Gosh, half way through half term already! Where does the time go? The days seem long and yet when I look back, time has flown by. I know that makes no sense but it's true.
Anyway, here are this weeks best and worst moments & things to look forward to.


Negatives: 

• It totally sucks that Halloween falls on a school day this year. We'll have to have a build up to it over the weekend. We usually spend the day doing Halloween arts & crafts and watching family Halloween movies. I shared a few of our favourite Halloween movies here: 
• The dentist has cancelled Ellie's appointment AGAIN! We've two appointments out of the four, the other two have also been cancelled. This appointment was a rescheduled one and it's been cancelled again. I understand these things happen but I prepare Ellie for it (because she's been referred to a special dentist as she has a phobia and we have to go at an Ellie speed pace) and then have to prepare her all over again when it's rescheduled. *sigh* It's just one of those things and I know I shouldn't complain about it but eh. At least she's had an X-Ray and we have established that she is going to need a brace and probably quite soon.
• My headaches have still been quite bad but not as bad as it's been in the past. I'm going to the doctors Friday. I know he won't be able to do much because it's a rare brain disease (although I prefer the word condition over disease!) but I do need for it to be logged just in case I end up needing to see the neurologist. 
• Because of the above reason, I have failed blogtober. Boo! I did well at the start of the month though. My health has to come first! 

Positives: 

• We have had a fairly chilled half term so far. We went to town yesterday so the kids could spend there Birthday money! Harry decided on some points for the XBOX, Charlie picked an XBOX game and Ellie picked a little doll set. We enjoyed a lovely lunch - hot sausage roll and I treated the kids to a cake. They've been really well behaved this half term. (Touch wood, haha). I'm actually not looking forward to them going back to school, I will miss them.
• Ellie got all her answers right for her telling the time test! I am SO proud of her, she worked so hard on learning to tell the time. She can actually tell the time but gets a couple mixed up. 
• I found some bargain books for 20p each again. Including Fangirl, I can't believe it was only 20 pence! Bargain. I'm having a little break from reading now though because of my headaches.
• We have my niece around to to play, it's nice for Ellie to have someone to play with. We have spent the morning colouring in Halloween pictures that I printed out. 

• Harrys 13th Birthday last week - I still can not believe he is THIRTEEN! He had a lovely Birthday though and got some really awesome gifts.
• We also decorated this epic skull mini gift bags for Halloween!! Aren't they fab? 

Things to look forward to:

• Halloween!! And everything that comes with it. Halloween baking, the movies... Trick or Treating and so on! The kids are super excited too. Must pick up a pumpkin or two at some point. 
• Having Ellie's dentist treatment over and done with. I feel for her. 
• Parents evening is next week, I am looking forward to that, too. I think the boys parents evening is probably coming up to :) 
• Starting Christmas shopping. I haven't bought a thing yet. Eek. 

So those are our best and worst moments and bullet point update on life! How has your week been? I hope you've all had a wonderful week with more positives than negatives.

Sarah xXx

My anxiety has seriously been through the roof the last couple of weeks. I don't know why, I just know that it's been bad. I know that I over think and I know not getting enough sleep doesn't help but it's so just so hard to deal with! I also have been finding it difficult to get motivated. So I thought I'd do what I did last time my anxiety was this bad and try to focus on the positives, things to be happy about and not dwell on the negatives.

I have been super organised! I've cleaned out the boys room and cupboard properly, thrown away a lot of stuff and sorted through there clothes. They have both had growth spurts and have grown out of lots of clothes but it's great they're growing and healthy! I shall probably pop to ASDA and pick them up a few pairs of shorts and T.shirts. It isn't worth spending mega amounts of money (which I don't have anyway) because they seriously grow SO fast! Especially Harry. Can you believe he's 12 years old and tall as me? (5ft3) Crazy. I also did the same with Ellie's room and clothes! It feels good to get rid of the things we don't need or use any more. I'm sure the charity shop will appreciate them. 

Writing lists - This really helps me get motivated. I wrote a huge list of things to do today. And I've almost achieved it ALL. I am feeling very satisfied and so much better knowing that my house is clean and tidy. I've really pushed myself to get motivated today and it worked!



Charlie didn't get into the high school we choose (The one Harry - my eldest- attends) which is a HUGE worry and a massive negative and honestly has not helped with my anxiety. He'll be the only kid from his school not going. I'm not happy about this. HOWEVER, Charlie is the first one on the waiting list. I have also sent my appeal off already! These are both positive things and the right steps to get him into the school. So fingers crossed and positive thoughts!!! (Charlie doesn't know any of this of course, I don't want to worry him because I DO think he will get in before he's due to start in September).
EDIT: I received a letter of acceptance, Charlie got into the chosen high school. I can't even tell you how relieved I am! I am SO happy for him. YESSSS!!! 



