Ups & Downs, Smiles & Frowns

, by Sarah

Flapjack that doesn't fall apart... {recipe}

, by Sarah

Almost a decade old.

Harry's Birthday is fast approaching. He's going to be TEN years old. A whole decade. I can not believe that my little baby boy, my first born is doing to be ten years old. Where does the time go? It seems like yesterday that I found out I was pregnant with him. *sigh* Time goes too fast and the kids are growing up waaaayyy to fast for my liking. It's bittersweet watching them grow up and becoming more independent. Harry is very independent for his age. He likes to everything for himself. Which isn't a bad thing I guess but sometimes, just sometimes I miss him asking me to tie his shoe laces or un-do the lid from the juice bottle. (If only he'd tidy his room himself LOL!). At the same time though, it's nice to be able to look back and see how much he has grown up, learned and how much he can do these little things for himself but it doesn't mean I don't miss doing all those things for him. Being a mum to a tween is all new to me. With Harry being the eldest, obviously I haven't been a mum to a tween. It's a totally new experience to me.

He can have a bit of an attitude problem sometimes but I think we all know that comes with being a tween and teenager. Everything is always someone else's fault, ha, I remember going thru that stage. He can be the sweetest, kindest most helpful kid, too! He loves teaching the younger ones new things. Especially reading to Ellie. It's sweet listening to him read to the little ones. He's very close to them both, especially Charlie. They don't really fight, they bicker but nothing major. Most of the time they get along really well. Harry is really into his football and anything sporty. He is a proper outdoorsy boy. He also enjoys xbox and family movies, he loves his Nerf guns, too. He's outgrown most toys but he will play board games and lego sometimes. Which is good because we do those things as a family, a lot.

He tells me to knock on his door before I come in and he has started locking the bathroom door already. The lock which I put high up because I didn't want the younger ones locking themselves in there. He's started taking more pride in his appearance and will only wear certain brand clothes and he wants to grow his hair so he can use hair gel, lol. He uses words like "sick" (apparently that means cool) and other random words that I'm all like "Eh?, what does THAT means?"

He also keeps on about wanting a mobile phone but I still think ten years old is too young. I mean, it's ME that'll have to top it up all the time and I don't even buy credit for myself. Perhaps when he goes to high school he can have a phone. I'm really not sure what the 'right' age is for Harry to have a phone?? I mean, who will he call? Who will he text? He see's his friends every day at school (and after school because some live on our street), he speaks to family on the phone (or xbox - which I closely monitor).. Phones are not allowed in school, they have to hand them in at the office before they go into class. I know he is mature for his age and I would trust him with a phone, that's not the problem. I just don't know why he *needs* a phone?! He has his whole adult life to have a phone. *sigh*

I love watching my kids grow up but it does sadden me at the same time... it's totally is bittersweet. I love hearing about there days at school and what they've been learning. I love that they are so smart and funny, witty and clever. They really are the most precious, most important people in my life. They ARE my life! I love every single second of being a mum. The ups.. the downs.. the smiles and the frowns.

Why do they have to grow up so fast?! *sob*

Sarah xXx

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, by Sarah

#50Books2013

October book reviews #50Books2013

Casey Watson - Breaking the Silence.

"The Watsons are astonished when they answer their front door to find their case worker with a small boy on the doorstep. Jenson is just nine years old. He was removed from his home thirty minutes earlier when it was discovered his mother had left him at home while she went on holiday with her boyfriend.

A couple of weeks later Casey is in for a second shock when she is asked to take a second nine-year-old boy, Georgie. Georgie is autistic and has been in a children’s home since he was a toddler. The home is closing and social services need somewhere temporary for him to stay. With her own grown up son, Kieron, having Asperger’s (a mild form of autism), Casey knows this is one child she cannot say no to.

