Sophie and Jessica walking in front of me, hand-in-hand with Sophie a little ahead of Jessica

Grief and life after Jessica: Overtaking

Today Sophie is 6 years, 7 months and 8 days old. The exact age that Jessica was on the day she died. Today Sophie is the same age that Jessica…

The finished flying saucer with an alien inside the capsule

Crafting with kids: paper plate flying saucer

Trips to space and aliens seem to feature strongly in the books that Sophie has been reading for her home learning recently. We thought it would be fun to do…

A picture of a blue dragonfly on a reed with the text "#366daysofgratitude 2020"

#366daysofgratitude 2020 – Week 21

At the start of 2016, inspired by a friend, I started a daily gratitude challenge – posting one thing that I was thankful for each day on Instagram. I enjoyed…

Sophie, me and hubby (holding Thomas) sitting on garden chairs in the "party tent" with Jessica's photo draped over Sophie's chair

Me and Mine – May 2020

We’ve spent every day together as a family for over ten weeks now. It’s by far the longest time the children have ever had with Daddy being around, and I’m…

Jessica standing in front of a tree looking out over a big branch - "Country Kids"

Country Kids 30/05/20

Welcome back to Country Kids. I hope that you are all keeping well and safe during this time. The weather has certainly been glorious over the last week or so,…

The word 'sunshine' with a sun above it

Friday Focus 29/05/20 – Making the most of the sunshine

We’ve been enjoying spending lots of time out in the garden making the most of the glorious sunshine this week. It’s been nice to sit out there with the laptop…

Sophie and Thomas playing together with a farm scene set up in the tuff tray

Outdoor learning and sensory play using the tuff tray

I bought our tuff tray a few years ago when the girls were very small. It’s been one of the most useful things I’ve bought for the children and has…

A picture of a blue dragonfly on a reed with the text "#366daysofgratitude 2020"

#366daysofgratitude 2020 – Week 20

At the start of 2016, inspired by a friend, I started a daily gratitude challenge – posting one thing that I was thankful for each day on Instagram. I enjoyed…

The word 'rollercoaster' with a cart travelling down the 'll'

Friday Focus 22/05/20 – Riding the emotional rollercoaster

It’s been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster of a week as it was the two-year anniversary of Jessica’s funeral on Monday. Both Sunday and Monday were very tough days…

Sophie and Thomas standing by their playhouse, with Jessica's photo blanket hanging down from the roof and bubbles coming from the bubble machine on top of it

Siblings – May 2020

This is the last siblings post where Sophie is still younger than Jessica and my three children are in age order. By this time next month, Sophie will be older…