#SilentSunday

#CountryKids Snatching our outdoor moments

A combination of clock changes, wet weather and illness has curtailed our outdoor adventures over the last week or so. I am really missing being out in the fresh air with the children... Today I managed to squeeze in a few minutes with a walk through the village to school.

There weren't time to take photos but we managed to park up and walk the last 1/2 mile to school and still get there in plenty of time. The lucky thing is that the village is lovely safe place to walk to school in and we can do it whatever the weather:

In fact walking to school in the snow is the only option as my car can't get anywhere up the lane to school. It looks magically when it is completely white:

I just hope that we can have some proper outdoor adventures in the coming week and not just make do with a quick walk to school! How do you keep your children outdoors at this time of year when things aren't so easy?

Teaching children to think of others

I am writing this whilst watching BBC Children in Need with my children. Since they have been at school this annual event has really helped them to think about those less fortunate than themselves. My daughter at 10 understands more than her 7 old brother, to him its all about wearing a onesie and buying cakes:

The key to getting children into raising money does seem to be putting fun into the event. My daughter will do things like paint nails and she has run the Race for Life with me 3 times in total:

With the disaster in the Philippines making the headlines on their news as well as the grown up news they have asked me to send a contribution. They know that people their have lost everything except the clothes on their backs. Compared to them we are incredibly well off so I have given what I can afford. 

Tomorrow my son and I are doing the Santa Dash in Kendal in aid of our local Cancer Care charity. It's only about a mile in total but its all about the festive fun and doing our little bit to help, if you want to help us then please click the button below:

How do you get your children to think of others?

Reasons to be Cheerful: Week 46, Year 3 (#R2BC)

Whilst Michelle is taking some time away from Reasons to be Cheerful she had kindly let me host the linky for the month of November. This linky means so much to me and I have been taking part since January 2011 when it was pretty new. It has really helped me to turn my attitude to much more optimistic and less depressed than when I started! That is why I am keen to help keep it going and share the positive things that brighten up our weeks.

So what has made me smile this week apart from being allowed to host the linky?

1) Back to health

My children and I spent 5 days trapped at home to avoid sharing our nasty tummy bug. It really made me smile to be able to leave home and go and out and see other people. Some lovely friends had done their bit by dropping off items that I needed but being it wasn't the same as going out ourselves. By Tuesday all 3 of us had returned to work and school much to our relief!

Being able to go out for a run on Tuesday felt fantastic if knackering and I got to see views like this:

2) Operation Tween Bedroom

Oh to be back at La Grande Metairie...

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It's cold and its wet and all it took to make me wish I was back at La Grande Metairie was the arrival of a case of the beer that my dad and I enjoyed drinking in Brittany:

It takes me back to the week we spent on the campsite with my parents enjoying its 5 star facilities including the pool complex:

Only the Brits wanted to swim on wet days!

My children just had so much fun getting water confident jumping into the water that was deeper than they could stand up in:

Or just messing about in the rings we bought at the campsite shop:

There was even a chance to try out pony trekking: