A Spring Saturday at the seaside!

Last Saturday we decided spur of the moment to go to the seaside. Although its still very bitter, the sun was out and we thought why not? Once your bundled up its a great way to blow away the cobwebs, and if you've read my last post you will know I had a lot of those!

When it was time to go the boys happily got back in the car but Niall refused to budge. He was having far too much fun crouching watching the dogs play on the beach!

I'm very out of practice with the camera but it felt great to reclaim family time. Watch this space!

Autumn exploring

My news feeds are full of people saying farewell to Summer. Now, I'm not impartial to a bit of nice weather, but personally I'm sat here open armed welcoming Autumn. I love getting cosy on dark nights, wrapping up for walks and stomping through crunchy leaves more than anything. Whilst most families are heading into soft play around this time of the year, we head outdoors more than ever. We explore newly empty areas, bug hunt and just generally just enjoy family time with our boys.

We recently explored a new part of the peak district, and although it was right on the out skirts, it was still very beautiful.

It was the first time that Niall had saw a sheep since he learnt what they 'say', he was in his element baa'ing away in fascination!

Even the most fantastic little walkers need a rest to re fuel every now and then!

I love his little hand gestures, deep in riveting conversation as always!

"You are my favourite adventure"

 "Rarrr", We found a wild Rio lurking in the bush!

 

My boys and the bluebells! - Renishaw Hall

Since going back to work we're finding it hard to have family days out at the weekend. Craig often works Saturdays and working Sunday is part of my contract. So when we do get the chance, like this bank holiday weekend, we really do like to make the most of it!

Regular readers of my blog will already known that we like to explore and discover new places but we actually stumbled across Renishaw Hall on google maps, of all places! And within about 20 minutes of being there it became one of our favourite places, one I know we will revisit over and over again as a family like we do with Potteric carr etc.

We were lucky enough to visit when the bluebells were in bloom and my gosh was it a magical sight.

The walks/garden weren't the most pushchair friendly in places but as this is an award winning garden we didn't expect them to be. There was something new to discover around every corner and I have a feeling we didn't even find half of it.

The courtyard, shops and café are so quaint and totally me. So much so I let my healthy eating guard down and had a slice/slab of coffee cake..it didn't disappoint!

Yesterday: A normal day in photos

We're the type of family that likes to make the most of the weekends, whenever possible we try to have a family day out. But during the week, as I don't drive, its a little harder to do anything much more exciting than a visit to the park, a few hours at playgroup or a new activity from Pinterest. Sometimes we just have normal days. The days where nothing is planned, where the kids just play as they please and I try to master the art of drinking a cuppa while it is still hot!

Yesterday was one of those days. Yesterday: A normal day in photos

I woke myself up with a morning coffee while they boys had their breakfast. Toast and banana for Niall, porridge for Rio.

 

Rio tried to do his alphabet puzzles but little Niall wanted to see what his brother was up to and join in!

I then got a parcel I forgot I'd even ordered and got the boys dressed for the day.

 

Rio made fun out of tidying a messy hallway and Niall ran around for a while whilst me and Rio used our matching hoovers to clean up.

 

 

Rio chose mushrooms and mackerel for lunch, followed by fruit and fromage frais. I forgot to photograph Niall's but he had sweet potato mash, quickly followed by a bottle as nap time was overdue and he was doing his little dinosaur noise.

 

 All winter we have been telling Rio he can play on the trampoline again when it gets sunny. He certainly didn't fail to tell me the sun was out yesterday, and had fun burning off some energy.

 

 

I love sitting back with a cuppa (hot this time - result!) and watching them play together. They have such a bond already and the older Niall gets the more it grows. Nothing makes him laugh like his big brother. I love how in a morning, he naughtily tries to wake him up on purpose.. Niall is an early riser in comparison to Rio, and while he wakes with a smile now..im sure in a few years that will all change!

 

 

I so wish that I could capture on camera his eye colour difference properly, I wonder if it will change? Rio discovered that cups sound like horse hooves and had lots of fun clip clopping around. He then had a rare afternoon nap.. that's what fresh air and a trampoline does to you!

 

Craig got home from work and cooked tea (chicken, sweet chilli rice and peppers) while I went to the gym. I read Niall a story and got him to sleep while Rio was unwinding downstairs and having quality time with Daddy. I then hopped in the shower and into bed leaving Craig to watch Frozen while Rio drifted off.

 

A normal day, a normal family, but I couldn't be happier!