Raw

Some days take a whole lot more energy than others. Some days you can be packing the car up to leave and then be presented with a Pippin, 2, who has, at the last minute jumped in the paddling pool fully clothed and then you realise that Pumpkin, 8, has no socks on and because you have mentioned socks, pippin now wants some too even though she doesn't need them.

Sometimes one child can change their mind about doing an activity, because we are all tired and it is hot, and then the other is upset because they want to do gymnastics but they don't want to do it without their brother. Then pumpkin spends an hour crying on the floor in the lesuire centre because he is disappointed and angry and really wants to go home but plum, 5, is still in the class and you have arranged to collect lego cards from a friend (although this could have been reaaranged if we had gone home.)

Some days we manage to get to an HE meet so plum can see her friend and i did promise we would go to the park today. I bought ice creams for everyone so we were all happy with the suggestion. Then you sit and try to help plum and her friend find a game they are both happy to play whilst bean, 10, is throwing pine cones at pumpkin and upsetting him.

Fortunately my day was also full of HE mums who had encouraging and kind words to say and distracted the boys with dog walking. Fortunately i don't feel guilty about given them pizza for tea and everyone settled once we were home. Fortunately pippin went to sleep at 6pm leaving only three children to cater for. Fortunately i had a night out booked and went for a run. Fortunately we have a daddy who steps in to help when he is home. Fortunately tomorrow is a new day and His mercies are new every morning.