Happy Halloween Everyone!

I love Halloween and all things Autumnal. Last weekend my wee country town had their annual Autumnfest, with pumpkin carving, scarecrow competition, toddler dance, bouncy castle, fireworks and more. And tonight me and the Mollster went 'Trick or Treating', I'm glad to say we were treated very well and I've been 'helping' Molly with the terrible task of candy-eating. Molly was a rag-doll this year, I got the idea from here (which incidentally is where I got last years costume ideas too. See? I'm just a follower). It was a super easy costume to make, all the clothes are Molly's own and the wig took about 20 minutes to make and cost me a £1.50 ball of wool.

Finch sat this year out, it would have been a nightmare dragging him from door to door, he is a feisty little thing at the moment and he'd probably have been yelling and wrestling me to get into everybody's home! I'm learning to pick my battles and not out-do myself just because I want the perfect little family picture (when the reality would have been all tears and stress).

eating some of her treats

Hope you all have had a lovely halloween. x

FiMo

A while ago, on facebook, I asked for suggestions for a Molly and Finch hybrid name. The one that has stuck most was suggested by the wonderful Claire from tee and toast. Claire came up with the eversoperfect FiMo.

FiMo are the best of friends, conspirators in all sorts of mischief and most happiest around each other. This was them this morning, as many mornings, they trailed all their toys onto the landing whilst I pulled my head under the covers and tried to top up on sleep (I am not a morning person).

Ode to the 'Likers'

This is for the followers, the 'likers', the subscribers, the commentators, the prayers. For all of you who sit there in the glow of another computer screen (many of you thousands of miles away) and time and time again listen, laugh, cry, rage and celebrate with me.

Thank you.

I have felt warmed by your 'likes', spurred on by your comments, consoled by your stories and most of all, just knowing you are there listening, draws me out of isolation and into community.

I'm an external person, I have no doubt that it wears many thin to hear yet another status about potty training, sleep deprivation or Molly-isms. But I am so grateful to those of you who've stuck it out with me, celebrating the small daily triumphs and sent appropriate emoticons when the disasters keep rolling in.

One Photo an Hour 8-10-11

I've been wanting to do a 'photo an hour' thing for a while now and Saturday's plans were shaping up for some good photo opportunities. So here is a day in the life of The Family Steen.

good morning mummy * time to get dressed * most important meal of the day

ready to go * picnic at the harbour * the boat to portaferry *

play park fun * caffeine fix * marine biology

exhausted toddlers * home for a snuggle * cartoons and blankies

visiting friends * chilli and mojito's * feet up and red wine

grown up blankies & tv * time to get home to our own beds * mandatory fb check

night night

I don't recall a single care, just greenery and humid air

Returned from a weekend on the coast. Cobwebs have been blown from my mind and dare I say I seized some....light...hearted moments. Hope you all are well and find some time today to take a big deep breath and look at the beauty around you.