Also the weather has been very lovely lately. Sunny and mild! And it's officially spring. The kids and I are super excited about the nicer weather, it means we can explore and play outside more. 

I've quit drinking coca cola. Which is a HUGE step for me! I do have the odd diet coke though, diet is better than full fat (in moderation!). Still, I am very proud of myself.

I've been reading SO much lately. I've read 9 or even 10 books this year so far. This is huge for me too, I think making time for myself to read really helps improve my mood.

I spotted two alpacas the other day when I was walking to my local shops! They made my entire day. I stood there for ages watching them. They're in a farm sanctuary and I totally was not expecting to see such unique creatures. I checked the farms website when I got home as I wasn't 100% certain is they were llamas or alpacas, they are indeed alpacas! Awww. SO CUTE!

ITS ALMOST EASTER!!!! YAY!! The Easter holiday's are more than welcome here. A nice break from school routine is always welcome and I know the kids are super excited, hehe. We'e enjoyed some really cool Easter arts & crafts which baker ross sent us to review.


Overall I am feeling rather positive right now and focusing on the good things and the positive things really help!

What's made you happy recently?

Sarah xXx

Phew! I am SO glad November is over, even it does mean a rushing around December. November was an awful month. Probably the worst month I've had this year. But December is going to be better! Here are some reasons to be cheerful and things I'm looking forward to.


1) I finally had my hair thinned out. It was honestly (and I am not exaggerating. In fact mine was probably a bit thicker) like Monica's hair in friends, you know 'The one in Barbados'? And humidity makes her hair frizzy? Yeah THAT! My hair was exactly like that. Only mine is like that naturally. It was hard to cope with and so hard to maintain, but it's better now and SO much lightre and easier to control. My curls are back, YAY! No.More.Frizz. I can not tell you how much better I feel for having that mop of hair thinned out! There was SO much hair! SO, so much hair.

2) I've made a good start on Christmas shopping. I have started on the kids stocking filler, I have there main presents sorted, too! I am hopefully going Christmas shopping either this weekend or the following weekend.I'm looking forward to finishing it (I say finishing it, I'm not even half way there yet!), then I'll be able to enjoy Christmas! Woohoo.



3) Ellie and Charlie let me take some photos of them wearing there Christmas clothes! Yay! It's not very often they'll pose for pics! So that cheered me up and aren't there Christmas tops cool? Hopefully Harry will agree to ear his one at some point, Id like to get a photo of him in his festive top, too!

What are you cheerful/thankful/excited about this week?

Sarah xXx

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

I thought I would do a round up of our spring so far.
The weather hasn't actually been too bad. There's been a few days where it's been windy and wet, but overall we've had quite a pleasant spring. We've managed to get outside quite a bit, we are such an outdoorsy family.



In April we moved house, a different area and a lovely house! Easter was a bit chaotic but the kids enjoyed it none the less. If I'm honest we are still settling in and getting use to our new environment but we are really enjoying it. The children have settled into there new schools and made lots of new friends. Harry has done his SATS and we are patiently waiting for his results. Charlie has done mock SATS (because he's in year five). Ellie has really started to settle now and seems to be enjoying school and making new friends. Even our cats, 'Lotti' and 'Sylvie' have settled in well! The house is amazing and I am busy planning on what colour schemes I'd like etc. We still don't have the internet (I'm using a dongle at the moment, which is a bit temperamental).



We've been to castle park twice where we had a picnic and fed the squirrels, we also had a fun time at the summer fete! It was such great fun. I think castle park is probably our favourite place to go as a family, there is so much to do there, so many things to see. There's usually bouncy castles and other inflatables, there is of course the play park, the gardens and the cafe. There's a pond and of course the castle itself! But most of all I think we like the squirrels. They are so tame and so, so cute! It's a really cheap day out for all of us to enjoy.

A photo posted by Sara ♡ (@sassyserz) on Apr 9, 2015 at 5:19am PDT

We've also enjoyed exploring our new area (although this is the area I grew up in). There's quite a few play areas for the kids to play on. We're so lucky to have a woodland right on our doorstep (literally two minutes walk away). It's so beautiful at this time of year, it's covered in bluebells. We've had fun feeding the ducks and spotting lots of wildlife, which always makes us happy.

