the end of an era

Today, the boys had their last Jo Jingles session (they don't know that, yet) and for me, this has marked the end of an era- the end of their baby years.  We started going when the boys were 7-8 months old after hearing about it from a friend and it has, undoubtably, been the best thing that I have ever signed the boys up for.

The sessions follow the same structure each week starting and finishing with a hello and goodbye song and the children are supposed to copy the actions of  a doll sized 'Jo Jingles'.  Each term there is a 'song of the term' which the children learn and sing each week, there is always a blue box with a hidden surprise, and plenty of instruments for the children to learn to play.  Aside from the musical enjoyment the boys have learnt to count to ten, stay quiet when asked and tidy up at the appropriate time.  I can't stress enough just how much enjoyment has come from this 45 minute session.  We have watched them grow up there, from sitting on our laps to gaining the confidence to sit either side of their teacher.  Twin 1 even took his first proper steps there!  It has encouraged them to sing and dance and very recently they have begun to re-enact the actions of our wonderful teacher while at home.

I love the fact that they have (for now) this love of music and dance and I sincerely hope it continues even though we won't be able to go anymore.  However, it really does feel that this is one of key moments marking the end of their 'baby' life and the beginning of their 'grown up' years.

that kind of walk- again!

I think that one of the hardest things about being a mum is the loneliness that comes from spending the majority of your time at home with the children.  maybe it's different if you go back to work and maybe it's different once your children start school and you can have large amounts of time to yourself.  But, currently,  at this preschool age I am finding things tough and feeling quite isolated.  It's not that I don't have a wide circle of friends, may of whom I have met since having children, but with all the little ones attending preschool on different days meeting up is becoming harder to do.

I found myself today with a break in routine as we were unable to go swimming.   I dread these kind of days when our routine is disrupted and I don't have specific plans to fill it.  Typically, it's rained all morning forcing us to stay inside (it's been roasting the last 3 weeks, of course).  We tried finger painting for the first time (so messy), watched Disney films, looked at Disney holiday photos (for the millionth time) and still the morning dragged.  As soon as the rain lifted after lunch I shot the boys outside on their trikes, thinking that the fresh air would buck them up and give them a bit of exercise- WRONG!!!  We made it to the end of our road with one already walking and me holding the trike before indecision forced us to turn back home- thankfully.  However, one needed the potty halfway back and would not go in the road forcing me to carry him and the trike whilst yelling at the other one (bless him) to please hold his trike and try and walk/ride back quickly.  It must have looked a sight dumping one on the potty on the path once we made it back while running back to scoop up the other child and trike. I could go into more detail about how hideous this makes me feel when made to choose one twin over the other and it's always the same one who gets left.  And this always makes me so sad.

Like I said, it can be incredibly lonely, even when you have two beautiful children with you all the time.