Simple Pleasures

The past three weeks we have had no school runs, no early mornings, no homework battles, no forgotten letters or demands for dinner money - my favourite part of the year. The days seem to have passed by so very quickly.

The school holidays which I always look forward to have come about and are quickly approaching an end, yet this year if I'm truthful I am not enjoying them as much as years gone by.

So what have we been upto?

To be honest not much, which has resulted in bored children and stressed parents.



I have heard endless moans of 'I'm bored' and I feel guilt that we have not been further than a few miles from our front door. 

We have had days where we have been stuck inside, due to the weather, low funds or me having to get some work done, or a mixture of all three, these days pass with children busying themselves for a few hours before the boredom kicks in, then squabbles and fights erupt, the older two always seeming to make Mikey upset by their offhanded attitudes to toys and games he so enjoys, days which have ended with everyone hoping that tomorrow may be better.

Of course we have been out and about locally trying to find something to busy ourselves with, only to realise once there the expectations were far greater than what was on offer, and infact it all isn't as fun as we had hoped. Low funds mean options are limited, and finding something to entertain everyone seems to be so much harder this year.

I'm not sure if it is simply a matter of age, or a matter of circumstance, but each time I have put the effort in, and really tried to make a day pass without the stomps and complaints, without the moody glances and angry words,  my efforts are met with blank looks and forced smiles at best.

The times I fondly remember of messy crafts which would bring smiles and laughter, stories and rhymes and picnics in the park, finding joy in nothing at all, just don't seem to have the same appeal.

I guess I just have to come to terms with the fact my children are hitting that age where they are truly happiest at home in their rooms or with there friends.

It is for this reason why catching glimpses of the simple pleasures, the moments where all three are together, happy and perhaps actually enjoying spending that time with each other are moments I want to capture and hold on to for as long as I can.