Ellie started in year 4 this past September and not even two weeks later, she turned nine years old which makes her the eldest child in her school year. This new school term also marked the year that Ellie would be my only child at primary school. My eldest is in year 8 and my other son started in year 7 in September. I was a little worried about it to be honest because Ellie has always had her big brothers to look out for her and I think that reassured her. I needn't have worried though because Ellie settled into year 4 just fine. She went up a class and has the same teacher that Charlie had last year (and the year before! And even Harry had the year before, too!) which was also reassuring for her and also for me, too!

Tonight I had parents evening! I always look forward to parents evenings because I like to hear about how my children are doing at school, looking through there school books and seeing there progress!


I am pleased to say that Ellie is doing really well! Her maths, reading, hand writing and literacy work are all lovely and neat, she's at the levels that's expected of her, she is doing very well! She's polite and well behaved but doesn't seem very confident in joining in - Things like putting her hand up and speaking out loud so I'm going to encourage her as much as I can. The teacher also commented on the work we do at home - It shows! I am so pleased that all of Ellie's hard work - Working on her times tables, story writing and reading at home is shining through. Her teacher also told me well done too. We are going to work on her times tables and division and connecting the two. I'm not the greatest with numbers but I am sure we can figure this out together. We're also going to continue reading more, too!

I can't tell you how proud I am of Ellie. She has done amazing settling into year 4. And without her big brothers there.
... The boys parents evenings should be coming up soon. I'm looking forward to those and seeing how well they've settled into year 7 and 8!

Sarah xXx

...Where colds and coughs come into season! With that change in the weather comes the colds and bugs and what not. I wrote about how I was poorly the weekend before last with earache, well that earache turned into a massive full blown cold, sore throat, swollen glans and everything else that comes with it. Needless to say, I have felt like utter poop. I am feeling much better today but I don't want to jinx myself because it seems, I think that I'm getting better and then this awful cold/flu type thing knocks me for six again. While I am feeling a bit better though, I thought I'd take the chance to write up a blog post about the kids and how they're settling into school and what not.


Ellie has well and truly settled into year four. She requested that I buy her crop tops instead of vests. Apparently she's growing up (way to fast for my liking!). She turned nine years old last week, which is so hard to believe. She's the eldest in her year at school, which she's rather chuffed about. "Mum,  when I'm in year 6 I'll be the oldest kid in the school" Is what she told me - rather proudly! We are currently working on her 4 and 5 times tables. I am really pleased with how well she has settled into school without her big brothers being there because they're both in high school now! I am so proud of her. Ellie had a friend stay over last weekend - A Birthday sleepover. She doesn't get to see her best friend (Who is also my best friends daughter) very often as we don't live close by anymore. I treated them to a takeaway pizza and some treats whilst they watched Disney movies.
Ellie has a dentist appointment at specialised dentist next week because she has a massive fear of the dentist (she had a bad experience last time). Which I am dreading if I'm honest. She needs fillings and I know she isn't looking forward to it (who does?!) but it has to be done.


Charlie has settled into high school. Kind of. He's not overly keen on the school bus and would rather catch the public bus (as would Harry!) So I am going to find out if it's possible to switch there bus passes for the public bus. As all there friends also catch that bus. They're only on the bus for a total of 6 minutes though, so really, I don't think it's THAT big of a deal but I'd rather they were both happy and confident with the way travel to and from school. I am going to look into that today. Charlie is over the moon to be in the same school as his big brother once again. He's made lots of new friends already! He's in the same form as his best friend from primary school, which he pleased about. He's not overly keen on learning languages but I think once he's got the hang of it, I think he will  actually enjoy it! I still can't believe that Charlie is in year 7. I am SO proud of him and how grown up he is. He's become very independent the last few weeks (which, as his mother, I find bittersweet).

Harry... Well, he will officially be a teenager next month! WOW! Where has that time gone?!  He's already very much a teenager and has been the last 18 months or so. He's mature for his age and we are currently battling acne, we have special medication from our GP! Along with a couple of other methods, which all seem to be working! (Touch Wood). He enjoys school but sometimes I just don't think he can't be bothered and tries the whole "But I'm porly, my tummy hurts, my toe really hurts, I feel dizzy".. Literally everything wrong with him all at once (lol), I know when he's faking it though. He isn't a morning person AT ALL. He has lots of friends at school, has very good grades and is doing rather well! He still enjoys P.E. He's already thinking about what subjects he'd like to take for GCSE's in a couple of years - Graphic design is one of them. He's been helping Charlie settle into high school, showing him where he needs to go and giving him a point in the right direction. It's good that they can both catch the school bus together. I am very proud of Harry looking out for his little brother.

