We are officially halfway through the summer holidays and I have to say I’m thoroughly enjoying being able to spend some proper quality time with my girls.  We’ve had some lovely slow days together – just pottering around at home, reading, and popping into town to run a few errands.  I’ve been managing to get a bit of work done here and there as well.

I know how lucky I am to be able to do this.  It’s our first year of doing summer without any paid-for childcare whatsoever, and even though it was only ever for one or two days in years past, with three children it ends up being pretty expensive.  I can’t imagine having to pay for full-time childcare and having to work for the whole six weeks.  I have friends who have to do this and I know how hard they find it being away from their children, which makes me appreciate my time with my girls even more.

Of course there have been plenty of squabbles and the occasional meltdown too, but on the whole it’s been quite relaxing.  Not having replaced my car yet following the accident I was involved in has sucked at times, because we’re kind of stuck as to where we can go and what we can do, and there have of course been days where I’ve got frustrated with that – I’m used to having my freedom and being able to go wherever we want.  But the upside is that I’ve actually been able to spend one-to-one time with each of my daughters at home, because their sisters have been elsewhere in the house doing their own thing.  I’ve done colouring with Lola, played noughts-and-crosses with Mimi and had some heart-warming conversations with Ella.

Here are my moments of happiness from the last ten days:

Day 151: This one went to her friend’s house to play this morning, and I loved listening to her telling me all about what they’d been up to when she got home. It was only for a couple of hours but I missed her.

Day 152: A stressful morning in court, but it was redeemed with an afternoon at Shugborough with my husband and our little tribe plus my Mum.

Day 153: Finding out we got the verdict we wanted, and colouring-in with Lola

Day 154: Capturing this little bookworm in a photo I love

Day 155: Taking full advantage of Daddy’s day off and having a whole day out at Chester Zoo, which was brilliant!

Day 156: I ordered some photo prints from Artefact Uprising and they arrived this morning. I’m so pleased with them!

Day 157: These two having a fit of the giggles

Day 158: Getting home from work in London earlier than planned and being able to spend time with these three who I wouldn’t normally have seen all day

Day 159: Me and my baby at the park 🙂

Day 160: Playing noughts-and-crosses with Mimi 🙂