A photo posted by Sara ♡ (@sassyserz) on Apr 6, 2015 at 5:00am PDT

Overall we've had a fabulous spring. It's been chaos with moving house and what not but it's been fun. It's been an adventure. We are so looking forward to the summer. The last term of school especially. We're looking forward to exploring more and all the end of term activities. We're hoping to get a lot of things ticked off our summer bucket list!

What are you most looking forward to this summer? I'd love to hear your plans.

Sarah xXx

I'm sitting here in the corner of my kitchen, in the most awkward position trying to write this blog post (and do a few other things online). My mobile internet (dongle) has been playing up the past few days and not wanting to pick up a signal anywhere in the house. Finally, after half an hour of repositioning my laptop in different places and a lot of patience, I've picked up an internet signal! Lets hope it stays on long enough to publish this blog post!

Here are my reasons to be thankful this week.

I'm thankful that we have finally moved house. To the area I've been wanting to live in for the last ten years. A whole decade. It hasn't been easy and it's been hard to find affordable housing. Not only have I been moved into affordable housing but it's also a brand new house. Brand spanking new. I love it, there are no words that can possibly describe how thankful I am. The kids also love it, a lot! We're much happier and beginning to settle into our routine, although it is taking time but we're all getting use to it and it's awesome!

I am also grateful for the fact that the kids have settled into there new school lovely. They're really enjoying it and have already made friends with most of the students at the school (It's only a small school). They've all earned certificates and had lots of praise and what not, too! I am SO proud of them.


I'm really enjoying the peace and quiet living here. Our neighbours are so lovely. And they're quiet too! Our house backs onto a huge field which is beautiful and so peaceful! We're all really enjoying living here. I can't wait to start decorating and laying flooring etc. Can't decorate for a while though because the house is still drying out and cracks may appear as yet. In the mean time, I am trying to replace furniture and what not :) I haven't been this happy for such a long time. Ahhh, the relief!

I am very thankful for the fact that the little's break up from school this week! I can not tell you how glad I am about that. It will be lovely to have them home and have a break from the school routine.

I am also thankful and happy that it's almost Easter, which means the weather should start improving very soon, we can't wait! I love Easter because it usually means sunny weather, yay!

I am really proud of the kids, they have done so well at school at this term, they've behaved well at home and they're becoming very independent, which is of course, bittersweet!

Very basic and simple reasons to be happy and thankful this week but all is good :)

What are your reasons to be happy/thankful this week?

Sarah xXx

What a week! Not a bad week, just a busy week!!
Here are my reasons to be thankful this week.



Firstly, we had a wonderful half term last week, it was really nice to have a break from the school routine. And to spend time with the little's. I really enjoy having them home, I miss them dearly when they are at school. I am however grateful that we are back into the school routine. I really DO love routine a lot, especially our school routine. I thought it would take us a week or two to get back into it but not the case this time, the kids fitted right back into it! I do not like the early mornings, I must admit but all is good :)

I'm also thankful that I have my fitness mojo back. Not gonna lie, I lost it for a few days and got a bit lazy. I still worked out - half heatedly but none the less, I am back to enjoying it again! I've been eating really healthy too. Lets hope I can reach my goal by the summer!

I am happy that it's my birthday this weekend. The big THREE ZERO! Still can't believe I'm going to be 30 years old, haha. It will be nice to have a relaxing weekend though. To be honest, I'm more excited that I get a child free night tomorrow night! The boys will be at there dads house and E will be at her friends sleepover. Woohoo. I'll indulge in a nice, long, hot bubble bath with one of my beautiful bath bombs and a good book! 


What are you thankful for this week?

Sarah xXx

Linked up with
#R2BC

Wow, I've been busy this week. I've been trying to organise my house a little better and eliminate junk and things we no longer use or that fits us. I am quite thankful for this and it feels SO good to get rid of stuff we no longer need. I've donated a fair bit to a local charity shop. I really don't like throwing things away but if someone else can make use of things we can no longer use then I'm all for giving it away! :)

While sorting through all my 'junk' I came across old photo albums, an old memory box, old letters from school friends and penpals dating right back 1996! I honestly didn't think I still had those but turns out, I do. I also found the cards and what not from when all three of my children were born and lots of other random things, I am SO happy I found all those things. I even found some photos of Harry from when he was a baby. I thought these had been lost in a house move, so you can imagine how happy I was to find them! I am really, really thankful and grateful for those photos.
This photo isn't the best photo quality in the world because well, it was taken eleven years ago on a normal (film) camera and it's a photo of a photo but I thought I would share.

