Reasons to be Cheerful: Certified! #R2BC

I am leaving the linky in the safe hands of Jo at Ojo's World until the end of the month as she is doing such a great job! She seems to be bursting at the seams with her reasons again this week. Here are mine:

1) I did it!

I was officially signed off as a qualified teach this week! All the blood, sweat and tears have added PGCE to my title. Its been a roller coaster year but getting that piece of paper makes it worth while. Now to recover over the summer before undertaking supply work and seeking a permanent job.

2) New home

The biggest reason to smile about the new house is that my son's bedroom has finally been replastered so we can decorate it:

We have also done some work on the garden and things in the front room are finding their new homes.

3) Proud mummy

My daughter carried the Union Flag for her Guide company at the Sea Sunday service at church. Its a heavy flag and she did really well:

4) Prizes

I had forgotten that I had won an Avengers canvas from an Instagram competition. It was a lot bigger than I expected and will look amazing on my son's bedroom wall:

Please join in and share your happy posts!

Reasons to be Cheerful: November Time

Thanks to Jo at Ojo's World for hosting in October. It's back to me for November so let's hope I can remember to put the posts up! Now for this week's reasons to be cheerful for me:

1) Holiday

You may have noticed its been quiet on the blog this week. Something to do with being away for half term in sunny Spain! I did sneak in one photo post on Wednesday but I hope at some point to write more about what a super time we had in Marina D'Or:

2) Proud Mum 

My daughter has now been a guide for a year and last night received her first Challenge badge for completing various activities and badges:

3) Running

I actually took my running kit on holiday and ran 5km on our first whole day! I know that with my 10km race only a month away I can't afford to slack off... Despite the fact that it was 22C I did a creditable time:

The wiggly bits are weaving through the sea front gardens!

When we got home my running number for Langdale had arrived which was more motivation to get out last night for a tough session of 40 minutes non-stop before a rest then 10 minute finishing run. I was pleased at how my running times are creeping closer to my bests so there is hope for me on December 6th...

Please join us and share your happiness and grab the badge if you would like it:

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Reasons to be Cheerful the birthday edition #R2BC

Birthdays definitely have to be one of the biggest reasons to be cheerful and having 2 within 48 hours makes this a fab week! Here is what made us smile about them:
1) Family Night Out
On Saturday night we went out as 3 generations to a ceilidh that was raising funds for a young member of our church to go on World Challenge to Malaysia with his 6th form. 

It was an organised chaos night with everyone having a great laugh and dancing the night away:

2) Family Breakfast

My birthday started with breakfast with 5 of my closest family at a local hotel. It was a lovely relaxed affair and a great way to kick of my day:

It was lovely being spoiled with some home grown roses too:

3) Birthday Fun

After a couple of trips to collect a replacement high sleeper for my daughter from Arnside I joined my children at the Kendal Wool Gathering at K Village:

Then we headed over to Sizergh Castle. After completing the Woodland Play Trail the children made use of new pond dipping nets to have fun at the pond:

Reasons to be Cheerful: Week 37 (#R2BC)

I am pretty shattered after our first full week of back to school but there is so much to be cheerful about! 
1) Family Fitness Fun
On Sunday morning it was Bug Running Day and I was out with my son running and daughter cycling at 9:30 in the morning. It was a wonderful morning to be alongside the river getting in a bit of exercise:

My son is dying to join me doing things like the Grasmere Gallop so I need to get him some proper running shoes to protect his joints... Big sister provides support from the back of her bike:

  2) Extra Curricular Activities
This week saw the return to old activities and the addition of some new ones. For my daughter she started the week by following in my footsteps and joining Guides:

Spot the difference!

My son was back to Beavers so we got tea in the park before hand:

Wednesday my daughter started at a local musical theatre group and loved it. We then had a mad dash to get my son to his first swimming lesson where he demonstrated his new found water confidence.
3) My Fitness
It's great being able to get out walking and running again. I really missed it all during the holidays. Getting my fitness back up will take a while but I am loving being out running with views like this:

I have also been walking to and from work which really clears the mind.
4) Operation House
Not as much progress this week but I can see small improvements! I will get there in the end...
So why are you smiling this week?