May, the month of two bank holidays, is nearly over and looking back now we seem to have packed quite a lot in. We’ve had a few busy but fun weekends – including this last one where we visited the Geronimo children’s festival in Cheshire – and a lot of driving across the Pennines as our house move grows nearer and our plans become firmer and more real.
In the middle of the month we sold our house and had an offer accepted on another in the same day, and I think it’s still only just sinking in now that it’s really going to happen. I’m doing my usual thing of keeping myself so busy I don’t have time to question it too much, and when I do I just imagine what Roger would say about it if he were here. I know he’d say don’t overthink it, it’s the right thing for you and just go for it. He wasn’t one for too much fussing or worrying and in a month where there have been plenty of downs as well as ups, trying to think more like he would has been a bit of a saving grace.
I’m over in Yorkshire as I write this and much as I love the Wirral, I do feel at home here and I know it’s a place where we can all be happy. I’m not hoping for miracles, just a little bit more stability, support and positivity. I think we’ll all benefit from having something to take our minds off our sadness and give us a new focus for a while.
Sam has been quite emotional this month and that has meant I have been too; I’ve turned to reading any parenting book I can get my hands on to try to find the answer, even though I decided about six years ago there probably wasn’t one when it comes to kids! I know it must be so hard on him to just have his mum left as a parent, especially at times when I’m feeling down and he sees me shed a tear over missing his dad.
After a few difficult weeks I thought I’d go back a step and re-read some of the children’s books I bought about bereavement about this time last year. I’d built up a bit of a tolerance to them after regular readings – Always and Forever in particular used to make me cry right from the very first page – but that lump in my throat has definitely been there when I’ve been reading them again this week. I was so proud of Sam though when he looked at me crying, hugged me and said even though dad’s not here we still have each other. He may be testing me emotionally but he’s still an absolute sweetheart!
So back to the fun part of our month – we went to a family-friendly rave last week which was amazing, and Geronimo this weekend. I think each of these photos was taken by a different person at the festival, as I knew I needed a decent photo of the three of us and the kids’ could only tolerate two or three snaps at a time. I think the one I like best is the selfie I took with my digital camera just before we left. It was right after we came out of a pink double-decker My Little Pony bus, and Flo had had the pony treatment with a Rainbow Dash symbol painted on her little cheek.
This girl loves face paints and was so happy with her cute little rainbow sign, I know she’s not even three but she is just such a girly girl – anything pink, glittery or doll-like and she’s there. I had to stifle a laugh when we queued up for a glitter tattoo only to be told they weren’t doing any more, and she stamped her foot and said ‘I need glitter!’ in full diva-ish fashion. Don’t we all need a bit of glitter, hey?
So that was our May. Today is my dad’s birthday and hopefully we’ll be going out for lunch somewhere to celebrate. I hope someone brings the glitter…
x Julia
This post is linked up with the Me and Mine project – hosted by Dear Beautiful, Bump to Baby, Capture By Lucy, Let’s Talk Mommy, Mummy Daddy Me and Tigerlilly Quinn – where you take a photograph a month of your family all together.
15 Comments
Natalie
May 31, 2016 at 6:21 amGeronimo sounds fun I keep thinking of taking my girls to a little festival. Sounds like a busy and emotional month and I think the next few will be similar busy, emotional and trying to adapt to change but it will all be worth it.
Remember how lovely it will be when you can just pop to your Mums for a gab or your sisters for a cuppa. Good luck lovely xx
Natalie recently posted…My Tiny Dancer
lucy dearbeautiful
May 31, 2016 at 1:35 pmIt sounds like you’ve had an action packed month, physically and emotionally. I hope that the move goes smoothly and will give you the stability that you want, for all of you.
And these photos… just gorgeous. So full of fun and love, it looks like you had a great day. x
lucy dearbeautiful recently posted…the me and mine project {may}
Mary Smith
May 31, 2016 at 2:47 pmLovely pictures and love your yellow shirt! Gorgeous!
Congratulations on the house sitch – are you guys moving to Yorkshire then? It is known as Gods own country lol, I love it here!
Sorry to hear that Sam is struggling, its such a hard thing you have all been through and I hope you can continue to support him in his grief as you deal with your own. Its a hard task. He will always miss his Dad and you are a fabulous mother, but he will have that gap wont he? x
Mary Smith recently posted…Our Family May 2016
jenny
May 31, 2016 at 7:29 pmThese photos so beautiful so full of love and happiness. Good luck on the move. Sometimes a move is just what everyone needs and hopefully so much more for you all too. #meandmineproject
Katy (What Katy Said)
May 31, 2016 at 7:42 pmAh Julia, so wish I had spotted you at the festival – these are such lovely shots from the day. I am sorry to hear Sam has had a bad month, he sounds like an absolute doll. I hope the next few weeks of house moving go well – such a stressful time!! #MeandMineProject
Katy (What Katy Said) recently posted…Me & Mine: May
LauraCYMFT
May 31, 2016 at 8:45 pmThese are lovely photos. Good luck with the house move!
Katie Roberts-Mason
May 31, 2016 at 8:54 pmWhat beautiful, happy pictures! Exciting news about your house too1 xx
Katie Roberts-Mason recently posted…Me and mine: May 2016
Carie
May 31, 2016 at 9:13 pmThere’s no such thing as too much glitter – good for Flo, she looks fabulous with a rainbow dash! And yay for your house selling, bittersweet though it must be, I suspect it would be a harder move if it were taking longer. All in all it sounds like a busy month and I hope everything continues to go smoothly with the return to Yorkshire 🙂
Carie recently posted…Me and Mine 2016: May
RachelSwirl
June 1, 2016 at 12:08 amI have a tear in my eye even considering your situation, wow you are such a brave and wonderful woman, an amazing Mum too xxx
RachelSwirl recently posted…#TopTipTuesday – May 31st 2016
Mackenzie Glanville
June 1, 2016 at 1:24 amHappy birthday to your dad! And congrats on the new home. It must be such a mix of emotions for you. Sam is such a sweetie, sending loads of good wishes your way beautiful xx
Mackenzie Glanville recently posted…I already know what it feels like to give up . . . . #mg
Sue
June 1, 2016 at 4:22 pmI’m so glad your house has sold quickly, no more people traipsing in and out for viewings and the constant tidy up before hand. I hope everything housey continues to run smoothly and allows you to get home to your extended loving and supportive family. Good luck.
Heledd _ Running in Lavender
June 1, 2016 at 8:29 pmOh wow sounds and looks like you had the most amazing time at Geronimo, I love the rainbow on Flo’s face. All the best on your big move/ new family adventure, it’ll be so great for you to be near your parents and sister. Love this post, it’s so lovely to see you all look happy. #MeandMine
Notmyyearoff
June 4, 2016 at 2:49 pmWhat an amazing boy you have. i hope the move goes really smoothly and it’s so lovely that it already feels like you belong in what will be your new home x
Notmyyearoff recently posted…Half term and when I met Darth Vader
Steph
June 9, 2016 at 2:19 pmI’m sorry to hear that Sam has been struggling lately. Brought a tear to my eye though what he said to you – he’s a wise lad for his years. Sending a big squeeze to you all! I have that top from H&M too – it’s actually in my Me and Mine photo haha!! Glad you had a good time at Geronimo xx
Sarah Christie
June 10, 2016 at 8:49 pmHa ha I need glitter, thats so funny. The move seems such a positive thing for you Julia, I hope it all goes through smoothly and you can all settle and make some new and lovely memories x
Sarah Christie recently posted…Being Part of Living History At Guedelon Castle, France