#emotions #EmoTheEmotionalElf #caring #family #education #Christmas #author #book #selfhelp

Hope you are all well, the lead up to Christmas is gaining speed now, being locked down has made this year so much harder, we all have had a year like no other. Lock down not only has caused many Job losses but their has been an increase of families needing support for even the basic things like feeding their families. as if enough families didn’t live in poverty, this year has been truly financially crippling for families businesses shutting down even the larger companies affected by job losses, the airline industry one of the biggest world wide industries, that bring in money and workers to other countries, that reunite families living in different continents.

The health sector stretched and under the biggest test for along time.

Mental health services that were almost at crisis point tipped over the edge because so many more people are struggling with their mental health due to being stuck at home.

The catering industry and entertainment industry, crippled by the inability to entertain.

Adding to that a year of Brexit , and major elections, oh what a year we have had.

Now we are at a point of unlocking down, but still many restriction will be in place, we have to prepare ourselves for long ques, more traffic, more face masks, the injections that are to come.

what can we do to bring that magic alive again to pull a rabbit out of the hat to make this Christmas as magical as the rest. as inspiring, as fun.

The children already beginning to write there lists for Santa, you know our kids are pretty resilient they maybe disappointed to not get things on the list they asked for, but they will get over it, time give them your time, give them laughter, Hugs, take moments to sit and read to snuggle and watch movies, learn to play their favorite game. bake with them. so many things you can do they will remember more then that present they didn’t get you can always save up and get it for their birthday when you don’t have so many people to buy for . If your from a large extended family maybe buy a game they can all play together instead of an individual present for each person.

Tom

Emo Elf has been having an adventure with Tom since Friday, hugging each other at sleep time even going to school with Tom. Toms had a bit of a week with appointments and had some good news about the pins in his hip can be removed, he also had his Botox in his legs to help with his hamstrings and muscles this kid is a real trouper.

He even wrote his Christmas list for Santa too,

This boy really melts my heart, he is funny, super smart, he has a fighting spirit , he makes everyone fall in love with him when they meet him, he really is my little buddy. He loves purple lollies, saying no, and I love you. he is as crazy about emo an music as I am . some times it is hard to remeber he is as old as he is and soon that teenage stroppy may come , i hope not to much because he really is such a sweetheart.

How can i mention Tom without mentioning all his family, and other carers they are amazing.

The school Tom attends is outsounding, The work they do with Tom and all the other children who attend, I am so glad that Tom has this school he really has thrived since going there and the therapies they offer have really benifitted Tom.

Hayley

Work with Hayley today was also another mix of making christmas decorations, music, Zoom quiz with day center, and learning on her tablet.

I used the time hayley was on her zoom to sort Niki’s banking out with her and also, deep cleaning we are getting house ready for the big christmas decoration that happens at the end of the month, thats when the true magic of christmas starts. you find it very uplifting for your moods the scents of christmas the lights, the foods, the present shopping it may be much less then years before but still it will be an amazing feeling. I love christmas, I love sitting with the lights on and the cheerful fsces of the elves snowmen and the movies and music.

I love making the Christmas buscuits, oh i feel the insperation coming, the photo’s and moments to caputre. the writing that will flow.

MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONG

What’s Your favorite Christmas Song , or activity? Do you have a family Tradition, if so what is it?What’s your favorite movie?

Jake

Jake had a great day at school today, his meeting with the head of sixform went very well. he is really happy with how it went, the funny thing is it is the same person that our oldest son Josh had his six form meeting with all them years ago, Jake said he even asked how Josh was doing. Kind of an ice breaker that.

I am finding as it draws nearer to christmas writing is coming move easily, my blogging kind of lacked the strengh and time I could give it from the year before. I think this year I have work so much and it has been so much more intence. lots of changes and adaptions due to covid but here i am still doing what i do best and that is caring. My writing is becoming so much better then it was in the begining.

