No half term is complete without a trip to A+E right???!

I don't remember going to hospital much as a child, so either I have accident prone kids, we have more medical knowledge as parents or I am far more cautious as a parent than my mum ever was (probably a bit of everything actually). 

Over the past 8 years I have been up to A+E several times either in the middle of the night or on dr's orders for various ailments including very high temperatures, suspected urine infections, split lips and a huge gash on Beau Bo's cheek that required plastics to stitch up (he now has a very cool action man stylee scar).

On Thursday we met friends in the local park for a picnic lunch, we steered clear on the swings and instead went to the huge meadow/field in order to the kids could just run, play, explore.  They built camps, went hunting for mini beasts, played tennis, football and rugby and rolled down the hill several times.   The children ranged from 7 years old to 8 months and it was just lovely to watch them all interacting and having good old fashioned fun. 

It got to about 4pm and I was just packing up to go when Beau Bo cried out, he then started to scream and I knew instantly that he was hurt.  I ran over to where he was and his foot was covered in blood (yes they were all barefoot as were we) the cut was quite deep and so I thought we needed to go to the Dr for it to be cleaned up. 

A lovely lady gave me a tea towel to stem the blood and off we set (thank goodness I had the car).  We got to the Dr's who sent us straight to A+E which was something I was hoping to avoid as I didn't have the buggy and Pixie was overtired, Beansy was hungry and poor old Beau Bo was in pain and I wanted him sorted ASAP.

Luckily for us we were seen quite quickly, he was x-rayed, steri stitched and given strict instructions to not put any pressure on his foot for 48 hours and to keep it clean, dry and raised.

Here's the boy - in heaven as it means I have let him play Wii for hours and hours!!!!!  Donkey Kong rocks although he is getting a wee bit frustrated now.  We are back on Tuesday to see if it has worked.  He is definately my wounded soilder, he now has 3 scars at the age of 4 - His action man one, one on his lip from when he split his lip at school on a milk crate and now this one on his foot.  Please God, no more!|

Happy Easter Everyone!

Peace and Love

S.A.M

Listography - Take 5 places.....

This is the first time I have taken part in Kate Takes 5 listography, but I have a spare 20 minutes and I really enjoy this as a concept.

I have always loved travelling, new experiences, new people and places and I harbour the dream that one day in the not to distant future, we will take the kids out of school for a year and show them volcanoes, hot springs, shanty towns and the amazon in real time rather than out of a textbook.

Here are my 5 favourite places:

1) Angel Falls, Venezuela

Not only is this the largest waterfall in the World, it is also where HAW proposed to me.  We flew over in a twin engine plane from a beautiful lodge of the Isle of Margarita.   It holds lovely memories for me and of a very happy time in my life.

2) London

I am a Londoner born and bred and had become quite blase about the fact the City was so accessible and so close.  However, having a Kiwi business partner has re-ignited my passion for our Great City.  I am so grateful that it is on our door step as I am loving showing the kids our wonderful Capital.

3. New York

I have been to New York at least 10 times (spoilt brat I know) my parents first took us about 20 years ago and we all got totally hooked on the fast paced city Life.  I was fortunate enough to visit on lots of work related "jollies" and had plenty of SATC moments in the City that never sleeps.  

4. Camber Sands

We have only recently discovered Camber Sands since having the kids but it is only 90mins away from where we are.   We rent a beach house that has direct access to the beach and the kids can go wild as you can see!!!  I would love to move down to this part of the World.

5. Maldives

After having a cancer scare in early 2008, I booked a once in a lifetime, no expenses spared holiday for the four of us to the Maldives.  I decided that life was worth living and off we went.  This is really worthy of it's own blog but we had the most amazing holiday ever, it really was paradise and the icing on the cake is that I returned pregnant with our little Pixie (having been told that I wouldn't have more kids!).  I dream of going back one day.....

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Why I now LOVE half term!!!!

A few years ago, I had 3 children under the age of 5.  Not one of my better planned ideas, but then our little Pixie wasn't planned and was a real blessing from God as we had been told I wouldn't have any more children due to my having an underactive thyroid and PCOS, the fact I had 2 gorgeous boys was an absolute blessing.  Around this time, I had a cancer scare and on being given the all clear, we decided to book a once in a lifetime holiday to celebrate life, love and family.  We went to the Maldives and had the most amazing time - the fact it had an excellent kids club meant that DH and I had a bit too much time on our hands, and well, little Pixie was conceived.

We were thrilled, she really is a blessing and a delight to all who meet her.  However, going back to my original point, having 3 so close in age can be really hard going at times.  Before the boys were at school, I used to dread half term - it meant that the routine I had so carefully planned (toddler group/activity lead) went to pot as these places closed for the holidays. (Summer was even worse, but that's another blog!)  So, I quite literally was run ragged for the duration  of the holiday, trying to keep all of them amused, dealing with petty scraps yada yada.

Then something changed - DS1 went to school full time, followed by DS2 the year after and I then realised that my little men were growing up.  Not only that, they were growing up fast and that this time next year all 3 of my little terrors will be at school.   Now I don't know about anyone else, but I really, really miss the boys when they are at school so now that the holidays are here I am looking forward to spending some quality time with my little men - we have lots of lovely things planned, most of them free and I can't wait to delight in the joy of all of my children.

So, to all of you parents who have pre school age children, I just want to say make the most of this special time, because before you know it, they will be at school and you will be wondering whatever happened to those special baby years.

Here's my little Superheroes in action