Harry was about 8ish months old in this pic.

I'm thankful this week for my online friend that has been encourage me and helping me, giving me advice and tips to loose weight and get fit! She has really, really supported me so much. She's been doing the 30 day shred with me and I find it SO good to have support and encouragement. Also for all my blogging friends that have been leaving me supportive comments, I always find this so motivating! So thank you so much to everyone who has left me supportive comments. I also love reading all your weight loss posts, so very inspiring :) It's lovely we can all help each other.

So those are my reasons to be thankful and happy this week! What are your reasons? Let me know in the comments or link up with Thankful Thursday and #GivingThanksThursday. I'd love to read your posts/comments!

Sarah xXx

This week hasn't been great week. As many of you already know I've been poorly. Again. I've had this awful cold/flu type thing for well over a week. Last weekend my glands swelled up and I was really not well at all, so looking for reasons to be thankful is always a positive thing and makes me feel tonnes better.

I am so glad I am starting to feel better. I still have bouts of feeling rough and my nose is still stuffy but I do feel a lot better than I did a week ago. So this is a good reason to be thankful. Hopefully I'm on the road to recovering now.

We haven't had any snow (yet) and I'm quite glad about that! I know snow can be fun and the kids would love it but it causes a lot of disruption and makes walking to school in the mornings and afternoons awkward. I wouldn't mind a little snow over the weekend perhaps, just enough for the kids to build a snowman and have a snowball fight, that would be kind of fun!



I haven't lost any weight this week, probably due to being ill and not being able to workout as hard as I usually would. I haven't gained weight either though so that's good. I am really pleased I didn't gain weight. Hopefully next week I'll lose a little, if not, hopefully I don't gain weight. I don't mind staying the same, just as long as I don't gain!

I am really please the little's are doing so well at school! They have all achieved certificates for different things the past few weeks, I am super proud of them!! It's lovely that they all enjoy school so much.

What makes you happy this week?

Sarah xXx

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I hope you all have the best Christmas yet!
Merry Christmas

Sarah xOxOx

I haven't joined in with reasons to be cheerful since the kids broke up from school for the summer. I haven't had very much time and I have had a bit of a headache, which sucks. Anyway, here are my reasons to be cheerful this week:

1) Visiting family up north! It's so lovely to see everyone, the kids really enjoy visiting family and getting to see everyone again. We had a family get together and a good ol'e catch up! Such good fun, hehe.

View of the river Thames and London eye from the coach.

2) London! I actually got to see part of London when we were on our way up north. We also had a lovely picnic in the park while waiting for our next coach. The kids and I were amazed at how busy it was (not great for my anxiety) and how big the building all were! I really want to go back and do some proper site seeing, maybe it won't be so busy in the cooler months? Ha, one can only wish.

3) We're going for a day out sometime over the next week or so, we can't wait! These Summer holidays are flying by and we are really trying to make the most of it while the weather is (semi) nice. I am really enjoying spending extra time with the kids and not having to rush around doing schools runs, uniforms, lunches and trying to pack everything into a few hours before it's time to pick the kids up from school again. It's great to just relax and not have to rush :)

How are your summer holidays going?

Sarah xXx

My reasons to be cheerful this week...

1) It's almost the summer holidays and I can not wait! Neither can the little's. It'll be a very welcome break from school runs, uniforms and just the general school routine. The kids are really looking forward to beach days, picnics and just chilling out at home. It will be nice to spend some extra time with them, too! I need to finish planning our days and what not. Hopefully we'll achieve some of the goals on our summer bucket list.

2) I'm looking forward to this weekend. It's also Ellie's school fete, although the boys will be at there dads (they're going to a BBQ and going fishing, so they'll have fun) it won't be the same without them but it's some much needed mummy and daughter time. Fingers crossed the weather stays nice.

3) I am feeling so much better than I was this time last week. I'm still not 100% but the sore throat has gone and the cold isn't as bad as it was! Summer colds are the absolute worst, so glad it's going now.


The little's ALL got really good school reports and I am so, so incredibly proud of them all. Harry is doing brilliant in all subjects but he could do with practicing his handwriting a bit more. Charlie needs to practice his times tables up to 12x tables and Ellie needs to continue adding and subtracting etc. We'll work on all those things over the summer! They have seriously done really, really well at school this year. Did I mention how proud of them I am?!


