Darcy's Princess Party!

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Prepare yourself for a very photo heavy post (aka the very best kind) because at last I have selected the Birthday Party photographs I'd like to share on the blog. I'm excited. Thankfully on the day my friend Zoe drove up and if there's one person I trust with a camera- it's her! I had so so many to choose from but narrowed it down to this small selection. I plan on printing these, and the ones I didn't share, and displaying them all in an album for Darcy to flick through and enjoy whenever she fancies it.

There were a lorra lorra littles at her party but I'm reluctant to post pictures of other people's children because I know how upsetting that can be if you've not been asked or have specifically said you're not OK with it. So, some of these shots might look a bit like it was just me, Darcy and one or two kiddos (the ones who's Mama's I have permission from) but I promise, it was chaos, haha!  

As part of Darcy's party package she had time playing with all her friends in the soft play zone and then time in the Princess Room. Here she is hanging out (literally) with her friend 'Harby'. Harby and Scarlet are twins and she absolutely loves them. Lucky for me, I rather love their Mummy so it's playdates all round!!

Two beauties. I was so happy that Zoe made the trip up to see us and share Darcy's big day with her. She's been there since the beginning and will be there to the end. 

Below is Darcy having a little Marilyn moment on the toy that blows balls into the air. Slightly blurry shot but I'm just in love with that little face she's pulling. Pure mischief. 

All the excitement of soft play aside, we skipped off to the Princess Room and entered an enchanting world of party food on cake stands atop mushroom tables, tiny speckled stools for the littles to sit on and gorgeous murals all over the walls. It was beautiful. Everything a little girl would want in a party I think. I wished so much that my Mother could be there to see it, I know she would have loved every detail. 

Also in the room were rails upon rails of absolutely gorgeous dresses (and knight-wear for the few boys we had) for the girls to try on. There were staff on hand to help anyone that needed it and they could try on as many as they fancied- Darcy went through about three different selections! <3

Even adults need to try on a tiara here and there, yanno? 

Just secretly wishing my wardrobe at home looked this whimsical. 

My Knight, Dad, ha. I'm so grateful to have had my Dad be such a huge part of my life. He's been so wonderful offering so much help, advice and support these last few months and in the face of real struggle, he's there to soothe. I'm so glad Darcy has him too.

When you're this gorgeous a Princess, everyone wants a snap!!

Available to the children was a glitter tattoo artist which a lot of them loved! If I'd have had time I probably would have asked for some pretty designs too!

Ever seen a grown man with a tiara being attacked by a bunch of unicorn waving five year olds? Now you have!! Quite the action shot there!!

These woman, ooof I love them! You might be interested to know (I always am when I see people that heavily pregnant!), 3 days later, Clare gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Awww!

As promised last week, more pictures of the cake of princessy dreams!

This is the incredible cake I ordered Darcy. Two tiers of angel sponge, pastel icing with edible glitter and a custom made 'Darcy' figure. In yellow icing it said, 'Happy 5th Birthday Darcy'. I hope to order her a special cake every year.

And there we have it, a small selection of some of the gorgeous snaps from Darcy's 5th Birthday Party. I don't know how we'll top next year because this was so great! If anyone is local to me (Northamptonshire, UK), the event was held at The Hub and the caked was from Gardners Bakery in Kingsthorpe. 

Until next year, that's the last of the Darcy birthday posts but don't worry, it's mine in a couple of weeks so if cake and celebrations are your thing- stick around!!

Toodlepip!

xx 

Motivational Monday || S3P1 || Confidence

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Many moons ago I had a feature on this blog called, 'Motivational Monday'. Do you remember it? I would find nice quotes or typography, feature them and write a little about how they had effected me, my thoughts on them or how we could incorporate them into our week.

I ran two series of that feature for a great many weeks and then when my life chaos took over, I stopped the feature. Well, life has settled and guess what? It's back! Series three. Hello friend. So, without further ado, here is series three, post one (S3P1 in the title there) and today we're focusing on confidence.

(Source)

I was at the health club (my fancy name for 'gym') with a friend last week and she said, 'Do you ever have moments where you don't feel fat and you forget about it and you just feel nice?'. I thought about it for a second and I replied, 'Always. The majority of the time I feel that way. I feel lovely', and she was surprised. Not because she thinks I'm a great fatty beast that couldn't ever feel good (I hope not anyway haha) but because she doesn't feel nice very often. It made me sad. 

Your body is only a body. It is flesh and blood and bones and gunk. Nobody will ever hate your body as much as you do and yet chances are, you think bad things about it on the regular. I bet as you read this you could instantly list three things you dislike about yourself. How quickly could you list three you love? How often do you look in the mirror and think, 'urgh my xyz looks too short/tall/fat/skinny/lumpy/flubby?'. A lot I bet. I do too. 

