green tea n toast

12/52

2013-03-24T21:58:00.000+00:00

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Oliver: we went to France this week for a little overnight adventure with the children. They loved it. He was beside himself. This was taken on the Ferry over there in a fleeting moment of calm or tiredness. Or both.

Lila: looking quite the little petite fille in her breton and denim pinny. She charmed wherever she went, sitting in this bustling French restaurant happily reading her books and staring at the stern old women. But my goodness that frown!

Joining Jodi as always on a Sunday.

Last week this most excellent portrait made me smile - looks familiar no?

11/52

2013-03-17T19:41:00.003+00:00

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Oliver: in the woods again. He played here for hours the other day - big sticks, makeshift tree-houses, room to roam and be free. What more does a boy need?

Lila: my little bath-time beauty. She loves the water this one. Every evening she decides when it's time... "Lila baaap" she calls, until we run the water and in she goes.

Joining Jodi as always on a Sunday.

And last week? I just adore the colours, the peace, the happiness in these two beautiful portraits.

Oh also, on another note, I've had to turn back on those annoying catchpa thingys - my spam levels have been going through the roof of late and not all were being filtered out. Hopefully I'll be able to take them off once the spam dies down. x

Spitting in the Sand

2013-03-14T19:53:00.001+00:00

One of my earliest memories as a child is of being at playgroup, standing around the sandbox with a little boy. We were happily playing with the sand and various plastic objects when one of us worked out that if you spat into the sand it changed the texture. Instead of being dry it went hard and crumbly. And so we then spent a happy while spitting in the sand, making the dry grains turn into little soggy sand balls.

Then the teacher saw what we were up to, told us off for spitting, made us pack away the sandbox and that was the end of that.

A funny little insignificant memory, until I had my own children. And then I realised that spitting in the sand all those years ago was really just a simple act of two children discovering the world. And a classic case of those two children seeing only innocent wonder in something new, but the adult seeing only mess and naughtiness.

I think I’ve based my parenting style on this little story over the years. As much as I have boundaries and don’t allow my kids to run wild (most of the time!), I’m happy for them to explore, make mess and not always play by the rules.

Like the other day.

After a fairly short-lived painting session, as always, Oliver asked for a sink bath. This involves me running the kitchen sink full of tepid water and bubbles and a nudie Ollie hopping in to clean off, while I clear up the painting paraphernalia.

It happens every time. It’s part of the painting-at-home ritual and he stays in there for hours. Sometimes he just pours water, other times he might do the washing up. He’s always very content.

On this particular day, after wiping paint splatters off the dining table, I returned to the kitchen to find Ollie making some serious potions. There was painty water all over the floor, squirts of hand cream all over the place and the half full bottle of washing up liquid was empty.

I guess I could have told him off for wasting washing up liquid and my nice hand cream, or for making more mess for me to clear up, or for splashing more paint all over the place. But I left him to it. He was so happy, I didn’t have the heart to say anything. And I really didn’t mind. He was in there for an hour and a half. Lila slept, I cooked dinner and chatted to him while he played.

Last weekend in a similar scenario I found Ollie with his toolbox playing a lovely game in the kitchen that involved tearing off bits of clingfilm and placing them here there and everywhere in a trail over the kitchen tiles. I have no idea what he was doing, but he was engrossed. And again, I left him to it.

Then there are the times I let him leap up from the dining table without waiting for everyone to finish, because he suddenly has a burst of imagination and is desperate to play a game he’s just created.

And as much as I probably should be consistent with table manners and the like, I just can’t bear to squash all this creativity for rules and regulations. Of course I agree that manners are important and rules are necessary, but I don’t want to be that parent who only ever sees things through adult eyes.

So tell me, because I’m really interested to know - are you a stickler for rules or do you let your kids do things like this in the name of fun and exploration? Am I too relaxed?! Is this going to come back and bite me one day?!

10/52

2013-03-12T21:38:00.001+00:00

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Oliver: my little superhero. He wore this outfit ALL DAY the other day, including to bed that night.

Lila: caught in a quiet little moment, with the sunlight kissing her head.

Joining Jodi as always on a err... Tuesday (Whooops!).

