A Trip To The Farm

Today was the last day of the Easter Holidays so we decided to do something special and took the girls to Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh, South Devon.

Picture taken at end of day

As soon as we arrived we knew we were going to enjoy ourselves. We had only just got through the gates when us parents got the opportunity to hold  a baby duckling and show the girls. I was so excited. It was so cute and fluffy and very soft. He was obviously used to being handled and wasn't scared at all. It made my day:

We then saw a variety of small animals including rabbits and guinea pigs and Poppy got to hold a baby mouse which she really enjoyed:

Rosie was so excited and didn't stay in her pushchair long. She just wanted to get out and touch all the animals. I was amazed by how fearless she was...feeding baby goats and donkeys and sticking her fingers up their noses.... um-mm nice!

Here are a load more photos of the girls having fun:

Another Highlight for me was Poppy having her first pony ride. As someone who used to ride a lot when I was younger I have been dying to get her on a pony for ages and was really happy she enjoyed it:

As well as seeing all the animals, real tractor rides for the whole family and a picnic, the girls were thrilled there were several playground areas and loads of tramperlines to keep them amused:

A great family day out to end the holidays on.

Karen x

Fun With Friends

This weekend Nicky, one of my very old friends and house mate from Uni came to stay. We haven't seen each other since just before I went to live in Canada almost five years ago but have kept in touch via the phone and emails. 

Obviously since then, a lot has changed, the biggest thing being I am a Mummy now.

Nicky has never met my girls before but they were really excited about meeting her and took to her straight away. She was brilliant with them. Since she has left they have been asking about her non-stop.

We were really lucky the weather was so good, so headed to the beach where we enjoyed a lovely picnic.  Poppy especially loved splashing around in the water and even ended up in her knickers as everything got so wet! Lucky enough Nics had been wearing layers so she leant Poppy her T-shirt which we tied in a knot at the back and I had a pair of clean tights in my bag so she didn't get cold.

We enjoyed a lovely weekend with her which went way to quickly so I wanted to share some photos:

I think Nicky will tell you I haven't changed that much, I might be  a bit older but i'm  just as dizzy. I demonstrated this by showing how:

• Having sun tan lotion in bag is not good enough, you have to remember to put it on
• Mums still need to carry wet wipes even when  children are toilet trained, especially at the beach
• Children need either layers or clean outfits for such trips

It was a good practice run to prepare for a Summer at the Beach.

Now five years is obviously far too long so we have promised not to leave it so long next time.

Karen x

84/366 - Fun At The Beach

We are loving the gorgeous weather today and headed off to the beach to enjoy it.:

We have my old friend from Uni staying with us this weekend so it was really good to be able to get out and enjoy the fresh air.

Karen x

70/366 - Warmer Weather = Ice Cream

Today has been a pretty warm day so we treated the girls to an ice cream from our favourite shop. It went down really well and kept them quiet for ages.

Karen x

My Week That Was...

Another week has flown by and what a lovely week it has been.

Monday was another usual Monday. Poppy went to School and Rosie and I stayed home. The weather was good so we played outside for a while and then when she napped I went right through cleaning. When Poppy got back from School we played out a bit more and it was a pretty good but quiet day.

Tuesday was a bit mixed. I had a serious wobble in the morning where I was getting really fed up and sore of carrying an increasingly clingy Rosie to School and back. It improved when we went to our usual toddler group in the afternoon though. It was lovely to see the other Mums and have a chat and Rosie was more confident today, joining in with her Sisters activities.

Wednesday, nothing much happened. Poppy went to School, Rosie napped and I actually rested and blogged instead of running around tidying and cleaning. It was lovely.

Thursday - Poppy went to School this morning dressed as a ballerina for World Book Day and then we enjoyed a lovely afternoon at home. We took her balance bike out, then we painted a little clay pot she made with her Daddy at the weekend. We even did some baking.

Friday - Was a lovely day. First we headed off to do our usual music group. One of Poppy's friends from School came for the first time and really enjoyed it. Our really good friends who moved away in the Summer also came which was lovely. Afterwards we went to lunch where we caught up on all the gossip and let the kids run wild before heading off to the park. Great fun. We all really miss them so it was great to catch up.

Saturday - We started the day with a lovely leisurely breakfast in bed. Not quite the same as it would have been pre children but lovely nevertheless:

Then Poppy had her usual ballet lesson. I took both girls and Husband stayed home to tackle the huge ironing pile, he managed to get quite a bit done. This afternoon I had some serious pampering...a pedicure and a back, neck & shoulder massage. Bliss. I was exhausted after that though so had a long bath and early night.

