Last updated on November 19th, 2023 at 12:30 am
It’s mid March and I don’t even know where the last few weeks have gone. With my mother visiting we have been in a lovely, happy family bubble. She has just left this morning for the airport which is always hard to say goodbye but knowing we will be visiting her in 129 days (not counting at all) I just look back and am grateful we have had this chance to spend so much quality time together. Luckily enough we even got to celebrate UK Mother’s Day and her birthday (and some Easter crafting too) while she was here. Bonus!
The kids are getting to that age where they are starting to remember doing things with Grandma and I love that. They are so closed to all their grandparents and that means a lot to me having not really grown up with my own grandparents around. It’s the bonding of generations that leaves me emotional and the kids saying goodbye to Grandma that is harder every time. They still understand why we can’t just see her every week like their friends do with their grandparents.
The kids have been really lucky this month too getting to go to waterparks, zoos, and days out with Grandma in tow. We have tried to show her a good time. They have had the opportunity to do some Easter baking with her too. They have been giddy with her being her for the past few weeks. It always seems like they are on their best behavior when we have someone visiting which is nice.
As always when Grandma visitings the sun seems to come out in March for her. We have a long standing joke she brings it with her and takes it back when she leaves. I am hoping this year is different and it decided to stay with us. The kids have been enjoying getting outside a lot more, feeding the ducks, and park hopping. They were ever so excited to share with Grandma all the local parks they like to frequent when the temperature rise.
B was on top performance on a lovely sunny day last weekend with his sister. I love watching how the bonding, dynamics and attitudes, grow and change between them. B has been a little more rough and wrestling with MM more lately. He says this is what the other kids at school do. We have been trying to explain why sometimes other kids can do things but he can’t. When I tell him he can’t do something he is now having a little attitude and replying “well, so and so, does it”. I sometimes have to laugh as I can still recall saying it to my own mother.
MM puts her brother on a high pedestal still. She has to do everything that he is doing, right along side him. With their age gap closing in, B is happy with her doing being his shadow. I remember my own brother, three years older than me, wasn’t quite as receptive of me being his shadow as B is. She thinks she is older, wiser, and bigger than she really is. I am quickly finding out this might be a girl thing. But it’s clear she loves her brother so much.
TOGETHER THEY ARE LOVING…
Balance beam practice at the park.
Muddy puddles.
Warmer and longer days to play outside.
Getting the bouncing castle out, after school.
Attending numerous birthday parties together, each weekend (mommy not so much).
Dressing up for World Book Day.
B reading MM her bedtime stories now instead of Mommy. (mommy loves this).
Making Easter hats and painting Easter eggs with Grandma.
It’s been such a beautiful, happy month this month for my two tots. I guess, they are really growing up before my very eyes. Not so much toddlers as much as they are growing into little children. How did this happen so fast? I know it’s still a little ways off but thinking next September (next year) MM will be in school full time along side her brother just blows my mind on how fast time really does fly when you are having fun. 
Ours love getting out and about too, anything where theres climbing! I’ve loved seeing your time with your Mom, and goodness I kept welling up watching your expat episode with her tears! lovely post xx
They look like they are having so much fun together at the park! Lovely photos.
I love it when I hear of kids who love to get out and about! Sometimes I need to cattleprod my older ones out the door, {not so much the toddler, I swear she’d live outdoors if I would let her!}…but after being out for a while, the older ones love it too! You can never get too much fresh air, I say! Gorgeous captures of the kids this month, and I cannot believe how grown up they are both looking! x
Oh I do hope your Mom leaves the sunshine – I’ve so enjoyed having it out these last couple of weeks! It looks like your little two have had a blast with their Grandma and I can see why – what fabulous expeditions!!
Looks like some good weather and lots of lovely outdoor play for them and a great treat to have Grandma around for them and you.
Your sibling posts are always so lovely, they have such an adorable relationship. How fabulous that you got to spend some special time with your mum. Being an EXPAT can be hard at times.
