Having boldly declared ‘the blog is back’ I have struggled to maintain my energy, inspiration and creative mojo! Smiling flower has had a dreadful virus which pinned her to the sofa for 10 days – she literally wouldn’t stand up or walk. It was a worrying time. … Read More

Are you one of those people who taps their pen whilst deep in thought, or do you twirl your hair whilst daydreaming? Do you doodle, bite your nails, or ever jump up and down to focus yourself before a big moment? If you do – you stim. … Read More

I recently read an article in the Guardian about what it’s like to grow up with a disabled sibling. It was a sobering read with children testifying about the pressures and the way they felt they missed out on attention. There was no bitterness – just an acceptance ‘that’s the way it is’. … Read More

I would love to be able to dance. But I can’t dance. You could say, I don’t have a dancing bone in my body. Around 5 or 6 years old, I went to ballet and remember being more interested in pressing the buttons on the tape recorder than balancing on one leg in my tutu. … Read More

So we have moved, entirely relocated actually, just west of Derby. It has been a mad few months. There haven’t been any blog posts. I am hoping that will change. I need to write. I need to get back to expressing into cyber space (and your head if you are reading this). … Read More

Astrophysicist Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson was asked in an interview with TIME magazine, “What is the most astounding fact you can share with us about the universe?” His answer is three minutes long and well worth a watch. Click here to do so before reading on:

The most astounding fact…. Read More

There is a new little boy in the world. He is something of a surprise. He is Smiling Flower’s brother. He came 6½ weeks early. Maybe he was keen to meet her. Like Smiling Flower, he is spending his first few days in the neonatal unit, being fed with a naso-gastric tube. Like Smiling Flower he is also defying all expectations – he was off the CPAP ventilator after 24 hours. … Read More

Disability Living Allowance (otherwise known as the form needing Dastardly Lengthy Answers) has been revisiting our household. We filled in our first form when Smiling Flower was three months old. Now she is two we are being reassessed. The form is HUGE! … Read More

‘A child without discipline is, in a way, a lost child. You cannot have freedom without discipline.’

Ricardo Montalban (Mexican Actor)

A few weeks ago, Smiling Flower turned the magical age of two. She had a horrible virus so, sadly, the event passed somewhat unmarked.

However, it is now official: we are entering the era of the ‘terrible twos.’  What will this mean for us?… Read More

Someone once said you shouldn’t have more children than you have car windows.  I find this highly surprising. Most cars have 6 windows, 7 if you include a sunroof. I firmly believe you should try to avoid being outnumbered by your children and more than two takes the challenge to a whole new level! This year, Pete and I decided to try and make a decision – twist or stick as the card game goes…… Read More