October is one of my most favoured months of the year. I love the glorious golden season and all the quirky events that take place during the autumn months. Here are some of the things that I have #LikedandLoved this October:
Halloween-themed Decor & Perfect Pumpkin Carving
As I had tested positive for COVID shortly before the half term, we spent the first few days of the holidays keeping ourselves entertained and occupied inside a little like lockdown to avoid unnecessarily spreading any further germs around the area. E was desperate to decorate for Halloween and although it’s technically only a twenty-four-hour event, I’d rather make the most of the decorations and thus opted to decorate a week or two early to appease my daughter’s pleas and to brighten the house up over the half-term holidays.
Having hung the bunting, hung the lights, and then placed and filled the various spooky decorations with LED candles we then moved on to designing and carving pumpkins. The kids did a great job of gutting and cutting but then, as always, Paul stepped in with his drill bits to complete the decor and I’d say the result is terrifically terrifying!
Spooky Series & Shows
At this time of the year, there’s nothing better than snuggling on the sofa as a family to enjoy watching a variety of spooky series and shows. This month we’ve enjoyed watching through the latest, and sadly the last, series of BBC Ghosts, Disney + Goosebumps, and E and I are currently in the midst of watching the Halloween special edition of Strictly Come Dancing.
Super Sonic Sparkle
It’s certainly been the month for oral hygiene – Following a trip to the dentist for Paul and I, we decided it was high time that we invested in new ‘pressure sensitive’ toothbrushes. It seems that now we’ve hit our forties, every man and his dog wishes to scare us warn us against particular medical and health issues including receding gums. To avoid such problems it seems money is always the answer and either I’ve been scammed or I’ve hopefully reduced the chance of my gums packing their bags and leaving me entirely.
J was released from his dreaded braces back in the spring and since then he’s been wearing a retainer each and every night. As you can imagine, it’s not the easiest of things to clean and after watching a TikTok or two advertising sonic baths I decided that too may be worth the investment. Following its arrival, J couldn’t be happier with his little sonic cleaning kit as it takes a minimal amount of effort and time (literally minutes) to clean and sort his retainers.
Shoes Glorious Shoes
I’ve been meaning to replace my beloved four-year-old Skechers ever since we returned from our trip to Florida as I’d quite literally walked the souls from my shoes walking around Disney and Universal. As always, the kids came first as they too needed shoes (despite me buying them new trainers less than twelve months ago) and so I found myself ordering not one, but three pairs of brand new Skechers for J, E, and I.
We’ve tried other trainers over the years and whilst Skechers are rather pricey they are the only shoes that seem wide enough and comfortable enough to accommodate our feet.
Clearing The Clutter Stacey Style
Having watched one too many episodes of Stacey Solomon’s ‘Sort Your Life Out’, I caught the cleaning bug and spent half of the half-term holidays cleaning and clearing clutter from various cupboards, nooks, and crannies around the house. Though I’m yet to tackle the attic (shudder) I’ve managed to clear so much space and I’ve now accumulated a rather large pile of games, clothes, shoes, DVDs, and nick-nacks for charity.
I’ve got to say, it felt so good to get rid of the stuff we didn’t need and to open my drawers and cupboards and to see them all neatly organised and arranged.
Bike Rides & Board Games
There’s nothing quite like sitting down to play a good old board game, either that or to get on your bike and grab some fresh air. We’ve made the most of the autumn sunshine whilst we could and have enjoyed bike rides, trips to the park, and walks around the local area. We’ve also cosied up and spent time together as a family playing games and having fun.
Marvellous Music
E is such an artistic and musical little soul. I was delighted to be told that she’d won the ‘Music award’ during her final week before the half-term and boy, does she deserve it. E’s been busy learning to sing a list of songs ready for her trip to Manchester where she will sing on stage at the AO Arena alongside thousands of other children, she’s forever loading up Spotify and singing along whilst testing herself on her knowledge of the lyrics. E also started learning the flute back in September and is doing so incredibly well, we really couldn’t be prouder of her.
A Stroll Around Smyths
Having heard the news that Smyths Toys was opening a brand new superstore in a local town, we decided to trip out shopping with the kids (on the back of our dental and optician appointments) so that we could take a stroll around Smyths and give the kids some ideas ready for Christmas. Of course, the kids couldn’t come away without a toy or two and they were all smiles as they left with their shopping exploits.
Cracking On With Christmas
With less than three months to go until Christmas, I’ve finally got cracking with my shopping and have started putting bits and pieces hidden away for the big day. When it comes to Christmas, I like to be organised and wrapped up by at least mid-November. I couldn’t imagine being a ‘nightmare before Christmas shopper – I would be in a state of total panic!
The Half-Term Holidays
Whilst the half-term holidays quite literally began with a cough and a splutter, we enjoyed our week off to rest, relax, and recuperate. Although we didn’t have days out or trips away, it was great to have some time together without the regimented rush of our regular routine.
Thanks again for reading my blog – I hope that you enjoyed reading what I have #LikedandLoved throughout October.
If you fancy sharing some of your own #LikedAndLoved points from the month then why not join in either through your own blog post or by leaving a comment below, I would love to hear what you #LikedAndLoved this month!
