Remembrance Sunday

Very emotional and moving talk at church today as Remembrance Sunday.  Covered the impact of death on families and how different people's responses can be.  Some interesting examples from World War 2 and Northern Ireland.  Reinforced the importance of peace to prevent escalating violence.

Tided up garden and alleyway that runs behind our house by raking up autumn leaves.

Went to a friends home this afternoon.  So lovely to spend time with her two young sons and husband.

She made a beautiful apple pie with apples from her garden.

Dejunked

Some games to my friend that my boys have outgrown but hers will grow into.

Tracksuit bottoms from both boys, both ripped at the knees.  Bought J a new pair but unusually for D he got a hand me down pair of tracksuit bottoms and a pair of jeans from J.  Trousers don't have a very long life in our house, luckily they both love shorts and J wears them to school even in winter. But with frost on the ground they both wear trousers in the winter till about Easter time.

Back to School

Kids are back to school after the half term break.

I aim to keep everything as ship shaped and organised as possible the majority of the time but its funny how once the kids aren't here I find little things that need to be done!  Had an hour this afternoon for a guilty pleasure of fixing the Lego that got trashed during the week!

So unseasonably cold.  I bought J a new tracksuit as when I picked him up from athletics which I rarely do as I work that day his was rather too small!  He was very pleased as I got one with a hoody, J loves a hoody and has to be asked to put it down for photographs! An H&M bargain too.

Bin day today and I dejunked an old empty nail varnish! A kids stop biting your nails one for J, hasn't worked!

Guy Fawkes

Went to a local bonfire and firework display

Was hosted by Ham and Petersham Sea scout group as they have outdoor space.  We go to another local Seascout Beaver and Cub colony (R is the leader) but we have a boatyard and a building.

The Ham and Petersham group are fund raising for a new building so was good to be able to attend their event and feel that we were contributing to their fund raising efforts.

Don Aslett

Don Aslett  Donald Andrew Aslett (born 1935) is an American entrepreneur, author and public speaker who specializes in cleaning and housekeeping products, services, and techniques.

He wrote a book called Clutters Last Stand, the first book I read on dejunking that made me question possesions.

I was reading an interview with him recently and loved his reply to a question about women:

“One thing exposure to all the ladies of the media did teach me is that I’m definitely not a showgirl man. I really dislike candy-wrapper women parading around in glittering clothes or lack of same. Good mothers, on the other hand, I find attractive anywhere and anytime.”

Love this so much as I definitely don't look like a showgirl!

You can't buy christmas

Found this and my heart is breaking.  I am wary of charity giving as governments are inherently corrupt.  I am always concerned that my few pounds wont make a difference. But $450 billion is insane and makes $20 billion seem achievable. Please click and watch the video from advent conspiracy...

Morden Hall Park

Took the boys to Morden Hall Park

Its a National Trust place, we get good use out of our annual membership with access to country houses, gardens, landscapes and beaches etc while helping to conserve these places for the future.

They discovered how the recently renovated 19th-century Stable Yard is the most energy-efficient historic building in the country. They found out how you can make changes to your own lives to be more green. They enjoyed playing with the eco dolls' house and the model turbine.

They enjoyed a walk along the river and a ride on the zip wire too!

 J finding out about the energy required to power different kinds of light bulbs.

Light Parties

Took my kids to a couple of light parties as opposed to Halloween parties.  A Light Party is a family oriented event that provides fun and values in a safe environment.

Both at churches we attend, one regularly in the morning and one a church further away that I go to the monthly evening service.  The boys had a great time making crafts, cooking, singing, playing games, and eating sweets etc!  I also took a good friend with her girls.

Was great to catch up and chat with friends. With a lot of young children around some people I see infrequently.  One lovely friend I saw said I was thinking of you today Jen when I was putting the baby in her cot for a nap. I looked at my cot and thought that is such a beautiful cot and Jen gave it to me!  So lovely to hear stuff like that.  We purchased a good quality wooden cot when we had J with the intention that it would get lots of use as opposed to a cheaper cot that would inevitably break.

I always enjoy seeeing other kids wearing our good quality hand me downs!

J in the stokke crib which increases in size to a cot and then a bed.  Passed on to other new arrivals.