The week that was #10

Another week has flown by and I'm one step closer to having a break and I could really do with it. Things have been quite full on with work and anyone with an almost two year old knows just how demanding it is when you're at home, to keep them busy, get what they need and make sure everyone is happy.

That being said, I am having so much fun with Ethan at the moment. We can have pretty good conversations now, even if hubs and I are the only ones to understand everything he says, and I've been making a real effort to spend more time with Ethan and to do more things.

Although it does break my heart a little when he plays peekaboo from behind my laptop.

DOING Aside from work, it's been a busy week for us with places to go, things to arrange and a few bits and pieces to buy for home, for Ethan and for me too (hurray!).

On my swapped day off on Thursday, we popped into town so I could pick up some prescription sunnies and while we waited, we went to Starbucks. I had a maple macchiato, Ethan a babychino (too cute). 

I also picked up a new notebook and pen (oooo, exciting I hear you gasp) and finally ordered the denim Cath Kidston dress I've had my eye on for what feels like forever. 

God, I love pay day.

You can see from our silly faces below, we have been having a lot of fun together this week.

On Saturday, we started the day with a trip to the Sea Life Centre at Brindley Place, Birmingham, to see their new attraction, Sea Stars. Ethan has been a couple of times before but he's of the age that he doesn't remember or care - he just loves going out and about, especially if animals are involved.

We had a really nice time, picked up another photo for the family album and I'll be sharing more about our Sea Life adventure later this week.

We'd worked up an appetite but it was still too early for lunch so we popped to a new Ed's Diner across from the Sea Life Centre for a late breakfast.

Hmm, what to have?

I had French Toast, hubs and Ethan has a full breakfast. And a couple of shakes too. Ethan's, straight up. Stephen's, with peanut butter.

Once our bellies were full, we decided it was time for little man's hair to have a trim. He's still got really fine hair and his hairline is only just growing through, but the mop on top was getting pretty long.

Ethan was happy about his third trip to the barber and behaved brilliantly.

And all the excitement of the day took it's toll. He fell asleep, on my lap, falling gently backwards whilst watching Mickey Mouse. I've never seen him do that before, but he hadn't really napped all day so it was clearly overdue.

EATING For most of last week, I barely stepped foot in the kitchen. I just felt particularly lazy and having had this annoying cough for ages now, along with feeling quite rotten at times, I just really couldn't find the energy to do much in the evenings.

On Thursday, I took my boys to Ask. I had a voucher from Mother's Day to use and the traffic in town was crazy so we stopped to have dinner once I'd picked Ethan up.

Ethan loves to colour every time we go out for a meal and the staff are always so friendly.

We had three courses, Ethan included, me finishing off his dessert rather than having my own, and it was lovely. Just as well, as we are going back Easter Sunday with the family!

At home, I finally got my butt into gear and planned a good Asda shop, with lots of good things and a few different recipes planned.

On Saturday night, I made a chicken and bulgar wheat warm salad. Loosely based on a Jamie recipe, I really went to town with this, adding all kinds of things that we had to hand. The general base was grilled chicken and bulgar wheat with tenderstem broccoli, lemon and feta. But I wanted to get creative and use a few things up, plus bulk up the dish to make it more substantial for hubs too. So, I also added chia seeds, sunflower seeds, radishes, cucumber and griddled green beans and baby courgettes.

And it was de-lish.

WEARING I'm pretty happy with my wardrobe at the moment, and with my kinda accidental weight loss. I've been trying to be good and add good things into my diet regularly but I also haven't deprived myself either. All that being said, I'm over a stone lighter than I was before I was pregnant so I'm really pleased and I know that I can lose a little more, particularly as I'm going to try and actually do something active.

Anyway, back to the clothes! These are two new CK purchases, both midi length which makes them great for spring to summer and will cover up the worst of the psoriasis on my legs so at least I can leave the tights behind occasionally.

PLANNING I've been dreaming about going back to Aqua Sana Spa at Center Parcs ever since I left following my last visit and a friend and I are booking a day there for the end of May. It's such an amazing experience and we're going to make the most of our spa escape. I can't wait.

THE HOUSE As well as our big spring clean which started last weekend, as you may have seen in my post on Tuesday, we are giving our bedroom a mini makeover. Nothing drastic, but a few new touches to make it feel a bit cosier and a bit more 'together'. We should get everything done next weekend so I'll be sharing soon.

We are also planning to create a dedicated space in our garden for Ethan. It's more about putting together his new playhouse and slide (for his birthday), turtle sandpit and swing on one side of the garden and defining this space as his rather than anything drastic but it'll help make our garden feel ordered and give Ethan a space to play in the near future. 

Another task for Easter weekend. Here's hoping the weather is on our side!