12 Steps to Happiness...

Do more activities that truly engage you. At home and at work, seek out more challenging and absorbing experiences in which you “lose yourself,” experiencing what researchers call flow.

Savour life’s joys. Pay close attention to life’s momentary pleasures and wonders through thinking, writing, or drawing, or by sharing them with others.

Learn to forgive. Keep a journal or write a letter in which you work on letting go of anger and resentment toward someone who has hurt or wronged you.

Practise acts of kindness. Do good things for others—whether friends or strangers, directly or anonymously, spontaneously or planned.

Nurture relationships. Pick a relationship in need of strengthening, and invest time and energy in healing, cultivating, affirming, and enjoying it.

Cultivate optimism. Keep a journal in which you imagine and write about the best possible future for yourself, or practise looking at the bright side of every situation.

Avoid over-thinking and social comparison. Use strategies (such as distraction) to cut down on how often you dwell on your problems, and guard against comparing yourself to others.

Develop strategies for coping. Practise ways to endure or surmount a recent stress, hardship, or trauma.

Count your blessings. Express gratitude for what you have—either privately, through contemplation or journaling, or to someone else—or convey your appreciation to people whom you’ve never properly thanked.

Strengthen your spiritual connections. Religious and spiritual people are happier, perhaps because of the social connections they get through their community.

Commit to your goals. Pick one, two, or three significant goals that are meaningful to you, and devote time and effort to pursuing them.

Take care of your body. This could mean exercise, of course, but also meditating, smiling, or laughing.


Thanks to Stacey Kennelly at: http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/sonja_lyubomirskys_happiness_habits

Home Early...

Feeling a bit under the weather at the moment and so didn't go to work this afternoon!

Good job really, as the nursery rang.  When I saw it was them I immediately thought it was due to Jamie's cough (again) as he has been coughing a bit the last few days.  We both have the snots but at the moment I have been spared the cough.

Turns out they were worried as he had been saying he wanted the toilet all afternoon (they rang just before 3pm) but although he kept going, he never actually went.  I went to pick him up just as he emerged from the toilet - successful at last!!

I had a chat to one of the ladies from pre-school and we wondered whether it could be related to his move to pre-school.  He has been fine at home for weeks now, and has previously 'been' at nursery.  The only recent difference has been his move to pre-school.

Home now and all snoozing....

Happy Birthday Noah!!

"My New Best Friend"

Apparently, Archie is Jamie's "New Best Friend". 

I asked who is old best friend was, but Jamie simply repeated that Archie was his New Best Friend.

First Day At Pre-School

"I don't like it.  I want to go back to Nursery".

I kept asking why this was, but Jamie wouldn't elaborate....

Amelia - who is his keyworker in the Dragonfly Group - had a chat with all the parents as they picked up their children.  Jamie was shattered and she said he had been late going into the Pre-School room as he had been asleep.  This meant he had been a bit mardy when he did go into Pre-School.

Hopefully, its just the change he doesn't like.  All his friends are there, and Tilley will be joining him in the mornings, so there will be even more people he knows.

As for mummy, I can't believe he has started Pre-School.  In a years time it will be Primary School.  Which reminds me, I need to start thinking about which one!

Blog Baby 30

Luke James Malpass born at 3.47pm, 5th September 2012, 5 pounds 10, Caesarian, mum and baby fine....

Weekend With Lucy

Just had (another) fun packed weekend with Lucy.  Lucy et al didn't arrive til lunch time on the Saturday but the weather was lovely so we had an afternoon in Jamie's Park.  Later on I suggested a walk to the Millenium Green to feed the ducks and geese as I had a load of bread that was past it best!  We all had a lovely walk around the lake and had a laugh at being chased by the geese.  Then we walked back to the park next to the green.  Jamie and Lucy made loads of new friends who were also playing in the park and we all stayed out past 7 o'clock as the sun was glorious.

Once we got back we had a chinese takeaway and tried to watch the first episode of Dr Who, but we were all shattered and it was an early night for all.

Sunday we were up early and off to a car boot; which auntie Chrissie always loves for the bargains, and Jamie and Lucy love as there is a little park there.  It was really hot as we walked round, but I got a few more DVD's for Jamie - Dangermouse and Jamie and the Magic Torch - as well as a few Halloween goodies.

After a quick stop for a cuppa we went to see Nanna.  It was lovely to see her, as she was so much better than the last time we went, and I got some lovely group photos.  We took (and made) her a very tasty chicken dinner, and all had a lovely afternoon in her garden playing Butthead.   Lucy and Jamie hardly fell out at all.  There were just a few pushing incidents.  I think Jamie's daddy got most of the bruises though when everybody decided it would be a good idea to use him as a bouncy castle!

The weekend may have started later than usual, but it went on til late Sunday night as on the way back from Nannas we visited Dr Who's Tardis.  Then when we got back to our house Dean got the water bombs out and everyone had a great time getting very wet and collecting even more bruises!!

Can't wait for Butlins in 4 weeks....