 |
| Taking the scenic route through the park into town. |
I work 4 days a week, which includes a full day Saturday. My partner not only is working on his Masters programme, but works a part time job on the side which includes working on Sunday. Between both of our schedules, we have it orchestrated to a tee to whom is dropping or picking up the kids from school on which ever day, morning, or afternoon and who can be with the kids on the weekends. Heaven forbid one of them get sick, than our just perfect scheduling matrix will crumble and we have to figure out who can bend their day and pick up the pieces. Ryan has gotten to take the boys to parties that I could not attend on Saturday because I had work. I get to take the boys to church and often will take the long way home so we can stop at the park or get something to eat along the way. I have so far gotten out just once in the evenings, and that was to watch a band play by myself. When Ryan has gotten to go out with his Uni friends in the evenings and I stay at home with the kids, it seems no different from when he would go out with his military mates and I watched the boys. But my partner and I hardly have any time where we can just have a date night and spend time with out the kids, let alone all of us together. So today when we had an odd that we were both free this afternoon, we took it and it was lovely.
 |
I had the Almond Brioche at the French Patisserie and a hot chocolat.
|
 |
| Ryan with his Illy Cappuccino and cannolo. |
 |
| I love the bricks and the leaves…life is beautiful. |
We started with a morning walk from the school into town. This include taking a short cut through the park, a new way that Ryan had not been before. This led us to where we stopped inside a french patisserie for breakfast pastries and hot drinks to keep us warm in the cold morning weather. We chatted about politics and school and all those topics that you cannot get in depth about when you have a six year old whining because his brother will not play by his rules. Afterwards we took the train down to Brighton and went browsing in the Lanes.
 |
| Ryan and I both loved vintage stores as kids and still do as adults. |
 |
| German styled market of wares outside the Churchill Square shopping centre. |
 |
| Thrifty find…or die trying. |
Ryan has been on the hunt for some new sweaters to fill up his closet to keep up with the growing cold temperatures this Autumn. Though we did not find any perfect matches, Ryan did try on this brown leather jacket that was perfect. As soon as he tried it on, we both knew it was a keeper. Fingers crossed it will still be there in a few days when Ryan goes back to purchase it. *knock on wood* Afterwards we took the bus to the beauty supply store and I felt like a kid in a candy store. It did not have as many hair and beauty supplies that I would have hoped, so hopefully they carry more items on the website. I picked up some hair colour to keep up my ginger colour and then we took the bus back to the rail station. Before getting on our train we bought some roasted chestnuts and hot pasties to eat for lunch. Both were delicious and really hit the spot. I had only a few minutes to beeline it to the kids’ school upon getting to our station, so I pretty much walked as fast as I could to get there. Of course I was still early, but at least being early is on time and so I felt much better as I waited with the other parents.
 |
| Roasted chestnuts for sale outside the railway station. |
 |
| The last two chestnuts…so yummy! |
 |
| Ryan with his last roasted chestnut.
I really enjoyed spending one on one time with Ryan, as I do spending time with my boys too. I really hope Ryan and I can find more time to hang out together, as well as I hope to do one on ones with each of my boys to make sure each of them knows just how special and loved they are every day. |
Today was my 29th birthday. I spent part of it at work doing one of the things I love: Hair. I had a new client today and seeing her happy reaction and smile after her highlights and hair cut was a great gift to me. It is why I love working with people, to make people smile. I honestly think people should try to make those around them smile more, for it makes life a more beautiful place in which to live. After work I used today’s tips to buy myself a burger and chips from the Fish & Chip (or ‘Chippie) shop near the salon. I am not a huge red meat eater, but today I had a real craving for a good burger. I ate at the train station while waiting for my train back home. Ryan picked up the boys from school and met me at the house. Everyone was so cold from the temperatures outside. The four of us cuddled up together on our bed, which we have put strategically near our fireplace heater, and took a little nap. There is nothing like cuddling up with the ones you love to make you thankful for having them in your life. Even though we did not celebrate Thanksgiving this year, a holiday first, we were still aware about the blessings we have in our lives. I was still a bit cold tonight and I do not think I am acclimating quite quickly to the colder temperatures. I snuck away for some ‘me’ time and had a long hot shower with a lady bug that was climbing the shower curtain. Would that count as good luck? For dinner we had left over soup that I made a few days ago (refer to the blog) and oven roasted bake potatoes. Since it was my birthday I was given the biggest one and it really filled me up. So much so I had to share my dessert. Ryan made homemade scones with with currants and stuck my candles on top of two of them. To be fair, they were the 3-0 candles I used for his birthday last week, but he had cut out a 2 and a 9 and taped them over the candles to reuse them. It made me laugh when I saw it and nothing wrong with a little laughter in our lives. The boys and I continued our Christmas decoration making tonight with decorating Nutcrackers. Ronan had made me a really sweet card while I was napping and gave it to me and it was really sweet. Then it was time for books and the boys to go to bed. It was a simple and humble way to spend a birthday, but having my boys with me was all I needed. Theres always time to go out and party with friends and drinks and to ‘live it up’ later. Perhaps it will happen next year for when I turn the big 3 – 0. Until then I have 364 days left of my 20’s and on to making a list of goals to complete until next November 24th. From my Ohana to yours, I hope you had a wonderful and thankful day with the ones you love. 