So those are my reasons to be cheerful this week, what are your reasons? Why not join in with Lakes single mum blog hop and share your reasons to smile this week :)

Sarah xXx

Here are my reasons to be happy this week:

1) The weather - the weather has been amazing! It's really sunny and hot. To be honest, it's a bit too hot today but that's ok. I have an awesome tan! My cat has also been enjoying sunbathing in the sun and the kids have had fun playing outside in the sunshine and making the most of the weather. Bless 'em.

2) The little's had there sports days today and yesterday! I'm so proud of them all, they all did there absolute best. They all won at least one race each. They cheered there team mates on, too. Aww, so proud.

3) I got to spend some time with my family the other day. It was so nice to see them all, I hadn't seen my little sister for a while. She fell in love with my ombre hair, lol! She had to style it. She is SO good with hair and doing hair styles. She should totally work in a salon. I love having my hair done, I'm definitely going to let my sister style my hair more often - it's great.


 4) Wildlife - I love all animals, nature and wildlife. Last night we spotted a hedgehog in the garden! I haven't seen a hedgehog for a longgg time. We use to have them in our garden all the time in our old house, so it was lovely to spot one last night. It was quite a large hedgehog and was a bit camera shy (don't think it liked the flash) so I took a quick pic, fed him some food and then left him to it, aww. The food was gone this morning...
(Hedgehogs are one of my favourite animal)


Sarah xXx

Linked up with: 
The weekend blog hop.
#PoCoLov

Things that have made me happy this week..

1) I had my hair done. It's now ombre - brunette on top and light brown in the middle with blonde at the bottom. I've had to use a colour correcting shampoo on it because it went a little bit orange in places but I really, really love it! Now my mission is to grow my hair even longer. And also my nails.
I've been using coconut oil as a hair mask, I must say, it leaves my hair feeling soft and silky, I love it!

 2) The weather has been amazing. We went for a walk along the pier yesterday, had an ice cream and enjoyed the lovely weather. I did six miles of walking yesterday in total. Not bad at all! Must loose 10lbs by the August. Another mission of mine, lol.Wish me luck with all these missions I'm setting myself, haha.

So proud of their signed book

1) On Tuesday I had my hair ombre'd but it didn't work out very well and I was so unhappy with it. Especially as it had taken me a while to save up. So, I complained and today the hair dresser fixed my hair and I love it. I really, really love it. Although the pic doesn't do it much justice and it does look a bit orange in places, but it'll fade and lighten with any luck. I really love it!


2) I am going to start exercising and eating healthy - properly. Again. I need to loose weight. If I could loose 10lbs before the middle of August I'd be really happy!

3) I had a really good weekend last weekend, I met up with one of my old friends, actually, she came 'round to my house and we had a giggly girly night, it was really cool to see her! Glad we're back in touch!!

4) I am of course thankful and cheerful that tomorrow is Friday!! Yay!!

5) The kids have been really behaved and good this week, they're not 'bad' kids anyway but they've been extra good this week. I think the lovely weather has helped and they've been playing plenty of football and of course enjoying the world cup on T.V, hehe. Let hope England win tonight!

Sarah xXx


Linked up with:  
Reasons to be cheerful. 

 

Gosh, isn't it warm?! It's nice to see the sun though. Here are my reasons to be cheerful and thankful this week.

1) I am having my hair done next week, it needs thinning out so bad. In this heat, it is not ideal to have long, thick, curly hair. I am really looking forward to having my hair done and sorted out for the summer! I haven't had my hair thinned out for a lonnnng time (over a year and a half!) so it needs it badly. I can't wait, hehe.

2) I'm thankful the weather has been really lovely and sunny lately. The sun really does cheer me up. I have a slight tan already just from walking to the shops and school. I'm thankful I tan easy. It's been ever so warm and difficult to sleep at night but there's not a lot that can be done about that, lol.

3) I scolded my hand on Sunday (this isn't a reason to be cheerful or thankful) but it's finally starting to heal and doesn't hurt so much now. Hopefully it'll heal 100% soon, I'm just glad it's not as bad as it was... that burning and stinging pain was something I'd never felt before, it was not at all nice. I'm staying well away from hot cooking oil from now on!!

4) I took Ellie to the park last weekend, it was such a lovely day, way too nice to stay indoors. There was hardly anyone else at the park, it was quiet and peaceful. Ellie and I had a great time, she even got me on the see saw, omdz, did my legs ache the next day LOL, so unfit, haha. It really cheered us up though - getting out of the house :)


What are you reasons to be cheerful this week? You can join in with reasons to be cheerful over at Ojos world.