Let’s go volunteering!

I went and got myself a new job. Full time, office based and 10 minutes from the boys’ school.  It’s for a cause I believe in, based on values that resonate and a vision I want to be part of. Yay me! 

I got into the charity sector when I started in secondary school, bucket collecting for Riding for the Disabled, doing a favour for my mum.  I’ve never been entirely convinced that it can be defined as volunteering when “my mum made me do it” but proving I am my mother’s daughter at the end of November I signed the boys up alongside myself for their first stint as volunteers. 

They were stars, Smalley shouting “let’s go volunteering” all the way there, Albs being polite, friendly and so confident asking people to help donate and both proving little stars. 

Yes, food may have been dolled out throughout and thank you gifts by way of new magazines purchased at the end, but they went, they smiled, they did their bit and most importantly of all, they enjoyed it.

And so it happened...he went and turned seven

Why does seven seem so much older than six?

Birthday cookie - but of course! 

Birthday sleepover dinner

Traditional Halloween doughnut on a string

Toasting marshmallows (no such thing as too much sugar!!)

Success: all asleep by 8:30pm 

Showing off his impressive strategic skills the boy managed to drag out his birthday for over two weeks of celebrations so there’s been no getting away from what seems like quite a parenting milestone. Seven. 

Celebrations started six days before his birthday, when he was allowed to go to into school on the last day of half term in home clothes, carrying a home made giant chocolate chip cookie to share with his classmates. 

(He helped me make one for his dad’s birthday last year and was determined to have one ever since). 

Move on five days and, after a day at football camp, he was joined by two of his school friends for a birthday sleepover. They ran around the house like maniacs, had burger and chips for supper, donuts on string for pudding before snuggling up on the sofa to watch Despicable Me 3, pausing only to toast marshmallows. And, most impressive of all, they were all asleep in their beds by 8:30pm! 

Halloween themed football camp 

After a birthday breakfast of coco pops (a meal that had been a year in the planning) he headed off with one of his mates to Halloween themed football camp, dressed as a zombie. 

After another pre-ordered dinner (make your own chicken wraps inspired by his favourite restaurant, the Harvester - so swanky!) once we were joined by his friend’s parents and little sister, we headed out trick or treating. Smalley and Lexi walked the neighbourhood holding hands the whole way. Albs and Harry filled their loot bags and we’ve barely even started making our way through the masses of lollipops, sweets and chocolates. 

The day was so full, we forgot all about cake and singing happy birthday until the following day! 

Actual birthday tea - still in costume

Off trick of treating with Smalley

Skip ahead to this weekend and we finally wrapped up the birthday with a mini Olympics party at a local outdoor education centre. 

This was the first time we didn’t host the party ourselves. I was totally lost in the morning; we had so much free time for ourselves!! I was even treated to a lie in. The entirety of our efforts were sending invitations, making a cake (to the specifications of the birthday boy) and packing party bags (colouring pencils, Smarties and Roald Dahl joke books). 

Albs was incredibly pleased with his cake (a result - talented baker I am not, dedicated mother I can be!) When I came down in the morning he ran up to me, gave me a huge hug saying “I love my cake, thank you!” Little heartbreaker. 

The party was a blast - the children seemed to have a great time, there was a lot of shouting and cheering, followed by food (made all the more appetising by the fact we didn’t have to make it) and ice cream with chocolate sauce!

Smalley was asleep within five minutes of leaving the party.  Somehow Alby kept going but crashed beautifully come bedtime. I think the birthday boy is finally partied out!

(Yes I know I'm posting this in December, months after the actual event but I'm running on nothing but caffeine at the moment and getting in front of my personal laptop is a bigger hurdle than I ever dreamed imaginable.  You'll discover the next few posts are all very dated!)

It's a Brooks thing - part 2

The boys long holidays meant they got a couple of days with their grandparents recently whilst the hubbie and I finished up with work before the Christmas break. 

Both boys’ immune systems crashed at the end of term meaning the fun itinerary my parents had planned was cut short but fear not, they still managed to ensure their trip left an impression on the boys. 

Cut to scene upstairs an hour after my parents had left… 

Me: George it’s bath time

George: [runs in and looks me straight in the eye] That’s just your opinion, man [Bursts into laughter and runs away]. 

That’s just your opinion, man. 

It’s a Brooks thing. 

Thanks for that.