah xXx