School sports day

Bean bag race...

My eldest daughter had her school sports day on Tuesday. It doesn't seem that long ago that I was the little girl going to school and having sports days and school trips. So mind blowing to think this is the first of many school sports days I'll now be attending as a Mum ....

Anyway....nostalgia aside, the weather was glorious and as the event was held at the local park it was the perfect setting for my youngest two children to play with their friends whilst I caught up with the other Mum's. The afternoon was pleasant and full of lighthearted fun as we watched our kids partake in old classics such as the egg and spoon race, sack race and the bean bag on the head race....memories.

At the end of the childrens races, the parents had a chance to compete in an 80m race. First Dad's then Mum's. I didn't really want to race and would have been happy to take a back seat. Alex was doing stretches and psyching himself up as soon as he got a sniff of the fact that the parents would be racing LOL.....He is sooo competitive. Needless to say he won his race with ease. Then came my turn, about 15 mums huddled together at the starting line. I had to run barefoot as I only had my flip flops and they are most DEFINITELY NOT suitable for any type of running, let alone an 80m sprint. Anyway the deputy head started the race with the usual on your marks, get set.....and I was transported back to my school days when I used to run for my school at district level.......as soon as the deputy head boomed GO!! off I darted. Alex said I left everyone way behind, funny thing is, I didn't even feel like I was trying, I guess some traits/abilities never really leave you. LOL.....

Everyone commented on our childrens 'speedy parents', and this morning one of the teachers mentioned she'll be training for next years sports day, as the competition seemed pretty stiff..... You've got to laugh....

Sack race

Little sis clowning around

Daddy is  a true sportsman!

A shaky start

Image from www.cahiley.com 

February is rapidly coming to an end and so I thought I’d give a little update on my 2012 goals. I think it’s therapeutic to review my accomplishments so far and see where needs more work. If the truth be known it's all been a bit shaky, but all is not yet lost.

1) Eating healthily & more exercise - This has been an epic fail. If anything I'm eating more junk and doing less exercise. Very disheartening. I hate to give excuses but I'm so tired all of the time, I'm just eating whatever is quick and to hand. I must try harder to make healthier food choices. I need to get to grips with this. It is currently a joke!

2) Get son christened - Booking the date in the next few days.

3) Swimming lessons for my children - This is proving to be more difficult than expected. My local leisure centre is booked up for the next six months. I could book lessons for my baby boy and middle daughter, as there is availability for their age groups but I can't leave my eldest out. Plus I need to coordinate diaries with my sister and mother in law because each child needs to be accompanied by an adult. I'm disappointed that the process hasn't been as straightforward as I'd hoped but those lessons will get booked by hook or by crook. Alternatively we may ditch the lessons and just take them for a fun splash about each week instead, at least then they'll get used to the pool, they love water anyway - simples.

4) Organise finances - Now I'm a person who loves to save and although the better half isn't a big spender, we have different approaches when it comes to money. I'm working hard to get us both on the same page so we can start putting a decent lump sum away each month. Hoping to get this properly established sharpish.

5) Establish a way to make money from home -  That is still very much a work in progress. I’m taking each day at a time.

6) Do more fun/silly things with my children - I must admit I'm struggling with this one. I can be goofy with my kids from time to time, but daily is tough. I'm a bit of a control freak I'm ashamed to admit, and I find that once I get my kids hyped up with silly play it's tough to get them back on an even keel. It usually ends with constant threats of having to sit on the naughty step because of their failure to calm down. *sigh*

7) Spend more time with family and friends – This is improving but still a work in progress. I've got some play dates booked and want to visit my grandmother next week. The kids would love to see their beloved Nanna. Me too.

8) A family holiday to Barbados - I need to get my son’s passport sorted. I fear this may be a bit of a pipe dream, but I am determined to try and go on some sort of vacation abroad before my eldest starts school and holidays are forever dictated by term times.

9) Work out how to credit photos properly on blogger -  The lovely Maria at Cheeky Pink Tulip helped me with this. I was using the old blogger interface hence the issues. All sorted now. Thanks Maria!!

10) Build my blog and meet more inspirational people through the world of blogging - Slowly but surely I’m getting there I'm meeting lots of great people and I’m loving it.

So that’s my update, still lots to improve on but lots of time still. How are you getting on with your goals for 2012?