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Today is my last day of paternity leave (not including the weekend) and it’s back to the grind come Monday. I’m in two minds how I feel about this; as on one side it’s been lovely spending time with the children and Louise and doing the normal day to day things, yet on the other, I’m absolutely shattered. School run, housework, meal times, entertaining a 4 and nearly 2-year-old, more housework; it’s been never-ending. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem whatsoever doing chores and playing with and entertaining the children, but every day; I think I’d have a breakdown within a month. So fittingly being the week of International Women’s Day, I have to pay respect to all full-time mums who do this on a daily basis. I wonder how my mum coped when I was a child. I was one of three boys and my dad worked long hours and shifts to provide for our family. Not only did she do everything for us when dad was at work, she was also a childminder before and after school to up to 4-5 children (wish I wasn’t such a terror now).
Things I learned this week
I still can’t get to school on time after 40 years (late every day this week dropping Grayson off and collecting him come to think of it)
Whatever I plan for lunch or dinner isn’t what the kids want and I end up making another option
Whichever way I hide the noisy musical toys (bells, tambourines, shakers.. you get the drift), they always seem to find them EVERY SINGLE TIME!!!!
The man who came up with kids TV is my hero
It’s not been that bad to be fair and as Louise is still recovering and settling in with Hallie, I have tried to take on the lion share of responsibility because come next week I will be back at work.
I haven’t just stuck the children in front of the television either. Grayson and I went to mini-golf on Tuesday and he loved it. Mr Mulligans in Stevenage is a great couple hours fun, I’ve always loved mini-golf and to share this first experience with my son was amazing. There are two courses to choose from and each hole has it’s own uniqueness and level of difficulty. Gray struggled but still gave it a good crack, even getting a hole in one. I just can’t wait until they’re all old enough so we can do something like that as a whole family. The cost wasn’t expensive and as we went during the day, there was hardly anyone playing; definitely a return visit soon!
Grayson’s first efforts of Mini Golf
Celebrating his hole in on
Being attacked in the sunken cove
I also managed to take Ruby to her swimming lesson. I think swimming is important for children especially at an early age, it’s just a shame that lessons are so expensive and difficult to source. It’s going to be difficult to carry on lessons in the week for Louise, so we need to find classes on the weekends for both of them.
Another thing we did this week was Grayson’s Toucan craft box. A Toucan box is a self-contained craft box that is delivered either every two weeks or once a month and contains a range of activities and crafts that will keep children amused for hours. Each week is themed with this week being Kings and Queens. There was a crown to make and finger puppets to colour in which can then be used to create a story. I highly recommend this box and at a low cost, it really is a good way to interact with your children.
This weeks Toucan Box
Our task for the day
Getting ready to make Crown
Counting out the jewels
The Crown is coming along nicely
Trying on the Crown
Ruby getting in on the action
The Finger Puppets
Colouring in the Finger Puppets
Happy with his activity
Concentrating on keeping in the lines
So all in all a great week, a tough week and an insightful week but a week with my children. Now back to work!
The End is Nigh Follow my blog with Bloglovin Today is my last day of paternity leave (not including the weekend) and it's back to the grind come Monday.