Both the boys had an orthodontist appointment/assessment yesterday, they're both entitled to NHS treatment and will more than likely need braces. They both have a tooth missing that has NEVER grown through - There dads side of the family is the same so it seems it's genetic and actually quite common apparently. It's nothing to worry about and isn't going to cause any problems. I am proud of them both though, they both had an x-ray and let the dentist look in there mouths no problem! We're waiting for the next appointment so we can discuss treatment/braces.


So there's my update on my three little's who aren't so little anymore!

Sarah xXx

I knew that July was going to be a busy month, with it being the end of term - Charlie had induction days at high school as he's due to start in September. Harry will be starting in year 8 and Ellie in year 4. We slowly worked through our July bucket list and I think we managed to achieve a fair bit!  The month started off with sports day and induction days. Charlie thoroughly enjoyed his induction days. He confidently caught the bus to and from school. I am so proud of him! I also went into the primary school and had an open afternoon with Charlie & Ellie, which was a lot of fun.

Charlie also turned eleven years old in July! Still can't believe he's eleven! Wow.


We also explored our local area, living in the countryside means there's a lot of exploring to do and adventures to be had. We've found some really beautiful picnic spots.



PokemonGO came out! What an epic game and app that is! It got us out walking more and exploring some more, too!


Spotting some wildlife was also on our July bucket list. We did spot some cows! We also had a hedgehog in our back garden (which may have been the end of June, I can't quite remember). There was also a deer in the field at the back of our house! We've spotted pheasants, birds, baby swans and lots of other wildlife, too!


I went to Charlie's year six leavers assembly which was held in our local church. I may have cried. A LOT! I can't believe he's going to be going to high school in September. Craziness. He was presented with a lovely bible, dictionary and leavers book - The leavers book was for all his friends and teachers to sign. A truly lovely keepsake.

We had a picnic at the school on the last day of term, which was so much fun! Ellie was telling me all about year 4 and how excited she is to start in a new class!
Another task on our bucket list was to have ice creams along the river. We did this on the way back from having the boys hair cuts! Well, the kids choose a lolly instead of an ice cream. We walked a total of FIVE MILES that day! It was a beautiful day and we may have caught a few Pokemons... haha.

I had put it in my head that I wanted to loose at least 3lbs in July. I did that. I actually lost around 9lbs. WOW! I'm sure the Pokemon hunting has helped with that, haha. I also managed to read five books in July, which I wrote about on my book blog. (A couple of those were short books, but it still counts!!)

There were some stressful moments in July. Which I wrote about but I won't go into again! I'm focusing on the positives. :)

How was your July? What are your best bits?

Last week was the last week of the school year. To sum it up in one word - CHAOS! Utter chaos.
I had an neurologist appointment on the Tuesday, which didn't go to great but more on that another time. After that appointment I was talking to my grandad who is currently trying to sell his property as him an my Nan would like to move to a different area. After my grandad explaining how he'd put his house on the market and what not, it just didn't sit right with me. Turns out, he'd been a victim of some serious fraud. I spent the next three days trying to sort that out and figure out how to get his money back, police reports and all the rest of it. It was stressful. It's still ongoing but at least now I know my grandparents are both safe from that conn man. Whilst all that was going on, I had school plays, end of term picnics, Ellie's end of term party, Charlie's leavers assembly as it was his last few days at primary school, teachers gifts/cards to oragnsise and a bunch of other stuff going on.. As well as Harry being home poorly... all at the same time. Chaos is an understatement. Stressful doesn't quite sum it up either. Needless to say, I haven't had a lot of time for blogging recently. I haven't had a lot of time for any thing other than all the above.

Onto the good stuff.

This post is focused on Charlie because it was his last week at primary school. Such a huge milestone.

Charlie went on a school trip last week. Well, it wasn't exactly a school trip. It was an outing full of exciting adventures at 'Go Ape' and cycling. Just for the year sixes as they're leaving. I was a bit anxious about Charlie going without me but I knew he was in good hands with his teachers. He had a brilliant time!
The school play was AMAZING. It was 'Mystery at magpie manor' and it was just SO good. Charlie was the main character.. well, one of them. I can't share photos because there are other children in them but take my word for it. It was truly so good!