And as for my favourite portraits from 9/52, well they would have to be the beautiful portrait of Lamb and a precious moment of sibling love. So many to choose from though, I think the photos just keep getting better and better.

In need of some inspiration...

2013-03-07T21:46:00.003+00:00

{A SPONSORED POST}

Unlike many mums out there, I have to confess that I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with baking.

I know. Shock horror. A mummy blogger who doesn’t love to bake?!

Actually, it’s not that I don’t like to bake, far from it, I do really enjoy it when it happens. It’s more that it just doesn’t come naturally to me. And as much as I would love to be that mum who can whip up a quick batch of this, that or the other in the 20 spare minutes between school pick-up and swimming lessons, I’m not.

For me, baking is something that I have to plan. And it’s something I tend to do as an activity with Oliver, rather than just for fun. Because let’s face it, at the moment, if I find myself with a spare half hour I’ll most likely be brushing up on my knowledge of cervical dilation, rather than browsing cookery books.

Saying that, we do have a few fool-proof recipes that I tend to rely on for those afternoons where baking seems like a good idea – gingerbread biscuits, banana bread, scones, flapjacks, brownies. We also enjoy making pizza dough, pikelets and cheesy muffins on a fairly regular rotation (actually that’s not a bad repertoire really!).

But regardless, I do often feel like I’m lacking the recipe inspiration to be able to pull-off the quick whip-up-a-batch-of-muffins scenario and consequently, because I don’t know what to bake it all suddenly seems just a bit too hard. Even though it’s not really, is it?

Only yesterday I was feeling the lunchbox boredom as I was packing Ollie’s Forest School lunch bag and so have vowed to myself to find some new recipes for kids to add a little more variety. So easy to get stuck in a rut with these things isn't it?

As a carb-loving family, I’m also keen to learn some decent bread recipesand I’d love to find some new healthier, sugar free recipes for the children’s snack times. They are both eating so much and so often at the moment, even I'm bored making the same old, same old snack plates to keep their appetites at bay.

So go on, hit me with some kitchen inspiration - what are your top baking recipes of the moment? I know you have them...

*This post is sponsored by Baking Mad - a fantastic online baking resource, filled with every possible recipe you could imagine. It's where you'll find me over the next few days, perusing the kids baking section. As always, all words, opinions and images are my own.

9/52

2013-03-03T15:59:00.003+00:00

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Oliver: at his happiest doing two of his favourite things: dressing up and being outdoors.

Lila: she wanted to join in too.

Joining Jodi as always on a Sunday.

Can you believe today was the only day I picked up my camera all week? Shocker! Although our Sunday morning spent at a local National Trust place with the children and their grandparents was really lovely. Gosh those places are so much fun for kids. Just look at all that happy up there!

Also apologies for my bloggy silence of late. I have been so, so, so, so busy with all things birthing, baby and business related. With only three weeks to go until my first term of teaching begins, I have been completely focused on marketing my classes, training, learning, practicing. Absorbed in it all. It's been pretty exhausting but I'm getting a real thrill from doing something over and above the daily baby grind. My very own business. I have so many posts written in my head and lots to share with you all so hoping to get back to blogging next week. We shall see.

Until then... I hope you are all well and have had a lovely weekend, wherever you may be.

Anna x

8/52

2013-02-24T20:03:00.000+00:00

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Oliver: our Human Dynamo. Gosh it must be fun to fly.

Lila: it's been so cold this week, she's had rosy cheeks and a chilly cherry nose wherever we've been.

Joining Jodi as always on a Sunday.

Some lovely...{arm candy}

2013-02-20T10:00:00.000+00:00

If there’s one thing that helps me feel just that little bit more zhusshed (you know the word I mean, right?) of a morning, it’s a lil bit of arm candy.

Yes, I may be wearing my unwashed hair in a bun for the third day in a row. And yes, I may also be wearing the same jeans AGAIN (with designer Weetabix smears on the side) and had precisely 2.38 minutes to slap on some make-up before the school run. But chuck a few jangly bits on my arm and I feel ready to face the world.