Sunday - I woke up feeling dreadful. We were supposed to be taking the girls to a farm today but it was raining this morning so we decided to go next weekend. Instead we had a very lazy day at home instead with a roast dinner, DVDs and all the toys out.

My week in pictures:

Hope you've all had a good week.

Karen x

My Week That Was...

Wow another week has gone already. This one was a little boring really as Rosie hasn't been her usual self.

Monday - Rosie has been teething and has been very clingy and wingy. I found it hard carrying her up the hill today on the School run, as she refused to walk. She slept all afternoon though so I did get to have a little rest after  a huge cleaning spurt! I think the nesting has kicked in.

Tuesday - This morning Poppy was at Preschool so Rosie and I played. Then this afternoon we all went to the toddler group at the School. it was really nice to catch up with the other mums and see the girls play.

Wednesday - Think I over did it today with the nesting! Did loads more cleaning whilst Poppy was at Preschool and Rosie was napping. Tonight I had a bit of a melt down when I ached from head to toe and no-one was listening to me! Was tearful and emotional too :-(. Being pregnant is tough sometimes.

Thursday - Poppy had Preschool in the morning then this afternoon we made her Gramps some chocolates as he is going into hospital next week.

The weathers starting to warm up a little and its lovely so we also spent some time outside too. When Daddy came home we taste tested some of the chocolates and they were pretty yummy!

Oh my new maternity underwear arrived too so feel much more comfortable already:

Friday - We had our usual music group this morning which went pretty well. The girls had fun singing and dancing. Then we had to pick up a bit of shopping in Sainsburys when I spotted all these cute things I just had to have for our kitchen:

I love them and husband didn't mind that they were pink. Might have to go back for more of the range! (cant stop shopping as well as cleaning.....girl?)

Saturday - I took Poppy to her usual ballet lesson and then we sneaked of for a quick coffee/ babyccino. We bumped into one of the other Mums and Daughters on the way to the cafe so all ended up having a drink and cake together which was really nice.

During the afternoon, I headed off to the Salon to have my hair cut, leaving Husband to play with the girls. It was lovely having a little bit of child free time.This evening Husband and I cuddled up and watched a movie with chocolate which was very nice!

Sunday - Husband had to go to work this afternoon so we all enjoyed a lazy morning together. Once he left, the girls and I had fun in the garden and generally carried on being a bit lazy. It was lovely!

Rosie seems to be getting better but is still sleeping a lot....maybe making up for being up in the night last week. Fingers crossed its a more exciting week next week and that the good weather stays with us.

Karen x

My Week That Was....

This week has been half term and wow what a busy week we have had. We have enjoyed lazy lie ins every morning and the week has passed in a blur.

Monday  Poppy asked if we could stay home today so we enjoyed a lovely lazy day. We got the paint pens out and went through a huge pile of paper and did lots of cooking. We surprised Daddy with a three course meal tonight: home made brushetta  (we even made the bread ourselves), tomato and chilli pasta and a delicious home made trifle for pudding. It went down well with all of us.

Tuesday It was Valentines Day and Husband woke me up really early with a lovely card and box of chocolates. It was a nice start to the day.

It was quite bright this morning so we decided to get all the outside toys out. The girls helped me wash them all down and then we played until I decided it was too cold. The girls were having so much fun with their little slide that  I felt awful bringing them in so brought the slide inside too, much to their amusement.

During the afternoon we baked Daddy some Valentines cupcakes which went down well.

Wednesday Husband had the morning off work today so we decided to go to the beach. It was dry but cold so we only stayed a while, the girls had great fun though. Poppy enjoyed collecting lots of stones in her bucket and throwing them in the sea whilst Rosie enjoyed filling her bucket with sand.

Thursday The girls both had to have some injections this morning which wasn't nice. During the afternoon both were quite wingy and by the evening Rosie was really unwell. Not a good day!

Friday Husband had the day off work today which was a lovely bonus. We all enjoyed a lovely lie in and Daddy even went and got milk for the girls and coffee for us adults so we could stay in bed a little longer....bliss.

We did plan on going shopping and getting a few bits we needed but by the time we got to town we were hungry. We ended up enjoying pizza hut for lunch, after which the girls were tired and wanted to come home so we did. I ended up doing my shopping on-line and we all enjoyed a relaxing afternoon which included painting and play dough..

Saturday Rosie really wasn't well so we stayed home. She just wanted to be attached to me which meant lots of sitting down and cuddling her. I ended up putting some DVDs on and just chilling which was quite nice really.