Charlie's leavers assembly was hosted in our local church, which was just so lovely! He was presented with a 'Leavers Book' which contains photos of all the year sixes and a group photo. Along with some pretty pages for teachers and other students comments and good luck wishes. He was also presented with an illustrated dictionary with his name and little message inside, along with a children's bible. All very, very lovely gifts which will stay with him for a life time. He also stood up in front of the whole church (which was packed with people!) and shared some of his favourite memories from his time at primary school. Yes, I may have sobbed my eyes out! We all got to join in with a few songs but when the children started singing 'One More Step Along The World I go' THAT really got me. The tears were just streaming, haha.I don't think there was a dry eye in sight. I can't believe my little boy, my middle child is old enough for HIGH SCHOOL! The years have just flown by. It's bittersweet, of course I'm excited for him starting high school and all that comes with it, growing up and making new friends, new challenges and everything else but at the same time, I am so, so sad that time is going SO fast. I went through this last year with Harry, when he started high school. And now I have two children who will be in high school come September - one in year 7, one in year 8 and my daughter will be in year four. It's just crazy. Absolutely crazy.

Charlie was presented with a dictionary! Sorry about the poor quality. (Zoomed in phone pic).

 The year 6 leavers service was followed by a picnic back at the school. It was the last day of term and everyone was SO excited. It gave Charlie a change to get his leavers book signed by all of his friends and teachers along with his school shirt and it was a lovely picnic and afternoon! 


Now school is out for summer and we can not wait to start enjoying the six weeks holidays.

Sarah xXx

Last week, my middle son Charlie turned eleven years old. I can't quite believe it myself if I'm honest. I'm still in denial that Charlie is eleven years old. He'll be starting high school in September. My eldest son, Harry will be in year eight so at least Charlie has his big brother already there to help during those first couple of weeks. Still though, it doesn't seem possible that he'll be starting high school. I'm still getting over the fact that Harry started high school last September! Madness! It's also crazy that my daughter -My youngest child- will be starting in year FOUR!
Charlie's birthday came and went in a blur.



Charlie had his induction days at high school last week. On Monday he caught the bus with Harry and caught the bus home, too! Charlie had a fantastic time and actually can not wait to start! Tuesday was his second induction day, the teacher were on strike but Charlie still had his induction day (which is a bit weird if you ask me!) Harry wasn't at school Tuesday so it was just Charlie on his own, I must admit I was a bit anxious. Charlie however, was not at all anxious. He got a lift to and from school and honestly, he did SO well! He is so, so ready for high school (even if I'm not ready for him to be going up!). I am so proud of him.



A few days later was Charlie's birthday .
Charlie's birthday went by fast! Before school, he opened some presents and had his favourite pancakes for breakfast! It was a busy day as I had open afternoon at the primary school, a chance to go into the school and work with Charlie and Ellie. It was a fun afternoon. I looked over Ellie and Charlie's work, learned about the topics they've been studying and also got to hear a couple of sneak peak songs from Charlie's end of year play. The school assembly was also very good! Charlie got to do a bit of acting, he's so confident! Ellie was super proud to show me her work and we made a bumble bee from pine cones, together! It was a really fun afternoon and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to go. The rest of Charlie's birthday was great fun! Charlie opened his the rest of his presents, which he loved. Some of my family popped in to see Charlie and wish him a happy Birthday, which was really lovely. We had a lovely dinner and then /charlie played with his friends and on his new scooter. It was a fab Birthday overall, he had a wonderful time and was absolutely shattered by the time bedtime rolled around.


We have a busy couple of week coming up with the end of term activities, family picnic, assemblies, leaving dos and what not. I am really looking forward to the summer holidays and having a break from the school routine and I know the kids are, too! :)

Negatives:

• My anxiety has been horrendous. I think last Thursday and Friday were probably the worst days. It was really bad. However, it's a bit better now. Anxiety is so hard to figure out because I don't know why I was anxious. It was everything and nothing (and if you suffer with anxiety, you may be able to relate to that!). Thank goodness it's not that bad now (touch wood). 
• My laptop no longer gives me a warning when the battery is going flat. It just switches itself off. I figure that this is a sign the battery is probably on it's way out. I can't replace it myself because the battery is inside the actual laptop. What a pain. I just need to remember to plug the charger in after an hour or so. It's not the end of the world - at least it still works (again, touch wood!)
• Sports day was cancelled last week because it was pouring with rain  but it's been rescheduled so that's something to look forward to :) 

Positives:

