By visiting our site, you agree to our privacy policy regarding cookies, tracking statistics, etc.

Simplified Mum Life

Nina A Spencer – Motherhood Mentor – Simplifying the every day for busy overwhelmed mums -Mum Of Twins Twice! Placenta Accreta Survivor, Mental Health Champion, On my own simple living Journey filled with adventure and travel . Embracing The Imperfectly, Chaotic moments of motherhood.
Monthly Roundup!

July Update.

July has been Epic.

So epic I thought this month I would give it its very own blog post.

We certainly ran with our word of the Month which was Summer.

July was..

Full of family adventures. We kicked off July with a trip to our favourite island – Lanzarote. It was quite hard work with 4 kids and there were a few moment where I could quite happily got back on a plane home.

 

We returned back to England and the kids returned back to school for transition. I still haven’t posted why I’ve sent them back. Maybe I’ll get around to it one day.

We’ve spent lots of time outdoors. Exploring the forest, visiting the fire station open day, and cooling off in the garden.

July meant 3 days off for me and 3 of my friends as we attended the unofficial WI camp just down the road. Tea & Tents is a mini festival 500 + women camping, crafting, gossiping, sharing stories and skills. There food and alcohol. But best of all there are no husbands and no children. Though we all missed the kiddos by bedtime I’m sure.

We celebrated a few birthdays in July too. One of which was my own. And my uncles which is on the same day. He was 60 this year. So we decided to head up to Whitby and surprise him. Little did I know His girlfriend had planned an amazing meal in his local pub and restaurant. Complete with a cake each and a balloon.

My birthday celebrations continued the weekend following as we had our annual summer/ birthday BBQ. Unfortunately this marked the beginning of the rain storms. I’m so grateful for amazing family & Friends.

Also in July, my 17-year-old god-daughter moved out of her mum’s, me & Spencer’s ARC Daddy managed to wrangle a date night to the cinema for Mission impossible Fallout. – It was brilliant. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the film. Though there are a few moments in it where you sort of know where the story is going.

I’ve accepted my first ambassadorship.

I’m going to work with a little Brand called Little drop in the Ocean. I will be writing a few blog posts going forward about why I love the brand so much.

Then we ended the month playing in granddad’s pool and soaking in the hot tub which I was lucky enough to receive from Spencer’s ARC Daddy for my birthday. Though I do think he bought it more for his benefit than mine. Lol

Right. Phew. On to August. I told you July was Epic.

Come back to the blog tomorrow for my August word of the month.

Nina x

Follow:
Collaborations

Family Good Times with McDonalds #AD

Recently we attended a McDonald’s Family Fun Event.

The event was one of many happening around the country over the next couple of months.

IMG_3337.jpg

As well as obviously having our dinner there (A Happy Meal and a very lovely Chicken wrap)

We also sampled some of the what’s on offer at the Family Fun Days.

I think we are all guilty of letting the kids entertain themselves sometimes, especially when we are out for a meal.

McDonald’s Is helping to bring family good times back in restaurants around the country with their Family Fun Days.

During the event we played board games like snakes and ladders and noughts and crosses.

Our phones were left in our bags and we really connected as a family during the event.

After board games and food the kids had their faces painted and arm tattoos by none other than Stacey Solomon who was there promoting the event.

IMG_3382

Other activities at these events are colouring and card games like who am I – Where you wear a headband and take turns to guess what character you are.

There was also a game that the kids can take part in where the kids ask parents questions that can really embarrass us parents!

There is so much fun to be had at these events and they are all free!

If you are looking for some free family fun during the holidays and weekends head over  the McDonald’s Family Fun Event finder  on their website to see what events are happening near you!

IMG_3362

Nina x

*Stacey Solomon will not be at other events she was just there to promote.

*This Is a paid promotion although thoughts and review is all my own

Follow:
Adventures

Pros & Cons Of The All Inclusive Holidays – Jet 2, Occidental Lanzarote Mar

Welcome back all,

After a week at the all inclusive complex of The Occidental Lanzarote Mar I am ready for a week on a deserted island somewhere that not as, errr, peopley

Don’t get me wrong I’m grateful for the holiday we had and the fact that Spencer’s ARC Daddy works hard so that we can afford to have holidays at all. While others are less fortunate.

However. Having now tried the all inclusive resort I now know it’s not somewhere I feel comfortable.

Pros and cons of All Inclusive

Pros

• No cooking. As a family of 7 cooking on holiday can take up quite a bit of time unless throwing a BBQ.

• Beds made and fresh towels every day if needed. Enough said! When kids are taking 3 showers a day there’s never enough towels clean if we stay at a villa. But with the resort if you have too many wet or dirty towels you can just throw them in the shower and the maids will replace them with fresh fluffy towels.

• Loads of activities to do without leaving the resort. – the kids have been rock climbing, swimming, attended the mini disco, played on the park, I tried to De stress with a bit of yoga, and we watch loads of pool games like pool football, aqua aerobics etc.

• Night time entertainment. – as I said the kids attended the mini disco where they did party dances and then had cake afterwards. The children then get their own little seating area to watch the main show. There is a kids club rep with them so are well looked after while adults watch the show.