Here are my top picks of bracelets to make you feel good of a morning…

Cat Hammill

Oh how I love my Cat Hammill set. A little leaving Australia present from Paul and quite possibly one of my favourites from him yet (apart, perhaps, from my children and my engagement ring). My collection is navy and silver (a bit like this) and it comes everywhere with me. Versatile as anything, I might wear one of the bracelets one day and the whole lot the next. And it always gets commented on. Always.

Merci Maman

I love this range. So sweet and simple and being able to personalise the charms makes them even more special. If I had to choose, I think I'd go for this simple little number. Such a gorgeous colour.

Annie Haak

A friend of mine pointed me in the direction of this fantastic range recently. And oh my goodness, so much pretty. The bracelet collection is extensive (I’ll have one of these please) and check out the wonderful pendants for extra morning bling.

Joma Jewellery

I received a bracelet from Mum and Dad this Christmas by Joma Jewellery. Such a lovely surprise and one that has been worn regularly ever since. And the best bit about it is that the particular design I have is called the Lila. Meant to be. Joma Jewellery has some really reasonably priced bracelets and I love their little single charms, complete with cute words. The perfect gift.

So tell me friends, are you a jewellery person? And if so, do bracelets like these float your boat?

The Weekend Edition

2013-02-18T11:30:00.000+00:00

: bath. candle. wine. Enough said.

: peepo

: watching the world go by

: Spring!

: a rare shot of the two of them - watching an aeroplane I presume?

: she never wants to be in the pram these days (even with her chilly little nose)

: always following Olla

: more Spring!

: I have no idea

: the sentinel and his lance. He was deciding whether or not to let me pass.

: beautiful light

: Sunday night tired

Those 24 hours of solitude were utterly blissful. I did exactly as I said – cooked a nice meal, drank wine, cleaned. Then woke – at NINE A.M (yes, nine o’clock in the morning. I know) – did some yoga with the sun streaming through the windows, drank tea quietly, studied, worked, walked Bella in the late afternoon sunshine, enjoyed a candlelit bath (accompanied with wine and cheese. I know) and then prepared to see my beautiful family once more. It was heavenly and quiet and delicious and a must, I believe, for the sanity of all mums once in a while.

Then yesterday we took the little tadpoles swimming, pottered and played and went for a gorgeous afternoon walk to the Winkworth Aboretum. Have you been? Go. It was lovely. And Spring was everywhere I looked – daffodils, pussy willow, crocus buds, snowdrops, little blooms all over the place and so much sunshine.

And now here we are at the start of half term and a busy one at that. We have playmates planned with old friends, a trip to the theatre tomorrow and then I’m in another three-day training workshop for the remainder of the week (thank you Mum, you are the best!).

Are you on half term duty this week? What’s in store?

7/52

2013-02-17T13:30:00.001+00:00

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Oliver: like a little magpie always ready for one more mouthful of Daddy's cereal.

Lila: "Lila, where are your teeth?" (I NEVER get tired of this game).

Joining Jodi as always on a Sunday.

It’s oh so quiet…

2013-02-15T19:31:00.005+00:00

There’s a quiet around here tonight that I haven’t felt for a while. That’s because I haven’t had this for a very long time. Because tonight, for the first time in three-and-a-half years, I am home alone, for the whole of tonight and allof tomorrow.

And as much as I probably should say something here about how I’ll miss my family and can’t wait to see them again tomorrow and that I’m counting down the hours for cuddles with my babes, I am actually SO excited about the whole thing. Oh my god am I excited.

So while Paul is down in Dorset with my parents and the kiddos (I can’t be bothered to explain why, it’s not that interesting), I get some proper, uninterrupted, quiet time to potter. Just me, myself and I.

Tonight, I will eat roasted salmon with spinach and vine-ripened tomatoes, for one. Then, with wine in my hand and the music on, I will clean. Boring? Yes. But to wake up tomorrow in a quiet and clean house. Bliss.

In the morning, after I’ve woken naturally, with not even a hint of a child in my bed or the call of ‘muuuuuuum, can I watch CBeebies?’, I will drink tea, practice yoga and eat in peace. Then I'll settle down at the computer to study some more (I've been at it all week) and complete a series of online exams, which form part of the training process for my new business.