• Charlie had his induction days at high school! I am SO incredibly proud of him. He happily went with Harry on the bus Monday morning and came home with Harry on the bus. I'm so pleased they're back in the same school even if I am in denial that Charlie is old enough for high school. On the second induction day all the teachers were on strike but Charlie got a lift to school with my step dad. He happily went and was super confident about the second day! 
• Ellie also enjoyed two days being introduced to year 4! She's got Charlie's (current) teacher in September, which she is excited about and he is a very good teacher. 
• So far in July, I've read two books! Well, one I started in June but couldn't finish because the stupid brain disease flared up and it effects my vision, I finished that a couple of days ago. I read 'The girl with no name' by Diney Costeloe and 'If I stay' I'll review those over on my book blog at some point. My July 'To Be Read' list can be found here 
• Having good friends and a lovely fella has made me truly happy this week! Being a in a long distance relationship isn't easy but when we do see each other, we really appreciate our time together. Also having a really good friend. We message every day and we talk about everything and anything which is lovely.
• The weather seems to have taken a turn for the better! Hoorah! Finally. I feel much more motivated when it's sunny. Although not a fan of the heat/humidity but it's nice to see the sun! 

I'm looking forward to... 

• The fact that it's July is a positive! Honestly, can not wait for the summer holidays and to have a break from the school routine. I know the kids are excited too!
• C & E's sports day! I can't wait to watch them in there races. They're both super excited about it. My mum is also coming to watch, which will be nice. Harry isn't taking part in his sports day this year, which is surprising because he loves sports. Mind, he did take part in a sponsored walk last week, which he enjoyed! He got to come home from school early, which always makes him happy, haha. I'm proud of him for taking part in that.
• Charlies birthday - He's going to be eleven! I know, I can't believe it either.
• The weekend. I need to do some gardening/weeding. My front garden is starting to resemble a jungle. It's only a little patch of garden, so it won't take too long. I'm sure the kids will help me, they like gardening.
• I am also really looking forward to the end of the school term. I think we all need a break from the school routine! Only another couple of weeks or so. 
• So that's basically been our week this week! There's been a lot going on but mostly all good. The positives defiantly out weight the negatives.  

What are your best and worst bits this week? Or what are you most looking forward to?

I hope you all have a lovely rest of the week!


P.s I also have a giveaway running to win a copy of the children's book 'The Lost Smile' 

Harry started high school last September and if you remember, I was really quite anxious about him starting high school. I really needn't have worried because Harry has taken to high school like a duck takes to water. On Thursday I had parents evening. I saw lots of Harry's teachers and every single one of his teachers said how well he's doing, he's learning, he's confident, he's polite, kind and helpful. Which made me burst with pride. He has made lots of friends and is very sociable. His P.E teacher told me that Harry is going to be in the top set for P.E after half term, which doesn't surprise me because he is very, very sporty indeed. His french teacher did say that Harry is only just average for French and he needs to work a bit harder. He's never learned French before and he's only been doing French since after Christmas (before that he did German - They seem to swap them around after X amount of months), so I do think he will get there with French. He also needs to work on his spelling. We can work on that together, I think some word apps might help! There were a lot of his teachers I didn't get to see because the appointments were all taken but I'm sure I'll see them next time!
Harry was also diagnosed with acne last week, the doctor has prescribed him some medicated cream/liquid stuff for his spots, we're hoping it will help otherwise we'll need to go back and get it changed. He's only twelve years old so there are only certain medicated creams (and what not) he can use at this stage.
I can't actually believe that Charlie is going to be starting high school in September. He was on the waiting list for the same school as Harry but thankfully a space became available. That's a relief. I'm anxious about him starting but I know that he'll settle in just fine and he already has his big brother there! Charlie is very excited and can not wait to start! He'll be able to catch the bus to and from school with Harry every day which is good!
Charlie has his SATs coming up at school soon, he's been busy preparing for those and has been attending homework club after school once a week, he actually enjoys that club. I think he has an end of year/end of primary school trip coming up but I'm waiting to hear more about that. I am going to start buying his uniform for high school within the next month because it's going to be expensive! With two boys at high school, both needing blazers, shirts, trousers, P.E kits, rugby tops.. The list is endless.
Ellie has joined choir club after school once a week. She starts this coming week! She is super excited! Her spelling is coming a long great as is her reading. She's been reading a lot recently ad has started reading Goosebump books. I use to love the Goosebump books when I was a child and teenager. She loves playing outside on her bike and roller skates. She's SO good on her roller skates now. I'm quite impressed, I think I'd go flying if I was to try and skate now, haha. I can't believe how fast she is growing up! She's eight years old. It doesn't feel like eight years ago since she was born. It's a bit... crazy! And bittersweet, too!

I'm so proud of all three of my little's (who are not so little any more!) They're all doing so well and trying so hard with school. They really are my whole world and beyond. ♥