How do YOU say no?

The overwhelm is here again.
It visits too often. Unwelcome, unyielding. Buffeting and rough on the mind.
I wish it away but wishing never quite does it.
I know that there is too much on, too much on my plate. I know this.
But what I don't know is how to take it down a notch and let everything in my head calm down.
My to-do list has reached magnificent proportions and it is both my friend and my mortal enemy.

The big thing I do know is that I am not very good at saying "no". I am a capable gal and I have lots of skills. I am someone that others look to, to help, to lead, to be involved.
So why can't I say no sometimes and keep my commitments at manageable levels?

Do you have any suggestions for me? How do you manage it?
I suspect it might have something to do with this.....(as seen on a recent visit to Abbotsford Convent).

Help please.

Thomas the Tank Engine birthday cake, a fruit rainbow and other bits and pieces

As I mentioned, the Bowler turned three this week. 

The Birthday Boy - a little bemused by all the fuss

I love planning for children's birthday parties.

Here is the Thomas the Tank Engine birthday cake and a few other bits and pieces which helped us to celebrate on the day.

The cake

More cake

Cake - aerial shot :)

Chocolate nougat cheesecake - I heart you Thermomix

Chocolate and ginger muffins; lemon and sugar muffins

The fruit rainbow

Lolly cups

Yum!

My favourite - marshmallow pops

Happy birthday beautiful boy.

Three

The Bowler turned three on Tuesday.
My littlest. My last baby. My wee boy. He is three.
I am so very thankful for the presence of this gorgeous boy in all our lives.
He is loud. He is verbose. He is loving, affectionate and has a strong sense of who he is.
Rowdy at times, cuddly at others.
He has often, by necessity, played a little of the second fiddle role as we came to grips with what big brother Batsman needed and what autism meant for all of us. He has taken this, mostly, in his stride. At our weekly sports program, you will regularly hear him yell to his big brother from the sidelines..."good boy...you are doing a great job".

Thank you gorgeous boy for playing the pushing and pulling, the cheering and encouraging role with your big brother. His life is immeasurably better for having you around to inspire him to communicate, to negotiate and to love. You are growing into a wonderful little human who clearly will lead and inspire and push others around you to reach potential. Our very own Leo the lion, leading and encouraging are part of who you are.

Happy birthday, my beautiful boy. I love you more than words can say.