Birthday

Another year, and a cake designed specifically with your icing-hating nature in mind. It is your day, after all.You started a new school this year and have taken to it like a duck to water. You love the sport, the friends, the teachers, the challenge. Your spelling and maths abilities never cease to amaze.You are funny beyond your years and mature in so many ways. You help make dinner every night and love it when it's your turn to load the dishwasher. You're chasing your sisters in more than just the physical round-the-house sense - you really seem to believe that you are the same age. I'll admit it, it drives me crazy at times, but then you look at me with those blue eyes and I'm [Read more...]

Dear LucyYou came in a hurry, and you've not stopped since. Running to do it all, make all of the things, dance all the steps, sing all the songs. You fill the house with joy and life and creativity. You are hilarious and kind and sharp as a tack.I watch you finding your way in the family, in the world, and I wish I could make you see how amazing you are. Ironically, the one thing you don't excel at is self-confidence. You have always been that way - the curse of the second child, I guess. My one hope for you this year, and every year, is that you will learn to believe in yourself. To compare yourself a little less harshly with those around you. To see what we all see so clearly.Sweet girl, [Read more...]

Dear RachelI'm not sure how this could have happened - it seems like just a couple of years since you were born. I remember being in hospital with my newborn daughter, insisting that my mother kiss you on the back of the neck. Absolutely insisting, in awe of the softness of your skin. Your golden blonde hair shining on the back of your head as you lay in the crib next to me. Bringing you home and being so afraid you would break, that I would fall while carrying you down the stairs, terrified to be left alone with you.Those days when it was as much as I could do to take a shower and get dressed - leaving the house was a step too far. Just holding you and staring at you in amazement. The [Read more...]

Daniel, yesterday you turned seven years old. So much has changed in my life since you were born that I sometimes forget to notice the tiny individual steps you have taken that make you the fantastic person you are.  You are hilarious - really and truly intentionally hilarious. You make excellent use of sarcasm (that's my boy) and the bait-and-switch. You are loving and warm. One of my favourite things in the world is snuggling with you. Watching you snuggle your stepdad or the puppy come a close second.You are bright and inquiring and ask really good questions. You know which questions to ask me and which are "Johnny questions" (usually anything involving cars, planes or [Read more...]

Dear LucyToday is your tenth birthday, and although I usually shy away from the overly emotional "my kids are fab and I love them so much" style of blogging, I can't seem to help myself today.You see, sweet girl, you are amazing. I have never met anyone so creative, so funny, so kind. I know that sometimes I get frustrated with you, and I am sorry. I need to try to remember that you have so many things to dream about and the real world can sometimes get forgotten.Having said that, it would be wonderful if you could tidy your room now and again.So happy birthday, my love. Dream big.Mum xxx