This week has seen the start of Lent and with it the beginning of my 40acts challenge – 40 acts of generosity across the 40 days of Lent. It’s a challenge I took part in last year and enjoyed and resulted in me starting this blog so I’m quite looking forward to seeing where this year’s journey will lead.
I’ve also given up coffee for Lent and have to admit it has been somewhat challenging so far! Not quite sure how I’m going to manage without it until Easter, especially with hubby going away next week for two weeks but I’m determined to give it a go!
We’ve had a lovely half-term week overall – Jessica seems much less tired as a result of the half-term break and both girls have enjoyed having Auntie Fizz and cousins Ebony and Erin come to stay for a couple of days at the beginning of the week.
Out and About:
Unusually given that the four cousins have been together, we have not really been out at all this week, apart from going to church and toddler signing. It was unfortunate that the days when the weather was particularly nice were those when anticipated deliveries and various other reasons meant we were stuck at home.
Fun at home:
Being at home though has meant we have been having fun ‘making’. Jessica enjoyed making lolly-stick animals last weekend and then when the cousins were here, we covered the table completely in lining paper and all four girls had a wonderful time painting and covering the lining paper in handprints. We also had an afternoon making cards together. Jessica and Sophie have also been enjoying dressing up as fairy princesses and trying to make magic with their wands.
Time for me:
I had a mammoth spring cleaning session last weekend whilst hubby looked after the girls all day – not usually the kind of ‘me time’ I like but once I get focused on sorting out, it’s good to have the uninterrupted time to keep going and focus. Clearing out the spare room for my sister and nieces to stay was quite a mammoth task as you can see from the photo but it’s so good to have it tidy again!
On the blog:
I’ve shared two more heart month awareness posts on the blog this week from Adventures from the Heart and Heart Mummy and have another two planned for next week.
I also have a giveaway running at the moment for Linea Mini Reed Diffusers which runs until 5th March.
My blog high this week though was definitely seeing my latest Tots100 ranking and discovering that my blog is now in the top 250 and I have a number on my badge! Thank you to all my lovely readers for helping get me there.
My happiest moment:
Sitting chatting with my twin sister and laughing until we cried whilst our four girls were playing happily together.
Next week I would like to:
Get through it without coffee and without pulling my hair out as I’ll be flying solo once again.
Wow hon you have been busy! Those before and after photos of the room you cleared are amazing, well done on such an achievement. Best of luck with giving up coffee, sounds like you’re on your way. I tried twice last year, but didn’t last longer than a couple of months, I just love the stuff too much… #PoCoLo
Thank you – I love coffee too and am finding it a bit of a struggle without but am determined to get through Lent without it! 🙂
Sounds like a lovely week was had spending quality time with your Sister and Nieces.
And well done on your tidying mission! you certainly got stuck in according to your pics!.
Have a great Weekend Hon 🙂 x
Thank you – hope you have a lovely weekend too 🙂
I’ve almost forgotten about Lent! To think that I’m Catholic 😉 … I’ll have to think about what to give-up this Lent. I like the idea of doing acts of kindness 🙂 #wotw.
Lol – good luck with whatever you decide to give up – the 40acts challenge is a nice alternative 🙂
Oh gosh what a very busy week you’ve had indeed. Hmmm I’ve never done lent before and I’m definitely thinking about taking the plunge next year. Fingers crossed I remember to join in next year. I hope next week will go smoothly for you.xx
Thank you 🙂
Busy bee! Well done on the Tots ranking, and having a good old spring clean, too – looks like hard work! Best of luvk for Lent, thanks for sharing with #WotW x
Thanks Jocelyn, lovely to link up again 🙂
Oh good luck with giving up coffee for lent! I hope it gets easier for you!
Well done you on #227 =)
Looks like you have had a busy week! I love the lolly stick animals =)
Thank you Jenni 🙂
Ah Louise, what a brilliant challenge – I hadn’t come across it before – good luck! I can’t believe you are giving up coffee though, HOW??? Can you have pro-plus instead? 😉
Thanks Yvette – not quite sure how I’m going to get through without coffee! I guess I could have Pro-Plus but it kind of feels like cheating! Am allowing myself the occasional cup of tea instead though 🙂
Good luck with your challenge….It sounds interesting and the giving up coffee…..I don’t think I could manage that.
It sounds like you have had a great week! Well done on the tots score x
Thanks Kim – definitely finding giving up coffee a challenge so far! 🙂
I wish I had time to myself to sort the house out like that. It sounds like you have had a great week with your sister x
It’s been a good week – was so thankful that hubby gave me that space to have a good clear out.
Love the idea of your lent challenge, wish I had known about it earlier! Also good luck giving up on coffee, I really don’t think I could do that!x
Thank you – it’s starting to get a little easier on the coffee front! 🙂
Good work on the spare bedroom and good luck with giving up c-o-f-f-e-e x #wotw
Thank you Stephanie 🙂
Sending you lots of luck with the no coffee!! Although I do want to hire you to come and organise my house! It has been on my to do list long before Christmas and still In Process!
Thank you – good luck with getting organised for you too! 🙂
Good work on the spring cleaning Louise! I’m really pleased Jessica seems refreshed for having the half term break. Huge congrats on the Tots100 ranking 🙂 I hope next week goes ok xx
Thank you Jess – I hope so too! 🙂
Congratulations on your Tots100 ranking! Well done. It is very much deserved. 🙂
What a lovely week you’ve had. You’ve worked wonders in the spare room, what a transformation! I know what you mean about enjoying having a big stretch of time in which to start and finish something. I count it as my me time too. 🙂
Thank you Vickie – it is so satisfying to be able to get a job finished like that, isn’t it? 🙂
I cleared out our spare room at the weekend and it was so, so satisfying to seeing it look lovely/usable again!
Ah, it’s so frustrating when you get stuck in on the days when the weather’s nice isn’t it? It sounds like you made the most of it though.
Ohh, gonna pop over to your giveaway now.
Have a lovely week, Louise.
Thanks Jenna, hope you have a good week too 🙂
Wow, you’ve been busy, busy, busy!! But it is sometimes nice to just stay home & make things and for the children to play with their toys, esp after a busy school term.
I’m still in awe that you managed to revive your spare room in just one day-that’s focus for you!
#wotw
Thanks Tracey – it was very satisfying to get it tidy again! 🙂
Wow look at that room!!!! I love a good sort out!
Love the sound of the 40 acts of generosity too, I will look forward to seeing how you get on!
xx
Thank you Katy – am enjoying the challenge so far.