June is an important month in our house. It’s the month of our daughter’s birthday, which also means it’s the month our lives changed forever.

Over the past week it’s felt like summer has officially arrived. We’ve had more blue skies than grey and, at times, the sun has been positively HOT. It all makes me yearn for a cold Pimms and a sunny pub garden, if I’m honest.

It’s funny, because at this time of year I always get flashbacks to the couple of weeks before Frog was born. I can still vividly remember bumbling around our cottage, cleaning things, hanging up baby-grows, well and truly ready for our baby to make an appearance. 

I went for long walks with my friend and her son next door, hoping that today may be the day and, rather than puffy ankles, I’d get a baby at the end of it.

It was hot this time four years ago. Really, really hot. I had swollen feet and fingers, mainly lived in baggy maternity combats and spent a lot of time bouncing up and down on a birthing ball.

We ate barbecued meat and fresh salad almost every night and I moaned. A lot.

Without wanting to sound like a total corn-dog, the time before a baby is born is pretty special. Despite feeling huge, coping with sleep deprivation and trying not to think too much about how much the whole labour thing will hurt, there’s such a huge sense of anticipation, it gives everything this electric-charged atmosphere. It’s exciting and scary and feels like it stretches out forever. Or, at least, that was the case with us four years ago.

By this time I’d gone on maternity leave, so the whole of June was dedicated to baby things – preparing the nursery, washing the clothes, doing antenatal yoga, seeing my midwife. I was in a baby bubble of comfortable nesting that wasn’t to pop until Frog was a couple of weeks old and real life (our new normal) set in.

So yes, June has a special significance for us. And we’re not the only ones.

June is also a pretty big month for the royals. What with The Royal Ascot, the Queen’s birthday and all the preparations for Prince George’s birthday, they have reason to enjoy June almost as much as us.

This month 888 Ladies is celebrating the sunshine with A Very Royal Summer. If you like online bingo then you’ll love this.

To shout about a variety of royal events happening throughout June, the site is hosting an online bingo game of 888ladies, ending with a big jackpot game on Prince George’s 1st birthday on the 22nd July (taking place at 9.30pm). You can win – you’ve guessed it – £8,888 which is the special jackpot amount for the game.

It’s fair to say that amount could make June special in any household….

What does June mean to you?

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For more information about sponsored posts please see my PR and Advertising page. 

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When we moved to this little corner of Devon at the beginning of the school holidays it all felt very exciting. The sun was shining hot heat over the pretty hills and the sandals and strappy tops on the high street made it feel like a holiday.

Two weeks passed and the holiday vibe was replaced with something else.

My (teacher) husband was off work and my three year old’s pre-school was closed for the holidays. We had days out and trips away, but I still had to work, albeit from home. Life was still exciting, but I craved a bit of stability and routine. I think that craving was partly due to the fact we are only temporarily renting our house, so it felt even more like a holiday home. 

This time last week I was sad that summer was over. I already missed the long days on the beach and rambles over the moor. I dreaded the pre-school dash in the morning and cramming the extra work hours into my shorter working day. But, at the same time, I was eager to return to a sense of normality. I was ready for it to feel less like a holiday and more like our life.

So, summer is now officially over. But you know what? That’s OK. The last week has been brilliant. We are starting to feel settled. We have a new routine.

Frog LOVES pre-school. We get to wander down the hill together in the morning when I drop her off and I feel like part of a club, as I smile at the other mums at the gates. This is simple stuff, but they are things I missed when I was working on a breakfast radio show alongside my freelance writing work, pulling 80 hour working weeks and being out of the door at 4.30am. The work was fun, but so is walking down the road listening to the chatter of my story-telling three year old.

People are friendly here. There is a slower pace of life, I feel less stressed and frantic. I get no Internet signal outside of the house, so I can’t surreptitiously check my phone for emails. I like that. My three year old likes that. People know when they can get hold of me so I don’t worry about being available 24/7.

We have a little routine going on. Afternoons are spent doing stuff. Eating cake in a cafe, meandering down to the library or the park, going to swimming lessons or playing at home.

For the first time since becoming a mum I have a regular two evenings a week to myself doing non-work, non-mum stuff, at a Yoga and a Zumba class. I even enjoy the walk there (although not so much when it’s raining). I’m starting to wonder if this is what “normal” feels like.

Of course there are bouts of stress or anxiety, as I fret about hitting deadlines and keeping on top of work. But, mostly, I am managing the juggle. I enjoy my mornings working, even. It adds balance to the mum stuff.

Summer’s over, but that’s OK. I’m looking forward to seeing what autumn brings.

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Except it’s not just like that. Some of the days themselves stretched out in a sea of crafting, tantrums and stress over juggling deadlines with parenthood.

But others were blissful. Hazy summer picnics, bike rides, trips to the beach, exploring our new home near Dartmoor. 

We went to Cornwall, twice. Stayed in hotels and on campsites. We went to London, Warwickshire and all over Devon.

We painted at home and we picnicked in the park. We built sandcastles on the beach and dens in the garden. We spent time with much-loved family. We stayed up late and watched the stars come out in the sky one by one.

Summer 2013, I miss you already.

The post So that was summer appeared first on Mother's Always Right.

My latest Shopcade obsession is my “Summer Days Out” list. Whether it’s an outfit, a bit of kit or a handy item to make day trips easier, I’m on it.

You can see the full list over on my Shopcade pages (along with all my other lists of wants). Here are some picks from the last few days…

The outfits: 

The practical stuff:

The handy stuff:

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Disclosure: As a brand ambassador for Shopcade, I regularly get sent treats from the site. All opinions remain my own. 

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The post Silent Sunday appeared first on Mother's Always Right.

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