Thursday 31 December 2015

New Years Eve sparkle

New Years Eve is not a holiday that can really be properly celebrated with a toddler! However, we have ended our crafty year with lots of glitter to make fireworks 
Just basic supplies needed for this craft. The more variety of glitters the better.
Using a paint brush, I let the Zebra paint the glue onto the paper 
After that, just let loose with the "shake-shake" 
If you use the glue to write straight onto the paper, you can also make some funky pictures 
This glitter can be added all over to give a shiny look (just remember to leave it flat when drying!!!!)
 Or the glitter can go on in stripes or blocks!
Whatever you decide - you will still be finding glitter all round the house long into summer... 

How to enjoy New Years Eve when your a single mum to a toddler...

Wine. Lots of wine.
Yeah, if only! Having a toddler means you'll be up at the arse-end of dawn tomorrow, and being single means it's always your turn to do the early shift. And day shift. And night shift. So as much as I would love to drown in my sorrows, the thought of New Years Day with both a hangover and a child is way to scary.

End the year with a positive accomplishment.
No matter what ups & downs you've had over the last 12 months, end the year with an up. No matter how minor, it will make you feel better!
I finally tackled the baskets and piles of clean clothes that needed putting away or going into the "outgrown" box. 
It's lovely to walk down the stairs again without navigating the toppling pillars of cloth.  

If like 99% of the the population your resolution will be to go on a diet in 2016, today is a great day to enjoy tasty food before you say farewell. For a week at least. 
By removing all the temptations today, it will make tomorrow easier. Plus it means you get to eat every last scrap of chocolate and cheese and not feel guilty about it. 

Once the Zebra was asleep in bed, I did a quick tidy of the house. I wish I could leave the mess till tomorrow, but it would annoy me all night and that's no fun. But do allow yourself to do the upmost bare minimum that you can get away with. Shove it all in one room and shut the door if you can! 

Treat yourself. Be totally selfish. Do what makes you feel happy. You could read, or take a bath, do your nails or hair. Me? I bought my self flowers, drank a bottle of prosecco, ordered pizza and indulged in trashy films.
It was bliss.

As the clock strikes midnight, there are only two places you will want to be:
A) Watching your little one snoozing away, wondering how your child can look so innocent while sleeping
B) Passed out asleep, in bed or in the sofa, it doesn't really matter. Anywhere at home is better than the New Years of my past. Highlights include wondering around St Ives in the pissing rain, in fancy dress and unable to get any alcohol. In a pub with two friends literally crying on a shoulder each. Or the year which ended in A&E. 
Some times I miss being young and being able to party. Then memories like this come flooding back and I feel smugly happy about my cup of tea and blanket.
 
Nothing wakes you up and gives you a kick up the arse like weighing yourself after the festive season. I started to celebrate Christmas around mid-Novemeber and I'm certainly paying for it. Still - we all have to start somewhere.

After standing on those scales (and feeling a bit ropey from the food and wine yesterday), take the opportunity to get out into the blustery outdoors and blow away the cobwebs. Start the year as you mean to go on - looking bedraggled, feeling tired and craving a bacon sandwich. 

Happy 2016 from the Zebra and the Zoo Keeper xx