Sometimes when I am being treated to a seemingly neverending runny nose, or have my head buried under the 3rd pile of washing that day, I forget that being a Mum is the greatest experience of my life so far.

Of course I blog about the fun things- the days out, the pretty photos of a picture perfect family life and the adventures we get up too.  But in reality life, and motherhood, most certainly isn't picture perfect.  I have hard days like everyone else. Boring ones. Especially at the moment as I am so tired.  Trying to lug an inquisitive toddler about who doesn't want to hold your hand, but who you don't want to carry all the time because she is too heavy and doesn't rest on your bump properly, can be tricky.  And tiring.

 We have days at home where I am literally counting the hours/minutes/seconds until bedtime, or until nap time when I can have a rest.  Or when Mr E turns his key in the lock and I almost cry with relief because I can just go and have a bath and have some time to myself, and not have to be treated to another episode of Peppa Pig, or have to pick up one more crumb off my expensive sofa.  

However life isn't full of days out, and picture perfect memories.  In fact a lot of life as a Mummy can be very mundane and ordinary.  An onslaught of washing, tidying, tiredness, and constant 'No Mummy.'  

But actually when you think about it, the ordinary is actually the most amazing thing.  It is pretty special to be able to have a front row seat to watch your child grow into the person that they are going to be.  To help them learn, and to steer them on the right path so they become a good and decent human being.  That is one big responsiblity and one amazing gift.

Mostly parenting is about day to day life- the play dates, the mornings at home, the eating of lunch, bath time, bed time and the mundane routines that we have.  But the ordinary is pretty special too.

I want to make sure that I start to celebrate the ordinary, and the day to day life we lead.  I want to make the little moments ones to cherish.  As one day when she is at school or even grown up and flown the nest, you can bet I won't miss the days out, or the expensive treats...I will miss the little moments of our day to day life- the snuggling on the sofa watching TV, the constant 'cups of tea' I am brought from her play kitchen and even the way when she eats an apple she has to give me every single bit of skin.

 The beautiful ordinary.

Before I had Mads I felt like I constantly had to be 'doing something.'  Going on exotic holidays, seeing friends at the weekends or even going out for lunch with Mr E on a Sunday- I didn't like wasting time, I felt like the weekends needed to be hectic and busy.

Since having Mads my whole outlook has changed.  While I love being busy and having fun at the weekends, I relish having a quiet one with my little family.  

Going for a long walk and playing in the grass.

Lying together on our bed and giggling as we hide under the covers.

Stolen kisses when our little girl decides playing is too much and comes to us for a cuddle.

Discovering new things and the simplest things giving her so much pleasure.

Just being together.

These are the moments that I will remember.  These are the moments I will cherish.  Not the big days out or the expensive trips away.

I took this photo last weekend.  We went for a walk in the scorching heat and saw a field of buttercups.  Originally I was taking photos of Mads but she was overtired and just wanted to give her Daddy a cuddle.  Her fingers are in her mouth like they always are when she is sleepy.

These are the moments I love to capture.

Those moments in time.

It is the last week to vote in the Mad Blog Awards- Mummy Daddy and Me mand Me Makes Three is a finalist in three categories- Best Blog Writer, Most Helpful Blogger, and Best Family Life Blog.  If you like my blog I would love it if you would vote here.