Big boy has all of a sudden started impressing us with his interest and ability to recognise numbers. He wants to stop at people's doors and points out speed limit signs where ever we go. He loves to copy me so the other afternoon we went on a number hunt around the estate, armed with an instant camera.

As I am usually taking the pictures, he was as keen as mustard to shoot the 'big numbers' we found on our walk.

We went through 1 - 9 which took longer than you would think as the estate is full of lots of little cul de sacs rather than long streets! Then we went on a hunt for the big ones 10, 20, 30, 40 etc right up to 100.

The game lasted just over an hour when he told me that his legs were aching! We had walked a fair way so we headed back for tea.

We are going to go out again for 11-19 another time and save 21-29 and 31-39 etc for other days when we need an hour out of the house.

I have printed the first 1-9 as business cards and laminated them to use as flashcards. Much more fun for him as they remind him of our little adventure. The big ones are on business card sized instant prints so perfect!

The only disappointment was number 100. The only house on the estate not to have a number plaque! We took a picture anyway as he now says "Look Mama that house has no number but it is as old as Great Grandma Mabel!" Well she is 98 and a half but I am happy for him to think she is 100! How sweet!

I am an annual member of the NCT even though I never attended one of their antenatal courses. It is great to be a member though and not just so you can get into their nearly new sales before the general public!

I really enjoy reading their quarterly magazine and this Autumn's edition had some interesting facts about working mothers.

I, like 13.7% of working mothers, work from home with flexible hours.

Whilst it is has often proved very tricky to juggle two children at home and check emails and respond to calls, the benefits of having flexible hours has been immense.

From this September, small boy will be in nursery three mornings a week, to give me dedicated time to work. Not work and put on a load of washing or empty the dishwasher. Just work.

I really enjoy my job at GreenSquare and admire parents who are at home full time. I crave that independence away from the children. I don't think that makes me a bad mother, just a mother who recognises I need time for myself, for my career. I have always imagined that when the children are at school, I can ramp up my hours and enjoy all that working more brings. I don't feel they would be deprived if I kept my hours the same, but spoiling them with the fruits of my labour, is a pleasure.

If you would like to become a member click here.

It has really touched my heart seeing all the photographs of little ones in their first school uniforms. My Facebook feed has been full of long sleeves, pristine coloured cardigans and sweatshirts and nervous toothy grins.

I have exactly 364 days left until it will be our turn with big boy. 364 days to get him wiping his own bottom, 364 days left of being Mama, as I am sure the second he enters the school gates, I will become Mum.

When I went back to work after maternity leave, my husband bought me this book as a present. A Mother and Toddler Journal to record all the lovely things we do together. At the time, (when I was very sad to be leaving him to go back to work in Swindon) I took it slightly in the wrong way and was upset as I had three whole days less of fun to record. Worried about missing all the new experiences he would have either at Nursery or with Granny.

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Ridiculous. As filling it in has been a great reminder that we really do make the most of all the time we have (as well as reminding me that I was lucky to only work part time). At home and out and about. Of course there are days when it seems like CBeebies has been on loop but overall I think the boys have a good balance of down time and fun time! Here are my favourites!

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My Mama's Monday Must Do is to get it up to date. There is one page about going to a Pet Store and we have on several occasions had a cheats trip to the 'zoo', I mean Pets at Home! So another trip is in order but armed with a camera!

If you fancy filling in your own journal of adventure you can buy one here.

mamasmondaymustdo