BARGAIN BREAK

Back in February, the Sun Newspaper had the offer for £9.50 holidays. I'd never done it before but have heard many people who have, so thought I'd collect the tokens and send off for a long weekend break. You don't get to chose the date or destination but they offered us 21st October for 3 days at Haggerston Castle, near Berwick-Upon-Tweed, with Haven Holidays.

At the time, I was unsure when school holidays were so when I found out Luke's school were having an inset day on the 21st October that was even better!

We set off at 10am on Friday and arrived around 3pm, a 5 hour journey with a 4 year old was much easier than we anticipated, especially as we had borrowed a DVD player to keep Luke occupied.

We arrived at a sunny Berwick and although our caravan wasn't ready straight away, we were still able to use the facilities on the park. There was a fantastic arcade, swimming pool, outdoor pursuits area, restaurants and a shop on site. Also, there was a 9 hole golf course, boating lake and pony trekking. The children are kept entertained with many different activities, Luke enjoyed the Letterland treasure hunt, archery and especially loved meeting 'Bradley Bear' for breakfast and watching the evening entertainment shows.

We had a busy but at the same time, relaxing weekend (well I did as Luke was all for daddy again!) The site is also dog friendly so our family pet, Fizz came along too.

I'll definitely be looking out for the vouchers again for another bargain break, it was well worth it!

STILL WOBBLY

Since my last post things have not gotten any better. Luke is still not over enthused about going to school. Every day last week he uttered the dreaded words 'I don't want to go to school' my heart sinks every time I hear them and my only way to deal with it is to divert him with another conversation.

Once he's at school he is fine but then when I pick him up again he is like the devil child and refuses to listen to me and is having meltdowns over the slightest thing. For example, he had a hole in his jeans the other day and totally freaked out shouting and screaming. Also, he is running off ahead of me when we walk home from school and I spend my whole time yelling at him to 'Stop'.

On Thursday night, he woke at 10pm after being in bed for 3 hours and he just cried for an hour. He didn't have a temperature, he was just upset but we didn't know why. The only way we managed to settle him was to put him in our bed.

It's another Monday morning tomorrow and we all know how that feels. I am already dreading what it will bring. I have volunteered to read with the children and tomorrow is my day so hopefully that will cheer him up. The school breaks for half term on Friday and although I am looking forward to having my baby boy at home with me again, I'm also dreading battling with him trying to get him back to school after half term.

The joys of parenthood eh?!.........saying that, I wouldn't change it for the world!

WOBBLY WEEK

Luke had settled into his first week of school very well but this week has been a bit wobbly. He has had a few late nights due to my birthday but he's also been waking up in the night which is unlike him. Tiredness has taken its toll this week and going into school has been more of a challenge. I know he is fine once he's there but Separation Anxiety has always been an issue.

When Luke was around 3 months old, he totally rejected Mark at bedtime, it was a terrible time and very upsetting for us all. However, we took advice from the Health visitor who suggested we stick at it and not to give in and now and it worked!! Now Luke can't wait for his daddy to finish work and adores him. Its just another obstacle in the world of parenting.

NAUGHTY FORTY

The weekend was one of celebrations. I had my 'Full Length & Fabulous' 40th birthday party on Saturday, (ball gowns and Tuxedos) held at Nantwich Football club. It was a night I will always remember.

Mark & I had a dance lesson with Caroline Coles from 'My Wedding Dance' and we performed it on the night to a surprised audience. He did me proud and soon relaxed into it half way through.

It was wonderful to see all my family and friends together again and just made me realise how lucky I am to have these people around me. My own little pride and joy wasn't around on the night, with starting school we thought it would be too much for him to have such a late night. However, he had a fab time with Alison Bowett, Nantwich Childminder and slept fantastically well.

I have been totally pampered and spoilt, I've had over 10 bottles of champagne, beauty treatments, money and gorgeous gifts.

All in all, turning 40 hasn't been too bad....YET!

BYE BYE BABY, HELLO SCHOOLBOY!

It only seems like yesterday when I took this photo of Luke when he was a day old, that was 4 and a half years ago. My big boy is starting school full time tomorrow, its the day I've been dreading for ages. My baby is grown up and going to big school. I purposely put off taking any party bookings this weekend so Mark, Luke and I could spend some quality time together. Yesterday we went to Chester Zoo and today we spent time playing at home and getting organised for the big week ahead.

Mondays have always been 'Luke and Mummy days' and we have spent them together at the library, at the park, swimming, playdates, at playbarns, with Grandparents or just having lazy days at home. Tomorrow I'm going to be at a loose end and I will feel lost without my sidekick.

On my radio show each week, I end with Bay City Rollers 'Bye Bye Baby', I will be singing this tune in my head tomorrow. I will definitely be taking the tissues with me for the journey home from the school run.

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY REDSHIFT RADIO

I'm so proud to be a part of the Redshift Radio team, as a sole trader it can be pretty lonely so its nice to be a part of a big family again.

Who'd have thought that a year ago I would be presenting my own radio show? I certainly didn't, and after a year, I still find it difficult to call myself a radio presenter.

Over the past year I've networked with some fantastic businesses and joined forces with the award winning photographer, Simon J. Newbury on our Pregnancy Bump Paint & Portrait Project. This led to us appearing on Granada Reports as well as all 3 of the local newspapers.

I feel so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to have my own show on the radio and here's to another year!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY REDSHIFT!!!

FIRST DAY AT BIG SCHOOL

This time last year I was applying for school places for Luke, and ever since then we have been telling him that he will be going to big school soon, not sure if I was preparing him for school or myself! Well, that day was today. Sob sob!

Most of his friends started yesterday but today was Luke's first day. I felt nervous and had butterflies all morning, I was careful not to be too over enthusiastic and careful not to show him I was petrified for him too! My bottom lip was quivering on the short walk to the Weaver school which was made worse when I bumped into a friend who asked 'How are you feeling?'.

Luke's friend, Lewis was already at in the classroom, so I told him to look for Lewis and in he trotted, he turned round, waved and shouted 'See you later!' without a backward glance. Luckily, Lewis's mummy, Heather was with me so we walked away from the school and didn't shed a tear at all!

When I picked him up he was full of it but when I asked what he had been doing he told me 'I can't tell you, its a secret'.

I'm keeping fingers and toes crossed that the rest of his taster days will be as smooth. I think the real tears will come on 19th September when he goes full time 9am till 3pm, and I don't mean from Luke!