Quote by ‘The Fairy Godmother’
It was recently pointed out to me by a year 8 pupil that 94% of the assemblies I deliver have some kind of Disney angle. (The other 6% is devoted to shoes) So this is probably not my first Disney quote via the fridge and it certainly won’t be my last.

I guess it allows me to unleash my inner princess and was probably a large component of my childhood (that and Sylvanian Families). It inspires, entertains and does all this with magic and the odd flying carpet or in the case of that particular assembly – Mary Poppins.

I digress, what I really want to express is my love for the mo-fo gangsta herself, the mighty FG.

Alakazam (unsure of the spelling but Google informs me this is also the name of a yellow Pokemon) wasn’t a word until that gentle, voluptuous grey haired chick grasped her wand and created a carriage fit for Cinders. When I look at my tired ‘done too many miles’ VW Golf, I wish I too had the ability to turn pumpkins into ornate carriages (or my dream wheels; probably an Evoque) but dreams or miracles in this case do take time (and lots of pennies).

The best miracles are the ones you don’t notice, where you reflect on life and realise how much you’ve accomplished. The feeling of clutching your graduation certificate, of taking your ‘homemade’ baby home, of getting that job, or finding that person that lights up your world…or if you’re a true tea geek like me – finding the perfect chamomile infusion before bed 🙂

Time allows for possibilities and future doors open to new accomplishments, the FG makes a valid point…all the good stuff takes time, so why wouldn’t miracles? It makes sense.

The Internet is full of stories of possibilities, miracles and everyday people experiencing dramatic events for the better.

So why wouldn’t it happen to you? Perhaps the fabulous FG isn’t going to knock on your door, perhaps she’s busy in the developing countries, saving humanity or maybe planting pumpkins…but with a little love and a sprinkle of time, who knows what delights may come your way? Just remember it’s never too late, it never goes the way you think it will and you can begin now. What little step can you do today to begin your journey?

 Quote by Norman Vincent Peale

Like most things in life I often think from a shoes perspective. If I was to judge my age by my shoe size I’d be a mere 2yrs old, which would make driving to work awkward and I’m not sure I’d have much luck being taken seriously in the classroom.

However, I’d relate to J better and let’s be honest everyone loves a nap time. I’ve never looked my age and I don’t think I ever will. My Dad has only a few grey hairs which in his 70’s (sssshhh don’t tell him I told you) is pretty amazing.

A few weeks ago I went to Sussex Uni with a group of year 10 pupils for a taster day – the lecturer who was also running the event asked me where my name badge was. Dressed in skinny jeans and converse I explained I was the teacher and at 32 rather loved him for thinking I could be 15yrs.

It made me think…I would never want to be 15yrs again and certainly not in this decade of social networking and 24/7 texting, apps and selfies…ok, I could handle the selfies.

A teacher I was working with is fast approaching the big 40, she said that once she reached this mile stone she would hang up her jeans as she felt she was too old for them.

Then it hit me…the worlds gone age mad! I spent my entire youth wanting to be 18 so that I could get into clubs, then realised that it was 21 before you could get into the decent clubs…now over 30 I avoid the clubs (they just don’t have the toddler facilities 😝)

When purchasing moisturiser it seems we now have to disclose our age to get the right one….

Stop! The fridge and I will have no more. Stop worrying about numbers like it changes you and concentrate on enjoying the moment. Who cares if at 27 I got a trampoline for my birthday or if Im partial to a bouncy castle (I just like jumping), I will buy the lady in work jeans for her 40th and I declare to never worry about getting old – there are too many awesome things to do and so little time. Crucially – worrying doesn’t change anything; except for your heart rate, wrinkles on your face and less of all those happy chemicals running around your body.

I’m not saying age isn’t relevant at all. As with most things there is a time and a place, but I think morals, values and manners are a little more essential to daily life than a selection of numbers on my birth certificate.

Which reminds me, why do we age babies in weeks and months? I really got caught up in that and with my non desirable maths skills it could take me a while to answer. Not anymore he is ‘2 and a bit’ because frankly 28 months sounds silly!

Please comment below if like me you declare  you will live now and worry later.

 Quote by the legend that is Morgan Freeman.

I guess what I’d like to write about today is resilience. It’s a hot topic for me at the moment as I’m writing a scheme of work for September – yes, that’s right people…planning for the next academic year has already begun (gotta stay ahead :)). Anyway, while surfing the internet for wisdom and ideas I learnt a valid lesson myself – it’s blooming hard to teach!

Why? The intricacy that make up a resilient individual – by this I mean someone who keeps going when life gets tough, who can see the light at the end of the tunnel before it’s there…takes time to learn and is hindered by negative life experiences.

Enter the other half of my balancing act – being a mummy , and I realised that encouraging J to be able to ‘keep on trucking’ started last week. Encouraging him to walk that little bit further (he is a prince who still likes to be carried), to not naturally leap 6000ft to save him when he topples or allow him to play with the big boys at the park (man, those big boys aged 3+ are huge!) and then the one that hurts – to let him learn from his mistakes (ouch).

Mr Fridge jokes that I’m a ‘smother’ this being a mother who smothers, kills my soul slightly but at the same time delights me. I want him to find his own way, but I also like the idea of  stroppy 15yr old J wiping my kisses away and telling me to ”stop it mum” haha!

As a glass half full kinda fridge (of course my fridge also pumps out cold water or ice – it’s a social network legend) I also want him to be successful due to his own accomplishment, to find his way and ultimately to be able to overcome the sad times and turn them in to skittles (like the advert), so this weekend we will take him to the animal sanctuary to see the ‘baa lambs’ and to the park to climb the over sized scary Climbing wall…and having wrote this, in the name of resilience I may just not show my utter fear as he ascends like Spider-Man (maybe) x

   An African proverb

The fridge and I have many different favourite quotes, but this little gem defrosts our souls.

Firstly, Happy Father’s Day. This is for all the Daddio’s who are awesome. Believe me there are plenty – I’m greedy and have two.

My Dad has been married to my Mum for over 40 years, he was my first hero and I adore him. He plays with J and is always on hand to fix a toy or build him a legendary tower (that J knocks down in seconds). I’m an only child so I’ve been bubble wrapped since before I entered the world. Every childhood photo of mine has cushions in the background and my slide even had a mat at the bottom (because everyone knows the fatalities involved in falling on grass, right?), he always made time for a story even when he worked silly hours – he has never wanted anything for himself and if I’m honest has always gone above and beyond, like when I passed my driving test and wanted to drive back to university in Lincoln from our home in London…he sat next to me all the way like my shadow and then got the train straight back, it took him hours and I probably never really thanked him

(thank you x)

Then there’s my soul mate and partner in crime – Js Daddy. We are a team and he drives me mad…like crazy  fruit loop mad. He is messy and he can wind me up in seconds and I blooming adore him! Haha – that’s true love.

J is blessed because Friday is Daddy-day-care, this means my house is trashed, they get every toy out and use every kitchen utensil (and never load it in the dishwasher) and to be honest I’m not sure what they do? But I do know that J is happy and learns crazy pointless Dad things like hand shakes and wrestling moves that blow my mummy brain and…I wouldn’t have it another way.

As our little dude has grown so has their interaction. Dads have it hard in the first few months of bonding. While I was a human cow, all he could do was change nappies – while I was at home for nearly 6 months, he was working longer to compensate financially…

So thank you, to every loving Dad that’s interactive, creative and in my case an expert in occupying a tantruming two year old in the supermarket because he wants the doughnut NOW. Bed times wouldn’t be as beautiful and our little guy is because…we are.

Share your Daddy stories below x