I’ll get to spend time making a decent lunch, I’ll take the dog for a walk to clear my head and I’ll just enjoy being here by myself.

What a little moment of luxury.

Do you enjoy time alone? What are you up to this weekend?

One rainy afternoon

2013-02-11T22:31:00.000+00:00

Over the weekend, during a rare child-less wander around town with my sister-in-law, she asked what the local library was like.

To my horror, I realised we weren't members. We've been living here for nine months and haven't yet made it to the top of the high street to claim our library cards. Shameful!

I love libraries and books and yet for some reason, seeking out our new local had totally slipped my mind.

And so today, we did what should have been done months ago. We spent two lovely hours pottering about, reading and choosing books. Ollie headed straight for the transport section. Lila headed straight for the stairs - oh how she loves to climb. They both enjoyed sitting in the reading nook. And we came home with the biggest stack, with a very definite theme - super cars, stock cars, fast super cars, monster machines, speed machines. I'm sure our boy will be a racing car driver one day.

Do you belong to the library? Do you visit often?

6/52

2013-02-10T19:23:00.002+00:00

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Oliver: Playing happily in his curtain den. Engrossed, oblivious and lost in his huge imagination - the very best way to be.

Lila: Oh Lila, you melt my heart with your always-so-serious post-sleep face and those great big baby blues.

Joining Jodi as always on a Sunday.

Ta Daaaaa...

2013-02-05T22:04:00.001+00:00

Well lookie what we have here! It’s certainly been a long time in coming, but I have finally managed to get round to giving my little blog a much-needed makeover.

It’s something I’ve had on my radar for a long time now, but for one reason or another it didn’t quite happen. Until that is, I had the rather excellent idea of contacting the lovely Jen to see if she fancied designing me a new blog header.

And she did! So here we are.

I’m so pleased with my gorgeous new header, so a heartfelt thank you to you Jen, especially for fitting this all in around designing new prints for your shop. You are the best!

And a great big thank you as always to everyone who has stopped by here in the past year. With a special thanks to some of the lovely bloggers who have passed Leibster awards my way in recent months. I’m looking at you Claire, Tammy, Karen and Tara.

And while we’re on the subject of change, I thought now would be a good time to touch on my thoughts about sponsored posts. There have been a few different bloggerswriting about the subject recently and their words have made me sit and take stock of this whole blogging caper.

I write this blog for free, because I enjoy doing so. I started writing it to have something to do while I was on maternity leave for the second time. It then quickly became a place to share my thoughts on our monumental move and the settling-in phase in England. Most recently it’s become somewhere I like to use to share my journey into photography and I’ve no doubt that my new role as a work-at-home-mum will feature here this coming year.

Ultimately though, it’s a simple record of our family life, which I like to maintain just because. And I intend it to stay that way.

However, now and then, when a great brand gets in touch and asks if I’m interested in working with them, I say yes. It doesn’t happen all the time, but when it does, that little extra pocket money when you don’t earn a bean is pretty nice. And being lucky enough to try a new producthere and there or to be able to put my baby girl in a gorgeous new dress is also a nice little bonus.

I don’t run sponsored posts frequently, but I am happy to consider them from time to time, and only from brands that I genuinely like (and think you will too). These posts are sponsored because they have been paid for in some way – either with cash or product and I will always disclose the fact that a post is sponsored or if a product is c/o (although from now on you will find this at the top of each post, rather than the bottom). I also always write sponsored posts myself, because that’s the way I like it.

So there we are… a brand new green tea & toast and a word on sponsored posts.

Where do you sit when it comes to blogs & brands? Isn’t Jen a clever little artist?! Do you like my new digs?

* I am fully aware this photo has absolutely no relation to this post whatsoever, but she's cute, so I popped her in.

** I'm not done fiddling with this blog makeover just yet, so bear with me while I primp and preen. And does anyone know how to get rid of those annoying grey bits at the side?

The Weekend Edition

2013-02-04T10:00:00.000+00:00

: tea parties are the new game of the moment for Lady Lila.
: birthday biscuits.
: hostess with the mostess.
: my poorly boy. You can just see it in his eyes.
: there's always time for hummus and batman.
: I had, and cherished, this toy when I was her age. We just love Fisher Price classics.
: cheeky madam.
: this is her new way to get what she wants. Boy is it loud.
: see that bed? That would be our bed. She sleeps for hours in between both of our pillows. Like I said, cheeky.

