Odd one out

 

You would think because my youngest boys are twins they would never be short of a friend.  Which in a way is true, but most of the time they prefer the company of friends from school.  This would be fine if it were not for the fact that both boys have developed friendships which include two other boys and the twins each seem to be the "third" friend in each the relationship.

I remember this type of friendship well from my own schooldays.  It would always end with one person not included in one way or another, usually with the "popular" child moving between the other two as they saw fit.  Arguments, jealousies and fall outs were common.

This week I have had to try to answer questions from both boys asking why they never get invited to their "friends" homes when the other boys see each other for tea after school, sleepovers and day trips out.

I try to answer best I can but am finding it increasingly difficult to explain to them why this might be happening.  I don't want to hurt their feelings and it breaks my heart to see them cry because they don't understand.

Today after another particularly upsetting episode where  one twin stood outside his friends house shouting his name because where he knew the two other boys had a play date, I angrily called him away.  I was embarrassed.

  Like many people I suppose I am insecure myself and try hard to be a nice person although I am well aware I can be curt and sharp with people at times.  I want my boys to be liked and it breaks my heart to think they are not wanted as friends.  So  I told them that actually it was probably me their mummies didn't like and not them at all.

"Well you need to get a pretty face then and then our friends will like us best".

No answer to that really.

Any advice would be really appreciated.

Time to say goodbye

Someone once told me, in business you had to know when to call it a day.

That day has come.

It's been brewing away at the back of my mind for sometime.  I have tried so hard to maintain two small businesses online, alongside a new venture at The Vintage Trading Company in Exeter, selling at various Vintage fairs and a regular slot with a group in Topsham each week.  Not to mention all the social media involved, etsy and ebay.....

and what about my home and my family ?

They have certainly suffered from me being time poor.

In recent days, weeks and months I have read with a heavy heart on twitter and facebook about tragedy affecting wonderful families whilst I have taken mine for granted. 

Tomorrow, I'll get the lego out with them.  Tomorrow,

I'll build the den out of quilts.  Tomorrow,

I'll make a big mess in the kitchen with them.  Tomorrow,

I'll go puddle jumping again.  Tomorrow.

Tomorrow has arrived.

Goodbye All About The Boys  .  It's been a blast, you gave me the courage to start my own business.  You gave me a good living in the early days but now like a long overdue love that's been lost, it's time to say goodbye.

All stock on the website is available for sale.  All reasonable offers will be considered.

I am not closing this blog but will use it as it should be used.  To document my life and my true loves

My Boys.  Nigel, Jacob, Milo and Jarvis.

I love you all so much.

I'm back !

Go get that football...........

" Can we have a dog ? "

Going back to Christmas 3 years ago, all the presents are open, paper strewn, happy faces all around.

Jarvis starts to cry.

"What's the matter sweetie ? "

"I didn't get my dog mummy, I asked Father Christmas for a dog, I promised to be a good boy and he didn't bring me one "

Floods of tears.

oh dear !  Explanations given and the excuses began

 and have continued ever since. We can't have a dog because .......


Fast forward to this weekend.


Norman came to stay....

I might be starting to waver.

Do you believe in Luck ?

Do you think people make their own luck, are born lucky or unlucky ?

The more I type the word the more jumbled up it appears.  Is that what luck is just a jumble of letters.

I saw this sign at a recent vintage fair and bought it with a breezy comment to the seller that hopefully it might change things for us.

It doesn't appear to be working.

Nice picture though.

Its Raining, its pouring ! Thank heaven for Joules Wellies

Perfect timing (do they have secret access to the weather forecasts ) ?  We were recently contacted and asked if we would like to review a pair of Joules wellies.  Absolutely! 

Milo (the biggest twin)  is usually the one who has clothes, wellies etc from new and Jarvis wears his hand me downs.  As we try to buy the best brands we can afford either second hand or by canny bidding on auction sites,they always last well to pass down and eventually resell.  Joules is no exception.  The quality of their products is second to none.

I thought it was about time Jarvis got to have a brand new pair of wellies for a change and of course he choose the Shark ones!

 

These hardy, colourful wellies are perfect for the most enthusiastic puddle jumper.  Sure to be a firm favourite.   You can buy them from Joules online or instore now.

How thrilled was Jarvis to wake up the day after we received the wellies to find it had been raining overnight and he could wear them to school.

Off we go.

We received a pair of Joules wellies for the purpose of this review.  Only our opinions are expressed.