Today as it is leading up to black friday deals I am going to share the amazon link to my book ad the deal on it at this moment is great.

Anyway wishing you a beautiful night, I have to go get some sleep i overslept this morning , don’t want to do that again i hate rushing in mornings.

Lots of love to you Faye

#caring #Christmas #emotions #EmoTheEmotionalElf #family #love #education

Hi everyone start the week as you have got it all sorted, yes today I was super organized, up on time for the school run. School for the kids has been going really good big changes for Jake in Engagement with studying since we brought the books in the holidays and i focused my time having a proper schedule for his study the exams are over now, before that would be books down and back to just home work. Jake has really impressed me with taking part in after school study sessions. he really has shown so much dedication. Last night he showed me a message for his geography teacher telling him how fantastic his work was and that if he keeps it up he will not only do well in this subject in GCSE’S he will also be great at it for six form.

He has his interview tomorrow with the six form leads so fingers crossed for that, he also told me he sent a message to to music department at the school admitting he made a mistake dropping music, and asking for them to send him some work he can do as independent studies. This kiddo has not only been teaching himself to play the keyboard he is teaching himself to play electric guitar too. So for now he is applying for Geography, Business Studies, filming, and an independent music, I cant remember if he said their was another one or not but i like the blend of choices the music and filming is very good for his mental health to run along side the other 2 subjects that he likes, and i think the choices are very wise for him.

When we have spoken to our kids about career choices it is always with a view of having a balanced future, I would rather them learn what they love and what makes them happy, then just accept anything. For Jake he has chosen his mind quite a bit lately about his future jobs I think it also depends on if it is a subject that first interests him and secondly he can academically keep up with. but also things that give a boost to his confidence. I am glad the school he is at also realize they are the best setting for him going forward. This is the young kiddo that was scared of school didn’t feel safe and refused to go. So it goes to show the right support in the education setting with consistent support, emotionally, Support to manage anxiety, and a safe place to learn with people who encourage you and never give up despite the challenges it brings. it took such a long to to get the Education plan , and its had adjustments and goals to work towards and a little bit of compromise on all sides to get it to be of the value it is now but it is working. and for that i am truly grateful for.

Niki is doing well at college, she is working hard, now she has the laptop the school has lent her while we save enough for a new one it makes things so much easier. The universal credit thing with Niki is still a battle bless her she has been waiting since march for this all to go through I am not giving up the fight for that though. It does cause a lot of added stress our family could do without but you don’t change things by giving up when it gets tough. I fight for my children’s rights to education because when they needed it the most when they struggled they were let down and missed out on what others take for granted sometimes. one of my proudest moments with the kids was when they stood by their schools side campainging for no cuts to the special education funding. The support teachers they so needed to help them feel safe so they could learn.

Any way that’s off my mind now to blog about the work and family.

Hayley

She matched her clothes, she is starting to want to pay alot of atention to making herself look nice in the mornings, the lessons on self care and dressing in what makes you feel good seem to be working , she is alwas happy to show me what she is wearing, ready for her photo’s , you see there is a method behind photogrophy and using it to capture life lessons and daily living skills, they can see what to do by looking at photos a lot like pecks cards but with real people.

We had a lot on today, the day center pack of Christmas activities they gave us last week have been met with great enthusiasm from Hayley, we are working our way through them.

They are going to be used to decorate her gym at home so she has some christmas sparkle to look at while she uses her tread mill, oh a little bit of magic motivation . We listened to some christmas carol just the instrumental version just to really relax and enjoy the moment Hayley remarked that it was very calming and peaceful.

She had her friendship zoom meeting with the day center today and we have had to change where we set it up in our house now just because they last longer and we didnt want to keep walking in while she is talking to her key workers and friends. so now she has the use of my bedroom for privacy and it also gives me and the kids some privacy too, niki and Jake when they come home from school like to rush into the kitchen for snack and drink,

Plus they can be loud after keeping all that anxiety in all day, it was also making dinner time running late, we try to eat dinner no later then 5.30 pm.

