Evan Is SEVEN.

The day has been on the horizon for a while now. I've been talking about it fairly obsessively to anyone who will listen. Not just because my little baby is all grown up, but because of the message I've drummed into my head since I was doing my teacher training over a decade ago. I have seen the milestone on 7 as one I'd the most important in a child's life, and subsequently, their parents. It is my belief, and that of many great thinkers that these formative years are the core nuts and bolts of who you are. What drives us, holds us back, how we cope with life, our resilience, our strength, how we love, how we shape and structure our thoughts and lives. Of course we will learn more, develop in many ways, grow in wisdom, strength and determination, but that which makes us who you we are, it is kind of set by this time. So it is with a fairly critical heart I look back on Evan's core years. Critical, not of him, but of my part in them. I continually ask myself, has he felt enough love? Have a loved him always unconditionally? Has he been offered the best environment to understand and follow a good moral code? Has his body and mind been satisfactorily nourished? Is he equipped to go forth and enjoy life and all its wonder? Hmm, I am inclined to think that the answer really has to be no, to all of them. Of course I haven't done all those things all of the time. I have, however had a good go at doing most of them as often as is possible in my reality. Does this mean disaster is going to strike my son once he reaches adulthood? No, of course not, but I do want to make him a promise that I will endeavour to be better every day, and support him in the myriad of ways he needs throughout our journey together.

So, to Evan, who is such a treasure and I love so much, I hope I've done enough.

Evan, I prioritise love, cuddles, reading books and play because I think this will help you grow and feel love, security.  Sometimes I don't show enough love in my actions and words.  I spend so much time with you, inevitably there are times when I don't do enough.  I hope that you feel and experience more love than you do other emotions from others.

I love watching you grow.  I cherish each time you make a leap in your development, though tinged with a bit of saddness because I have to say goodbye to the younger you. You are 7, half of 14, a third of 21.  My goodness how it flies by.  I am so grateful I get to be with you and share in the excitement and joy of your life, and help you through the tough times with as much understanding as I can manage.

I wish you comfort, and joy, excitement, learning and growth. Let's have fun every day ahead.

Much love Mummy xxxxxxxxx

Happy Birthday Evan

Boggarts Are Us

On one of the lovely days this week when my mum visited, we popped off to longshaw for a spot of outdoor time. Evan and I got stuck into dam building by redirecting the flow of the river. Whilst autumn explored with Momo the wonders around her in all its minutiae glory with the mini microscope.

Our Mini Forest School

We seem to have staked a claim on the spot in the woods behind our house. We have a 'making' tree, for our creative projects, and are looking at developing a seating area, inspired by the brilliant forest playgroup we've been going to. This afternoon we made a scaredy caterpillar of enormous proportions, a smiley face, a mini den, and a downhill slide complete with flags like in the downhill skiing! We attempted a large den, but the surrounding trees were not great at facilitating this, so we decided to do this elsewhere. The sun was shining, it was quite warm, and plenty of birds were singing. I feel so much gratitude for this wonderful afternoon, and all the wonderful things that have happened to make it so carefree, easy and so scrumptious with my very amazing children. On returning home we let the guinea pigs have a play outside whilst autumn enjoyed the swing.