The relationship between Jenson and Georgie is difficult from the outset. Jenson is rebellious and full of attitude and he kicks off at anything, constantly winding Georgie up. Georgie doesn’t cope well with change and is soon in a permanent state of stress. Despite Casey’s best efforts, her innate love for the children is being tested and she begins to question if she can handle Jenson’s cruelty.

But overtime it becomes clear that the boys have formed an unlikely bond. Could this be the solution to all of their troubles?"

(^ from goodreads.com ^ )

This is the sixth book in the series (Not that I read them in order.)
I think this book was my favourite of Casey Watson's books. Another really beautiful story. It is sad, even heartbreaking but has a lovely ending. You can really see how Casey and Mike bring the best out in the children that they foster and this book is no exception. Casey tells the story of Jenson, who was left alone with his older sister (who is 13) while there mother goes on holiday abroad. That's how Jenson and sister ended up in the care system. Casey also fosters another little boy at the same time as fostering Jenson - Georgie. Geogie autistic and his needs are different from Jenson's. Eventually the boys do make friends and get a long really well. I loved this story... five stars from me!

Mummy's little helper by Casey Watson.

The fifth book from bestselling author and specialist foster carer Casey Watson.

"A recent census shows that there are at least 175,000 child carers in the UK, 13,000 of whom care for more than 50 hours a week. Many remain invisible to a system that would otherwise help them. Abigail is one of those children. This is her story.

Ten-year-old Abigail has never known her father. Her mother, Sarah, has multiple sclerosis, and Abigail has been her carer since she was a toddler – shopping, cooking, cleaning and attending to her personal needs. When Sarah is rushed to hospital, suddenly this comes to the attention of the social services, and Abigail has nowhere to go.

Though she doesn’t fit the usual profile of a child that specialist foster carers Casey and Mike Watson would take on, they are happy to step in and look after Abigail. It’s an emergency, after all – and all that’s needed is a loving temporary home, while social services look into how to support the family so that they can be reunited.

But it soon becomes clear that this isn’t going to happen. Sarah’s MS is now at a very advanced stage, and the doctors are certain that there will no longer be periods of remission. Abigail’s emotional state starts to spiral out of control as she struggles to let go of the burden of responsibilities she has carried for so long.

Sarah and Abigail insist that they do not need help, but with no other family to contact, social services are left with no choice but to find long-term care for Abigail, against their wishes. But Casey never gives up on a child in need, and she knows there must be another solution… "

A really good true story about a little girl, who has been looking after her mother from a very young age. Abigail ends up in the care system when her mother becomes poorly (she has MS) and ends up having to stay in hospital for a longer (than expected) period of time. It is sad and heartbreaking but does have a good ending. I couldn't put this book down. Five stars from me :)

Saying Goodbye To Warsaw by Michael Cargill

"Like any girl who is loved by her family, Abigail Nussbaum loves to chase butterflies, enjoys lying on her back looking for shapes in the clouds, and happily teaches young children to make daisy chains.

In the eyes of certain people, however, Abigail has committed a heinous crime. The year is 1940; the place is Poland; Abigail happens to be Jewish.

Along with half a million other Jews, Abigail and her family are evicted from their home and forced to live in the bombed out ruins of Warsaw, the Polish capital.

Although a handful decide to fight back, is the uprising strong enough to save Abigail’s spirit"

This was an amazing book. It is a holocaust book and therefore is quite sad but there are such sweet, happy moments! I loved it! The story is about a little girl (Abigail) and her family. I loved Abigail's imagination and how the small things really make all the difference at such a horrendous time. Abigail has a lovely personality and such sweet innocence. I love how the book concentrates on Abigail. As the story goes on, I really felt how Abigail innocence was disappearing due to all the awful things she witnessed gong on around her. This book is beautifully written, I couldn't put this book down, one of the best books I've read this year. Everyone should read this book!! I read it within 24 hours.Five stars from me.

Sarah xXx

I was given a copy of this book to review. I am so glad I read this book! Thanks Michael for sending me this book!!