Of course they like some supper later maybe some toast before bed, with some milk, that way they are not midnight snack running.

I finished work about an hour later tonight because Jake helped make dinner and Hayley wanted to stay and eat with us.

NIki was not at college today she isn’t due in till wednesday, so she has been pottering around she slept till lunch today, which has been an improvement lately she can’t sleep well at night so she sleeps most of the day, she has got her sleep cycle all messed up. An eggy sandwhich gets her moving pretty quick though. I know all the little things that get them motivated.

Jake phoned to be picked up at three as his after school study wasn’t on today, he was telling me about his day before asking if he could cook dinner he wanted to make lasanga.

Them onions today made both our eyes water, I had to take over cutting them. we ran out of white sause had to go get some more, and although it was absaloutly delicious, we added a bit to much sauce so it dinner look as good as it tasted.

He aslo made a pasta carbanara for Niki, which looked and tasted great. Always nice to have fresh bread and salad to go with main course.

After dropping Hayley home and Loading the dishwasher getting things ready for the kids to bake some cakes , I was thinking about writing this blog, thier is alot behind the scences I can’t talk about but i find writing positive things is a great way to escape things you can’t change. Its about balancing how much you can keep in your head before it needs decluttering a little.

oh The cakes are lush, soft, moist and full of creamy sause one chocolate one vanilla. They melt in your mouth.

The kids love these betty Crocker ones and I must admit they always turn out perfect. Jake an Niki have got super close i supoosed they have more in comman now then when they were younger, but seeing them side by side and working together shows they are developing that ability to cope with working with others. they were laughing and joking and neither one of them walked out.

All prepared and ready for oven.

They let me take photos with them today, I go with what they want sometimes they do and sometimes it is a big no, so all the ones I share I have thier permission for.

Jake has even cracked a tiny smile , I guess choclate cake has a way of putting a smile on your face.

Anyway that’s it for tonight, going to use that magic massage pillow I will probally fall asleep it seems to have that affect on me .

I love these kiddo’s so much,

Good night Sleep well,

Much love Faye xxx

#emotions #family #caring #birthday #nostalgic #babies

Hi everyone , I have blogged about everyone else’s birthday this year, now it’s time to give you a view into mine. I had an awesome day the night before I got sent to my room for the evening while my hubby and kids got things ready for my big day, I already popped out the day before to get a plain cake and some icing, a few balloons and the banners. my hubby took the kids to the one shop near us to get a few small gifts from them.

To be honest I would of been happy with just their company but I wanted to see if some of mums enthusiasm for birthdays had rubbed off on them. Niki was on cake decorating, Jake and his dad on decorations. I was a little lost on what to do with my own company for the evening.

The day of my birthday I woke up, excitedly to see their efforts and I wasn’t surprised by the fab job they all did.

Please excuse the paper work all over the back shelf , in the middle of sorting it all out , we don’t have a lot of storage space in our home.

Our oldest son Josh couldn’t be here due to lock down but I was so surprised he woke up so early when he is off work to face time me he got to sing happy birthday and see me open the pressie he sent to me , I will tell you about how fab it was later in the blog, He always listens to me when I tell him things so was nice he found a present that gave me a solution for a problem I have had recently. I was working with Hayley on my birthday plus she wanted to be their for my birthday dinner too, she even asked for the very first time to try some lamb for dinner not something she has tried before or wanted to, but she is definitely into trying new foods now bless her she loved it too. She even told me she put on her best party dress so she could look pretty for my birthday.

My hubby cooked the roast dinner, while I helped Hayley with her zoom meetings , he even played all my favorite music, I was in the other room and noticed he played most of my play Madonna playlist .