When Rosie was down for her long nap, Poppy and I did some cooking and jigsaw puzzles. Then when Rosie got up she joined in. We made a really yummy tea:

Sunday Husband had to work today so the girls and I headed off to the park. We all had great fun and even met up with some other Mums and children we know.

Rosie still wasn't well so we headed home for lunch and her afternoon nap. Whilst she was sleeping Poppy and I made soup, bread and cheesecake for tea....delicious!

Over all the week has passed in a blur of cooking, painting and play dough. I think we might need to cut back a bit on puddings as we have over indulged a bit but it has been great fun and Poppy has enjoyed herself.

Back to normality though next week.

Karen x

50/366 Swinging High

Children love swings and my girls are no different. This morning we had fun at the park and I managed to get this cute shot:

A trip to the park is always a hit with these girls.  A lovely morning to end half term on.

Karen x

Fun At The Park

When we peeked out of the window this morning we were pleased that blue skies and no rain greeted us. You see I had promised to take the girls to the park this morning if it wasn't raining. 

The girls love the park and even though Rosie is still not 100% I thought the fresh air might be good for her.

Living close to a River too meant we got to stop and enjoy the views. The girls love seeing the boats and looking for swans.

What a lovely morning. I cant believe half term is over, it has gone so quickly.

This afternoon we are cooking so watch this space for some more yummy recipes and pictures...I hope!

Karen x

49/366 - Balls!

The girls love playing with balls and we have a variety of them in different sizes and colours. Only one problem though....they always end up rolling under the sofa.

This is a regular sight in our house although fairly often its my bottom down there with the girls:

Karen x

46/366 - Fun At The Beach

We enjoyed our morning at the beach. Despite it being a bit cold and Poppy being a bit wingy at the start, I think it did us all the world of good!

We love being outdoors no matter what the weather!

Karen x

Day 3 Of Half Term and A Trip To The Beach

Okay so after two days at home we decided it was time to venture out and about. Daddy had the morning off work and we woke up to a bright clear morning so decided a trip to the beach was in order.

We are lucky enough to live near to some beautiful beaches so make the most of it in all weathers. Today was a bit cold so we didn't stay too long but it was nice to get out. Armed with buckets and spades, we wrapped up warm and headed off to one of our favourites:

It was pretty quiet there. Poppy enjoyed collecting stones and throwing them into the water whilst Rosie happily played with the sand, filling her bucket again and again:

Next we stopped for a quick lunch to warm up before dropping Daddy back off to work.

A relaxing afternoon of fun and games at home plus making an orange jelly for tea, completed our day.

I cant believe we are half way through the week already.

Hope you are all having lots of fun too.

Karen x

Lazy Days and Cupcakes

Another lovely fun filled day in our house:

We have all enjoyed not having to be anywhere but have kept ourselves busy as you can see. We are off out tomorrow but it has been nice having a few days at home.

The best bit.....baking valentines cup cakes for Daddy! Hope he's not late home tonight!

Karen x

Day 1 Of Half Term - A Relaxing Fun Filled Day

The first day of half term and we not only survived it by but have actually  enjoyed a lovely day.

I must admit when Husband fist told me he was working all week, including the weekend I panicked a bit. What on earth was I going to do with the girls all week? I thought about going to visit my parents but they are looking after my Nana. She has been really poorly lately and despite loving the girls, she is not up to being invaded by us all.

So what did we do?

Well we didn't get up until 8am so we were all in a happy relaxed mood. We enjoyed a leisurely morning staying in our pjs longer than usual.  The girls were thrilled to not have to rush around and Poppy actually asked if we could not go anywhere today and just stay home.

The girls were really good, playing brilliantly together while I rushed through the usual Monday cleaning jobs. I could hear their little giggles  all around the house as I did my jobs.

Next we did some painting with the paint pens. Both girls enjoyed themselves and had great fun. We went through a huge pile of paper:

Whilst Rosie was napping this afternoon, Poppy and I did some baking.  First we made a trifle:

Next we made fresh tomato and herb bread:

Later we sliced some of the bread and made brushetta:

Husband was very pleased to come home to a three course meal...brushetta, pasta with tomato and chilli sauce and trifle. He felt very spoilt and was impressed that Poppy had helped make it all.Both girls ate a good meal and thought the trifle was the best thing ever!

I love days like this. Everyone is happy and I feel like a good Wife and Mummy.

Wonder what we will do tomorrow.

Karen x