Bring me sunshine, in your smile

It finally feels like Spring has arrived. Okay, so it's raining on & off but at least it isn't snowing! And it's also about fifteen degrees warmer than it was a couple of weeks ago, I'm certainly grateful for that. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for more sunshine over the coming weeks, I don't know about you but I am happy to finally see the back of Winter.

Things have settled back into a routine since the children went back to school last week, we're back in to the swing of things and everything is ticking along nicely. J and I had an awesome date night at the weekend which I really enjoyed. He has a real hero worship thing about his Dad (which is fantastic) and so I have always just assumed he would prefer to spend time with the Mister rather than me, but I realise that is not the case and I am going to spending more time with all five of them individually just hanging out, proper quality time one on one. They're only young once, I need to make sure that I make the most of it because before I know it they will have grown up and flown the nest.

I'm still continuing on with my change of diet, and honestly I feel fantastic. The Paleo lifestyle is one that I am finding really suits me, and I am enjoying finding new ingredients & recipes and teaching myself new ways of cooking. I've lost weight (though I haven't weighed myself in a little while, but at my last check I was down 10lb), my skin is clearer and softer, my hair is in better condition, I'm sleeping better and I have more energy, no more mid afternoon crash. I can actually SEE my body changing shape. I've started Pilates again (which I forgot how much I enjoyed) and will be going swimming one or two evenings a week, too. I feel great and that makes me very happy indeed. Coupled with starting my degree in October (pending tuition fee loan approval, of course) I am getting more of 'me' back and it feels wonderful.

We're looking forward to E's birthday next week and are planning a family day out in lieu of a party (you can see why here) and I'm busy planning her cake. I can't believe she is going to be three! She'll be starting nursery this September, we'll be off for some induction days in a couple of months time, so we're going to spend lots of quality time together for the next few months while she is still at home with me. My babies are all grown up now! But like I said, it means I can do a few more things for myself which is wonderful.

Last but not least, I have come home from a busy morning out & about to discover that my blog has entered the top 100 of Tots100, in at number 95! Ahhh! I also passed 150,000 page views this month which is AMAZING.
Thank you SO much to everyone who reads, visits and shares - I really appreciate it and hope that you all enjoy visiting me here as much as I enjoy being here! I have met so many wonderful people through blogging, and can't wait to meet many more in person at last at the Britmums conference in June. I hope you'll all come by next month when I celebrate my 2 year 'blogoversary' as there will be some fantastic prizes up for grabs! Details coming soon, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled.

What are your reasons to be cheerful this week? Link up with Michelle at Mummy From The Heart and share.