While Hayley had the zoom bingo session, I had a chance to get my party frock on, actually it was Niki’s she lent it to me as I have wore all mine before. the kids were both at school I got messages from Niki saying I love you mum several times through the day as well as her showing me she has got 100% attendance and punctuality at college now this is excellent news , she always got so down when she didn’t hit the 100% target. Due to exclusions and her difficulties she had in her earlier education, she always tried so hard and always wanted that 100%.

Any way I just finished getting ready when Niki phoned and said she had finished so I picked her up and brought her home I just had time to set the table before going out to pick Jake up.

Little Jake got in the car and said mum you look beautiful. he is such a sweet heart , he had a great day at school.

We didn’t get photo’s of everyone in the morning because they were still groggy for sleep plus hubby’s phone was takn up with face timing Josh, I had so many beautiful birthday messages, from family and friends even from my kids childhood friends, it made my day so special. My niece Maria left a beautiful voice message my Mum phoned. So maybe not here in person but definatly here in spirit.

Dinner was so Yummy , I had a bottle of bubbly but couldn’t drink any till I dropped Hayley home after dinner I never drive if I have a glass . Besides I don’t very often drink special occations maybe one or two.

Before Hayley left we also did the cake and Yai-yai and Papou joined us via face time

After i got back from dropping Hayley the kids wanted to go back to talking to thier friends me and hubby spent some time listening to music we even danced to one song, I don’t know whats happened to my coordination but I kept standing on his feet, my legs seem to have a mind of thier own.

Now at Half past seven our Jake came down and told us off for having music playing late, trying to explain to him it was still early didn’t go down well, so we ended up swithing it off. It isn’t that it was late or even loud it’s just sometimes the kids can’t handle it for to long, Sensory issues it was nice while it lasted though.

I will tell you now about the reason for presnt from my oldest Josh, we have been chatting recently about health and his gym and also the fact i have had real tight neck muscles and right across the shoulders, I tend to get it quite often , I get so busy with work and rushing around my posture isnt always good, then it leads to bad migraines .

This thing worked it’s magic, it was both uncomfortable and relaxing, i felt all those tight knots in my shoulders and neck disappear and yes it sent me to sleep too I am using it evry night now ,I wake up with real relaxed muscles and a clearer head.

So that was my birthday the little things that happened the people that shared it with me. what more can a girl ask for.

Friday was back to work with Hayley we made chrismas decorations the day center dropped off some activities to keep her busy while they are still closed.

Friday Hayley also had a zoom quiz with her friends, but the daycenter were also raising money for something to so it was wear a football shirt day, Hayley is a huge fan of MAN U, so of course she choose her favorite shirt too wear. She also didn’t want to miss out on trying the massager.

When Hayley went home , it was off for the weekend.

This weekend has been really chilled yes I had lots of ironing on saturday and the usaul washing pile to get rid of but it truly was very relaxed.

Walk down memory lane

Now a little bit of nestalgia my kids as babies we are starting to find all those videos we made like the wedding only this time baby video’s of Niki and our Josh, Jakes are all digital and somewhere on one of the computers so have lots of photo’s to organise before I can share Jake as a baby.

These ones may be a little blury or misty its just I am waiting on a lead to convert them to the computers but still want to share a few small clips I love

Me and my Josh his first kiss for his mummy, I realy loved seeing this one it was his first christmas so he was about 6 months old at the time. excuse the baby talk. I wonder how many parents do that different voice when thier kids are babies.

The kids songs you get stuck in your head Yes Barney the dinosaur was with us for all of our kids younger years, Grandad even got caught on a job once whistling Barney the dinosaur theme tune it gets in grandparents heads too.

Then there was when Josh was practicing some Greek

Last little clip sorry it’s blurry a little but it is Niki’s first birthday. They all covered there ears alot when they were babies. maybe an indecation of the later sensory issues. its funny wathcing things back we noticed a few things.

So thats it for tonight thanks for reading have a very beautiful evening.

Much love Faye, xx