#LivingArrows – These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things 15/52 (2019)

I’m so lucky to be able to spend such a vast amount of time with my children, whereas once upon a time it was an entirely different story as I worked during the evenings. I’d miss spending time with kids, they would be out at school all day and following this I’d be out at work, we were like ships in the night and I suffered with immense guilt and I hated it.

These days I spend the mornings, the afternoons, the evenings and all weekend (every weekend!) with the kids and I couldn’t be happier. The kids are far happier too now that they have my full presence and attention almost every minute of every day. Kids aren’t kids for long; time goes by so fast and I want to be sure to be there, not to miss a minute and to treasure every moment of these incredibly special years.

I love getting to know my children as individuals as they grow into their own, unique people. E for example wants to be an artist when she’s older, she spends every spare moment doodling, drawing, colouring and painting. We have boxes filled to the brim with her artwork and a rather impressive collection of colouring books which she continues to work upon daily. We often sit at the table together, colouring as a team whilst chatting about our day – E has so much to tell me, so much to say and I am amazed by the amount of information which she absorbs and shares with such enthusiasm, she has such a lust for learning!

J is also incredibly arty, he too loves to draw and has a real passion for creating comic books. He’d happily sit inside all day if he could drawing, colouring and creating his own stories. Though it’s often difficult to drag him out, he has great fun running around outside, riding his bike, walking the dog and filling his boots, wellies and usually his socks with vast amounts of sand.

I’ve never known a boy be able to get so dirty so quickly as J. You simply cannot take this lad out anywhere without a spare change of clothes. J has a natural magnetism to mud, sand, water or filth of any description. Should you wish to cross a stream, to jump a puddle or to balance upon stepping-stones, J is sure to fall in, to fall off or to fall over whatever you may be avoiding. Like myself, J is naturally clumsy but he’s got the humour and the carefree attitude to pick himself up and to carry on.

I love how our kids have similarities and yet such vast differences from one and other.  I often look at each of them and wonder who they are most like – Paul or myself. I would like to think that they possess ‘all of my favourite things’ from each of their descendants all mixed up into the most marvellous concoction to create two awesome individuals.

Thanks for reading and as always I look forward to catching up with your #LivingArrows either through your own posts or comments upon this post.