Ten Things to Smile About June

I cannot believe it is the last week of June already. Madness. Every month I like to try to link up with Emmy Mom and her fabulous linky 10 Things to Smile About...Here are my offerings for June:

1) Our new kitten is settling in really well. We've had a few accidents but nothing truly awful. Little A is learning to be more gentle (he has never had a pet like this before) and although a normal scratchy thing, she seems to be a happy, playful kitten.

2. Midge came home this month with her second reading award, a silver one. I'm so proud. It's sports day this Friday and she's really nervous about not winning. Trying to tell her about all these awards and how great they are but at the same time are not the be all and end all of everything is hard!

3. My sister is back from university which is always nice. She's seeing some friends, earning some money and stayed over last week. She'll be visiting again this week which we're all really looking forward to.

4. We had a lovely, impromptu dinner out last weekend. it was the nicest dinner we have had out in ages. We went to our local Wetherspoons. The children were really well behaved and the food was so good! Little A tried Daddy's Cornish burger. I had to get a shot of that!

 5. June saw us take a break to Cambridge which was just wonderful. I've written about here if you want to take a look (you should!) It was so nice to get away from it all and was very relaxing (most of the time!) More importantly, it was wonderful to spend time with family I don't get to see very often.

6. I've found dairy free whipped cream and dairy free condensed milk! This pleases me so very, very much- you have no idea! I shall bake millionaires shortbread and eat strawberry's with meringue and cream (oh yes, and SQUIRT THE CREAM IN MY MOUTH like the good old days!!)

7. I've been really into my reading this month and have been enjoying it so much mostly thanks to a pen pal of mine. Speaking of pen pals, I'm having so much fun sending out snail mail to some lovely people on a regular basis. I need to find an American pen pal though so I can add to my postcard collection!

8. We've got a weekend away planned in July which I'm really looking forward to. More on that next month I'm sure!

9. I've had some great second hand buys this month. From children's clothes to adding to my stationary and care bear collection, it's been great. I love buying second hand items and going 'scavenger hunting.' I've even bought new books for £2!

10. I've been babysitting my niece with Hubby every once and a while throughout June and it has been so wonderful to spend time with her. We also pick up Midge and all her cousins from school so the house is a bit nuts for half hour or so. It's kind of nice though!

So there are my 10 Good Things for this month. I'm also linking up with Michelle's Reasons to be Cheerful which I love taking part in.

CupcakeMumma

Ten Things to Smile About May

I forgot to link up to Emmy Moms fabulous blog last month but as it was, April wasn't so great and I'm not keen on blogging when things aren't so good. May however, has been considerably better, so here are this months Ten Things to Smile About.
I'm also linking up this week with Mummy from the Hearts Reasons to be Cheerful.

1. My Mum came over today and we cooked lunch together. In these busy times it's the small things with family that really matter. We had a delicious lunch of jacket potato with plenty of butter, side salad and a homemade dairy free coleslaw. So good!

2. I saw my Gran on Sunday which was lovely. Hubby was watching a rugby match in Twickenham and as I was feeling poorly, Mum picked me and the babies up for some time out. I visited the shops, caught up with my Gran and Aunt, then managed some roast which was delicious but couldn't face any more so headed to my Gran's room for a nap! Everyone was more than happy to babysit though and I got to feel a little more refreshed a few hours later! It was a beautiful day as well.

3. I've had so much Happy Mail coming through my post box this month it's unbelievable. I think I have this on my list every month! I've had letters from different parts of the UK, America and from my friend whom I've been writing to for about 6 years now!

4. It's nearly holiday time! In 2 weeks we'll be heading off to Cambridge to have a short break. I should get to meet the above mentioned pen friend which I'm really excited (and nervous) about.It'll be Fathers Day when we're away too and that will be nice to celebrate somewhere different.

5. One of my oldest friends told me some wonderful news today but I am sworn to secrecy. It has made me so happy!

6. Midge brought home not one, but 2 certificates this month from school. Her first one was for being a good role model and caring towards her fellow pupils. Her second award was a Silver Award in reading 25 books. Midge likes books but likes to make up the stories (she has a great imagination) she's not so keen on reading word for word what really happens, so it hasn't been easy getting to 25!

7. I've had some great second hand finds this month and on Sunday my Gran let me have a very old basket which will be perfect for picnics. It's one those 'Red Riding Hood' type baskets where you walk along with the handle on your arm and cover the delights of your lunch with a pretty blanket!

Little A and his £1 Elmo

8. We said goodbye to my cousin Stephanie who is leaving for Thailand today. A number of us all met up at a half way mark for some lunch before we departed on hugs and well wishes. It's not something I could do, but I certainly wish her all the best and hope for some postcards!

9. I've already gone on about this enough but..I passed my Anatomy and Physiology exam! I now have a level 3 diploma (framed and on the wall of course!) I've also chosen which courses in holistic therapy I'd like to pursue, which means the next step is putting every penny I can behind me to make this possible!

10. I have my family, I have my health (for the most part!) and I have my faith. I have a roof over my head, a hard working and dedicated Husband and 2 healthy children. What more could I want?

CupcakeMumma

Ten Good Things February

It's a little late but I'm sure I can be forgiven seeing as I was busy climbing a mountain for charity when March 1st came around (and rather quickly too I might add)
I would like to share with you the top 10 things that made February special for me. This post has been linked up with Emmy Mom here.

1) I volunteered myself, (rather stupidly) to climb Mount Snowdon for Comic Relief with a bunch of other bloggers. I knew this was going to be a challenge like I have never experienced but I was up for it. What a way to kick March off hey?

2) My Little Man turned 2! It seems wrong for him to be 2 years old already but he had a lovely day with gifts, cake and a very nice meal out with just his Mummy, Daddy and big sister Midge.

3) I woke up the day after Valentines Day and was presented with a huge bouquet of flowers, a large glass of orange juice and a yummy cooked breakfast from my Husband. What's not to love about that?

4) I discovered the best dairy free chocolate spread in the world and ate so many pancakes because of this. I don't feel guilty in the slightest because these were the best pancakes I have ever consumed!

5) Midge has been doing really well with her ballet and I am so proud of her for finally feeling able to take the classes on her own like most of the other pupils there. It's taken about 7 weeks for Midge to feel okay with the fact I'm not in the same room as her. Instead, I've made sure she knows I'm just outside the door.

6) Yet again I sent out a gift to an unsuspecting friend who needed a smile put back on her face. I'm pleased to say my gift went down well and I'm still feeling optimistic about my Year in Gifts mission.

7) I went to an open day at Midge's school where I got to look through her work books. I was so proud and I can tell she's proud of herself too which is just wonderful.

8) I completed another 2 units for my Anatomy and Physiology coursework, leaving me with just 5 more units until I am ready to revise and be tested on all my knowledge (which currently is actually very little!) Still, I'm very glad I'm over half way there.

9) Due to a back problem, Husband returned early from work one night this month, then ended up having 2 days leave before returning to work and then being off for a tooth extraction before the weekend. This isn't good at all you're thinking right? Actually, we got to spend some much needed time just cuddling on the sofa and being 'us' despite the occasional whimper which just made me cuddle him more!

10) Our savings for our holiday in June are starting to look really good at last which means we can finally look forward to seeing family, exploring Cambridge and hopefully meeting a friend I've known for a very long time but am yet to meet!

What were the best bits you could draw from February? I hope March is good to you all and you never know, I might be on time with the next one!

CupcakeMumma