• Unlimited ice-cream & Drinks – when we are away we can spend quite a bit on ice-creams and drinks at various cafes and bars. At the all inclusive it’s all ready been paid for! The kids can help themselves which doesn’t half make life a bit easier.

• There are reps handy for any queries regarding flights or issues with the room.

• Jet2 offer resort Check In of luggage so you simply check in your luggage on departure day and then when you arrive at the airport you can just head straight to the security area.

Cons

• The very nature of all inclusive means food is available at any point during the day. Though meal times are set for the main dinning areas. So if you want lunch say at 12 you have to just have something from the snack area like chips or a burger. If you want more of the buffet style lunch it’s not served until 1pm. With dinner starting at 7pm. When you have 4 tired hungry children 7 can be a little late.

• Once in the buffet you just help yourselves. The biggest twins have been loving it. However it has made them even more wasteful of food. Filling their plates with more than they can eat. I also wonder what happens to all the uneaten food from the buffet. I saw lots of food going back to the kitchen on numerous occasions.

• You could be anywhere in the world. – I like to explore when we go away. Find new places, and get in the car for our infamous Spencer’s Mystery Tour (On a Spencer’s Mystery Tour we get in the car and look at our map pick a village or town that looks interesting normally with a café or play-park or both or even check if there is a geocache nearby and head out looking at any sights on our way! When your in a resort there are so many activities that it leaves little time for exploring.

• It’s very peoply. – I’m happy in little groups of people. Resort life can be very busy. – when you are trying to get around with a double buggy and baggage of 7 people you can seem to be forever apologising and getting snotty looks from people if you ask them to let you through.

• No personal space. – we had a family suite which is an amazing size but the big twins seem to be falling out with each other a lot recently. Jake is very tidy and likes things just so. Melody is not so bothered about tidyness and is I hate to say a lot like me and uses a floordrobe. – so putting them in a bunk bed in a small space was never going to be plain sailing. Part time resident teen came this time too and he slept on the sofa bed which ment he had us walking through in a morning to get to the bathroom or to make the littlest twins bottles.

Our holiday did get off to a rocky start with my anxiety and depression hitting me. However once we had found our daily routine and made plans for each day we made some amazing memories.

The kids had such a blast in the pool, and we did get out and visit some of our favourite places in Lanzarote.

Jake loved being able to eat as much ice-cream as he could!

Melody enjoyed meeting new furry friends.

Mason & Jessica enjoyed trying new foods

Cameron enjoyed the Free WiFi!

Mummy and daddy Are going to enjoy their adult only break in the next couple of months!

I know going away with two sets of twins was never going to be easy but boy are we ready for a break!

So if you can suggest anywhere for me and Spencer’s ARC Daddy to go on our own leave your ideas in the comments!

Thanks

Nina x

Follow:
Word Of The Month

July word of the month.

June Update

June was a tough month both mentally and physically.

During June I made the decision to send the kids back to school.

Chris spent quite a bit of time working away. And I really suffer with my mental wellbeing when he is away.

It also hard bloody work solo parenting when he is away.

However June also saw lots of fun things

Lots of birthdays and Fathers Day.

Lots of outdoor play

Fun in the sun, splashing about in the pool, climbing tree and feeding ducks at the local National Trust property. Raising funds for The Jessop Wing at Sheffield, lots of Parklife, a couple of working trips for me and the big kids.

It also involved a new style for me.

July

But now July is here.

June’s word of the Month was self-care.

I’m still suffering with my Health however I’ve decided to focus my word on the season this Month.

So Julys Word is Summer!

I’ll be focusing on having summer fun during the Month.

Starting off with a trip to our favourite place – Lanzarote.

Then the kids are hearing back to school for transition.

Before I head off to an unofficial WI camp with 500 other women from across the country.

Summer bucket lists will be drawn up for the school holidays.

And back to school in September will be planned for.

So there you have it that’s my plans for July.

What are you up to?

Have your kids already broken up from school or have you got wait until The end of the month?

Leave a comment and let me know your July word of the Month

Nina x

Follow:
Health & Fitness

The post too long for Instagram.

I was going to just post this to Instagram. Then when I started rambling found it was just too long.

Right I’m going to just say it. I’m suffering with depression of late. Im struggling.

When my mood is low I reach for the crap food. My nemesis is cake! I could if left probably demolish all of these in one day. I know that eating crap makes you feel crap and then yo feel crap so reach for the cakes. It’s a vicious circle and I’m quite deep into it.

Since having my gallbladder out I’ve put 2 stone on! I’m not proud. I’m disgusted to be honest.

Why am I feeling like this?

Well I blame the kids constantly But truth is is my fault.

The house is a mess and I don’t give enough time for things so am constantly running behind.

The kids behaviour is probably like it is due to me feeling like I do. Due to me not giving them enough time.

I tried to homeschool but I’m not cut out for it.

I get shouty when they don’t grasp something and it’s no good for anyone.

Right now I’m secretly waiting for September to come so I can get into a better routine with everyone.

I also know this isn’t good waiting for tomorrow. And all that. But it’s the only light I feel I have at the moment.

Thanks for listening to my rant.

What’s your go to when you feel low?

Nina x

Follow:

Where to next?