And so the weekend drifted on by us really. Thankfully a little night out in London for me on Friday night and a couple of early evening drinks at a neighbours house on Saturday helped us to keep a foot in the real world!

Looking forward to this first week of February and all it may bring. Only one more month of winter. My goodness that went fast. Didn't it?!

Until next time... x

5/52

2013-02-03T15:17:00.002+00:00

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Oliver: Rarely will he pose for the camera. And only ever with the merest flicker of his beautiful smile. I can just hear the teenage him saying... 'Urgh Muuuum, you're so embarrassing'

Lila: 'Dat. Dat. DAAAAT.'

Joining Jodi as always on a Sunday.

What a quiet weekend we're having. Two slightly under par children has meant for a lot of nesting, sleeping, resting. Making sure everyone is on tip top form for the week ahead. Later we will eat comfort food, perhaps read some favourite books and sleep early.

I hope you're all enjoying what's left of this weekend.

Stay warm and well.

Shameless Self Promotion

2013-01-30T21:16:00.003+00:00

I’ve been living and breathing Lazy Daisy these past couple of weeks. First there was the pre-training learning, then the three-day training workshop and since then I’ve been spending every spare moment researching areas, calling potential venues and starting to spread the word.

Things are starting to fall in to place. I had my first enquiry about a class booking today and have found a venue in one of the locations. All very exciting stuff.

I also have a shiny new Facebook page for my little business. You can pop over and check it out if you like. And here comes the shameless self promotion bit… if you know any lovely pregnant women who live in East Surrey, perhaps you could be so kind as to share this lil’ ole page with them or point them in my direction? Why thank you so much!

In fact, wherever they may live, why not just tell all your pregnant friends or those with young babies about Lazy Daisy – there’s bound to be a birthing or baby class in their local area.

Because you know what? I truly believe that their offering is something special. I wouldn't be here otherwise. The content in the Daisy Birthing classes just makes so much sense. SO much. And having experienced first-hand, what a focused, calm birth can be like, I really believe the Daisy Birthing method could be the key to a beautiful birthing experience for anyone that wants it.

Ok, so that’s enough spouting about labour from me.

Until next time… hope you're all having a wonderful week so far.

The Weekend Edition

2013-01-28T08:30:00.000+00:00

I have been firmly attached to my camera all weekend. It’s love all over again. Things are really starting to fall into place now with the whole manual thing and I’m thrilled. I shot manually all weekend and I can’t believe the difference it has made to actually understand how to use my camera. Amazing. I can’t wait to find out what the next two weeks has in store for us.

Anyway… enough gushing about the course!

Oh the sunshine we’ve had! It makes such a lovely change to those strange snowy skies of last week don't you think?

We spent Saturday at Wisley gardens in Surrey – a truly fantastic place for children and only a short drive from home. We went with old friends, bumped in to old friends, watched butterflies in the tropical greenhouse, drank hot mint tea outside in the sunshine, watched the children get very muddy indeed and topped it all off with a lovely pub lunch. Pretty much the perfect Saturday.

Yesterday was quieter. A walk in the woods. A bike ride. Some teaching practice for me. A roast dinner for us all. Lots of playing and stories, colouring and chatting.

The children are getting along famously these days. After a period of quite challenging sibling rivalry from my darling boy, over the past couple of months he has blossomed in to this incredibly doting, caring and considerate big brother. Sure there are still a few pokes and prods and shoves here and there, but there are more good times than the bad. And mostly, they play together, engage with each other, love each other.

Looking at the pictures Lila seemed to spend a lot of time dressed up, in cupboards or on the floor this weekend. Over these past few months she too has blossomed – into such a strong little personality. She’s most definitely a toddler now at 16 months, a real little girl. She talks incessantly, uses so many words and is learning more and more each day. For the record, her favourites of the moment are ‘beed book’ (read book), ‘more ninna’ (more dinner), ‘nack’ (snack), ‘bebe tiss’ (kiss baby) and ‘Olla’ (her beloved brother). She calls for Olla from the minute she wakes to the moment she sleeps and trails around behind him all day long.