That wonderful attitude that school gives them! The standard answer from my six year old always starts with “Yeah but…” I thought knowing it all didn’t happen until the teenage years!!! So glad summer is on it’s way and everyone can get out more. #sharewithme
I remember my eldest being that age. They remember so much more! Sounds like you had a wonderful visit from your mum (or should I say “mom”??). Balance beam in the park….a favourite of my two also! Thanks for hosting #ShareWithMe
Its hard when family live away from you, i have family in Canada & Norway and miss so much because we live in different countries. I have missed my little girl mixing with my cousins children but i hope in a few years we can go and visit them #Sharewithme
Isn’t it wonderful to see your children bond with their grandparent? I think no matter what age or stage of life, grandparents and their grandchildren always end up being the apple of each other’s eyes. It’s so lovely that your children are growing even closer. That’s such a great bond they have and I’m sure you’re so happy to enjoy the fruits of it all. Thanks so much for hosting and sharing with us on #sharewithme, Jenny! Have a great rest of the week 🙂
They look like great friends – just like mine. They certainly have their moments but ultimately they would do anything for the other and genuinely love each others’ company. Glad you had fun with your mum x #sharewithme
I love looking at photos of your two so happy in one another’s company. They really are so close aren’t they? A lovely bond that is so evident in photographs. Sad that your mom has gone 🙁 Not long til you’ll be in sunnier climes though! x
That looks like my local park?!! Are you in Lancashire?? How bizarre, I never realised!! Lovely photos, glad you had a great time with your Mom. #sharewithme
They both look so happy and seem to be having so much fun in the photos 🙂
How cute is B helping MM across that wall?! Sounds like you had such a lovely time with your mum visiting, I’m so happy my daughter has a close relationship with my parents as they see her every week and look after her when I work but she doesn’t have the same relationship with my husband’s mum, which is a shame. #sharewithme
My favourite bit of all of these type of posts is the pictures of these two darlings. You can tell how close they are! Makes me smile every single week 🙂 I am glad you got to spend some quality time with your mum too and hopefully the sun will stick around! #Sharewithme
They are so cute 🙂 spending time with grandparents are memories they will cherish. I also find it really perks my mum up when she spends time with my daughter gives her extra energy and life. Beautiful pictures #Sharewithme
I hope they have amazing memories with both sets of grandparents being from all different countries. I love our little international mixed families. Thanks lovely bonding time is just the best.
Gorgeous photos Jenny and I love the one with B putting his arm round MM. It sounds like you have been getting out and about and having so many adventures, you must absolutely treasure that quality time with your Mama. xx
Thanks Katie I really love our time together just wish it was more often. Roll on summer and we will be there. I can’t wait. The kids have been crazy inseparable both bickering and loving each other all in the same moment it’s craziness but when we are out and about it’s so much easier.
Ah bless you, 129 seems long but I hope it will fly by really quickly for you. That is brilliant they are close to her despite the distance. Gorgeous photos hun xx
Beautiful photos! They both look so happy and brave walking that balance beam together!
OH yes you can always catch my two high up and running on dangerous fine lines and creating fine lines on Mommy’s face with anxiety watching them. lol Thanks lovely.
It must have been so lovely having your mum to stay, and so nice for the kids too. Mine are really close to my mum and I love that. It’s a real help for me too! xx
Oh it’s so lovely to watch their bond grow isn’t it? I had the best time with her as I always do and I only hope me and MM are as close as she grows up too.
Sounds like you had a lovely time with your mum. I love how close your kids are – mine are like that & I hope it lasts. #sharewithme
Lovely post – it makes me want to give Taylor a little brother or sister – going to have to convince dad I think! Sounds like you had an ace time with your mum it must be so hard. My sister lives in Dubai and I miss her so much so I know how it is., but as you say at least we get to spend such quality time together that you probably wouldn’t do if they lived just down the road! #sharewithme xx
I can’t believe how fast they’ve both grown recently Jenny! Glad you had a lovely time with your mum it must have been so nice for the kids! Lovely photos as always 🙂 xx
Such cute pictures and love MM’s pink outfit – my almost-four-year-old daughter would love it too as she’s always been a pink girl. I have children with a similar age gap to yours, though my son is the younger and daughter the older sibling. They get on well and he definitely wants to do and be involved in everything his big sister does. #ShareWithMe
Aw, they look so lovely playing together. I wish N was reading books better. His is so slow going and refuses to read any books from home. It’s hard enough getting him to read the school books.
Oh no bless each child is different and he will get it. My brother was the same at home growing up he hated reading but did well in school still. Don’t worry just keep trying without pressure.
Such sweet pictures Jenny… I love the tunnel shot! Glad you had a good time with your Mum… Not long and you’ll be jet-setting back stateside again!
Sounds like they’ve had a great month. The photos are adorable x #siblingsproject
We have and been lucky it’s been busy but smooth this month. Looking forward to a full April too.