Five Mondays in! I’d like to say that it’s gone quickly, but from my point of view, that was a long old September.

What I’ve been up to: Meetings with colleagues, a nursery tour, various catch ups, toddler group, admin, tidying the vestry, Tappy Toes, Little Pegs, sermon writing, Social Media training, the wedding of one of my life-long friends, a service and a children’s birthday party (almost!).

Ministry has been pretty good. Having felt quite overwhelmed by the amount of stuff that came flooding into my brain initially, I’m feeling more used to it now. I’ve also had some amazing conversations about prayer and faith when I’ve visited a local baby and toddler group with Aidan, which felt very much like God was putting me in the right place at the right time!

Mum life was a bit less chaotic than the week before. Aidan’s childminder was on holiday so the lessened my anxiety about him being upset, but it also presented a bit more of a logistical challenge. Thankfully, my Dad came to stay for a couple of days. He does a better job than I do. He can somehow look after a baby and keep the sink clear of pots at the same time!

Nathan and his Mum had Aidan between them on Wednesday. On Thursday, Aidan and I had a lovely time at church. We went to Toddlers, had a picnic lunch in the office and tidied the vestry together. On Friday we had a coffee at the Hub, went to Tappy Toes and then onto Little Pegs, where I had that wonderful conversation about faith and prayer.

I continue to snatch time for admin or social media posts when I’m in the car and Aidan is napping. All in all, I’d say I feel like I’m standing on sand, rather than quicksand like the week before!

That being said, I misread the invitation and arrived at a kids’ party 2 hours late yesterday, so swings and roundabouts…

Our day off was spent at a family wedding over in Leeds. The journey was a bit rough! But even a storm couldn’t dampen the beautiful day. I got to do a reading, which was lovely, and Sophia and Aidan had a great time exploring the kids corner. They also made a remarkable dint in the three courses they were presented with at the wedding breakfast! I think Aidan might be about to have a growth spurt because that child is putting a lot of food away at the moment!

What Sophia said: When I bring her home from Rainbows at about 7pm on a Wednesday night, it’s now getting dark. I have been amused by how excited she has been at seeing the cars with their headlamps on.

Sophia: ‘Mummy! Look at the lights!’

Me: ‘The lights on the cars?’

Sophia: ‘yes! All those cars with all those lights! I thought they would be in bed!’

A short while later...

Sophia: ‘MUMMY! Look at ASDA! It’s so bright! Why are the lights on?!’

Me: Well it’s actually a 24-7 Asda, Soph, so it’s open all night.

Sophia: Stunned silence…

Me: Sometimes I go when you’re alseep. It’s very quiet.

Sophia: Are people not allowed to talk?

Me: No, they are, it’s just that there aren’t many people there when it’s late. It’s mostly the staff putting boxes of food onto the shelves. Would you like to go one day?

Sophia: Can I?! Will you take me?!

Me: Not today, but one day soon. Maybe we could pop in on the way back from Rainbows another time?

Sophia: I will buy something for me and something for Aidan!

This excitement about the lights has tickled me, and I think her being surprised that other people are awake might means that we’ve finally got the bedtime routine and sleep training nailed!

What Aidan said: To her close family, my sister, Isabelle, is Tiz. To S&A she is Tiztiz or Aunty Tiz. Much to my surprise and delight, when Aidan saw her at the wedding, he said: ‘Tss Tss’, and he said it when looking at her a number of times!

Highlight: Finding out we’re getting a female Archbishop of Canterbury!

I am especially grateful that Aidan had a good day at his childminders today.

Coming up: A solo parenting Saturday and a bapitsm.