Tantrums have started too. They’re still at the amusing phase of theatrical flinging herself on the floor, trying to hide away from the coat I’m trying to get her into, or the nappy I need to change. Like I said, entertaining at the moment but I shiver at the thought of the twos that we have to come. Gosh they can be horrid, as well as delightful in almost equal measures.

And the week ahead? Working, mothering, houseworking, more working, practicing, studying, blogging, photographing. I’m exhausted already and it’s barely begun. But you know what? I’m loving life right now. LOVING IT I tell you.

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead.

4/52

2013-01-26T21:05:00.002+00:00

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Oliver : I love his little concentrating face

Lila : I love her sleeping face. Those lips!

I took these photos as part of one of my camera course assignments this week - in manual, with no post-editing (not even a little nip and tuck - can you see the crusty yoghurt on Lila?!). And while they may not be the most amazing of photos, I'm proud of myself for beginning to understand how this whole manual business works. I'm learning a lot, and while last week, I was getting quite frustrated with the whole thing, today I feel like things are finally starting to click. I think. There's still a way to go yet.

On another note, sorry for the radio silence this week. What with the photography course and the three-day training workshop I've been in and the hours I'm putting in to getting my business up and running (every single evening and spare hour in the day - poor, poor, neglected husband!), something had to give and it's sadly been my beloved blog. I'm intending to give it a little love this coming week though and have been enjoying reading all of your posts as always.

Until next time,

3/52

2013-01-20T13:57:00.001+00:00

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Oliver: enjoying the magic of his first proper snowfall.

Lila: naughty little fairy, insistent on drawing on the floor, not the paper. I love how much she loves to dress up, just like her big brother.

Joining in with Jodi and the 52 Project.

Manual Overdrive

2013-01-16T20:20:00.002+00:00

Since exchanging contracts for my new business last Friday, I’ve been in the middle of a whirlwind of research, study and emails galore. I begin a three day training workshop tomorrow and then it’s all systems go to find venues for my classes and get pregnant bums on mats. Very exciting times indeed.

And if that wasn’t enough, this week I’ve also begun a photography course. As you do when you’re in the throes of starting a new business.

This course is something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time and was a Christmas present from my lovely husband (although I booked it myself, so it was kind of a Christmas present from me to me!). Anyway. It’s called Manual Overdrive, and is the brainchild of Kat and Kat from Capturing Childhood. I know some of you have already taken part in these online courses, so I’m pretty confident it’s going to be great. And it's also lovely to see some friendly blogging faces on the Facebook and Flickr groups.

I'm getting ready for an interesting and inspiring four weeks of learning. Hopefully the world of ISO, shutter speed, white balance and all the rest of those slightly confusing photography terms will soon make perfect sense and I’ll be working manual like a pro. Well, almost. I hope I can find the time to fit it all in!

How’s your week panning out so far? As mental as mine?

*photo of me and my camera and my slightly squashed face, by the lovely Janine Speake

2/52

2013-01-13T08:00:00.000+00:00

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Oliver : parklife.
Lila : rugged up against the January cold this week. The 'Beast of the East' is coming!

Joining in with Jodi and the incredible amount of people who are also taking part in this weekly portrait project. Amazing.

Thanks also for all of your lovely comments on my last two posts. I will get round to replying to you all very soon. Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend x

The day I bought a business

2013-01-11T21:33:00.002+00:00

Gorgeous print from Words & Pictures, by the lovely Jen

Yep. That’s the big news folks. I am officially a small business owner.

Can you believe it? Because I can’t. It’s all so exciting and I’m still reeling. And slightly terrified.

Do you want to know the full story? I’ll start at the beginning…

Over the past few months the handsome husband and I have been talking a lot about me and work. Will I go back or won’t I? Do I wantto go back or not? Is it worth it financially or just a little bit pointless? Where would I go and what would I do?

We kept coming to the same conclusions – mostly that I didn’t want to work in London again, that I definitely didn't want to work full-time, that two lots of childcare is really bloody expensive and that a little extra cash really would be rather nice right now.

