Oliver cute

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Happy Valentine's Day all! ...Since a new man entered my life that cold January two years ago, my heart belongs to him. I still gave my husband Peter a pretty card I made, including the heartfelt words of, "You're the best husband in the world and would be nearly perfect if you managed to put your dirty socks in the wash basket" scribbled lovingly inside.
mother and son

How to Be a Fun Mum in 5 Easy Steps…

Since becoming a Mama, a couple of my friends have mentioned in passing that they would love me to be their Mum because I’m so fun (how cool is that?)
Oliver gasping-Honest Mum

The F Word…

So last week, my 2 year old son overheard a builder use the F word. I know, disgusting right. What's society coming to? Erm, that builder might just have been me.

The After Party…

Wait, this is the after party. Me slumping on the sofa, willing the toddler to nap so we can recover from the weekend's celebrations.
cocktail with edible flower

It’s Party Time

...It's party time. Well not until tomorrow but it's imminent. The '2 year old in a teenager's body' is having a party. We've selected the venue (his favourite softplay centre): small, easy to get to, fabulous toys including his favourite 'the oven', always pristine sans the ubiquitous childrens' dribble and I don't actually have to get into the ball pit as visibility from the seating area/magazine stand is peripheral.
child baking

Happy 2nd Birthday Oliver!

My baby toddler turns 2 today. TWO WHOLE YEARS! So much has happened since his dramatic entrance into the world. We've lived in 3 different cities, had time off, started work again, made films, changed jobs, friends, houses and all the while our lives have been irrevocably, indellibly transformed by one charismatic and delightful young man. It's amazing that such a small person can make such a HUGE impression.
magazine editor-Honest Mum

Becoming Inspired…

I recently read a superb article in the Guardian on what inspires some of the greatest creatives out there. It got me thinking about what inspires me, whether it's writing a feature screenplay, animation script or this blog right here. Here are my tips to becoming inspired. Happy 2012!
Music video

Directing Music Videos…

Yesterday, I directed a music video.  I mostly direct drama but have made a few music videos in the past...
Vicki-Honest Mum

One Pot of Hummus and a Guilty Mother

I have a confession to make. I'm Greek (well British Greek) and up until recently I'd never given my child hummus. I know, you better sit down and sip on some brandy. It's pretty shocking stuff.
Papa G illustration

Tom Casson Illustrates Papa G

Incredible illustrator, magazine founder and creator of Financially Hard Times and utterly all round wonderful young man, Tom Casson is kindly closing my Blogging Carnival with an illustration of my Dad: Papa G. The drawing which perfectly captures Pops was inspired by one of my early and most favourite of posts: Dad and a Little Case of Chicken Pox.
Colette

The Circle of (Religious) Life…(HonestMum’s Blogging Carnival)

I was born and bred a Catholic. Growing up in West Ireland to an Irish Mother whose own family stemmed from a deeply religious background it was inevitable I would follow the same path. Admiration, of course, to my parents for continuing not only this upbringing when we moved to England, but in also making the effort (because as I have since found out it IS an effort) for my sisters and I, to be schooled in Catholic schools.
Julie and child

Toddlers, Teens and Tantrums: The Three Terrifying T’s

When Caleb was born, Sophie was 11 and babies were just about the best thing ever. Nothing she could do to help was never too much trouble. The age gap hadn't really crossed my mind when I fell pregnant and the fact I still had a child at junior school may have contributed to that. Initially all seemed fine..
surrounded

These Days, I am Mostly Surrounded by Children…

I don’t know how it happened. Once, I was able to leave the house for a loaf of bread without having to give thirty minutes notice. I could even make it back again with time to spare before Eastenders started. These days, events like this take so much preparation and fore-warning that I would rather go without toast and opt for an easier life all round.