When I have those moments, those sad little moments where I'm so cruel, I remind myself that nobody cares, only me. Only I really think my tummy is disgusting. Why am I doing that? Why am I walking around telling my own self that I am unpleasant? It's a tummy. It's flesh. It's above my legs and below my boobs and nobody except me gives a hoot. And yet, I continue to be so demeaning. To myself. For no productive purpose. Breaking it down like that makes it seem like a really pointless thing to do. All I achieve is low self confidence and poor mental health. 

So, what if every time you point out (verbally or silently in your mind) something you dislike, you encourage yourself to point out something beautiful? I've been doing this for a while and I promise you, it makes a difference. You confidence is boosted, your burden is lightened and you start to realise you are fine, lovely in fact! There is nothing wrong with you. There is nothing disgusting about you. Your body is only a body. It is unique and perfect as it is. 

My advice to you this week, if you don't mind me offering it, is to try the 2-1 trick. If you think a bad thing about your body, note 2 good things as well. Drown out that negative little voice with a big positive one because nobody made any rules on what is beautiful so if you decide you are, then you just are. 

I'd love to hear from you what you do to help boost your self confidence and if you'd like to see more of this feature. I hope it reads ok as well, I'm helping my friend look after her newborn Daughter so I have to admit, I'm a little distracted!! 

Good luck with feeling gorgeous, you don't really need it though- you already are!

Toodlepip!

xx

Motherhood at 5

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Earlier this month, my tiny baby turned five. An entire five years of living. Half a decade. 

When I look back, 5 years feels like nothing but also a lifetime. So much has changed. 

Over her birthday I thought about the day(s) I was in hospital bringing her into the world, the hopes I had for her future and the things I learnt during that time. I found delivering Darcy the hardest thing I've ever done. No ifs or buts, child birth and the postpartum recovery can be very rough. I think about it every year and feel little pangs of panic and trauma but each year she gets older, it feels a bit easier. This was the first year I felt really unsupported in those feelings but I know in time I will grow and strengthen and they won't feel so painful. Life is funny isn't it? You have to do the hardest thing you can ever imagine to get the best thing you can ever imagine. She is the best. 

(Thank you so much to my friend Zoe for taking these pictures. I plan on printing some for the house)

Watching Darcy enjoy her day and feel so special was magical. This is a beautiful age. I love that we can talk about fairly deep things, I love the way her mind ticks over and mostly, I love that I can feel our bond deepening. I'll always be her Mother and I'll always love her but honestly, I adore this child. I know we'll be friends when she's an adult. We have similar personalities and I feel like very often I can understand her emotions and thought processes not just because I'm her Mummy and care giver, but because my mind works the same way too. I just get her. 

When she was born I optimistically hoped that our life would be that of the classic family and we'd all eat croissants in bed on a Sunday morning and laugh over dinner each night (and yanno, other non food based activities haha) and all be merry and bright. As you know, life didn't pan out that way and we are now a team of two, Darcy and Louise, on life's big adventure. 

I thought that as I went from parenting team to solo Mama that I would flounder. I thought I would fall short and not be able to give the nourishment that is required. A lot can change in a year. I feel like this has been my best year of Motherhood and that I've truly found my footing with it. When I walk past the Yummy Mummy's at the school gates, I don't feel inferior or like I'm pretending to do an OK job, I feel equal. I am doing a good job. 

(The gorgeous dress Darcy wore for her birthday was from Mothercare and these gifts are from Alfie and Zoe)

I always knew I would love being Darcy's Mother but I didn't always know I would love Motherhood. Does that make any sense? You can love so much to care for your own child but sometimes the role of Motherhood can be a title you don't want to take. It bands you in this big club of navy and white striped tops, sensible handbags with enough space for a bento box, endless chats about who's had what sniffle when and the constant arranging of meet ups at garish soft play centres. For a while I mocked this elite group and steered as far away from it as possible. And then, something changed. 

(Sneak peak of the incredible cake I ordered from the cutest bakery near my house. I'm obsessed with the colours, the glitter, the details. I'll upload the photos of her party soon and show you it more!)

(This is definitely being printed, framed and hung somewhere)

I realised life in the group is better. Motherhood is a privilege. Being with other Mother's is a joy. Their children play with your children, social development heightens, your calendar is filled, your happy memories are plentiful. Darcy loves all the fun we have with her little friends. We go to farms, have parties, have friends over for dinner, go swimming, play in the park and more. She does all these things with children her own age and you hear nothing but giggles and chatting and sweetness. 

For me too, Motherhood has been a saviour. It has been support and kindness and inspiration and motivation. I even have a penchant for a navy and white striped tee. What can I say? They're stylish AND practical haha. 

I made Darcy but Darcy has been the making of me. She has taught me a new kind of love and allowed me to find a new kind of strength. I walk with my head high and my heart full and one day when she's big enough, I will tell her how she made my life complete. 

For now though, she is five and I will let he be that. 

Happy Birthday Darcy, my sweet baby girl. 

Toodlepip!

xx