Then there was also the fact that for all the times I might moan about the housework and the tantrums and bad behaviour phases, I do genuinely enjoy being at home with my children. In fact, I love it. I want to be there at the school gates and the toddler groups and the swimming lessons, clearing up paint splatters from the floor, cooking yet another Spaghetti Bolognese for 5pm, just being there for them when they need me.

And so, despite talking about it over and over, I just couldn’t quite bring myself to tart up my CV and get it out there.

Something was stopping me. And as much as that something was my children, it was also the desire to figure out exactly what career I could do that was both interesting, fulfilling and most importantly, flexible. You know, the holy grail of careers for a SAHM. I love being at home, but also doing something worthwhile, for me, would be rather nice, thankyouverymuch.

I pondered and thought and wrote lists and spent endless hours mulling it over. And I kept coming back to the same things – yoga, natural therapies, natural birth, babies, working with people, making a difference. But I just couldn’t quite hit the nail on the new-career head.

Then I stumbled across Lazy Daisy Birthing and finally everything clicked in to place.

Lazy Daisy Birthing is a national franchise business that offers active birth and movement based antenatal classes. The classes are yoga inspired and explore the benefits of active birth, birth breathing and relaxation. Something I whole-heartedly believe in, especially following Lila’s incredible birthing journey.

The company also offers post-natal baby massage/yoga-based sessions, designed to assist with bonding and to teach mums invaluable tips for dealing with their new bundles of joy.

The brand is strong, the philosophy fantastic and as I read through the website it just felt right.

One phone call and a few emails later and the wheels were fully in motion and so here I am, as of today, the proud new owner of the Lazy Daisy Birthing franchise for East Surrey, covering Reigate, Leatherhead, Dorking and the surrounding areas.

I start my training next week and have a lot to learn and an awful lot to do to get this little business off the ground, but I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am and how perfect this move feels for me at this stage in my life. I can work the business around my children, bring in a little extra money into our home and also do something I know I’m going to love.

It’s certainly not how I imagined the first two weeks of 2013 panning out, but I have a feeling this is going to be one incredible year.

And on that note, can I hear an O.M.G?!

ps. Jen? I hope you don't mind me using your print up there? I thought the words were very fitting. And the print is lovely!

Hi and OMG excitement and two anniversaries

2013-01-09T20:42:00.004+00:00

Apologies for the lack of blogging this week. Something is afoot. It's OMG scale exciting and quite big and all happening very quickly. But I don't want to jinx things just yet, so I'm going to be like one of those annoying people on Facebook who tease you with some not-quite-information and leave it at that. Can't wait to tell you all though!

And in other news, Paul and I celebrated our 10th year of being together last week. Ten whole years. It's certainly been a big ten years of my life. Ten of the best in fact. And I can't imagine anyone else I would rather have spent them with. He rocks.

There was also another anniversary last week. One whole year of this blog. It passed me by in a little blur, but I guess that's what happens when you hit publish on January 2nd. Happy one year anniversary also goes out to Gillian and Jude. Clearly January 2012 was the month of blog starting. Congrats to us all for making it this far and anyone else who has a blogoversary on the horizon.

I want to say a really heartfelt thank you to everyone who has stopped by here over the past year. Your visits and, of course, your comments mean so much to me and I really do enjoy sharing my little life with you all. I have no idea what lies in store for green tea & toast in 2013, but I hope you'll stick around to find out.

So on that note, happy hump day all!
Anna x

The Weekend Edition

2013-01-07T12:00:00.000+00:00

A very quiet post-Christmas weekend.

The children played with new toys, rode new bikes, made junk models, dressed-up and thoroughly enjoyed being at home. And we pottered about, re-organising corners of our home, finishing jobs, getting things in order for the new year.

We also had a very special friend to stay for the night – someone I met at Uni but who also lived in Sydney at the same time as us. She was there from the day we arrived to the day we left. And she’s still there. It was lovely to see her. Although it really made us both miss all that is lovely about Australia and everyone in it. We will be back one day.

So like I said, a quiet, easy start to the weekends of 2013, but a lovely one all the same.

What did you get up to?